Okay, quick question. Why should we be personally devoted to God? Huge thought, isn’t it? In this episode of Live the Bible, we discover why God is worthy of our personal devotion. The book of Daniel offers us some very clear reasons. Better still? Daniel even tells us what our devotion can look like in practical, daily terms.
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Sometimes despair can wash over us like a wall of water. One moment we’re dry—the next, we’re dripping with discouragement. I’m talking about an overwhelming sense that it will never get any better.
(Photo: Banias Falls. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
“What if,” to quote Jack Nicholson, “this is as good as it gets?” I don’t know about you, but despair can be one of my greatest struggles. In those moments, I travel in my mind back to Banias.
The psalmist used the waterfalls at Banias in northern Israel to express a similar question and emotion. But he also had a solution of hope we need to turn toward when we feel overwhelmed by despair.
In fact, Jesus gave us that ultimate hope in the exact same region.
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Have you ever felt you deserved God’s rejection? I sure have. It feels helpless. In this episode of Live the Bible, we see what it’s like when God does what only God can do. The Prophet Ezekiel stands in front of a valley of dry bones and watches them come to life. God can do the same work in our helpless lives as well.
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How can you have hope for the future when literally everything seems hopeless? In this episode of Live the Bible, we peek inside the book of Lamentations. In this great little book, the prophet Jeremiah what he witnessed—the destruction of his country. The devastation in life caused a feeling of overwhelm. Of hopelessness.
The good news for us? Our hope is based on the faithfulness of God – not on us.
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Some days in life feel, well . . . empty. In this episode of Live the Bible, we pause and look at the only true source of life and meaning of life. In fact, when our lives feel empty, we should see it as a sign that we’re trying to find satisfaction in something other than its source—and that is God.
This episode from the book of Jeremiah will be a great encouragement to you—especially on those “empty” days.
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How do you deal with shame and guilt? In this episode of Live the Bible, we look at what the Bible says about a topic we all have struggled with on some level. And even after we have placed our faith in Christ, how do we as Christians deal with shame and guilt?
It’s good news. The great book of Isaiah gives us some powerful principles for practical application in this area.
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Sometimes the blessings God gives you seem hard to hold. In some cases, the difficulty urges us to abandon the blessings. Beth Shean gives us a great example.
(Photo: Beth Shean excavations. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
The Lord provided Beth Shean for the Tribe of Manasseh. But the excellent location proved to be a double-edged sword. Because the spot was so good, every nation wanted control of Beth Shean. And whoever held it always seemed to contend with those who would wrench it from their grasp.
Perhaps its strategic location gave Beth Shean its name, “House of Security.”
But security only works when you trust in God.
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What does a marriage need every day? This one thing. In this episode of Live the Bible, we look at a topic essential for all of us. (And if you’re single, don’t worry, the principles apply to you very directly as well.) The Song of Solomon isn’t just poetry in the Bible, it’s very practical.
In fact, no matter who you are or at what station of life, you will be able to apply the principles of this message—immediately.
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The ancient world had a bully system that worked in straightforward terms. A nation would conquer a region and demand tribute—annual payment of money and goods. If you didn’t pay tribute, they’d come and kill you. Pretty simple system.
(Photo: Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
King Hezekiah refused to pay tribute to the bully. So the Assyrians invaded Judah.
Archaeology has unearthed treasures that reveal Hezekiah’s faith in God. How does it strengthen your faith to see the Bible in archaeology?
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How do you listen to a sermon? Honestly, it isn’t always easy. There’s nothing more frustrating than listening to somebody talk for 30 to 45 minutes and to walk away with nothing. The truth is, there are some specific tactics you can apply to every sermon you hear that will help you get so much more out of it.
In this episode of Live the Bible, we find those principles from one who called himself the “Preacher” – King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes.
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