Ezra 1:1 (HCSB)The Decree of Cyrus 1 In  the first year of Cyrus king of Persia,  the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled.  The Lord put it into the mind  of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and to put it in writing:Andrew IveyOur God is Sovereign. He is completely in control of this world. We see God’s sovereignty clearly in this passage. God sti...  Read More

Signs of the TimesPeter likely wrote this second letter to believers scattered throughout Asia Minor sometime between AD 64-67.  He probably wrote it from Rome not long before he was martyred.Study The Word: Peter taught about the return of Christ, warning that scoffers will mistakenly point to God's patience as proof that He does not exist.Key Truth:   Christ will return as promised (2 Peter 3:1-...  Read More

What do you think 2 Peter 3:8-10 means in that God doesn’t view time like we do (vs. 8)? How does God’s view of time equate to patience and repentance (vs. 9)? What does it mean in that works on the earth will be exposed (vs. 10)? If people knew everything about you –your thoughts, attitudes, and actions –where would you be most ashamed? Why?  How does knowing that everything about us will be expo...  Read More

2 Peter 3:14-18 (HCSB)Conclusion 14 Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found at peace with Him without spot or blemish.  15 Also, regard the patience of our Lord as an opportunity for salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him.  16 He speaks about these things in all his letters in which there are ...  Read More

2 Peter 3:10-13 (HCSB)10 But the Day of the Lord  will come like a thief;   on that day the heavens will pass away  with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved,  and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.  11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness 12 as you wait for and earnestly d...  Read More

2 Peter 3:7-9 (HCSB)7 But by the same word,  the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment  and destruction of ungodly men. 8 Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  9 The Lord does not delay His promise,  as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not...  Read More

Genesis 6:5-8 (HCSB)Judgment Decreed 5 When the Lord saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time,  6 the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth,  and He was grieved in His heart. 7 Then the Lord said, “I will wipe off from the face of the earth mankind, whom I created, together with the animals, creatur...  Read More

2 Peter 3:1-6 (HCSB)The Day of the Lord 3 Dear friends, this is now the second letter  I have written to you; in both letters, I want to develop a genuine understanding with a reminder, 2 so that you can remember the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles. 3 First, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days  to sco...  Read More

Different View of SufferingPeter likely wrote this second letter to believers scattered throughout Asia Minor sometime between AD 64-67.  He probably wrote it from Rome not long before he was martyred.Study the Word: Peter described the sustaining power of God's promises and His desire for us to grow in godliness and add to our faith.  Key Truth: God gives believers everything they need for godly ...  Read More

Second Peter 1 starts off with a bang – calling, election, glory, and prophecy. He ends this chapter by stating that prophecy is from those who “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Why does that come after Peter saying, “we don’t follow cleverly devised myths”? What are some cultural myths that contradict the Bible? Why do they often sound good?      Second Peter 2:19 is...  Read More

Matthew 13:18-23 (HCSB)The Parable of the Sower Explained 18 “You, then, listen to the parable of the sower:  19 When anyone hears the word  about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path.  20 And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.  21 Ye...  Read More

2 Peter 2:12-22 (HCSB)12 But these people, like irrational animals—creatures of instinct born to be caught and destroyed—speak blasphemies about things they don’t understand, and in their destruction they too will be destroyed, 13 suffering harm as the payment for unrighteousness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, delighting in their deceptions  a...  Read More