Job 42
Job 42 - Without... Without knowing answers to all of his deepest questions, Job bowed his knee in humility to the Lord. Without understanding how everything works together, he repented. It's no coincidence this happened. While so ...
Job 33
Job 33 - As I read Elihu speak, I feel the tension of two different angles. On one hand, Elihu is young and a little bit cocky. He says things like, "Keep silent, and I will teach ...
Job 32
Job 32 - Elihu may have been younger, but he had the genealogy going for him. But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram burned; against Job his anger ...
Job 31
Job 31 - The tenderness of Job's heart comes through in this chapter. He is certain that even if he were weighed by God Himself, there would be no transgressions held against him. He has put forth ...
Job 29
Job 29 - What does it mean to reflect on the former times? We've all heard people talk about the "good old days." Many of us have gone back to a time in our lives when things ...
Job 25
Job 25 - Well, there is not much here that we haven't already heard. Bildad sums up with "God is holy" and "man is sinful." Job has heard all of this already but it seems his friends ...
Job 24
Job 24 - Job continues on his theme of questioning why the wicked get away with so much. To the theology his friends have adopted, it makes no sense for Job to question this if he is ...
Job 22
Job 22 - When we do not pay attention to the needs before us, true care can turn to condemnation. This is what summarizes Eliphaz's words to Job. He has a mold of what he understands to ...
Job 21
Job 21 - Job thoroughly rejects the doctrine of retribution and he draws from common knowledge to do so. Throughout these chapters, Job's friends have questioned him, and he has responded. Up until this point, he hasn't ...
Job 20
Job 20 - The cruel misjudgment of man stems from an ignorant and arrogant attitude. I've written this many times over in this series on Job, but it remains true - his friends understood truth, but misunderstood ...
Job 14
Job 14 - Be quiet and give me a chance to speak, and let the results be what they will. 14 I am ready to risk my life. 15 I've lost all hope, so what if God ...
Job 13
Job 13 - If it's true that the enduring attitude of a believer is a great threat to everything the enemy is trying ...
Job 11
Job 11 - I think Zophar is right on one thing; he understands the wisdom of God. It actually feels like he is trying to "impress" Job with his knowledge about God's wisdom. Of course, his delivery ...
Job 10
Job 10 - Job's attitude takes a turn in this chapter. When I read these passages I picture a courtroom scene. God is the prosecution and Job is the defense. Job is complaining that since the prosecution ...
Job 8
Job 8 - As the New International Commentary states, "Bildad is a champion of 'old-time' religion." God's ways are right. The wicked are punished. Justice will prevail quickly. Affirming thoughts that were already shared, he states that ...
Job 6
Job 6 - Here are some points we can draw from Job's response in chapter 6: Job is under tremendous stress. On top of his physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pain, he is also dealing with ignorant ...
Job 4
Job 4 - There is a difference between theology and common sense. I know that the word 'theology' sounds like a churchy, religious concept that only "the holiest people" can understand. The truth is, we all have ...
Job 3
Job 3 - In this chapter, we see the pendulam swing completely in the opposite direction from where it began. The Job we were introduced to (who didn't sin or charge God with any wrongdoing) has now ...
Job 1
Job 1 - The entire book of Job explores tough themes and deep theological questions. Namely, it seeks to answer the ancient question we still hear so often today - "If God is so good, why does ...
Ezra 10
Ezra 10 - A powerful victory is found here in Chapter 10 with humility and repentance. In fact, the whole event takes place after Ezra's intense act of grief. Notice that what spoke to the people in ...
Ezra 9
Ezra 9 - This chapter is a perfect example of why context is so important when reading Scripture. The Israelites have already been through the humiliation and anguish and being exiled. The reason for this exile, very ...
Ezra 2
Ezra 2 - Why was genealogy so important to the Jews? We see this many times in Scripture and often it's hard to make it through the list because we don't know or understand the history. To ...
Matthew 27
Matthew 27 - Although we are typically hard on the Pharisees in Scripture, there were a few who sincerely had a heart change through Jesus' ministry. Joseph of Arimathea was one of these men. Mark and Luke ...
Matthew 22
Matthew 22 - The Sadducees and Pharisees were always playing games with Jesus. They, like some today, thought they could outsmart God. Here in Matthew 22, we find some intense back-and-forth debating from the teachers of the ...
Matthew 19
Matthew 19 - The topic of divorce was a hot-button issue back in Jesus' time, and it remains the same today. Back then, it was the issue that ultimately landed John the Baptist in prison shortly before ...
Matthew 18
Matthew 18 - How do you approach confrontation and accountability in the church? The worldview of Jesus was not simply focused on "winning your brother" for the sake of a good deed, but because each person has ...
Matthew 15
Matthew 15 - It's the worst feeling that any human can experience in this life. It's the realization that I wasted my life. I can't imagine a more horrifying reaction than those who thought they were living ...
Matthew 12
Matthew 12 - This chapter contains the controversial "unpardonable sin" which involves blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. The first question we must ask is, what is blasphemy of the Spirit and how is it different from blasphemy ...
Matthew 11
Matthew 11 - Yet another piece of evidence that confirms Jesus was indeed the Messiah is the presence of John the Baptist. As prophecy foretold, in Malachi, there would be a forerunner. "Behold, I am going to ...
Matthew 9
Matthew 9 - Interestingly, as Matthew writes his account of his own selection as a disciple, he chooses to use his new name, Matthew, instead of his old name, Levi. As Levi, he was a tax collector, ...
Matthew 7
Matthew 7 - Judge not so you will not be judged. What was Jesus getting at here? This is a quote that is so often misrepresented, in my opinion. Was Jesus saying we should lower our standard ...
Matthew 5
Matthew 5 - I love the depth and practicality of Jesus' message here. Many of his critics thought he was abolishing the law. In his teaching, Jesus was verifying that the law is both temporary and eternal. ...
Matthew 4
Matthew 4 - "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." Matthew 4:1 NASB Wow! What a chapter! Let's read and re-read this opening verse. Satan didn't just ...
Matthew 3
Matthew 3 - Photo credit: Nelson's New Illustrated Commentary Pictured is the traditionally accepted site (the Jordan River) for the baptism of Jesus. As I read this chapter, there are many questions that come to mind. Why ...
Matthew 1
Matthew 1 - The Gospels do not record a single word spoken by this man. Yet, the Gospel account written by Matthew is a bridge to the past. If a person had just read the Old Testament ...
Proverbs 28
Proverbs 28 - "The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy." Proverbs 28:13 HCSB This phrase is mirrored in the NT with James 5:16... "Therefore, confess your ...
Proverbs 27
Proverbs 27 - "As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person. 20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and people's eyes are never satisfied." Proverbs 27:19-20 HCSB A modern phrase similar to this is, ...
Proverbs 21
Proverbs 21 - A very intriguing verse in this chapter of Proverbs includes a reference back to the days of King Saul. "Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice." Proverbs ...
Proverbs 20
Proverbs 20 - This chapter really addresses a diverse range of topics. Excessive drinking, gossip, pride, and disobedience, just to name a few. Here is what stuck out to me... "The one who lives with integrity is ...
Proverbs 19
Proverbs 19 - If you are like me then you might have read this chapter and become uncomfortable with a few of the verses. For instance, this one... "Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is ...
Proverbs 14
Proverbs 14 - As we journey through Proverbs, you can really pick out any phrase and focus on its content and meaning. I want to zoom in specifically to 14:3. "By the mouth of a fool comes ...
Proverbs 11
Proverbs 11 - God provides many illustrations in Scripture explaining that He deals with people based on how they deal with others. "One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become ...
Proverbs 7
Proverbs 7 - Verse 7 reads... "Once I was looking out the window of my house, 7 and I saw many inexperienced young men, but noticed one foolish fellow in particular." Proverbs 7:6-7 GNB The type of ...
Proverbs 6
Proverbs 6 - Satisfaction comes when we do what we ought to do. Taking care of our responsibilities and prioritizing those responsibilities in light of God's Word brings purpose. Proverbs 6 encourages us to take our cues ...
Proverbs 5
Proverbs 5 - Upon an initial read of this chapter, it seems as if Solomon is painting a negative picture of women in general. But when we consider the instruction within the context of Solomon's life, we ...
Proverbs 3
Proverbs 3 - It doesn't matter if you are talking about running a business, a ministry, or a family; there is one trait that will often separate the successful from the unsuccessful. Teachability. How many of us ...
Proverbs 1
Proverbs 1 - A blunt tagline to the book of Proverbs could very easily be "Proverbs: Don't live in stupidity." When we encounter Jesus, we discover two very profound realities. We discover the truth of who God ...
2 Peter 3
2 Peter 3 - Peter was writing, at the time, against the theory of uniformitarianism. It states that the processes affecting Earth today are the same ones that affected it in the past. Looking forward, Peter writes ...
2 Peter 2
2 Peter 2 - 2 Peter 2 opens by describing two different kinds of false people within the church. Maybe we have never taken the time to consider the difference between false prophets and false teachers? Maybe ...
2 Peter 1
2 Peter 1 - Peter was a bond-servant and apostle. This is a unique combination, being subject to all others in service and humility as well as being called by Jesus to follow and see firsthand the ...
1 Peter 4
1 Peter 4 - Arm yourself! This is a powerful opening in 1 Peter 4. Our thought process regarding suffering is not some crazy or impossible goal to strive for. It is the mindset that Christ had ...
1 Peter 3
1 Peter 3 - It's in this chapter that Peter makes a strange statement about Jesus going to hell after his death and preaching to the evil spirits there. "For Christ also suffered for sins once for ...
Titus 2
Titus 2 - Years ago, I remember a conversation I was having with a group of teenagers when suddenly the topic veered into spiritual territory. A few of them were asking questions about the Bible and before ...
2 Samuel 24
2 Samuel 24 - This account of a census is a puzzling chapter. We wonder today, what could be wrong with taking a census? It seems pretty harmless to us. In the ancient world, a man had ...
2 Samuel 23
2 Samuel 23 - David was never ashamed of who he was and where he came from. In a culture that was all about notoriety and popularity, David was still the youngest son of Jesse, the peasant ...
2 Samuel 21
2 Samuel 21 - King David was seemingly indestructible. He was a beast on the battlefield and a musician at heart. Although his sins are well-documented, it is a fact that David was blessed with many gifts ...
2 Samuel 20
2 Samuel 20 - Concubines, intestines, and a severed head being thrown over a wall! This chapter is not for the faint of heart. Coming off the heels of a civil war, David is drawn back in. ...
2 Samuel 18
2 Samuel 18 - This is a difficult chapter to absorb. On one hand, justice was served and the rightful king of Israel was restored. On the other hand, a loving father grieves the loss of his ...
2 Samuel 17
2 Samuel 17 - Ahithophel had gone all in. He was firmly in Absalon's camp after abruptly turning on David. How could this man have been a counselor for David for so long? According to Rabbinical literature, ...
2 Samuel 13
2 Samuel 13 - What a mess here in 2 Samuel 13! It's hard to know where to begin. Amnon was obsessed. The thought of sinning consumed him. He seemingly had no relief from these lustful thoughts ...
2 Samuel 12
2 Samuel 12 - Sin often causes innocent people to perish. This is because sin cannot be overlooked. Though David was forgiven for his sin, there was still a cost to pay. In this case, the consequences ...
2 Samuel 11
2 Samuel 11 - Most of us know the story of 2 Samuel 11. David's sin and repentance are well-documented. The story is familiar to us because it's real. The Bible doesn't sugarcoat the sex, scandal, and ...
2 Samuel 9
2 Samuel 9 - David had made a promise to Jonathan, and David was a man of his word. So as he was reflecting back on Saul's family, David remembered his oath of friendship to Jonathan and ...
2 Samuel 8
2 Samuel 8 - In many ways, David is presented as the "anti-Saul" even though at times, their behavior does not seem all that different. Thus far in Samuel, we've witnessed several questionable decisions by David. Here ...
2 Samuel 6
2 Samuel 6 - Familiarity can often produce deadly results. It was Jesus who proclaimed he could do no miracles in his hometown because of their familiarity. It was familiarity that caused Jesus' brothers to initially discard ...
1 Samuel 31
1 Samuel 31 - Let's do a quick recap. In desperation, Saul traveled to see a witch who brought back Samuel from the dead and predicted Saul's death the next day. Today is the next day. Also ...
1 Samuel 28
1 Samuel 28 - I've always had lots of questions about 1 Samuel 28. Was David actually going to fight with the Philistines? Why did Saul think that he could contact Samuel through a witch? Was it ...
1 Samuel 27
1 Samuel 27 - The life of David is not all sunshine and rainbows. Though he was a man after God's own heart, he was still human. Here in 1 Samuel 27, he makes a controversial decision. ...
1 Samuel 26
1 Samuel 26 - If there was ever a justifiable moment for David to end Saul's life, this was it. Saul had repented of his wrongdoing back when David had his first opportunity to kill Saul in ...
1 Samuel 25
1 Samuel 25 - As well as David reacted to having a moment with Saul to himself, he backtracks with his emotions when it comes to dealing with Nabal. Yes, it's true, Nabal was an arrogant and ...
1 Samuel 24
1 Samuel 24 - David retreats with his men to the caves of the Wilderness of En Gedi. This was a strategic move and a very good one on David's part. The canyon of En Gedi is ...
1 Samuel 21
1 Samuel 21 - David has lost so much. He has gone from the beloved and admired son-in-law of King Saul to the forsaken fugitive, alone and rejected. We don't know exactly why he would choose to ...
1 Samuel 19
1 Samuel 19 - Saul has tried everything by this point. He will not be satisfied until David is dead. Saul plotted. God protected. David escaped. Through all of this, Saul never changed. He believed he was ...
1 Samuel 16
1 Samuel 16 - Samuel loved Saul. He wanted so badly to see him live a fruitful life. But there are moments when God asks us to move on. The time for mourning is over. God had ...
1 Samuel 15
1 Samuel 15 - Do what you want, and ask for forgiveness later. If God is full of love, and He always forgives, then I can just follow my heart and apologize on the way. Do you ...
1 Samuel 12
1 Samuel 12 - When our vision is blinded to reality, sometimes the most effective reminder comes from God flexing His muscles. It would be the power found in a storm that would shake the people's selfish ...
1 Samuel 7
1 Samuel 7 - Coming off the heels of their defeat to the Philistines, Samuel would bring forth a challenge. Often in our weakest moments is when God's voice will speak the loudest. God had stirred their ...
1 Samuel 6
1 Samuel 6 - 7 months. 7 months of terror, suffering, and death. The Philistines experienced the white-hot flame of God's fiery judgment. This was their encounter with the Living God because He will not share His ...
1 Samuel 4
1 Samuel 4 - Israel goes to war with the Philistines. "Never did time seem more hopeless than when Samuel arose. The Philistines, strengthened not merely by a constant influx of immigrants, but by the importation of ...
1 Samuel 2
1 Samuel 2 - The book of 1 Samuel is interesting because it transitions from a time of judges into a political and religious monarchy. We get a picture of the time period ...
1 Samuel 1
1 Samuel 1 - Historically, Israel was on the ropes. The Philistines were growing and becoming stronger because of their modern Greek military technology. They were the first in the region to discover and use iron, and ...
2 Timothy 4
2 Timothy 4 - I have never really noticed this before, but I am struck by Paul's confidence in 2 Timothy 4. He writes that he is being poured out as a drink offering. Drawing from the ...
2 Timothy 3
2 Timothy 3 - We have already seen it mentioned times over the last several chapters, but Paul once again is warning Timothy of the godlessness which will take place in the future. The identifying characteristic for ...
2 Timothy 2
2 Timothy 2 - There's only one Gospel. There's only one Gospel. There's. Only. ONE. Gospel. The Gospel = Suffering Paul continues to reiterate the fact that the Gospel requires sacrifice, suffering, and even imprisonment. Suffer. Hardworking. ...
1 Timothy 5
1 Timothy 5 - Through Jesus' sacrifice and forgiveness, we enter into a new relationship with God. As our father, He loves us unconditionally and leads us into truth and light. The point is, it is Jesus ...
Romans 14
Romans 14 - Years ago, I hosted a Bible study with some college guys who were looking to grow in their faith. One particular afternoon, we were studying the New Testament when the discussion turned to some ...
Romans 12
Romans 12 - Starting in verse 9 of Romans 12, Paul rattles off a disjointed list of Christian principles. On the surface, it may seem haphazard. In reality, Paul is most likely using a style known as ...
Romans 8
Romans 8 - Christ lived a sinless life. He willingly gave Himself as a living sacrifice for our sin so that the judgment for sin would be satisfied. It would follow logically then, that if we are ...
Romans 7
Romans 7 - What is the purpose of the law? In Romans 6 we saw the law cannot make us righteous. In Romans 7, we read that the main concern of God is if we are bearing ...
Romans 6
Romans 6 - Grigori Rasputin was a Russian mystic and self-proclaimed "holy man" who claimed to speak on behalf of God. He gained considerable influence in Russian during the early 1900s. Controversy surrounds Rasputin as he claimed ...
Romans 5
Romans 5 - Romans 5 marks a transition. Paul has been formulating his theological argument around sin and justification which continues throughout the first half of this chapter. He then moves into a new theme that centers ...
Romans 4
Romans 4 - In Romans 4, Paul contrasts the ideas of "works = righteousness" with "faith = righteousness." Abraham was counted as righteous in the sight of God because of his faith, not because of his works. ...
Romans 3
Romans 3 - When we study Scripture, it is important we don't sweep through it with a predetermined mindset. There are always deeper truths to be found but sometimes we can miss it. This is especially true ...
Romans 2
Romans 2 - When you hold up God as the standard, as you should, that standard is one that not only condemns the person you are correcting but yourself as well. As the old saying goes, "You're ...
Romans 1
Romans 1 - John Calvin said of Romans, "When anyone understands this Epistle, he has a passage opened to him to the understanding of the whole Scripture." Martin Luther praised the Book of Romans: "It is the ...
2 Kings 25
2 Kings 25 - It's definitely fitting that the fate of Israel was determined at Jericho. “It seems ironic that here, at the very spot where Israel first set foot on the Promised Land, the last of ...
2 Kings 24
2 Kings 24 - This is such a tough time for Judah. Jeremiah had been prophesying about Babylonian captivity for quite some time. This was the voice of God. Josiah, in the previous chapter, had found God's ...
2 Kings 22
2 Kings 22 - It is through the Word of God that we are able to see and feel the conviction our heart needs to change. For Josiah, it occurred during a tough time for the nation. ...
2 Kings 17
2 Kings 17 - Hoshea was the last king of Israel before it was captured by the Assyrians. In this chapter, the writer goes back and highlights exactly why Israel was led off to captivity. It's an ...
2 Kings 14
2 Kings 14 - What I am struck by in this 14th chapter of 2 Kings is just how much of an impact a single generation can have on all the generations that follow. Take these verses, ...