hope

  • 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
  • Ruth

Ruth 3

In Ruth 3, Naomi seeks to secure provision for Ruth through marriage to Boaz. (Ruth 3:1-2). She instructs Ruth to…

2 weeks ago
  • Ruth

Ruth 1

In Ruth 1, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, leave Israel because of a famine…

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 10

In Judges 10, Tola from the tribe of Issachar led Israel for 23 years and was buried at Shamir. Jair…

1 month ago
  • Judges

Judges 6

In Judges 6, the Israelites once again sinned against the Lord and were oppressed by the Midianites for seven years.…

1 month ago
  • Judges

Judges 5

Judges 5 is the Song of Deborah, a victory hymn sung by Deborah and Barak after Israel’s triumph over King…

1 month 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 15

Joshua 15 - Joshua 15 details the land allocation for the tribe of Judah, highlighting Caleb's victories in Hebron and…

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 6

Joshua 6 - Joshua 6 is one of the most vivid demonstrations of God’s power in the Old Testament. The…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 4

Joshua 4 - In Joshua 4, after the entire nation finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord instructed Joshua to choose…

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
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 33

Deuteronomy 33 - Moses gives his final blessings to the tribes of Israel. I was drawn to the guidance given…

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
  • Ezekiel

Ezekiel 21

Ezekiel 21 - Ezekiel was a unique and inspired writer that often used abstract visuals to drive home deep spiritual…

3 months ago
  • Ezekiel

Ezekiel 18

Ezekiel 18 - Turn away from your sins and live. In this chapter, a foundational Christian belief is described in…

3 months ago
  • Ezekiel

Ezekiel 13

Ezekiel 13 - Wow! What a relevant topic! For years, false prophets have been stirring up dissension in order to…

3 months ago
  • Ezekiel

Ezekiel 12

Ezekiel 12 - "Son of man, what is this proverb you people have concerning the land of Israel, saying, 'The…

3 months ago
  • Ezekiel

Ezekiel 10

Ezekiel 10 - Think for a moment about the devastation caused by sin. This was not just a "mistake" or…

3 months ago
  • Ezekiel

Ezekiel 6

Ezekiel 6 - "However, I will leave a remnant, for you will have those who escaped the sword among the…

3 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 28

Acts 28 - I love the image of Paul here at the end of Acts. He is a man who,…

3 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 27

Acts 27 - It's interesting to me that Paul could have fallen by the wayside so many times in his…

3 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 25

Acts 25 - The reason Paul was able to appeal to Caesar and the higher court was because he was…

4 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 24

Acts 24 - Paul now finds himself in limbo and at the mercy of the political system. He continues to…

4 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 22

Acts 22 - Paul never wastes an opportunity to talk about the Gospel. Whether he's imprisoned, being beaten, being interrogated,…

4 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 17

Acts 17 - It's interesting to ponder how each person responds to the Gospel differently. Some, who we think will…

4 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 14

Acts 14 - When Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra speaking to the people, they saw a lame man who…

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 6

Acts 6 - We really have two storylines going on here. We have a great leadership move and a great…

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
  • 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
  • Acts

Acts 1

Acts 1 - At the end of Chapter 1, the apostles have just witnessed the ascension of Jesus and are…

4 months ago
  • Lamentations

Lamentations 4

Lamentations 4 - With graphic detail, Jeremiah describes all the ways in which his people suffered during the Babylonian attack…

4 months ago
  • Lamentations

Lamentations 3

Lamentations 3 - The first 20 verses of Lamentations 3 recall the conditions that God has allowed to take place…

4 months ago
  • Lamentations

Lamentations 1

Lamentations 1 - The mere existence of the book of Lamentations shows us that God takes seriously our need as…

5 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 23

Leviticus 23 - There are several of these celebrations that were brought into modern-day by Christianity.  Passover = Good Friday.…

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 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 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 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 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
  • Revelation

Revelation 1

Revelation 1 - The comparison game. We all do it. When life throws us unpredictable storms, (and especially when we…

6 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 50

Jeremiah 50 - “Their Redeemer is strong, the Lord of hosts is His name.” Jeremiah 50:34 As the book of…

6 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 48

Jeremiah 48 - Moab can trace its ancestry all the way back to Lot. Historically, Israel and Moab experienced times…

6 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 46

Jeremiah 46 - Just as God promised, He outlines some of the details that will take place as Babylon prepares…

6 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 43

Jeremiah 43 - What we see here in chapter 43 is just the usual for Jeremiah. Once again, after all…

6 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 38

Jeremiah 38 - The brutality against Jeremiah is taken a step further. Led by officials, they inquired with the king…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 37

Jeremiah 37 - If you have been following along in Jeremiah you may be confused at how the chapters skip…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 34

Jeremiah 34 - Every 7 years slaves were to be released. This had been an ordinance God had established hundreds…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 33

Jeremiah 33 - There’s a saying, “When you least expect it, expect it.” In essence, this is what God states…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah 31 - There is a lot going on in this chapter, and it can seem kind of confusing. I…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 30

Jeremiah 30 - God works in mysterious ways. It's cliche but truth for this chapter. He is flexing his muscles…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 29

Jeremiah 29 - Context is everything. One of the most misused and misunderstood verses in all the Bible is found…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 28

Jeremiah 28 - We get to see the incredible discernment of Jeremiah here in this chapter. He is challenged by…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 18

Jeremiah 18 - How insane is it to think that a piece of clay has any say in what the…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 17

Jeremiah 17 - Does the Bible encourage us to "follow our heart?" What we find in chapter 17 of Jeremiah…

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 15

Jeremiah 15 - The insecurities of Jeremiah are starting to show. He's really stuck between a rock and hard place.…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 12

Jeremiah 12 - We have all been in a situation like this before. We cry out to God over something…

7 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 32

2 Chronicles 32 - There are times in my spiritual walk when I simply want to take a break. Although…

8 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 23

2 Chronicles 23 - The drama surrounding this messianic promise is an interesting story. The offspring of David's line had…

9 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 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 10

1 Chronicles 10 - The Philistines Who were the Philistines? They were sea-faring people who immigrated from the island of…

10 months ago
  • 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 1

1 Chronicles 1 - It was a bittersweet time for Israel. The Jews had just returned from 70 years of…

10 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 66

Isaiah 66 - As the book of Isaiah comes to a close, I am drawn to the writings of F.F.…

10 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 62

Isaiah 62 - *If you haven't read the Isaiah 61 blog entry, it would be helpful for context. Isaiah 62…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 61

Isaiah 61 - Isaiah 61 is such an interesting chapter. In Luke 4, Jesus reads the first two verses of…

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 59

Isaiah 59 - In a beautiful example of what it is like for the Lord to work in a person's…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 54

Isaiah 54 - This chapter focuses on the wonderful love God has for His people. Amazingly, even though human sin…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 52

Isaiah 52 - God's people will be redeemed. They were sold for nothing but they will be bought back without…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 50

Isaiah 50 - Here in Isaiah 50 we read a soliloquy by the Servant as well as statements directed toward…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 49

Isaiah 49 - His words were like a sharp arrow ready to pierce the heart. Israel would be his servant…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 47

Isaiah 47 - God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. You were secure in your wickedness; you…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 44

Isaiah 44 - "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am…

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 41

Isaiah 41 - In this chapter, God is reminding His people of His promises. The people of Israel would be…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 40

Isaiah 40 - The theme of chapters 7-39 focuses directly on the punishment of God. It's easy to read this…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 39

Isaiah 39 - The last verse of Chapter 39 is probably the most heavily scrutinized statement from Hezekiah. Many scholars…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 37

Isaiah 37 - Much of what Isaiah has written leading up to this point has been about the rebellion of…

11 months ago