May I have a WORD with you?

John
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Helping ordinary people read the Bible for the sake of life application and a godly transformation. In other words, for the sake of becoming more like Jesus.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep 151 (S9E5) Sticks and Stones Reprise

    References: Sticks and stones… words can be powerfulhapax legomenon - a word that appears only once within a document or corpusThe works of William Shakespeare — known for wide variety in his vocabulary — are estimated to contain more than 6,000 hapax legomena (the plural form).Honorificabilitudinitatibus - "the state of being able to achieve honours"Wm Shakespeare's “Love’s Labour’s Lost” - Act 5, Scene 1David selected five smooth stones to fight Goliath. 1 Sam 17 Why five? Many people say because Goliath had four brothers. ??? Why smooth?Wouldn’t a jagged or sharp edged stone be more lethal?A smooth stone launched from a sling will fly truer than a jagged stone.Sling hunters will tell you that blunt force well placed is the effectiveness of dropping game, not penetration.  Smooth stones - חַלֻּק (khal-look') only used in 1 Sam 17:40A Biblical hapax legomenonFrom root חָלַק (khaw-lak') to divide, share, plunder, allot, apportion, assignto be smooth, slippery, deceitfulSmooth Operator - Isa 41:7Smooth Criminal - Ps 36:1-4 (esp v2)Here are five “smooth” Biblical stones for fighting the giants of spiritual warfareThoughtsMind, thoughts - νόημα (no'-ay-mah) Phil 4:7, 2 Cor 2:11, 10:5Opportunities Occasion for acting - τόπος (top'-os) Eph 4:27Rebuke Rebuke of the Lord - ἐπιτιμάω (ep-ee-tee-mah'-o) Jude 1:9FightResist, oppose - ἀνθίστημι (anth-is'-tay-mee) James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:9FleeExit, way out - ἔκβασις (ek'-bas-is) 1 Cor 10:13

  2. Sep 25

    Ep 150 (S9E4) Praise God! The 150th Episode

    References: Can you believe these stats?!?Over 11,000 downloads (listens?) as far as I can tell6 of the 7 Continents!!From 58 different countries.What!?!First podcast published on Substack on Aug 17, 2023Podcast platform went live on Nov 10, 2023Learning curve with RSS feeds, etc.Setting up a Domain (johnbromhal.com)Distribution began beyond Substack toThe BIG five (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio)And (Podcast Index, Castbox, Overcast, Pocket Cast, Podcast Addict, Deezer, and many others)Why is 150 significant?It is how long the waters of the flood covered the earth.Gen 7:21-24 - the time over which the chaos waters ruled.Everything that had breath, died. Except Noah and his family and the animals on the Ark.Noah’s ( נֹחַ )  name means “rest” - Ark תֵּבָה  (tay-vaw') , the same word used for the basket Moses was saved by in the waters of the Nile8:1-5 - the time after which the ark “rested” on AraratRested ( נוּחַ )  Mountain peaks reappeared150 days was not the end of the time in the ark. Most scholars put the stay in the ark duration at 370-371 days total.I’ve got a ways to go if I’m going to do as many podcast episodes!Psalm 150 - The last great celebratory Psalm in the Psalter. The where, why, how and who of worshipVerse 1 - Praise the Lord… where?In the holy placesAnd the created placesSee Gen 1:6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 17, 20A space רָקִיעַ (raw-kee'-ah), an expanse, sky, heavens Verse 2 - Praise the Lord… why?For what He does - megaleia (mighty works)For who He is - unequaled, excellent, magnificent greatnessVerses 3-5 - Praise the Lord… how?The full range of instrumentationFull body worship - dancingVerse 6 - Praise the Lord… who?Circle back to what suffered in the encroaching chaos of the flood. - everything that had breath.Lift not just our body in dance, nor just through instruments, but with our voices in song.Praise the Lord! -  Here’s to the next 150 episodes!

  3. Sep 18

    Ep 149 (S9E3) A Mind Changing Parable: Pt 2

    References: Review A Jesus Parable and Romans 12:1-2Don’t be “conformed”But be “transformed”Review Matthew 25:31-46Separating - aphorisms - from Merriam-Webster Onlinea concise statement of a principlea terse formulation of a truth or sentiment"Let us value the quality of life, not the quantity."Compare with a proverb (check out last week’s episode).Sheep vs GoatsBeing a goat is to practice transactional kindnessBeing a sheep is to practice joyful generosity“Lord, when did we see you… and help you?” Sheep mindset considers loving service of others as a natural, joyful default.“How can I help” flows from a foundational awareness of grace, loving as one has been loved.Sees people through the eyes of compassion, seeing the image of God in the vulnerable.Biblical support or clarification:Proverbs 14:31; 19:17 (NLT) - God’s wisdom reveals that how we treat the poor is how we directly treat God.My experience on the mission field has been that the poor often don’t see themselves as worthy of visiting, help, compassion, dignity.2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT) - Sacrificial generosity grows from first giving one’s self to God, then the joyful response to God’s overwhelming gracious love.I have stories of desperately poor people showing me a sheep’s heart in their joyful generosity.Judgement:“‘when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”Into eternal life!I just wanna’ be a sheep. Baa baa ba baa.By the renewal of my mind.By the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

  4. Sep 11

    Ep 148 (S9E2) A Mind Changing Parable: Pt 1

    References: A Jesus Parable and Romans 12:1-2Conformed - συσχηματίζω (soos-khay-mat-id'-zo)BLB - to conform one's self (i.e. one's mind and character) to another's pattern, (fashion one's self according to)1 Peter 1:14Transformed - μεταμορφόω (met-am-or-fo'-o) as in Christ’s transfigurationBLB - to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure2 Corinthians 3:16-18Matthew 25:31-46 - the Sheep and the Goats parableSeparate - ἀφορίζω (af-or-id'-zo) BLB - to mark off from others by boundaries, to limit, to separateWord from which we get “aphorism” (compare proverb)Proverbs …are a traditional, popular saying rooted in folk wisdom that offers common-sense advice.focus on moral instruction, caution, or practical guidance for daily life.Aphorisms…are a clever, original observation on life usually attributed to a specific writer or thinker.aim to provoke thought, offer a fresh philosophical insight, or reveal a deeper reality.Sheep from GoatsBeing a sheep is to practice joyful generosityBeing a goat is to practice transactional kindness“Lord, when did we see you… and not help you?”Goat mindset considers self first.“How can I help” may be based on convenience, obligation, or an attention seeking righteousness (see the “hypocrites” teachings in Mt 6, esp MSG).See people through the lens of utility, measuring others by what they offer or cost.Biblical support or clarification1 John 4:20 (NLT): Our treatment of the visible "least of these" is the ultimate diagnostic of our invisible faith.James 2:15–17 (NLT): Real faith isn't abstract theoretical agreement; it has hands and feet.Judgement: “‘when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’”Into eternal punishment!I don’t want to be a “Goat.” Nope, nope, no, nope.

  5. Sep 4

    Ep 147 (S9E1) Working Hard or Slaving Away: The work of being free

    References: Labor Day Weekend - back to עָבַדLabor - עָבַד (aw-vad')Work - as in till or cultivateGen 2:5, 15 - part of the 1st command of God, a blessingGen 3:23 - a part of the curse in the fall story Serve, slave - a prophetic word to AbramGen 15:13 - God describes the time of Israel in Egypt after Joseph has died and been forgottenGen 15:14 - God’s judgement upon the Egyptians who will enslave IsraelServe - working for another for compensationGen 29:15, 18, 20, 25, 27, 30 - Jacob working for LabanGen 31:40-42 - “I have עָבַד you” for 20 years and you’ve changed my wages 10 times!So עָבַד can feel like slavery or like freedom and flourishing. It all depends on who you עָבַד. God rescues the Israelites so that they can עָבַד Him through life-giving work.   Ex 3:12 - עָבַד - serve, worshipEx 20:5, 9 - 10 commandmentsThe Hebrew word עָבַד translated into NT GreekFrom Gen 2 - till, work = ἐργάζομαι (er-gad'-zom-ahee)Think of ergonomic (ergon-work + nomos-law)Mt 21:28; Mk 14:6; Lk 13:14From ἔργον - see John 17:4 “I have finished the WORK…” From Exodus - forced service, enslave = καταδουλόω (kat-ad-oo-lo'-o)Gal 2:4From δοῦλος (doo'-los) - servant or slaveSee Rom 1:1; Phil 1:1; Titus 1:1Also Rom 6:16-20So be a good ἐργάτης (er-gat'-ace) worker2 Tim 2:15-211 Peter 2:15-17

  6. Jul 31

    Ep 146 (S8E14) Gospel Lessons from Galatians

    References: The Gospel: it is not ours to adapt to our comfort or likingWhat is a “false” Gospel? - deliberately twisting the truth concerning Christ - 1:7Wanting the Gospel to align with my life choices - 2 Tim 4:3-4What might equate with circumcision today? (compare Col 2:13-23)Denominations? Or doctrinal convictions. (we are the “right” ones)Outward appearance? (black vehicles at church)Political opinions? (you can’t vote that way and be a Christian)The True Gospel - how are we sinners put in right standing before God?It is not about what I DO but about what God HAS DONE. - Gal 2:16-21Romans 3:20-31Ephesians 2:1-10Our Changing GuardiansThe Law - meant to show us our sin and need for a SaviorMirror - Rom 3:20Hammer - Rom 4:15Guide - ??? (what about the Law of Christ Gal 6:2 (Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.); 1 Cor 9:19-21; consider antinomianism (Jn 13:34; Jas 2:8))Works of the flesh (while under the guardianship of the Law?)Gal 5:16-21; 1 Pet 2:11; 1 Jn 2:16Col 3:5-17 - putting off and putting onThe Holy Spirit as Guardian - fruit bearing (fruit of the Spirit)Freedom! Gal 5:1 - for freedom Christ has set us freeFreedom from slavery to the law does not mean anything goes. That would be freedom from Christ which is bondage to sin.Freedom in Christ means–because of Christ’s completed work fulfilling the law’s demands–I can be free to be right before God and filled with the SpiritAssiduously and patiently waiting - ACTIVE not passiveAug Conf Art. 6 - the New ObedienceOn the one hand but then the OtherSpiritual WarfareIll intentioned skeptics - Gal 2:4-5Hapax legomenon - κατασκοπέω - to spyAgainst the goalOpposite of Phil 3:14Fighting for one another - Gal 2:11-15 - guarding against Acts 15:36-41προγράφω designated before hand (in the scriptures of the OT), to write before the eyes of all who can read, to depict, portray, paint, before the eyesRom 15:4Judgement on false teachers (see esp. Jude 1:4ff)Summer Break! - End of Season 8. I’ll be back with Season 9.

  7. Jul 24

    Ep 145 (S8E13) Galatians: Pt 11

    References: Quick ReviewGal 5:16-26The Spirit is our new guardian, not the LawThe desires of the sinful natureThe fruit of the SpiritStay in ranks and march with the SpiritWhat’s Next?Gal 6:1-18Vss 1-3Restoration in meekness - πραότης (prah-ot'-ace)Fruit - Gal 5:23; 1 Cor 4:21; Eph 4:2; Col 3:12Adjective two forms- meek: πρᾶος, πραΰςMt 5:5; 11:29; 21:5; 1 Pt 3:4Wisdom: see BLB on πραΰς The law of Christ and an appropriate self perceptionVss 4-6To test, prove, approve - δοκιμάζω (dok-im-ad'-zo)1 Pt 1:7Rom 12:2No codependency in the Spirit filled, Spirit led lifeVss 7-10Mocked - hapax legomenon μυκτηρίζω (mook-tay-rid'-zo)to turn up the nose or sneer atto mock, derideFrom μυκάομαι - to low, bellow, roarA sort of onomatopoeia (moo)Recall Jeremiah’s lament in Jer 20:7Selfish living as one filled with the Spirit is mocking God.Make use of καιρός to do good, for the benefit ofVss 11-18Note the large letters of vs 11 in the NLTVss 12-18 in MSGThose who walk by the standard or rule - κανώνἸσραήλ (is-rah-ale')  יִשְׂרָאֵל  JacobThe JewsThe Christian Church - grafted inWrapping Up GalatiansThe Law: you must do it The Gospel, good news: God has done itFreedom in the later, bondage in the former

  8. Jul 17

    Ep 144 (S8E12) Galatians: Pt 10

    References: Quick ReviewGal 5:1-15Paul is turning from doctrinal arguments to ethical ones. True freedom in Christ, from the law, is not license to sinImageryThe raceAssiduously waitingA little yeastCastrationBiting and destructionGalatians 5:16-26Vss 16-18The new guardian - not the law any longer, but the SpiritWalk by the Spirit - περιπατέω (per-ee-pat-eh'-o)Rom 6:4; 8:4; 1 Cor 3:3Not the weakness of the flesh but the power of the SpiritWants and desires (of the natural selfish self and of the Spirit-filled self)Think of Rom 7Read in MSGVss 19-23On the one hand19-21 - ἐπιθυμέω (ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o) the desires of the sinful natureNot an exhaustive listDon’t allow your mind to think of all the people you know who fit this list. Rather ask the Spirit to show you were you get trappedRead it in MSG for a new or different perspectiveOn the other hand22-23 - the Holy Spirit producesFruit is singularWe can’t let ourselves off the hook here either. (“I’m pretty good at kindness, but definitely not patience.”)These are not works I do to get rewarded for. Rather they reflect a life surrendered to God, filled with the Spirit, fulfilling the “word” to love others selflesslyThese cannot be legislated.Vss 24-26Crucified the flesh - σταυρόω (stow-ro'-o) a matter of surrendering - again pointing to Rom 6Walk in step with the Spirit - not περιπατέω, but στοιχέω (stoy-kheh'-o) think of soldiers marching - see MSGWhen we are living this way, it also casts out prideful comparisonsWhat’s next?

See All (151)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Helping ordinary people read the Bible for the sake of life application and a godly transformation. In other words, for the sake of becoming more like Jesus.

Information

  • Creator
    John
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    151
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 May I have a WORD with you?
  • Show Website
    May I have a WORD with you?

You Might Also Like