authority

  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 5

In 1 Samuel 5, the Philistines took the ark of the covenant from Ebenezer to Ashdod and placed it in…

2 days ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 3

In 1 Samuel 3, the text states that Samuel served under Eli during a time when God's revelations were rarely…

4 days ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 2

In 1 Samuel 2, Hannah offers a heartfelt prayer of praise while rejoicing in God's salvation, justice, and power over…

5 days ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 1

In 1 Samuel 1, a man named Elkanah from the hill country of Ephraim had two wives: Hannah (who was…

6 days ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 1

In Proverbs 1, the author identifies himself as Solomon, son of David and king of Israel. The Proverbs of Solomon…

1 week ago
  • Judges

Judges 21

In Judges 21, the Israelites mourned the desolation of the tribe of Benjamin and sought the Lord's guidance (Judges 21:1-4).…

2 weeks ago
  • Judges

Judges 20

In Judges 20, the 11 tribes of Israel gather at Mizpeh to address the murder of the Levite’s wife by…

2 weeks ago
  • Judges

Judges 17

In Judges 17, Micah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim, returns 1,100 pieces of silver to his mother…

3 weeks ago
  • Judges

Judges 15

In Judges 15, Samson visited his wife (from Judges 14) but found that her father had given her to another…

3 weeks ago
  • Judges

Judges 13

In Judges 13, the Israelites did evil in God's sight yet again. God allowed the Philistines to oppress them for…

4 weeks ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 17

Joshua 17 - Essentially, what is happening over this chapter is that the other half of Manasseh's tribe is being…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 16

Joshua 16 - The sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, received their inheritance. Joshua 16:4  This made up a good…

2 months ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 34

Deuteronomy 34 - So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the…

2 months ago
  • Ezekiel

Ezekiel 1

Ezekiel 1 - Ezekiel was 25 years old when he was taken into captivity and was 30 when he was…

3 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 26

Acts 26 - In this chapter, Paul gives his most exhaustive and evangelistic appeal to Agrippa II. If you remember,…

4 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 13

Acts 13 - Paul and Barnabas visit multiple synagogues and work there way across the island of Cyprus from east…

4 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 9

Acts 9 - Saul We are reminded here in chapter 9 that even the most rebellious and hard-hearted people can…

4 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 4

Acts 4 - As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and…

4 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 3

Acts 3 - The miraculous signs and wonders led to opportunities to authenticate the message of the Gospel. Peter did…

4 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 20

Leviticus 20 - In Chapter 18, we read that the laws of the OT are still applicable in the NT…

5 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 21

Revelation 21 - There is a lot of crossover between what Isaiah writes in chapter 65 and the 21st chapter…

5 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 18

Revelation 18 - Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 17

Revelation 17 - We have already reiterated it over many chapters, but Rome stood proudly as a pagan symbol against…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 15

Revelation 15 - The divine judgment which was revealed by the seals and proclaimed by the trumpets will now be…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 14

Revelation 14 - First question I asked myself... who is Babylon? John, again, is writing symbolically here. Literal Babylon was…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 13

Revelation 13 - The First Beast At the end of Revelation 12, we read of Satan's rage. He sets out…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 12

Revelation 12 - The Woman It is out of Israel that the Messiah will come, therefore, it makes sense that…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 11

Revelation 11 - I think a major issue with Revelation 11 is the fact that it relies heavily on Revelation…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 10

Revelation 10 - This vision differs from the others for the simple fact that John is engaged in the action…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 7

Revelation 7 - God’s primary motive in our hearts has always been this: transformation. I think it's important to understand…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 6

Revelation 6 - I grew up in Berne, Indiana which sits directly on top of the continental divide. If you…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 4

Revelation 4 - The Throne We just recently studied the book of Ezekiel and Leviticus which have some strong ties…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 3

Revelation 3 - Lukewarm I remember several years ago going to a music festival in Kentucky called Ichthus. It was…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 2

Revelation 2 - Although these letters are addressed to specific congregations in the first century, I believe they are representative…

6 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 47

Jeremiah 47 - The sword of the Lord now comes against the Philistines just as he came against the Egyptians…

6 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 41

Jeremiah 41 - The scene here in chapter 41 is reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster action movie. The nation is…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 27

Jeremiah 27 - It is fascinating to me to see the way that God is handling wayward Judah in these…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 19

Jeremiah 19 - What happens when we flirt with sin? For whatever reason, our society has divided sin into many…

7 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 29

2 Chronicles 29 - In the first month... There were many decisions that needed attention when coming into power as…

8 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 20

2 Chronicles 20 - Did God command his people to go into battle singing? I read this over and over…

9 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 19

2 Chronicles 19 - Jehoshaphat was a spiritual leader. Other than David or Solomon, he restored the nation to a…

9 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 15

2 Chronicles 15 - Several years ago my wife was trying to get me onboard with adoption. Shamefully, I was…

9 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 11

2 Chronicles 11 - I hate to be pessimistic, but here in Chapter 11, we have bad going to worse.…

9 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 9

2 Chronicles 9 - Jesus actually spoke of this encounter between the Queen of Sheba and Solomon. In Matthew 12…

9 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 5

2 Chronicles 5 - There are moments when God shows up in a mighty way and we are simply called…

9 months ago
  • 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 27

1 Chronicles 27 - Listed among the commanders of war was a very intriguing man by the name of Benaiah.…

9 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 48

Isaiah 48 - We who know Christ understand that the Gospel message is not a one of mystery and mysticism.…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 28

Isaiah 28 - Samaria is given a strong warning by Isaiah to begin the chapter. The problem was self-indulgence and…

12 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 25

Isaiah 25 - Following a chapter on the destruction and judgment of God, we read a deeply personal appeal to…

12 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 21

Isaiah 21 - A shared truth sticks out over the past few chapters of Isaiah. All the main players surrounding…

12 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 15

Isaiah 15 - Moab was the region on the east side of the Dead Sea. The total land surface would…

12 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 14

Isaiah 14 - There are some deep theological principles at work in this chapter. There is also some controversy as…

1 year ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 11

Isaiah 11 - There is a good point here to be made about the wrath of God. Many skeptics are…

1 year ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 10

Isaiah 10 - 'Woe" is a dangerous word in Scripture. Chapter 10 kicks off with God using this word as…

1 year ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 7

Isaiah 7 - War has broken out and Jerusalem is under attack. Amazingly, God shows King Ahaz mercy by commanding…

1 year ago
  • Colossians

Colossians 2

Colossians 2 - Think of it in these terms. Any philosopher, theologian, scientist, professor or quantum physicist, whether Christian or…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 24

Exodus 24 - What does the manifestation of God look like? For Moses and these others, they received a small…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 14

Exodus 14 - Like the Canaanites, ancient Israel thought of the sea as an uncontrollable beast. At creation the Lord…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 13

Exodus 13 - The way God led was definitely the "road less traveled." The people did not go directly toward…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 5

Exodus 5 - This is just the beginning of Moses' journey and, understandably, he's ready to give up. We often…

1 year ago
  • Jude

Jude 1

Jude 1 - Jude was one of four half-brothers of Jesus. In the Greek, the name Jude was synonymous with…

1 year ago
  • 3 John

3 John 1

3 John 1 - Gaius was the Greek way of writing the Roman name Caius. Believe it or not, there…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 39

Job 39 - Many times it's true that our expectations of God are outmatched by His unfolding plan. I can't…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 38

Job 38 - After all of Job's questions, and his friends weighing in, God answers their questions with some questions…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 32

Job 32 - Elihu may have been younger, but he had the genealogy going for him. But the anger of…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 20

Job 20 - The cruel misjudgment of man stems from an ignorant and arrogant attitude. I've written this many times…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 13

Job 13 - If it's true that the enduring attitude of a believer is a great threat to everything the…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 2

Job 2 - There are a few differing thoughts that we naturally progress through as we read the story unfold…

1 year ago
  • Ezra

Ezra 8

Ezra 8 - This trek consisted of over 900 miles on foot. But also consider that there would have been…

1 year ago
  • Ezra

Ezra 5

Ezra 5 - Let's get a quick background on the characters involved in the temple rebuild. Haggai and Zechariah are…

1 year ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 26

Matthew 26 - Judas Iscariot is an interesting person to study. There are so many questions that center around his…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 15

Matthew 15 - It's the worst feeling that any human can experience in this life. It's the realization that I…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 10

Matthew 10 - Jesus' selections were complete. Among his disciples were some strange picks by human standards. Among those chosen…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 8

Matthew 8 - Jesus marveled. It's a strong phrase. What was it like for Jesus to marvel? What did it…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 7

Matthew 7 - Judge not so you will not be judged. What was Jesus getting at here? This is a…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 3

Matthew 3 - Photo credit: Nelson's New Illustrated Commentary Pictured is the traditionally accepted site (the Jordan River) for the…

2 years ago
  • 1 Peter

1 Peter 5

1 Peter 5 - Peter is following up on his previous chapter on suffering. It's no surprise that in order…

2 years ago
  • 1 Peter

1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3 - It's in this chapter that Peter makes a strange statement about Jesus going to hell after…

2 years ago
  • 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 24

2 Samuel 24 - This account of a census is a puzzling chapter. We wonder today, what could be wrong…

2 years ago
  • 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 19

2 Samuel 19 - It's an awkward moment when the rebels realize their rebellion has failed and the king they…

2 years ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 31

1 Samuel 31 - Let's do a quick recap. In desperation, Saul traveled to see a witch who brought back…

2 years ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 24

1 Samuel 24 - David retreats with his men to the caves of the Wilderness of En Gedi. This was…

2 years ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 20

1 Samuel 20 - Saul has become a volcanic madman. David is struggling with trust and discernment. Jonathan is caught…

2 years ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 14

1 Samuel 14 - Those who are dialed into the Spirit are sensitive to the timing of the Lord. In…

2 years ago
  • 1 Timothy

1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2 - As a child, I would sometimes hear my parents say, "As long as you are under…

2 years ago
  • Romans

Romans 13

Romans 13 - In Chapter 13, Paul's focus is the authority of the government, and how the Christian should respond…

2 years ago
  • Romans

Romans 12

Romans 12 - Starting in verse 9 of Romans 12, Paul rattles off a disjointed list of Christian principles. On…

2 years ago
  • Romans

Romans 6

Romans 6 - Grigori Rasputin was a Russian mystic and self-proclaimed "holy man" who claimed to speak on behalf of…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 23

2 Kings 23 - Starting in Deuteronomy 17:14, God outlines the laws concerning Israel's kings. Be sure that the man…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 15

2 Kings 15 - If you get bored and skim through 2 Kings 15, you will miss a very significant…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 3

2 Kings 3 - The verses here in 2 Kings 3 really put into perspective just how evil Ahab and…

2 years ago
  • 1 Kings

1 Kings 16

1 Kings 16 - As we see many other places in Scripture, the sins of Jeroboam had a lasting effect…

2 years ago
  • 1 Kings

1 Kings 14

1 Kings 14 - King Jeroboam decided it was time to seek the Lord, but only after his son was…

2 years ago
  • 1 Kings

1 Kings 12

1 Kings 12 - What happens when the vessel that is destined to carry God's image into the world is…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 41

Genesis 41 - Joseph began as a shepherd of animals and become a shepherd of men. He, like Jesus, was…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 40

Genesis 40 - We now learn that Potiphar did not really believe the accusations brought against Joseph. In Genesis 39,…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 18

Genesis 18 - I have to admit, I'm not a great intercessor. I sometimes fall victim to the attitude that…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 10

Genesis 10 - Here in Genesis 10, we are introduced to an individual whose full-fledged insurrection led to all sorts…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 6

Genesis 6 - What does the text mean when it says the "sons of God" saw the "daughters of men"…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 4

Genesis 4 - I'll be honest, this story has always confused me. Why was Abel's offering acceptable to God but…

2 years ago