I Corinthians 12:28 introduces the gift of Helps - "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." First, it is clear that God assigns the gifts in the Church per his sovereignty. Second, he assigns them to… Continue reading The Gift of Helps
Category: Theology
God’s Temple
Israel is an example to us today; all that happened, their choices, their delivery from enemies, their falling away from God, the building of the Temple, the Ten commandments, and all the rest. We see in Israel God's ideas delivered to them in great specificity and detail. In regard to the temple, perhaps it seemed… Continue reading God’s Temple
Your God Is Too Small – Part 2
This is a book by J.B. Phillips, a completion of comments about the book, specifically, Constructive. Phillips takes a very apologetic approach assessing the characteristics necessary to validate the truth of his person as well as, His character. An adequate God is in sufficient size and focus, meaning in sufficient detail for those who see.… Continue reading Your God Is Too Small – Part 2
Yeshua’s Purpose, in Part
I've been thinking of a question once posed to me, "Do you think, Yeshua came to start a new religion?" I think the question left off an unspoken premise, "Didn't he just clarify and qualify Judaism, such that if we merely follow Judaism, as it was intended, we will be saved." Here is my answer,… Continue reading Yeshua’s Purpose, in Part
Holy Spirit Basics, Part II
The gift of speaking in tongues is a lesser gift, (1 Cor. 14:5) but it seems to create more debate than any. Nevertheless scripture says, "...do not forbid speaking in tongues." (1 Cor. 14:39). Also, "If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret."… Continue reading Holy Spirit Basics, Part II
Holy Spirit Basics, Part I
When we consider the Holy Spirit we need to remember that God is one inseparable God, such that there is no conflict or discrepancy between the Spirit, the Word - Yeshua, and the Father. (Deut 6:4). However, there are vast differences among those who make up the church, about the Holy Spirit. There are fundamental… Continue reading Holy Spirit Basics, Part I
Two Responses to Yeshua
"Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. 'Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?' they asked. 'Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us? Where… Continue reading Two Responses to Yeshua
Faith and the Drink Offering
Think about Yeshua's first public miracle, turning water into wine. "When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, 'They have no more wine.' 'Woman, why do you involve me?' Jesus replied. 'My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' " (John 2:3-5). Mary's faith… Continue reading Faith and the Drink Offering
Holy Spirit In Prayer
Agreement is important in prayer. Agreement first must be with God's will. Agreement is also available from the Word of God - when we pray scripture. Recently, I had a need in my family, it was known by others and seemingly getting more urgent. I didn't have faith to say anything, and I knew… Continue reading Holy Spirit In Prayer
The Near Future
When I get to heaven, I'm going to be able to play the heavenly instruments and write some music and sing songs that flow from the Lord. Heaven will be populated with the redeemed saints, spirits of righteous men made perfect. (Heb. 12:23). God will be there, nothing will separate us from Him and we… Continue reading The Near Future
Your God Is Too Small
"Your God Is Too Small" is a book by J.B. Phillips. My comments about the book will be in two parts, this being part 1, Destructive. Phillips first debunks artificial concepts of God, thus using destructive as the negative focus indicates. Among his unreal God's are the following: Resident Policeman Parental Hangover Grand Old… Continue reading Your God Is Too Small
Trust and Obey
Saul, first King of Israel is an example of what to avoid. When Saul went to battle he was told to wait seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel was delayed and Saul's men began to scatter. So Saul said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings." And Saul offered… Continue reading Trust and Obey
Slaves of Righteousness
Everyone has two choices in how to live their life - either as slaves of sin or slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:16 states "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?"… Continue reading Slaves of Righteousness
The Evangelist
The Messiah gave the Church different types of ministries: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher. (Eph 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:28-29). In our day Pastors and Teachers seem to possess the mic and the stage, but I have known Evangelist and they are marvelous, or more accurately, the Spirit's working in them is amazing. I'm not referring… Continue reading The Evangelist
Temporal vs Eternal Life
In C.S. Lewis's book "Readings for Meditation and Reflection in the chapter entitled, "The Christian and the Materialist", the author observes, "...a Christian and a non-Christian may both wish to do good to their fellow men. The one believes that men are going to live forever, that they were created by God and so built… Continue reading Temporal vs Eternal Life
Visions of God
Moses was maybe the person who saw Father God most clearly, at least His Glory. He asked to see God and God put him under a rock to protect him from a face to face encounter, then allowed Moses to see his back as He passed. (Exodus 33:18-23). Of course many people saw Yeshua, who… Continue reading Visions of God
Holy Spirit In Clay Jars
The Holy Spirit lives in every believer. When Yeshua ascended to the Father, He left the Holy Spirit to dwell in His People. This was fulfillment of the great prophecy that He would give His people a heart of flesh for a heart of stone; that His baptism would be with the Holy Spirit, rather… Continue reading Holy Spirit In Clay Jars
We Cannot Out Give God
I can only think of three occasions recording that Yeshua received gifts; near His birth He was given frankincense, gold and myrrh; Mary gave him a foot washing of expensive perfume, and after His death Joseph and Nicodemus gave Him seventy pounds of burial spices. He gave healing, deliverance from evil spirits, sight to the… Continue reading We Cannot Out Give God
Comprehending God
We are finite and limited in our understanding, but Yeshua came to earth to show us God's love, his nature and character. God is powerful enough to make himself known, in fact, it took the cruel death of His one and only Son to do it, so He did. I was once asked, "What is… Continue reading Comprehending God
So This Is Christmas
It is Christmas Eve. The night before we celebrate the birth of our Savior. A time when, as C S Lewis said, "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God." Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. Personally, I enjoy it all - the music, food, gifts… Continue reading So This Is Christmas
Rest For Your Soul
A soul that strives, that struggles, that is searching, that is tormented, that is self-reliant, that is lonely, is not resting. Yeshua said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in… Continue reading Rest For Your Soul
What Happened to the Sacrifice
The sacrifice in the Torah has been fulfilled by a lasting, once for all sacrifice of the Lamb of God, His one and only son Yeshua, Messiah. That sacrifice was the one to which all the rituals of Passover pointed. So, when the curtain in the temple was rent from top to bottom, as the… Continue reading What Happened to the Sacrifice
Glorify God in Your Trials
We all sometimes wonder why God allows trials to come into the lives of Christians such as death of loved ones, poor health, loss of jobs or positions, or unhappy family situations. We understand that we are just passing through this life and Heaven is our ultimate destination but why cannot this life be at… Continue reading Glorify God in Your Trials
Christian Generosity
We watched a portion of a TV travel show about flying over southern Italy. It was very beautiful and the ancient ruins were visible in great detail from the areal perspective. As they flew over Rome the great Roman Catholic cathedral of Saint Peter was pointed out as the seat of Catholic religion. I thought,… Continue reading Christian Generosity
Rest For Your Soul
A soul that strives, that struggles, that is searching, that is tormented, that is self-reliant, that is lonely, is not resting. Yeshua said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in… Continue reading Rest For Your Soul
