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Podcast Introduction Our reading today is Exodus 25-28, and I’m calling the episode “The God of Details.” Comments on Exodus 25-28 The first time I read these chapters, I was struck by the detail of God’s instructions. Nothing was left out. Everything that was to go into the tabernacle was intricately laid out, from the materials to use, to the measurements, to the design, to the placement of the items.  But of course, that God thought of every detail is not at all surprising, right? He is a God of details. Think of creation itself. Think of our solar system. If it were not for the details of how our solar system is laid out, life as we know it on Earth could not exist. If we were just a little closer to the sun, or just a little further, the temperature would not support life. If the Earth was not the size it is, gravity would be too great or not great enough. The examples I could give go on and on. Think of the incredible detail of our bodies. The way the cells work, the way our nervous system works, our brains, our muscles. Think of the details in a snowflake, and how, supposedly, no two snowflakes are alike. Details. There are nearly an infinite amount of details in our universe. And all of them work together.  Beloved, there is no way in the world that anyone could convince me that creation happened by chance. There are too many details for that. And I am not speaking as just a religious fanatic. I have a degree in biology. I know some science. I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I’m not completely ignorant about these things.  Let me switch gears for just a moment. I got to wondering about the materials that God told Moses to collect as offerings. What I found was interesting to me, so hopefully you’ll find this interesting, too. Gold: This represents deity. Gold cannot be made by man. It can only be made by God. The gold refers to the fact that Jesus is divine. Silver: Represents redemption. In Scripture, silver was always the money used for redemption. Joseph was sold for silver, as was Jesus. Silver speaks of the redemption that comes only through Jesus.  Bronze: Represents judgement. It has an extremely high melting point, so it was used in the altar where burnt offerings were made. Bronze speaks of the judgement that Jesus took upon Himself to atone for the sin of mankind.  The blue yarn represents Heaven, because it is the color of the sky.  The purple yarn is symbolic of Royalty. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. To make purple, you mix blue and red. The blue, as I said, speaks of Heaven, and red represents Sacrifice, blood and death. Thus, the purple speaks of the deity of Jesus and the sacrifice He made as man. He is, after all, God and Man. And as I said, the scarlet, or red yarn, is symbolic of the Sacrifice.  Fine linen is symbolic of the Purity and righteousness of Jesus, the spotless, pure, sinless sacrifice. Goat’s hair represents the sin offering. Goats were very common and were used for many things, including food, and dairy, their skins were used for clothing and carrying water, and their hair was used to make yarn for clothing. Goats were sacrificial animals, too. The yarn made from their hair was coarse and drab, which speaks of the humanity of Jesus. Rams skins, dyed red symbolize the substitutionary sacrifice. God provided a ram as the substitute for Isaac when God tested Abraham’s faith. And the ram’s skin was died red to show the sacrifice of the substitute. In the translation we read today, the next item required by God is manatee skins. The KJV says badger skins. Another translation says “another type of durable leather.” In other words, we don’t know exactly what the original Hebrew means. But we can surmise the meaning. It was to be an outer covering of a skin that was very durable and probably looked very nondescript, which speaks of Jesus’ humanity.  We are told in Isaiah 53:2 that “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” I’m going to speed things up here and just tell you the symbolism, and not go into detail. Not that the details aren’t interesting, to me anyway, but in the interest of time. So next on the list is Acacia wood. This speaks of the incorruptible humanity of Jesus. The Oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Spices for the oil and incense represent a sweet smelling fragrance to God. So many details, with so much meaning. And you can be sure, we just scratched the surface. Our God is infinite in so many ways, isn’t He, beloved? Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Jan Tinneberg on Unsplash Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 25-28 HCSB Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and

Podcast Introduction Our reading today is  2 Corinthians 9-10, and I’m calling the episode “Take Control of Your Thoughts.” Comments on 2 Corinthians 10 As we have mentioned before, there are those in the church at Corinth who did not recognize Paul’s authority as an apostle. Much of this chapter has Paul defending that authority. Not for his own benefit, but for theirs. What he has to say is important. After all, as an apostle he is bringing God’s message…and they should receive it as from God. In the first five verses of chapter 10, Paul is introducing this concept, and he mentions that this is a spiritual matter, a spiritual battle even.  “1By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:1-5 NIV For today’s discussion, I want to focus on the last part of that last sentence:  “…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Is that even possible? Can we really take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ?  Before I begin to answer the question, let’s remember what Paul the apostle, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote to his young protege Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16:  16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Beloved, I believe that. I believe what Paul said there. I do believe that *all* scripture is the God-breathed Word of God. So if Paul was able to “…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”, I believe you and I can do it, too. First let’s understand why we would even want to do this. Paul was doing battle with worldly ideas…ideas that were counter to his mission. And this was a spiritual battle. Beloved, *we* are in a spiritual battle today. There are forces of darkness all around us that literally want to silence us, and even kill us. If you don’t believe that, then you’re not paying attention. The last thing Jesus did before He ascended to Heaven was to give the disciples (and by extension, us) a mission…a job. He said, “… go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Perhaps more than at any time in human history, certainly more than any time in my lifetime, people need to know the Lord. Freedoms are being eroded around the world. Globalists want to bring every person under subjection. But there is freedom in Christ. Kings and Prime Ministers and Presidents can subjugate our bodies, but they cannot control our minds and souls. When we belong to Christ, we are free. And the powers of this world hate that fact. They want to stop the Gospel. Don’t believe me? Just wait. You’ll see. The spiritual battle we are in is ramping up. It’s already in full swing in some parts of the world, with Christians literally being killed for their faith. According to OpenDoorsUSA.com, in 2021 4,761 Christians were martyred. And persecution against Christians has risen for 15 consecutive years. With the speed at which changes are happening in the world today, do you doubt that it can come to any nation? I don’t. Yes, we are in a spiritual battle, and each of us is called to engage. On yesterday’s show, I talked about putting on the full armor of God when we discussed resisting temptation. Obviously, that is an aspect of spiritual warfare which goes hand in hand with what Paul is saying in today’s scripture…”tak(ing) captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” So how do we do it? How do we take control of our thoughts?  First, we must be aware of when our thoughts are out of bounds, and then stop them. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This cannot be done only through a mere act of will, but it can be done through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our minds are wonderful things, but they can only focus on one thing at a ti

Podcast Introduction Our reading today is Luke 1-2, and I’m calling the episode “The Child’s Answers.” Comments on Luke 2 We’re obviously just a couple weeks past Christmas, but it’s always good to read the account of Jesus’ birth. But in reading such familiar chapters as these first two of Luke, we run the risk of not really hearing them, don’t you think? Every Christmas season, we hear these verses read. So can we find anything new? Is it important to see something new? I think the answer to that question is probably different for each person, because each of us has a completely unique walk with God. At my age, I’ve probably heard or read Luke 1 and 2 many hundreds, if not thousands of times. And I love it when God shows me something I haven’t seen before. Let’s see if this gives you a new insight. When Jesus was twelve years old and stayed behind in the temple, as Mary and Joseph were returning to Nazareth, we are told in Luke 2: 46 and 47, “46Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.” Verse 46 said Jesus was listening to them and asking them questions. Listening and asking. But 47 says those who heard him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. His answers.  What do you make of that? If He’s listening and asking, why is He giving answers?  In the past, when I read these or heard these verses, I never thought very deeply about this little vignette. I just thought of the boy Jesus as sort of just a smart, as in intelligent, 12 year old. Sure, He is God, but He’s also just a kid. I thought He was just asking good questions for a kid. But today, as I was thinking about this, it occurred to me that in listening to the rabbis, and asking them questions, the questions were more like the probing questions that a university professor might ask a classroom of grad students. Jesus wasn’t asking questions to gain understanding, he was asking questions to cause the rabbis to think deeper. Which would precipitate questions from the rabbis to Jesus, asking for clarification and direction, perhaps. Or hints, like a student might ask a professor. And I think the answers Jesus gave might have brought more questions to their minds than answers.  Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Mick Haupt on Unsplash Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1 ERV; Ch. 2 NASB Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude. Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart! Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God By Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude V. King / B&H Books Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Podcast Introduction Our reading today is  Jeremiah 32-36, and I’m calling the episode “I Can’t Hear You.” Comments Thoughts on Jeremiah 35  The Lord had Jeremiah invite the Rechabites in for a little social activity, and He told Jeremiah to provide wine to them. When it was offered to them, they declined, saying that their ancestor Jonadab told them not to ever drink wine. In addition, they weren’t to build houses, plant crops or build houses to live in. So they had always refrained from doing any of those things. And then God told Jeremiah to tell the people of Judah and Jerusalem that they needed to learn a lesson from the Rechabites. They had no trouble following the command of Jonadab their ancestor, who was only a man. But the people of Judah and Jerusalem refused to follow the command of *GOD*! I’m sure you’ve heard the meme, “You had one job to do….” All they had to do was to not worship any other god but the one true God, and they couldn’t even do that, even when they were reminded by the prophets sent by God time and time again. And time and time again they were warned, “If you keep on in your rebellion, you will pay dearly”, to no avail.  So what does this mean for us? Will we have an excuse? I don’t think so. We have the written Word of God. And today with most of us having smartphones, we have it with us whenever we want to read it. Not to mention this humble podcast.  When we stand before God, will He be pleased with us?   Thoughts on Jeremiah 36 So God tells Jeremiah to write down everything He had told Jeremiah to say to the people of Israel, Judah all the other nations. God said that perhaps once they hear about the coming calamities, they will change their ways. If they do, God will forgive them and bless them. So Jeremiah has Baruch write everything down on the scroll as he dictates what God had told him. Skipping to the point I want to discuss…When King Jehoiakim heard Jeremiah’s friend and scribe, Baruch read what was written, he had the scroll burned in sections, as it was read. He didn’t like what he heard, and in essence he does what a petulant child who puts his fingers in his ears and cries, “Lalalalalah! I can’t hear you!” As if not hearing lets him off the hook. Of course such behavior is not at all effective for a child, and it didn’t work for Jehoiakim.  How foolish it is to ignore warnings and admonitions from God. In Jeremiah’s day, he was the bearer of the Word of God. Today, we have the entire Bible. We have the benefit of being able to study what it says, so that we know what will please, or displease God. So, of course, everyone who hears it automatically heeds what it says, right? Not so much. Like Jehoiakim, many choose to act as if it never existed. They ignore it. And that’s why the world is in such bad shape today. All we can do, beloved, is continue to live for the Lord and share the Good News whenever the Holy Spirit gives us the opportunity.  Design: Steve Webb | Photo: kyle smith on Unsplash Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 32 ESV, Ch. 33-36 NET Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude. Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart! Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God By Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude V. King / B&H Books Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Podcast Introduction Our reading today is Job 37-38, and I’m calling the episode “Somethin’ Else.” Comments on Job 37 Elihu talks of how he is frightened of the awesome power of God that he sees in thunder and lightening. If you have ever been in a storm like Elihu is talking about, it is truly awe-inspiring.  I am a southern California native. I’ve been here almost all of my life, except for two years, when I was seven and eight years old. We rarely have thunderstorms here, and when we do, they are nothing like the ones I have seen in other parts of the country. Here, they rarely last for more than a few minutes. They don’t go on and on with lightening flashes coming from all around. My son, Tim and his wife Val are living in Florida now, about 20 minutes southwest of Disney World. A couple months ago he made a video call from his phone while they were out shopping. A thunderstorm had already been going for about a half and hour, and the rain was just pouring down in buckets, with thunder and lightening happening probably two or three times a minute. Maybe more. It was crazy. We stayed on the call for about a half hour, and it was still going when we ended the call. We do not get that kind of weather here.  My point is, even if we did, seeing that kind of display is only a faint shadow of the power of God. Think of it this way. I don’t know if God used a Big Bang to bring the universe into existence or if it all just appeared the way it is, by His Word. It doesn’t really matter to me. But here’s the thing. Scientists say that the universe seems to be expanding in all directions, and they say it’s because of the explosion that they call the big bang. Imagine the power! And the explosion that is still in motion after all those years! And what was the cause of it? God’s Word. God said, “Let there be….” and WHAMMO! it happened. And it is still going. Yes, God’s power is somethin’ else. And yes, we should have a respect for His power, and a fear, even, if we do not have a relationship with Him. But get a hold of this concept. Even with all of this power, this God with infinite power and infinite knowledge, this God who is everywhere at once, who is outside of time and space, wants so much to have a relationship with us that He gave all of that up to inhabit a human body for 33 years and then suffer an excruciating death, and glorious resurrection in order to pay the price for our sin. If He would do that, then I don’t fear him like Elihu did. I worship Him. I adore Him. I owe everything to Him. And I look forward to the day when I see Him face to face, when I have no doubt that I will fall on my knees at His presence.  Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Clinton Naik on Unsplash Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Today’s Music Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude. Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart! Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God By Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude V. King / B&H Books Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

In this episode of Verses We Missed, we explore Matthew 11:12 and one of the most puzzling statements Jesus ever made. What did He mean when He said the kingdom of heaven “suffers violence”? Far from endorsing physical force, Jesus reveals the urgent, decisive nature of repentance. The kingdom does not drift quietly into history—and no one drifts quietly into it. You can explore more episodes in the series at Recent Episodes. This is a mid-week breath of Scripture and grace. No One Drifts Into the Kingdom Matthew 11:12 (NASB95) Have you ever noticed how easy it is to become spiritually familiar? We read. We listen. We nod along. But we don’t always respond. In Matthew 11:12, Jesus says something that has unsettled readers for centuries. You can read the passage in other translations at ESV.org here: Matthew 11:12 (NASB95) “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” That sounds intense. Almost disruptive. But Jesus is not describing aggression. He is describing urgency. This week on Verses We Missed, we slow down and examine the Greek verb biazetai—a word that has sparked centuries of discussion—and discover what it reveals about entering the kingdom of heaven. This is a mid-week breath of Scripture and grace. Understanding the Context of Matthew 11:12 When Jesus says, “From the days of John the Baptist until now,” He marks a hinge in redemptive history. For centuries the kingdom was promised. With John, it was announced. With Jesus, it was present. The long-anticipated reign of God was no longer distant—it had broken into history. And whenever the kingdom advances, it provokes a response. The Verb That Stumps Scholars The Greek word translated “suffers violence” is biazetai. It can carry the sense of being attacked—or advancing forcefully. The tension of the word mirrors the tension of the moment. The kingdom advances powerfully. And that very advance produces two responses: Resistance from those who feel threatened Urgent repentance from those who recognize their need Darkness resists light. But the desperate press in. The Violence of Repentance This verse does not teach political conquest or physical aggression. Jesus rebuked Peter’s sword. His kingdom does not advance through coercion. The “violence” here is directed inward. It is the violence of surrender. The force of repentance. The tearing down of pride and self-rule. No one drifts into salvation. No one wanders accidentally into the reign of Christ. Entering the kingdom requires decisive response. An Invitation to Respond If you have been spiritually curious but not surrendered, this verse invites you to move. Curiosity observes. Desperation acts. The door of the kingdom is open—but entrance requires repentance and trust in Christ. And if you already belong to Him, this passage gently asks: Have you grown comfortable? Has urgency faded into familiarity? The kingdom is still advancing. The question is whether we are pressing in. Final Thought From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven advances. Some resist. Others repent. But no one remains neutral. The kingdom of heaven is not entered by the curious. It is entered by the desperate.

Podcast Introduction Our reading today is Psalms 54-56, and I’m calling the episode “Say It Isn’t So.” Comments on Psalms 54-56 Introduction to Psalm 54 The title of this psalm is “To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David when the Ziphites went and said to Saul, ‘Is David not hiding with us?’” The Ziphites betrayed David to Saul twice. We read about these betrayals in 1 Samuel 23 and 1 Samuel 26. On both occasions, David was able to escape. This psalm probably refers to the episode in 1 Samuel 23.  Very few psalms give specific musical instructions like this one, which says, “With stringed instruments.” And the Hebrew word for Contemplation (maskil) might be better translated as Instruction. Introduction to Psalm 55 The title of this psalm is “To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David.” There was a time in David’s life when one of his sons, Absalom, tried to overthrow David as king. During this rebellion one of David’s most trusted men, Ahithophel, sided with Absalom. This psalm seems to have been written during this period of David’s life. However, in verse 15 David calls to God to send his enemies to Sheol (another word for Hell), when we know from other scriptures that David did not want harm to come to Absalom. So it is possible that this psalm is about another time in David’s life that we do not have record of. Introduction to Psalm 56 The title of this psalm is “To the Chief Musician. Set to ‘The Silent Dove in Distant Lands.’ A Michtam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.” “Set to ‘The Silent Dove in Distant Lands” is probably an instruction to sing this psalm to the tune of a song that was known at the time. Scholars do not know the precise meaning of the word michtam. It is possible that it refers to something made of gold, so in connection with a psalm, a michtam might be something so precious that it was to be engraved in gold.  We read of David’s capture by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. This was a difficult time for him when he was afraid and alone. He didn’t know if he would survive. Comments on Psalm 55 A psalm of David in which he has been greatly hurt by his enemies, especially one who had been a trusted friend and ally.  12 I would be able to take it if one who hates me were putting me to shame. I could hide from him. It is not one who hates me who has put himself up against me. 13 But it is you, a man like myself, one who has gone with me, my close friend. 14 We shared together. And we walked with the people in the house of God. This person is not identified, but it seems more than likely that it is Ahithophel, who was a trusted counselor to David. During Absalom’s revolt against his father, Ahithophel deserted David and supported Absalom. Not only did David have to deal with the heartbreak of his own son turning against him, but that of one who gave him counsel, helped him, and knew his idiosyncrasies, strengths and weaknesses.  20 He goes against those who were at peace with him. He has broken his agreement. 21 What he says is smoother than butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are raised swords. Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you? Someone you trusted? It’s a heartbreak unlike any other. But such is the condition of the human heart. Who can trust it? The first time it happened to me was when I was a young teenager, maybe 12 or 13 years old. I don’t remember my exact age, but a friend of mine who lived a few doors down from me, someone whom I had been friends with since about the fourth or fifth grade, broke into our garage when my family and I were out of town on a vacation. When we got home, I found that the tires on my minibike had been stolen. As it turned out, it was this friend and some other boys who had done the deed. I couldn’t believe it. I was crushed, and it took a long time to get over it. I couldn’t trust him. I’ve forgiven him in the intervening years, but we never spoke again.   But David knows who can be trusted: 22 Give all your cares to the Lord and He will give you strength. He will never let those who are right with Him be shaken. Yes, the betrayal of a friend cuts deep, but we do have Someone who will never let us down. Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Toa Heftiba on Unsplash Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 54 NET; Ch. 55 NLV; Ch. 56 ESV Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude. Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart! Experiencing God (2021 Edition)

Podcast Introduction Our reading today is  2 Samuel 10-14, and I’m calling the episode “The Runaway Train.” Comments on 2 Samuel 11 In this account, we see how what we might consider a small sin begin a chain of sinful actions that, like a runaway locomotive, can cause terrible destruction and heartache. A seemingly small, insignificant sin can quickly spiral into a disastrous web of deceit and horrendous sins that affect the lives of more people than we could ever anticipate. Let’s climb on board the sin train with David for a moment and see what happens. As we have seen, David usually goes to war with his armies, but as chapter 11 begins, we see that this year, for some reason he decided to send Joab and the army out, while he stayed behind in the comfort of his palace. This could be considered his first sin, if he stayed behind because of laziness or complacency.  Next, he seems unable to sleep, so he goes to the palace rooftop and sees a woman bathing.  Two questions here. Why is he unable to sleep? Is he feeling guilty for not being with his army? Perhaps. Second question: why is Bathsheba bathing where she can be seen?  The train is picking up a little speed. What does David do? Instead of averting his eyes, as a married man of God should do, he watches her. Yes, it’s a natural reaction, because most men are undoubtedly attracted by the female form. And since he lingers there, watching the very beautiful (according to the text) Bathsheba, lust gets hold of David.  The train is speeding up even more. So David asks who this woman is. The train whistle is blowing. The train is going faster and faster.  Then a giant red signal light shines on the track. A messenger tells David that this is the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. David runs the red light. Instead of stopping, David sent for her. The sin train is gathering more speed. Bathsheba came to David, and they had sex. Notice that there is no word of Bathsheba putting up any resistance. They are both culpable in this whole sequence of events. Faster and faster. When David finds out that she is pregnant, David knows that he is in trouble, so he calls Uriah back from the battlefield, thinking that Uriah will come home and have sex with Bathsheba. Then there would be the possibility that the father of the baby is Uriah. But Uriah is a better man than David, and refuses the comforts of home while his army brethren are fighting a war. So now David has Uriah placed in a hot zone where he is sure to die in battle. The train is at full speed and headed for a cliff. Notice, at this point David has pulled Joab, his general, into the web of deceit. Joab is forced to become an accessory to murder by sending Uriah into battle, and then leaving him there with no backup.  The consequences of this chain of events were many, and they could have all been avoided if David had stopped the train at any point along the way, but once we give in to our own desires, it can *feel* like there’s just no stopping.  That’s why in several scriptures we are told to flee from sin. At the first sign of temptation, the best advice is to flee from it. Don’t try to tough it out. If you’re a Star Trek fan, you’ve no doubt heard the phrase, “Resistance is futile.” Don’t play with sin. Flee from it. Had David gone back inside when he first saw Bathsheba, none of this would have happened. Flee from sin. Put as much distance between you and it as you can, as fast as you can.  Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Gary Doughty on Unsplash Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 10-12 NET; Ch. 13-14 NLT Today’s Music Jimmie Bratcher Today’s Song: Doctor, Doctor Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude. Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart! Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God By Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude V. King / B&H Books Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Podcast Introduction Our reading today is  2 Corinthians 6-8, and I’m calling the episode “Hop To.” Comments on 2 Corinthians 6 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you,And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NKJV How marvelous! God calls us to work with Him! As God, He certainly does not need our help. God created the universe without us. Is there any doubt that anything He wants to do can be done without our assistance? Why does He invite us to work with Him? I think He does it for our benefit.  When my boys were young, I would sometimes ask them to “help” me do work around the house. When they were very young they would “help” mow the lawn. When I would change the oil in the cars, I would ask them to hand me tools. Today, all three of my boys have the confidence to work with their hands to do whatever they decide to tackle. Steven, my middle son, recently thanked me for teaching him this skill. He works as a finance manager at a local car dealership, so working with his hands is not required by his job. He was given a new desk for his office, and instead of waiting for his employer to hire someone to assemble the desk, he put it together himself. His colleagues marveled that he was able to do it on his own! But he needed the desk, so he put it together. In his mind, it was no big deal. But they said, “I could never do that.” So he thanked me for teaching him to work with his hands. Top Left to Right: Dad and Tim, Dad and Tim, Tim Steven Dad; Bottom: Tim In my own life, my dad taught me the same lesson. My dad was a bricklayer. He worked with his hands from a very young age. He could do just about anything. I started helping him on bricklaying jobs when I was about ten years old. I would stack bricks, mix cement, clean his tools, whatever he asked me to do. I did that off and on until high school, when I got a summer job as a lifeguard. When I was about eighteen and needed to earn more money, I got a summer job with the company my dad worked for so that I would have enough money that I would not have to work during the college school year. I paid for my own books, I paid the school fees, I had gas money, and whatever I needed. One day on the job, my dad said to me, “I learned a long time ago that when the boss asks you if you can do something say, ‘Yes!’, whether you know how to do it or not. You can always figure out how to do it later. Just tell him, ‘Yes’, and then go figure it out.”  My dad built a very good life for himself using that approach, my business is in it’s thirty-third year thanks to that mind-set, and I have passed it along to my boys.  And now, God has called us to work with Him. You’ll remember what Paul said in chapter 5 of 2 Corinthians, verse 20: “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” An ambassador is the representative of the one who sends him. His/her entire mission is to fulfill the agenda, the mission of the person or organization or organization for whom he/she is working. Any authority the ambassador has is *delegated* to him by his superior.  And this, as Paul said in verse 20, is the relationship we have been called to. What a privilege and responsibility! We are workers together with God.  Time to get busy! Hop to! Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 6 NIRV; Ch. 7-8 NIV Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude. Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart! Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God By Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude V. King / B&H Books Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Katya Austin on Unsplash Podcast Introduction In our reading today we’ll complete the Gospel of Mark by reading chapters 15-16, and I’m calling the episode “He Is Alive!” Comments on Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 15 NCV; Ch. 16 ERV Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude. Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart! Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God By Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude V. King / B&H Books Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Brad Neathery on Unsplash Podcast Introduction Our reading today is Jeremiah 27-31, and I’m calling the episode “Take a Letter.”  Comments on Jeremiah 29 In chapter 29, God told Jeremiah to send a letter to those people who had been taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar into Babylon. In essence, God told the people to settle in because they were going to be there for a while. Seventy years to be exact. He told them to go ahead and build homes, plant gardens, have families. And pray that their new hometown would do well, because they will do well when it does. This was a letter of reassurance. God did not want his people to be discouraged or without hope. They were in a sort of time out because of their sins, but He was not abandoning them. In verse 11 he said, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.“ We also should be encouraged. God has not forgotten us. Jesus said in John 14:1-3, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.” I’m looking forward to that day, but until that day arrives, I’m settled in here for the long haul. Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 27-31 ESV Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude. Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart! Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God By Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude V. King / B&H Books Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Benjamin Child on Unsplash Podcast Introduction Our reading today is Job 35-36, and I’m calling the episode “The Giver of Songs.” Comments on Job 35 Elihu has thus far been no more help to Job than the others have been, and in this chapter Elihu accuses Job of being self-righteous. But he did say one thing that I especially liked in verse 10. Elihu said: He is the One who gives us songs to sing in the night. In our darkest hour, when all seems lost, when we turn to Him and are reminded of who it is that we rely on, with His power and grace and glory, we can sing songs of praise and worship because we know that God is on the throne. I know this because I have been there. I have lain in my bed in the middle of the night, and have felt His presence and poured my heart out to Him, and felt His peace settle over me. And it is in those times when He gives us songs to sing.  During Elihu’s discourse, Elihu pointed out some errors that he thought Job made in his statements, but he did not attack Job’s character unlike Job’s other friends. Job in his suffering did say some untrue things about God, and Elihu addressed those things. He reminded Job that God is God, and Job is not. That’s a good reminder, and one that I am all too glad to embrace. I don’t want the job! Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 35-36 ERV Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude. Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart! Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God By Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude V. King / B&H Books Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Podcast Introduction Our reading today is Psalms 51-53, and I’m calling the episode “A Love Song”.  Comments on Psalm 51 Oh my goodness what a beautiful prayer Psalm 51 is. And better than that it must’ve been a beautiful song, as the songs are. And for those of you who might be from the Jesus freak generation as I am, verses 10-13 might have sounded just a little bit familiar. Let me read them to you from the King James Version, which I much prefer for this Psalm. It goes,  Create in me a clean heart, O God;  And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.  Psalm 51: 10-12 KJV Ring a bell? If you thought of Keith Green, then you are correct. If you don’t know Keith Green’s music, I highly recommend you look him up on whatever your preferred music service is. Keith Green put music to these three verses, and literally every time I hear it I end up in tears. Keith went to be with the Lord in 1982 at the age of just 29. He was in a plane crash with two of his children and nine other people. https://youtu.be/BFe4r3qe1x0 So let’s talk about it. Psalm 51 is a song, a prayer even, of a man who loves God and longs to be in a right relationship with Him. It begins with David confessing that he is a sinner in need of forgiveness. He says, “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.” And then I love this,  13Then I will teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”  Psalm 51:13 KJV Sounds like David had meaning of the Great Commission a thousand years before Jesus gave it, doesn’t it?  Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And teaching them to obey everything I have command you.” So that goes along with what David said in verse 13.  And then near the end of the Psalm David writes, O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:15-17 KJV David knew and loved God, don’t you think? There’s no wonder he was called “a man after gods own heart” in I Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22.  Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 51 NIRV, Ch. 52 GNT, Ch. 53 NASB Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude. Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart! Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Aachal on Unsplash Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God By Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude V. King / B&H Books Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

In this episode of Verses We Missed, we explore Zephaniah 3:17 and the breathtaking truth that God rejoices over His redeemed people with joyful singing. Spoken originally to Israel in a context of restoration after judgment, this verse reveals the unchanging heart of God—mighty to save, tender in love, and delighted in His people through the finished work of Jesus Christ. This is a mid-week breath of Scripture and grace. God Sings Over You Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) Have you ever felt like God was disappointed in you? Like you’ve failed too many times… wandered too far… fallen short again? What if I told you that if you belong to Him, heaven is not sighing over you? It’s singing. This week on Verses We Missed, we slow down and sit with one of the most breathtaking verses in Scripture. You can also read the passage in other translations at ESV.org here. Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” This is a mid-week breath of Scripture and grace. Understanding the Context The book of Zephaniah is not light reading. It speaks of judgment, accountability, and the Day of the Lord. The prophet addresses Judah—covenant people who had drifted into idolatry and spiritual complacency. But chapter 3 turns toward restoration. After warning comes renewal. After discipline comes delight. And in the middle of that promise, we hear something astonishing: God rejoices over His restored people with singing. This promise was originally spoken to Israel. It is covenant language—historical, specific, and rooted in God’s faithfulness to His people. But what it reveals is the unchanging heart of God. The God Who Saves Zephaniah says, “He is a mighty savior.” This is not a hesitant rescuer. This is a victorious deliverer. For Israel, that meant restoration after exile. For us, through Jesus of Nazareth—the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world—it means rescue from sin, condemnation, and separation from God. The mighty Savior Zephaniah spoke of in shadow is fully revealed in Christ. The God Who Delights “He will take delight in you with gladness.” Not merely tolerate. Not reluctantly forgive. Delight. If you are in Christ, the Father does not see you as barely acceptable. He sees you clothed in the righteousness of His Son. And He delights. The God Who Quiets “With his love, he will calm all your fears.” Some translations say He will quiet you by His love. This is tender language. Intimate language. The kind of quieting that soothes anxiety and steadies trembling hearts. Because of Christ, your greatest fear—condemnation—has already been addressed. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) The God Who Sings “He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” The Sovereign Lord sings. Not sarcastically. Not reluctantly. Not quietly approving from a distance. He rejoices. If you belong to Him, the loudest voice over your life is not accusation. It is a song. An Invitation If you don’t yet know Jesus as your Savior, this joy can be yours. The same God who warns of judgment provides rescue through Christ. Jesus lived a sinless life, died as a substitute for sinners, and rose again in victory. “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) You can begin that relationship today by placing your trust in Him. Final Thought Zephaniah begins with warning and ends with joy. Judgment is not God’s final word to His covenant people. Restoration is. And singing is. The God who saves… sings.

Podcast Introduction Our reading today is  2 Samuel 5-9, and I’m calling the episode “Follow the Directions.” Comments on 2 Samuel 5 Now that Saul is dead, God finally puts David on the throne. Remember, God first had David anointed King when he was a boy. Probably somewhere between 12 and 15 years of age. And we are told here in chapter 5 that David was 30 years old when he became king. Again, we see that God’s promises are always fulfilled, but not always immediately.  Also note that David still had to fight wars. Just because God promises something does not mean that life will be easy. On the contrary. Growth always comes during times of testing or trial. That is what develops our spiritual strength. With nothing to push against, we become weak and flabby. So don’t complain when life gets hard. Thank God for the trials, and ask Him to be with you and direct your steps through the difficulties. Trust His plan.  Chapter 6: This is a difficult story for some people. Why would God kill Uzzah for merely reaching out to steady the Ark of the Covenant, to keep it from falling off the cart? Let’s dig into this a bit. It’s hard for a lot of people to understand God’s reaction to Uzzah’s actions here, and we’re told that David became angry at God for doing this. So what happened? Why did God do this? Here are the thoughts of scholars. First off, when God gave His instructions to the Israelites on how they were to build the Ark, he was very clear about the most minute detail, including how it was to be transported and who was allowed to move it and who was allowed to touch it. It was never to be put onto a cart, but it was to be carried by Kohathites only. There were two poles that went through two loops on each side of the Ark, and these poles were to be placed on the Kohathite’s shoulders, bearing the Ark between them. No one but a priest was to touch the Ark, because the Ark had the very presence of God upon it. Remember, this all happened before the Messiah had come, and only the priests had direct access to God and only priests could perform the sacrifices that could cover the sins of the people. The Ark represented a holy and awesome (in the very real sense of that word) God, and God had made it very clear how it was to be honored, because it was a reflection on how they were to honor God Himself. So by putting the Ark on the ox drawn cart, they were guilty of transgressing God’s direct instructions. But why was Uzzah killed? Touching the Ark was a direct violation of God’s clear instruction. It could be that God saw the condition of Uzzah’s heart, that he didn’t have the proper attitude toward it. It had been in Uzzah’s house, after all for some time, and he might have become indifferent to it. We must not become indifferent to God. He. Is. God. The creator of all that is. The One who gives us life and sustains us. It could be that Uzzah had a cavalier attitude regarding God’s Word. He didn’t think it was important to sweat the details. Maybe his reaching out to steady the Ark reflected a lack of faith on Uzzah’s part, that God somehow needed his help. What we might want to draw from this is that we need to pay attention to what God says, and we should do all we can to be obedient to Him. Yes, He is loving and He is merciful. But He is also Holy, and it is important that we never forget that. It is His holiness and justice that requires payment for sin. It is His love that made a way for me and you to not have to make the payment for our sins. It is His holiness and justice and love that required the sacrifice of His Son in my place and yours. Because of His holy and just nature, he couldn’t just overlook the sin. It had to be dealt with. I’m thankful that God made a way for me to escape His wrath, and that He has offered that way, that gift, to anyone who will receive it. Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Adrien King on Unsplash Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 5-8 CEB; Ch. 9 NET Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude. Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart! Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God By Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude V. King / B&H Books Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.