Category: Bible

Posts from The Bible Blog, by Peter DeHaan

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Bible

A Question With Life and Death Ramifications

Peter cried when he realized that he had denied even knowing Jesus (Mark 14:72).

What makes this even more ironic is that earlier that same day he pledged his support to Jesus, claiming to be willing to die with him (Mark 14:31).

For most people, admitting that we “know” Jesus is a relatively easy thing to do, yet Peter was confronted with a seemingly life and death situation: say “yes” and he too could be crucified with Jesus; say “no” and he could avoid further scrutiny, thereby saving his skin.

In the life-in-the-balance pressure of the moment, Peter caved in and said “no.”

In some parts of the world, admitting that you followed Jesus could easily result in death or at least suffering.  How well would we fare in such a test?  Would we cave in or be bold regardless of the consequences?

However, beyond the literal, natural meaning of this story there is a more profound supernatural perspective.  In the spiritual sense, we can say “yes” we know Jesus and live — forever; saying “no” is what leads to death.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Bible

Would You Steal for Jesus?

In Mark 11:2-7, there is the story of Jesus sending out his disciples to “borrow” a donkey for him to ride into Jerusalem.

When this request is considered in a modern context, what he asked them to do is even more astounding.  It would be much like Jesus telling us to go boost a car or at least take a bike.

The disciples were not told to ask permission first (which seems prudent), but they were merely instructed what to say if questioned—implying that they would, in fact, be stopped and questioned.

Certainly this was a risky thing to do, as they could likely have been arrested and punished for steeling. Yet they did as Jesus instructed — and without question.

Would we be willing to do the same?

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Bible

Biblezines

BiblezinesTM are the Bible in magazine format, with additional info and content packed in. For many who wonder if the Bible is relevant to them and their lives, this modern format with compelling sidebars, makes the Bible come alive in practical and vibrant ways.

There are 11 Biblezine versions, geared towards different age groups and demographics. Check them out and find the best one for you.

Biblezines are published by Thomas Nelson.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Bible

A Boy (and Jesus) Feed 5,000 People

In Matthew 14:14-20 there is the dramatic account of Jesus’ miracle in feeding 5,000 people. This event is also recorded in Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-14.

The people have been with Jesus all day; they are hungry and without food. Jesus asks how much food is available; the report is merely five loaves of bread and two fishes from a boy (John 6:9).

Surely out of more then 5,000 people, other people there also have some food, but they are keeping it to themselves (which seems wise and prudent). However, one boy is willing to share what he has. Because of that, his small gift is used to feed all those people.

We don’t have to give Jesus something huge or beyond our means, but we do need to give him what we have. When we do, Jesus can do great things with it.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Bible

Responding to the Work of Jesus

In Mark 5:2-17 there is the account of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man. It is a dramatic story in which the man is healed and a herd of pigs are killed (the demons kill the pigs, not Jesus).

The people of the nearby town who are told of this miracle have two ways to respond:

1. In awe of Jesus’ power and authority, they could turn to him and follow him.

2. Out of fear of the unknown and the uncomfortable, they could reject Jesus and push him away.

They choose the later, insisting that Jesus leave them alone and not bother them any more (Mark 5:17). How sad.

I wonder, how often are we confronted with the work of God, but fearing the unknown or the uncomfortable, end up pushing him away?

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Bible

Weakness or Strength?

Do you ever feel spiritually weak? If so, you are not alone. In fact, if anyone ever tells you otherwise, they are lying; if they seem otherwise, they are posing.

The church in Philadelphia was also weak, but in that weakness remained true to God and his word (see Revelation 3:8). This is most encouraging to all of us weak people.

A strong weakness may seem like an oxymoron, but it’s not. When we are weak, we can turn to God who gives us the strength we need. As Paul said, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

So, despite our weaknesses, we can prevail by God’s strength.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Bible

Summaries for the “Minor Prophets” Have Been Added

Summaries for all the “Minor Prophets” of the Old Testament are now available online at A Bible A Day.

These are more like a draft, than a finished work (which is the case of many of the book summaries and terms),

So please provide your suggestions for more content using our contact form.

Thank you

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.