1,315 studies · 62 books of the Bible · 120 topics · 23 series.

Can I Lose My Salvation? Is Salvation Eternally Secure? Perfect Love Casts Out Fear Can I lose my salvation? Is salvation eternally secure? The Bible teaches that salvation is eternally secure because it rests on God’s character, Christ’s finished work, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit—not on human performance (1 John 4:18; John 10:28). […]

Examining the four “I WILL” statements in Genesis 6 that declare God’s judgment, warning, and grace—and discovering how Jesus echoes them in the New Testament. I. “I WILL BLOT OUT MAN…” — Genesis 6:7 Genesis 6:7 (ESV) So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the […]

What the fossil record reveals about the flood, faith, and our future By Barry Coker Introduction: What the Rocks Remember Beneath our feet lies a testimony etched in stone. Sedimentary layers stacked across continents, littered with billions of fossils, tell of a sudden, catastrophic event—a watery grave for life on earth. While secular science attributes […]

The Breath of God From the opening lines of Genesis to the birth of the Church, Scripture reveals a God who brings life not merely by command, but by breath. Wherever the Spirit of God breathes, chaos gives way to creation, death yields to life, and the ordinary becomes holy. Introduction: Life Begins When God Breathes The Bible presents God not as a distant force, but as a living presence who breathes life into what is empty, broken, and dead. The breath of God is more than air—it is the active presence of the Holy Spirit, moving, hovering, empowering, and renewing. From creation to new birth, from Scripture to salvation, God’s breath marks the beginning of life and the continuation of spiritual vitality. Where God breathes, something changes. 🌊 God Breathed Over the Waters — Creation’s First Stirring Genesis 1:2 (ESV) “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” The opening scene of Scripture is not orderly—it is chaotic. The Hebrew expression behind “without form and void” conveys emptiness, disorder, and unshaped potential. Yet hovering over this chaos is the Spirit of God. The Hebrew word ruach means spirit, breath, or wind. Creation does not begin with machinery or mechanics, but with movement. God’s breath brings readiness before God’s word brings light. Psalm 33:6 (ESV) “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.” Creation is not cold or mechanical. It is intimate. God breathes, and life emerges. This is not only cosmic—it is deeply personal. The same Spirit still hovers over broken hearts, disordered lives, and empty souls, preparing them for renewal. 🫁 God Breathed into Man — The Gift of Life Genesis 2:7 (ESV) “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” Humanity begins with divine breath. God does not merely speak man into existence—He stoops and breathes into him. Job 33:4 (ESV) “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” We are dust, yet we bear the image of God. Life itself is a gift sustained by His breath. Yet sin fractured this life, leaving humanity spiritually dead even while biologically alive. Ephesians 2:1 (ESV) “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins…” God would have to breathe again. 👶 God Breathed at the Incarnation — Overshadowed by the Spirit Luke 1:35 (ESV) “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” The Spirit who hovered over creation now overshadows Mary. A new creation begins—not from dust, but from divine breath forming flesh. John 1:14 (ESV) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus is the new Adam, conceived by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, and obedient to the Father in the power of the Spirit. Isaiah 11:2 (ESV) “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him…” The incarnation is the breath of God bringing redemption into human history. 🕯️ God Breathed at the Resurrection — Life from Death Romans 8:11 (ESV) “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you…” The resurrection is not merely power—it is breath. The grave could not hold Christ because the Spirit of God breathed life again. 1 Peter 3:18 (ESV) “Being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.” After rising, Jesus breathes on His disciples. John 20:22 (ESV) “And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” The breath that raised Christ now fills His people. 📖 God Breathed the Word — Inspired Scripture 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) “All Scripture is breathed out by God…” The Word of God is not merely inspired—it is exhaled by God Himself. 2 Peter 1:21 (ESV) “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” To read Scripture is to inhale the breath of God. It convicts, revives, corrects, and renews. John 6:63 (ESV) “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” 💨 God Breathed Life into Believers — The New Birth John 3:6–8 (ESV) “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit… The wind blows where it wishes…” Salvation is not moral improvement—it is spiritual rebirth. 1 Peter 1:23 (ESV) “You have been born again… through the living and abiding word of God.” The Spirit breathes through the Word to awaken dead hearts. 🔥 God Breathed Life into the Church — Pentecost Acts 2:2 (ESV) “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind…” The Church was born in breath and fire—not organization. Acts 1:8 (ESV) “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” The same breath that raised Christ now propels His Church. 🌬️ The Sound of His Breath — Whisper or Wind 1 Kings 19:12 (ESV) “And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” Sometimes the Spirit roars. Sometimes He whispers. Always He speaks with purpose. 🪞 Personal Application: Has God Breathed on You? Has He stirred your chaos into order? Has He breathed life into your dust? Has His Word awakened your heart? Has His Spirit made you new? If not—ask Him. He is still breathing. 🌬️ Final Word: Yield to the Wind John 3:8 (ESV) “The wind blows where it wishes…” You cannot control the Spirit—but you can yield. Raise your sail. Make room. Come, Holy Spirit. Breathe again. 📦 Continue Learning Doctrinal: Knowing God: His Almighty Attributes and Character Teaching: Under His Wings Devotional: A Heart That Gives No matter where you are reading from we welcome you to Bible-Alive. We hope that you will continue to explore our resources and find the Biblical answers you are searching for. Simply visit our home page to link to hundreds of studies, series, and devotionals. In the love of Christ. Barry.

“Lord, show us Your glory.” This plea, first uttered by Moses, echoes through the hearts of every believer who longs to see God more clearly, more intimately, more gloriously. Throughout Scripture, men and women were granted glimpses of God’s glory—a radiant revelation of His presence, power, and purity. And in every instance, their lives were […]

What Is Millennialism and Dispensationalism? How Do Christians Understand Christ’s Kingdom and the End Times? Millennialism and dispensationalism are two major frameworks Christians use to interpret Bible prophecy, especially Revelation 20, Christ’s return, the future kingdom of God, and the relationship between Israel and the Church. 📖 Why These Views Matter When studying Bible prophecy, […]

Personal Introduction Welcome, friends. Few questions are more important than this: “What does it mean to be born again?” Many have religion, morality, church attendance, or spiritual interest — but not new life. I’m thankful you’re here because the new birth is the doorway to forgiveness, transformation, and eternal hope. My prayer is that this […]

1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV[15] but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16] since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Understanding the holiness of God is central to our faith, as it defines His pure and perfect nature, setting Him apart from […]

Acts 14:8-18 (ESV):8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand […]

13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from […]

Introduction:In Acts 11:27-30 ESV, we encounter a poignant narrative that illuminates the response of the early church to prophetic revelation. This passage not only provides historical insight but also offers profound lessons for contemporary believers on obedience, compassion, and stewardship in the face of adversity. The Importance of Prophecy Throughout Scripture:Prophecy holds a central place […]

This study will take approximately 30 minutes. In Acts 10:1-48, we encounter a pivotal moment in the early Christian church as God’s plan of salvation expands to embrace both Jews and Gentiles. Through the encounter between Peter and Cornelius, profound truths about God’s character, His redemptive plan, and the transformative power of the Gospel are […]

Zechariah 1:1-6 ESV [1] In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying, [2] “The Lord was very angry with your fathers. [3] Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, […]