Something Greater

The Story of Deborah and Jael, Part Three: Jael My Name is Jael "Trust God and deal ruthlessly with enemies." Note: The Story of Deborah and Jael, Part One introduced a story of faith, love and salvation, told through the lives of two remarkable women: Deborah and Jael. Actually, the story depends as well upon a third woman, unnamed, a mother in anguish. Part Two imagined Deborah telling her story, as if she were speaking to us all now, face-to-face. These women remind us that God desires that we fully rely upon what he says, God desires that we fully love what God loves, and hate and what God hates, and God desires that we fully live with him. Now we will hear from Jael, a woman much different in many ways than Deborah. I've been asked to explain why my story is in the Bible, and how it connects with you all. That's going to be a bit difficult. I was not blind, and I was not a fool. My name means "wild goat", and I risk much to ga...

Self-controlled and Respectable 1 Timothy 3:2 What has gone before... Paul introduced and summarized the qualifications required for a person to be considered for the office of overseer: above reproach and well thought of. First on the list was faithfulness in marriage, followed by sober-mindedness, meaning alert and ready. Moving on... The next requirement for the office of overseer is that of self-control. "An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled..." 1 Timothy 3:2 (ESV) SELF-CONTROLLED: sophron "SO-frone" (safe, or sound, in mind; self-controlled, moderate as to opinion or passion; from sos (safe, to save, to deliver or protect) and phrao (to rein in or curb) This seems related to sober-mindedness, with both characteristics focusing on remaining out of danger, maintaining caution. Being sober-minded means a person is alert and prepared, and self-control is the consequence of that vigilance: s...