Luke 20:19-24:53, 2 Timothy 1:9-4:22

Does Paul know of his future martyrdom? He writes about "being poured out as a drink offering." Even Jesus questions his future martyrdom, asking if it was necessary. It is tough to know and go willingly.

Luke 14:15-20:18, 1 Timothy 3:10-6:21, 2 Timothy 1:1-8

Adam was not deceived like Eve. Adam ate because he wanted to fail with his wife. That does not absolve him, but shows the strength of love.

Luke 9:43-14:14, 2 Thessalonians 3:3-18, 1 Timothy 1:1-3:9

In Luke, the Apostles show that they are afraid to ask questions at times. This includes when Jesus tells them that he will be delivered into the hands of men. We should not be afraid to ask questions.

This world is losing people capable of being ministers according to the restrictions on who can be officers in the Church. Even evangelicals are divorced in 50% of marriages. So it goes.

Colossians 1:1-3:15

Some unbelievers believe that it is best to wait until the last possible moment to become close to God. This is illogical. First, one does not know their date with the Judge. Second, we earn rewards and gain fruit as long as we know the truth. Putting it off minimizes this.

Mark 10:17-13:29, Ephesians 2:21-5:33

This passage speaks of the inevitability of going to eternal life without Jesus.

Mark 7:24b-10:16, Galatians 5:20-6:18, Ephesians 1:1-2:20

Ministering to the Hebrews did less good than the crumbs that fell to the Gentiles. Yet, because they failed to be ministered to, the Gentiles receive the Gospel.

Innocence towards Heaven to see yourself blameless.

2 Corinthians 10:11-13:1

Paul talks about being nearly killed for Christ several times. We must be willing to go but one lash further and die.

2 Corinthians 7:3-10:10

The weapons we use as Christians are not very powerful and should be used sparingly.

Matthew 24:27-28:20, 2 Corinthians 2:12-7:2

While sharing is good, do not be the one to give your salvation away to another. Share the gospel, but do not lose sight of Home.

I believe 2 Corinthians 6:2 is talking about the crossing time between two ages. I need to read more on this.

Matthew 19:1-24:26, 1 Corinthians 15:55-16:24, 2 Corinthians 1:1-2:11

Marriage is good, divorce is worse, and staying single for Christ is better.

As with children, it is always better to be innocent. If you can't then marry.

Jesus never fell into a trap. Learn body language and to read faces.

Sorry about the late posts. I have been on vacation to Disneyland with my family.

Matthew 12:38-18:35, 1 Corinthians 14:24-15:54

I know not whether we will be judged for our merits or our pitfalls.

Matthew 18:10-11 speaks of a pre-existence or Guardian angels like Catholicism.

Matthew 7:19-12:38, 1 Corinthians 11:21-14:24

More of Jesus' command of the supernatural is covered here.

On tongues: Every gift is seen as the same. There is no prevalence to those who speak in tongues.

Matthew 1:1-7:18, 1 Corinthians 8:7-11:20

I believe I spoke about the differences in Matthew with the record from Josephus and the other gospels. Josephus never spoke about the murder of infants. The issue of Quirinius makes someone wrong or Jesus was born ten years give or take from where we normally think.

I believe Jesus speaks about putting a hedge around the law and our code of ethics when he talks about removing the hand that offends you.

I do not wish to understand the articles I've read about head covering and pubic hair and what that all means.

1 Corinthians 5:11-8:6

As the Temple, I think we are to become empowered over it. We should become fit and keep it that way. Use it as long as we can rather than lettering it fall to waste.

Sex is best if one can do without. If you cannot, then marry.

1 Corinthians 1:27-5:10

Paul's distinction between Malice and Wickedness is from the word Truth. It appears that we are to keep malice and wickedness away. But we should still tell the Truth. I guess that does not need to be said, but in Ministry, we must make sure we are not erring towards malice when telling the Truth.

John 17:1-21:25, Romans 15:16-16:24, 1 Corinthians 1:1-26

Jesus' overarching goal was the glorify the Father. He did so by dying on the Cross. These goals are joined together.

Pilate asked "What is Truth?" when he had Truth, Himself in front of him. I feel Pilate is a tragic character in this parts of the Gospel.

"It is finished!" is the last words of Jesus in the life of Jesus in John's Gospel. It is also something written on a prisoner's debt form when his sentence was paid in full. We are the prisoners.

John 8:29-12:17, Romans 9:4-11:31

Those who are "born in sins" can still become a believer. The inclusiveness of the Gospel frightens me sometimes, yet I see other religions as inclusive with a different message.

Jesus seemed to never be where His persecutors wanted Him to be until the Cross. I do not know if this was natural (running) or supernatural.

Paul, as  a Jew, makes a convincing argument late in our Romans passage about the Jews and their not being rejected. That is true, even if they are immediately blinded until later.

James 1:1-4:4

The Church has the problem it has always had. We fight and kill for what does not easily and readily come to us. See Ch. 4:1-4. We become adulteresses and idolaters when we covet. Especially when we covet enough to act on it.

Oh, James. You confuse me. I am not a systematic theologian. You seem to contradict Paul many times. I'll just leave that where it is.

Acts 27:3-28:31

Paul's arrival through the storm, to Malta shows his faith. He believed what had been told to him. Namely, that he would arrive to see Caesar. While I would be personally frightened to offend any important person to his face, he was to see the ruler of the known world and teach to him about Christ crucified. Ballsy.

Mark 13:30-16:20, Acts 24:21-27:2

More than money, more than even serving the hungry comes those who will accept the Lord as theirs. I know that the perfume nard was used to prepare people for death, yet Mary did not understand that he was going to die.

Paul's appeal to Caesar sealed his fate to meet the emperor. Jesus' submission sealed his fate to the Cross.