Labor of Love

As I am living in the northeast US, I had the dilemma of what to do with a storage unit in Texas. Investigated various options, none of them palatable. Eventually decided to drive and take back only what would fit in my small car. This would leave the problem of what to do with the remainder. God powerfully blessed me with two brothers from my former church to help. George, 85 next month, plowed in with the 2 wheeler, and Tracy brought his 8 foot bed pickup and a long trailer both of which we filled. Tracy will distribute items to those who can use them. God had an amazing plan. Afterwards George insisted on treating me for lunch. We ate at Braums, a local chain with commendable food, service and price. That evening another brother Bill hosted me for the night. May God bless all 3 with treasure in heaven.

Road Warrior or?

American English has a slang phrase "road warrior" to indicate someone who drives long distances. The last 2 days I drove 1,750 miles or over 2,800 kilometers. So I don't know if I am a road warrior or a lunatic. The purpose is to tie up the loose ends, (another slang phrase) in my former state of residence, and see my daughter's family before they move to a different state. Received wonderful news that a young couple, whose marriage seemed headed for divorce, have reconciled and will celebrate their wedding anniversary soon. The little car that God provided for me 13 years ago that now has almost 273,000 miles, continues to run well. He guarded me by my angels yet again. Appreciate prayers for peace and patience when I drive back.

Uncertain

I haven't written a post in this blog since March 8th because I don't know what to write. As I look this morning there have been 1,430 page views in the last week from people in 34 different countries. I am humbled. Apart from Christ I am a fool and a loser. I pray that the Holy Spirit will show me what to write. The Bible study group continues with the Galatians study. I believe that Paul's purpose is the defense of the truth of the gospel and the theme is justification by faith, not by works. Very early tomorrow morning I begin driving to Texas, a 4,000 mile round trip. (about 6,500 kilometers) My car is very old so prayers are appreciated. Continuing reviewing the verses I have memorized. I recite all verses twice a week from memory in Biblical order. May God receive the glory!

Galatians post 2

Last Wednesday we continued in our study of Galatians starting, after some review in verse 18 of chapter 1. Paul apparently sought God for further understanding and knowledge for 3 years before visiting Peter, and James, the half brother of the Lord, whom Paul refers to as an apostle. We also saw in verse 24 the theme we had previously seen in verse 5, that of glorifying God. I submit this is His supreme purpose under which other purposes support. Chapter 2 begind with another visit to Jerusalem 14 years later with Barnabas and Titus. Paul is concerned that his teaching is in accordance with that of the other apostles. Having Titus,a Greek, with Paul is significant because Titus is not required to be circumcised which is a major focal point of the Galatian letter. Verse 5 is crucial for understanding this where Paul writes that he didn't submit to theological slavery for moment, so that the truth of the gospel is preserved.

Galatians post 1

Two Wednesdays ago the Bible study group began the letter to the Galatians, a Celtic ethnic group whom Paul an apostle had evangelize. As we have seen previously in introductions to other epistles, Paul doesn't use the word "apostle" as a title but rather as a gift. (Cf. Ephesians 4:8-11). He continues the wording of grace first in order to have peace. He also writes "present evil age" in contrast to secular humanism. In verse 6 of the first chapter he launches into the major theme of the letter- defending the truth of the only gospel, that of the Lord Jesus Christ. He does this with the strongest language in the New Testament. Let anyone preaching a different gospel be accursed, or eternally condemned. Paul maintains that he received his understanding of the gospel directly through a revelation of Jesus Christ. His extreme zealots for the traditions of men were replaced by unquenchable zeal for the message of Jesus.

Matthew 17:21

This morning one of my co-workers texted an intelligent and observant question. Why isn't there a Matthew 17:21 verse in the Bible? Had the opportunity to explain that the original manuscripts of the New Testament, written in Greek, did not have chapter and verse markings. Many centuries later they were added to Bibles written in Latin. As Latin was the language of educated people in Europe and North America until modern times, these chapter and verse divisions were used in the languages of many other translations including Portuguese. However more modern scholarship had discovered and subjected to textual criticism a vast new body of evidence from the original Greek. It was determined that in a few instances verses or passages had been added in the Latin based versions that were not supported by the Greek originals. Examples include Matthew 17:21 which says" that this kind only comes out through prayer and fasting." Other questionable passages are Mark 16:9-20 and John 7:53 to 8:11. However no important doctrines are affected.

Habakkuk part 2

Last our Bible study group worked through the remainder of chapter 2 and 3 of the prophet Habakkuk. Starting at chapter 2 verse 6 we saw the judgment of God on the wicked Chaldeans continuing to the end of the chapter in verse 20. In the middle of this pronouncement of doom we find the wonderful promise of verse 14. "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." Chapter 3 is the prayer song of the prophet. He asks God "in wrath remember mercy" which reminds me of Jesus's story of two men who pray in the temple. One,a Pharisee, proudly lists his accomplishments. The other, a acknowledged sinner pleads, " have mercy on me, a sinner." (Luke 18:9-14) In the final section of the chapter, verses 17-19 Habakkuk rejoices, "I will take joy in the God of my salvation."