Titus

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 22-23 and Titus 1

Titus 1 is such a rich passage (which gives advice on how to appoint church elders). It's a shame that it isn't easier to find art inspired by this section of the Bible. Here is a short video for Titus 1 from Blue Ridge Community Church, found on Worship House Media:



And here's the Bibledex Overview of Titus

Fire in my Bones

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 20-21 and 2 Timothy 4

Jeremiah 20:9, "But if I say, "I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot."

I really love the performance below. It was done by a group from Trinity Church in Texas and features an original song, 'Fire in my Bones,' by Jeff Sparkman. Enjoy.

God the Master Potter

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 18-19 and 2 Timothy 3

In connection with Jeremiah 18, I show you a video of master potters at work. This is such a beautiful metaphor for our Creator God.

A Tree Firmly Planted

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 15-17 and 2 Timothy 2



The above image by Huang Sirong can be found on deviantart here and the below image by Varm Heart can be found here

Raised Up

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 12-14 and 2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 2:7, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-disciplines."



For a refresher: 2 Timothy Bibledex Overview

Culture of Confession

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 9-11 and 1 Timothy 6

Here's a sermon clip that connects to Jeremiah 9. I am a huge fan of Matt Chandler's preaching style. Plus, he was already in the public eye when he was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor (which he has been cured of now), and the faithfulness and honesty of that medical struggle is really inspiring. Good stuff.

Message at the Temple Gate

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 6-8 and 1 Timothy 5

I wonder if this next kinetic typography video was used for a sermon intro or what? It was put together by Amber Harding and is for Jeremiah 6:16.

Don't Let Anyone Look Down on Your Youth

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 3-5 and 1 Timothy 4

Here's 1 Timothy 4:12 in song with kinetic typography (moving words). This comes from Seed Family Worship. Enjoy!

Broken Cisterns

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 1-2 and 1 Timothy 3

A 'sermon jam' using words by Pastor Francis Chan for Jeremiah 2.



Need a Bibledex refresher on Jeremiah?

Women having Authority over Men

Today's Reading: Isaiah 65-66 and 1 Timothy 2

Isaiah 65:24


In 1 Timothy 2:12 we read a very challenging verse from the Apostle Paul, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet." Hmm. How are we to understand this verse?

Some denominational traditions support female pastors and elders. Others hold those roles for men. Here's an interesting interview between Justin Taylor and Andreas J. Köstenberger on how one group tried to reach a conclusion.

What are your thoughts? How do you view this verse?

Change My Heart

Today's Reading: Isaiah 62-64 and 1 Timothy 1

The song 'Change My Heart oh God' refers to Isaiah 64:8, "Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."



And here's the 1 Timothy Bibledex Overview

Never Tire of Doing What is Good

Today's Reading: Isaiah 59-61 and 2 Thessalonians 3



How about we do a little memory work today? Here's a simple kids song to help remember 2 Thessalonians 3:13.

Bad Dude Risin'

Today's Reading: Isaiah 56-58 and 2 Thessalonians 2

A short and simple video for you today. :-) It's a parody song by ApologetiX for 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. It's a parody of 'Bad Moon Risin' by CCR.

Jesus the Suffering Servant

Today's Reading: Isaiah 53-55 and 2 Thessalonians 1



I found this beautiful painting by Tomek Morawski on pinterest. It can also be found on his Flickr

Others:

David Wesley did one of those fun youtube videos where a musician records along themselves multiple times. It's an acapella version of How Deep the Father's Love For Us. It's for Isaiah 53.

And Jeremy Riddle performed a song for Isaiah 55 called 'All Who Are Thirsty'

Finally, of course, because it's our first day in 2 Thessalonians: a Bibledex overview

Righteous Right Hand

Today's Reading: Isaiah 50-52 and 1 Thessalonians 5



Above is a cool graphic image for Isaiah 51:5 by Kevin Ohlin which can be found on his Tumblr here

And for a fun kids' pop-rock song on 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18, here's a song by The Rizers

Sex Ethics in 1 Thessalonians 4

Today's Reading: Isaiah 47-49 and 1 Thessalonians 4



If you want a slightly academic response to some of the issues raised by 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, here is an Andy Naselli blog post on articles by Bob Yarbrough

Until the Hills are Flattened

Today's Reading: Isaiah 45-46 and 1 Thessalonians 3


This song by the Mountain Goats is based on Isaiah 45:23. The band isn't Christian so it really makes you wonder about the lyrics. I'm posting the lyrics below the video. What do you think?


If my prayer be not humble, make it so In these last hours, if the spirit waits in check, help me let it go And should my suffering double, let me never love you less Let every knee be bent and every tongue confess
And I won't get better But someday I'll be free 'Cause I am not this body That imprisons me
I read the magazines somebody brought Hold them to my failing eyes until my hands get hot And when the nurse comes in to change my sheets and clothes The pain begins to travel, dancing as it goes
And I won't get better But someday I'll be free 'Cause I am not this body That imprisons me
If my prayer goes unanswered, that's alright If my path fills with darkness and there's no sign of light Let me praise you for the good times, let me hold your banner high Until the hills are flattened and the rivers all run dry
And I won't get better But someday I'll be free 'Cause I am not this body That imprisons me

Belong to God

Today's Reading: Isaiah 43-44 and 1 Thessalonians 2

Isaiah 44:5, "Some will say, 'I belong to the LORD'; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, 'The LORD's,' and will take the name Israel."

1 Thessalonians

Today's Reading: Isaiah 41-42 and 1 Thessalonians 1

I know I've already shared a couple videos from Worldview Everlasting (that show where Internet Meme Culture is combined with Genuine Bible Study) but I thought I'd share just one more. He does a good job of presenting these studies with high energy and the occasional attention-grabbers.



Since this is our first day in 1 Thessalonians, enjoy this Bibledex overview

Soldiers Sing 'Days of Elijah'

Today's Reading: Isaiah 39-40 and Colossians 4

This is a fun and heartwarming video. It's a room full of U.S. soldiers singing the song 'Days of Elijah' and even doing the hand motions!



Others:

Here's a pen and ink illustration of Isaiah 40:1-11 drawn by Chris Marks:

The song 'Everlasting God' by Chris Tomlin is also about Isaiah 40.

Bodily Practices

Today's Reading: Isaiah 37-38 and Colossians 3

Prayer is not just intellectual. We see that with Hezekiah's desperate prayer, and the 'putting on the new self' in Colossians 3. Here is a powerful quote from author Barbara Brown Taylor from her book 'An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith':

"To make bread or love, to dig in the earth, to feed an animal or cook for a stranger — these activities require no extensive commentary, no lucid theology. All they require is someone willing to bend, reach, chop, stir.

Most of these tasks are so full of pleasure that there is no need to complicate things by calling them holy. And yet these are the same activities that change lives, sometimes all at once and sometimes more slowly, the way dripping water changes stone.

In a world where faith is often construed as a way of thinking, bodily practices remind the willing that faith is a way of life.”

Built Up in Christ

Today's Reading: Isaiah 34-36 and Colossians 2

Creation, Present and Future

Today's Reading: Isaiah 32-33 and Colossians 1

Here is one of those fun videos where the verse's text (for Colossians 1:15-23) gets animated. It was put together by Jeremy Poyner for a Youth Conference called 'Sound.'

Colossians 1:15-23 from Jeremy Poyner on Vimeo.

Since today is our first day in Colossians, here's the Bibledex overview.

Most Popular Verses in the Bible

Today's Reading: Isaiah 30-31 and Philippians 4

What verses do you bookmark, treasure, and revisit?

According to the image below (from Youversion Bible app), the most bookmarked verse right now is Philippians 4:6, which encourages, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

I find this incredible on many levels. I think it reveals something about our current culture (that so many people are bookmarking a verse about feeling less stress). I also think it shows the great potential of Bible Apps because it reveals how people are approaching their Bibles.



Here's an important article on Philippians 4:13 (the 5th most bookmarked verse). Many have misread this verse as simple self-empowerment but the true meaning is so much greater. Check it out.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Today's Reading: Isaiah 28-29 and Philippians 3

I share another worship song today. The song 'When I survey the Wondrous Cross' ties back to Philippians 3:7, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."



Above's version is by a massive choir and sung traditionally. Here is Tim Hughes singing a more contemporary version. The song was originally written by Isaac Watts and published 1707.

Come, Now is the Time to Worship

Today's Reading: Isaiah 26-27 and Philippians 2

The song 'Come, Now is the Time' is based on Philippians 2:5-11. Here it is performed by Brian Doeksen:

Philippians 1

Today's Reading: Isaiah 23-25 and Philippians 1

Today we start the book of Philippians, yay! Here's a two-minute taste of pastor Matt Chandler sharing the book of Philippians:



And of course, here is the Bibledex overview if you need a quick refresher.

Ephesians 6 and the Armor of God

Today's Reading: Isaiah 20-22 and Ephesians 6

Here is a short animation I found on Godtube for Ephesians 6 and the armor of God.

The Armour of God - Cool Animation from davidhutter on GodTube.

Andy Naselli, a Christian blogger, put a song list together for Ephesians 6:1 which can be found at his blog.

Ephesians 5 and a Great Marriage

Today's Reading: Isaiah 17-19 and Ephesians 5:17-33

Ephesians 5 gives some great advice to married couples. And as we often point out at our church, the word "submit" in verse 24 seems harsh towards women until we realize that verse 25 calls guys to lay down their lives for their wives. In other words, God calls a husband to make every waking effort about fulfilling the desires and wellbeing of the wife. What woman wouldn't want to sign up for THAT deal? God's plan is a good one.

Here's a funny video of advice from 'marriage experts' Johnny and Chachi. Enjoy.

Lucifer's Fall

Today's Reading: Isaiah 14-16 and Ephesians 5:1-16



The wood engraving above was done by French artist Gustave Doré (1832-1883) and included in John Milton's Paradise Lost. I have mentioned Doré on my blog before because he was such a talented artist.
If you're in the mood for a silly read then I also recommend the book 'A Wild Ride Through the Night' by Walter Moers, a German author who took engravings by Doré out of context, out of order, and devised a totally new story around them. Fun!

Isaiah 14:12 talks about Lucifer, "How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!"

Ephesians 4 and Unity

Today's Reading: Isaiah 11-13 and Ephesians 4

The video below is another pretty looking reenactment of a Bible passage (by the Mormon channel on youtube). One of my problems with Scripture reenactments is that they're always done in this breathy way, with pauses, as if every word floats with a halo.

I'm guessing most of the Gospel dialogue was actually spoken like normal, with everyday emphasis, between persons who were used to hanging out with each other. Just a thought.