Blogs in this category are designed to present something to think about. They may present a different angle on a familiar passage. Or they may simply present a challenge for the reader to relate to the passage in a way they may not have before.
“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20 NIV …
But Noah found favor with the Lord. Genesis 6:8 NLT Noah lived in a time when society was filled with corruption, violence and wickedness. The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So …
Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:14b NLT I was walking along the boardwalk early yesterday morning, thru fog so thick, I couldn’t see more than 35 yards in front of me As the fog began to lift, God quickened my heart …
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all …
1My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. 2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to …
When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. Acts 24:27 NIV Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea until Governor Felix “decided his case.” He had broken no law nor had charges been …
Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” Acts 23:1 NIV I’m challenged by Paul’s declaration before the Council, and it causes me to examine my own heart to decide if I could boldly …
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were …
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD” Lam 3:40. NIV How easy it is, while we remain in this world, to fall back into a pattern of self. We strive to make things happen, we struggle with impatience, and we strive to …
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” Philippians 2:12b NASB We’d like to believe that the Christian life is an easy one, but that’s not the way I see it presented in the Bible. Life, even as a Christian, and maybe even more so, can be a battle! But …
When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or …
“Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.” Acts 20:16 NIV11 Like Paul, we all need to map out the best course to get us where we …
So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss …
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 …
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV If we’re being honest, we all know that sin gives pleasure for a season but always falls short of the lasting joy it promises; as a matter of fact, …
Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” “But …