Brian Van Dyke

Listen to the Word

We saw it in chapter 1 when Joseph obeyed the Lord and took Mary as his wife despite all the repercussions. Such a trust. When Herod sent soldiers to kill baby boys in Bethlehem God once again spoke to…

Matthew 2:19 (ESV), Matthew 2:20 (ESV), Matthew 2:21 (ESV), Matthew 2:22 (ESV), Matthew 2:23 (ESV)

Just?

This is an interesting description of Joseph. He was considered "just" even though his intention was to quietly divorce her. I would figure that a "just" Jew would do what the law required in such a circumstance.…

Matthew 1:19 (ESV)

How are we at following the star?

It just kind of struck me.  Here are these "wise men" or magi (Zoroastrians?) who, it is never revealed how they came to believe this, follow a star to the "King of the Jews."  Though we don't know how…

Matthew 2:1 (ESV), Matthew 2:2 (ESV)

God knows best

I love how God works (at least I can say that when reading Scripture).  He never does things the way we think they should be done.  All through Scripture we see God doing things that don't make sense…

Matthew 1:18 (ESV), Matthew 1:19 (ESV), Matthew 1:20 (ESV), Matthew 1:21 (ESV), Matthew 1:22 (ESV)

Why the world has trouble understanding

It just struck me. We the world make the accusation that if God existed then why does he allow this to happen or that to happen. Others, who have some quasi belief in God, will actually acuse him of being…

Why no admonishment to homosexuals?

My mind is being consumed with the battle between the world's view and the biblical view concerning homosexuality. As I read this passage it strikes me that there is no mention of how a homosexual partner…

Colossians 3:1 (ESV), Colossians 3:2 (ESV), Colossians 3:3 (ESV), Colossians 3:4 (ESV), Colossians 3:18 (ESV), Colossians 3:19 (ESV), Colossians 3:20 (ESV), Colossians 3:21 (ESV), Colossians 3:22 (ESV)

Focus on what is good.

Here is the answer to the previous passage. If legalism cannot stop temptation then what can? A focus on Jesus. Legalism continues to be a focus on what is wrong even though the attempt is at an avoidance…

Colossians 3:1 (ESV), Colossians 3:2 (ESV), Colossians 3:3 (ESV), Colossians 3:4 (ESV)

Why legalism is useless.

Such regulations are useless in trying to stop temptation. This is interesting. What can be done to stop temptation then?

Colossians 2:13 (ESV), Colossians 2:14 (ESV), Colossians 2:15 (ESV), Colossians 2:23 (ESV)

The Old Law Cancelled?

I don't know where pepople get the idea that the "Old Law" has been cancelled. The only place in scripture where it could possibly be misconcieved is probably this passage. I say this because I did so…

Colossians 2:13 (ESV), Colossians 2:14 (ESV), Colossians 2:15 (ESV)

Homosexuality

It is interesting that some people justify homosexuality by saying the old law has been done away with, but Paul says the law is still useful in that it reveals sin. What appears on this short list of…

1 Timothy 1:8 (ESV), 1 Timothy 1:9 (ESV), 1 Timothy 1:10 (ESV), 1 Timothy 1:11 (ESV)

Homosexuality

Some argue that the word "exchange" and "gave up" mean that the people Paul is talking about are married heterosexuals. On the contrary, no where is it implied that the people he is talking about are…

Romans 1:24 (ESV), Romans 1:25 (ESV), Romans 1:26 (ESV), Romans 1:27 (ESV)

Homosexuality

It is grouped with bestiality. Interesting how people want to justify homosexuality by saying the old law is no longer in effect, but those same people would probably continue to condemn bestiality.

Leviticus 18:22 (ESV), Leviticus 18:23 (ESV)

Something to Ponder

The Jews seemed perplexed at why John was baptizing. It would seem that, according to their understanding, if someone was baptizing such as John was then that person would have been either Elijah or the…

John 1:25 (ESV)

Remember the who.

I've been reading some contributions from others concerning this verse. A lot of people are pointing to this verse and saying "Look!! We lack nothing! God has given us everything we need." I want to remind…

1 Corinthians 1:7 (ESV)

Enriched?

This verse intrigues me. "...that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge..." The word "enrich" is an odd word. I don't hear it used that often. Enriched milk comes to mind.…

1 Corinthians 1:5 (ESV)

John 17:13

Jesus' prayer found in chapter 17 is a prayer for his disciples/followers and followers to come. He opens this prayer with a prayer for unity and ends this prayer with a prayer for unity. Unity is definitely…

John 17:13 (ESV)

What does it mean to be one?

As I study this prayer of Christ for his disciples and believers to come I am struck with the specifics of his prayer for us. In this verse particularly he prays that we would be one, but what does this…

John 17:11 (ESV)