Two House Theology

Now he arose that same night and took his two wives and his two maids and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. Genesis 32:22 NASB Jabbok – Everyone knows the story. Jacob wrestles. He loses. He is blessed. Israel is born. But maybe we know the story too well to actually…

Love Measures

“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”  Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Luke 7:47-48 NASB Love much – What does Yeshua mean with this odd statement? What does it mean…

Khayelitsha

Just outside the airport of Cape Town, more than a million people live in Khayelitsha.  I met a few.  Makes you wonder how come God treats us with such kid gloves.

Sacrifice and Forgiveness

“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”  Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Luke 7:47-48 NASB Forgiven – Leviticus tells us exactly what to do when we discover after the fact…

Canon Complications

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB All Scripture – It goes without saying that Paul is not referring to anything in our New Testament. For…

Falling Down

“Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.’” 2 Kings 20:5 NASB Prayer –…

The Spiritual Diet

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, . . Psalm 42:1-3a [E] Food/Water brooks – The bread of the righteous….

Warrior Tribe

He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28 NASB Israel – Why is Jacob called Israel? The man (angel?) in the story tells us. Israel is somehow a name that means “striving with God.” Payne’s comment is instructive…

The Man of Faith

For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15 NASB I do not understand – Paul is not describing his spiritual state before his “conversion.” That’s what Augustine thought and as a result…

For the Love of God

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5 NASB Might – “If love is real, one should be able to express deep, intimate feelings, unafraid of being judged, ridiculed, or mocked; one is able to take off masks and be…