It seems strange to me and many others that Jesus used parables instead of just telling them straightforwardly. Why? Let’s read the passage and some notes. Matthew 13 Jesus Teaches the Parable of the Sower 1 Jesus went out of the house that same day and sat by the seaside. 2 Great crowds were…
In a neighborhood where we lived was a man, we called the Rainbow Man. He had a racy white car with rainbow running boards. The colors flowed in waves as he drove. At night, one could see the rainbow waves on the street under the car, too. He also drove with his windows down…
What are we to forget, and what are do we to remember? Paul speaks to the Philippians and us. From my translation and annotated notes on Philippians 3:13-14. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it, but this one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind [me]…
My annotated noted on Hebrews 3:12-14. Being faithful until the end of life. 12 Be careful, brothers, lest there be in any of youp an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. [The slow slide into unbelief is a danger to all believers. There is the danger of something becoming a…
When starting a new, we need to remind ourselves of our Christian renewal. We are to renew our commitment to holy living. Thus, we are to have a Biblical lifestyle and worldview. Romans Chapter 12 Do Not Conform To the World’s Ways 1 I implore youp, brothers, by the compassions of God, that youp…
2 Timothy 3:12 NLT Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. We are taught first B1 To live godly lives C1 A life according to God’s standards D1 Be holy, which is a life separated from the lifestyle and worldview of the nonbelievers. 1 Peter…
Brief notes on my translation of 1 Corinthians 8 1 Corinthians Chapter 8 Apostolic Counsel—Food Sacrificed to Idols 1 Now concerning things offered to idols. We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes one proud, but love edifies. [Idol temples after the offered sacrifices then sell it to the public. Even when we…
Brief notes on my translation of 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Apostolic Counsel—Life Status 17 Nonetheless, [the believer should continue to live] only as God distributed to everyone, as the Lord has called everyone, so let them live their life. I give such directions in all congregations. 18 Is any man called already circumcised? He shouldn’t…
Brief notes on my translation of 1 Corinthians 7:7-16 7 For I wish that all people were even as I am, but each has their proper gift from God, one in this way and another in that way. 8 Therefore, I say to the unmarried and widows, “It is better for them if they…
Brief notes on my translation of 1 Corinthians 7:1-6 Apostolic Counsel—Marriage 1 Now concerning the things youp wrote to me: “It is better for a man not to [sexually] touch a woman.” [In chapter 6, Paul is talking about sexual sins. To prevent someone from thinking that sex is wrong, he addresses some sexual…