Tag Archives: Bible Study

February 18, 2023 · 8:18 am

Enter Broken, Leave Whole

Crraacck! All who heard the breaking of the alabaster box and inhaled its sweet fragrance knew this was no ordinary oil.

They watched her. The woman who opened the stone container which held her valuable oil. Her body and hands trembled as she knelt before Jesus. With her hands wet from her abundance of tears, she carefully poured the oil and anointed Jesus’ feet. She sobbed. Expressed thanks. Kissed his feet, wiped them with her hair and cried (Luke 7:47).

And yet, even in this same worshipful atmosphere, there stood a man skeptical and unmoved. This man, Judas, the disciple who kept the purse strings and later betrayed Jesus, focused on the guesstimated cost and seemingly waste of oil.

Which person will I be?

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return. Luke 12:48 NLT

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17 KJV

John 12:3-8

Luke 7: 44-50

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June 17, 2022 · 10:20 pm

From Tombs to a Territory

Nameless. Unfit to live with society. So he lived among the tombs–his hideout home. Scarred from frequent cutting. Dirty. Naked. Until Jesus stepped ashore.

Two words, “Come out,” and the legion of demons hurled into a herd of swine. Hell’s chains broke, fell off. Free. Clean.

The delivered one wanted to follow Jesus. Stay close to him. Was this longing from a feeling of eternal gratefulness? Was it from a fear if the unclean spirits returned he’d be close to The Messiah? Still, Jesus told him to stay. Stay and tell his story. He couldn’t help but tell his story.

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. Mark 5:15

And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. Mark 5:20

Decapolis, a gentile region of ten cities–designated by Jesus to be his mission field. His spiritual jurisdiction. Two chapters later, Jesus returned to the same area and healed a deaf-mute.

And were beyond measure astonished, saying He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. Mark 7:37

A miracle in the former demoniac’s homeland. The gospel, the good news spread. His testimony, his story, used for God’s glory.

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March 15, 2022 · 7:57 pm

Back On Course

Those daily check-the-box Bible reading charts didn’t work for me. Behind schedule by February. An abandoned reading plan by April. But, one day it occurred to me, I don’t have to follow a prescribed reading plan. I’m free to choose my own style–my own way of digging into God’s word.

So I did. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. Curiosity leapfrogged. I reviewed cross-references and studied definitions. I scanned maps and timelines. Browsed commentaries. I discovered answers to situations, wisdom, knowledge and guidance. I looked forward to my aha! moments–the times I found something I never saw before, though I had read the same scripture many times.

Over twenty years have passed since I began my unique approach to the greatest book of all time. Fresh spiritual bread feeds my soul. Written word, logos, truly is living word, rhema.

Oh the wonder, the adventure. I’ve found my Jehovah Jireh’s words are words that truly provide!

Matt 4:4

John 6:63

1 Tim 2:15

Psalm 119:11

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February 25, 2022 · 3:07 am

God’s Math–God’s Way

From our viewpoint, God’s math seems fuzzy. In Numbers 7 you read about Levi’s sons-three men who were given twelve oxen and six wagons.

One son received four oxen and two wagons. One son received eight oxen and four wagons, and one son (Kohath) received no oxen, no wagons. Zilch, zero, nada. Doesn’t appear fair does it?  Yet, God had a reason for the uneven distribution. 

Kohath, and the men in his family who didn’t receive any oxen or wagons were given the greater responsibility of carrying the holy vessels and furniture of the Tabernacle. God knew these items were too precious to be placed on a wagon. They had to be entrusted to men who valued their sacredness. Men who would carefully pack these items, which were unseen to the average Israelite, and carry them in an ark on their shoulders. 

The Old Testament is full of types and shadows. Perhaps this was meant to be a foreshadowing to us. Our human nature will often compare ourselves to others. We may see our load and what we’re dealt with as not being fair. But in viewing things through the Spirit realm, God’s perspective, could it be that He has a unique, specialized responsibility for you?

Numbers 7: 1-9

Isa 55: 8-9

2 Cor 4: 7

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February 21, 2021 · 12:29 am

Things Looking Dark? It’s Time to Trust

Not long after we entered Carlsbad Caverns the park ranger asked us to turn off our lanterns. Everything I heard about conditions being so dark that you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face was true. I waved my hand several times in front of my eyes. Still, I couldn’t see them.

I’ve often wondered if it was the same pitch black atmosphere for Moses when he stepped into the darkness and met with God, Exodus 20:21. Others, kept their distance. But Moses, knew God would meet him there.

At times, situations in life seem uncertain, bleak, dark. What a comfort to know the Light of the World can be found in the darkness, even the thick darkness.

Deut. 5:22, 1 Ki 8:12, 2 Chr 6:1

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