Devotional Blog

On every trip, decisions are made. Along the road of life, we inevitably face intersections and decisions about which way to go. It is at those moments that we must live by faith, asking God for wisdom and believing that He will never lead in the wrong direction. It is our hope that each article on the blog will encourage you to keep enjoying the journey…and look for Jesus along the way.

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Moody’s passion for the gospel is deeply in the heart of my friend, Bob Crichton, and I know he will be a tremendous help in advancing that cause at this time.

“Friends and Mentors”

Bob and Betty Crichton The Lord brings people into your life at just the right time and for many reasons. At certain junctures on the journey, He allows individuals to cross your path to help you find direction. Several years ago when I was serving at the Temple Baptist Church and Crown College, God providentially…

The ruins of the Castle of the Servant in Jordan. The historian Josephus wrote that the dynasty of Tobiah built a castle on the east side of the Jordan River, in Ammon. He specifically wrote in the Antiquities of the Jews about the carved "beasts of gigantic size" visible here on the left corner of the structure. The beasts on the right side are not as well-preserved. The structure dates to the centuries after Nehemiah, however it shows the power and prestige of this family of "servants." Photo by John Buckner

The Castle of the Servant 

The Castle of the Servant  “When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was...
Potter's hands making a vessel to be used.

4 Things To “Be” If You Want To Be Used By God

“Pastor, I hope God will use my life as He is using yours.” Those were the words I spoke to my pastor as we rode...
Family time

Family Night

Family Night Friday night was family night at our house growing up. Dad traveled for business through the week and, once he started preaching, preached...
The Mountain of the House, also known as the Temple Mount, with the Mount of Olives in the background.
Some of the steps in the foreground date from the Second Temple period, and would have been the steps Jesus ascended. Archeologists have uncovered around 300 baptismal pools along the steps leading up to the Temple. They would be convenient for baptizing 3,000 people!
The Hebrew word ruakh can mean either spirit, wind, or breath. The Breath of God, the Spirit of God, and the Wind of God are all understood to be cognates.
Photo by John Buckner

Where Was the House on Pentecost? 

 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from...
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3 Benefits of Memorizing Scripture (and How to Begin!)

It was David, the man after God’s own heart, who wrote, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against...
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Togo: A Gospel Opportunity!

Togo. What do you know about it? For most people, the answer would be, "not much." Yet, in Togo, many faithful believers are laboring to...
Bible Valley

Bible Valleys  

The Hebrew Bible uses several words for a valley. The largest valley is the emek, which is a wide, U-shaped valley. The valley of Elah,...
Just as a pillar supports a building, so the right doctrine guards the church.

Yes, Doctrine Matters!

Yes, Doctrine Matters! “We have found a new church and it is wonderful! Everyone has a great time, and they don’t talk about doctrine.” I...
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What Can We Learn From Jonah?

It has been well stated that the word “anger” is one letter short of the word “danger.” However, one does not have to search far...
The King Herod who built the Herodium is the same Herod who tried to kill Jesus, and ordered the slaughter of the babies in nearby Bethlehem. He knew his subjects hated him, so before he died, he provided for his tomb to be guarded after his death. After a couple of years, the money ran out so the guards went home. The vengeful locals trashed his palace and smashed his ornate mausoleum to tiny pieces.
Photo by John Buckner

The Herodium in Bethlehem 

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall...
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A Tool For Bible Teachers

A Tool For Bible Teachers The best teachers are those who never cease being students. This is especially so when it comes to teachers of...
The altar of sacrifice in front of the holy of holies in Arad. Even though it is a smaller imitation, the temple here gives the visitor an idea of how the Temple in Jerusalem appeared.

Photo by John Buckner

Mixed Worship at Arad 

“And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought...
The Parables of Jesus. Full list of the parables of Jesus. Teaching the parables of Jesus.

FREE Parables of Jesus Study Guide

Enjoying the Journey strives to provide helpful Bible study and devotional materials to believers seeking to study and apply the Bible. Over the years, we...
The Parthenon in Athens as viewed from Mars' Hill, also called the Areopagus. It is a small hill just below the famous temple complex on the Acropolis.
Photo by John Buckner

Mars’ Hill 

“Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to...
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“Gideon, A Study in Contrasts” by Dr. Charles Keen

“And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least...
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Study the Parables of Jesus

Everybody Loves a Good Story! Life is a story. Moses said, "We spend our years as a tale that is told." Perhaps that is why...
Wildflowers in biblical Moab. When she came back to Bethlehem, Naomi used some Hebrew wordplay. She said that “the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.” (1:20)  The Hebrew word she used for Almighty, שַׁדַּי is very close to the word used in verse 1:1 for “the country,” שְׂדֵי. In this way, the reader understands the true origin of Naomi’s bitter dealings: the country of Moab.
Photo by John Buckner

Moab

 “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of...
Partnering with Local Churches for a Gospel Advance

Partnering with Local Churches for a Gospel Advance

Gospel work is the work of local churches and, as an evangelist, it is a great privilege to partner with pastors and churches for the...