Tag: bible study

September 16, 2026

September 16th, 2026

Wednesday – History

Reading – Ezra 3-4

NOTE: When I went to read today’s reading, it sounded very familiar. If you are very observant, you may have noticed that last week, I actually skipped ahead a week. Maybe that was a symptom of reading at 5am, though I didn’t catch it when I wrote about the chapters that evening. As a result, I am covering last week’s chapters (3-4) today.

Highlight Verse:

“Even though the people were afraid of the local residents, they rebuilt the altar at its old site. Then they began to sacrifice burnt offerings on the altar to the LORD each morning and evening.”
‭‭Ezra‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The first thing the remnant did when they got back to Jerusalem was to rebuild the altar so they could get back to their sacrifices.

That’s how desperately they wanted to restore their daily relationship with God.

They hadn’t even started rebuilding the Temple yet.

They could have said, “We’ll start sacrificing once the temple is done,” or “Once we are safe behind complete walls, we’ll work on our relationship with God.”

But they knew what was important and they didn’t wait to do it.

Of course, I’m not saying to go out and sacrifice animals. Jesus took care of that part for us.

I am saying that we should not put off building our relationship with God.

It’s easy to put off those next steps with God.

We say we’ll go to church after summer is over, or ski season, or… the list goes on.

Or maybe we want to “sow some wild oats” while we are young.

Perhaps we love the music at church, but we don’t want to rush in to getting involved with serving or small groups until we get more used to it.

The list of excuses is endless.

And pointless.

God warned us not to sin because it hurts us.

God invites us to join in fellowship with fellow believers because we need each other.

God invites us to serve because it helps us to grow.

If we all started getting bold and stepping out in faith, we might be amazed at what God will do through us and in us.

What have you been putting off?
What would it take to get you started doing that?
September 15, 2026

September 15th, 2026

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“(King Og of Bashan was the last survivor of the giant Rephaites. His bed was made of iron and was more than thirteen feet long and six feet wide. It can still be seen in the Ammonite city of Rabbah.)”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is a little side note in Israel’s history.

But it has a big message.

Israel was a small nation of average sized people with no homeland yet.

If the people of Bashan were related to King Og, they were a formidable enemy.

King Og was literally a giant.

And Israel wiped them out, completely.

Mind you, it wasn’t a fair fight.

They had God on their side.

You may not be facing an army of literal giants but sometimes our challenges can feel that way.

If it is a battle that God wants you in, it won’t be a fair fight.

It may still be a fight. The effort required of you may seem enormous.

But if you follow God’s leading faithfully, the battle is as good as won!

What battles are you facing today?
Have you checked with God to see if they are battles He wants you in. (Check yesterday’s post for help with hearing from Him.)
Are you willing to put in the effort to do your part?
September 14, 2026

September 14th, 2026

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 13

Highlight Verses:

“One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭13‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m a very logical person.

When I need to make a decision, I try to weigh all the facts and make the wisest decision according to what will have the best outcome.

But there is a major problem with that kind of decision making.

It leaves God out of the equation.

Don’t get me wrong. God wants us to weigh the facts when we make decisions.

But, when we turn to Him for guidance, he sheds His light on the facts and helps us to see beyond the obvious.

According to today’s reading, there are two parts to this – prayer and fasting.

Obviously, prayer is talking to God; placing our cares and decisions before Him and giving Him control over our decisions.

One way to explain fasting (especially to us car guys) is that it is prayer with the windshield wipers on.

Fasting clears away that which would distract us from correctly hearing from God.

I’ll be honest; I do not like fasting.

As a result, I don’t fast often enough.

But sometimes I need it.

And more often it would be helpful to me.

Fasting is traditionally abstaining from food. That can be complete or for part of each day.

Now many abstain from their phones or electronic entertainment. Others abstain from sweets.

The main idea is getting what distracts us out of the way.

Different types of fasting have different levels of effectiveness.

As someone who loves food, fasting from food is the most effective for me.

Which ever method works best for you, I highly recommend fasting, especially when you need to hear clearly from God.

When has fasting been effective in your life?
Which method works best for you and why?
September 13, 2026

September 13th, 2026

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Job 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“People who are at ease mock those in trouble. They give a push to people who are stumbling.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is part of human nature to belittle others to make one feel better about themselves.

In some cultures, it is worse than others.

I dare say that it was worse decades ago when I was young. But it is still around today.

Job had not done anything to deserve his situation, but his so-called friends kept telling him that it must all be his fault.

One might say that they were just trying to lead him on the right path, but I am certain that at least some of their nagging came out of a feeling of superiority.

I work in downtown Denver. It is easy to get that same feeling of superiority when I walk or drive by the many homeless there.

While how to help the homeless is debatable, there is one way that is certain that we can help them and anyone else who we might be tempted to think of as lesser than us.

Treat them with respect.

So, the next time you feel like ignoring the homeless, or talking smack about that person who messed up again, imagine yourself in Job’s shoes (sandals?) and ask yourself what would help you in that situation.

Then trade the feeling of superiority for compassion and respect.

I case you’re wondering, I’m preaching this to myself as much as anyone else.

Have you ever been in a situation where most people either avoided you or talked bad about you? What did you need to hear from people at that time?
Are there situations in your life now where you need to trade superiority for compassion and respect?
September 12, 2026

September 12th, 2026

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Matthew 7:24-29

Highlight Verse:

“Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

An old saying goes, “When someone has a Bible that is falling apart, usually they are not.”

That might not be as accurate today since so many people do their Bible reading online (including me) but the principle is still true.

I’ve also known people who knew the Bible well but didn’t really trust the Author.

Every life will have times of tragedy, testing, and hardship.

Getting through those times can feel like going through a hurricane.

Being rooted by faith in God and His Word will help you stand firm through those times and come out the other side of the storm stronger.

I’d hate to think how I may have handled some of the tough times of my life without that faith.

But I can confidently say that God has pulled me through every storm of life and taught me to trust Him through it all.

No matter how dark it gets, God’s Word will light the way through.

When have you had to trust completely on God to pull you through?
Are you ready to handle whatever comes your way?
September 11, 2026

September 11th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Nahum 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“This message concerning Nineveh came as a vision to Nahum, who lived in Elkosh.”
‭‭Nahum‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

If this feels like “déjà vu all over again,” yes, this is the same Nineveh that Jonah preached to.

But Nahum was about 150 years later.

Nineveh had fallen into its old sinful ways.

The language in this prophecy may seem harsh but remember Jonah. Such stern warnings led Nineveh to repent then.

It didn’t work this time.

Spoiler alert: Babylon and its allies attacked and overran Nineveh not long after Nahum warned them.

Today it is part of Iraq, arguably the distant descendant of Babylon.

Even in modern times it has suffered through battles with ISIL taking over the city (now Mosul) in 2014 and Iraqi forces taking it back in 2016.

I was going to try to tie Nahum’s prophecies to 9/11 since today is the 25th anniversary of that horrible day.

The closest I could get is to remind us of the war and violence that came to the supporters of those who acted on their evil plans that morning 25 years ago.

It doesn’t hurt to remember the principles that Nahum prophesied as well.

When a nation falls into evil they, in effect, reject God’s protection.

It is up to us to continue to seek that protection by furthering the Gospel.

How will you be remembering 9/11 today?
What would you like to share about Nahum or 9/11?
September 10, 2026

September 10th, 2026

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Revelation 7

Highlight Verses:

“After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have worshipped with 35,000 men before.

It was amazing.

But to worship with a countless multitude in the very presence of God.

Words fail to describe what that will be like.

And the variety of people who will be there!

People from every culture around the world singing in every language.

It doesn’t say this specifically, but I believe that we will be able to understand each other in that place no matter what language is spoken or sung.

Believers of all nations will be united as the nation of heaven, the Kingdom of God.

What would it be like if we believers of all cultures united as the Kingdom of God here on Earth?

I am not saying to abandon our unique cultures but to bring them together (at least the godly aspects of them) into one big tapestry of people under God.

I know that there are aspects of differing cultures that clash, even within the family of God. But when we focus on worshipping God, those differences become parts of a grand harmony.

We can prepare for this by seeking to gain understanding of other cultures through travel, fellowship, and study.

What have you learned about other cultures that has helped you better understand believers from those cultures?
What would you want people of other cultures to understand about your culture?
September 9, 2026

September 9th, 2026

Wednesday – History

Reading – Ezra 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“But because their God was watching over them, the leaders of the Jews were not prevented from building until a report was sent to Darius and he returned his decision.”
‭‭Ezra‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Politics has been around for as long as there have been people.

This chapter is a classic example of when something gets overlooked during the change of administration.

We all can get on our political soap boxes and gripe about politics.

But God’s work goes on, even when things don’t go our way.

In this case, the work on rebuilding the temple began during the reign of King Cyrus. When Darius took over, he could have put an end to the work.

Fortunately, Darius allowed the work to continue despite the efforts of those who opposed it.

Things don’t always go our way politically.

In the early church, Herod started killing off Christian leaders and oppressing the church because it made his constituents (the Jewish leaders of that time) happy.

What looked like defeat to the early church turned into the catalyst to spread the Gospel around the world as believers were scattered.

Of course, we should always seek to bring the values God prescribed for us into our government.

But when the tide seems to turn against us, we should also keep our eyes open for what God wants to do in that situation.

Often, the greatest advance of the Gospel is made in times where it is resisted the most.

Like the remnant of Israel, we should continue the work of the Gospel regardless of the resistance.

How have you seen God work in times when everyone seems to be pushing back against you as you seek to do God’s will?
Does encountering resistance to the Gospel make you work more or less to advance the Gospel? Is the same true when you encounter little or no resistance to the Gospel?
September 8, 2026

September 8th, 2026

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 1-2

Highlight Verses:

“Give these orders to the people: “You will pass through the country belonging to your relatives the Edomites, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. The Edomites will feel threatened, so be careful. Do not bother them, for I have given them all the hill country around Mount Seir as their property, and I will not give you even one square foot of their land.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As Deuteronomy takes us through a review of Israel’s journey to the Promised Land, it gives us a chance to notice things we may have missed before.

One of those things is integrity.

Yes, I know the people of Israel messed up on a lot of things, but one positive thing they did shows up a few times including in today’s highlight verse.

They kept their word to other peoples.

They even kept their ancestor’s word.

Jacob had agreed to have peaceful relations with Esau’s people. (Genesis 33)

God instructed Moses to honor that agreement.

Moses commanded the Israelites to comply.

They did.

Simple as that.

Sometimes practicing integrity is as simple. Do what you said you would do.

Sometimes it is a little more complex. Doing the right things when every voice around you, including that little imaginary devil on your shoulder is saying, “no one will know and it’s so much easier this other way.”

Integrity involves being the same person in private that you appear to be in public.

A person of integrity is someone who can be trusted.

It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it.

Have you had to make some tough decisions to keep your integrity?
Have there been times when your integrity lapsed? (Most of us will have to answer yes if we’re honest.) How did you recover?
September 7, 2026

September 7th, 2026

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 12

Highlight Verses:

“About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This was a tumultuous time of tragedy and miracles.

James had been one of the first disciples and brother to John, one of the closest friends of Jesus.

Peter was arrested and expected to meet the same fate.

There were many martyrs in the early church including many who knew Jesus personally.

Think about that. They believed in Jesus and the Gospel so completely that they were willing to die.

The very eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life testified with their lives to the integrity of Jesus’ life and message.

If that’s not enough to convince you of the truth of the Gospel, realize that there are many today who peacefully lay down their lives for the Gospel in areas where it is persecuted.

Do not confuse that with the suicide bombers who kill themselves in an act of war against all others. They act out of anger and promises of personal gain.

While I have never been asked to lay down my life for Jesus,

I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that nothing could pry my faith from me.

Would your faith stand up to persecution?
What is it that first convinced you of the truth of the Gospel?

Tag: bible study

That’s how desperately they wanted to restore their daily relationship with God.

I am saying that we should not put off building our relationship with God.

If we all started getting bold and stepping out in faith, we might be amazed at what God will do through us and in us.

But it has a big message.

Mind you, it wasn’t a fair fight.

If it is a battle that God wants you in, it won’t be a fair fight.

It leaves God out of the equation.

One way to explain fasting (especially to us car guys) is that it is prayer with the windshield wipers on.

Which ever method works best for you, I highly recommend fasting, especially when you need to hear clearly from God.

It is part of human nature to belittle others to make one feel better about themselves.

Treat them with respect.

Then trade the feeling of superiority for compassion and respect.

An old saying goes, “When someone has a Bible that is falling apart, usually they are not.”

Every life will have times of tragedy, testing, and hardship.

No matter how dark it gets, God’s Word will light the way through.

If this feels like “déjà vu all over again,” yes, this is the same Nineveh that Jonah preached to.

When a nation falls into evil they, in effect, reject God’s protection.

It is up to us to continue to seek that protection by furthering the Gospel.

But to worship with a countless multitude in the very presence of God.

Words fail to describe what that will be like.

What would it be like if we believers of all cultures united as the Kingdom of God here on Earth?

We can prepare for this by seeking to gain understanding of other cultures through travel, fellowship, and study.

Politics has been around for as long as there have been people.

But God’s work goes on, even when things don’t go our way.

Often, the greatest advance of the Gospel is made in times where it is resisted the most.

One of those things is integrity.

Integrity involves being the same person in private that you appear to be in public.

It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it.

There were many martyrs in the early church including many who knew Jesus personally.

Think about that. They believed in Jesus and the Gospel so completely that they were willing to die.

I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that nothing could pry my faith from me.