Isaiah 58 – Superficial people. We’ve all endured them. If we’re honest, we’ve probably been one at some point in our lives. Superficial people seem frivolous, self-absorbed, and shallow…
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Isaiah 44 – We stand in the barren wilderness. The ground cracked and dried, our parched throats cry for water. Looking every direction there is nothing on the horizon….
Isaiah 35 – Restoration. After the barrage of judgment over evil against nations and wayward people, God speaks in beautiful terms of restoring His own. Although this prophetically speaks…
Isaiah 28 – Remember those days back in elementary school when a teacher would correct you? You had done something wrong, had acted out or whatever would warrant their…
Isaiah 24 – It’s known as Isaiah’s Apocalypse. For the following 4 chapters he is given words from God about the judgment of the entire world. This chapter is…
Isaiah 23 – To the north of Israel lay the port city of Tyre. Of the ancient world, it was one of the most famous. Known as the Babylon…
Isaiah 7 – Houston, we have a problem. The year was 734 BC. King Ahaz was on the throne and one of the worst in Judah’s history…
Isaiah 3 – On many fronts, Isaiah 3 is a parade of sin. The people proud of their choices and personal behavior, they were no longer ashamed but put…
Isaiah 1 – He is known as the greatest prophet. Raised in an aristocratic home he was married to a prophetess. When he first started off he was well…
Colossians 3 – We are walking miracles. God has taken the dead and raised them to life. Through Jesus Christ, the grave clothes that wrapped us so tightly are…
Ephesians 1 – Paul wrote a letter. It was not to confront the church on issues, but to encourage. The church was born the day of Pentecost when the…
Galatians 6 – As Paul winds down his letter he makes tremendous statements that could be dissected and applied very easily. He is incredibly practical and encouraging while writes…
Galatians 5 – Sometimes inventories are good. This is particularly true in those quiet moments when we take the time to think about our spiritual life. These can be…
Galatians 4 – I admit that sometimes I get so caught up in my own wants and needs that I miss the bigger picture. We all tend to gravitate…
Exodus 35 – There are specifics I pray daily. Right before I close out my time with God, I pray directly for myself and go through the…
Judges 19 – In a horrifying scene of events, we get a picture for just how bad it has gotten within Israel. It would not be as surprising to…
Judges 15 – Samson continued to act within the flesh. Driven by his own wants and desires, when things didn’t go his way, he took matters into his own…
Judges 9 – Our personal goals can control our actions. When there is power and position at play, those actions can be reckless. After Gideon destroyed the altar of…
Judges 7 – “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” – Zechariah 4:6 Size matters. We tend to look at numbers…
1 Thessalonians 1 – It was the capital city of Macedonia. Thessalonica was one of the largest and most important thoroughfares on the Roman highway. From Rome…
2 John 1 – 2 words – spoken often and used quite a bit in today’s age but seldom practiced: Truth and Love. Almost like an endangered species,…
1 John 1 – He had walked with Him. He was known as the ‘one Jesus loved’. A part of the inner circle of 3, John was…
Job 33 – Elihu jumps in with full steam. Hes less formal than the others, even callingJob by name. We see coming through his words moments of sheer pride…
Job 22 – The third and final round begins between Job and his friends. The first cycle his friends spoke in generalities, without making their doctrine specifically to Job…
Job 10 – They stand in a Hall of Fame recorded within Scripture. Being inducted to such a well known place though is not somethingI would want. However if…
Job 7 – There is a strange phenomenon the older you get. It feels like time flies faster than it ever did. Like, its crazy actually. Years at times…
Ezra 10 – The book of Ezra opens with the people of Israel in captivity, the temple in ruins. As the story unfolds, Ezra recounts the return. There were…
Matthew 18 – It is almost ironic that Jesus looks to little children in making a point to his own men about greatness. It’s hard not to…
Matthew 8 – Life’s storms can take on different meanings and venues for each of us. They can come on unexpectedly, bring a devastation to our person…
Proverbs 31 – The readings of Proverbs come to a close. These have spoken of most practical and inspirational advice to walk uprightly before God. They have shown the…
Proverbs 28 – Leadership is no easy thing. It’s ironic how many desire such a role but the responsibility of being a leader holds many tough decisions and acts…
Proverbs 25 – It’s one of the Fruit of the Spirit. Self-Control is something all wrestle with and without it we can find ourselves in mess after mess, standing…
Proverbs 16 – It’s the silent growing cancer. Usually unrecognizable within, pride destroys relationships, trust, marriages, churches and families. It is the whisper that says, “I am right. I…
Proverbs 15 – “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil…
Proverbs 13 – Relationships have profound effects on who we are and what we become. Those who we bring into our inner circle of friendships often are like minded…
Proverbs 12 – Correction is never easy. Discipline is harder. Both go hand in hand when a person acts stupid. Wow, a bold statement right? But ironically the Bible…
Proverbs 4 – Solomon speaks of a parent’s great responsibility in teaching their children to pursue wisdom. He shares of how even his own father David had conversations with…
Proverbs 2 – “Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her…
2 Peter 1 – A few times a month (maybe it’s more) at noon the air is pierced with sirens. They reverberate throughout the town almost sinking…
1 Peter 2 – I remember a specific conversation with some college friends after we had graduated. I was still student teaching at the time but looking…
Titus 3 – Now isn’t this an interesting way to end a letter? Reading and rereading this final chapter of Paul’s letter to Titus it seems to be fitting though.
Titus 2 – Life is hard. Relationships are difficult. This is particularly true when we feel attacked or under the gun of some situation…
2 Samuel 23 – When we think of a Last Will and Testament being read it is usually after the passing of someone. Family members gather to…
2 Samuel 15 – One by one Absalom won the hearts of the people. He cleverly laid out his approach, gave an impression he was one of…
2 Samuel 7 – It was a moment of reprieve. The enemies of Israel had gone silent, for now. Rest was given, for now. And in these…
2 Samuel 4 – “For just $19.99 you can find all the essentials in discovering the will of God,” states one televangelist. “You too, can find the…
2 Samuel 1 – I love a good cup of coffee. In fact, putting a pot of Joe on in the morning is the first thing of…
1 Samuel 20 – Deep, genuine friendships are hard to come by. These rare relationships that stir a kindred spirit between 2 individuals seemingly rarely happen. One…
1 Samuel 10 – Samuel boldly speaks to Saul of his calling and role he is about to play for Israel. He anoints him king. He tells…
2 Timothy 3 – End Times thoughts are pretty much on people’s hearts a lot it seems. It is a topic that even those who are not…
1 Timothy 3 – Paul becomes very specific for those who would be in leadership within the church. Leadership is a heavy responsibility because the church itself…
Romans 9 – They missed the boat. The Israelites, those who knew the Scripture, awaited the promise of the coming Messiah had waited for generations…
Romans 8 – God kicked our sinful nature in the teeth when He sent Jesus. More importantly through the death of our Lord and consequent resurrection, He made available…
Romans 7 – The ways of God hold many paradoxes. If you want to be great, you must become a servant. Stories throughout show God called people to lead…
Romans 6 – Veto: A decision by a person in authority to not allow or approve something. Paul lays out the power of sin and death it brings in…
Romans 5 – We’re selfish. Decisions are made based on what benefits us, what we want to do. Seeing someone in need or crying out for help sometimes causes…
Romans 3 – Paul paints a very hopeless and depressing picture through these chapters. As he hammers against those who use the Law to justify their behavior, lists specific…
2 Kings 11 – This is a great obscure story! For 6 years the mother of Ahaziah reigned. This self-proclaimed Queen Athaliah was the daughter…
2 Kings 5 – Aram had been a neighbor to Israel for centuries but rarely was on friendly terms. Under David’s rule they payed tribute to Israel…
2 Kings 1 – As the retelling of the kings and their rule continue, we open to a strange story. Ahab was dead. Moab rebelled against the…
1 Kings 21 – Her name is synonymous with the most evil woman in all of Scripture. In fact, her name is mentioned in Revelation as an…
1 Kings 14 – It’s the tale of 2 kings who flagrantly walked away from God and His commands. Consider how as the nation was already split…
1 Kings 8 – It was the moment the Israelites had longed for – the completion of the Temple. For hundreds of years they had worshiped…
Genesis 45 – 20 years of sorrow, heartache, loneliness came tumbling out. Joseph had been through the ringer as he was rejected, kidnapped…
Genesis 44 – As soon as the morning dawned, the brothers were sent on their way. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph had had his chalice placed…
Genesis 40 – Joseph’s character is in full view. Here’s a man in prison for something he didn’t do; betrayed by family; living in a foreign land…
Genesis 37 – Here begins one of the most amazing and remarkable stories of the Old Testament. The life of Joseph and all that came against…
Genesis 32 – The last time Jacob saw Esau he vowed to kill him. Although 20 years had passed, going back to face his brother brought…
Genesis 13 – Abraham’s nephew Lot was a character. While a young man his father died. Although he had strong role models of his grandfather…
Genesis 11 – The Tower of Babel came about in man’s thinking as a rebellion to the one and true God. It was part of Nimrod’s Kingdom…
Genesis 4 – Confrontation is never easy especially when we’re on the receiving end. Usually, it’s due to an area we’ve overreacted or acted…
James 4 – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain…
James 3 – “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” What a load of bunk. Since when has this ever been true?…
John 21 – Peter had denied his friend and Lord. He had acted in his flesh and in fear. He had disappointed Jesus. Yet, Jesus met Peter…
John 18 – Here stood 2 kingdoms in conflict. Pilate’s Kingdom was based upon his physical presence and ruling jurisdiction of Judea…
John 8 – They set a trap. The teachers and Pharisees thought they had Jesus cornered as they first baited the woman to commit…
John 5 – For 38 years the man wanted to be healed. He had joined many others who gathered around a pool of water in Bethesda day…
John 3 – I love, love, love this chapter. It is completely packed with unreal truths and conversations. We’re first introduced to Nicodemus…
Esther 7 – “Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me apart like a lion…
Esther 4 – Sometimes we are called to make hard decisions. Sometimes we are compelled to speak truth or confront where loss…
Nehemiah 11 – Although the walls were complete around Jerusalem, the city itself was a ghost town. The exiles who had returned and settled…
Hebrews 5 – A high priest according to the Law of Moses specific role was to bring the gifts and sacrifices before God for an individual’s and…
Hebrews 3 – Consider… Jesus is our high priest. Through this remarkable title and act only He is worthy of He has taken in us in as his own…
Malachi 2 – God comes after the priests. They weren’t honoring His name in their duties as well as at their home. They had failed to set their…
Zechariah 7 – But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They made their…
Zechariah 4 – Zechariah woke with a start. Before him were lampstands and olive trees. A strange pairing that in the end this vision would…
Zephaniah 2 – “Before the decree takes effect…”Zephaniah 2:2 The announcement of God’s judgment echoed in the first chapter of Zephaniah…
Nahum 1 – 100 years had passed since Jonah walked the streets of Nineveh and proclaimed God’s Word of repentance. 100 years of new…
Habakkuk 1 – There are times we all have questions. Many of these questions go to the heart of things as we look at our world, our life even…
Amos 9 – In the final chapter of Amos and from the 5th vision of Amos, destruction, and ruin for Israel is foretold. There will be nowhere to hide…
Amos 6 – It’s an unnoticed disease that creeps upon most unexpectedly. The tentacles of self-satisfaction, self-reliance begin to grip the mind and heart ever so slowly. Once its…
Amos 5 – In a move that would be shocking to the listeners, Amos sings a song of lament, a dirge of Israel who is fallen. The irony is…
Amos 2 – Chapters 1 and 2 proclaim God’s judgment proclaimed against the enemies of Israel. As the hearers of these prophecies, the people probably rejoiced that God was…
Hosea 13 – Self-sufficiency is an insidious attitude that works its way into a Believer’s heart. As we’re told that only ‘we can make something happen”, we are the…
Hosea 12 – From the womb he was contentious. Wrestling with his brother it would become a standard for his life. Jacob would be the second twin birthed but…
Hosea 10 – Scripture has a lot to say about vines and bearing fruit. From the Old to the New Testaments, it is a sign usually of what is…
Hosea 7 – “Israel will not recognize her failures or confess their compromised half-baked spiritual life that is marked by pride.” -The Bible Panorama When something is half-baked, it…
Hosea 6 – “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6 The definition of loyalty is a…
Hosea 5 – Sometimes there’s nothing more to say when we pray for someone so lost in their ways. Sometimes they need to be completely turned over to God…
Hosea 4 – The rest of the book of Hosea takes a turn as it deals head-on with the sins of Israel. It is a brutal and a scandalous…