Online Bible Institute | Brain Tanko | Activity

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: 24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I […]

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:16:50 -0400

24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” 25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

I think the subject of hope is one that the church must begin to discuss more intentionally in today’s world. So much is happening that…

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:05:18 -0400

I love it when he says “The LORD is my portion,…therefore I will hope in Him”

We have discussed hope before, and I think that this is anchored in total trust and faith in the faithfulness of God to show up when all seems lost.

I want to have hope in the midst of the turbulence and the chaos our world is subjected to. Hope does not…

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Lamentations is such an interesting book. I am going to consider these verses today:

Lamentations 3:21 Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:59:33 -0400

It is indeed a good ask. In a generation where we seem to want to be everywhere except in the house of the Lord, this is kingdom alignment. It is a desire to eat from the right tree.

May this be our desire as ministers in these perilous days.

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I think this is such a powerful verse from Psalm 27.

Psalm 27:4 One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:15:59 -0400

I totally agree! If reading the Bible is a spiritual activity, we must grow through it, and make it become part of life for us.

In reply to - Dimitrios posted an update

Creative Bible Study Methods

Chapter 4: Before You Begin

In this lesson, I especially enjoyed the idea that reading the Bible is not just an intellectual activity but instead […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:09:42 -0400

It is fascinating how God can deal with us as individuals, and knows us all by name, even though we’re so many and diverse. His will is to be known, and the good thing is that He is not trying to hide it, but to reveal it to us.

In reply to - Eric Miller posted an update

This chapter was very impactful to me, and I want to learn to hear and know God’s Will. Learning that God wants you to know his will, and God’s will for you is individual and […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:07:25 -0400

Yes! We re light, not because we can produce light on our own, but because we can reflect the light of Jesus.

In reply to - Desmond posted an update

In this sermon from Matthew 5:14-16, Pastor Steve teaches about the believers’ identity as ‘the light of the world’. Jesus identified Himself as the light of the world (John 8:12), and […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:04:10 -0400

@Pieter Absolutely! He becomes our dwelling place. That’s where life really happens.

In reply to - Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Psalm 25 , like several other Psalms, is one of those reminders that when life gets hard and all seems out of hand, God is our only hope and refuge. […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 08:40:01 -0400

Amen!

It is fascinating to think of myself as a child of this King of Glory!

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I love this from Psalm 24

Psalm 24:7 Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter!
8 Who is this King of […]

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: Psalm 25 , like several other Psalms, is one of […]

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 08:38:51 -0400

Psalm 25 , like several other Psalms, is one of those reminders that when life gets hard and all seems out of hand, God is our only hope and refuge.

1Of David. To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
2in You, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.

I think running to God, is a natural response to…

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: In Psalm 22, I saw a wonderful presentation of prayer, […]

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:10:53 -0400

In Psalm 22, I saw a wonderful presentation of prayer, and looking a little deeper, I found that it ties in quite much with the pattern Jesus gave in the Lord’s prayer. He begins with a lament, but uses that a transition to establish relationship and a common ground with God. I could say quite a lot about my discoveries in this Psalm, but there…

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 23:41:25 -0400

Amen!

It is such a powerful Psalm to read. I also noticed the way it started with lamentation and ended with a proclamation of hope.

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Psalm 22 is so powerful. When Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He was doing more than expressing the depth of His suffering. He […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:40:33 -0400

Looking forward to more on the Lord’s Prayer this weekend.

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Check out our latest OBIN podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWLs2hvebsw

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 23:43:05 -0400

It is amazing how God is our Daddy and our King at the same time.

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Check out the latest Church Encourager podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jzKgwH08ZE

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: Reading Psalm 19 again was quite interesting. One thing […]

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:44:41 -0400

Reading Psalm 19 again was quite interesting.

One thing that got me thinking was the fact that the Law of the Lord brings joy to the heart. Just reading it, this sounds like the opposite of the reality most of the time. We often see God’s instructions as a burden. This may be true for many, but also for many, it is even more true that joy…

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:24:06 -0400

Amen!

Come, Lord Jesus!

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I like this:

Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:01:35 -0400

I love the fact that the way to be saved from our enemies is not to be strong or powerful in ourselves, but to call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised.

Indeed, “blessed be the rock of my salvation”!

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

This Psalm is so filled with praise. I love the opening verses:

Psalm 18:1 For the choirmaster. Of David the servant of the LORD, who sang this song to […]

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: The video on Justice was particularly significant for […]

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:56:44 -0400

The video on Justice was particularly significant for me today.

The call to justice and righteousness is one that the world has almost deliberately chosen to ignore. We see this everywhere. In governments, churches, families, everywhere, even right here, deep in our hearts. We either celebrate, encourage, or participate in various forms…

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:59:01 -0400

Such a powerful song. I enjoyed listening to the worship team do it over the weekend, but I think I just listened to it even more intentionally now. I’ll probably listen to it more this week. There is something about this phrase “there is love that is as strong as death” that gets me thinking deep.

Than you for drawing our attention to this, Sir!

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

At our church last weekend we sang a song from Jesus Culture called ‘You Won’t Relent’. The song contains these verse from Song of Songs:

Song of Songs […]

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: Reading Psalm 12, I see a generation that is not […]

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:52:36 -0400

Reading Psalm 12, I see a generation that is not so different from ours, but I also see a book (The Bible), that speaks to our common reality in a way that feels really personal across time and cultures.

A generation’s wickedness is a direct motivation for God’s justice. While I may not pray the prayer of the Psalmist today (and I might…

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 23:47:48 -0400

It was a great read. I loved the idea of looking at the meaning of the images and metaphors as it relates to the man and the woman, and not consider them as visual presentations.

It was interesting to learn that the Garden of Eden is played in the background throughout the book.

Love is powerful, and God calls us to a life of love with Him,…

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I would recommend that you take a few minutes to read this article and watch this video on the Song of Songs:

https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-song-of-songs/

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:29:08 -0400

His way all the way!
I have come to love the song the KVC team sings which says “Your Way is Better”

I love how Ecclesiastes concludes.

If this is the whole duty of man, then I better start rethinking what my focus has been, whether pleasing God has been the priority in my thoughts, speech, and actions.

The question on my mind is whether I…

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I think this verse from Ecclesiastes really gets to the heart of the matter:

Ecclesiastes 12:13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is […]

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: I think that the Ecclesiastes reading today relates […]

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 23:03:21 -0400

I think that the Ecclesiastes reading today relates well with the discussion on Psalm 8. Our labor is meaningless, because in the end, it is our relationship with God that really matters.

Life is so full of endless toiling that we may be tempted to make life all about working hard and making a living. But there is a huge difference between…

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 22:31:41 -0400

It’s a great video indeed. I wouldn’t think of the rich depth of Psalms 8, leading up to Jesus. That quote made me want to watch the video, and I’m glad I did. It is amazing how God chooses to use messed up, “nobody” me to accomplish His mission on earth.

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Great video on Psalm 8 today. I would encourage you to watch it.

Psalm 8:1 For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:37:40 -0400

Thank you, Sir! Never really thought of a connection between these two verses.

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I think this verse is quite significant:

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.

Have you […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:04:33 -0400

Thank you, Sir 🙏

In reply to - Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Reading Proverbs 19, I was particularly drawn to think a little deeper on verses 4, 6 & 7. where it talks about how the rich are loved but the poor […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:04:08 -0400

@Pieter Amen! The Lord looks at the heart. And we should too.

In reply to - Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Reading Proverbs 19, I was particularly drawn to think a little deeper on verses 4, 6 & 7. where it talks about how the rich are loved but the poor […]

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: Reading Proverbs 19, I was particularly drawn to think […]

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:40:33 -0400

Reading Proverbs 19, I was particularly drawn to think a little deeper on verses 4, 6 & 7. where it talks about how the rich are loved but the poor are despised.

This past weekend, the sermon at KVC in the Kingdom Alignment series was about Generosity. Our culture tends to be more selfish than generous. We find it easy to associate with people…

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:15:36 -0400

Amen! His Word indeed is truth. I think we must understand this thoroughly, believe it deeply, and preach it passionately.

The Word of God settles all arguments.

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Thank you for this group, although I have not posted here before, I have been encouraged with what has been posted. Today, I read a verse […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:11:23 -0400

This is a verse worth thinking about indeed.

The question on my mind is, how can I ensure that God is glorified in those moments when I feel angry about something?

I’ve found that whenever I direct my anger towards a person, sin is inevitable. It could be bitterness, unforgiveness, etc. But when I understand that we all fall as humans in a… Read more

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I will spend some time today having a think on this verse:

Psalm 4:4a Be angry, yet do not sin;…

There are some things worth being angry over. However, […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 22:28:10 -0400

This is a really interesting verse, and the entire Psalm as well.

That verse is both humbling and comforting to me.

Humbling because it reveals that we cannot oppose God and get away with it. God laughs because He has the final say, and ultimately it is His purposes and plans that stand. We cannot oppose God, and we certainly cannot stand in the…

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I think this is a verse that is worth spending some time thinking about:

Psalm 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

What do you think […]

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: I loved the video on Poetry.The idea of slowing down […]

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 21:41:21 -0400

I loved the video on Poetry.

The idea of slowing down and digging deep into biblical poems, but the Bible in general, seems to be something we don’t see much among ordinary believers. But when we make it a habit to stay with the Bible a little longer, we find that even our quality of life increases. There are patterns, layers, repetitions,…

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 21:48:18 -0400

Amen! thank you, Sir!

In reply to - Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers Psalm 150 has always been a reminder to me that praising God is not something we do when everything is going according to our plan. The call is […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 21:44:48 -0400

Hello, Sir! This sounds exciting. Thank God 2027 is just a few months away. The concept of the two trees shows up on almost every section of the Bible. It is worth taking a deep dive in.

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I am going to spend some time today thinking about these two verses.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:37:56 -0400

Thank you, @candicegentry
None of us has it all figured out to a T.

But God, through the daily washing by the word, and the power of the Holy Spirit, helps us to become like Jesus!

In reply to - Candice Gentry posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

We demolish arguments in every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:33:28 -0400

Amen!

It’s easier to shine than to be aligned.

In reply to - Dr. Michael posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord,and not to men. Colossians 3:23. This verse helps us to serve God as the Lord Jesus did whilst on […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:31:37 -0400

Thank you, Sir 🙏

Looks like we can’t ever escape the two trees.

I’m reflecting on how much power God gave us by letting us choose which way to go. This is freeing, but also challenging. Like we’re in this constant tension of conformity vs transformation.

With great power comes great responsibility, and only wisdom will teach us how to be…

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I am going to spend some time today thinking about these two verses.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:19:15 -0400

Amen! God is truly great and mighty, @andrewream

In reply to - Andrew posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I just read day one and I am so happy that God’s mercy and grace is a gift. Jesus already paid it all. I have to do nothing but receive it. We serve a […]

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: Psalm 150 has always been a reminder to me that praising […]

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:18:11 -0400

Psalm 150 has always been a reminder to me that praising God is not something we do when everything is going according to our plan. The call is for everything that has breath to praise the Lord, not for everything that has bread.

In most church settings today, people are encouraged to praise God when something great happens, to share a…

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:35:57 -0400

Glad to see you here, @tammiehumanburgin

In reply to - Tammie Human Burgin posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Hi, everyone! Looking forward to being a part of this community.

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:35:22 -0400

@Lily Amen!

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

The videos from Bible Project about Proverbs and about the Books of Solomon provide some excellent insight. I would encourage you to take time for them […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:12:45 -0400

I totally agree! 🙏

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

The videos from Bible Project about Proverbs and about the Books of Solomon provide some excellent insight. I would encourage you to take time for them […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:37:24 -0400

Thank you, Sir!

I love how they reiterate that the Proverbs are not promises. I think this ties with yesterday’s Job article.

We shouldn’t be disappointed that bad things happen to us/good people as if God was failing to keep His word.

We must seek wisdom daily, and trust Him through life.

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

The videos from Bible Project about Proverbs and about the Books of Solomon provide some excellent insight. I would encourage you to take time for them […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:44:45 -0400

This was such a powerful article. Job’s encounter with God felt more real just going through the write-up. Job was audacious, but ignorant, just like many of us today.

I totally agree when the article says that all our claims to evaluate God’s rule over human history are always limited, and will always fall short. We hardly ever see beyond…

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I recommend you take a few minutes and read the Bible Project article about Job that is included in the Day 151 readings.

This verse really jumped out at […]

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:31:30 -0400

So glad to see you here, @Lily

In reply to - Carolyñea posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Wow!!! we are growing…very thankful for this community group!

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:58:53 -0400

Thank you, Sir 🙏

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Here is a link to the 5 Day Devotionals for Kingdom Alignment Part 1:

https://keysvineyard.org/kingdom-alignment-part-1-devotionals/

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Fri, 29 May 2026 13:06:45 -0400

Very true, Sir!

Looking forward to the day He returns. And until then, we keep pressing in and saying YES to Him.

In reply to - Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

It has always baffled me how much of God Job’s friends seemed to know. It seems that they had everything in place, knew exactly what it meant to be […]

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: It has always baffled me how much of God Job's […]

Fri, 29 May 2026 11:31:10 -0400

It has always baffled me how much of God Job’s friends seemed to know. It seems that they had everything in place, knew exactly what it meant to be in good standing with God. But they were totally mistaken.

We actually see God sometimes as a discipline master waiting for us to miss a step. It seems like God takes pleasure in punishing people,…

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Fri, 29 May 2026 11:13:29 -0400

I totally agree with you, Sir!

God is involved in our lives in ways that we cannot imagine. Every step we take, every opportunity we get, every failure we come back from, and every morning we wake up, it is because God was right there, doing the heavy lifting; some done beforehand, others ongoing; some done in the background, and others we… Read more

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I thought this verse from Psalms 144 was worth spending some time with today

Psalm 144:1 Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my […]

Brain Tanko posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers: Greetings, everyone! It's so good to finally have […]

Thu, 28 May 2026 18:21:23 -0400

Greetings, everyone!

It’s so good to finally have this available to the OBIN community.

Brain Tanko posted a new activity comment

Thu, 28 May 2026 18:15:06 -0400

This is the best place to be as a member of this community. No submissions for course credit, no pressure, just real people talking about ministry, the Bible, and encouraging/praying for one another.

See you inside!❤

In reply to - Steve posted an update

We are excited to invite all students, pastors, ministry leaders, and believers within the Online Bible Institute Network to join Kingdom Encouragers, a growing online community […]