by Shannon Tillman | Jul 23, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
I talk a lot. Words seem to constantly flow out of my mouth. And when there is a situation that I consider unfair, I have many thoughts to share with the Lord and others on the matter. I proclaim faith in my difficulties; however, I discovered from this verse in Isaiah what my words actually show, which is a shallowness in my trust in God.
Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
This verse was a prophesy of the trial of Jesus. In the book of Matthew, we see the fulfillment:
Matthew 23:12-14
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
The most unjust situation in history was the mock trial and death sentence of Jesus. However, in the midst of these heinous acts, Jesus said nothing. He gave no word of defense. Why? He trusted God’s plan. Jesus knew that the Lord was completely sovereign over every event. He did not recoil from the difficulties. Instead, He embraced them for what they were, a divine orchestration of events, which though horrendous, were designed to bring about a greater good, the ultimate good, which was the salvation of people throughout the world and throughout time.
The words I speak in my unjust situations are a stark contrast to the silence of Jesus. Why? Because I do not trust God’s plan. I have opinions on how I think events should take place and how people should be handled. I dislike what I am experiencing and so my complaints to the Lord and others are the opportunity to vent my feelings. I am looking for a way out, not trusting the way through. While I believe God can work all things for good, I do not want to experience the bad to see the good God will orchestrate. I am not concerned about how others will benefit; I just want my pain to end.
My words show my wavering trust in the long term as I cry out for relief in the short term. The silence of Jesus showed a faith that was solid and focused on eternity. My complaints focus on myself. The silence showed the focus of Jesus on others, on me. Jesus stayed silent for me: to save me, to forgive me, to cleanse me. I need to now learn how to be silent to show my trust in Him.
by Shannon Tillman | Jul 16, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
Often, artwork portrays the view of the cross. The cross is situated in the sense that we are looking in the direction of Jesus. One day, I imagined the viewpoint of what Jesus saw from the cross. He would have seen the crowds, many mocking Him with words. Jesus looked upon the soldiers who crucified Him, as well as the two thieves who were crucified on either side of Him. He saw His mother, Mary, as well as the beloved disciple named John. There were women in the crowd, followers of Jesus, who stayed close by. From studying the viewpoint from the perspective of Jesus, what can we learn from this position of the cross?
Jesus Forgave the Crowd
Luke 23:34
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Jesus Forged a new Family
John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Jesus Found a Lost Sheep
Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus was Forsaken by God
Matthew 27:45-46
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Jesus Felt Need
John 19:28-29
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.
Jesus Finished God’s work
John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
The position of the cross teaches us how to live. We are called to forgive all the people who have harmed us. We are to connect others to bring them together as the family of God. We are to proclaim the good news, even when it seems too late or the person seems “too far gone”. We are encouraged to cry out to the Lord during hardships, even while being thankful that we will never be forsaken like Jesus was by God. We are not to ignore or minimize the difficulties of life, as if that is a “more spiritual” way, but we are to honestly express our needs to those around us. And we are to continue until we finish the work God has called us to do.
The place of the death of Jesus, shows us how to live a life like Jesus. Look not only to the cross, but from the cross to understand how to live because of the cross.
by Shannon Tillman | Jul 9, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
I recall walking down a sidewalk with my niece who was around ten years old at the time. It was a hot, sunny day. On the sidewalk were hundreds of shriveled, brown, dead earthworms. It was disgusting. My niece named the sidewalk, “the valley of the shadow of death”. (She could and still finds humor in anything.) A struggling earthworm caught on the burning pavement became to her a source of compassion. I would have left the disgusting thing behind, but she wanted to help the poor critter survive by moving him into the cool grass. It was an easy transport for her as a “giant” to move the worm to refuge which was beyond reach to the worm due to the distance, the concrete, and the sun. One earthworm survived for another day.
I am reminded of this story whenever I read this verse:
Isaiah 41:14
Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
An entire nation is like a tiny, helpless worm to the Lord. The worm is helpless in its circumstances, overcome by the many obstacles against it. The nation of Israel had many foes to contend against.
Isaiah 41:12-13
“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
All, the many, that would come against Israel, all would become as nothing at all. Why? Because the Lord helped them. The Lord, a “giant” above the circumstances, chose to pick up and help a tiny nation to protect it from permanent annihilation. Other nations would be destroyed, by one nation would be saved, not by their merit but the heart of God toward them.
Isaiah 41:8-9
“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
Even though throughout history Israel rejected God, the Lord did not reject them. There was discipline of course for their disobedience, but He always showed His love toward them, gave them mercy, and kept His promise to them as a nation as evident even today.
There are times I utilize these verses to pray. I remind the Lord that I am like a worm, not able to navigate the circumstances against me. Without divine help, I will shrivel up in these situations. I ask for His help, not because of anything worthwhile on my part, for what can a worm offer the owner of the universe? Yet, in His tender compassion, He helps even me.
Whatever you may be going through today, please know this: the Lord is not walking by, disgusted by you or oblivious to your circumstances. He desires to help because of His deep compassion for you. God will not leave you on the burning sidewalk of life but will pick you up and take you to the “green pastures”. No situation is too difficult for Him. Do not be afraid. The Lord rescues worms, like you and me.
Psalm 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
by Shannon Tillman | Jul 2, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
It happened AGAIN. I thought I had settled the matter. I would trust God despite the spiraling down of circumstances. But as the tears ran down my cheeks, I realized I had once again pressed into the questions, the doubt, the fear, the pain. The situations crushed me as the seemingly unanswered prayers washed over me. Suddenly, I realized the storms of life were minimal compared to the storm within me. I needed Jesus to speak to my storm.
Mark 4:35-39
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
Jesus spoke to two natures that day. He spoke to the physical nature of the wind and the waves. However, He also spoke to the nature inside man, inside the disciples, inside me.
Mark 4:40
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Why are you responding to your circumstances instead of trusting me? We may respond with fear, control, depression, anger, bitterness, withdrawal, repression, avoidance, or a host of other options which combat faith. Yet, we are called to trust. Trust that Jesus is with us, trust that Jesus has a plan, trust that Jesus is in control, trust the timing Jesus has for us, trust that Jesus will overcome, trust, trust, trust.
We do not trust because in essence we do not know Jesus.
Mark 4:41
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Who is this? That is our question as well. For if we really knew, there would be no hesitation to trust. There would be no other response but to believe. What do I not yet know about Jesus that limits my faith? Thankfully, though, my little faith does not diminish the greatness of God. Although the disciples did not have faith, Jesus still calmed the storm. While there is much I still need to learn of Jesus, I do know He will calm the storm inside of me.
by Kevin Tillman | May 21, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
It’s 1446 BC. God gives instructions for the Israelites to place the blood of a lamb on the doorposts of their homes. That blood would be the sign for the angel to pass over that house and spare the firstborn. This was the final and most horrific of the plagues, and it was the event that finally set the Hebrews free from slavery in Egypt. That annual celebration would become known as Passover.
But, interestingly enough, another feast was also instituted that same year.
Leviticus 23:15–16
“You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the Lord.”
This feast was to be celebrated fifty days later. Israel was instructed to count seven weeks, and because of that counting, the feast became known as Shavuot, meaning “Feast of Weeks.”
At first glance, Shavuot appears to simply be an agricultural feast … a celebration of harvest. Israel would bring the firstfruits of wheat before the Lord in gratitude for His provision. But like so many Old Testament feasts, it pointed beyond itself. This feast was prophetic.
Fifty days after the original Passover and the Exodus from Egypt, the nation of Israel found itself standing at the base of Mount Sinai. They had been delivered … but what now? On that mountain God revealed His Law to His people.
Passover was for their deliverance, but Shavuot was for their empowerment. Shavuot was God showing His people how to live in the freedom He had given them.
Every year afterward, the Feast of Weeks reminded Israel of God’s goodness in the giving of the Torah … His instruction, His Law. But like all the Feasts of the Lord, a deeper meaning was still coming.
Now it’s AD 33.
Passover and Shavuot had been celebrated annually for nearly fifteen centuries. Every year reminded Israel of God’s deliverance from Egypt and His gift of the Law. But in AD 33, everything changed.
Jesus died on the cross during Passover. The blood that had once been placed on doorposts was now flowing from the cross as the spotless Lamb of God gave His life for the sins of the world.
Then came two more feasts. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a week-long reminder that Israel had left Egypt behind completely. There was no returning to bondage. During that feast in AD 33, Jesus’ sinless body lay in the tomb. Then came the Feast of Firstfruits, when the first portion of the harvest was presented to God in anticipation of everything still to come. On that very feast day, Jesus rose from the grave, defeating sin and death forever.
Think about that.
For centuries these feasts had been celebrated year after year as reminders of God’s faithfulness. Then in AD 33, Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits took on deeper meaning through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Each event happened precisely on the feast day itself. Some may call that coincidence … but that sure is a lot of coincidence.
While many Bible students recognize the connection between those feasts and the cross and resurrection, the next feast often becomes the forgotten feast.
Fifty days after Passover in 1446 BC, God gave His Law to a newly delivered people. It was empowerment after deliverance. That was Shavuot.
Now fast forward again to AD 33. Jesus tells His disciples to wait in an upper room.
What were they doing while they waited? I can’t prove this, but part of me wonders if there was anticipation in that room. Jesus had died on Passover. He had been buried during Unleavened Bread. He had risen on Firstfruits. Could it be they wondered if God was about to do something again on Shavuot?
I think it’s possible. And oh, did something happen.
The Greek translation of Shavuot is Pentecost, a word meaning “fiftieth.” Pentecost was not a new Christian invention. Shavuot is Pentecost. Pentecost is Shavuot. It is simply the Greek translation of the Hebrew feast. That means that by AD 33, Pentecost had already been celebrated for fifteen hundred years, just like Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits.
This was not a new day. It was a feast day. This was not a Christian creation, this was an annual reminder.
Could it be that while sitting in that upper room they wondered, “What is God going to do on Pentecost?” Deliverance had already come through the cross and resurrection, but now it was time for empowerment.
On Pentecost in 1446 BC, God gave the Law. On Pentecost in AD 33, God gave the Holy Spirit.
At Sinai, God formed a people. In the upper room, God filled a people. At Sinai, the Law came down. In the upper room, the Spirit came in.
Why is this feast so often forgotten? It’s hard to say. It aligns perfectly with the others chronologically and theologically. Maybe it’s time we remember it again.
Passover and the cross brought deliverance.
Pentecost and the Holy Spirit brought and still brings empowerment.
It all fits together with exact precision. Why are we surprised? Some may call it coincidence … but once again, that sure is a lot of coincidence.
Happy Pentecost. Let’s remember that God didn’t just send Jesus to set us free, He also sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of us, to guide us, and yes, to empower us. The same Spirit that filled that upper room in AD 33 is still filling believers today.
by Shannon Tillman | May 14, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
We live in a world of comparison. Who is prettier? Smarter? Richer? Funnier? Nicer? Anything can be compared. We size up people and put them in a category of either “above” or “below” us in whatever classification we choose. Spirituality, or lack thereof, can also be compared. Often, we judge others harsher than ourselves. Their wrongdoing is somehow worse than our sin. Such is the case of Jehu, a military commander, who became king in a day.
2 Kings 9:1-3
The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of olive oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; don’t delay!”
The prophet did as Elisha had commanded. Jehu told his men the message and they hailed him as king. The soldiers followed Jehu to defeat the king in power, an evil man named Joram, who had a wicked mother named Jezebel. Jehu approached the palace with his men.
2 Kings 9:22-24
When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” Joram turned about and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!” Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart and he slumped down in his chariot.
Jehu confronted Joram on the idolatry and witchcraft in the kingdom. Jezebel was the chief orchestrator and financer of these atrocities. Jehu, after killing Joram, went to deal with Jezebel.
2 Kings 9:30-33
Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, you Zimri, you murderer of your master?” He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked down at him. “Throw her down!” Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot.
Jezebel was also killed due to her wicked ways. But Jehu did not stop there. He realized he must cleanse Israel of the worship of the false god, Baal. He orchestrated a plan to kill all of the Baal worshippers.
2 Kings 10:25-28
As soon as Jehu had finished making the burnt offering, he ordered the guards and officers: “Go in and kill them; let no one escape.” So they cut them down with the sword. The guards and officers threw the bodies out and then entered the inner shrine of the temple of Baal. They brought the sacred stone out of the temple of Baal and burned it. They demolished the sacred stone of Baal and tore down the temple of Baal, and people have used it for a latrine to this day.So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel.
Jehu responded to the Lord’s call and wiped-out Baal worship. He was on mission to purge Israel of this sin. This should have been a time of national revival in the worship of the true God. However, there was a problem.
2 Kings 10:29
However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
What? Jehu destroyed Baal worship, took down hundreds of pagans in the name of the Lord, inflicted justice on the royal family in the zeal of the Lord, yet still decided to keep a personal set of idols. Somehow, he thought his idols were not as bad as their idols. He believed they should be killed for their false beliefs while he could live in his compromise.
How often do we judge the sins of others while holding tightly onto our own? We think what they do is wrong, while excusing our own actions with “it is not so bad.” We compare out with “well, at least I am not doing that”. As if what we are doing wrong did not still need the blood shed on the cross to forgive us. Our excuses for our own sins only delay repentance and could even lead others into sin.
2 Kings 10:31
Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit.
Not only did one man’s sin encourage others to sin, it also caused a nation to experience war.
2 Kings 10:32
In those days the Lord began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael overpowered the Israelites throughout their territory…
When we do not repent from sin, we will experience much-deserved discipline. The consequences were not for Jehu alone but for Israel as well since many worshipped the golden calves. However, all of this could have been avoided if Jehu had been as zealous to remove his idols as much as the idols of others. We need to approach our sin with the same opinion as we do others, and to cut it out quickly. It is not to be compared but to be conquered.
