It says in 1 Timothy 3:3 that an elder must not be given to wine, but 1 Timothy 3:3 says that deacons must not be given to MUCH wine. Why the discrepancy? That’s a great question. I would add to the question by pointing out that elders are not only told to “not (be) given to… Read More Bible Q&A: Why Are Deacons Allowed To Drink A Little Bit While Elders Are Not Allowed To Drink At All?
Even though others might not do the same with us, we must still “keep (our) tongue from evil.” Even though everyone else might lie and benefit from those lies, we must keep “(our) lips from speaking deceit.” Even though we are surrounded by evil, we must “turn away from” it and “do good” instead. Even though striking out contentiously to those who do the same with us might feel like it would help us and bring us peace, we must recognize that peace will never come that way. Instead, we must “seek peace and pursue it,” even if no one else is doing so.… Read More 1 Peter: Unity, Sympathy, Love, Tenderness, Humility, and Blessings
The point of this parable is not that God will hear us because we persevere in prayer. The point is that we should persevere in prayer even when the answer seems to be long delayed…or even if it seems the answer is “No.”… Read More The Parable Of The Persistent Widow
It’s notable that Peter tells husbands to “live” with their wives. It’s kind of hard to listen to what your wife communicates to you about what she thinks and feels – and thus come to grow in your understanding of her – when you’re not even home most of the time. … Read More 1 Peter: Biblical Marriage Counseling For Husbands
As hinted by the parable, we may not understand exactly the true working of the power God’s Word uses to help us grow (cf. Mk. 4:26-28). But we do know by faith that God’s Word contains the power for spiritual life and growth when it is planted in an honest and good heart. We can use that to help us grow spiritually, and we must do so more and more in our lives. God’s Word is powerful (Heb. 4:12). It is filled with Spirit-giving life (John 6:63). It is the reason behind us being born again (1 Pet. 1:22-25). It is the instrument God uses to save our souls (James 1:21). Each of us wants to grow closer to God and to grow spiritually. If that is to happen, we MUST receive the seed of God’s Word into our own hearts, and our own hearts must be honest and open to the message of that Word, regardless of what it is (Lk. 8:15; Acts 17:11). The only way that will happen is if we are humble (James 1:21) and long for God’s Word the same way babies long for milk (1 Pet. 2:2).… Read More The Parable of the Growing Seed
Pre-Denominational Christianity 
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