The Father Raises the Dead (John 5:21-23)

Jim Franks discusses John 5:21-23—“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”

Published June 24, 2024

The Righteous Into Eternal Life (Matthew 25:46)

Jim Franks discusses Matthew 25:46—“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Published June 21, 2024

Concerning the Hope and Resurrection I Am Judged (Acts 23:6)

Jeremy Lallier discusses Acts 23:6—“But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, ‘Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!’”

Published June 19, 2024

The First Adam and the Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45, 49)

Erik Jones discusses 1 Corinthians 15:45-49—“And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. … And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”

Published June 17, 2024

The Importance of Pentecost (Acts 2:1)

Clyde Kilough discusses Acts 2:1—“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

NOTE: It’s unclear whether the number of disciples changed between Acts 1:15 (where Luke describes them as “about a hundred and twenty”) and Acts 2:1 (where they gather together for Pentecost some number of days later), but 120 is the closest number we’re given in the Bible.

Published June 14, 2024

Pentecost and God’s Gifts (Acts 2:38-39)

David Johnson discusses Acts 2:38-39—“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’”

Published June 12, 2024

I Must by All Means Keep This Coming Feast” (Acts 18:21)

Clyde Kilough discusses Acts 18:21—“[Paul] took leave of them, saying, ‘I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.’ And he sailed from Ephesus.”

Published June 10, 2024

Infallible Proofs and Focus on the Kingdom (Acts 1:3)

Kendrick Diaz  discusses Acts 1:3—“. . . to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

Published June 7, 2024

Of the Increase of His Government and Peace (Isaiah 9:7)

Doug Horchak discusses Isaiah 9:7—“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

Published June 5, 2024

Biblical Food Laws: Clean and Unclean Meats (Leviticus 11:2-3)

Britton Taylor discusses Leviticus 11:2-3—“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth: Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat.’”

Published June 3, 2024

Keep Them Through Your Name (John 17:11)

Doug Horchak discusses John 17:11—“Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.”

Published May 31, 2024

Works of the Flesh (Galatians 5:19-21)

Erik Jones discusses Galatians 5:19-21—“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Published May 29, 2024

Pursue the Things Which Make for Peace (Romans 14:19)

David Johnson discusses Romans 14:19—“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”

Published May 27, 2024

A Sure Hope (Romans 5:3-5)

Jeremy Lallier discusses Romans 5:3-5—“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit [which] was given to us.”

Published May 24, 2024

The Children of the Promise (Romans 9:7-8)

Kendrick Diaz discusses Romans 9:7-8—“Nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’ That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.”

Published may 22, 2024

A Powerful Attention Getter (Acts 2:2-3)

Joel Meeker discusses Acts 2:2-3—“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.”

Published May 20, 2024

Christ Is Not Ashamed to Call Us Brethren (Hebrews 2:10-15)

Clyde Kilough discusses Hebrews 2:10-15—“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: ‘I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.’ And again: ‘I will put My trust in Him.’ And again: ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.’ Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

Published May 17, 2024

Do Not Become Slaves of Men (1 Corinthians 7:21-23)

Jeremy Lallier discusses 1 Corinthians 7:21-23—“Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”

Published May 15, 2024

Love Your Enemies (Luke 6:27-29)

Doug Horchak discusses Luke 6:27-29—“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.”

Published May 13, 2024

Blessings Passed on to Israel (Genesis 32:28)

Jim Franks discusses Genesis 32:28—“And He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.’”

Published May 10,2024

Go Into All the World and Preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15)

Joel Meeker discusses Mark 16:15—“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’” 

Published May 8, 2024

Growth of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16)

Jeremy Lallier discusses Ephesians 4:15-16—“But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Published May 6, 2024

Hoping for Nothing in Return (Luke 6:35)

Erik Jones discusses Luke 6:35—“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.”

Published May 3, 2024

Some Trust in Chariots (Psalm 20:7-9)

Doug Horchak discusses Psalm 20:7-9—“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.”

Published May 1, 2024

DEEP DIVE: Being Justified Freely by His Grace (Romans 3:24-26)

In this extended edition of Verse by Verse, David Johnson discusses Romans 3:24-26—“being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

Published April 29, 2024

Paul Preaches Every Sabbath to Jews and Greeks (Acts 18:1-4)

Jim Franks discusses Acts 18:1-4—“After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.”

Published April 26, 2024

Christ’s Body (Matthew 26:26)

Erik Jones discusses Matthew 26:26—“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’”

Published April 24, 2024

They Pierced My Hands and My Feet (Psalm 22:16-18)

Joel Meeker discusses Psalm 22:16-18—“For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”

Published April 22, 2024

Jesus Preached on the Sabbath in Nazareth (Mark 6:1-3)

Erik Jones discusses Mark 6:2—“And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!’”

Published April 19, 2024

Each One in His Own Order (1 Corinthians 15:22-26)

Joel Meeker discusses 1 Corinthians 15:22-26—“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.”

Published April 17, 2024

To the Church of God (1 Corinthians 1:2)

Kendrick Diaz discusses 1 Corinthians 1:2—“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.”

Published April 15, 2024

Paul Continues to Celebrate Pentecost           (1 Corinthians 16:8)

David Johnson discusses 1 Corinthians 16:8—“But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.”

Published April 12, 2024

Hurrying to Be at Jerusalem for Pentecost (Acts 20:16)

David Johnson discusses Acts 20:16—“For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.”

Published April 10, 2024

Jesus’ Early Years: The Passover (Luke 2:41-42)

Jeremy Lallier discusses Luke 2:41-42—“His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.”

Published April 8, 2024

Passover: First of Seven Annual Festivals (Leviticus 23:4-5)

Jeremy Lallier discusses Leviticus 23:4-5—“These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the LORD’s Passover.”

Published April 5, 2024

God’s Harvest Festivals (Exodus 23:14-16)

Jim Franks discusses Exodus 23:14-16  —“Three times you shall keep a feast to  Me in the year: You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty); and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.”

Published April 3, 2024

Water Baptism by Immersion (John 3:23)

Britton Taylor discusses John 3:23—“Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.”

Published April 1, 2024

Paul’s Sabbath Custom (Acts 17:2)

Doug Horchak discusses Acts 17:2—“ Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.”

Published March 29,2024

“I Will Cleanse Them” (Jeremiah 33:8)

Kendrick Diaz discusses Jeremiah 33:8—“I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me.”

Published March 27, 2024

More Tolerable for Sodom in the Day of Judgment? (Matthew 11:23-24)

Britton Taylor discusses Matthew 11:23-24—“And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

Published March 25, 2024

My Peace I Give to You (John 14:27)

Clyde Kilough discusses John 14:27—“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Published March 22, 2024

Christ’s Example of Sabbath Observance (Luke 4:31)

Joel Meeker discusses Luke 4:31—“ Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths.”

Published March 20,2024

If Christ Is in You, the Body Is Dead Because of Sin (Romans 8:9-10)

Kendrick Diaz discusses Romans 8:9-10—“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

Published March 18, 2024

Christ’s Sacrifice Makes It Possible for Us to Be Holy (Colossians 1:21-22)

Britton Taylor discusses Colossians 1:21-22—“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.”

Published March 15, 2024

Forgiveness According to the Riches of His Grace (Ephesians 1:7)

Jeremy Lallier discusses Ephesians 1:7—“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

Published March 13, 2024

Predestined, Called, Justified, Glorified (Romans 8:30)

Erik Jones discusses Romans 8:30—“Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

Published March 11, 2024

The Gift of God Is Eternal Life (Romans 6:23)

David Johnson discusses Romans 6:23—“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Published March 8, 2024

Ascending to the Father (John 20:17)

Erik Jones discusses John 20:17—“Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”’”

Published March 6, 2024

Led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14-15)

Kendrick Diaz discusses Romans 8:14-15—“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’”

Published March 4, 2024

Promises of Blessings to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)

Erik Jones discusses Genesis 12:1-3—“Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’”

Published March 1, 2024

Dear Reader,

As Christians, we need to be growing.

So much of that growth happens in private—deep down where no one but God can see. But it doesn’t stay private—who we are on the inside always, sooner or later, makes its way to the surface.

Over the next 11 days, we’re going to talk about the fruit of the Spirit—a list of nine godly traits Paul highlighted in his letter to the New Testament church in Galatia.

These traits aren’t some arbitrary collection of nice-sounding words. Taken as a whole, they paint a picture of exactly what kind of growth God expects from His people—and, just as important, they give us a road map of how to pursue that growth in our own lives.

Every day of this Journey, you’re going to find three things:

1. That day’s reading.
2. Recommended verses and chapters from the Bible relating to that day’s subject.
3. Supplemental material from Life, Hope & Truth for digging deeper into that day’s subject.

You’ll see it at the end of the first day’s reading, but be sure to keep our Works of the Flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit Word Study handy throughout this Journey—it’s a great way to keep track of what Greek words Paul used for the fruit of the Spirit (and what they mean).

Being a Christian means growing, and growing means developing the fruit of the Spirit. We hope this Journey will help you find the path and the motivation to do just that.

Are you ready to put what you’ve learned into practice?

Let’s begin!

All the best,
Your friends at Life Hope & Truth

Journey 1
Knowing God

Sign up now for this seven-day course that will help you discover who God is and why He created you. It’s time to get to know God.