A Bible Study Blog
The beginning to ca. 1400 B.C.
Tests.
How do you react to tests?
Excitement or fear?
I suppose it depends on what type of test it is.
Some personalities thrive on the challenge of being tested.
Other personalities cave under the pressure.
But what about when we are tested by God?
Continue reading “Can We Trust a God Who Tests?”
When you were a young child, did people ask you what you wanted to be when you grew up?
My answer to this question changed frequently as I grew.
I remember being interested in driving a semi for a brief period.
Another strong interest at one point was interior decorating.
But by the time I was in eighth grade, music had captured my attention above all other potential vocational pursuits.
Then, after fifteen-plus years of a music career, I transitioned into administrative work.
Although I believe I am talented and gifted in the vocations I have pursued, I believe my calling from God is to write Bible studies. (See my About page for a few more details.)
This is why I write this blog. And it is a part of my worship of God.
I am thinking about all of this today because of Joshua 5:13-15.
Continue reading “Worship in Response to Your Calling”
Who would you say is the most effective leader of our day?
What makes that person stand out from other leaders?
Centuries ago, God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and traverse the desert for forty years to prepare for entering the land promised to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Moses was not a perfect leader.
Yet, with the help of the LORD, Moses transformed into a leader whom both Jews and Christians revere.
What does this have to do with leading hearts to worship?
Continue reading “Leading Hearts to Worship | Dt 30:15-20”
What comes to mind when you see the word detachment?
One definition of detachment is the action or process of detaching or separation.
Yes, this definition is from Merriam-Webster.com.
If you have a military background, you already know that detachment can refer to the dispatch of a body of troops or part of a fleet from the main body for a special mission or service.
Yep, also from Merriam-Webster.com.
The third definition supplied by Merriam-Webster.com describes detachment as indifference to worldly concerns or aloofness.
Detachment can also show freedom from bias or prejudice.
But what is the spiritual benefit of detachment?
Continue reading “When Detachment is to Our Benefit”
What does it mean to give?
Give as a transitive verb has sixteen definitions at Merriam-Webster.com.
There were five more definitions for using give as an intransitive verb and two for using give as a noun.
Then I found the section titled, “Choose the Right Synonym for Give”.
Before listing some synonyms with definitions, this section provided the following definition of the word give:
“Give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means.”
This definition, although lacking specificity, is valuable in understanding that “giving” can be a highly personal activity.
But how does this apply to giving to remember God?
Continue reading “Giving to Remember God”
How would you define communal responsibility in worship?
According to Merriam-Webster.com,
So, a communal responsibility in worship could be described as a unified body of individuals answering for each other’s conduct to show great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion to a divine being.
But what does that look like in actual practice for the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy? And us today?
Continue reading “Communal Responsibility in Worship”
Why is it that most of the pictures were of dogs when I searched for a photo to represent loyalty?
What is it about dogs that they have generated a reputation that epitomizes loyalty?
Do you know the joke that dog is God spelled backward?
I could have used a photo of one of my five previous dogs, but I just had to share the one above.
The expression on this precious German shepherd made me laugh out loud.
I bet this dog is extremely loyal to their human(s).
But seriously, what does it mean to be loyal? And why does loyalty matter to God?
Continue reading “Loyalty Matters to God”
Recently I opted to work on my writing at a local cafe.
I thought it would be okay since the cafe had Wi-Fi and many of the research resources I use are now available online.
Plus, several friends of mine who are writers love to work at cafes or shared work spaces.
But it was too distracting for me.
Hearing orders called out, seeing a father play with his son out in the courtyard, and some odd technical difficulties made my writing experience frustrating.
I now know for certain that my home office space is the best place to work on my writing.
This does not mean I never get distracted at home. I do.
But I have more control over my home office space than I do in a public space.
How does this relate to the need to remove distractions from worshiping God?
Continue reading “Removing the Distractions from Worshiping God”
Have you given any consideration to why you worship God?
What reasons would you share with others for worshiping God?
Do the reasons vary depending on whom you are sharing with? If so, why?
Or perhaps you came across this post because you have never worshiped God and are curious why others do.
The primary definition of the word worship is to honor or show reverence to a divine being or supernatural power.
Here, I am writing about the God of the ancient Israelites whom Christians also worship today.
I believe the most accurate source to learn the reasons to worship God comes from God himself in the Bible.
Today, we will explore the reasons God himself provided to the ancient Israelites for worshiping Him in Deuteronomy 11:1-20.
Continue reading “Reasons to Worship God”
Do you know the name of the flowers in the picture above?
Yep, Forget-Me-Nots.
I found some interesting German lore stories on farmersalmanc.com. These stories about knights, maidens, and forget-me-nots are both sweet and bitter.
Farmersalmanc.com also stated that these flowers are prolific bloomers between May and October in my region. Traditionally, these flowers symbolize true love, respect, fidelity, and faithfulness based on those German lore stories mentioned above.
But forget-me-not flower lore and symbolism aside, today we will consider the value of remembering not to forget the LORD as we study Deuteronomy 8:1-20.
Continue reading “Remember Not to Forget | Deuteronomy 8:1-20”