Digging Deeper into Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5
When I was eleven years old and in sixth grade, my mom took me to an informational meeting at church regarding Boy Scouts of America. Attendees discussed the idea of organizing, or I...
Read Article
Haggai: An Overview
Is it safe to build the temple again? Are we going to be destroyed by another nation? The people of Judah were asking these questions during Haggai's time, and God used Haggai to reveal...
Read Article
Digging Deeper into Scripture: Isaiah 5:1–7
With the onset of autumn comes the end of summer work at our house. One of our summer projects each year is growing tomatoes. We make every effort to create the ideal growing environment...
Read Article
Digging Deeper into Scripture: Matthew 18:15–20
During nearly thirty years of professional church work, I have often wondered which sin is most damaging to the local congregation. In my experience, it is not disregard for worship and...
Read Article
Overview: The Books of History
The following has been adapted from the Lutheran Bible Companion.
To understand the Books of History, it is imperative to understand what came before them. The Books of the Law and the...
Read Article
Digging Deeper into Scripture: Matthew 14:22–33
Telling nice people things they don’t want to hear is an unavoidable part of being a faithful pastor. On one occasion, a pleasant couple from the neighborhood came to my office. The...
Read Article
Nahum: An Overview
Nahum is a book of comfort for those who trust in the LORD. God is portrayed as a warrior who will fight for His people, but He is also as an avenging God who does not tolerate wickedness....
Read Article
Digging Deeper into Scripture: Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23
It seems the land on which our house is built is the perfect breeding ground for thistles, a particular type of weed that is painfully prickly and extremely difficult to remove. No matter...
Read Article
Do We Have Prophets Today?
The Old Testament is full of prophets and their prophecies about God’s will for that time and the age to come. But what about today? Do we still have prophets? The following has been...
Read Article
Micah: An Overview
The Book of Micah reveals God's judgement toward a disobedient people and proclaims that their punishment and exile will soon be at hand. However, God promises in His mercy to restore a...
Read Article
A Study in Discipleship: Matthew 28:16–20
In this study, Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs explores what it means to make disciples. Jesus commands us to make disciples, but what does that entail? Dr. Gibbs’ perspective helps us understand...
Read Article
Digging Deeper into Scripture: Matthew 9:9–28
A quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin regarding taxes is “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” I have yet to encounter anyone who is pleased to pay...
Read Article
Making Sense of the Whole Bible: Piecing God’s Story Together
Reading the Bible seems easy enough, doesn’t it?
Reading the Bible seems easy enough until you find yourself knee-deep in a genealogical list of seemingly unpronounceable names,...
Read Article
Overview of the Books of Moses
This blog post is adapted from the Lutheran Bible Companion.
The Hebrew name for the Books of Moses is “Torah.” (The Greek title is “Pentateuch”). The conventional translation of “Torah”...
Read Article
Jonah: An Overview
The Book of Jonah applies the theme of repentance both to the prophet and to the people of Nineveh. The events related in the book explore the nature of God’s mercy and patience as well as...
Read Article
Digging Deeper into Scripture: John 14:1–14
Having just passed my fiftieth birthday, I am well into adulthood. I noticed several years ago that I not only look but also behave like my father. My hands are an excellent example. The...
Read Article