self

  • 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 19

In Judges 19, a Levite's concubine was unfaithful to him and left for her father’s house in Bethlehem. After four…

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 12

In Judges 12, the Ephraimites confronted Jephthah angrily for not calling them to battle, threatening to burn his house (Judges…

4 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 9

In Judges 9, Gideon's son Abimelech persuades the people of Shechem to make him king by arguing that it's better…

1 month ago
  • Judges

Judges 7

In Judges 7, Gideon gathers his troops near the spring of Harod to face the Midianites. However, God instructs him…

1 month ago
  • Judges

Judges 2

Judges 2 emphasizes Israel's cycle of sin, disobedience, and God's grace. Despite reminders of the covenant, they abandoned the Lord,…

1 month ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 21

Joshua 21 - This statement of God's promises is such an encouragement. Let's take a look back and review some…

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 6

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

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 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 11

Ezekiel 11 - Although it was written thousands of years ago, Ezekiel 11 has a lot of application for our…

3 months ago
  • Ezekiel

Ezekiel 8

Ezekiel 8 - The people thought that because the temple was located in Jerusalem, their shameful acts of sin were…

3 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 23

Acts 23 - "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents…

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
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 15

Leviticus 15 - The verses here in Leviticus 15 are not directly discussed in the NT but they are alluded…

5 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 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 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 49

Jeremiah 49 - Next up - The Ammonites. The people are different but the message is the same. It's pride…

6 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 14

Jeremiah 14 - So the LORD said to me, "Do not pray for the welfare of this people." Jeremiah 14:11…

7 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 18

2 Chronicles 18 - Would you rather be a well-liked king or a ridiculed prophet? In a bizarre revelation, God…

9 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 58

Isaiah 58 - Superficial people. We've all endured them. If we're honest, we've probably been one at some point in…

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 35

Isaiah 35 - The promise at the end of the chapter is beautiful. There will be no lion there, and…

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 24

Isaiah 24 - The somber truth is that our world is headed for judgment. In the end, God will reign.…

12 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 23

Isaiah 23 - Babylon was the great city along the eastern side of the ancient world and Tyre was considered…

12 months 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
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 3

Isaiah 3 - Strong Christian leadership is important. Most likely during the time that Isaiah was writing this, the readers…

1 year ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 1

Isaiah 1 - The book of Isaiah is full of prophecy. Hebrew poetry used a literary style called parallelism, much…

1 year ago
  • Colossians

Colossians 3

Colossians 3 - Ironically, the ethics listed here in Colossians 3 are not foreign to the Jewish law. No one…

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
  • Galatians

Galatians 5

Galatians 5 - The fruit of keeping the law is exposed here in Galatians 5. According to Paul, the devotion…

1 year ago
  • Galatians

Galatians 4

Galatians 4 - I admit that sometimes I get so caught up in my own wants and needs that I…

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
  • 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
  • 2 John

2 John 1

2 John 1 - We read in 2 John a more traditional opening as it's a letter written to a…

1 year ago
  • 1 John

1 John 1

1 John 1 - In this first chapter, John does not identify himself as the author, nor does the writing…

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 22

Job 22 - When we do not pay attention to the needs before us, true care can turn to condemnation.…

1 year ago
  • Job

Job 10

Job 10 - Job's attitude takes a turn in this chapter. When I read these passages I picture a courtroom…

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
  • Ezra

Ezra 10

Ezra 10 - A powerful victory is found here in Chapter 10 with humility and repentance. In fact, the whole…

1 year 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
  • 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 28

Proverbs 28 - "The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25 - "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16 - "A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9 HCSB  This passage…

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
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 12

Proverbs 12 - Discipline is hard. Accepting instruction is difficult. They both require us to delay our satisfaction. When we…

2 years ago
  • Proverbs

Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4 - As a kid, I remember going down to the beaches of Florida for our family vacations. One…

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
  • 2 Peter

2 Peter 1

2 Peter 1 - Peter was a bond-servant and apostle. This is a unique combination, being subject to all others…

2 years ago
  • 1 Peter

1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2 - Peter opens with the process of transformation. The true progression of spiritual growth is measured by…

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
  • Titus

Titus 2

Titus 2 - Years ago, I remember a conversation I was having with a group of teenagers when suddenly the…

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 15

2 Samuel 15 - Absalom was good looking, charismatic, and a cutthroat politician. Modern-day politicians would do well to study…

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
  • 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 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 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 3

2 Timothy 3 - We have already seen it mentioned times over the last several chapters, but Paul once again…

2 years ago
  • 1 Timothy

1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3 - Paul moves from congregational conduct to leadership. There are two offices he addresses: the overseer and…

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 8

Romans 8 - Christ lived a sinless life. He willingly gave Himself as a living sacrifice for our sin so…

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 6

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

2 years ago
  • Romans

Romans 5

Romans 5 - Romans 5 marks a transition. Paul has been formulating his theological argument around sin and justification which…

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
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 11

2 Kings 11 - The history can get pretty confusing when the stories switch back and forth from the northern…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 5

2 Kings 5 - Remember when King Ahab was shot by a "random arrow" in 1 Kings 22? Now a…

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
  • 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 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 8

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

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 44

Genesis 44 - Judah goes from schemer to savior. He goes from loving himself to understanding pure, unconditional love. He…

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 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 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 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 11

Genesis 11 - Josephus wrote of how the Tower of Babel originated from the heart and mind of Nimrod. "Now…

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
  • James

James 4

James 4 - Consider these questions... Does the indwelling Holy Spirit war against itself? Would a believer filled with the…

2 years ago
  • James

James 3

James 3 - "Name-It Claim-It" Theology - believers have the power to speak anything into existence. You just have to…

2 years ago
  • John

John 21

John 21 - Even after His resurrection, Jesus was still teaching His disciples. Jesus said to them, "Children, do you…

2 years ago
  • John

John 18

John 18 - "While human politics is based on the premise that society must be changed in order to change…

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