Are you born again? I remember when I did not understand what that meant. Sometimes, we can grow up hearing different words that describe what it means to be a Christian and not really know what these words or phrases mean. God’s plan of salvation has unfolded over history. History is His story of His salvation rolled out in a progressive revelation over the course of history. So how does Jesus' death save us, and what are we saved from? Listen to this week's Bible Tribe episode as we discuss what Easter is all about. Happy Easter! Jesus is risen from the dead!  #Bibletribe #Biblereadingplan #Bible #Bibleinayear

When we are afflicted, we can lose perspective, and suffering can seem meaningless. But God does not waste our suffering. This past week, in the Bible Tribe, we caught a glimpse of God's purposes in something we would rather do without.  This week's review of Genesis 41–44, Ruth, Isaiah 62–66, Psalms 25–27, Job 21–22, Mark 1–2, and 1 Corinthians 7–8 has a common theme of affliction in the lives of God's people and what God did in and through their suffering. If you are suffering now in some way, please know God's heart toward you is always good. Seek Him in your suffering and watch what God will do. #Bibletribe #Biblereadingplan #Bible #Bibleinayear

How much are our troubles intensified because we just don't understand the heart of God?   God's heart toward us is good. The heart of God is perfect, compassionate, kind, Holy, and good. God is the Lover of our souls, our friend, our Advocate, and our ever-present help in times of need.  God is not in a box of our own making, and His character is not subject to our perception. His heart is that we would have His heart. And He gives us His heart and understanding! Listen to the Bible Tribe summary for week 8 as we unpack God's heart through the scenarios of God's people.

Relationships with others begin with our relationship with God. When we are not in a right relationship with God we cannot be in a right relationship with man. In Christ, our relationships with others can be defined by peace. Find out how in this week's summary episode of the Bible Tribe reading plan, where a common theme emerges of how to navigate broken relationships.

How do you do with tests? Do you resent them? Do you doubt God’s character when they arise? Life's tests can be hard, but they reveal our trust in God and prove that God's purpose in the tests is ultimately to bless us. This week in the Bible Tribe reading plan, we learn that God is trustworthy and our security is in Him, not the blessings given by God.

What are you expecting from this life? From God? Expectations can really let us down. Much of our life is spent longing for something we really hope for or believe in, and it still seems so out of reach. In all our readings this week, there is a stumbling block one must choose to step over as one waits on God. We forsake the peace that could be ours when we fix our thoughts on our failed expectations rather than on what God has said. A scripture-shaped mind will focus more on how we can fit into God’s larger plan than how His plans might fit into ours.

Have you ever questioned God? Wondered why things are happening? Or felt like things were unfair or unjust? This week, the readings in the Bible Tribe reading plan have a common theme of God’s justice and sometimes a perceived lack of justice. God invites us to ask questions, come and see the big picture with Him, and delight in His justice. Listen in if you have questions for God. God is big enough for your questions and my questions.  When we question him from a place of belief, our questions become a place of faith and praise.

How do you focus on Christ when chaos abounds all around you?  Thinking higher than our own thoughts when the sky is falling feels impossible. But in our reading in Romans this week, Paul invites us to set our minds on the things of the Spirit rather than the things of the flesh through a word he uniquely uses.  Listen in to hear the Scriptural background behind mindsets, why they matter and five keys for how to set our mindset to be like Christ's.

Do we recognize how blessed we are? We are so blessed but often miss it because we are distracted by problems. But are problems the problem? When we see what God sees, our eyes are opened, and we understand how blessed we really are. Listen in as Denise discusses the Scriptures from the Bible reading plan in week 2: Genesis 5–8, Joshua 5–8, Isaiah 7–12, Psalms 3–4, Job 3–4, Matt 3–5, Romans 3–5.

Well, friends, how has your time been in the word of God this week? In the Bible Tribe FB group, I shared from our first reading in Genesis 1–4 what God saw (The Hebrew word, “Ra’ah”) and how that differed from what Eve or any of us see. Through the first five days of reading this week, this factor of what we see shapes our drive and our “why” for life and, ultimately, how we live this life. Listen in and discover what is driving your "why" for this life and where your significance comes from.

Good morning, friends! Welcome to 2024!  What new things can you discover in reading God’s word this year? Today’s first reading from Genesis 1–4 was such a reminder to me that what we see shapes our mindset. Do you see things the way God does? Listen in and find out! God bless you guys as you begin reading God's word again this year! He is faithful to meet you in this space as you seek HIm!

Live loved. The first time I heard this phrase it felt like a hug from God. We will never be more loved than we already are. We are His beloved. But whether we live in that reality is up to us. Bible Reading: Jude Verse of the day: Jude 1:20, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." Word of the day: Beloved. It is the Greek word:  ἀγαπητός (ag-ap-ay-tos').

Being persuasive is helpful when it comes to winning an argument but being persuasive for the sake of the Gospel is more than mere words. Bible Reading: Acts 27-28 Verse of the day: Acts 28:24, “Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.” Word of the day: Persuaded. It is the Greek word:  πείθω (pi'-tho).

We all desire to belong but belonging can be difficult in a world where relationships are fraught with sin. But there is one relationship where our desire to be loved will never fall short. Bible Reading: Songs 7-8 Verse of the day: Songs 7:10, "I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me."" Word of the day: Desire. It is the Hebrew word:  תְּשׁוּקָה (tesh-oo-kaw').

We were made to praise God. True praise cannot come from those who do not have the Holy Spirit, and praise does not come from hearts that do not recognize all that their God has done for them. Bible Reading: Psalms 148-150 Verse of the day: Psalm 148:5, "Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded, and they were created." Word of the day: Praise. It is the Hebrew word:  הָלַל (haw-lal').

God with us has been a reality that has held me together when life just seems so hard to navigate. But we look to the day when God will be with us as it was in the beginning. Bible Reading: Rev. 21-22 Verse of the day: Revelation 21:3, “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” Word of the day: Dwell. It is the Greek word:  σκηνόω (skay-no'-o).

When we celebrate Christmas or Easter, it can be easy to have these holidays just be religious observances. But when we remember what Christ has done on our behalf, these holidays are not just days off work, but moments of worship and gratitude. Bible Reading: Esther 6-10 Verse of the day: Esther 9:27, “The Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed.” Word of the day: Custom. It is the Hebrew word:  קָבַל (kaw-bal').

Those who are loved by God will follow Him. We cannot follow if we do not first know what or Who we are following. Bible Reading: Deut. 33-34 Verse of the day: Deuteronomy 33:3, “Indeed, He loves the people; All Your holy ones are in Your hand, And they followed in Your steps; Everyone receives of Your words.” Word of the day: Followed. It is the Hebrew word:  תָּכָה (taw-kaw').

Sometimes we can try to imitate others so we can fit in, but as we imitate Christ, we might not fit in with the world. Bible Reading: 3 John Verse of the day: 3 John 1:11, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.” Word of the day: Imitate. It is the Greek word:  μιμέομαι (mim-eh'-om-ahee).

How we live out the message we carry can be a stumbling block or a compelling witness to others. Are we credible as we share the incredible story of Christ? Bible Reading: Acts 25-26 Verse of the day: Acts 26:8, "Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead?" Word of the day: Incredible. It is the Greek word:  ἄπιστος (ap'-is-tos).