Matthew chapter 2 starts like this2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, [a]wise men from the East came to… Read More

 Study of 1 John started November 5, 20231 John IntroductionThe author- John was possibly born in Bethsaida (John 1:44) and was a son of Zebedee and Salome.  It appears his mother… Read More

       There is a story in Luke 7 about when Jesus went to dine with a Pharisee named Simon.  The story is in verses 36-4236 When one of the Pharisees invi… Read More

   Since March of this year, I have been doing a verse by verse study of the book of 1 Corinthians.  I have also listened to the class on 1 Corinthians taught on the bible pro… Read More

 1 Corinthians 1:4-74 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with… Read More

    One of the characters in the Bible that has always interested me is Joseph, the son of Jacob in the book of Genesis.  Joseph's story is found starting in Genesis 37 with a… Read More

A Study in Daniel Introduction:  Daniel went into exile some time around 605 B.C. and continued to the third year of Cyrus (about 536 B.C.) which is a period of about 69 years.  Th… Read More

  2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepa… Read More

   Jesus sat down on a high place to teach the multitudes.  It was common in those days for Jewish leaders to sit down when they were prepared to teach.  The teaching tha… Read More

A Study in PhilippiansChapter 1Most likely Philippians was written by Paul when he was a prisoner of Rome in A.D. 62. Paul was severely flogged and throw into prison and put their feet in st… Read More

   I want to look at for a moment the life of David and how God led him from the shepherd's fields to be a warrior and then a king.  Each step along the way God was guiding a… Read More

   To read more about this I would recommend Charles Swindoll's book "Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives" W.Publishing Group, 2005.  He addresses Samuel in chapter 6 and S… Read More

 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus [a]by the will of God,To the [b]saints who are [c]at Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus:&nbsp&hell…Read More

        I recently spent several weeks listening to lectures from Dr. M. Robert Mullholland from Asbury Seminary about the book of Revelation.  He had a very differe… Read More

   12 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2 and… Read More

   I have been reading the book "Invitation to a Journey" by the late M. Robert Mulholland Jr.  I found out about Dr. Mulholland through a training site called biblicaltrainin… Read More

8 Now they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the [a]cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the&nbs&hell…Read More

  One day Jesus shared a parable with his disciples about forgiveness.  It is recorded in Matthew 18:21-35.  In it, the king wishes to settle accounts with his slaves.  S… Read More

      I was talking one day to someone about how God uses people that others have given up on.  After I stopped and really thought about it, that includes many of the so… Read More

     I was listening to a sermon earlier today from Greg Laurie (which I will put a link to at the bottom of this post) and he was talking about the afterlife.  There are… Read More

 I mixed up my readings today for a little variety.  Most of the time when I have read through the Bible in a year I did not go through it sequentially.  I would write a list… Read More

      My reading through the New Testament included Mark 13 through Luke 6.  Many of these passages are very similar in all three gospels. Possibly one exception is the d… Read More

     Today is day 3 of the challenge I gave myself to read through the New Testament.  Today I read Matthew 20 through Mark 2.  Obviously, that is most of Jesus' min… Read More

     I challenged myself to read the New Testament in February, so today's reading is Matthew chapters 1 through 10.  Mainly focusing on the beginning of Jesus' earthly m… Read More

 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.2 You know [a]when I sit down and [b]when I rise up;You understand my thought from afar.3 You&nbs&hell…Read More

24 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. &ldqu&hell…Read More

22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,...."In looking at this passage about the fruit of the Spirit, we first need to notice the… Read More

   In the study that we have been doing on Experiencing God, one of the things that is said is that God calls us to work with him and that calling leads to a crisis of belief which… Read More

The Role of the Holy Spirit- 1.        To convict the world concerning sin  John 16:9  The Spirit convicts people of their need for Jesus. 2.     &nbs&hell…Read More

     I've been doing some zoom sessions with a group on Sunday mornings looking at the book "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby.  Henry talks a lot about how we can hear… Read More

    Years ago, when I was involved in Campus Crusade for Christ, a book called "The Search for Significance" by Robert S. McGee was really popular.  The idea in that book that… Read More

I am going to outline Colossians and then make some remarks about Colossians 1: 1-6. The Colossae believers were known for their faith, love and hope.  They had a faith in Christ, a lov… Read More

3 "Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come… Read More

John 2:1-5 starts this way2 "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage… Read More

    29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  John 1:29  KJV    &n&hell…Read More

   14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.In John 1:14-18, Joh… Read More

  The gospel of John begins far differently from the other three synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.  Perhaps it is because in John's day the issues were different or perha… Read More

  18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of… Read More

I read these words in the NASV and looked up the transliterated words for this verse in Ephesians 1:18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what i… Read More

2 Corinthians 12:7-12verses 7-97 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan… Read More

This is a topical study about angels.  Who are they and what is their role today.We will notice that there appears to be different types of angels such as cherubim and seraphim.  T… Read More

   I started looking at Revelations today and saw this portion of scripture and had to ask myself whether or not any of these things have happened already or if they are all seen a… Read More

    Years ago, when I worked in a church in Petersburg, Virginia, a deacon came up to me and showed me a chart of the leadership of the church.  He had the deacons above every… Read More

   This is just some comments about pastor Jonathan's recent message on the series "Where is God?"  Pastor talked about where is God when there are times when he seems distant… Read More

    Pastor Jonathan at the Summit Church today shared his second message from the series "Where is God?"  In this series, he emphasized "God's People = God's Presence". … Read More

A Look at Ephesians 1:4-5“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as… Read More

   It is important for the believer to understand that God has given us His Holy Spirit in order to help us and guide us in our daily walk with Him.  Below is a list of verses… Read More

This last week Dr.Charles Stanley had a sermon titled "Getting Ahead of God" where he talked about Genesis 16:2-5. Abram had been in the land of Canaan for ten years and they didn't have an… Read More

     There is a place that I pass when I am driving to work where road crews have planted sunflowers in the median.  A few weeks ago, these flowers were all in bloom. &nb&hell…Read More

Mark 2:14-28 Levi is called, questions about fasting and the SabbathVs.14-17- Jesus calls Matthew or Levi to follow him. This is also in Matthew 9:9-13 and Luke 5:27-32… Read More

     After Jesus had completed his time of temptation in the wilderness, he was ready to start his public ministry.  His preaching ministry begins with these words in Mar… Read More

    When I was first married, we lived next store to a couple that had large pin oak trees in their backyard.  These trees were a hundred or more years old (not the one in the… Read More

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep."  John 10:14-15   I wan… Read More

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV  &nb&hell…Read More

The Attributes of God: Love(part of this list is taken from web site: https://www.josh.org/resources/spiritual-growth/attributes-of-god/? A free Bible study site by Josh McDowell)as… Read More

    I don't know if most of us think about nearly enough how much God has forgiven us or what he has saved us from.  I know that in many ways I have taken the forgiveness of G… Read More

   The Bible tells us that if we want to do something for God and live for him then we must realize we are in a war.  The believer has three main enemies: the devil, the flesh… Read More

   I know I haven't posted much on here lately and I want to get back to writing more often.  Lately, the subject of renewal or revival has interested me.  Mainly because… Read More

     These are some verses I am working to commit to memory to help transform my thinking and help me to walk more closely with the Lord.      "For th… Read More

   I recently read a book written by a pastor named James T. Martin called "Immersed" published in 1996.  Part of what caught my eye about it because it appears that at the ti… Read More

Unlike many of my posts, I am simply going to upload my notes from my study in 2 Peter 1:1-4.  2 Peter Bible StudyBackground:  Simon Peter is the writer who claims to have been pre… Read More

 Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" &nbs&hell…Read More

"And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory" 1 Peter 5:4     Peter was writing to people in 1 Peter those who were suffering or that had… Read More

1 Peter 4:12-13 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that… Read More

  "To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; fo… Read More

    Some thoughts from 1 Peter 1:22-2:10.  One of the things that struck me as I read this passage was what a different view of the church God must have from what we do… Read More

    I am studying the letter of 1 Peter and want to mention some things I considered from 1 Peter 3:-12.  One thing that I am struck by when reading these verses is in ve… Read More

 Key passages: Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 2:16; Romans 6:16,18    I have noticed with increasing feel of disgust and alarm how rapidly this Presidential… Read More

    I recently started taking a free class online regarding the Gospel of John put together by Dallas Theological Seminary.  The seminary President Dr. Mark Bailey is the teac… Read More

     I have been studying Romans 14 over the last week or two and came up some main points that Paul shares with them and use that I wanted to meditate on and share with you… Read More

    When I was a pastor in Hull, Texas we ran about 45 in Sunday School and a little more than that if it was a good day.  I think our high the whole time there was around 70… Read More

    I was reading today in 1 Timothy 1:15-16 where Paul refers to himself as the "chief of sinners".  He did this because before he was saved he was very legalistic and he had… Read More

     I mentioned earlier in a post on facebook, that I believe it is time for the church to repent and seek the Lord.  It appears to me that much of the church is weak an… Read More

    I just got finished e the book "Soul Detox" by Craig Groeschel.  Craig is the founding pastor of Lifechurch.tv and creator of YouVersion bible app.  This is the first… Read More

    I realize that it has been about two months since I wrote on this blog.  I changed jobs with the agency I work with from an intensive in home  team lead to… Read More

31 Again, leaving the region of Tyre, He went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through[m] the region of the Decapolis. 32 They brought to Him a deaf … Read More

Romans 5:10-11  "For  if, when we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is… Read More

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Neither are they all children because they are Abraham&rsquo&hell…Read More

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37           My study today was in Romans 8:31-39 one of the most uplifting pa… Read More

    These verses in Romans 8:18-30 mention three things that are or will be groaning: creation, the believer and the Spirit.  The creation groans because of the affect of sin… Read More

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not… Read More

    Continuing on with our study in Romans 7:1-13, Paul is going to talk about the newness of the Spirit.  Paul begins again with another rhetorical question in verse 1 "Do yo… Read More

   Romans 6:17-18  But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having… Read More

      In my study in the books of Romans, I have come to Romans 6:-11.  Paul begins in verses 1-2 with a rhetorical question "Should we sin more that grace might increase… Read More

    On my own, I have been studying the book of Romans over the last few weeks.  It seems to me that the emphasis in chapters 1 is mainly towards the Gentiles.  There was… Read More

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,    neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth… Read More

     I saw a post on facebook yesterday that gave a prophetic word that Jesus would return as a part of the rapture on Easter.  While I don't believe in date setting beca… Read More

     I'm in the middle of wrestling with God over a number of things.  I want to post this prayer as a confession and prayer to God for Holy Week.     God… Read More

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there… Read More

    In my work as a therapist, I am now working with kids who are at risk for out of home placement.  The service we provide requires multiple visits at either home or school… Read More

    I was driving home today from the gym and passed a little Methodist church with a sign out front.  It said that we should forgive as much as we want to be forgiven.  … Read More

      Have you ever noticed how many times in the book of Psalms the Psalmist mentions that God is silent?  Or the psalmist will ask how long God will wait before he acts… Read More

     I am going to say something that if you don't look at the scriptures I refer to you may think is a bit controversial.  I have intentionally stayed away in this blog… Read More

   There is a web site here that talks about pastor burn out.  Some of the statistics are very hard to read.  It shows a picture that as much as the average person i… Read More

    I want to share with you my story about how I came to really know the Lord.  My parents have always taken me and my sister Cindy to church.  Having said that, mo… Read More

    One of the most difficult subjects to teach on in the Bible is that of eschatology or the study of the last days.  That is because in order to be able to do so effect… Read More

     One thing that I have noticed over the last 14 years of ministry and counseling work is that some people will use very rosy and intimate language about their relatio… Read More

     In church today, the pastor mentioned Gabriel's visit to Mary when he told her that she would bear a child and that would be Jesus.  One of the first things tha… Read More

   In Ephesians 3:20 Paul writes, "Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. . . ."  &nbs&hell…Read More

21 "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Now flee from youthful lusts an… Read More