Author: John Paul
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A Caleb Year for Me
Introduction After five years of fighting to drive the Canaanites out of the land promised to the Israelites, Caleb ben Jephunneh approached Joshua, the leader of the new nation. He wanted to make an interesting request. Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him,… Read more
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Acting Prophetically within the Structure of God’s Purposes
Introduction I love listening to music. I love to listen to performances of Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony. Within the structure of the sonata allegro form, he composed a thrilling horn fanfare then contrasted it with a beautiful string, woodwind, tympani accompaniment. I also love to listen to jazz, especially the music of vibraphones and xylophones. Those… Read more
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Review of My 2025
Introduction The end of the year is a typical time to assess the past year and make plans for the next year. I usually do my seeking god and writing goals for the next year between January 2 and the 20th, my birthday. These last couple days of December, it’s time to do a review… Read more
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History’s Build Up to the Incarnation
Introduction The biblical narrative tells us of Humanity’s history with the Creator of Heaven and Earth. He worked from Eden and the Rebellion against Him, through His scattering of the nations while choosing the descendants of Abraham as His own, to the birth of His Son as a Jew – an Israelite. The Master of… Read more
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The Difference Between an Image of God and the Idol of a God
Introduction Today’s lesson deals with two Hebrew vocabulary words. Both found in Genesis 1. The first is Elohim, translated as “God”. The second is selem, which is a statue. Today, I will explain the difference between an image of God and the idol of a god. Meaning of Elohim This word essentially means a spiritual… Read more
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Do This, Remembering Me
Introduction In his first recorded letter to the Corinthians, Paul, a colony leader of King Jesus, took that gathering of believers to task for how they were doing the “Lord’s Supper”. He wrote, For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed,… Read more
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The Beautiful Name of Jesus (Rescuer)
Introduction My name, John, has passed through many forms in many languages since the original Hebrew Yehochanan (Yahweh has been gracious). In the same way, the beautiful name of Jesus (Rescuer) has passed through many forms and languages over the millenia. Hoshea Becomes Joshua In a sense, the name of Jesus began in Hebrew as… Read more
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Why Make Such a Big Deal over Salvation?
Introduction My friend Chris has made another teaching video, Predestination and Election. It appears to be Part 1 of a series on the topic. In this video, Chris questions the Calvinist doctrine that says God has chosen (elected) certain people to be saved. He predestined them “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). I… Read more