Tag: bible study

January 11, 2025

January 11th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Isaiah 40:26-31

Highlight Verse:

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This time of year, it’s dark when I leave for work. By the time I get home it’s getting dark again.

The older I get, the more the cold Colorado weather makes me ache.

If you haven’t guessed by now, winter is not my favorite season.

I love the longer days and warmer temperatures of spring and summer and the colors of fall.

In winter, I want to push the fast forward button.

Today’s verse in most translations begins with “they that wait upon the Lord.”

While the NLT might more accurately convey the meaning of the text,

I love the imagery of waiting as trusting.

So, instead of hibernating until spring, I’ll trust God to see me through the winter.

And if you see an eagle fly by, you might want to take a look and see if I’m up there with it.

Are you affected by the seasons?
How do you get through the tougher seasons?
What does soaring like eagles look like for you?
January 10, 2025

January 10th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 4-6

Highlight Verse:

“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve seen and met many missionaries.

Their stories are inspiring.

The things God does through them are amazing.

I’ve even imagined what it would be like if I were in their shoes.

Have I ever said “here I am, send me” when they invite people to join them?

Nope.

God hasn’t called me to that ministry.

But He has called me.

And I’ve said yes to what He has asked me to do. Sometimes reluctantly, but I eventually say yes.

God has a calling on each of his people. Sometimes it’s missions. Sometimes it’s local ministry. Sometimes it’s in areas some wouldn’t consider to be a calling.

Whatever it is, if it’s truly from God, by all means, just say yes already.

What have you been called to do?
Are you doing it?
January 9, 2025

January 9th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 2

Highlight Verse:

“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I drive my company van at work, I try to stay very close to the speed limit.

It’s very easy to be judgmental of those who fly around me.

But the truth is, my van has a unit that sends reports about my driving to my boss once a week.

My biggest motivation is to not be called out at work for speeding too much.

Even driving our personal vehicles, the biggest reason I watch my speed is to not get a ticket.

What if I obeyed the speed limit because I care about those around me and respect those who set the limits?

That may not be a perfect comparison, but what if we avoided sin not because we’re afraid to get caught

but because we realize how sin hurts others, and we respect and love the God who gave us the Commandments.

That would put our focus on how we could best live to please God rather than how others fall short.

What is your take?
What motivates you to avoid sin?
January 8, 2025

January 8th, 2025
Wednesday – History

Reading – Joshua 4-6

Highlight Verses:

“We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.””
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Three things stood out to me as I read about this stone memorial.
- It took effort. Those stones were heavy, and they had to haul the from the middle of the riverbed.
- It was lasting. Those stones were there for generations. Their significance went far beyond the lives of those who carried them.
- It was public. Their presence was seen by all.
- The most impactful events in our lives are those that we put a lot of effort into. The more effort, the more influence on our lives and our memories we’ll see.
- Our efforts in the right circumstances can long outlive us, especially if we make efforts to preserve their memories.
- For the greatest impact, at least some of the major events in our lives should be lived in full view of all.
I think the major events in our lives should carry the same characteristics.

Have you been impacted by the major events in your or other people lives?
Can you share an example of that kind of impact from yours or others lives?
January 7, 2024

January 7th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 1

Highlight Verse:

“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love the beauty of nature.

Sunsets on the Oregon Coast, the breathtaking sight of the color and vastness of the Grand Canyon, the colorful dance of a butterfly, the majesty of the Rocky Mountains, and the power of a thunderstorm all inspire my awe for the Creator God.

And that’s just a tiny fraction of creation.

When you think about the incredible science that went into making even the simplest animals it becomes obvious there was an intelligent designer at work.

Then you ramp that up to the human body and mind and you find that intelligence is beyond any human comprehension.

The Genesis account of creation only confirms to me the obvious existence of a Creator.

And that is very good.

Do you believe the creation story?
What is it that first made you believe there was a Creator?
January 6, 2025

January 6th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 1

Highlight Verse:

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One of the basics of theology is the concept of the Trinity. That is – one God in three parts, the Father, the Son – Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

John introduces us to the Trinity right off the bat.

The “Word” is Jesus (see verse 14).

John makes it clear in the first couple verses that, not only was Jesus God’s Son, but he was also God and integral in creation.

In verse 32, John introduces the Holy Spirit.

John makes it clear that all three exist both integral to each other and distinct from each other.

It may be difficult to comprehend. John doesn’t explain it further.

But as you read through the rest of the New Testament, the concept becomes clearer.

How easy or difficult is it for you to understand the concept of the Trinity?
Does it help you to realize that Jesus, who loved you enough to die for you, helped create the whole universe?
January 5, 2025

January 5th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 1-3

Highlight Verse:

“They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Whenever I read Psalms like these, I get a picture in my head of young David sitting down in a field with his sheep with a pencil and a pad of paper.

Yes, I know it’s a silly image since we don’t know that David penned this Psalm, nor did he have a pencil or paper.

But the beautiful poetic imagery of what constantly thinking about God’s Word can do for us brings that image to my mind.

So, what did they do without paper to write down the Psalms?

They did get written down by scribes eventually. Until then, they had another method.

A psalm is not just a poem; it is a song.

There are verses that I memorized 50 years ago and never forgot, because they were put to music.

We sang them in Sunday School and in worship. Some of the songs we sing today are Scriptures set to music.

It helped the writers of the Psalms remember al the words.

And it helps us remember the Word of God.

Do you remember any Scriptures as songs?
Have you ever tried to put verses to music so you could remember it better?
Did it work? (It did for me)
January 4, 2025

January 4th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Proverbs 27:1-19

Highlight Verse:

“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

On the 1st, when I said that I hoped to finish the edit on my book, I didn’t realize how close I was. I’m now ready to send it back to the editor.

But first, I decided to seek the advice of friends.

I posted a call for beta readers on both my personal and professional Facebook pages.

I got a handful of likes on my professional page. No offers of help.

On my personal page, I got several friends who wanted to be beta readers.

They are getting a copy of the book in exchange for their advice.

I know that I could publish it as it is right now, but I want it to be the best it can be.

My friends will help make that happen with their advice.

The same is true for the rest of my life.

Faithful friends lift each other up, encouraging them to be the best they can be. They also warn them when they are heading down the wrong path.

Do you have faithful friends around you?
Are you a faithful friend to others? (Like some of you are to me).
January 3, 2025

January 3rd, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 1-3

Highlight Verse:

“Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And that’s what God thinks of empty religion.

If your faith is an insurance policy paid for with pious acts of worship, singing on Sunday morning, paying your tithes, listening to the right music, not swearing, maybe even watching the babies at church once a month, then it is worthless.

But if your faith is visible through acts of love and charity (see verse 17) rooted in your love for God and trust in His leading, you have a true faith.

You may do all those religious things above, but you know that they are not your insurance policy.

If you have that true faith, you don’t need an insurance policy; you already have eternal life.

Out of the abundance of that life come all the good deeds, obedience, and yes, even meaningful religious acts.

Are you just religious, or alive in your faith?
When and how did you realize that faith ran far deeper than religion?
January 2, 2025

January 2nd, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 1

Highlight Verse:

“When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s easy to get sucked into the idea that we need to change churches because we aren’t getting “fed” there.

While there may be some validity there, before we leap to that conclusion,

we may want to ask ourselves if we are feeding others there.

Even Paul, who, more than anyone else besides the Holy Spirit, was responsible for the Gospel reaching to the ends of the Roman Empire, sought encouragement from those who were reached by his message.

So, yes, it is important to be at a church where you can grow spiritually.

It is just as important that you be active in that church so that you can encourage spiritual growth in other people.

Sometimes that’s as simple as opening a door and greeting people.

Sometimes it involves teaching or mentoring.

Even the great Paul the Apostle recognized that the work of God is carried out by everyone in the Church.

We’ll discover many of the ways to do that in his letters.

In what ways do you encourage others in the Faith?
How have others encouraged you?

Tag: bible study

If you haven’t guessed by now, winter is not my favorite season.

I love the imagery of waiting as trusting.

So, instead of hibernating until spring, I’ll trust God to see me through the winter.

I’ve seen and met many missionaries.

God has a calling on each of his people. Sometimes it’s missions. Sometimes it’s local ministry. Sometimes it’s in areas some wouldn’t consider to be a calling.

It’s very easy to be judgmental of those who fly around me.

What if I obeyed the speed limit because I care about those around me and respect those who set the limits?

but because we realize how sin hurts others, and we respect and love the God who gave us the Commandments.

Three things stood out to me as I read about this stone memorial.

I think the major events in our lives should carry the same characteristics.

I love the beauty of nature.

And that’s just a tiny fraction of creation.

Then you ramp that up to the human body and mind and you find that intelligence is beyond any human comprehension.

And that is very good.

John introduces us to the Trinity right off the bat.

It may be difficult to comprehend. John doesn’t explain it further.

But as you read through the rest of the New Testament, the concept becomes clearer.

Whenever I read Psalms like these, I get a picture in my head of young David sitting down in a field with his sheep with a pencil and a pad of paper.

So, what did they do without paper to write down the Psalms?

There are verses that I memorized 50 years ago and never forgot, because they were put to music.

And it helps us remember the Word of God.

But first, I decided to seek the advice of friends.

My friends will help make that happen with their advice.

Faithful friends lift each other up, encouraging them to be the best they can be. They also warn them when they are heading down the wrong path.

And that’s what God thinks of empty religion.

But if your faith is visible through acts of love and charity (see verse 17) rooted in your love for God and trust in His leading, you have a true faith.

If you have that true faith, you don’t need an insurance policy; you already have eternal life.

we may want to ask ourselves if we are feeding others there.

It is just as important that you be active in that church so that you can encourage spiritual growth in other people.