I love sports. Watching it, that is, not playing it. I never was good at playing sports, but I consider myself somewhat of an expert at watching it. As I’m writing this, I’m remembering watching a basketball game in which my team had a large, seemingly insurmountable lead. The other team didn’t cooperate, and they…
Read MoreCategory: Bible Study
Lessons and studies from the Bible
Finishing Well: A Lesson on Integrity, Faith, and the Unfailing Love of God
The book of 1 Samuel starts with a godly woman praying for a son, and that son, Samuel, grew up and became one of the most important people in Israel. He was both judge and prophet, and he led the people well. He was as godly as his mother and a great man of faith….
Read MoreBe Careful What You Ask For: Israel’s First King
Israel asked God for a king (see here), and he gave them what they wanted. The question was, who would be that king? There once lived a well-off man named Kish. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, and he had a son named Saul. Saul was an impressive young man, at least to the…
Read MoreWhen God Lets Us Have Our Way
When I became a dad, I made an important decision — I was not going to say certain things that my parents had said to me. Things like, “Because I said so,” “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” and “Stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about.” And the classic, “If Jimmy jumped off…
Read MoreQuick Fix Faith: When We Want God’s Help Without Holiness
One of mankind’s greatest inventions is duct tape. Nothing breaks that can’t be fixed with good old duct tape. I’ve seen water bottles sealed, shoes fixed, cell phone screens repaired, and even side-view mirrors held onto cars by duct tape. Don’t knock that last one until you try it — I know from experience. Deep…
Read MoreGod Still Speaks: Will You Listen?
The third chapter of 1 Samuel marks a turning point in the history of Israel. God had not spoken to his people for a very long time. Sin was so rampant among his people that he chose to remain silent: Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of…
Read MoreWhen Sovereignty Meets Prayer: The Faith of Hannah
We worship a sovereign God. That’s a heady way to start a post, but it’s a truth many of us need to hear more often. God is in absolute control of his entire Creation, from the largest galaxies to the tiniest microorganisms. At the same time, God tells us to pray. We should exercise the…
Read MoreI Will Boast in the Cross: Easter 2025
As Easter Sunday approaches, I’m reminded of something the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Galatians: But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14, CSB) A…
Read MoreThe Holy Spirit and Our Glorious Future
My first post in this series on the Holy Spirit was on November 3, 2024, and I started writing in late September/early October. I had no idea it would take 18 posts to cover the subject, and there is much more we could study on the topic. Thank you for sticking with me all this…
Read MoreUnwrapping Your Spiritual Gifts: Embracing God’s Unique Call for You
Here’s a little tidbit about me: I love receiving gifts! It doesn’t matter what the gift is, just being given something makes my day. I tell people that while my wife has the gift of giving, I have the gift of receiving. Maybe some of you are like me. If so, you’re in luck, because…
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