Category: Exploring the Bible

With countless interpretations and commentaries in the world, how do we know what the truth is about the Bible? How do we know what God actually meant through His words? 

Here you’ll find explanations of some of the biggest questions about the Bible and its content.

Posted on

You Are Forgiven (*Terms and Conditions Apply)

forgiven, jesus's blood, forgiveness, sin, God

We’re always told to forgive people when they’ve wronged us. And ultimately, we should forgive them. But is there a limit for forgiveness? What if, after being forgiven, someone commits that same wrong again?

Think about ex-convicts out on parole. They’ve been released from prison on the trust of the state authorities that they won’t commit any more crimes. What good is that freedom for ex-cons if they break the law again and end back up in prison? They’re given freedom (“forgiven”) with a condition. That condition is to live a new life apart from crime. 

Continue reading “You Are Forgiven (*Terms and Conditions Apply)”
Posted on

How Long, O LORD, How Long? – The Psalms Series

how long o lord, waiting, suffering, God, David

O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?

Turn, O LORD and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave? I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.

Continue reading “How Long, O LORD, How Long? – The Psalms Series”
Posted on

Be Careful of Who You Accept Counsel From – The Proverbs Series

counsel, advice, wisdom, righteous, wicked, God, God's Word

The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsel of the wicked is deceitful.

Proverbs 12:5

The “thoughts of the righteous” and the “counsel of the wicked” bring to my mind the image of a just and fair king who has a corrupt advisor. An example that immediately comes to my mind is from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. There is King Theoden of Rohan and his wicked, greedy advisor, Wormtongue. Wormtongue lied to the king and subtly influenced the king through his deceiful counsel when the king was making decisions. This wicked advisor wanted to undermine the king’s authority and take the kingdom for his true master, an evil and cruel leader. 

Continue reading “Be Careful of Who You Accept Counsel From – The Proverbs Series”
Posted on

The Lord Has Done Great Things – The Psalms Series

lord has done great things, God, Bible, rescue, God's Word, great things

When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. 

Psalm 126

Continue reading “The Lord Has Done Great Things – The Psalms Series”
Posted on

Please Lead Me to You, God – The Psalms Series

lead me, God, path, salvation, Bible, God's word

“Make me know your ways, O Lord; Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”

Psalms 25:4-5

When I read these verses, I am reminded of my own past. I thought I knew God and His word. I thought I was on God’s path to salvation, but it turned out that I was actually lost although I didn’t know it at the time. 

Continue reading “Please Lead Me to You, God – The Psalms Series”
Posted on

Have You Looked in the Mirror Lately?

mirror, reflect, Bible, God's Word

It’s morning and you go to the bathroom to check yourself in the mirror. Time to see what I look like…

Maybe you’re excited to see your appearance at the start of the day. Maybe you’re expecting the worst. Once we see something in the mirror that we don’t like about our appearance, we usually attempt to fix it before going out. But did you know that your spirit has a mirror too? 

Continue reading “Have You Looked in the Mirror Lately?”
Posted on

Is Your Tongue a Tree of Life? – The Proverbs Series

tongue, tree of life, God's word, proverbs

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”

Proverbs 15:4

 A “tree of life” most likely makes you think of the Garden of Eden. But what does it mean that a gentle tongue is a “tree of life?”

Our words can hurt, or they can heal. They can build others up, or tear them down. I’m sure you’ve been hurt by what someone has said at some point in your life. And maybe you have even hurt others with your own words. On the other hand, I’m sure you’ve been encouraged by others’ words and you have encouraged others also. 

Continue reading “Is Your Tongue a Tree of Life? – The Proverbs Series”
Posted on

Zeal Without Knowledge…It’s Not Good – The Proverbs Series

zeal, passion, knowledge, God's word, Bible

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

Proverbs 19:2

The Zealous Enthusiast

Zeal is defined as enthusiasm, passion, eagerness in pursuit of something–fervor. Maybe you’re a Christian trying to share the gospel. Or rather, maybe you’re someone who wants to help the poor, or work for a world of justice. But if we do these things without sound knowledge of what we’re doing, it’s no good. We might even end up doing the opposite of what we intended, or missing the mark.

Continue reading “Zeal Without Knowledge…It’s Not Good – The Proverbs Series”