Paul continues in his instructions to pastor Timothy and to all pastors. These instructions are the standard. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is beneficial for doctrine, convincing, correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17 So that God’s people may be complete, fully equipped for all good works. See also Luke 12:47-48, John…
The Christian life is thought by many to be easy and happy. Reality teaches us that it is difficult. The devil and his hoard hate us because of Jesus. Our worldview and lifestyle is one of holiness instead of unholiness. There are several comparisons in Scriptures with Galatians 5:19-23. The purpose of those who…
Among the instructions and encouragements, the writer now turns to teaching about God’s discipline. God is a teacher. He wishes for His people to mature, have self-control, learn failure, deal with difficulties, learn to ask for wisdom and grace, to help each other in afflictions, and the goals of a godly life. My translation…
The writer now precedes to write some final instructions. This section encourages us to persevere to the end of our life. Many have gone before us and remained faithful. We keep our eyes on the goal who is Jesus. Jesus also persevered to the end. We need to encourage each other as well. My…
More heroes of the faith listed, and why they are people honored in this passage. We too, by God’s help, can also believe God for salvation and day-by-day living. My translation and notes on Hebrews 11:20-22 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. [Isaac believed what God had said…
The Hebrews writer continues with Abraham as an example of faith. We always can learn from these examples. Some of Jesus’s rules for the church are must and must not, principles to do or to avoid, and examples of success that we follow or do not. My translation of Hebrew 11:8-19 8 By faith…
The Hebrews writer ends chapter 10—39 But we are not those who turn back into eternal ruin but of those who have faith for preserving the soul—and now proceeds to write about faith both its definition and examples. Faith, believing God, is of upmost importance. My translation and notes on Hebrews Chapter 11:1-7 Faith Defined…
Luke 17:5-6 5 The Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 6 The Lord said, “If youp had faith as big as a mustard seed, youp might say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey youp.” It is not the smallest seed in Israel…
In light of Father’s Day where I live, I thought I’d offer the two styles of leadership taught in the Bible, some characteristics of each, and the question, “What type of leader am I?” All adults are leaders sometime and some place. Fathers are leaders; mothers are leaders as well. Let us study the…
We all make promises. How do God’s promises different from human promises? Why is there usually a waiting period before God’s promise is fulfilled? Why did God take an oath with His promise to Abraham? My translation and notes on Hebrews 6:13-20 God’s Promise Is Sure 13 For when God made a promise to…