Introduction from Brian Simmons:
There are many voices in today's world that bring a message to the Church, and very few voices that transform. Bill Vanderbush is a voice that awakens. For decades, he has faithfully served as a pastor, a teacher, and a prophetic messenger, carrying a sound that is both ancient and fresh, rooted in the finished work of Christ yet alive with the unfolding beauty of grace and glory.
In a world often clouded by fear, striving, and confusion, Bill speaks with a clarity that feels like light breaking through the morning fog. He is not merely a communicator of idea; he is a revealer of Christ. Bill embodies the message he carries. His life is a living testimony to the transforming power of grace—steady, authentic, and deeply anchored in love. There is no performance in him, no striving to impress—only a sincere devotion to Jesus that flows effortlessly into every word he speaks and every life he touches.
Ask anyone who truly knows him, and you will hear the same refrain:
"He is pure-hearted."
"He is trustworthy."
"He is full of revelation."
And it is true. There is a purity in Bill that disarms skepticism, a humility that makes room for Heaven, and a depth of revelation that opens eyes to the goodness of God in ways that feel both profound and beautifully simple. He carries a message not just for the mind, but for the heart—a message that heals, restores, and reawakens identity.
We first met Bill years ago, and knew immediately that he was a man of stellar character. I'm pleased to introduce Bill to you as a steady witness to the life of Christ—reminding us that the Gospel is not merely something we believe, but Someone we become alive in. To hear him is to be invited into encounter. To know him is to glimpse the nature of Christ. To walk with his message is to discover the freedom of grace and the radiance of glory. And that is a gift to this generation. I know you'll enjoy this message he brings!
Brian Simmons
The Passion Translation
The Traveler's Joy
by Bill Vanderbush
If there are two things I love to do as much as about anything else it's travel and studying the Scriptures. I've begun to see them in the same light, and perhaps that's what makes each one so fascinating for me. If you give me a moment to describe what I mean, perhaps the Scriptures will become an adventure for you as well. There's something powerful that happens when we stop treating the Bible like a textbook we're supposed to master and start seeing it as an vast, living world we're invited to explore for the rest of our lives.
It's not about rushing through chapters to "finish" the book. It's about stepping into new landscapes, lingering in places that stir your heart, and letting every mile change you. The goal isn't coverage—it's communion.
Journeying Through the World of the Bible
Imagine the Bible not as a single volume on your shelf, but as an interconnected world of continents, countries, cities, and hidden valleys. Each book carries its own culture, language, climate, and cast of characters. The longer you travel, the more you realize how beautifully everything connects.
The land of the Psalms feels like the Scottish Highlands—rugged, misty, dramatic. One morning you're walking through the green pastures and still waters of Psalm 23 with the Shepherd close by. The next, you're climbing the sheer cliffs of Psalm 139, stunned by the truth that there's nowhere you can go to escape His presence. The weather in these highlands changes with the seasons of your own life. You'll visit the same psalm in joy, in grief, in confusion, and every time, the view is different, yet the Shepherd is the same. (Photo via Pexels)
Then there's the bustling metropolis of Romans. Think ancient Rome with its grand forums, towering aqueducts of doctrine, and wide boulevards of theology. Chapters 1–11 can feel like architectural marvels that almost overwhelm you at first. But seasoned travelers know the real treasure is in chapters 12–16, where all that deep truth pours out into everyday street life and teaches us how grace actually works in relationships, work, and community.
Some regions feel more like wilderness. Exodus, Numbers, and large stretches of the prophets are vast deserts that are hot, dry, full of testing. You'll find yourself thirsty, complaining, wondering why the journey has to be this hard. Yet it's in these barren places that God reveals His name, brings water from rock, and feeds you with manna you didn't expect. You don't come out of these lands comfortable. You come out changed, with a deeper trust in the Guide who never left the caravan.
One of the greatest joys is discovering the connections between lands. Ephesians and Colossians, for example, were both written by Paul from the same prison cell. They feel like neighboring countries sharing an ancient trade route. In Ephesians you stand on high ground and see the cosmic scope of God's plan as we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, clothed with the full armor of God. Step across the border into Colossians and you find the same themes expanding: Christ as the image of the invisible God, the fullness of deity dwelling in Him, and practical instructions for life in the household of faith. The overlap isn't coincidence. It's invitation.
The four Gospels are like four distinct regions gathered around the Sea of Galilee. Matthew feels like the Jewish heartland that's rich with prophecy fulfilled and Kingdom authority. Mark is a fast-paced coastal road trip, urgent and action packed. Luke reads like the journal of a careful explorer paying special attention to outsiders, women, and the poor. John takes you into the misty, mountainous interior. It's deep, reflective, and full of signs and "I Am" statements that invite you to sit and linger for hours.
For many years now, I've made my home in John 17, Jesus' high priestly prayer. It's like settling into a quiet lakeside village where the air itself feels thick with love, unity, glory, and protection. From that peaceful spot, it's a short walk down the path to John 14:20 which reveals, "On that day you will realize that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you" (NIV). That single verse has become one of my favorite resting places. It captures the very heart of what Jesus was praying for which is our seamless, mutual indwelling in the life of God. It's not cold doctrine. It's home. (Photo via StockCake)
Where Is the Holy Spirit Inviting You to Travel?
Here's something my fellow wanderers need to know. We never travel alone.
The Holy Spirit is the ultimate Guide, whispering to us, "Look closer here," or "This path is for you right now." Commentaries serve as wise local guides who know the hidden trails. Different translations are like tour buses offering fresh angles on the same scenery. Study tools become maps and compasses. But none of them replace the living presence of the Spirit who illuminates, convicts, comforts, and leads.
So here's my question for you today:
Where is the Holy Spirit inviting you to travel in Scripture these days?
Maybe He's calling you into a land you've been avoiding, like Job's rugged terrain or the wild visionary country of Revelation. Maybe He's drawing you back to a beloved place with brand new eyes. Or perhaps He's asking you to pitch a tent in a single chapter or verse and stay there for months like a long-term expat.
There's no "right" itinerary.
Some Believers are lifelong nomads, always pressing into new territory. Others become deep residents of one region, mining its riches for decades. New travelers with humble hearts sometimes see wonders that seasoned explorers have walked past a hundred times. Wherever He leads, pack light with a heart of curiosity, honesty, and a willingness to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
This journey isn't about arriving at mastery. It's about walking with Him through every landscape, discovering more of His heart, and letting the living Word reshape your soul one step at a time. And you don't even need TSA precheck.
Safe travels, my friend.
What land is calling to you next?
Whatever you do, don't miss another ELIJAH LIST email! Subscribe at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Bill Vanderbush
Email:Â click here
Website:Â billvanderbush.com
Bill Vanderbush is a third-generation minister, author, and speaker with over twenty-five years of pastoral experience. Growing up on the mission field and traveling the world, he developed a deep passion for introducing people to the resurrection power of Jesus Christ and empowering Believers to live in the fullness of their identity in Him. His books explore mystical spirituality defined in Christ, the radical simplicity of the Gospel, and the transformative fire of the Holy Spirit. Notable works include The Sound of Your Blood, The Fire is Not Optional (which calls Believers to recover the baptism of Jesus and reject a watered-down faith), and The Forgotten Way, co-authored with bestselling novelist Ted Dekker—a 21-day journey of meditations and reflections that rediscovers the empowering truth of who we are in Christ. Together with his wife Traci (author/speaker), Bill travels extensively, speaking at conferences and gatherings to ignite faith and help others "invade the impossible." He currently resides in the Austin, Texas area.
To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Thank you for making the always-free "ElijahStreams" possible. To partner with us, click here.
Your donations truly help us keep these emails free for you. Donate at:
Find us on:
* Facebook click here
* XAPiT click here
