God’s Gift and the People’s Responsibility God gave the Promised Land to the descendants of Abraham, not because they deserved it, but to use them to punish other nations who were wicked. After he gave them the territory, their job was to drive out the other people (thereby punishing them). Though the nation of Israel […]
Luke Bible Study, Day 40 Today’s passage: Luke 24:1–44 Focus verse:“It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” (Luke 24:34) Jesus is dead and buried, but this isn’t the end. In many ways it’s the beginning. After being dead for three days, Jesus resurrects. He has overcome the finality of death. […]
There Is No Third Option Many times in Scripture, God calls us his kids, as in children of God. In only a few places, however, does the Bible talk about children of the devil. Yet we must be aware of both. Two Choices John writes that there are children of God and children of the […]
A King Shares His Mother’s Advice Immediately after the proverbs of Agur, we have the proverbs of Lemuel. The Bible refers to him as King Lemuel. Yet his name doesn’t appear elsewhere in Scripture, so we don’t know what he’s the king of. Nor do we know anything else about him, aside from his wise […]
A Good and Faithful Servant Today’s passage: Matthew 24:45–25:46 Focus verse: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21) As Jesus winds down his teaching about the end times and his return, he shares an example of two servants. One is faithful and wise. The other is wicked. The first does what’s expected by his […]
Throughout the Bible We See Examples We Can Apply in Our World Today As we move toward the end of the book of Numbers, we see God allocating Canaan—the Promised Land—to the twelve tribes of Israel. First, God gives Moses the western, northern, eastern, and southern borders of the nation. Then he indicates which tribes […]
Luke Bible Study, Day 39 Today’s passage: Luke 23:44–56 Focus verse: Going to Pilate, [Joseph] asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb. (Luke 23:52–53) As Jesus hangs on the cross, his life ebbs away. Minute by minute he moves toward death, in […]
Persecution, Hardship, Trials, and Hatred The Bible says we should expect to suffer for Jesus (Philippians 1:29). We suffer for him, just as he suffered for us (Philippians 3:10-11). But through him we can persevere and receive our eternal reward (Romans 8:17-18 and 1 Peter 2:20-21). But are we suffering for our faith? Here are […]
Wise Advice from an Obscure Source We commonly think of King Solomon as the author of the book of Proverbs. While this is mostly true, it’s not completely correct. Proverbs also contains wisdom from Agur (as well as Lemuel, whom we’ll cover later). Agur is the son of Jakeh. Neither man, however, appears anywhere else […]
The Return of Jesus Today’s passage: Matthew 24:1–44, Mark 13, and Luke 21:5–38 Focus verse: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36) After Jesus does some more teaching (Matthew 23), he and his disciples leave the temple. What […]