Studies, reading plans and every single day within them, alongside devotionals and articles. Search by title, book of the Bible, passage or topic.
Bible Memory collection
Scripture never rushes past grief. These passages sit with suffering and still refuse to let go of God's goodness. Psalms 34:18 The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves those crushed in spirit. Nearness is his first answer to pain. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Though the outer self wastes away,…
Bible Memory verse
Though the outer self wastes away, the inner self is renewed daily, and present troubles are producing an eternal weight of glory. It refuses to minimise pain and still sets it against something heavier. Paul wrote it out of real hardship. Romans 8:18 1 Peter 1:6-7 Hebrews 12:11 Father, renew me…
Bible Memory verse
He is the Rock, his work is perfect, all his ways are just. He is a faithful God who does no wrong. It is the ground to stand on when God's providence confuses you. His justice is not on trial. Psalms 18:30 Genesis 18:25 Revelation 15:3 Faithful God, you do no wrong. When I cannot trace your hand,…
Bible Memory verse
Count it joy when trials come, because testing produces perseverance, and perseverance makes you mature and complete. It does not ask you to enjoy trials. It asks you to count them differently because of what God is producing. Romans 5:3-5 1 Peter 1:6-7 Hebrews 12:11 Lord, I do not enjoy this.…
Chapter study
John 15 is spoken in motion. Jesus has just finished the Passover meal with His disciples, and John 14 ends with the words 'arise, let us go hence.' Many readers take that sentence as the close of a scene rather than…
Chapter study
Philippians 4 is one of the most quoted chapters in the New Testament, and also one of the most misquoted. 'I can do all things through Christ' has been printed on posters for athletic victories and business success,…
Chapter study
Psalm 23 is one of the most quoted passages in the Bible and one of the least observed. Many people carry it in memory without ever slowing down to notice how carefully every sentence is arranged. David is not writing…
Chapter study
Romans 8 is quoted more than it is studied. Most believers can recite verse 28 and verse 38 and have never traced the argument that makes either of them true. Paul is not writing a collection of encouraging lines. He…
Dig Deeper
Romans 8:32 He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? The argument runs from the greater to the lesser. If God has already given the…
Dig Deeper
Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. Work together, not are good. And the promise is addressed to a specific group,…
Bible study
A verse-by-verse study of the most beloved psalm in Scripture Psalm 23:1 A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. Psalm 23 belongs to the collection of psalms attributed to David, Israel's second…
Bible study
The chapter that holds the Christian life from beginning to end Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.…
Dig Deeper
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. The verdict is attached to a location, not to a performance level.…
Verse study
πάντα συνεργεῖ εἰς ἀγαθόν panta sunergei eis agathon Greek Sunergei is where we get synergy. The verb does not say the ingredients are good. It says they are being worked together toward one end by someone with a…
Verse study
ὅς γε τοῦ ἰδίου υἱοῦ οὐκ ἐφείσατο hos ge tou idiou huiou ouk epheisato Greek Ouk epheisato, did not spare, is the same phrasing the Greek Old Testament uses in Genesis 22:16 of Abraham not withholding Isaac. An…
Devotional
Lamentations 3:22-23 It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Jeremiah writes these lines with…
Verse study
οὔτε τις κτίσις ἑτέρα oute tis ktisis hetera Greek Ktisis means anything created. Since only God is uncreated, the phrase excludes everything that exists apart from God Himself. Why death and life come first Death…
Verse study
A sentence, not a feeling Katakrima is a courtroom word. Paul is not saying that believers stop feeling guilty. He is saying that the sentence which their guilt deserved has already been carried out. That distinction…
52 Week Journey
The Bible does not promise a life without suffering, and it never pretends pain is small. Job loses everything, David writes psalms from the pit, and Paul catalogues beatings and shipwrecks. What Scripture offers…
Devotional
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, WEB Peter writes to…
Devotional
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly…
Devotional
Psalm 141:3 Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips. WEB David does not resolve to control his own tongue by willpower. He asks Yahweh to set the watch and keep the door, treating restraint of…
Devotional
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, WEB Paul is writing this while listing real suffering: hunted, struck down,…
Devotional
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. WEB This verse places sickness and sin side…
Daily reading
Read Lamentations 3 whole, all sixty-six verses, before you read a word of commentary. The turn at verse 21 only lands if you have sat through verses 1 to 20 first. How long the complaint runs before hope is named, and…
Daily reading
Read Romans 8 slowly, then read the Audela chapter study on it. This is the longest study in the library because the chapter carries the whole Christian life from no condemnation to no separation. The three groans in…
Devotional
James 1:2-3 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. WEB James does not say trials feel like joy. He says count it joy, which is…
Devotional
Luke 9:51 It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem. WEB From this verse, Luke's gospel turns and begins moving deliberately toward Jerusalem.…
Devotional
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away. WEB This vision comes…
Devotional
Psalm 13:1-2 How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over…
Devotional
2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me…
Devotional
Hebrews 12:2-3 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider…
Devotional
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away. WEB This promise does not describe…
Devotional
Mark 10:45 For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. WEB This verse answers a request from James and John for the best seats in the kingdom. Jesus corrects…
Devotional
Romans 5:3-4 We also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope. WEB Paul does not say suffering is good in itself. He says…
Devotional
1 Peter 4:10-11 As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. WEB Peter assumes that every believer has received something worth putting to…
Devotional
Romans 5:3-4 Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope. WEB Paul does not say suffering is good…
Devotional
2 Corinthians 12:9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. WEB…
Devotional
James 1:12 Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him. WEB James 1:12 pronounces a blessing on the one who…
Devotional
Exodus 3:7 Yahweh said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. WEB Before Moses receives his commission, God…
Devotional
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any…
Devotional
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. WEB Isaiah describes a figure who suffers,…
Devotional
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. WEB Isaiah 53 describes a servant of the LORD…
Devotional
Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good…
Devotional
Job 13:15 Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him. WEB Job has lost his children, his wealth and his health, and his friends have spent chapters insisting his suffering…
Devotional
Genesis 39:23 The keeper of the prison didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because Yahweh was with him; and that which he did, Yahweh made it prosper. WEB Joseph is in prison unjustly, and the verse…
Reading plan day
Written for a people remembering both a past deliverance and a present hardship, the psalm pictures faithful labor as sowing in tears that will one day be reaped with songs of joy. It is a promise for anyone still…
Reading plan day
Isaiah describes a suffering servant, despised and rejected, wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities, so that we could be healed by his wounds. Christians have always read this as one of the…
Topic study
Biblical hope is not wishful thinking. It is confident expectation resting on the character and the promises of God. Most people use the word hope to admit that they do not know. I hope tomorrow is easier. I hope the…
Biblical concept
Messiah is Hebrew and Christ is Greek, and both mean anointed. In Israel priests, kings and occasionally prophets were anointed with oil to mark them as set apart for God's work. John 1:41 translates the word for the…
Biblical concept
This is the title Jesus uses of himself more than any other. In Ezekiel the phrase simply means a human being, but in Daniel 7 one like a son of man comes with the clouds and receives an everlasting kingdom from the…
Biblical concept
The cross was a Roman method of execution, and it is the place where Jesus died. The Gospels describe the event in careful historical detail: the charge, the soldiers, the nails, the hours, the words he spoke. The New…
Biblical concept
John 1:14 says the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and that we have seen his glory. Two things are held together: full deity from verse 1, and real humanity here. Nothing is subtracted from either. The verb dwelt…
Christian Living
James 1:3-4 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. WEB james 1 James says patience is produced rather…
Christian Living
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. WEB romans 8 Paul does not say the sufferings are small. He weighs…
Bible question
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. WEB Let God answer this before anyone comforts you or frightens you about it. 1 John…
Bible question
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. WEB Let God's own words set the terms before the study begins. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t…
Bible question
Revelation 21:3 I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. WEB Heaven…
Bible question
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. WEB This question deserves God's words before ours. Read these passages…
Bible question
Psalm 13:1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? WEB Scripture speaks first, and what it says about silence is more honest…
The Sunday Study
Verse-by-verse teaching with historical context, and a prayer to close. Nothing else in the email.