The Family Bible Journey Podcast

God's people had so left the Lord that there was no hope for their relationship with Him. Even migrating birds know when to go home, but Israel refused to return to the Lord. So long as we hold fast our sin and reject God, there is no hope for us. But thanks be to God that He is always loving and caring for His people. Even when we don't deserve it, He opens His arms to us when we return to Him in...

The gospel of God's redeeming love in Christ jesus is the only truly transformative power in the world. Paul encouraged Titus to teach the Word in Crete, so that God's work would speed and prosper.

This passage of Jeremiah is one of only about a dozen or so Old Testament passages quoted in all of the synoptic gospels. For these words to appear in Matthew, Mark and Luke, show us how seriously God guards the sanctity of His Holy House, even when men are intent on spoiling it for greedy gain.

Jeremiah shares hard, but necessary words, with God's people then and now. Whether we admit it or not, our nature and our ways, the thoughts and feelings of our hearts are opposed to God. Despite our faithlessness, God is faithful! We thank the Lord for His faithfulness to His faithless people, because without it, nobody could be saved.

Titus was sent as Paul's emissary to Crete. He established churches throughout the island nation, redeeming a corrupt and affluent nation. In order to do so, Titus's first order of business was finding able and competent leaders for his churches.

Turning to the "wisdom of men" is no better than looking for clean water in a dry well. We do well to seek the Lord where He may be found in His Word. We thank Him when He sends tried and true teachers, who will point us to His Wisdom and Righteousness in Christ.

Jeremiah was established as an "iron man," a prophet whose words would withstand the assaults of a most disobedient people hell-bent on their own destruction. He would prove faithful to the faithless. In him we see a man of such staunch determination that we are inspired to stay true to God no matter what man throws at us.

Paul's final exhortation to Timothy was to preach the Word! Whether it was popular or not, he was to preach the Word, so that God's Holy Spirit could work in the lives and minds of his hearers.

Isaiah ends with vivid descriptions of hell and the fate that awaits those who stubbornly reject the Lord. We who acknowledge our sin and cling to our Savior receive His favor instead. Not because we are any better than anyone else, but simply because God loves us and has redeemed us.

In this chapter, we see ferocious beasts such as lion and wolf lying with lambs and calves. In this paradise of peace, God does away with our old ancient foe, bringing everlasting peace, life and joy to His creation.

Terrible times are upon us when everyone acts as if they are god! These self-proclaimed gods demand worship and sacrifice. Instead of being bewitched by the enticing lure of selfishness, acting as if we are god, let us seek the One True God by being rooted in His Word.

We hear again the promise that God Himself is going to come and be our Savior. The ancient Israelites may have wondered how this would happen, but we know it is by taking on human flesh to become one of us. In treading the winepress of God's wrath alone, He has become our Salvation!

The cross stands as the symbol of God's love for us. This once-and-for-all symbol of God's mercy was once the symbol of oppression and death. We take comfort from this symbol because of the redeeming power of God's love, which can even turn death into life.

In the military, there is a clear chain of command. Everyone knows to whom they report. In this life of competing allegiances, how can we live confidently, trying to please all who are over us? By endeavoring to serve Christ in all things, we will be fulfilled and approved by God.

Jesus chose this passage as the text for His homecoming sermon in Nazareth. Even though his neighbors didn't appreciate these words coming from His mouth, we appreciate them as his promise to free us from slavery to sin. He has given us freedom so that we can serve Him in faith and love.

When we are in heaven, Christ will be the uninterrupted source of light. Until we see Him in His presence, the light of His life lightens our times of personal darkness. His redeeming power is able to redeem even the things we would not want or ask for, as they direct our hearts and minds back to Him.

Timothy was blessed by a godly mother and grandmother who raised him in the Jewish faith. When Paul came to their town preaching the gospel, they readily accepted Christ as the fulfillment of all God's promises to mankind. May we likewise bless our family by leaving the legacy of faith.

Isaiah reminds Judah that God seems to be ignoring their prayers because they are acting in ungodliness. Their sin has seperated them from the Lord's favor. But instead of condemning them eternally, God is going to rescue them from their sin. God's undeserved love is a great encouragement to us in righteousness, knowing that His great power to redeem is at work in us when we walk in His way.

Genuine faith is a hard article to come by. Living in the age of infulencers and filters, people are trained to put forward a preferred (dare I say false) view of themselves. This leads to hurt and costly ruin. If we want to see the power of God at work in our lives, we will put the Lord to the test, by walking in His way, to see what only He can do in us and through us.

How we adorn ourselves and our lives tells more about our actual belief than we may want to admit. Paul encouraged Timothy to serve "with godliness." When we embrace the Lord and His way, we are a great blessing to those God uses us to reach with his gospel.

This chapter begins with the sad reality that it often appears, at least in this life, that the righteous fare no better than the unrighteous. Yet, we are reminded that the righteous die in peace, and that the immoral will receive the due for their immorality in judgment. Even so, there is hope for both, because God loves to forgive the lowly, healing us with His mercy and love.

Neither barren women nor eunuchs have biological children, but God promises both an abundance of descendants in heaven. We are greatly encouraged to share the faith in this passage, where God tells of the multitude of descendants those who share His love will have in glory.

If we offered others the respect Paul encourages in this passage, the Church would be a safe haven for all! He goes on to discuss the special honor due family members, pastors, and I add those who serve for the common good. The helping professions, especially those that require some to put themselves in harm's way, are a powerful expression of God's love at work in the world.

God's Word will accomplish what He wills. This passage is my ordination passage. As a young pastor, I was reminded to found my life and ministry on the only thing that will matter 10,000 years from now. What God accomplishes for us in His Word.

Here Isaiah gives us a glimpse of our heavenly abode. The few descriptions we have of heaven are breathtaking, and incomprehensible. Looking forward to a life we can't even imagine gives God's people great hope for our future.