Chad Bird

01/10/2026

Real Housewives of Abraham - Genesis 25. Head to www.1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts from the Bible in One Year series.⁠
Happy Studying!

01/10/2026

God’s choice of Jacob over Esau was not based on moral, intellectual, or spiritual credentials (Genesis 25). He didn’t wait for the two brothers to grow up so he could assess their virtues, then choose the superior son.

God made his decision “though [the twins] were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad” (Rom. 9:11).

Jacob’s flaws became evident as he grew up. He was egotistical, conniving, and deceitful. In contrast, Esau often appears the better man. Yet God chose Jacob, a man of questionable character and the father of a deeply flawed family.

Why? Because God’s calling is rooted in his mercy, not human merit. As Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16).

You may think, “But I’ve messed up too much—ruined relationships, betrayed trust, or carry shame. God wouldn’t want me."

To all of this, our Father responds, “What are you talking about, my child? This has nothing to do with how good or bad you are. I forgive you. I love you. I call and choose you in my Son. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus—only peace, love, and hope.”

God was fully aware of Jacob’s flaws, yet he chose him anyway. His plans don’t rely on perfect people because, after all, he only has imperfect sinners to work with.

So, if you’re a sinner, welcome to humanity—and welcome to the forgiven family of God in Jesus Christ.
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This is adapted from my book: Limping with God: Jacob and the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship, available at https://a.co/d/2yMWlwZ ). We read both Genesis 25 and Romans 9 today in Bible in One Year. For more info and to sign up, visit https://www.1517.org/oneyear

01/09/2026

Burial Plots and the Promises of God - Genesis 23 & 24. Dive into the Bible in One year series at www.1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts.

01/09/2026

One of the most remarkable biblical chapters on prayer revolves around the search for a wife. Abraham’s servant travels far from Canaan back to Mesopotamia on a mission to find a bride for Isaac, who is now forty years old (Genesis 25:20). We read this story today in Bible in One Year, in Genesis 24.

When the servant arrives, he prays a very specific prayer. He asks that the young woman chosen by God will do two things: first, offer him a drink of water, and second, offer to water his camels as well (Genesis 24:12–14). This was no small request, since watering camels meant significant effort and generosity.

Here is the astonishing part of the story: “Before he had finished speaking,” Rebekah appeared (Genesis 24:15). Before the servant had fully laid out his prayer, before he had said amen, God answered.

It is as if God gently interrupts and says, “I planned this long ago. Just watch.” The servant’s unfinished prayer is met with a completed answer.

This story beautifully illustrates our heavenly Father’s providential care. God not only answers prayers that are carefully spoken; he also answers prayers before we finish praying them. More than that, he gives us what we forget to ask for, what we do not yet know we need, and even what we intended to pray for but never did.

Our Father answers unfinished prayers—and sometimes even unprayed prayers.

Must we pray? Absolutely. Our Lord commands us to call upon him (Psalm 50:15; Matthew 7:7). Yet we pray to a God who is not dependent on our eloquence or completeness. He fulfills what he promises through the prophet Isaiah: “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

Prayer, then, is not about informing God, but trusting the God who already knows—and who delights to give good gifts to his beloved children (Matthew 7:11).
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Join us for Bible in One Year! For more info, visit https://www.1517.org/oneyear

01/08/2026

Gamzu Christians. Romans 8. Head to www.1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts from the Bible in One Year series. Happy Studying!

01/08/2026

If you want to better understand the New Testament, you need to sink deep roots into the Old Testament. The two are woven together at countless points.

Let me show you a superb example from two chapters we read together in Bible in One Year: Genesis 22 and Romans 8.

Genesis 22 tells the story of God commanding Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. At the decisive moment, just as Abraham is about to plunge the knife into his son, the Lord’s messenger (who is the Son of God) stops him and says, “Do not lay your hand on the boy… now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me” (Genesis 22:12).

Now keeping that phrase in mind, “not withheld your son,” flip to the end of Romans 8. As Paul proclaims the love of God, he asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Then he adds, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all” (Romans 8:31–32).

Here is where slow and careful reading pays off (as does knowledge of the original biblical languages).

Paul knew the Greek OT, the Septuagint, very well. Like many Jews of the first century, especially those in the Diaspora, Greek was likely his first language.

In Genesis 22:12, the Greek OT says Abraham did not “spare” or “withhold” his son, using the verb φείδομαι (pheidomai). In Romans 8:32, Paul uses that same verb to say that God did not “spare” his own Son.

The connection is deliberate. Isaac was spared at the last moment. Jesus was not. Isaac carried the wood but did not die. Jesus carried the cross and was sacrificed. Isaac was Abraham’s beloved son; Jesus is the Father’s beloved Son, the promised Seed of Abraham, given up for the life of the world.

This is how the New Testament teaches us to read the Old. Paul is quietly saying, “When you read Genesis 22, think Jesus.”

The Son of God who once spared the son of Abraham is the same one who was not spared but sacrificed for us that we might be the sons and daughters of our heavenly Father.

Thanks be to God for such a gift.
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Join us for Bible in One Year! Visit https://www.1517.org/oneyear

01/07/2026

I've lived in a religious S***m, where we had a "Jesus" with the heart of Moses whose gospel was a new and improved law. My only consolation was found when, taking stock of my life, I found that I had not strayed from the straight and narrow, like so many others had done. In this religious city, the Ten Commandments stood up and said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will teach you how to please God.”

In this religious S***m, we had a Jesus with the heart of Moses whose gospel was a new and improved law.

01/07/2026

Why do I keep on sinning? Romans 7. Head to www.1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts from the Bible in One Year series. Happy Studying!

01/07/2026

In the story of S***m and Gomorrah, there is a single Hebrew word that powerfully captures our tendency to cling to our sins rather than flee from them. The word is וַיִּתְמַהְמָהּ (vayyitmahmah), usually translated “and he lingered” (Genesis 19:16). We read this chapter today in Bible in One Year.

Lot has been clearly warned by the two messengers about the coming destruction of the city (Genesis 19:12–13). He knows the danger he is in, and yet he hesitates. He delays. He lingers.

Lot does not want to leave S***m.

That hesitation describes us all too well. When we find ourselves living in our own “S***ms,” whatever form they take, we know we are in spiritual danger. We know we should repent. We know we should flee.

And yet, instead of hastening away, we stall. We linger in unrepentance. We cling to what is destroying us.

This is the ongoing spiritual reality within us that Paul describes so memorably in Romans 7, which we also read today in Bible in One Year. We know the good we ought to do, and we do not do it. We know the evil we should not do, and yet we do it (Romans 7:15–19). Why? Because even after we become Christians, our old sinful nature still lingers, fighting to keep our souls in S***m.

But here is the beautiful turn in the story of Lot. We are told that the angels seized Lot, his wife, and his daughters and led them out of the city, because the Lord was merciful to him (Genesis 19:16).

Their rescue does not depend on Lot’s decisiveness or spiritual strength. It depends entirely on God’s mercy.

This is the heart of the gospel. We are not rescued because we manage to pull ourselves together, or even because we repent well enough. Repentance itself is God’s gift (Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25). Salvation is not our achievement but God’s gracious gift. When we linger, God lays hold of us. When we hesitate, he acts.

God seizes sinners and leads them out of danger because he is merciful. And that mercy is finally and fully revealed in his Son, Jesus Christ, who rescues us not by our resolve, but by his grace (Ephesians 2:4–9).
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Join us for Bible in One Year! https://www.1517.org/oneyear

01/06/2026

Florida Folks! Come join us!

We are so excited to host a 1517 Conference this February at Trinity! 1517 is a nonprofit organization that exists to declare and defend the Good News that you are forgiven and free on account of Christ alone. We’re honored to welcome some of their renowned speakers to our campus, as well our own Pastor Jake Roedsens and local pastor Landon Ledlow. Join us for a meaningful weekend of learning, encouragement, and connection. Click the link in our bio for more info and to register! ♥️✝️

#1517

01/06/2026

We read about Hagar today in Bible in One Year as we covered Genesis 16. Sign up and join us at https://www.1517.org/oneyear-signup

01/06/2026

Jesus in Genesis - Genesis 16. Head to www.1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts from the Bible in One Year series. Happy Studying!