…to help determine what a Biblical passage means. From my last blog we know that translation is a big deal. Once we’ve come to some agreement on the language, we MUST ask (at least) two critical questions to determine what the passage means for us. 1) What is the context? 2) What does the passage teach? For example let’s take a verse that is often misquoted because people violate these rules.  Philippians 4:13  ”I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (MKJV) Have you ever used this one to lay hold of super-human strength?  How many would boldly...

The Kingdom of Heaven. (Were you hoping for calendar items? Please look elsewhere on the website for that. ) We know Jesus’ reign in heaven coming, but we don’t know when it will be here. We haven’t got a digital photo, an old snapshot of a satellite image… but there IS a very vivid description in Revelation 22. Just listen to this imagery.          revelation-22 Whatever your mind pictures after hearing those words equal HOPE, and promise, and a happy forever. Children are, by nature, creatures of hope. This is a child-likeness that we should NOT leave behind....

Here’s a good way to evaluate the quality of your love towards others; Is it patient? Is it kind? Does it envy? Does it boast? Is it proud? Paul defines God-love in his letter to the Corinthians, who apparently were struggling with the quality of their love for one another. Could you pass his test? Re-read the questions above, (which come from 1 Corinthians 13:4,) and evaluate your relationships. Pray that God the Holy Spirit will fill you with His ability to love as we are meant to. Listen to 1 Corinthians here:  1-cor-13 1-cor-13-fast And here:  1-cor-13-aussie 1-cor-13-aussie-fast With...

Everyone has a treasure chest of sorts. Its that place where we keep our most valued “stuff.” Here we would hope that our valuables would be safe, because it would be horrible to lose them. So what’s in YOUR treasure chest? If your list includes anything like money, or toys, or artwork, or cars, or jewels, or clothing, you are not treasuring the right stuff, and your stuff is in danger. Scripture tells us very plainly in Matthew 6 that our treasures should not be “worldly” that is, material riches. There is no where on earth that such things could be entirely...

Here’s an unusual question, posed by the Lord to Job; “Can you pull in the leviathan with a fishhook, or tie down his tongue with a rope?” It’s not a request, but a challenge. Our scripture treasury chapters this week describe a sea monster SO incredible that only the Lord could tame it. Why include this in our summer program you ask? ….. Why do you think? …summertime is fishing time…. …just “fishing” to see if anyone is listening… …seeding the minds of our kids with the indelible image of our God, who both creates...

Well, if not the whole chapter, at LEAST the first verse, right? “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. That’s our treasure “nugget” for tonight, and just the beginning of a foundational understanding of our world and our God. Here’s a recorded version for your listening pleasure.   genesis-1 Here’s a faster version.  genesis-1-fast Here’s a print version.  genesis-1-1_8 Let us know how your summer is coming along by commenting below. Blessings!! BBopp

Our scripture treasure tonight is the timeless portrait of Jesus found in the prophecy of Isaiah, chapter 53.  isaiah-53 Please download the audio to listen, and re-listen. I will pray you all feel the wonder and awe of our loving God who had this all in His plan to sacrifice His own Son for our salvation. Teach it to your children, that they also will be in awe of the Savior. Humbly yours, BBopp isaiah-53 isaiah-53-fast

These verses comprise the first & best religious education program anywhere.  In spite of all our creativity, the BEST way for kids to learn the WORD of God is from their parents.   (Summer Scripture Treasury is founded on this principle) SO here are a few items to help you teach some or all of these verses to your kids, when you sit, or walk, or drive, or bedtime, or first thing in the morning… My challenge to you all is simple;  Do THIS. Website link for more great resources;  http://ministry-to-children.com/heart-soul-might-coloring-page/ Voice recordings of Deuteronomy 6 by yours...

Deuteronomy 6 is the only “Christian Education” program worth doing. “Parents teach your children” all through the day. So here are some “helps” to keep families learning all through the summer. Those who come on Wednesday nights will be doing similar stuff so all our families should be “on the same page…” of the Bible, so to speak. Resources available include; AUDIO FILES like this one psalm-23-grizzly-voice to listen while you are “getting up, lying down, and walking on the road.” VISUAL HELPS like pictures and print material...