PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

Biblical truth standing on its spiritual head to get our eternal attention.

Psalm 5 – Praying through the Bible #169 – A Morning Prayer of Changing Emotions

| December 22, 2015

My morning prayer: “Dear Lord, thank you for two layers of covers (it is winter), a bathroom close to my bed (I am getting old), and a hand to hold while I sleep” (I am still very much in love). You might be thinking this prayer’s contents are first mundane, then TMI, and finally sweet. […]

2 John – Chiasm

| December 17, 2015

I had doubts 2 John is a chiasmus. After struggling on my own and searching others’ attempts, the doubt increased. Literally, hours were spent on what should have been – at least I thought should have been – a simple task. That task is, to determine if 2 John is chiastically arranged; and if so, […]

Psalm 4 – Praying through the Bible #168 – A Prayer for Freedom from Self

| December 10, 2015

We all care what others think of us. Some admit it. Some are controlled by it. Others react against it. We can pretend we don’t care; but other’s words and opinions often hurt. The cloaked emotional crisis is what others think can lead beyond thoughts and words; dangerous actions can result, sometimes by “me.” Psalm […]

Psalm 3 – Praying through the Bible #167 – A Prayer of Help, Honor, and Hope

| December 8, 2015

The best French fries are at Ollie’s Trolley. I got to eat these growing up when my father would take me to his workplace. One Saturday he did not take me, so I gathered my friends, and we stormed his office. My father’s friends looked out the window. Seeing us on the march they warned […]

Luke 1:68-79 – Chiasm – Zechariah’s Prophecy

| December 5, 2015

Luke 1:68-79 (HCSB) The chiastic center focuses on the covenant of God sworn to by His own oath. A – GOD HAS VISITED (68) Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people. B – HORN OF SALVATION (69) He has raised up a horn of salvation […]

1 John 4:1-6 – Chiasm

| December 2, 2015

Formal Chiasm All through 1 John, the writer has been contrasting the two groups. In this chiasm we can see these contrasts in the complementary parts. A – TRUE AND FALSE SPIRITS (1a) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, B – FALSE PROPHETS […]

Job 38-42 – Praying through the Bible #166 – A Prayer Finally and Frightfully Answered

| December 1, 2015

Scratched into a wall in Germany during World War II by someone hiding from the Nazi’s are these faithful words: I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when He is silent. Nothing may be more frightening than […]

Luke 22:36 – What is Meant by “Swords?”

| December 1, 2015

Jesus tells His apostles to buy swords. Is this verse about self-defense? Is Jesus making the apostles appear to be zealots to fulfill v.37? Is the meaning metaphorical for preparing them to suffer and the sword stands for something spiritual? I believe Jesus does mean literal swords, although we have to be careful how we […]

Hebrews 11:32-34 – How Did Samson Make It?

| November 25, 2015

How did Samson, the womanizing, violent, self-serving judge make it into the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11:32)? In some strange way he and Paul are partners in grace. Paul had to learn “power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor.12:9). Samson, gifted by God with great strength only learned to rely upon God when he “gained […]

John 18:36 – My Kingdom is Different

| November 23, 2015

What did Jesus mean when saying “My kingdom is not of this world.” Did He simply mean otherworldly as in spiritual and not physical? World or kosmos often means “the systems of the world,” and “social constructs of society.” Then Jesus shows how: “or else My servants would be fighting.” I then wondered how many […]