Dive into Scripture Together

Imagine growing up with Jesus as your big brother!  (“Why can't you act more like Jesus?”)  James did, and he didn't believe in Him at first.  But James came around, and he went on to lead the church in Jerusalem.  His letter has been called “Christianity with its sleeves rolled up,” and that's exactly what this book is about.

In 33 short chapters, Pastor Devin walks through James one topic at a time: joy in trials, wisdom, taming the tongue, faith that works, loving people and using money, and the power of prayer.  Each chapter is warm, practical, and full of real-life stories (and a little humor).  As a bonus, the book closes with three biblical-fiction short stories by Pastor Devin.  So, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work!

Paul wrote his most joyful letter while chained under house arrest in Rome.  How does that work?  Philippians: Rejoice! answers that question in 27 chapters that follow Paul's four big themes: joy in suffering, joy in serving, joy in believing, and joy in giving.

You'll get the history behind the church at Philippi (the first church in Europe), plus practical help with worry, complaining, getting along with others, and that nasty case of “stinkin' thinkin'.”  Along the way, Pastor Devin shares stories from his own life, including standing on the shore of the Mediterranean where Paul set sail.  You'll come away understanding that joy isn't a feeling that depends on your circumstances.  Joy is a Person, and His name is Jesus.  Rejoice!  Again, I say rejoice!

Our brains hang on to the bad stuff a lot longer than the good stuff.  (Science backs this up!)  But God gave us a better way.  Bible Bites is a collection of more than 100 short devotionals, each built around a favorite verse, from Deuteronomy all the way to Revelation.  Each one is a quick, encouraging read with a fun title like “Free Hugs,” “Cosmic Santa Claus,” and “Fixing My Wanter.”

Whenever you feel that stinkin' thinkin' coming on, grab this book and read one.  Then spend a few minutes in prayer.  The goal isn't to scrub bad thoughts out of your mind.  It's to fill your mind with so much Jesus that there's no room left for anything else!  The book includes flashcards and note pages in the back.

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers who were under heavy pressure to give up on Jesus and go back to the old ways.  Its message is loud and clear: Don't turn back!  Jesus is better than the angels, better than Moses, better than the priesthood, and better than the old covenant.  He is the real thing, and the old system was only the shadow.

In this verse-by-verse study, Pastor Devin shows how the priesthood, the sacrifices, the Tabernacle, and the covenants all point straight to Christ.  Helpful side studies cover Melchizedek, the high priest's garments, the “Hall of Faith,” and the question “Can you lose your salvation?”  If you've ever felt tired, discouraged, or tempted to drift, this book will help you fix your eyes on Jesus and keep on keeping on.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, with 176 verses, and every one of them is a treasure chest waiting to be opened.  This devotional is meant to be a slow walk, not a sprint: one verse a day.  Each day includes the verse, related Scripture, a warm, practical discussion, and thought questions to pray through.  You'll also discover how the Psalm's Hebrew alphabet structure, from Aleph to Taw, points us to Jesus, the Living Word.

Don't worry.  The “statutes,” “precepts,” and “commands” aren't a list of rules meant to spoil your fun.  They're the path to real freedom.  The goal isn't to fill your head with Bible facts.  It's to grow closer to the Author, one verse at a time, until you can say with the psalmist, “Oh, how I love your law!”

Welcome to Teddy's world!  Teddy is the most wonderful golden retriever you could ever imagine, and he lives on the farm with his best friends Eli and Liam and their grandparents, DG (“Deej,” that's Pastor Devin) and Sasa.  This book is designed to be read together as a family, one chapter each night before bed.

Through Teddy's adventures, kids discover the most important truths in the whole world: God loves them, made them on purpose, and invites them into a real friendship with Jesus.  The 16 chapters gently cover sin, the cross, saying yes to Jesus, baptism, prayer, the Trinity, and what to do when hard things happen.  This isn't a book about “being good.”  It's about being loved, forgiven, and adopted into God's family forever.  So, grab a cozy blanket and snuggle up!

Revelation is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing to those who read it!  This study guide takes you through Revelation chapter by chapter, with outlines and notes drawn mostly from the teaching of Dr. Chuck Missler.  You'll study the seven letters to the churches, the throne room of heaven, the seals, trumpets, and bowls, the return of Christ, and the new heaven and new earth.

Helpful extras include an End Times calendar, Daniel's 70 Weeks, the “sevens” woven through the book, and supplements on the Olivet Discourse and the Kingdom Parables.  Revelation isn't meant to scare you.  It's the unveiling of Jesus Christ, and it tells you how the story ends: Jesus wins!  Whether you're studying on your own or leading a group, this guide will help you dig in and be blessed.

We're told to think like Christ, act like Christ, and live like Christ.  But what does that actually look like?  BVPs breaks it down into 30 bite-sized studies: 10 core Beliefs (like the Trinity, salvation by grace, and the authority of the Bible), 10 Virtues (like joy, peace, humility, and hope), and 10 Practices (like worship, prayer, Bible study, and giving away your time, money, and faith).  Each study includes key verses to memorize, so you'll be ready to stand firm when the Devil comes knocking.

The back of the book is packed with extra tools: a flashcard summary, favorite verses, a Bible timeline, the miracles of Jesus in order, “Can I Lose My Salvation?”, “Why Bad Things Happen to Good People,” and help for sharing your own story of faith.

The theme of the whole Bible is Christ!  Survey of the Bible gives you a big-picture tour of all 66 books, from Genesis to Revelation, so you can see how it all fits together and points to Jesus.  Each book of the Bible gets a structured outline and notes, drawn largely from the teaching of Dr. Chuck Missler, with Pastor Devin's own comments along the way.

You'll also find helpful topics like how we got our Bible, a comparison of English Bible versions, the stratagems of Satan, the nature of angels, fulfilled prophecy, the Tabernacle and Temple, and the “silent years” between the Old and New Testaments.  It's a handy reference book with room in the margins for your notes.  More than anything, it's designed to make you hungry to dig deeper into God's Word.

Is God real?  Does God have a sense of humor?  How can a loving God send people to hell?  Why does God seem so hidden?  Q&Amen tackles the questions believers (and skeptics) ask most, with clear answers rooted in Scripture.  The questions are grouped into eight easy-to-browse sections: God's Nature and Character, Jesus Christ, The Bible, Relationship with God, Christian Living, Science and Faith, Other Religions and Worldviews, and Other Questions.

Each answer lists the Scripture behind it, so you can check it for yourself.  That's the point!  Pastor Devin's challenge is to be a Berean (Acts 17:11): test everything against the Word.  Think of this book as a launching pad for your own journey into the Bible, not the final word.

The questions keep coming, so the answers keep coming too!  Q&Amen 2 picks up where the first book left off, with more Scripture-based answers to real questions from real people.  Who were the Nephilim, and why do they show up after the Flood?  Do pets go to heaven?  How big was Goliath?  Can you lose your salvation according to Hebrews 6?  How can I overcome a habitual sin?  Do I need to get my act together before God will accept me?

It even includes a special section of Youth Questions.  Each answer lists the Scripture behind it and is written in plain, everyday language for readers of all ages.  And, as always, the goal is to point you back to the Bible and to Jesus.

Blessed are the poor?  Blessed are those who mourn?  Blessed are the persecuted?  That sounds backwards!  And that's exactly the point.  In the Beatitudes, Jesus turns the world's idea of happiness upside-down.  The Greek word makarios means much more than “happy.”  It means a deep, lasting well-being that comes from God's favor.

This study walks through all eight Beatitudes in Matthew 5, one at a time, then puts them together into one portrait of a Kingdom life.  It closes with the most important truth of all: you can't do this on your own, but Jesus can do it in you.  (Ask Pastor Devin about the cover, a face of Christ he painted upside down, live, during a sermon!)  So, let's go up the mountainside and sit at Jesus' feet together.

Valuable things are costly, and a great marriage is one of the most valuable things you'll ever have.  Investment Marriage took Pastor Devin almost ten years to write, drawing on Scripture and on his own marriage of more than 35 years.  (He'll be the first to tell you his wife is the reason it works!)

In 15 practical chapters, you'll cover seeking Christ together, how men and women are different, leaving and cleaving, biblical roles, trust and forgiveness, money, communication, romance, purity, and children.  There's even a chapter on how to score points with your spouse!  Each chapter ends with thought questions to work through.  The book is written for married couples, parents of newlyweds, and young people who aren't married yet.  Grab a highlighter.  You'll want to come back to this one again and again.

Have you ever hit Exodus 25 and started skimming?  (Don't worry, you're not alone!)  Cubits, curtains, clasps... it can read like a construction manual for a tent.  But God never wastes words.  Every board, every thread, and every drop of blood in the Tabernacle was designed to show us Jesus, about 1,400 years before He was born in Bethlehem.

The first part of this book lays the foundation: the materials, colors, and numbers, the layout of the camp, the feasts Jesus fulfilled, and how the Tabernacle compares to the Temple.  Then, in 17 chapters, you walk through the Tabernacle step by step, from the white linen fence, through the torn veil, all the way to the Mercy Seat.  At every stop, you'll ask one question: where is Jesus in this?  The way into God's presence is wide open.  Come on in!