Isaiah challenges us, but we can learn to relish this prophecy. Here’s why and how to glean much from the prophet Jesus quoted frequently. This blog is based on our scheduled reading through July 31:  The book of Isaiah (suggested “chunks” Isaiah 1-27; 28-39; 40-66) “Summertime and the livin’ is easy” goes the old song.  I have found it easy to get out of my regular reading and writing routine.  If you are following my “through the Bible Book by Book in 2018” schedule you wil

Many ask why certain occurrences happen. The Bible doesn’t answer all our questions, but it does teach us what we need to know–that God is in control of the most personal details of human life as well as of the events at the highest levels of nations and empires. [Note: This post is based on last week’s reading: 1 Samuel 1-20]. A Personal Story and a National Crisis Two weeks ago, we read the books of Judges and Ruth which prepared us for 1 Samuel and the beginning of the kin

The battle between good and evil, the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, continues to play out in ancient Israel even in the Promised Land.  Two weddings demonstrate the reality of this battle in vivid terms but also remind us of Who ultimately has won this conflict. [Note: This post is based on last week’s reading: Judges, Ruth]. Trouble in Paradise After the relatively upbeat book of Joshua, we come to Judges.  The contrast between these books is impossible to m

As Moses neared the time of his death, he prepared Israel for the transition.  One of the things he did was to leave them with a song. God has given His people other songs too because they are powerful tools to shape our souls in truth about ourselves, about life, and especially about the holiness of God. [Note: This post is based on last week’s reading: Deuteronomy 27-34; Psalms 1-15]. God’s Holiness; Man’s Depravity It’s hard to read anywhere in the Bible without encounteri

A road trip of many hours frequently elicits the whining question of kids, “Are we there yet?” But what if the trip were not for many hours but for forty years?  Would we whine or would we look for important lessons to learn about God and Mankind? This blog is based on last week’s reading: Numbers 11-36 Numbers–the story of a forty-year journey What stands out in the book of Numbers? God is gracious but His people are rebellious.  God provides everything for Israel’s success

After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the Apostles began to preach a message that defied human reasoning.  But it was good and true news then and it still is. Last week’s reading: Leviticus 17-27 & Acts 1-12 This is the eighth week of the year and, if you are following our schedule, you have read six books of the Bible, three in the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus) and three in the New (Matthew, Hebrews and James).  You’ve also begun reading Acts. L

It seems odd that God chose the Jews and that He showed them mercy again and again. But do we have room for pride? Are we any different? Note: Last week’s reading was Exodus 21-40. In reading through Exodus we see the truth of that statement.: “How odd of God to choose the Jews.” They grumbled about water and food after crossing the Red Sea on dry land.  They became impatient with Moses and asked for an idol to worship.  Aaron produced a golden calf which they worshipped. God

God remembers His people and He purposefully fulfills His covenant with them. Through Jesus Christ He has secured our inheritance. Note: Last week’s reading was Exodus 1-20. Do you know anything about your ancestors, say, from the seventeenth century?  Genealogy research has become popular today, but I dare say most of us know almost nothing about our forefathers.  I know only three or four things about my paternal grandfather.  My father told me his dad, John Michael Carroll

Last week I breezed through Genesis 26-50 in two sittings.  God’s redemptive plan and purposes for the world unfold in the life of Isaac and his descendants—Jacob and Esau and their children.  This quick reading in “chunks” makes certain truths more obvious than would a slower reading.  Here’s what I noticed: God always watches providentially over human history. This includes every detail whether large events or very small incidents. Nothing happens apart from His knowledge a

Our first week of Bible reading took us through Genesis 1-25 The whirlwind tour of early human history moved from the Creation, to the Fall of mankind, to the flood, the tower of Babel and right into the life of Abram and on to his son, Isaac.  These are important chapters which set the stage for a biblical understanding of the world and our place in it. Here are some observations I made on this first stage of our journey. God is eternal. Nothing but God existed before creati

Without God’s Word no one can grasp the importance of believing and serving God.  Only the Bible allows us His perspective. Today’s Reading Malachi 1-4; Revelation 22 Selected Verses Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. Malachi 3:18 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.  Ou

Scholars disagree over the interpretation of certain prophecies. But none can deny that Scripture affirms God’s sovereignty over everything in the cosmos. Zechariah 10-12; Revelation 20 Selected Verses For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs. Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock