Deserts are harsh places. Survival is a daily struggle for plants, animals, and people alike. Deserts figure prominently in the Bible. Cast out of lush Eden, Adam and his descendants lived...

The New Testament refers to the Pharisees almost one hundred times; a vast majority of them are negative. And yet, here in the passage from Luke we find the Pharisees warning...

After Paul has held up examples worthy of imitation, Christ first and then himself, he identifies those whose example the Philippians should not follow. He refers to this group as “enemies...

Paul writes to the Philippians while in prison, not knowing whether he will face release or death. He has every reason in the world to feel sorry for himself. Instead, he...

The psalmist alternates between fear and faith. In the midst of his praise, he makes one request of God: that he may live in the “house of the Lord” forever. We...

The Bible attributes many of the psalms to David, a shepherd boy who became king. As a great warrior, he led his armies against foe after foe. Understandably, he had enemies...

How could Abram possibly question God? God has twice promised Abram the blessings of land and descendants. Here God, once again, clearly communicates with Abram and tells him that “his reward...

For a third time God reveals to Abram that God has chosen him, selected him to receive a vast amount of land and to have countless descendants. Neither promise makes any...

We urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.” God does not promise that our lives will be easy, only that they will be blessed. Afflictions, hardships,...

As a young pastor I remember reading that people in the Bible not only act out their feelings; they also act their way into feelings. When a tragedy occurs, they rend...