Scripture and ...

My Sunday School class just finished studying James. Since our previous study was Proverbs, I kept noticing the similarity between the two books.  Apparently, I'm not the first to notice this.  You can easily find lots on the subject. I looked for verses that covered the same topics and many even said basically the same things.  I created a matching sheet.  As we used the sheet in my Sunday School class, I noticed that there was a better way to use it as a group activity.  So I adapted it so you could use it that way, too. You can print out the matching sheet or the group activity here.   It would work well as a wrap up for studying James or Proverbs.  Or you can use it on its own.  It would work individually for adults or kids.  You could also use it for homeschooling.

What do the following Bible verses have in common? All of these Bible verses are used by Handel in his oratorio, Messiah.  If you have had the privilege of participating in a performance of Handel's Messiah, then you have been blest with learning as many as 74 Bible verses.   You can find which Bible verses are used in each section using the links below: Handel's Messiah: Part 1 Handel's Messiah: Part 2 Handel's Messiah: Part 3

In my first year of Bible college, I failed my first "quiz"... on Christmas. I thought I had aced it because I had been in Christmas pageants and knew every Christmas carol.  Unfortunately,  people have created Christmas cards, carols, children’s plays, artwork, and other items that  make assumptions about the Christmas story. While most of these assumptions are harmless (like how many wise men there actually were), it is important to know what the Bible actually says about Jesus birth.  Other Christmas myths are absolutely totally fictional (I'm sure Jesus cried, no matter what Away In the Manger says) and can affect our theology about Christ's humanity.  Some differences seem a little nit-picky (like the angels speaking to the shepherds and not singing), while other mistakes are glaring (like who is following the star in O Little Town of Bethlehem ). Take this Christmas Quiz to see if you can determine what is  actually recorded in t...

To finish our #31DaysOfThanksgiving with our final song of thanksgiving, I chose a simple, but powerful song.  You can listen to these two versions, the first sung by Janella Salvador and the second a guitar instrumental by Zeno, as you consider the verses below. Give Thanks by Don Moen Give thanks with a grateful heart. Psalm 86:12  I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, a nd will glorify Your name forever. Give thanks to the Holy One. Psalm 30:4  Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, a nd give thanks to His holy name. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." And now let the weak say, "I am strong." Wording from Joel 3:10  Beat your plowshares into swords a nd your pruning hooks into spears;  Let the weak say, “I am a mighty man.” 2 ...

For my #31DaysOfThanksgiving I have had biweekly study of hymns and songs of thanksgiving.  Here is a listing of all the songs with links to the studies. A Thousand, A Thousand Thanksgivings All Creatures of Our God and King Best Gift of Love Thou Hast Bestow'd Come, Ye Thankful People, Come For The Beauty of the Earth Forever Give Thanks My Tribute by Andrae Crouch Now Thank We All Our God Sing To The Lord Of Harvest Thank God For Something

This is another song of Thanksgiving that I was not familiar with, but thankful that someone shared it with me.  There are many verses in the Bible about how God has or will bless individuals and Israel.  He blesses us as well.  In James 1:17, we see that all good gifts are from God.  All of his blessings, both physical and spiritual, are to cause us to "overflow through many thanksgivings to God." 2 Corinthians 9:10-12  Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.   Sing to the Lord of Harvest By: John S. B. Monsell Verse 1 : Sing to the Lord of harvest, Sing songs of love and praise; ...

I was not familiar with this song until a friend introduced me to it last Thanksgiving.  I loved it instantly.  This song is another like Best Gift of All Thou Hast Bestow'd that you can't hear without causing gratitude to spring up in your heart.  However, this hymn focuses exclusively on thanksgiving for Christ's death for us.  If you are not familiar with the tune, you can find it here .    A Thousand, A Thousand Thanksgivings by Ernst C. Homburg; Translated Mrs Frances Bevan Verse 1 : Thou Life of my life, blessed Jesus, Thou death of the death that was mine, Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us . For me was Thy cross and Thine anguish, Thy love and Thy sorrow divine; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that  Christ died for our sins  according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried...

Today's hymn of Thanksgiving is relatively unknown, but I just love its content.  Each verse focuses on a different thing for which we should thank God. If you aren't feeling particularly grateful, you can reflect on this hymn and the thanksgiving will overflow.  As an obscure hymn, I knew I wouldn't find a video of it, but here is a video of the tune  by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina  that is used for this song. The music can be found at Hymnary.org . Best Gift of All Thou Hast Bestowed by Samuel Ridout Verse 1 : Best gift of all Thou hast bestow'd, The precious, priceless blood that flow'd Jesus said in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son , that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." 1 Peter 1:18-19  knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blo...

No list of songs of thanksgiving would be complete without Now Thank We All Our God.  It is triumphant in our thanksgiving to the God who has blessed us.    Below is a classical rendition of the tune (arranged by John Rutter). For those looking for something more contemporary, here are a few very different versions. First, one by Garrison Keillor and Heather Masse on Prairie Home Companion. Next, a contemporary choral version. Last, a contemporary acoustic version. Now Thank We All Our God by Martin Rinckart (1636) translated by Catherine Winkworth Verse 1 : Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Psalm 27:8  The Lord is my strength and my shield;  My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;  Therefore my heart exults, a nd with my song I shall thank Him . Who wondrous things has done, In whom his world rejoices; Psalm 40:5  Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which tho...

This song takes me back to my childhood of listening to Christian music and few songs offer more power thanks to the Lord for all He has done for us. My Tribute by Andraé Crouch How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me? Things so undeserved yet you gave To prove your love for me. Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us . The voices of a million angels Could not express my gratitude. All that I am, and ever hope to be I owe it all to thee. Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice , holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 13:7  Render to all what is due them : tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.    To God be the glory, to God be the glory, To God be the glory for the things he has done. Philippi...