In this episode, two kinds of biblical meditation/reflection are discussed…contrasting and cross-referencing. Contrasting reflection looks the opposite of another text. Cross-referencing reflection brings in other passages related to the topic on which you are reflecting.

We reflect on the topics of rest and burden, as found in Exodus 5:4-9 (the Egyptian Pharaoh who commands the Israelites to return to their burdens) and in Matthew 11:28-30 (Christ, who offers to the exhausted and those unable to carry a heavy load, His true rest for our souls). We also briefly examine, whether knowingly or not, in both the past and present, those whose mindset about burdens and rest, is more like Pharaoh than Christ.

A helpful technique in reflecting on a passage from the Bible is understanding what the opposite of the text looks like and see the contrast. Scripture already supplies such examples as Psalm 1:1-2, Proverbs 8:10 and Romans 8:6.

In this episode, we apply this technique to Philippians 4:8. The apostle Paul supplies a number of things to think on as a Christian. Setting up a list of the opposites places Paul’s actual text in much sharper focus. It helps us to build up our mindset in Christ (the Greek word “phronema” points to this. It is an important part of Eastern Orthodox theology). It is an approach from which we can greatly benefit.

What happens when we face an “end of path?” There are times when the circumstances we face make it seem impossible to move on or to recover.

Western Europe faced a similar crisis over 600 years ago. Half of Europe died from the plague in the mid 14th century. A crisis of church leadership caused there, in the late 1300s and early 1400s, for there to be two (and at one point, three) popes, each claiming supreme headship over the church. During that time, how would one know to follow?

Their resolution was an emphasis on prayer and the study of Christ. We face “end of path” crisises in our own lives. A job loss. A terminal illness. Too many more to count. Yet, like those Europeans of over 600 years ago, we can look to Christ, who will not abandon or forsake us.

The episode also reflects on biblical passages to encourage us when it seems we’ve reached the “end of path” and can go no further.

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Matthew 13 offers us several of the Lord Jesus’ parables. This episode examines one of those…the parable of the wheat and the tares/weeds. The Lord gives us the instruction to pay careful attention to His interpretation of the parable.

The parable has an application for us in the here and now. We live in the time before the wheat and tares will be permanently separated. What does it mean for us to know that good and evil are growing up, side-by-side, in our time?

We examine the current phenomena of “doomscrolling.” It is, in light of this parable, a lopsided way to view the events of our world. It concentrates on bad news and ignores the good. A “spiritual prescription” is offered….Isaiah 26:3

People love to collect things. Collections can include a wide range of objects including thimbles, automobiles, books and Bibles. We truly have treasure in our print and digital copies of Scripture. Yet, the Bible points to an even greater way that a Bible collection can be produced. It is made up of Scripture which we have stored/treasured in our hearts and minds.

This episode examines Psalm 119:11. We look at some reflections from the 17th century British minister Thomas Manton for insight on the value and great help an internal Bible collection can be to others and to you.

Today, we are blessed to have texts of Christian prayers from over the centuries.

In this episode, we read a prayer from 11th century England for the spread of Christ’s kingdom across the world. This prayer is not simply a kind of museum piece. It’s words ring as true and relevant to our time as it did a thousand years ago. Here is an instance in which 11th century devotion can shape ours today.

We live in a distracted time. Our culture and technology demand our time. We need wisdom to recognize and avoid distraction.

In contrast, the Bible calls us to be attentive. With over a thousand references in the Bible to behold and gaze, we are being instructed to take the time to observe and pay attention to what God wants us to notice.

This requires more than a glance.

This episode lays out some scriptural calls to behold. These calls are more than just how God addressed those He spoke to, back then, in Bible times. These calls to behold are present day instructions to stop, look, observe and take in what God wants us to know.

Are you a secret Christian? An answer in the 21st century and an answer in 17th century England would be different. Rather than trying to prevent others from knowing you are a believer in Christ, in the 17th century, a believer carried on three types of spiritual duties (Public – Fellowship with large numbers; Private – Fellowship with smaller numbers of persons; Secret – The spiritual duties/activities carried on by oneself in solitude.

This episode reviews these and looks to encourage us in the “secret duties”, not so much as to check off a spiritual activity list but with the mindset of taking time to commune with Christ and find rest for our souls.

The Bible is clear that the Lord Jesus, in His humanity, was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary. There is biblical evidence to show that Christ’s resurrection occurred in a never before used tomb. In essence, a virgin tomb.

The episode explores how this is far more than a point of biblical trivia. It has implications for the future rising from the dead for every believer in Christ.

There is a very interesting picture of the two paths of human eternal destiny. They can be seen on the three crosses of Calvary. The imagery of salvation and damnation can be seen through two thieves crucified with Christ on Good Friday.

This episode explores how what played out on Calvary two thousand years applies to every human, past, present and future.