WHY CROSSWORDS ?   (Click To READ - toggle open/close)

Crosswords?...

When C.S. Lewis penned "Mere Christianity", he introduced one chapter with these words: "It is a very silly idea that in reading a book you must never 'skip'. All sensible people skip freely when they come to a chapter which they find is going to be no use to them."

In this area I am presenting Crossword Puzzles, which may be helpful to some, but which may seem to others merely a distraction.   If you are one of the second sort, then I advise you to skip this area.

On the other hand, a Crossword Puzzle involving a portion of Scripture can be helpful to some as it slows them down in their reading and causes them to carefully contemplate meanings in the inspired text.   I know that is the case with me as I prepare them.   Crosswords can be an interesting way to bring the text into our hearts in a thoughtful way.  

If you are inclined to try them, please do so and enjoy!   If you do, I would recommend that you:

First, read the text!  

Then, carefully contemplate the relevant portion of Scripture, trying to identify keywords in the text with their meanings.  

When you are familiar with the Scripture, have it available while you complete the Crossword.   (The program Menu Button is always available to provide a hint or reveal the word.)

After you have completed the Crossword, talk the text over with the Lord, carefully considering what the Lord is sharing: "WHAT DOES THIS SCRIPTURE SAY ABOUT GOD?   ABOUT ME?   WHAT MUST CHANGE AS A RESULT?" - then earnestly pray the text and apply it in your heart and walk.   When we approach Scripture this way regularly, we begin to abide in His Word.

Jesus shared an important conditional promise with us when He said:  "If  you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:31-32

Prayerfully, hopefully, these Crosswords will offer yet another opportunity for personal repentance, prayer, thinking, spiritual growth and encouragement to life-changing experience with our LORD, as we interact with His Word, and set aside other distractions which would draw us away from His Word.

These Crosswords are not trivial games involving trivial subjects such as “how many books in the N.T.?”   Rather, the intent is to take in the meat  of God’s Word.   To that end, though I use a dictionary and thesaurus, I diligently ask the Lord's help and consider the context when I build the content for these Crosswords, as when writing an article.  And, I choose the applicable Scripture only after prayer and waiting on the Lord.   My earnest request of the Lord is that His Spirit will speak to hearts as His Word is carefully considered and followed.   I will continue adding them as the Lord leads.    

Open your bibles, and may His Word grow in your heart and mine!

- Jim B.

P.S.   I begin by using the English Standard Version (ESV) for the Crosswords because it is an excellent translation, and so commonly used; and I hope to make these Crosswords readily available to the most participants.  Other translations may be used in the future as well.

Don't have a Bible?   Simply place your cursor over the highlighted, linked Bible Reference in each Crossword Introduction and follow.  Or, if you prefer, I am providing a link to an Online Bible. You may display the Online Bible simultaneously with a Crossword simply by opening both the Bible and the Crossword in separate browser instances and displaying on opposite sides of your screen.

The program is optimized for use with all modern browsers - just not Internet Explorer.   The Crosswords are supported on your Mobile Device or Phone as well while connected to the Internet - just begin entering the letters and a pop-up window will appear on your phone with the clues.

FIRST GROUP OF (25) CROSSWORD PUZZLES   Click to VIEW / Open

Don't Have a Bible On-Hand?   Simply place your cursor over the highlighted, linked Bible Reference in each Crossword Puzzle Introduction  below and follow;   (Or, use this Online Bible):

Online BIBLE

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Please Select The Crossword Puzzle Of Your Choice By Clicking On The Buttons  Below:

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Isaiah 49: 5-7

An inside peek into the marvelous counsel of the Godhead choosing God the Son as a Light to bring Salvation to the ends of the earth (alluded to by our Lord in His prayer - John 17):

ISAIAH 49: 5-7 Crossword: "A Light For The Nations"

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John 1: 1-18

The "Word" - an expression of God Himself, the "True Light" - became man and visited us:

JOHN 1: 1-18 Crossword: Visited by the "True Light"

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Isaiah 45: 1-25

Our Lord demonstrates His sovereignty over the nations:

ISAIAH Chapter 45 Crossword: Cyrus - the sovereign LORD's instrument.

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John 14: 1-31

Our Lord prepares a place for us:

JOHN Chapter 14 Crossword: "Let not your hearts be troubled"

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Psalm 22: 1-31

A thousand years before the event, King David prophesied with inspired insight into the heart and mind of our Lord as He suffered on the cross for us - our Lord's "Diary" as it were:

PSALM 22: 1-15 Crossword: A "Diary" from the cross begins PSALM 22: 16-31 Crossword: A "Diary" from the cross concludes

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Ezekiel 34: 1-31;    John 10: 1-42

"And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord GOD" - Ezekiel 34:31  
EZEKIEL 34 and JOHN 10 - The Good Shepherd:

EZEKIEL Chapter 34 Crossword: Our Good Shepherd takes the reins JOHN Chapter 10 Crossword: "I am The Good Shepherd"

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Psalm 2: 1-12

Swearing sincere allegiance and devotion to the LORD is the only prudent thing to do:

PSALM 2 Crossword: Our LORD God, our SAVIOR, Reigns

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Lamentations 3: 1-66

The LORD brings His own through tribulation with compassion.   In the midst of devastated Jerusalem, with ruin and despair all about...Hope rises in the heart, mind and spirit of the prophet:

LAMENTATIONS 3 vs. 1-22 Crossword: Part 1 of: "Reason To Hope" LAMENTATIONS 3 vs. 23-45 Crossword: Part 2 of: "Reason To Hope" LAMENTATIONS 3 vs. 46-66 Crossword: Conclusion of: "Reason To Hope"

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Acts 4: 1-22

Peter and John boldly proclaim JESUS - "The stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the Cornerstone"  (Alluding to PSALM 118: 22):

ACTS 4 vs. 1-22 Crossword: "Jesus - The Cornerstone"

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Hebrews 8: 6-13

(Quotes JEREMIAH 31: 31 - 34)  - Jesus mediates a better, new Covenant.  :

HEBREWS 8 vs. 6-13 Crossword: "A New Covenant"

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Habakkuk 3: 17-19

Habakkuk chooses to rejoice in the LORD in spite of personal calamity :

HABAKKUK 3 vs. 17-19 Crossword: "Yet The Prophet Rejoices"

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Jeremiah 17: 5-8

A tale of two.     One trusts in man;  One trusts in the Lord :

JEREMIAH 17 vs. 5-8 Crossword: "Blessed Is The Man..."

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Luke 3: 4-6

In keeping with the words of the prophet, John calls for the Lord's way to be made straight:

LUKE 3 vs. 4-6 Crossword: "The Way Of The Lord"

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Isaiah 28: 23-29

The LORD, Who gives wisdom to the farmer regarding how to correctly handle differing seeds, knows how to appropriately handle each of us as well:

ISAIAH 28 vs. 23-29 Crossword: "Isaiah's Parable Of The Farmer"

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Isaiah 37: 14-20

King Hezekiah's prayer for deliverance:

ISAIAH 37 vs. 14-20 Crossword: "Hezeziah's Prayer"

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Luke 1: 46-55

Mary's Song of Praise - The Magnificat:

LUKE 1 vs. 46-55 Crossword: "Mary's Song"

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Exodus 15: 1-9

The Song of Moses - Part 1:

EXODUS 15 vs. 1-9 Crossword: "The Song of Moses Begins"

Exodus 15: 10-18

The Song of Moses - Part 2:

EXODUS 15 vs. 10-18 Crossword: "The Song of Moses Concludes"

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Revelation 22: 1-5

John Is Shown The River of Life Flowing From The Throne Of God:

REVELATION 22 vs. 1-5 Crossword: "The River Of Life"

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Micah 4: 1-5

The Mountain Of The Lord:

MICAH 4 vs. 1-5 Crossword: "The Mountain Of The LORD"

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Revelation 5: 5-14

Who Is Worthy To Open The Scroll?   Worthy Is The Lamb - The Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah:

REVELATION 5 vs. 5-14 Crossword: "Worthy Is The LAMB"

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CROSSWORD PUZZLES CONTINUE...  

Don't Have a Bible On-Hand?   Simply place your cursor over the highlighted, linked Bible Reference in each Crossword Puzzle Introduction  below and follow;   (Or, use this Online Bible):

Online BIBLE

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Please Select The Crossword Puzzle Of Your Choice By Clicking On The Buttons  Below:

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Ezekiel 1: 26-28

Ezekiel's Vision by the Chebar Canal - The Likeness Of The Glory Of The LORD:

EZEKIEL 1 vs. 26-28 Crossword: "The Glory Of The LORD"

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Isaiah 6: 1-7

Isaiah's Vision Of The LORD:

ISAIAH 6 vs. 1-7 Crossword: "Isaiah's Vision Of The LORD"

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Job 42: 1-6

Job's Confession and Repentance:

JOB 42 vs. 1-6 Crossword: "Job Answers The LORD"

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Eccl 3: 9-15

God has placed in our hearts a sense of eternity, though the fullness of His plans are unfathomable to us.   Yet, what our Father God does endures, and nothing can be added to it, so that we should fear Him :

ECCLESIASTES 3 vs. 9-15 Crossword: "Eternity In Our Hearts"

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Exodus 15: 19-21

Sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously:

EXODUS 15 vs. 19-21 Crossword: "Miriam's Song"

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Hebrews 1: 2-3

HE upholds the universe by the word of His power:

HEBREWS 1 vs. 2-3 Crossword: "By The Word Of His Power"

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2 Peter 1: 3-11

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness:

2 PETER 1: 3-11 Crossword: "His Divine Power"

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Isaiah 33: 14-17

Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire?...

ISAIAH 33: 14-17 Crossword: "He who..."

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Psalm 43: 1-5

Send Out Your Light and Your Truth:

PSALM 43: 1-5 Crossword: "Let Them Lead Me"

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