The Gate of God

“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord.”  Zephaniah 3:9  ESV Pure Speech – In order to understand what the prophet is saying, we need some Babylonian background.  The…

Fences

“but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”  Genesis 3:3  NASB Touch it – So why did Eve (Havvah) misrepresent God’s command?  Why did she add “or touch it”?  The typical explanation…

The Four Spiritual Stages (4)

Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage.  I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.  Then I will take you for My people, and I…

The Four Spiritual Stages (3)

 Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage.  I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.  Then I will take you for My people, and I…

The Four Spiritual Stages (2)

Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage.  I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.  Then I will take you for My people, and I…

The Four Spiritual Stages (1)

Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage.  I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.  Then I will take you for My people, and I…

The Houdini God

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.  1 Corinthians 10:13  NASB Endure – Houdini…

Upside Down Secrets of Success

Can a man take fire into his bosom and his clothes not be burned?  Proverbs 6:27   NASB Fire – I suppose you imagine that this little investigation is going to be about moral purity.  Or maybe you think that we’re going to investigate the relationship between ‘es (fire) and ‘ish (man).  But no, I’m going…

Lessons from the Past

Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the age have come.  1 Corinthians 10:11  NASB Our instruction – Paul is a curious teacher.  He actually expects his students to learn from the stories of the Tanakh.  In fact, he considers the…