The definition of sowing, according to Dictionary.com, is "to scatter seed over (land, earth, etc.) for the purpose of growth. Our actions and words are seeds that we sow that produces either good or bad fruit. Several scriptures remind us of this:Matthew 7:15-20Matthew 12:33-37Galatians 6:7-10Isaiah 55:10-11

We continue our theme of "Reaping & Sowing" with a review of two titans in the Bible - David and Jacob. King David's affair with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband Uriah (when it was revealed that the King had gotten her pregnant) was a horrible seed sown. It had an immediate "reaping" effect as they lost their son. (2 Samuel 11:1-17, 26 and 2 Samuel 12:7-20, 24-25) Jacob sowed a seed of deception when he pulled the okey-doke and stole his older brother Esau's inheritance by deceiving his father. (Genesis 27) A while later, he fell in love with his Uncle Laban's daughter Rachel and agreed to work for seven years to marry her. But on their wedding night, Laban pulled the okey-doke on Jacob and slipped his older daughter Leah into the wedding chamber. (Genesis 29) Once again, the law of reaping and sowing - or better yet, sowing and reaping - was on full display. Galatians 6:7-10 reminds us that God cannot be mocked. A man will reap what he sows. Most dirt is done secretly - in the dark - so it seems like people are going to get away with it. But God's word is clear that what's done in the dark WILL come to the light. Luke 8:17, 12:2-3Ecclesiastes 12:141 Corinthians 4:5Job 12:22Isaiah 29:15Matthew 10:26Mark 4:22Ephesians 5:11-13John 3:19-21

Tonight we start a new series studying Idols in the Bible. We begin by reading Isaiah 44:6-28 which points out the illogicality of worshiping idols that we create with our own hands. Brilliant, humorous, and eye-opening.

In this Bible Study, we read about Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) who both conspired to lie, and immediately reaped the repercussions.   We also read about Rahab in Joshua 2 and Joshua 6:22-25. Interestingly enough, she also lied - to protect the spies. The mercy that she sowed with them reaped mercy for her family later on.   We also talked about the story of Fleming and Churchill. It may be a myth, but it's a beautiful story of sowing and reaping.

We continue our theme of Reaping and Sowing with a study of "The Greatest Seed Sown" - Jesus Christ.Accept Jesus is eating the bread of life. He sows life into us. (John 6:47-58)Adam (and Eve) sowed a seed of death. Jesus sowed a seed of eternal life. (Romans 5:12-17, John 12:23-24) The Bible says we know a tree by its fruit. (Matthew 7:15-20)An orange tree can't just say it's an apple tree. And people can't just claim to be believers. According to Jesus, loving each other is how you can tell if we're believers. (John 13:34-35)

In this Bible study, we read and discuss Matthew 13:1-43 about seeds being sown along the path, on rocky ground, among thorns and into good soil.

Our study this month is on Animals in the Bible and we're starting with the Donkey.The story of Balaam's Donkey is found in Numbers 22:7-35.Samson using the Jawbone of a Donkey is found in Judges 15:1-17.The book of Zechariah gives the prophecy about Jesus riding in on a donkey (chapter 9, verse 9).And in Matthew 21:1-11, we read that Jesus does just that! An honorable donkey mention is Genesis 22:3 when Abraham travels to the place he is going to sacrifice his son Isaac - before God stops him.

We continue our theme of Animals in the Bible with a look at some "Fantastic Beasts." Ezekiel 10:8-22 - describes the Cherubim. Although they may be angels, they are certainly something to behold (and a bit scary sounding).Revelation 12:1-9 and 13:1-18 - talks about the Dragons. This was completely terrifying!!The book of Job talks about a lot of animals, but in this study we focus on:- the Behemoth (or possibly a brontosaurus), in Job 40:15-24.- the Leviathan in Job 41:1-10.- and my favorites, Unicorns, in the King James Version Job 39:9-12.

Our theme of "Animals in the Bible" continues with this study.While preparing to talk about Lambs and Sheep, I had the revelation that Jesus is both the Lamb and the Shepherd. We normally just read or hear about one at a time. It made me emotional to think that He sacrificed Himself as the Lamb, all while being and becoming our Good Shepherd. We read a lot scriptures that talked about these things. Isaiah 53:6-7 - led like a lamb to slaughter...John 1:29 - Look, the Lamb of God1 Peter 1:18-19 - a lamb without blemishRevelation 5:12 - worthy is the LambJohn 10:11-17 - Jesus is the Good ShepherdMatthew 18:12-14 - Leaves the 99 to go after the 1Matthew 10:16 - sheep among wolvesEzekiel 34:31 - You are my sheepJohn 21:15-18 - Peter, feed my lambsPsalm 100:3 - We are the sheep of his pastureJohn 10:14-28 - my sheep know my voicePsalm 95:6-7 - We are the flock under his careMatthew 7:15 - beware of false prophetsIsaiah 40:11 - He tends his flock like a shepherdHebrews 13:20-21 - the Great Shepherd of the sheep1 Peter 5:4 - Chief Shepherd

We finish our study of Animals in the Bible with a look at lions. Scriptures:Revelation 5:5Isaiah 31:4Genesis 49:91 Peter 5:8-9Proverbs 19:12, 28:1, 30:29-31Daniel 6 - The Lion's Den

The effect of music is powerfully illustrated in the Bible. David calmed King Saul with music (1 Samuel 16:14-23). Moses sings the first song  - Exodus 15:1-21Last song reference in the Bible is Revelation 15:1-4 - where they reference Moses' song.Shortest song - 2 Chronicles 5:13, 20:21 Here's the article from the APA that was referenced: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/11/news-music-power

Gina and I read the longest chapter in the Bible - a song (or a poem, by some accounts) between two people - Psalm 119

Jesus and the disciples sang at the Last Supper - Matthew 26:30.Paul and Silas in jail, singing hymns - Acts 16:25-26The Prodigal Son - they sang in celebration - Luke 15:25Jesus raises the dead girl and pipes were played in mourning - Matthew 9:23The Rapture - trumpets will sound - 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

We continue our theme of Music in the Bible with a study of trumpets!There are 118 mentions of trumpets in the Bible (KJV). Trumpets are used as a war cry, as a celebratory sound, and to herald a notable arrival. Scriptures:Numbers 10:1-101 Chronicles 15:24, 281 Chronicles 13:8Joshua 6:8-20Judges 7:15-21 Revelation 8, 9, 10, 11Matthew 6:21 Thessalonians 4:16

In our final study on Music in the Bible, we talk about all the musical instruments (19) mentioned in the Bible. The various instruments are played to celebrate, to gather, to announce, to soothe, for romance, and as a war cry. You can see a full list of instruments here with scripture references - https://www.gotquestions.org/musical-instruments-Old-Testament.html. You can also see the Shofar being played here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnkb7M3dKTg The lyre is beautiful. Enjoy this beautiful performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtsQ5kpkl-8

We continue our November theme of "Tears & Weeping in the Bible" with a look at very familiar (and oft repeated) scriptures.John 11:17-44Psalm 30

Tears & Weeping is the theme for this study.There are 64 Bible verses about weeping in the Bible. There are 96 references to weeping and gnashing of teeth.Isaiah 38James 5:1-12Matthew 8:5-13Matthew 13:40-43

Our Guest Host Bria Lacour shares about Jeremiah - known as the weeping prophet. He also wrote the book of Lamentations. Scriptures:Luke 22:44Matthew 26:36-46Hebrews 5:7Jeremiah 8:18-22, 9:1, 9:10-12, 13:17, 31:15-17

We are studying friendships in the Bible, and this week we're taking a look at Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They stuck together even under the threat of death. Scripture shares:How friends stick closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)That a friends loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17)That the wounds of a friend can be trusted (Proverbs 27:6) Daniel 1:3-20 - friends together in serviceDaniel 2:14-18, 48-49 - prayer with friendsDaniel 3:12-30 - friends in the fiery furnace We discussed how friends 1) share opportunities; 2) pray with and for each other; 3) are birds of a feather - so choose wisely. (1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 13:20) Jesus called His disciples His friends (John 15:12-15).

Tonight we read about Ruth and Naomi Scripture:Ruth 1