Passage, Paragraph, and Prayer

For those wishing to take God’s word seriously, Genesis 1:29–30 perhaps provides us with the greatest challenges. In this episode, Pastor Biebert discusses those challenges and why God left those difficult questions for us in his word. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

Last week we considered the power and immediate effect of God’s word. Today we consider the beauty it brings into being, as evidenced by its work on Day 3 of creation, which Psalm 104 describes in poetic language. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

If God had not blessed humans with the ability to reproduce on Day 6, neither you nor I would be here today. But because he did, you and can say that we have been created by God every bit as much as Adam and Eve could. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

There are few passages that portray the power of God’s word more beautifully, vividly, and dramatically than Psalm 104:5–7. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Are the differences between men and women simply a social construct? Or are they simply fodder for jokes and ridicule? In this episode we look at God’s beautiful creation of humans as male and female. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

No matter how firm a foundation we lay for any project or undertaking, what we build on that foundation will only last so long and will eventually be destroyed. The firmest foundations are always and only laid by God. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

A lot of Christians like to talk about humans being made in the image of God. But do they actually know what they mean? What is the image of God? Pastor Biebert answers this question from Scripture in this episode. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

David gives us some ambiguous phrases in Psalm 104:4. Are the natural elements of wind and fire God’s messengers and ministers, or are God’s messengers and ministers, the angels, like wind and fire in their work? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

When God created humans, he made it clear that he was about to create the pinnacle of animated life, the crown of his creation. In this episode, we consider God’s amazing handwork in his creation of humankind. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

How can a loving God allow things like hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes to do such horrible damage? Have you ever heard that argument against the existence of God? (By the way, that’s not really an argument against the existence of God; it’s an argument for not liking him and having nothing to do with him.) In this episode, Pastor Biebert notes how Psalm 104 actually gives us extraordinary comfor...

In this episode, Pastor Biebert shares a true story to illustrate the truth that the animals have not gradually evolved from one kind of life form into another until arriving at their current kinds, but were created by God according to their kinds in the beginning. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 17...

In both Hebrew and Greek (the original languages of the Bible), the word for “sky” and the word for God’s dwelling (what we call “heaven”) are the same. God wants us to think of the latter whenever we behold the former. The author of Psalm 104 helps us to do that. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Christians will commonly ask whether dinosaurs actually existed. In this episode, Pastor Biebert helps you square the evidence for dinosaurs with the Spirit-given truths of the Scriptures. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

In Psalm 104, the psalmist starts with his conclusion about God, before he tells us what he has learned that has led to that conclusion. His conclusion? The LORD has become very great. In this episode, Pastor Biebert explores what the psalmist means by that, and tells how he can become very great to you too. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

God begins Day 6 of the first week in world history by speaking the land animals into existence, in three broad categories. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

Psalms 104 is one good psalm to read and meditate on when you’re feeling less than cheerful. Because everything God does, he does for us, there are plenty of reasons to bless the Lord—to acknowledge his greatness with awe and gratitude—if we only take the time to find them. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

God’s effective blessing spoken to the sea creatures and winged creatures on Day 5 of the first week deserves further and deeper thought. In this episode, we especially relate the power and effect of God’s word to baptism. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

In the second half of Psalm 32, David teaches us that freely forgiven forgiveness on God’s part leads to freely given obedience on our part. What a life of peace and joy God has given us in Christ! Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

On Day 5 of the first week of history, God spoke to what he had created for the first time. In this episode, we begin to consider God’s effective blessing. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

You may have noticed the lack of new episodes in the past several months. In this episode, Pastor Biebert explains the reason for the inactivity and describes the changes to the podcast as it transition from Season 1 to Season 2.

Is admitting wrong a sign of weakness? We certainly get that impression from the way famous people try to cover up. But David leads us to take the opposite viewpoint in the opening verses of Psalm 32. Music Credit: Michael Praetorius, “La Canarie,” in _Terpsichore_ (Wolfenbüttel, 1612), no. 31.

The same day the Lord created the so-called sea monsters, the fish, and all the other sea creatures, he also created every flying creature of wing. In this episode, we consider some of these flying marvels of God’s creation. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

In prayer, we don’t just cry out and appeal to God; we trust him. David opens and closes Psalm 6 with some parallel thoughts in order to demonstrate his confidence in God. Music Credit: Michael Praetorius, “La Canarie,” in _Terpsichore_ (Wolfenbüttel, 1612), no. 31.

God divides the sea creatures that he created on Day 5 into two categories. The first category is “the great sea creatures” or “the sea monsters.” In this episode, we consider a couple of those giant demonstrations of God’s creative power in the sea. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

In Psalm 6:5–7, David gives the Lord two reasons to be merciful to him and to deliver him from his misery. Music Credit: Michael Praetorius, “La Canarie,” in _Terpsichore_ (Wolfenbüttel, 1612), no. 31.