A Bible Study Blog
The beginning to ca. 1400 B.C.
Why is it important to remember to give thanks?
Looking up the word thanks led me to the word gratitude.
In turn, looking up the word gratitude led me to the word grateful.
The definition of grateful then led me back to the words gratitude and thanks.
Oh, the fun of the English language.
Seriously, why is it important to remember to give thanks, express gratitude, and be grateful?
And what does this have to do with Exodus 32:1-8?
Continue reading “Remembering to Give Thanks | Exodus 32:1-8”
Imagine if you were the beetle in the picture above.
What circumstances would cause you to cling even tighter to the plant?
If the weather is mild, there would be no reason to cling even tighter to the plant.
But what if the weather was hazardous?
Or if another animal appeared to challenge you?
How does this relate to Jacob’s situation in Genesis 32:22-32?
Continue reading “Clinging Tightly to God”
What is your first thought when you think about fuel?
Gasoline or electricity is a typical fuel that enables vehicles to get us from point to point.
Wood is an excellent fuel for a campfire.
Physically, we use food as fuel to nourish and sustain our bodies.
But there are other fuels to consider.
For example, Exodus 12:27 ends with the phrase, “And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.”
What fueled this worship response?
Continue reading “Fueling the Worship Response”
Yet, when God called (Genesis 31:3), Jacob responded.
Our passage for study today: Genesis 31:17-18
17 So Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels. 18 He drove away all his livestock, all his property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac. [1]
Growing up, I recall the backyard of my parent’s home had several large oak trees and a maple tree. Also lining the edge of their property line and the start of the neighbor’s yard behind was a row of cottonwood trees.
I remember climbing both the maple tree and one of the cottonwood trees frequently.
Sometimes I climbed the trees to see how high I could get or as a hiding spot when playing hide and seek with neighboring kids.
I also recall times when I would go to the trees when I was hurting emotionally. Being hidden amongst the leaves and supported by the sturdy tree branches helped me feel safe in those moments.
Why all this talk about trees?
Today, we will study Psalm 1:3-4, which uses fruit tree imagery when describing a blessed or happy follower of God.
Continue reading “Do You Enjoy God? (Part Two)”
There was a period in my life when I was reading through a variety of self-help books.
Something was out of whack in my life, and I was trying to figure out what it was.
Then, two different people within the same week asked me to explain my faith to them.
I struggled to respond to their probing questions, which bothered me greatly.
My solution?
I picked up a one-year bible and immersed myself in scripture. If I was going to claim to be a follower of Christ, I felt this was the right next step.
Making this one decision began a transformation in my faith life. Although not always easy, this decision has proven more powerful and encouraging than any other pursuit in my life.
What does this have to do with Genesis 18, Hebrews 11, and seeking God’s city?
Continue reading “Are You Seeking God’s City?”
You may have learned in previous posts of mine that I read through a chronologically arranged Bible every year.
I have several reasons for doing this, but the primary reason is to know the Lord and learn how to live a life that honors and glorifies my creator.
The characters referred to in Hebrews 11:1-12 lived in a time that did not have the benefit of the written word of God. Yet, they are all held up as heroes of the faith.
Join me as we take a brief look at each of their lives to discern how their examples inform us of not just how we can be encouraged to respond to God in faith, but God’s faithfulness to us.
Continue reading “God’s Faithfulness and Our Response”
We define the word enjoy as:
Based on the above definitions, I enjoy many things in daily life.
But how do these definitions apply to God?
We will answer these questions by studying Psalm 1.
Continue reading “Do You Enjoy God? (Part One)”
Have you ever found yourself in a deceitful situation?
Sadly, most of us will probably say yes to that question.
Were you or someone else the one practicing the deceit?
Again, most of us, if we are truly honest, have experienced both being deceived and being the deceiver.
What motivated the deceit to occur?
Deceit occurs because we believe we have no other option to get or do something we want.
How can choosing God’s ways help us overcome deceitful situations?
Continue reading “Overcoming Deceit by Choosing God”
Have you ever experienced deception?
I have. More than once.
Ranging from practical jokes to outright cruelty, deception is something we all have or will encounter during our life journey.
How we react when a deception towards us is revealed often depends on the motives driving the deceiver.
If the deception was to keep us in the dark so that we can experience a surprise blessing from our family and friends, we might react with delight and joy.
When deception is dishonorable, though, our reaction might range from sadness to outright rage toward the deceiver.
Isaac, in Genesis 27, experienced deception by both his wife Rebekah and son Jacob.
Have you ever thought about Isaac’s reaction to this betrayal?
Continue reading “Too Dim to See Part Three”