Tag: bible study

September 11, 2025

September 11th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Ephesians 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

32-year-old Todd boarded an American Airlines plane at Newark, New Jersey, headed to San Francisco. A third of the way through the flight, 4 men stormed the cockpit and hijacked the plane, intending to use it as a weapon.

When Todd tried to call his wife, he learned from a phone operator that this was part of a coordinated attack.

He couldn’t stand by and let that happen.

Todd rallied some of his fellow passengers and attacked the terrorists. Together, they made sure the plane crashed hundreds of miles short of the terrorist’s target, potentially saving hundreds, if not thousands of lives.

His last recorded words, “Let’s roll,” exemplified the sacrificial efforts of many heroes that fateful day 24 years ago today.

That day sheds new light on this verse.

None of us know when our last day on Earth will be.

As Christ sacrificed His life for us, we would do well to follow His example of sacrificial living each and every day, giving of ourselves to show His love.

What are some practical ways we can share Christ’s sacrificial love today?
How have people showed sacrificial love to you?
September 10, 2025

September 10th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You know, I would have been fine if all I knew about this time period was this tidy little summary.

But no! I had to read on.

Six sons of David from six moms, before David even became king of the united nation of Israel.

In the meantime – Ishbosheth reigns over the 10 tribes – poorly.

His rule was so weak, David was able to bully him into giving his first wife Michal back.

Then there’s the murders, beheading, executions… need I go on.

Israel in those days was all kinds of messed up.

But God still chose to use them. He even brought salvation through David’s family.

My family has had it share of problems. I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes.

But if God can use David and his family, I have great hope that He can use me and my family.

We remember David, despite all his shortfalls and mistakes, for his leadership and heart for God.

It is my hope that, when people look back on my life, they see a life of passion for God and positive influence on the people around me.

You might live a practically perfect life, or you may have made more than your share of mistakes.

But how will your life affect others?

Your love for Jesus and those around you will make a difference for generations to come.

I pray that you and I will go forth and change the world.

Can you relate to David?
How does what you do affect those around you? How can you make the most positive change?
September 9, 2025

September 9th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 9

Highlight Verse:

“Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from a brick kiln, and have Moses toss it into the air while Pharaoh watches.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭9‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

First let’s get the “elephant in the room” out of the way (or is that cattle in the room).

Verse 6 says that all the Egyptians’ livestock died. In verse 19, Moses warns the Egyptians to protect their livestock.

What livestock? Didn’t it all die?

Two theories:
• The wording in Hebrew is not exact so “all” might not have meant all or the plagues could have happened in reverse order.
• Or (What I believe) there’s no mention of time, so the Egyptians could have replenished their herds in the time between the verses.

Elephants and cattle aside, let’s move on to today’s highlight verse.

Did you ever notice that God had Moses use a symbol of Pharaoh’s oppression of the Israelites to bring about a plague?

Pharaoh forced the Israelites to make bricks.

God used the ash from that process to spread the plague of boils.

You’d think that Pharaoh would see the connection and realize he should set the Hebrews free.

He didn’t (hence the hailstorm, etc.).

Sin leaves proverbial ashes, the fall out and by-product of our sin. Sometimes God will use that “ash” to bring us to a point of repentance.

If we are not living in a repentant relationship with God, when we open our eyes and see those ashes, we can repent and be spared any further ways God may use to get our attention.

I’m not saying that bad things don’t happen to good people. That’s another topic entirely.

I am saying God can use consequences of sin to bring people into relationship with Him.

How has God used the consequences of your sin to bring you to Him?
How did you react to those consequences?
September 8, 2025

September 8th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 8

Highlight Verse:

“Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Does reading about demons make you uncomfortable.

Perhaps you think that exorcisms are a thing of the past and demons aren’t something that show up anymore.

Maybe that’s what the people of this town were thinking.

Jesus showing up and kicking some demonic tail had to have made them very uncomfortable.

Jesus not only stirred up their status quo but shed light on the evil in their midst.

That ruffled their feathers so much they asked Him to leave. And He did.

We naturally want to go along with our lives not facing the things that bring shame or responsibility to the forefront.

We want to stay in our comfortable “good enough” lives. Jesus will allow that.

He will leave us alone.

If we welcome Jesus, He will bring to the light those things that only He can remove from our lives.

And He will deliver us.

Will you welcome Jesus or shun Him?
Have you seen the demonic at work in today’s world? Did you let Jesus deal with it?
September 7, 2025

September 7th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 107-108

Highlight Verse:

“Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭107‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m an outgoing introvert.

Those who are acquainted with me might think speaking out comes easily to me.

I’ll admit that it is easier than it used to be. But it was a long road getting here.

Even now, I have a hard time being bold in uncomfortable situations.

I have a personality type that likes to please people. It’s tough to please people when you accidentally say something wrong.

I’ve had my share of embarrassing moments when I’ve said too much.

But I’ve learned that it is generally better to say too much than too little,

especially when what is said is uplifting and not vulgar.

While I don’t expect introverts to speak out as much as extroverts,

I guarantee that going beyond your comfort zone to share the Gospel is always worth it.

How have you stepped beyond your comfort zone to share God’s love?
What would you tell those afraid to speak out?
September 6, 2025

September 6th, 2025

Saturday – Open Discussion

Reading – Ephesians 2:1-10

Highlight Verse:

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Thursday evening, I was surrounded by beautiful art. The “This is Colorado” art show was full of many incredible paintings, one of which was by my favorite artist, my wife.

I am always impressed by the talent on display at these art shows.

As talented as these artists are, they can’t hold a candle to God.

And we are His masterpiece.

Why?

To do the good things God planned for us to do.

It may sound cliché, but God has a plan for you; one so divinely beautiful Paul called it a masterpiece.

Let’s live out that work of art and watch it bloom.

What is your favorite type of art?
How have you been walking out God’s plan for you?
September 5, 2025

September 5th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 40-41

Highlight Verse:

“So Jeremiah returned to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah, and he lived in Judah with the few who were still left in the land.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭40‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

At the end of Denver’s primary downtown commercial street, 17th Street, is the grand Union Station Building.

From 1908 until 1931, an ornate archway welcomed visitors in front of Union Station.

On their way out of town visitors received a blessing of Biblical proportions.

“Mizpah” was printed on the outbound side of the arch.

Photo: DPL-WHG

The Hebrew word, Mizpah, is a departing blessing meaning something like,

“May God keep us connected even while we are apart.”

That’s an appropriate name for the town that Jeremiah chose to settle during the exile.

While Jeremiah consistently predicted the exile, he also knew it would end, and the people of God would return.

Until that time he settled in a town that, by its very name, pronounced a blessing of unity for God’s people.

My family is scattered from coast to coast, almost literally (I have one sister 150 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and a brother 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean).

But we are still a family.

We love and support each other despite the distance and differences between us.

While we differ in the expressions of our faiths, I believe we would each accept the blessing of Mizpah.

How do you express blessings on your family and/or friends upon parting?
How do you stay connected with your family and friends?
September 4, 2025

September 4th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Ephesians 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve never been in full-time ministry but I’ve had the privilege of being involved in next generation ministry on one level or another for decades.

If you ask me what my favorite part of ministry is, it is that moment when speaking to students and I see that look in their eyes that says

they finally get it.

When that is followed by a prayer and positive response to the Gospel, it makes it all worth it.

So, when Paul says it is a privilege to share the Gospel,

he is 100 percent right.

In case you are tempted to say something like, “that’s all well and good for you,” realize that God uses whoever is willing to share.

Some of the most powerful testimonies I’ve heard were from people who just found Jesus after a rebellious life and shared their new found joy.

God once used a donkey to speak to Balaam.

There’s no limit to what He can do through you.

Have you experienced the joy of telling others about Jesus?
What ways has God used you to spread the Gospel?
How is He challenging you to share in the future?
September 3, 2025

September 3rd, 2025

NOTE: While most of the readers of this on our Facebook page are from the United States, interestingly, most who read here on the webpage are from elsewhere across the globe. While I am not familiar with the political situation where you might be reading this, the American political landscape has become increasingly divided in recent decades. My hope is that we may see beyond what divides us and find common ground in Jesus.

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 1-2

Highlight Verses:

“Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan, and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah. It is known as the Song of the Bow, and it is recorded in The Book of Jashar.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One Memorial Day when I lived in Virginia, I was in Washington DC for the weekend and happened to visit Arlington National Cemetery. There were crowds streaming toward the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier so, curious, I followed the crowd.

I found myself trapped in the amphitheater and forced to witness the Memorial Day speech of the then current President.

I did not like that President.

I was of the opposing party and I disliked much of what he did as President.

But that day, he brought respect to those who had given their lives to create and defend the United States.

I respected that.

It brought me new respect for the man.

I still wouldn’t vote for him, but he was the duly elected President of the United States and I fully respected the office.

Saul was the anointed King of Israel.

He did many things that David didn’t approve of, not the least being attempting to kill him.

But David had great respect for God’s appointment and wasn’t afraid to show it.

If we were to show respect for those who politically oppose us, we might be surprised at how much more peaceful our lives would be.

I’m not asking for people to go against their political convictions.

But we don’t have to be nasty towards our political opponents and their followers.

In fact, the more respect we show them, the more likely they are to listen to us.

In what ways can we show respect toward our political opponents without compromising our values?
How have you been able to bridge the political gap among your friends or family?
September 2, 2025

September 2nd, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭7‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I read several commentaries on this verse.

The majority say that the Egyptian sorcerers used slight of hand or the Egyptian art of snake charming to make it appear that their staffs turned into serpents.

They point to the fact that the words used to describe them imply deception.

I’m not so sure.

I have no doubt that they were working in cooperation with the devil who is also known as the deceiver.

I also have no doubt that their aim was to deceive Pharaoh into not believing Moses.

I also know that the devil can pull off some convincing “miracles.”

He uses supernatural means to pull off what appears to be impossible.

There will come a day when the antichrist will display some miracles that will even fool some Christians.

My point is that “miracles” are not always of God.

Don’t get me wrong. I firmly believe that God can and does still perform miracles.

I believe in the “full Gospel” which includes the modern day works of the Holy Spirit.

But I also believe that the deceiver can use very convincing signs and wonders to lead people astray.

If the miracle does not bring glory to God and God alone, watch out.

True miracles will always point people to Jesus and His grace and mercy.

“Miracles” that glorify people or faiths other than the Gospel are false, no matter how convincing they appear.

What miracles have you witnessed?
How did you know if they were bonafide (or not)?

Tag: bible study

He couldn’t stand by and let that happen.

That day sheds new light on this verse.

As Christ sacrificed His life for us, we would do well to follow His example of sacrificial living each and every day, giving of ourselves to show His love.

You know, I would have been fine if all I knew about this time period was this tidy little summary.

Then there’s the murders, beheading, executions… need I go on.

But if God can use David and his family, I have great hope that He can use me and my family.

I pray that you and I will go forth and change the world.

Elephants and cattle aside, let’s move on to today’s highlight verse.

God used the ash from that process to spread the plague of boils.

I am saying God can use consequences of sin to bring people into relationship with Him.

Does reading about demons make you uncomfortable.

He will leave us alone.

And He will deliver us.

I’m an outgoing introvert.

But I’ve learned that it is generally better to say too much than too little,

I guarantee that going beyond your comfort zone to share the Gospel is always worth it.

As talented as these artists are, they can’t hold a candle to God.

It may sound cliché, but God has a plan for you; one so divinely beautiful Paul called it a masterpiece.

Let’s live out that work of art and watch it bloom.

“May God keep us connected even while we are apart.”

Until that time he settled in a town that, by its very name, pronounced a blessing of unity for God’s people.

We love and support each other despite the distance and differences between us.

they finally get it.

he is 100 percent right.

There’s no limit to what He can do through you.

I did not like that President.

It brought me new respect for the man.

If we were to show respect for those who politically oppose us, we might be surprised at how much more peaceful our lives would be.

I’m not so sure.

My point is that “miracles” are not always of God.

If the miracle does not bring glory to God and God alone, watch out.

True miracles will always point people to Jesus and His grace and mercy.