Ray Fowler .org

Click the book image to view on Amazon:

Two years ago, I discovered that I had sleep apnea. I was also a life-long snorer, but it was the sleep apnea that got my attention.

I didn’t want to go on a CPAP, so I spent about a year researching and trying various methods to stop snoring and overcome the apnea on my own. It worked! I was able to overcome both using natural means without having to resort to a CPAP.

I like to write books, so I wrote down my personal journey and what worked for me in case it might help someone else. The name of the book is CPAP No More: How I Stopped Snoring, Overcame Sleep Apnea, and Beat the CPAP!

So, if you or someone you know struggles with sleep apnea or snoring, please let them know about the book. I am hoping it will help other people as they deal with these issues.

Someone asked me recently what resources I would recommend to help them get their Greek and Hebrew from seminary back up to speed. Seminary students invest a lot of time and effort in learning the languages, but then we don’t always keep up with them.

These are the resources I would recommend—starting from easiest and least effort expended to most challenging and greatest effort expended. If you’re looking to refresh your Greek or Hebrew in the New Year, I would suggest starting with number one and then working your way forward.

————————–

1) Summary Charts – Quick refresher and review charts; super helpful

• Charts for Beginning Greek Grammar and Syntax
• Charts for Intermediate Greek Grammar and Syntax
• Biblical Hebrew Laminated Sheet

2) Daily Dose Videos – These video sites are great as supplements, but they are not as systematic as the resources listed after them.

• Daily Dose of Greek
• Daily Dose of Hebrew

3) Keep Up Your Biblical Languages Daily Readers – These books start easy and ramp up as you go. They only take a couple minutes a day, but they are great for rebuilding your vocabulary. I have them in both hardcover as well as the bundle from Olive Tree Bible Software. (Note: They are a lot less expensive in Olive Tree!)

• Olive Tree Bundle ($49.99)
• Logos Bundle ($124.99)
• Hardcovers (about $40 apiece)

     – Keep Up Your Biblical Greek Vol. 1 (Easy review)
     – Keep Up Your Biblical Greek Vol. 2 (Advanced review)
     – Keep Up Your Biblical Hebrew Vol. 1 (Easy review)
     – Keep Up Your Biblical Hebrew Vol. 2 (Advanced review)

4) Basics of Biblical Greek (Mounce) – You can’t go wrong with Mounce’s Basics of Biblical Greek or Pratico’s Basics of Biblical Hebrew. These are available in both book and video course formats.

• Hardcover ($36)
• Ebook (free with Kindle unlimited)
• Overview videos (free)
• Full video lectures ($80-$130)

     – DVDs ($87.49)
     – Buy on Prime Video ($89)
     – Online streaming access for a year ($129)
     – Study Gateway (subscription)

5) Basics of Biblical Hebrew (Pratico/Pelt)

• Hardcover ($30)
• Misc. overview videos (free)
• Full video lectures ($89)

     – Buy on Prime Video ($89)
     – Study Gateway (subscription)

* Bonus Resources

• Keep Your Greek: Strategies for Busy People – Constantine Campbell has written a great book on keeping your Greek. This is a book of helpful principles to follow when getting your Greek back up to speed. Of course, a lot of these same principles would apply to Hebrew as well.
• Biblingo – Biblingo is an app you can use on your desktop, cellphone or tablet that will help you learn or review the Biblical languages. The cost is $9/month for a Learner subscription for either language, or $30/month for an Accelerator subscription which covers both languages as well as providing online reading resources.

It’s December! If you’re looking for some reading material in preparation for Christmas, let me suggest one of my three Christmas-related books below. Happy Advent, and happy reading!

Click on a title to view on Amazon:

     

Click here for all books in the Understanding God’s Word series.
 

I read the following verse in my devotions this morning:

He who conceals his hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads slander is a fool. (Proverbs 10:18)

Most proverbs contrast a good with a bad (or a bad with a good). You can easily spot it because the two halves are joined with the word “but.”

But in this proverb the two halves are joined with an “and.” Instead of contrasting a good with a bad, we are given two “bads” instead.

In other words, when you hold hatred in your heart, you lose either way. You’re a liar if you hide it, and if you speak up, you’re a fool.

So, what’s the solution? You need to get rid of it.

Paul got it right in Ephesians:

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians. 4:31–32)

The only way to win with bitterness, anger or rage is to get rid of it. The only way to get rid of it is to forgive. The only way to truly forgive is through Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). It’s not easy to forgive, but it’s so much better than holding on to your hate or anger.

When you hold on to hate, you’re either a liar or a fool. So, time to give it up! “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

My new book, Birth and Preparation: Matthew 1-4, is now available for purchase. I am hoping this will be a good resource for pastors, teachers, groups and individuals seeking to study and learn from the gospel of Matthew. You may especially want to read the chapters on the birth narratives of Christ in preparation for Christmas. Here’s the description from the back cover.

This is the first volume of a series covering the whole gospel of Matthew. This volume explores the meaning of Jesus’ genealogy, the birth narratives of Christ, the ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus’ baptism and temptation in the wilderness, and the beginning of his ministry in Galilee.

The gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah and King who came to suffer and die for our sins. Matthew introduces these themes even in the opening chapters of his gospel. Come learn more about Jesus as we explore his birth and preparation for ministry together.

Click here for all books in the Understanding God’s Word series.
 

It’s here! The Magnificent Word of God is an exposition of the wonders of God’s word as found in Psalm 19:7-14. It is available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble in both paperback and ebook formats.

I am hoping this will be a good resource for pastors, teachers, groups and individuals seeking to know more about God’s Word. Here’s the description from the back cover.

The Bible is a magnificent book, and Psalm 19 is a magnificent psalm. In fact, it is a magnificent psalm about God’s magnificent book! It is a psalm about the Bible.

The messages in this book present a verse-by-verse exposition of the wonders of God’s word as found in Psalm 19. There are six chapters dealing with the inspiration, infallibility, authority, everlasting nature, priceless value, and sanctifying power of God’s word.

There is no book like the Bible. Come learn more about this wonderful book that God has given to us—the magnificent word of God.

Click here for all books in the Understanding God’s Word series.
 

My wife, Rosi, and I were at a restaurant when I noticed a large party of eight with every head bowed at the table. I nudged Rosi: “Look, they’re praying before their meal.” Rosi took a look and corrected me. Turns out they were all just looking down at their phones.

I look forward to preaching on the Proverbs 31 woman for Mother’s Day. In prepping for the message, I realized that in nearly 40 years of ministry, I have never taught on Proverbs 31. As they say, the Bible is a big book!

Some women complain that no one could ever measure up to the Proverbs 31 woman. And what about the men? The women may have the Proverbs 31 woman, but the men have the Ephesians 5 man: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25). Measuring up to Jesus is no small task either.

Here is the outline I am working on for Sunday. I will update this post with a link to the full message sometime next week after preaching. Happy Mother’s Day!

Update: Click here for the full message on The Noble Mother.
 
——————————–
 
“Proverbs 31 – The Noble Mother”

I. Her value (10-12)
   A. Worth more than rubies (10)
   B. Trusted and faithful (11)
   C. Brings good, not harm (12)

II. Her work (13-18)
   A. A willing and hard worker (13-14)
   B. Disciplined and discerning (15-16)
   C. Strong and productive (17-18)

III. Her sacrifice (19-24)
   A. Cares for the poor (19-20)
   B. Provides for her family (21-22)
   C. Helps and supports her husband (23-24)

IV. Her character (25-29)
   A. Strength and honor (25)
   B. Wisdom and kindness (26)
   C. Good reputation at home (27-29)

V. Her defining trait – she fears the Lord (30-31)
 
——————————–
 
Note: this message is part of the Famous Mothers in the Bible series.
 
Click here for Volume One.
 

 
Click here for all books in the Understanding God’s Word series.
 

It’s here! My new book Lord, I Have a Problem is available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It is available in both paperback and ebook formats.

I am hoping this will be a good resource for individuals, group studies and counselors. Here’s the description from the back cover.

In this book we explore various problems we face in life. First, we look at the specific problem. Then, we seek to understand the problem in light of God’s word. Finally, we look at principles from God’s word to help you deal with the problem at hand.

There are separate chapters on each of the following problems: anger, envy, worry, depression, fear, pride, self-image, addiction and abuse. I pray you will find these messages helpful as you seek to grow in Christ by learning how to deal biblically with your problems.

Click here for all books in the Understanding God’s Word series.
 

This past Sunday I preached on “God’s Formula for Revival” from Psalm 85. This is a psalm that especially stood out to me during my Bible reading this past year, and I began to jot down notes on it right away. It’s a psalm that has to do with revival, and the new year is a good time to think about such things. The new year is all about new beginnings and fresh starts, and so is revival. Here is a brief outline of the message:

God’s Formula for Revival (Psalm 85)

   I. Look to God’s mercies in the past (1-3)
   II. Pray for revival in the present (4-7)
   III. Make appropriate commitments to God for the future (8-9)
   IV. Heaven meets earth – what revival looks like (10-13)

You can read the full message here: God’s Formula for Revival – Psalm 85
 

Here’s a new song I wrote this morning called “I Gained Three Pounds on Christmas Day” (to be sung to the tune of “I Saw Three Ships”). Enjoy!

——————

I gained three pounds on Christmas Day,
on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
I gained three pounds on Christmas Day,
on Christmas Day in the morning.

I had such fun on Christmas Day,
on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
I had such fun on Christmas Day,
on Christmas Day in the morning.

How will I ever lose this weight
from Christmas Day, from Christmas Day?
How will I ever lose this weight
from Christmas Day in the morning?

I’ll watch my portions and walk the dog
since Christmas Day, since Christmas Day.
I’ll watch my portions and walk the dog
since Christmas Day in the morning.

How long will it take to lose this weight
from Christmas Day, from Christmas Day?
How long will it take to lose this weight
from Christmas Day in the morning?

I’ll take three days to lose this weight
from Christmas Day, from Christmas Day.
I’ll take three days to lose this weight
from Christmas Day in the morning.

But I had such fun on Christmas Day,
on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
Yes I had such fun on Christmas Day,
on Christmas Day in the morning!

It’s one week until Christmas so I’ve put both my Christmas books on sale. The ebook versions are marked down to $2.99 each at Amazon. Please feel free to share with your friends or anyone who may be interested. Thank you! Here is a brief description of each book:

Name above All Names (Isaiah 9:6): An Advent Series

The prophet Isaiah spoke of a child who would be born a ruler and king. How would people recognize this baby when he was born? Isaiah identifies him for us by his names: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” There is only one child in history who fulfills the meaning of all these names. We celebrate his birth each year at Christmas, and his name is Jesus. Come join the wonder of the Advent season as we study the meaning behind these four names together. Bonus Material: Selected commentary, poems and songs on Isaiah 9:6 through the ages.

Ruth: A Christmas Story (An Advent Series)
This series of messages explores the many parallels between Ruth’s story and the story of Christmas. The Christmas story has deep roots. It begins in the Old Testament, because the Old Testament points forward to Christ and his coming. Ruth’s story fulfills a vital part of salvation history in preparation for the coming of Jesus. As such, the parallels are not accidental. They are incidental, because the events of Ruth bear directly on the events of Christmas. The book of Ruth can be read right alongside the Christmas story! Come explore these amazing parallels as we study the book of Ruth together.

Click here for all books in the Understanding God’s Word series.