Bible podcasts, videos, blogs, printables, and more to help you know, trust, and apply the Bible.

Judges & Ruth, My Way or God’s Way, which is the better way to live?

April 12, 2022 by bible805

From our earliest days, we want to do things our way.

We don’t want anyone else to tell us what to do.

Though we may appear to go along with rules as we get older, in our heart of hearts we often think we know what’s best for us.

But do we?

The books of Judges and Ruth give us interesting pictures from Old Testament history on what happens to individuals and people when they either—

Do what they want to do regardless of what God wants
Or trust Him no matter how difficult it might be.

Judges is a little-studied book in its entirety, but as you’ll see it’s a very relevant one for our world today as you’ll see in our lesson.

Below is a copy of the podcast, video, and notes.

The Book of Joshua, 9 Lessons on how to fight and win in the battles of life

April 11, 2022 by bible805

How is life going for you now?

Are you struggling, under pressure, afraid? Feel like you fight one battle after another?

In today’s lesson, I’ve got some encouragement for you as we look at…..

Book of Joshua 9 Lessons on how to fight and win in the battles of life

As we start, the first step to winning the battles of life

Realize you are in a battle!

The Bible describes the Christian life in this way:

This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Eph. 6:12(MSG)

Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, just as I do; and as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in worldly affairs, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army. 2 Timothy 2:3-7 Living Bible (TLB)

This view is very different than many contemporary ideas of the Christian life today that tell people to not only expect heaven after they die, but heaven on earth. The reality of the Christian life and what we see in the book of Joshua is very different.

Below is the podcast and video of the lesson, and the notes are below them.

How to Correctly Understand & Apply Bible Stories & Biblical Narratives

March 26, 2022 by bible805

What is the purpose of the stories in the Bible? If someone does something that seems a bit odd, like Gideon setting out a fleece to determine God’s will or the Children of Israel walking around the walls of Jericho to conquer it.

Does that mean I should do similar things to please God?

As we start reading the book of Joshua, we move from the foundation of laws into stories, also called narratives

Let’s face it, it is a bit of a relief to be finished with the the foundation of laws and into the stories of the Bible.

For the next few months, you’ll be reading some of the most familiar stories from the Old Testament: about the walls of Jericho falling down, of Gideon setting out a fleece, of Sampson and Deliah, about David and Goliath and the other exploits of David’s life.

Though interesting reading, these books pose a major challenge.

How do we properly apply them?

The laws are easy—God says, don’t lie; I know I’m not supposed to lie.

The stories are harder—because a Bible character acted in a certain way and seemed to turn out well, should I act in the same way?

For example, in the story of Gideon, he asked God for sign that confirmed what he was supposed to do. He set out a fleece (an animal skin) and asked that the next morning the fleece be wet and the ground dry. God graciously, miraculously answered him and did that. He asked for the reverse and God again answered.

Does that mean that we should come up with tests to determine God’s will?

The short answer is “no.”

And exactly why it’s “no” and how to properly learn from and apply the lessons of the stories in the Bible is what I’ll explain in this lesson.

Below is the podcast and video on this and following that, the notes for the lesson.

Deuteronomy—5 Ways to Reflect God’s Image to Our World

March 24, 2022 by bible805

God’s people are about to enter the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering. How are they supposed to live now, so they don’t continue to wander aimlessly?

How are they to live as representatives of the living God, as His disciples, His image-bearers in a pagan culture? We’ll answer these questions for them and us in our lesson as we discuss the topic Deuteronomy—5 Ways to Reflect God’s Image to our World.

It’s a very practical lesson for us because just as the Children of Israel were God’s representatives to their world, so we represent Jesus to our world today. The book of Deuteronomy give us timeless advice on how to do that well.

Below is the podcast of the lesson, a link to the video, and a copy of the notes.

Lent is for more than Lent–check out the one-minute videos that can challenge and encourage you

March 21, 2022 by bible805

Lenten meditation from Bible805 — One of the Lenten meditations that are the subject of one-minute inspirational and challenging videos. Click the image to go to them.

Lent is about much more than 40 days before Easter. It is a set of mind and heart where we evaluate our lives continuously to make certain we are doing what is pleasing to the Lord.

Because of that, whether you are in a church tradition that formally observes Lent or not, I’d encourage you to check out this selection of one-minute videos I put together. They are not only for Lent, but for anytime you need an inspirational thought that can help turn your heart to the Lord. They are in a format that makes them easy to view on your phone or you can simply listen to my narration of them.

Below are links to 3 of them. Go to them, like them if they are helpful and subscribe to the channel.

If I get a good response from these I’ll consider doing daily or frequent videos like them to encourage you.

Is the world about to end? a special lesson on our currently challenging times

March 16, 2022 by bible805

The war in Ukraine and the tragedy of the suffering and devastation that threatens to spill into more of the world has many of us concerned, worried and fearful.

People are wondering if it means WW3 or even the end of the world.

What should we do?

This is a special podcast, an interruption in our reading through the Bible commentary, because I feel it is needed.

I want to give you some spiritual encouragement and practical advice from God’s Word and from
C. S. Lewis’ essay, “The World’s Last Night.”

Listen or watch and be encouraged. Our God is in control; He is a good God; and He has work for us to do as long as we remain here.

Below is the podcast, video, and notes on the topic.

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