Welcome to the Online Bible Institute (Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary-JMBIS), your online sanctuary for immersive biblical learning and spiritual growth. Our institute stands as a lighthouse, guiding believers and seekers alike on a profound journey through the Scriptures. As you navigate the rich tapestry of biblical narratives, teachings, and wisdom, our comprehensive courses and resources are designed to deepen your understanding and strengthen your faith.
In today’s fast-paced world, we recognize the importance of accessibility and flexibility in pursuing spiritual education. That’s why Online Bible Institute has meticulously crafted a virtual learning environment that transcends geographical boundaries and time constraints. Whether you’re a busy professional, a dedicated parent, or a curious soul seeking answers, our online platform accommodates your unique lifestyle, allowing you to delve into the Word of God at your own pace and comfort.
Our curriculum is thoughtfully developed by a team of esteemed theologians, seasoned pastors, and passionate educators who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the virtual classroom. From foundational courses on the Old and New Testaments to specialized studies in theology, ethics, and church history, our programs cater to diverse interests and educational goals. Each course is enriched with interactive elements, engaging multimedia content, and vibrant community discussions, fostering a dynamic and supportive learning atmosphere.
At Online Bible Institute, we’re committed to nurturing a global community of learners who are knowledgeable in Scripture and equipped to apply biblical principles in their daily lives. Whether you’re seeking personal enrichment, ministerial training, or academic advancement, our institute is dedicated to illuminating your path and empowering you to shine your light in the world.
Embark on this transformative journey with us, and let the timeless truths of the Bible resonate in your heart and mind. Explore our courses and join a vibrant community of fellow seekers discovering the riches of God’s Word. We want to help everyone succeed so we offer all of our Online Bible Institute courses for free. No tricks, no gimmicks, we offer them freely to anyone who desires to deepen their knowledge in the pursuit of living out their calling and ministry while earning Associates, Bachelors, Masters degrees, and/or Ministry Certificates.
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Hello! I’m Steve Lawes (Founder of the Online Bible Institute), and I want to personally invite you to join our Bible Institute to pursue the education you need to fulfill your calling to ministry. We started the Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary in January 2014 with 25 students. We decided to make it available as an online bible institute, and we now have over 1800 students from all over the world. The mission of our Online Bible Institute and Seminary is to create a simple way for people who have a desire and calling for ministry to have a practical online resource offering free online Bible courses to help them prepare for the ministry that God is calling them to.
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Latest Posts
At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Coming,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.
This week is the beginning of Advent, and we are going to spend this season with the prophet Isaiah as we continue in our ‘Kingdom Coming’ series. The themes of Advent are Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. This week, we will look in Isaiah Chapter 2 and talk about how hope is like a mountain.
Like a mountain, Hope stands firm and unshakable, offering a vantage point that transcends the valleys of despair and uncertainty. Isaiah 2:1-5 paints a vivid picture of the mountain of the Lord, where all nations stream to learn His ways. This prophetic vision is rooted in hope as steadfast as the mountain itself.
Isaiah 2:1–5 (NIV)
1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.Similarly, in Revelation 21:22-27, the New Jerusalem is a place illuminated by the glory of God, where nations walk in His light. These passages reveal a profound truth: hope is not just an emotion or fleeting optimism but a reality anchored in God’s promises.
Revelation 21:22–27 (NIV)
22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.Mountains evoke a sense of permanence and strength. They are immovable, rising above the chaos below. Hope, when placed in God, mirrors this resilience. Isaiah’s prophecy describes a time when the Lord’s mountain will be exalted above all others, drawing people to Him. This hope is not wishful thinking but an expectation rooted in God’s faithfulness. It reminds us that no matter how turbulent life may seem, there is a higher reality—a mountain of divine peace and justice—that we can ascend through faith.
Revelation amplifies this imagery with the vision of the New Jerusalem, where hope reaches its fulfillment. The city has no temple because God Himself is its temple, and His glory is its light. This eternal city reflects the culmination of hope—a place without sun or moon because God’s presence is all-encompassing. It is the ultimate mountaintop experience, where every tear is wiped away, and every longing is satisfied.
Just as a mountain offers a clearer perspective, the higher one ascends, hope elevates us above life’s struggles, giving us a glimpse of God’s eternal plan. The climb may be challenging, requiring perseverance and trust, but the view from the top—a vision of God’s kingdom—makes the journey worthwhile. Hope, therefore, is like a mountain because it lifts our eyes beyond the present, grounding us in God’s promises and drawing us closer to His presence.
In the valleys of life, we can look to the mountain of the Lord, remembering Isaiah’s vision and John’s revelation. These scriptures remind us that hope is not passive but an active pursuit of God’s light, an ascent toward His eternal peace and glory.
This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.
At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Coming,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.
Last week, in our series ‘Kingdom Coming,’ we examined Daniel Chapter 3 and discussed fiery ordeals and how Jesus walks with us through them. This week, we will examine Daniel Chapter 6 and the famous story of the Lion’s Den.
Daniel 6:1–10 (NIV)
1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” 6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing. 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.Matthew 5:11–13 (NIV)
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.In Daniel 6:1-10 and Matthew 5:11-13, we see a clear biblical principle emerge: the appropriate response to persecution is to turn to God in prayer and steadfast faith. Daniel 6 recounts Daniel’s unwavering commitment to prayer despite the decree that anyone petitioning a god or man other than King Darius would be thrown into the lions’ den. In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches that persecution for righteousness sake is not only expected but is also a cause for rejoicing because it aligns believers with the prophets and assures great reward in heaven.
Daniel’s response to persecution in Daniel 6:10 is remarkable for its consistency and courage. Knowing full well that the decree against prayer was signed, Daniel continued his practice of praying three times a day with his windows open toward Jerusalem. He did not hide or alter his devotion to God to avoid punishment. Instead, he responded with faith and trust, pressing into prayer as his first response to the threat. Daniel’s actions demonstrate that his relationship with God took precedence over his safety or the opinions of others.
In Matthew 5:11-13, Jesus encourages believers to respond to persecution with joy and resilience. He declares, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” Jesus’ words remind us that persecution is not a sign of defeat but a marker of faithfulness to God’s kingdom. Just as Daniel’s prayer life was a testament to his faith, our response to trials should reflect unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty.
Both passages highlight the necessity of prayer as a response to persecution. For Daniel, prayer was both his lifeline and his protest—a declaration that God alone was worthy of worship. For believers today, as taught in Matthew 5, prayer helps us align our hearts with God’s purposes, seek His strength, and cultivate the joy Jesus spoke of, even in suffering.
Daniel’s example encourages believers to maintain a disciplined prayer life, even under pressure. Just as he turned to prayer in the face of danger, we are called to press into prayer, trusting that God will sustain us and use our faithfulness to glorify Him.
This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.