(FOOTSTOOL: Another Word Not Used Consistently By Bible Commentators) The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Psalm 11:1 (Incidentally, that verse is quoted seven times in the New Testament. As I’ve mentioned in my earlier posts, the fact that it is quoted frequently in the NT should get our attention). I have heard this verse explained to mean that Jesus will conquer his enemy and place his foot on the neck of the defeated, as was the custom of conquerors in ancient times, in order to show complete subjection of the enemy. Here is. . . .
EXAMPLES OF WORD MEANINGS REMAINING CONSISTANT
& THE DANGER IN RELYING ON COMMENTARIES We are continuing our discussion on HOW to study the Bible. I mentioned in my previous post regarding Bible translations and Bible study tools, that one principle to follow is that words keep the same definition throughout the Bible. Let’s take, for example, the word “leaven”. Matthew, Mark and Luke record Jesus telling his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, Sadducees and Herod. The disciples reasoned amongst themselves thinking that Jesus meant actual bread. Jesus rebuked them for their lack of understanding and. . . .
BIBLE STUDY VERSUS DEVOTIONALS
Some years ago, I was innocently telling my pastor that I thought my “gift” or talent, if you will, (as in gifts to use in the body of Christ) was the ability to write, especially on Biblical topics. He said, “Oh, you want to write devotionals?” I think I stuttered a bit, trying to figure out how to explain to him what I meant, but the conversation turned quickly and I was left crestfallen. It was as if, because I was not in a position of authority, and because I am a woman, that my gift was reduced to just writing devotionals. What I wanted to tell this pastor. . . .
Matthew 28:19 & Parallelism
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Mat. 28:18,19) The method and/or formula for water baptism is a centuries old debate. I do not expect to end that debate. What I do have to offer is an angle that I have NEVER heard taught nor found in my internet searches. Once you see it, you’ll wonder why such a simple concept has not been brought to light. (And it won’t even be necessary to use the argument that perhaps. . . .
Bible Study—FOR WHAT REASON
So often I hear Christians say that they don’t get anything out of bible study unless it has a practical application to their life. That strikes me as self-centered, or at the very least, shallow. For me, it is just the opposite. Bible study has to reveal the character, the nature, the beauty of Jesus and what He stands for. What HE has done. How He has redeemed mankind. Bible study for me should show how the scriptures are harmonious throughout, building my faith that they are the inspired Word of God. After having seen the image of God and His goodness. . . THEN the correct attitude. . . .
Contemporary Christian “Music”
It has finally become personal—my aversion to and strong dislike of contemporary Christian music. The pastor of the church I attend proclaimed from the pulpit that if you come to church late enough to miss the “worship time” and come only to hear the speaker, then you are a hypocrite. Well, I am no hypocrite. And I’m sure that he did not have ME personally in mind as he was speaking, but I DO purposely arrive to church AFTER the song service. So how do I square what the pastor said about being a hypocrite with me simply detesting the choice of music they sing and play. . . .
The Last Stronghold
I originally wrote this on January 1, 2019. It holds even more true today. Youth was an enemy in disguise. In times of distress I would cry out to God but I trusted in Youth. Youth would say, “I will fix this; I am strong, pretty, smart, quick-witted and resourceful.” And so I would win the battle, acknowledging God, but glorifying Youth. With each new battle I’d cry out to God to pull down every stronghold. Now I find myself faced with the greatest trial yet. “God,” I cried, “please let me see the enemy clearly so that that I may fight.” So I arose to fight. But to my dismay my physical. . . .
Those Golf Balls!
When my oldest daughter was around 5 years old she would take her little wagon and gather stray golf balls on the outskirts of the country club near our home. She would then sell them for .50 each to the golfers. One day she had a wagon-full of golf balls that had a colored band around them. I told her those belonged to the country club’s driving range and that she would have to return them. Of course she was disheartened as she was already seeing dollar signs. She tried to justify keeping them to sell. That Sunday at church she was lying in the pew beside me. . . .