May I have a WORD with you?

References:  John 15:7 - ask whatever you WANT - thelo To will, have in mind, intend, to purpose, to desire, to wish, to take delight in To bring my thelo to the Lord is a form of prayer. So, just ask in prayer for a job paying 7-8-9 figures, for a Lamborghini, for a vacation home at the beach Compare James 4:1-3 With James 1:5-8  John 15:7 - If you remain in me and my words remain in you… The “as...

References:  100th Episode - This is a laughing matter. laugh - צָחַק (tsaw-khak'); שָׂחַק (saw-khak') Abraham and Sarah give birth to יִצְחָק (yits-khawk') Psalm 2:1-4 - God laughs at those who plot to get free of God Zechariah and Elizabeth name John (Lk 1:57-66) To me this scene makes me laugh more than any other Bible scene (so Monty Python like)      To celebrate a milestone, r...

References:  98 episodes ago - “Remembering to Forget” Revelation 21:1-5 Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Isaiah 43:14-19 On the brink of the 100th episode milestone. Spiritual Blessing - Ephesians 1:3-11 “Before He made the world…” πρὸ καταβολῆς - “before the foundation…” “bring everything together…” ἀνακεφαλαιόω (an-ak-ef-al-ah'-ee-om-ahee) to sum up (again), to repeat summarily, to condense into a summ...

References:  The significance of the town gate. That justice may be done, though not in an arbitrary way Remember from Ruth: Part 1 - Deut 25:7-10 Consider the Magna Carta of 1215 & a jury of peers The family redeemer - rights and responsibilities Rights - v 4: he wants the land Responsibilities - v 6: he doesn’t want the risk of responsibility  -  SO “In those days…” (in former times, in the...

References:  We can arrange, but God brings to fruition.  Naomi’s conviction/responsibility Boaz will be winnowing זָרָה (zaw-raw')  … as God winnows the righteous from the unrighteous How do we fair in God’s winnowing process? Boaz was in good spirits, his heart was merry, he felt great. (see Ecc 3:13) v 9 - “spread your wings over your servant.” Recall last episode and 2:12 Ruth 3:11 - “a v...

References:  Wisdom: Proverbs 7:4 - מוֹדָע - (mo-dah') - kins-man(woman), relative Boaz - he was prominent, wealthy, powerful: related to Naomi’s deceased husband Ruth works Boaz’s field by “chance?” - וַיִּקֶר מִקְרֶהָ  - (kaw-raw' mik-reh') - unforeseen meeting or event, accident, happening, chance, fortune -   used 10X in OT, 7 in Ecc. ! - Wisdom When God is involved, there is no...

References:  Helpful context for getting into Ruth The time of the Judges - see Judges 2:6-19 Judges 10:6 - 12:7 - Jephthah (Ammon & Moab)  "Israel had no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes" - Judges 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25 Ruth is an amazing story of God’s salvation for Israel. From no king (last sentence of Judges) to David, the great king whose Son, Jesus, beca...

References:  Back from visiting 5 NPs and many other wonders Experienced joy in the discovery, awe, marvel, etc. Isa 55:12 NLT - You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Ps 16:11b - in your presence there is fullness of joy But can we give God joy? We can grieve the Holy Spirit. Eph 4:29-32 ESV Luke 15 - the los...

References:  2 Th 1:3-12; 1 Th 5:23-28; 2 Th 3:1-18 Escape the “pay-back” mentality 2 Th 1:6 - ἀνταποδίδωμι (an-tap-od-ee'-do-mee) in a good sense, to repay, requite in a bad sense, penalty and vengeance Lk 14:12-14 - God will reward you Rom 12:19 - Dear friends, never take revenge. Heb 10:30 - also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.  The tri-unity of our being 1 Th 5:23 - ὁλόκληρος (...

References: Happy 4th of July! 1 Th 4:13-18; 5:1-11; 2 Th 2:1-12 “Heaven,” “Hell,” and the fullness of God’s Kingdom The mystery - the “resurrection of the body” and the Kingdom in it’s fullness Rapture theology (Darby) and (pre) (post) (a)millennialism confusion ἁρπάζω (har-pad'-zo) caught up (in Latin: raptus) Acts 8:39 - Philip 2 Cor 12:2, 4 - Paul Rev 12:5 - Jesus Matthew 24:37-42 1 Th 4:...

References: 1 Th 4:1-12; 5:12-22; 2 Th 3:6-15 God’s will - θέλημα - (thel'-ay-mah) will, what one wishes or has determined shall be done of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ Connection to 1 Tim 2:4  of what God wishes to be done by us commands, precepts Lord’s Prayer - thy will be done on earth… Holy and loving rather than unclean and lazy ἁγιασμός (holiness) vs ἀκαθαρσία (un...

References: Participation in Christ 1 Thess 2:1-13 Flattery - κολακεία (kol-ak-i'-ah) only here Similes of familial relationships Like children (infants) Like a mother Like a father  Their faithful response to the Word of God λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ - Word of God vs 13 and the three understandings of Word of God 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 - Suffering Persecution 1 Thess 2:17-20 - A Good Report v 18 - ἐγκ...

References: Historical Setting - Acts 17:1-15 2nd Mission Journey Paul and Barnabas go separate ways Barnabas and John Mark Paul and Silas Acts 16-17 Thessalonica Berea to Athens 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 Greeting and prayer of thanksgiving Faith–hope–love v 3 ἔργον (er'-gon) work [of faith] κόπος (kop'-os) labor [of love] ὑπομονή (hoop-om-on-ay') [of hope] 1 Thess 1:4-10 Celebrating th...

References: Acts 2 The significance of “heaven” or “the heavens” οὐρανός (oo-ran-os') - the heavens Acts 2:2, 2:5, 2:19, 2:34 The upper story, the lower story, our story Lord’s Prayer - “on earth as it is in heaven” Think throne or rule/reign The Temple of God - ναός (nah-os') “the sanctuary or cell of the temple, where the image of the god was placed which is distinguished from the whol...

An Application of the Ascension References: How the Gospels end Matthew 28:16-20 Mark 16:8 - +shorter ending - +longer ending 16:20 - συνεργέω (soon-erg-eh'-o) James 2:22 - trust and response (faith & actions) Romans 8:28 - who is working? God & those who love Him Luke 24:49-53 - οὐρανός (oo-ran-os') - the heavens John 21:18-25 The Beginning of Acts Acts 1:1-5 Proofs of Resurrect...

References: The power of God’s Word Isaiah 55:11 - empty -  רֵיקָם  (ray-kawm'), void, without effect, vainly Exodus 3:19-22 - illustrate how God’s word will not return without accomplishing its purpose  Ex 12:31-36 Taking the Chapter apart Isa 55:1-5 An Invitation to the abundant life of covenant relationship Satisfy - שָׂבְעָה (sov-aw')   Isa 56:11, Jude 1: Isa 55:6-7 A Call to Repenta...

References: Inspiring passages John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater (μείζονα) works, because I am going to be with the Father. John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing (οὐδέν). 1 Timothy 6:12 12 Fight (ἀγωνίζου)...

References: Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus calls Peter out of the boat v 27 - ① Θαρσεῖτε ② ἐγώ εἰμι· ③ μὴ φοβεῖσθε ① Courage! - imperative ② I Am! ③ No fear! - imperative v 28 - ① κέλευσόν με ② πρὸς σὲ ③ ἐλθεῖν ① Command me ② Unto you ③ To come (infinitive) v 29 - Ἐλθέ Come! (imperative - command) The story’s application Consider what the boat represents The church Safety Familiarity Consider what the s...

References: Ephesians 5:15-20 v 15 - ἀκριβῶς (ak-ree-boce') - exactly, accurately, diligently, circumspectly from ἀκριβής - strict, exact, careful of the strictest sect: the most precise and rigorous in interpreting the Mosaic law, and in observing even the more minute precepts of the law and tradition v 16 - ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρόν - “redeeming the time” ex-ag-or-ad'-zo - to redeem by...

References: John 15:9-17 v 11 - joy overflowing - πληρόω (play-ro'-o) - to make complete in every particular; to render perfect: Heb 12:1-2 αἰσχύνης καταφρονήσας - the shame despising αἰσχύνη - ignominy, disgrace, dishonour, a thing to be ashamed of καταφρονέω - despise, disdain, think little or nothing of JOY You see a smile on my face It’s an asset I’d never trade It’s not a joke. I’m not j...

References: Meaning of Good Friday The fulcrum of the lever of life Jesus goes from life in human form to life in resurrected human form through the cross Becoming cursed to remove our curse - substitutionary atonement The cross as a symbol or sign of salvation The cross in Paul’s writings Phil 2:8 - σταυρός (stow-ros') cross [see also 3:18] “Even” death on a cross 2:8 Enemies of the cross 3:...

References: The final week of Lent is called Holy From the Triumphal entry to Easter Mt ch21-28; Mk 11-16; Lk 19:28-24; Jn 12-20 Of 89 chapters in the four Gospels, nearly 30% are given to this one week Passion Narratives - passion meaning suffering Prophecy - Isaiah 53 v 9 - רָשָׁע (raw-shaw') wicked vs עָשִׁיר (aw-sheer') rich     Born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate...

References: Missional Strategy - Chapters 2 and 3 strategic Christian Communities for the spread of the Gospel throughout the Medeteranian region Transformation through the Gospel - Poem 3:3-7 Transformed households - ὑγιαίνω (hoog-ee-ah'-ee-no) 1:9, 1:13, 2:1, 2:2 (sound, free of error) The world looks at the Christian houshold and sees no difference from any other household. Discrediting Go...

References: Introduction - vs 1-4 The truth that shows us how to live godly lives We have confidence because God, not pseudo-gods ἀψευδής (aps-yoo-dace') - not lying or false From ἄλφα (as a negative particle) and (think how a is used as a prefix for “not” like asymptomatic ψεῦδος - whatever is not what it seems to be of perverse, impious, deceitful precepts Pseudonym, pseudo-science The Miss...

References: Lent is a time when we get attentive of our need for confession and repentance. Our sin, individually and collectively bring consequences and God’s wrath. Isaiah 24:1-6 ESV v 4 - אָמַל  (aw-mal') languish to be weak, to droop,  to languish, to be exhausted  Jer 14:1-3, 7-10, 13-16, 20-22 NLT How does the behavior of God’s Chosen people resemble our world today? A comparative Greek...