"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober..." (1 Peter 1:13). Part Two In the original Greek text this word translated sober is nepho (nay'-fo). It is usually interpreted as meaning "to abstain from alcoholic beverages." So this phrase could be translated...

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober..." (1 Peter 1:13). Part One In Biblical days in the orient, a man would normally wear a long flowing gown. This style of dress was appropriate when in a relaxed mood and position. However, if he had to move fast...

"I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men" (1 Tim. 2:1 NKJ). In this verse Paul lists four kinds of prayer. Each word used is individually descriptive of one form of prayer: Supplications: This word...

"Your enemies...shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways" (Deut. 28:7 NKJ). This is God's promise to us that the forces of our evil adversary will be scattered before us and their opposition turned into fearful flight. When the Bible states...

"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God" (Rom. 8:19 NKJ). John referred to Satan as that old serpent, the devil (Rev. 12:7). Jesus indicates that our enemy has been a liar and a murderer from the beginning...

"Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession..." (Eph. 1:13-14). Part Two Here Paul refers to the Holy Spirit as the "earnest" of our inheritance. This word translated...

"Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession..." (Eph. 1:13-14). Part One As a youngster seeking the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit, I was preconditioned...

"Behold, it is Solomon's couch, With sixty valiant men around it, Of the valiant of Israel. They all hold swords, Being expert in war..." (Song of Solomon 3:7 NKJ). This verse and the preceding one speak to us about journeying in the days of Solomon, King of...

"Awake, 0 north wind; and come, you south wind, both you blow upon my garden, that its fragrance may be wafted abroad..." (Song of Solomon 4:16 MLB). According to Hastings Bible Dictionary, in the ancient Israel of Solomon's day, the north wind was cold and...

"But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom. 5:20). The Apostle Paul had a way with words that made their truth loom up clearly and powerfully. One habit he had was that of adding intensifiers to words to sharpen their impact. For example, when...

"So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do'" (Luke 17:10 NKJ). Can you visualize yourself bringing salvation to a billion people? Imagine yourself laying...

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You" (Isa. 26:3 NKJ). Part Two A mind stayed on the Lord. Have you ever wondered what that means? In the original Hebrew text the word translated stayed is camak (saw-mak') which...