Through the Bible with Pastor Paul

What does it really mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? In Mark 8:27–38, Pastor Paul explores Jesus’ call to deny ourselves, surrender our lives, and set our minds on the things of God rather than the things of man. You’ll discover why taking up your cross means far more than enduring life’s difficulties and how true Christian joy begins at the point of surrender. Following Jesus means le...

What does it take to be worthy to stand in God’s presence? In Psalm 15, Pastor Paul explores David’s description of the blameless life and explains how the New Covenant changes our understanding of righteousness. You’ll discover why salvation comes through faith in the finished work of Jesus rather than our own obedience, while also seeing why obedience still matters deeply in the Christian life....

What keeps us from seeing what God is doing around us? In Mark 8, Pastor Paul explores the connection between spiritual sight and understanding through the Pharisees, the disciples, and a blind man healed by Jesus. You’ll discover how a hardened heart can produce spiritual blindness, why focusing too much on everyday concerns can keep us from seeing eternal realities, and how God opens our eyes to...

Why does the Bible call someone who rejects God a fool? In Psalm 14, Pastor Paul explains that rejecting God is ultimately a matter of the heart, rooted in humanity’s natural attraction to darkness. You’ll discover what Scripture teaches about mankind’s sinful condition, why no one seeks God apart from His grace, and how the Holy Spirit draws people toward Him. David’s words remind us that salvati...

What does faith look like when God seems silent? In Mark 7:24–37, Pastor Paul highlights the persistent faith of a mother who refused to give up when Jesus did not respond as she expected. You’ll discover why humility and perseverance matter when prayers seem unanswered, how faith holds onto God’s goodness despite difficult circumstances, and why trusting Him doesn’t require understanding everythi...

How can you praise God when you don’t feel like it? In Psalm 13, Pastor Paul follows David from a desperate cry of “How long, O Lord?” to a determined declaration of trust and praise. You’ll discover why our emotions and limited understanding make poor counselors, how remembering God’s past faithfulness changes our perspective, and why Christian joy does not depend on our circumstances. David show...

What matters more to God—religious activity or the condition of your heart? In Mark 7:1–23, Pastor Paul examines Jesus’ confrontation with religious traditions that had been elevated above God’s Word. You’ll discover the danger of allowing traditions and personal opinions to become spiritual authority, why true defilement comes from within, and what God really desires from His people. Rather than...

How can you know what is true in a world filled with deception? In Psalm 12, Pastor Paul contrasts the reckless and destructive words of sinful man with the flawless words of God. You’ll discover the tremendous power our words have to bring either life or harm, why Scripture provides a trustworthy standard for recognizing truth, and how God preserves His Word to protect His people from deception....

What can you do when the storms of life feel overwhelming? In Mark 6:45–56, Pastor Paul shows how Jesus intentionally led His disciples into a storm and remained fully aware of their struggle. You’ll discover why God sometimes allows difficult trials, how focusing on problems can drain our faith, and why keeping our eyes on Jesus changes our perspective. When fear and exhaustion set in, remember G...

What should you do when fear tells you to run? In Psalm 11, Pastor Paul shows how David resisted the natural urge to take matters into his own hands and chose instead to make the Lord his refuge. You’ll discover four reasons to trust God in difficult circumstances: He is still on His throne, He sees and tests, He is just, and He favors the righteous. When pressure mounts and fearful voices surroun...

What does it really mean to trust God with all your heart? In Mark 6:7–44, Pastor Paul follows the disciples as Jesus teaches them to depend on God for ministry, provision, and strength. You’ll discover why God sometimes allows our usual supports to fall away, how resting with Jesus restores the soul, and why feeding thousands is no harder for God than providing for two. When circumstances stretch...

Where is God when injustice seems to go unanswered? In Psalm 10, Pastor Paul explores the psalmist’s cry for the poor, afflicted, and helpless while confronting the apparent success of the wicked. You’ll discover how honest prayer can acknowledge feelings of God’s distance without surrendering to them, why faith speaks from God’s character and promises, and how meditating on His Word restores hope...

What does faith look like when a situation seems completely hopeless? In Mark 5, Pastor Paul explores three powerful encounters that reveal the mysterious dynamic between faith and the sovereign power of God. You’ll discover why no person or circumstance is beyond God’s reach, how Jesus responds to those who reach out to Him in faith, and why fear must give way to trust. Even when we cannot unders...

How does knowing who God is change the way you pray? In Psalm 9, Pastor Paul shows how David looks beyond present trouble and anchors his prayers in the unchanging character of God. You’ll discover why knowing God’s name leads to deeper trust, how faith allows us to speak confidently about what God will accomplish, and why His justice gives hope when circumstances seem bleak. Psalm 9 reminds us th...

What do you do when a situation seems completely beyond hope? In Mark 5, Pastor Paul explores the dynamic of faith through three powerful encounters with Jesus: a demon-possessed man, a suffering woman, and Jairus’s dying daughter. You’ll discover that God’s power is not limited by what we think is possible or even by what we understand about faith. When circumstances seem hopeless, we can trust t...

What does creation reveal about the majesty of God? In Psalm 8, Pastor Paul follows David as he looks at the heavens and marvels that the God who made them would care so deeply for mankind. You’ll discover how God displays His strength through weakness, what it means to be made in His image and crowned with glory and honor, and how humanity’s lost dominion is ultimately restored through Jesus. Psa...

What happens when faith is tested by the storms of life? In Mark 4:26–41, Pastor Paul explores how God’s kingdom grows by His power and why our calling is to remain faithful rather than measure success by numbers. You’ll also discover what Jesus calming the storm reveals about His power, presence, and care when life feels out of control. Even when God seems silent, we can trust that He is with us,...

What should you do when someone falsely accuses you? In Psalm 7, Pastor Paul shows how David responds to personal attacks by taking refuge in God rather than seeking revenge. You’ll discover why believers can trust the Lord as a righteous judge, how faith allows us to leave vengeance in His hands, and why our hearts must remain humble even when justice comes. David’s example reminds us that God se...

Why do some believers grow while others quickly fall away? In Mark 4:1–25, Pastor Paul explores the Parable of the Sower and the four heart conditions that determine how we respond to God’s Word. You’ll discover the difference between hard, shallow, crowded, and receptive hearts, why humility is essential for spiritual understanding, and how applying what God has already revealed leads to greater...

Can you trust God when your feelings tell you otherwise? In Psalm 6, Pastor Paul explores David’s deeply personal cry to God in the midst of pain, grief, and overwhelming circumstances. You’ll discover why we can approach the Lord even when our own mistakes have brought hardship, how God’s steadfast love gives us confidence to pray, and why faith must take priority over our emotions. David reminds...

How does a heart become hardened toward God? In Mark 3, Pastor Paul traces the danger of resisting God’s Word through the religious leaders, Jesus’ own family, and the choices of Judas. You’ll discover how spiritual hardness develops, why Jesus warns about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and how a tender heart responds to conviction. Mark 3 reminds us to stay sensitive to God through His Word,...

What does it mean to pray with expectation? In Psalm 5, Pastor Paul explores David’s heartfelt prayer and the faith that comes from knowing God truly hears when we call. You’ll discover why genuine prayer is more than simply saying words, how God’s mercy allows sinners to enter His presence, and what it means to lay your requests before the Lord and wait expectantly. David reminds us that those wh...

What happens when grace collides with religious tradition? In Mark 2, Pastor Paul follows Jesus as He forgives and heals a paralyzed man, calls the outcast Matthew, and challenges the legalism of the religious leaders. You’ll discover why Jesus alone has authority to forgive sins, what the new wineskins teach about the Old and New Covenants, and why believers are called to rest in Christ rather th...

Where can you find peace when people turn against you? In Psalm 4, Pastor Paul shows how David responded to slander, anger, and uncertainty by trusting the Lord rather than his circumstances. You’ll discover why God can be trusted to judge rightly, how uncontrolled anger can reveal unbelief, and why lasting joy cannot be found in worldly prosperity. David’s confidence reminds us that true peace an...

What makes the authority of Jesus unlike any other? In Mark 1:21–45, Pastor Paul shows how Christ’s authority is revealed through His teaching, His power over demons, and His compassion in healing the sick. You’ll discover why believers can stand confidently against spiritual darkness, what Jesus teaches us about prayer, and how the healing of a leper reveals God’s heart toward hurting people. Jes...