heaven

  • 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
  • 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
  • Judges

Judges 11

In Judges 11, Jephthah, a warrior from Gilead and the son of a prostitute, was driven away by his half-brothers…

4 weeks ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 20

Joshua 20 - It's one thing to say that we believe in God as our refuge and strength, but it's…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 13

Joshua 13 - As you read through the inheritance distributed to the different tribes, you will notice that the Levites…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 12

Joshua 12 - Joshua 12 lists the 31 kings defeated by the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan. The chapter…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 11

Joshua 11 - Let's set the backdrop. Joshua has just led Israel in defeating the cities in the south. News…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 5

Joshua 5 - There was a series of events that the Lord required of Joshua prior to conquering Jericho. Joshua…

2 months ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 28

Deuteronomy 28 - "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They…

3 months ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 26

Deuteronomy 26 - Once again we enter into an Old Testament story which has significant implications for how we understand…

3 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 7

Acts 7 - I can vividly remember the old seat belt PSA that was shown on TV all the time…

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 2

Acts 2 - At the end of Acts 2, we read the three essentials that contributed to a fruitful body.…

4 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 26

Leviticus 26 - First off, this is a crazy awesome chapter that raises many significant questions. In the most direct…

5 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 25

Leviticus 25 - After 7 cycles of the sabbatical years came the 50th, or, Year of Jubilee. It was a…

5 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 24

Leviticus 24 - When I read the "eye for an eye" passage, I immediately think of the Sermon on the…

5 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 17

Leviticus 17 - The people of Israel must no longer be unfaithful to the LORD by killing their animals in…

5 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 14

Leviticus 14 - The book of Leviticus deals with holiness in terms of wholeness. It was extremely important for the…

5 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 11

Leviticus 11 - In Leviticus 11, God outlines both the clean and unclean animals. A general rule which was given…

5 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 1

Leviticus 1 - The book of Leviticus picks up right where Exodus left off. The opening verse begins with "Then…

5 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 22

Revelation 22 - Tree of Life The final chapter of the Bible bookends the story that God started in the…

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 20

Revelation 20 - If someone comes up and asks you, "How do you interpret Revelation?" most likely, they are referring…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 19

Revelation 19 - After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven,…

6 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 16

Revelation 16 - The continuity of the seals and the trumpets is broken up with the bowls as they move…

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 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 9

Revelation 9 - The 5th Trumpet The 5th trumpet releases a key to open the abyss. Many scholars believe this…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 8

Revelation 8 - Continuing on the theme from Chapter 7, John either heard or saw something with every seal that…

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 5

Revelation 5 - The Scroll In ancient times, the Romans would seal their wills seven times. Each wax seal usually…

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
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 52

Jeremiah 52 - The final chapter of Jeremiah gives a summary of the events which have occurred, giving us some…

6 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 22

Jeremiah 22 - God has a message and it will be delivered. It may not come the way we expected.…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 16

Jeremiah 16 - The loneliness of Jeremiah sets in as once again he looks around and sees what others have…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 7

Jeremiah 7 - A lot of people act like the God of the Old Testament and the God of the…

8 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 35

2 Chronicles 35 - Armchair Quarterback (noun) a person who offers advice or an opinion on something in which they…

8 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 6

2 Chronicles 6 - "But can you, O God, really live on earth among men and women? Not even all…

9 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 2

2 Chronicles 2 - Solomon knew the dwelling place for God would not do Him justice. He makes this statement…

9 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 1

2 Chronicles 1 - Solomon commanded the people to go to a high place of worship at Gibeon. This was…

9 months ago
  • 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 7

1 Chronicles 7 - God has used women to build, lead and change the world from the beginning of time.…

10 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 63

Isaiah 63 - At the beginning of Isaiah 63, we find a familiar theme in Scripture. There is someone with…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 60

Isaiah 60 - Isaiah 60 begins a new section that looks ahead Christ's Kingdom and rule. Remember, Isaiah was a…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 43

Isaiah 43 - Should we forget the past or remember it? This is a troubling question. On the surface, it…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 42

Isaiah 42 - God is the only Savior. His creation will bring glory to Him alone and it will not…

11 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 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 9

Isaiah 9 - Here we get a description of Jesus as a child, son, and eventually, prince. He is called…

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
  • Ephesians

Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5 - For this reason, it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on…

1 year ago
  • Ephesians

Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3 - It's one of my favorite prayers in Scripture. Ephesians 3:14-21. Once you really see and experience how…

1 year ago
  • Ephesians

Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1 - The readers of this letter in Paul's day would have received a rolled up scroll that required…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 30

Exodus 30 - The ability to come before God is an opportunity, not a right. Aaron was given the duty…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 22

Exodus 22 - I am most struck by verses 22 and 25 in this chapter. God has, from the beginning,…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 20

Exodus 20 - The 10 Commandments illustrate the vertical and horizontal obedience that God desired for humanity. Jesus came to…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 19

Exodus 19 - When I read how the people trembled with fear at the thunder and lightning, I think about…

1 year ago
  • 1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2 - Paul covers a broad range of topics in this chapter. He starts with defending, and moves…

1 year ago
  • 1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1 - In the opening verses of this letter, we read Paul's words which seem to indicate he…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 42

Job 42 - Without... Without knowing answers to all of his deepest questions, Job bowed his knee in humility to…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 41

Job 41 - It is the mystery of the Leviathan... No beast, terrestrial or aquatic, deserves the high character here…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 29

Job 29 - What does it mean to reflect on the former times? We've all heard people talk about the…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 21

Job 21 - Job thoroughly rejects the doctrine of retribution and he draws from common knowledge to do so. Throughout…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 19

Job 19 - The most magnificent phrase in this chapter shines in verses 25-26. It is so surprising and unexpected.…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 15

Job 15 - Eliphaz brings a load of sarcasm to this chapter. He claims that his understanding of Scripture and…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 6

Job 6 - Here are some points we can draw from Job's response in chapter 6: Job is under tremendous…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 4

Job 4 - There is a difference between theology and common sense. I know that the word 'theology' sounds like…

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 9

Ezra 9 - This chapter is a perfect example of why context is so important when reading Scripture. The Israelites…

1 year ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 25

Matthew 25 - Leonard Kevin Bias was born on November 17, 1963, in Landover, Maryland. He was a tall, quiet…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 24

Matthew 24 - There is a break between verses 2 and 3 that separate the thoughts of Jesus. He starts…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 23

Matthew 23 - Jesus uses a lot of phrases of that time period to describe what the Pharisees were like.…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 19

Matthew 19 - The topic of divorce was a hot-button issue back in Jesus' time, and it remains the same…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 18

Matthew 18 - How do you approach confrontation and accountability in the church? The worldview of Jesus was not simply…

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 6

Matthew 6 - The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Many people came to hear about the kingdom and left…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 4

Matthew 4 - "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."…

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
  • Matthew

Matthew 1

Matthew 1 - The Gospels do not record a single word spoken by this man. Yet, the Gospel account written…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24 - The empty U-Haul is parked out front. Your belongings are packed away in boxes. The move has…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17 - As I read this chapter, I see a theme of relational conflict. "Better a dry crust with…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15 - "The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good." Proverbs 15:3 HCSB  This…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13 - "Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."" 1 Corinthians 15:33 HCSB  Through God's pursuit of…

2 years ago
  • 1 Peter

1 Peter 1

1 Peter 1 - It is beneficial to explore the interesting background on the book of Peter. First, many scholars…

2 years ago
  • 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 9

2 Samuel 9 - David had made a promise to Jonathan, and David was a man of his word. So…

2 years ago
  • 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 7

2 Samuel 7 - We live in a society of bare minimums. What's the least I can pay and still…

2 years ago
  • 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 4

2 Samuel 4 - In 2 Samuel 4, we see the collision of two different kingdoms. Humanity's kingdom operates within…

2 years ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 28

1 Samuel 28 - I've always had lots of questions about 1 Samuel 28. Was David actually going to fight…

2 years ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 6

1 Samuel 6 - 7 months. 7 months of terror, suffering, and death. The Philistines experienced the white-hot flame of…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 25

2 Kings 25 - It's definitely fitting that the fate of Israel was determined at Jericho. “It seems ironic that…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 16

2 Kings 16 - This was a horrific compromise by Ahaz as he decided to trust the Assyrian army to…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 6

2 Kings 6 - When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 2

2 Kings 2 - Discipleship 101 Elijah respectfully asked Elisha to stay and leave him alone, but Elisha refused to…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 1

2 Kings 1 - Same story, different chapter. After reading about all of Ahab's disastrous choices, we now move into…

2 years ago