purpose

  • 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 12

Isaiah 12 - Isaiah 12:1 is a mirror image of Paul's writing in Romans 6:17. Compare the two passages. Then…

1 year ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 6

Isaiah 6 - The first 5 chapters of Isaiah outline his prophecies, but do not establish his calling. In chapter…

1 year ago
  • Philippians

Philippians 2

Philippians 2 - Paul's opening in Philippians 2 follows a delicate and precise structure. He opens with "Therefore" and unfortunately…

1 year ago
  • Ephesians

Ephesians 6

Ephesians 6 - It all begins with Psalm 82:1. God presides in the heavenly council; in the assembly of the…

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
  • Galatians

Galatians 6

Galatians 6 - The problem in the Galatian church was two-fold.  As we've already outlined, the Jewish Christians were loading…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 40

Exodus 40 - The glory of God came down and dwelled in the constructed tent. Previously, when God came near…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 39

Exodus 39 - At the end of the chapter, Scripture tells us that everything God had commanded, the children of…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 37

Exodus 37 - Let's take a moment to briefly summarize what makes this chapter so fruitful. We have the Holy…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 35

Exodus 35 - Think upon the skills that were required of a master craftsman. Obviously, the person would be gifted…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 28

Exodus 28 - "You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 27

Exodus 27 - "You shall charge the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 11

Exodus 11 - It's agreed upon by scholars that the first three verses of this chapter be read in the…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 3

Exodus 3 - God shows His character to Moses by both coming down to him and promising to be present…

1 year ago
  • 1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4 - What do we know about the coming of the Lord? Paul gives us a clue at…

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 36

Job 36 - God is the most patient, relentless, and loving Father we will ever encounter. Unfortunately, many people of…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 33

Job 33 - As I read Elihu speak, I feel the tension of two different angles. On one hand, Elihu…

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 30

Job 30 - Which is more agonizing for Job - the suffering he is currently enduring or the exasperation of…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 24

Job 24 - Job continues on his theme of questioning why the wicked get away with so much. To the…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 23

Job 23 - I want to follow-up from yesterday's thoughts and continue in the same direction. I was intrigued by…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 7

Job 7 - Job now turns his attention to God. He is fully convinced that he will die soon, 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 3

Job 3 - In this chapter, we see the pendulam swing completely in the opposite direction from where it began.…

1 year ago
  • Ezra

Ezra 4

Ezra 4 - "It is what it is." We hear this phrase spoken all the time. In some cases, it's…

1 year ago
  • Ezra

Ezra 3

Ezra 3 - Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' households, the old men who had…

1 year ago
  • Ezra

Ezra 2

Ezra 2 - Why was genealogy so important to the Jews? We see this many times in Scripture and often…

1 year ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 28

Matthew 28 - The appearances of the resurrected Christ are astonishing! Many people will concede that Jesus was a real…

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 9

Matthew 9 - Interestingly, as Matthew writes his account of his own selection as a disciple, he chooses to use…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 5

Matthew 5 - I love the depth and practicality of Jesus' message here. Many of his critics thought he was…

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
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31 - Proverbs 31 is a famous chapter describing a virtuous woman of God. Many of us have heard…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 29

Proverbs 29 - "Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person, but the upright care about him." Proverbs 29:10 HCSB  "When the…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26 - I'm going to analyze verse 4 in comparison to verse 5. Here are both of the verses…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 20

Proverbs 20 - This chapter really addresses a diverse range of topics. Excessive drinking, gossip, pride, and disobedience, just to…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19 - If you are like me then you might have read this chapter and become uncomfortable with a…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11 - God provides many illustrations in Scripture explaining that He deals with people based on how they deal…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 6

Proverbs 6 - Satisfaction comes when we do what we ought to do. Taking care of our responsibilities and prioritizing…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 2

Proverbs 2 - In Proverbs 1, we learned that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Here…

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
  • Titus

Titus 3

Titus 3 - Have you ever been involved in a foolish conversation? How about an endless quarrel about a technicality?…

2 years ago
  • 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 23

2 Samuel 23 - David was never ashamed of who he was and where he came from. In a culture…

2 years ago
  • 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 22

2 Samuel 22 - My rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. These were the words David penned about God after…

2 years ago
  • 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 17

2 Samuel 17 - Ahithophel had gone all in. He was firmly in Absalon's camp after abruptly turning on David.…

2 years ago
  • 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 10

2 Samuel 10 - After David's men were humiliated by the Ammonites, a war was sure to break out. The…

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
  • 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2 - There is an interesting backstory on the relationships that take place in this chapter. Abner crowns…

2 years ago
  • 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 1

2 Samuel 1 - There are three versions of Saul's death mentioned in Scripture and one of them is found…

2 years ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 15

1 Samuel 15 - Do what you want, and ask for forgiveness later. If God is full of love, and…

2 years ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 11

1 Samuel 11 - Nahash meant business. He threatened to humiliate and poke out the right eye of every man…

2 years ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 10

1 Samuel 10 - Once again, I want to point out the detail that many miss when Saul is anointed…

2 years ago
  • 2 Timothy

2 Timothy 2

2 Timothy 2 - There's only one Gospel. There's only one Gospel. There's. Only. ONE. Gospel. The Gospel = Suffering…

2 years ago
  • 2 Timothy

2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1 - The personal nature of 2 Timothy 1 really shines! Paul was such a gifted communicator and…

2 years ago
  • 1 Timothy

1 Timothy 1

1 Timothy 1 - The Same Old False Doctrine Paul comes out swinging against false teachers. We find out in…

2 years ago
  • Romans

Romans 16

Romans 16 - This is a phenomenal chapter that champions the role of women in the church. Romans 16 begins…

2 years ago
  • Romans

Romans 15

Romans 15 - This week, I learned a very relevant historical fact that alters the way I read and understand…

2 years ago
  • Romans

Romans 11

Romans 11 - To me, the most interesting part of Romans 11 starts in verse 25. After outlining the difference…

2 years ago
  • Romans

Romans 9

Romans 9 - Paul now shifts his focus to the Israelites specifically. His heart is so heavy for his brothers…

2 years ago
  • Romans

Romans 7

Romans 7 - What is the purpose of the law? In Romans 6 we saw the law cannot make us…

2 years ago
  • Romans

Romans 3

Romans 3 - When we study Scripture, it is important we don't sweep through it with a predetermined mindset. There…

2 years ago
  • Romans

Romans 1

Romans 1 - John Calvin said of Romans, "When anyone understands this Epistle, he has a passage opened to him…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 24

2 Kings 24 - This is such a tough time for Judah. Jeremiah had been prophesying about Babylonian captivity for…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 12

2 Kings 12 - He is another leader in Scripture who started off so well but failed to finish. Joash…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 9

2 Kings 9 - One of my favorite parts to this story is the fact that Jehu was recognized by…

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
  • 1 Kings

1 Kings 21

1 Kings 21 - When Elijah finished speaking, Ahab tore his clothes, took them off, and put on sackcloth. He…

2 years ago
  • 1 Kings

1 Kings 19

1 Kings 19 - The events in 1 Kings 19 could be known as "The Pastor's Chapter." After the triumphant,…

2 years ago
  • 1 Kings

1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17 - Since Baal was considered the god of the sky, or "the storm god," it would be…

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 8

1 Kings 8 - We really cannot understand the massive celebration that took place here until we look deep into…

2 years ago
  • 1 Kings

1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3 - Incredibly, we see both the pinnacle of Solomon's character as well as a foreshadowing of his…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 45

Genesis 45 - Finally! After several chapters of agony, Joseph is finally reunited with his brothers. There is much we…

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 37

Genesis 37 - "Enoch shows the walk of faith, Noah shows the perseverance of faith, Abraham shows the obedience of…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 34

Genesis 34 - There are so many issues here and they are glaring. What is clearly evident in this story…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 32

Genesis 32 - There are three points that really stick out to me in this chapter. Separation from the world…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 17

Genesis 17 - The question we all ask ourselves at one point or another is, why circumcision? First, in the…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 13

Genesis 13 - Between chapters 12 and 13, we see a spiritual maturity unfolding in Abram's life. His journey into…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 2

Genesis 2 - Sometimes we fall into the trap of believing that God's wrath is greater than His grace. In…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 1

Genesis 1 - In his book, The Good Book, author Deron Spoo gives us perspective on what we should treasure…

2 years ago
  • John

John 20

John 20 - The empty tomb (Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 24) is the most contested event by skeptics of…

2 years ago
  • John

John 17

John 17 - I cannot think of a more powerful prayer in all of Scripture. Through Jesus' words, much is…

2 years ago
  • John

John 16

John 16 - They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills…

2 years ago
  • John

John 14

John 14 - Sometimes theology can overcomplicate the simple words of Jesus. In John 14, Jesus plainly states exactly what…

2 years ago
  • John

John 11

John 11 - So much irony! The reasoning of the religious leaders is astounding. "Let's kill the man who is…

2 years ago
  • John

John 10

John 10 - The entire book of John has drawn us into the reality that Jesus is His own person,…

2 years ago
  • John

John 8

John 8 - It would not be a stretch to call this the "chapter of traps." After trying to get…

2 years ago
  • John

John 7

John 7 - Have you experienced frustration or grief because a close friend or family member has rejected the Gospel?…

2 years ago
  • John

John 4

John 4 - Jesus told him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe." John 4:48 HCSB…

2 years ago
  • Esther

Esther 2

Esther 2 - A little over 6 years ago, I was given a front-row seat to a miraculous event that…

2 years ago
  • Nehemiah

Nehemiah 13

Nehemiah 13 - So, remember that guy Tobiah? Back in Nehemiah 6 he was one of Israel's enemies who formulated…

2 years ago
  • Nehemiah

Nehemiah 11

Nehemiah 11 - Nehemiah came up with a brilliant solution to repopulate Jerusalem with God's people. Of all the people…

2 years ago
  • Nehemiah

Nehemiah 8

Nehemiah 8 - Why is it important to read and hear the Word of God? The one who reads this…

2 years ago
  • Nehemiah

Nehemiah 4

Nehemiah 4 - This chapter is a case study for how the enemy works when you decide to follow through…

2 years ago
  • Nehemiah

Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah 1 - Back in the minor prophets, we learned that very few Jewish people left Babylon to return to…

2 years ago
  • Hebrews

Hebrews 13

Hebrews 13 - Don't neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing…

2 years ago