Bible Study

[thereishope]

I just came in to this bible study and i reall like this study today because it is one of my daily lessons.
This part right here is what really caught my eye because by listening closly it is one of the things GOD has taught me, the part is:

"But look at how God has dealt with you. How many times have you done the same thing wrong? How many times has He helped you through another difficulty (many of which you have created yourself). Yet He continues to deal with you in a loving way".


That is sooo very true, im not going to say who but there are a couple of others in my life (closly) that i have to give issues daily to GOD, cause i'll be darn if they dont act the way i used to, before GOD was even a part of my life. So now it shows me just how i affected other people and how they felt with the way i acted and talked. So patience is key and the lessons i have learned on this subject alone are amazing, in a very good way and i thank GOD every day for the lessons in my life so i always want to remain open and teachable.
Thankyou for letting me share...its a bible study so i thought id come and join in.

[admin]

Title: Saved by Mercy
Date: Jun 13, 2008
Topic(s): Salvation
Scripture: Romans 8:1, Jeremiah 31:34, Ephesians 2:4-5, Psalm 103:10-12

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Napoleon was once asked to pardon a woman's son. He responded that the boy had committed an offense and that justice must be served. The woman's son would die.

"But I don't ask for justice," the mother cried. "I beg for mercy."

"Your son doesn't deserve mercy," Napoleon responded.

"Sir," the woman cried, "it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and I ask for mercy."

"Well, then," the emperor said, "I will give mercy." And he spared the woman's son.

"Saved by Mercy" is the title of today's study. So, let's see what the Bible says about God's mercy:
What Does God Say?

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV).

1. We've been saved by what?
2. How does that fit with mercy?
3. Why does God have mercy on His children?
4. What does God's mercy mean to you?

My Thoughts

Understanding how you are saved by mercy means grasping what it is to be completely and totally forgiven of all your sins--past and present and future. It also means that we will hear God pronounce the following verdict:

"T here is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1, NKJV).

Check out these Scriptures to understand more about the breadth and depth of saving mercy.

"As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12, NASB).

Did you ever wonder why the Bible does not say "as far as the north is from the south?" Because if you go south at one point you will cross the South Pole and then you will be heading north. North and south meet at the poles. But if you go east, you can travel for a million billion years, and you will never touch west.

"And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins" (Jeremiah 31:34, NLT).

If all your sins and transgressions have been separated as far as the east is from the west, if God remembers them no more, then you have been saved by mercy and your sins are gone, gone, gone--completely, totally and forever. Now, that's the richness of God's mercy in Christ!
My Part

Read the following description of "saved by mercy" and let it guide your heart in expressing your gratitude, praise and awe to your Savior and God.

"He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth" (Psalm 103:10-11 NLT).

[thereishope]

let it guide your heart in expressing your gratitude, praise and awe to your Savior and God.

In this lesson i am going to express my gratitude, praise and awe by saying i am so very thankful for GODS forgiveness and his "HEALING" mercy in my life. GOD has healed me of soooo much that now my past does not hurt me anymore and i am not afraid to look back and share with others what i have been through. I totally believe that GOD has us as living sacrifices each in our own way so that the people HE puts in our path to help can physically see HIS loving grace and mercy. Not only the healing aspect but the sinful aspect. I was a very sinful,angry, hateful, vengeful, lying, deciving, resentful person, and GOD in ALL his mercy, love and grace turned it all around and all i had to do was be willing to let him love me through it ALL.
Thankyou for letting me share.

[admin]

Title: God's Loving Heart
Date: Jun 16, 2008
Topic(s): God's Love
Scripture: Psalm 145:8, Mark 6:33-34, Matthew 20:30-34, Matthew 14:14, Matthew 15:32-38, Mark 1:40-42

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When Robert Louis Stevenson retired to the Samoan Islands for his health, he became to the natives of that island a kind and generous friend. Stevenson was concerned that there was only a path leading from the harbor of his island over which his new friends must walk in order to bring provisions to the interior. With his own money and personal efforts, Stevenson had a good road constructed for his people. In gratitude the Samoans called it, "the road of a loving heart."

The Bible reveals another "loving heart"�the heart of God. Let's look at how Jesus showed this heart as He ministered to the needs of others.
What Does God Say?

The psalmist says:

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy (Psalms 145:8, NKJV)

Read the verses below and indicate how Jesus showed this loving heart of God:

* Matthew 14:14
* Matthew 15:32-38
* Matthew 20:30-34
* Mark 1:40-42
* Mark 6:33-34

My Thoughts

True compassion is not simply an emotion; it's an action as well. As we see in the life of Jesus, God doesn't just stop with feeling the pain of His creation, He does something about it. Of course His greatest act of compassion was to send His Son to die on the cross for our sins.
My Part

While we can never equal God's compassion, we are still to imitate it. Take a few moments right now to ask God to bring to mind someone who needs to be shown compassion. Carefully consider how you might show God's loving heart to this person in a practical way.

[admin]

Title: The Promise Keeper
Date: Jun 17, 2008
Topic(s): God's Love, Christian Living/Situational, God
Scripture: 1 John 5:14-15, 1 John 2:25, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 13:5-6, Psalm 23, 2 Samuel 7:5-16, 1 Samuel 10-18, Psalm 105, Genesis 50:1-3, Joshua 24:2-18, Genesis 21:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Genesis 17:15-19, Genesis 17:3-8, Genesis 46:1-7, Genesis 12-14, 1 Samuel 1:1-2, 1 Samuel 1:20-28, 2 Corinthians 6:3-2 Chronicles:11, Psalm 67:6-7, John 14:15-31, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 5:11, John 3:16-17, Hebrews 10:23

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God keeps His promises. Is that hard for you to believe? I hope not, because the Bible is full of the evidence. Open it up and take a look.
What Does God Say?

Hebrews 10:23 reminds us to "hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful" (ESV).

* That "He" is God. He made the promises, and He's faithful to keep them. You can live in complete confidence that God will do what He promises to do. First Thessalonians 5:24 boldly states: "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it" (ESV).

God's faithfulness, reliability and truthfulness make it impossible for Him to break a promise. Over and over, we find God making--and keeping--His promises. Read the Scriptures below and write out 1) the promises God made and 2) how He kept them.

To Abraham:

1) Genesis 17:15-19
2) Genesis21:1-7

1) Genesis 17:3-8
2) Joshua 24:2-18

To Jacob:

1) Genesis 46:1-7
2) Genesis 50:1-3, 12-14; Psalm 105

To Hannah:

1) 1 Samuel 1:1-2, 10-18
2) 1 Samuel 1:20-28

To David:

1) 2 Samuel 7:5-16
2) 2 Chronicles 6:3-11 and Luke 1:26-33

To Zechariah and Elizabeth:

1) Luke 1:5-25
2) Luke 1:57-66
My Thoughts

If you're thinking God made promises only to a special few and none of His promises apply to you, look up these promises God makes to every believer.

Psalm 23
Psalm 67:6-7
Hebrews 13:5-6
John 14:15-31
1 Corinthians 10:13
1 John 1:9
1 John 2:25
1 John 5:11
1 John 5:14-15

* Which promises do you need today?
* What helps you now to trust God to keep His promises?

Of course, God's greatest promise is summarized in John 3:16-17: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him" (ESV).

God promised that Jesus, His Son, will be our Savior and Messiah and that He will redeem us from sin and give us eternal life. You can find the threads of that promise throughout the Old Testament. Then you can see it fulfilled in the New Testament--as well as whenever someone comes to faith in Jesus Christ.
My Part

Knowing God as our Promise Keeper means two things. The first is a matter of trust: You can trust God to keep His promises to you and to be faithful as you wait for that fulfillment. Go back to the promises we've touched on that have you concerned; take them to God in prayer, asking Him to help you trust Him as He keeps that promise.

Second, as our Heavenly Father, He models promise-keeping to us. So, we should be faithful in keeping our promises and following through on the commitments we've made. What promises have you made that require you to be faithful? What can you do today to keep those promises? Take the opportunity to be faithful to all your promises.

[admin]

Title: Our Dependable God
Date: Jun 18, 2008
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Psalm 119:42, Psalm 37:5-6, Jeremiah 17:7, Psalm 118:9, Psalm 44:6, Psalm 49:6, Psalm 20:7, Isaiah 42:17, Psalm 33:21, Psalm 56:11, Isaiah 12:2, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 26:3-4

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Some years back, a poll was conducted to determine "The Ten Most Obnoxious Personality Traits." Number ten (the worst) was Lack of Dependability.

You probably would agree that the person who doesn't show up on time for appointments or doesn't do what he or she has promised to do is more than simply an irritation. In fact, that person is unworthy of your confidence.

However, God's trustworthiness is never to be compared to men's. His character is pure; His ability is boundless; His Word cannot fail and His strength and power are far beyond your comprehension. Because you can absolutely trust Him, you can have the peace that He has promised to all who know Him personally. Let's look at some things that God says about His dependability and why you need to set your hope on Him alone.
What Does God Say?

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV) is one of the greatest statements in the Bible about the trustworthiness of God. It says:

"You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock"

As you meditate on those verses, write down your answers to the following questions:

* In verse 3, what is the fruit or result of trusting God?
* In verse 4, what do you believe the comparison of God to an "everlasting rock" means for the person who trusts in Him?

My Thoughts

Your trust is only as good as what you are trusting. Sadly, as sinful human beings, we are prone to trust in all kinds of things other than God. The Bible mentions some specific objects that can be the focus of your faith but cannot possibly meet any of your eternal needs. Look up these verses and write down what they warn you against.

* Psalm 49:6
o What are some ways people trust this today?
* Psalm 44:6 with Psalm 20:7
o What would be modern equivalents of these things?
* Psalm 118:9
o What does this tell you about depending on political promises?
* Isaiah 42:17
o What does this tell you about trusting religion instead of God?

God promises benefits to the person who trusts in Him. You will see some of the benefits in the following Bible verses. Name them.

* Jeremiah 17:7
* Psalm 33:21
* Psalm 37:5-6
* Psalm 56:11
* Psalm 119:42
* Isaiah 12:2

My Part

There is no question that God is wholly trustworthy. It is His nature, and He will never go back on His promises. He will always be there for you.

If you have been following the Bible Minute studies, you know by now that godliness or God-like-ness is a trait that every Christian should model. Today, you have looked at the trustworthiness of God, so that means a godly person is also to be trustworthy in the way that his or her heavenly Father is trustworthy. First Corinthians 4:1-2 ( ESV) says: "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy."

Take stock and see if there are any areas in your own life that come short of the trustworthiness God calls upon you to possess.

A Scripture passage with a promise from God is Proverbs 3:5-6. Commit it to memory!

[admin]

Title: God Is Truthful
Date: Jun 19, 2008
Topic(s): God
Scripture: Titus 1:1-2, John 14:3

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If the force of gravity ever wavered, life on earth would not be possible. If the North Star rotated as do the other stars, navigation principles would have been vastly more difficult to learn. And if God was ever untruthful, we could throw the Bible out the window and give up any hope of ever knowing who God is and what He wants. But the Bible assures us otherwise.
What Does the Bible Say

The truthfulness of God is so important that Paul reminded Titus of it before he finished greeting the young pastor: "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began" (Titus 1:1-2, ESV, italics added).

* Read those verses again and list some of the things that would be impossible if God did lie.
* How would this affect the confidence we have in our salvation?

God's truthfulness means that we, too, can know the truth. God's truth in our lives means we can know right and wrong and know that right is right for everyone and wrong is always wrong.

God's truthfulness gives us hope of eternal life. God is a God who makes promises and keeps all of them. When Jesus promised that He will return and usher us into heaven (John 14:3), we can count on it.

In the next section we'll look more at what God's truthfulness means for us.
My Thoughts

As you read Titus 1:1-2, think about the following questions:

* How would life be different if God weren't always truthful?
* How would life be different if you could be as truthful as God?

My Part

Titus isn't a long book (46 verses in three chapters), so take the next ten or fifteen minutes to read it. Look for the ways the truth should impact our lives. Look for how Paul describes the people who are opposed to God and His truth.

[admin]

Title: Waiting on Appointments
Date: Jun 20, 2008
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: Habakkuk 2:3, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 30:18, Psalm 27:14, Galatians 3:11, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38, Lamentations 3:25, 1 Peter 5:6

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The mother of three little girls saw them sitting silently on chairs, lined up side-by-side, each girl holding a doll in her lap. Their mom asked them, "What are you doing?"

"Playing doctor," they said.

"Well, who's the doctor?" their mother asked.

"Oh, there's no doctor. We're just the waiters," was the reply.

You may have had times in the doctor's office when you felt you were more of a "waiter" than a patient. What kept you waiting there? Probably, two things: first, the doctor gave you an appointment; and, second, you believe he tells the truth and will eventually keep the appointment as he promised.

God is not limited by time, but He works according to His own timing. When He waits to give you an answer, you, too, must wait in faith for His time. But since He has promised to act, you can be certain that the answer is on the way; and it will come in His time, not your time. Let's see what God has to say about His appointments.
What Does God Say?

Habakkuk, a prophet in Judah , lived amid people who had long been disobedient to God. He knew his nation deserved God's judgment, and he cried out to the Lord wondering how long He would allow flagrant evil and injustice to continue.

God's answer shook Habakkuk. He told the prophet that He certainly planned to punish Judah . He told him that Babylon , the world's most brutal and heartless nation, would do the job.

Habakkuk realized that his duty was to proclaim God's unwelcome prophecy to his people, and he would be scoffed at. They would surely ask, "Why would the Lord use such a depraved nation as Babylon to punish us, His chosen people?" They wouldn't believe him, especially if time went on and the events hadn't occurred.

God assured Habakkuk that in His time He does what He says He will do. You'll find God's words in Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV):

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end�it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay."

Possibly 20 years passed before Nebuchadnezzar's violent armies destroyed Jerusalem and took the survivors into captivity in Babylon .

Habakkuk learned the lesson of waiting for God's appointments. When God speaks, He speaks truth. He gave Habakkuk hope with one of the greatest statements in the Bible: "The righteous shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4, ESV ).

Faith is the proper response to God's appointments and His timing. Look at three other places in the Bible where the promise to Habakkuk is quoted:

* Romans 1:17
* Galatians 3:11
* Hebrews 10:38

My Thoughts

Waiting isn't easy. It requires believing the person who has made the appointment is dependable. In the spiritual realm, it takes leaning on God when you are going through suffering or persecution. It causes you to wonder when God is going to right the wrongs in our world. Look up the verses below and record your answers to the questions about waiting on God.

* Psalm 27:14
o What attitude does God say you should have while you are waiting?
* Lamentations 3:25
o How does God treat the believer who waits?
* Isaiah 30:18
o When God waits, what does it do for Him?
o When He waits, what does He do for you?
* 1 Peter 5:6
o What is another attitude you should have while waiting on God?
o What is the promise to the "waiter" in this verse?

My Part

When you memorize this verse, you will have one of the most famous promises in the Bible stored away in your heart. Put it there!

"But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31, NKJV)

[thereishope]

I just want to say i am really enjoying these bible lessons and study.....i am reading beautiful passages and scriptures that i had not seen in a long time. It had been a long time since i read yesterdays teaching in TITUS, and it is always good for me to keep reading passages on FAITH, let it soak into my heart because maybe sometimes i dont understand why i must wait, i just must do it. WAIT UPON THE LORD and we will be amazingly blessed no matter what the circumstance.
Thank you for letting me share.

[admin]

Title: Be Holy
Date: Jun 23, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Ephesians 5:26, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 4:8, 1 Peter 1:13-16

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The word holiness means to be "separate" or "distinctive." In other words, our lifestyle should be different from those around us who have not trusted Christ as their Savior.

So, how do we achieve that? Let's see what God's Word says.
What Does God Say?

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:13-16).

* According to verse 13, where does holiness begin?
* As holy people, what are we to look forward to?
* What should we avoid?
* What is our motivation for holiness?

My Thoughts

We often think of holiness in terms of what we do, but it begins before we take any sort of action. Peter says it starts with our minds. Verse 13 says we are to "gird up the loins" of our mind. This expression refers to the clothing worn in biblical times. Both men and women wore tunics (the men's tunic usually reached to their knees, the women's to their ankles). A girdle was also worn around the waist to hold the tunic against the body. When working in the fields or needing to move quickly, a man would tuck the hem of his tunic into his girdle to give more freedom of movement. This was called "girding up" the loins.

Peter says we must be prepared in our minds for the work of being holy. The apostle Paul describes it as a "renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). This comes about as we allow our minds to be "washed by the Word" (Ephesians 5:26). Spending time in God's Word creates a renewed mind that is ready for the challenge of holy living.
My Part

This week, take special note of what you are allowing your mind to dwell on. Memorize Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Let holiness begin in your mind and work its way out through your actions.

[admin]

Title: Grow in Holiness
Date: Jun 24, 2008
Topic(s): Holiness, Christian Living/Situational, God
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Peter 1:14-16, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Colossians 1:21-22, Leviticus 11:44-45, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Colossians 3:12-15, Luke 1:74-75, Romans 12:1-2, Deuteronomy 7:6

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So, let me guess. You're perfect, right? You might answer yes, but would your friends or family agree? While we may joke about being perfect, most of us recognize that we're a long way from reaching that goal. But what about being holy? Believe it or not, that's possible.

Holiness isn't the same as sinless perfectionism. It means "to be set apart, distinct." God is holy because He is set apart and distinct from all other gods (and vastly superior in character, wisdom, faithfulness, justice, compassion, etc.). As God's people, we can be holy, too--set apart and distinct, belonging to Him. Let's see what the Bible says about this.
What Does God Say?

In the Old Testament, God called the Israelites to be His chosen people, set apart for a relationship with Him. Deuteronomy 7:6 says, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth" (ESV). And in Leviticus 11:44-45, God says, "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy…For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy" (ESV).

Now, the Israelites were by no means a perfect or sinless people. Just read through Exodus or Judges to see that! But they were still "set apart" to be God's holy people.

When Jesus came as Savior, He took care of our sin and made it possible for us to be presented before God as holy. Colossians 1:21-22 put it this way, "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he [Jesus] has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him [God]" (ESV).

Holiness is what we are because of what Jesus did. Sanctification is the process through which we express by our lifestyle the fact that we have been set apart for God (holy). "God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV). First Corinthians 6:11says, "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (ESV).
My Thoughts

So, what does holiness look like? Halos, white robes and saintly expressions? No, holiness is made visible in how you live, the things that you do (or don't do) show you're set apart to God and distinctive from the world around you. As you read these verses, pull out things that can reflect holiness in your life.

* Colossians 3:12-15
* 1 Peter 1:14-16
* Luke 1:74-75
* 2 Corinthians 7:1

In Romans 12:1-2, you'll see that holiness is not only demonstrated by your actions; it involves a change of mind.

* In what ways is your thinking still conformed to the world?
* Where has to changed to line up with your status of “holy”?

My Part

Once you've looked at some of the ways we express holiness, check on these traits or actions or thinking in your life.

* What changes have you seen since you first came to Christ?
* Where do you need some work?
* What keeps you from growing to better reflect the fact that you're set apart for God (holy)?

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow to better reflect your holiness, to be alert to those moments when you can choose to show that you have been "set apart to God" through your actions or thinking. If you journal, include your notes from this study and come back to it occasionally and do the self-check again to see how you're growing to better reflect your holy position.

[admin]

Title: God's Holiness and Yours
Date: Jun 25, 2008
Topic(s): Holiness
Scripture: Exodus 15:11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Exodus 15:11')), 2 Corinthians 7:1 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2 Corinthians 7:1')), Psalm 30:4 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm 30:4')), Leviticus 19:2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Leviticus 19:2')), 1 Corinthians 1:30 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Corinthians 1:30')), 1 Samuel 2:2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Samuel 2:2')), Job 34:10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Job 34:10')), Exodus 3:5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Exodus 3:5')), Isaiah 57:15 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Isaiah 57:15')), 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Thessalonians 5:23')), 1 Peter 1:14-16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Peter 1:14-16')), Psalm 99:9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm 99:9'))

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One of the most important facts the Bible reveals about God is that He is holy. When the Bible tells us that God is holy, it is speaking of His character. Our English word holy is related to the idea of being "whole" or "complete." When that is applied to God, it means He lacks nothing. He is all that He says He is. He is sincere and completely dependable.
Let's see how God's holiness affects you and me.
What Does God Say?

There are two primary aspects of God's holiness you should know about. Let's see what He says in His Word.
The first thing God wants you to know about His holiness is that He is unique, supreme, awesome and completely separate from His creation. Human beings can never be like God in this way.
Exodus 15:11 (ESV)
"Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" The second fact you need to realize is that God is absolutely spotless in His character. This is something the Lord seeks to build into the lives of His followers so that they may become more and more like Him. Job 34:10 (ESV) speaks of His moral purity:
"Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:
far be it from God that he should do wickedness,
and from the Almighty that he should do wrong."
Look up the verses below in your Bible and answer the questions:


What does Exodus 3:5 tell you about the proper attitude in approaching a holy God?
In 1 Samuel 2:2 how does Hannah express God's holiness?

My Thoughts

The wonder of God's message to you in the Bible is that, though He is set apart from His creation, He is at the same time personally nearer to you than anyone else can be.
Look at what God says in Isaiah 57:15 (ESV)
"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
'I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"
How is it possible that God, who is set apart from all others, will stoop to dwell personally with the lowly?
*A. W. Tozer, in his book The Knowledge of the Holy says: "God is holy with an absolute holiness that knows no degrees, and this he cannot impart to his creatures. But there is a relative and contingent holiness which he shares with angels and seraphim in heaven and with redeemed men on earth as their preparation for heaven. This holiness God can and does impart to his children. He shares it with them by imputation and by impartation, and because he has made it available to them through the blood of the Lamb, he requires it of them."
God sets apart or sanctifies you when you believe in Christ, and He begins a work in you that continues through your life. Ultimately, in eternity, the believer is set apart--made holy--forever to dwell with God. It is in Christ that you are enabled to stand in the presence of God, and it is because of His sacrifice and the gift of the Holy Spirit that you are set apart for God's purposes. 1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV) says, "Because of him [God] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.


In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, what does Paul pray God will do for your spirit and soul and body?
What motivation for personal holiness do you see in Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:14-16?
From Psalm 30:4 and Psalm 99:9, what are some personal ways that you can express your appreciation for God's holiness?

My Part

God expects believers to desire holiness and seek to be like Him. Here is the apostle Paul's instruction to us in 2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV) "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."
Ask God to reveal to you any areas in your life that don't measure up to His standards for you. Make a commitment to Christ to let Him work out the changes He wants in your life.
*Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 113, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, N.Y.

[admin]

Title: True Success
Date: Jun 26, 2008
Topic(s): God
Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs 3:1-7')), Joshua 1:8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Joshua 1:8')), Leviticus 19:2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Leviticus 19:2'))

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Some people define success by their salary: if there are six figures in that paycheck, that's success. Some define success by the people they know, and others by the things they own. But God defines success differently and the Bible shows us the path to true success.
What Does the Bible Say

Proverbs 3:4 certainly sounds like the right place to start.
"So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man" ( ESV).
The verses leading up to, and following this one, fill us in. Here are the highlights:
"My son, do not forget my teaching….
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you….
Trust in the LORD with all your heart….
In all your ways acknowledge him….
Be not wise in your own eyes" (Proverbs 3:1,3,5-7, ESV).
If this runs counter to what you've read in the self-help section of your local bookstore, there's a good reason: God's goal for your life is different than the goals society tells us to aspire to. In Leviticus, God tells us what His goal is for our lives: "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (19:2, ESV).
We live in a world that's largely forgotten about God. That's why it's so important that those of us who do know Him live a holy--a separate, unique, distinct--life. This is the life God will bless, and the only life that can truly be called successful.
My Thoughts

As you read Proverbs 3:1-7, think about the following questions:


What is key to finding success with God (compare Joshua 1:8)?
You may be familiar with verses 5 and 6. What do the ideas in verses 1-4 and 7 add to them?
What does it mean to "bind them around your neck," and "write them on the tablet of your heart" (v. 3)?

My Part

Take some time today to think about the ways God's plan for success differs from your own. (When you begin thinking about success from God's perspective, you may have a lot to "unlearn.") Ask God to help you see how His way is better. Look for opportunities to put God's plan into practice.

[admin]

Title: Pure Holiness
Date: Jun 27, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: 1 John 1:9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 John 1:9')), Titus 2:11-14 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Titus 2:11-14')), Ephesians 2:8-9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians 2:8-9'))

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In the 1850s, cleanliness in the United States, north and south, rural and urban stood at Third World levels. Sanitation was not unknown, but the great majority felt no urgency to clean up. After all, dirt brought food, crops, survival. Dirt was good.
But when it was discovered that dirt--and specifically the lack of proper sanitation that often came along with it--also brought germs, disease, suffering and death, America came clean on a scale unequaled in world history.
What dirt does to the body, sin does to the soul. When we are saved, it is not so we can continue to suffer the disease that infected us before we knew Christ. Instead Christ purifies us and puts within us a hope that motivates us to continue to be pure. Let's see what the Bible says about this.
What Does God Say?

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14)


As redeemed people, how should we live?
What future event will motivate us toward holy living?
What two things did Jesus do for us?

My Thoughts

God's grace doesn't stop with just redemption; it goes on to purify our lives so that we might be His special people, not only in heaven but also right here on earth. By grace we are saved (See Ephesians 2:8-9) and by grace we are set apart (the literal meaning of "holy") to live pure and holy lives full of good deeds (Titus 2:14).
My Part

Is there some impurity in your life that is hindering your walk with the Lord? Confess it today and receive God's cleansing by grace (1 John 1:9).

[admin]

Title: Abiding in the Vine
Date: Jun 30, 2008
Topic(s): Obedience/Discipleship, Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: John 15:1-8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John 15:1-8')), Jude 1:23 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Jude 1:23')), 1 Corinthians 3:13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Corinthians 3:13'))

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I have a dwarf apple tree in my garden. It will only grow about half the size of a normal apple tree which is just right for my small garden. But the more appropriate size comes at a price. The root system of this small fruit tree is very weak. Left attached to its original roots, the tree would soon die. To compensate, the grower grafts the tree onto the root system of a normal apple tree. The dwarf tree will produce abundant fruit but only because it has access to the nutrients provided by a root system other than its own.
The same is true of our spiritual life. While the Jesus compares our relationship to Him to a vine rather than a tree, the principle is the same. Let's see how it works.
What Does God Say?

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples (John 15:1-8, NKJV).


What is the requirement for bearing fruit?
What can we do apart from Christ?
What happens to the "branch" that doesn't abide in Christ?
What is the purpose of fruit bearing?

My Thoughts

Keep in mind that these verses are talking about "fruitfulness" and not "salvation." Jesus is not saying that our salvation rests on fruitfulness (v. 6) but that our rewards do. Some believers will come before Christ's Judgment Seat like they had escaped from a house fire with nothing but the clothes on their back (1 Corinthians 3:13; Jude 1:23). To prevent that, we need to make sure that the fruit in our lives is the result of abiding in Christ. As we draw our strength and wisdom from Him rather than ourselves (the flesh), the fruit we bear will bring glory to the Father and eternal rewards for us.
My Part

The apostle Paul urges us to be rooted and built up in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:7). As you abide in the written Word, you will become rooted in the Living Word and bear much fruit to the glory of the Father. Get into the Word by looking at one of our Bible reading guides at www.backtothebible.org (http://www.backtothebible.org/) and begin to daily spend time in the Word.

[admin]

Title: A Virtue to be Desired
Date: Jul 1, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Job 1:1 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Job 1:1')), Psalm 25:21 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm 25:21')), Philippians 2:14-16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Philippians 2:14-16')), Ephesians 1:4 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians 1:4')), James 5:11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=James 5:11')), Ezekiel 14:14 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ezekiel 14:14')), Job 1:5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Job 1:5')), Job 1:3 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Job 1:3')), Job 1:8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Job 1:8')), Ezekiel 14:20 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ezekiel 14:20')), Proverbs 11:20 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs 11:20')), Philippians 1:9-11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Philippians 1:9-11')), 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Thessalonians 5:23'))

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Ferdinand "Fred" DeMara, also known as "The Great Imposter," was infamous for pretending to be something other than he really was. After graduating from high school, DeMara passed himself off at one time or another as a military man, a civil engineer, a doctor of applied psychology, an attorney, a child-care expert, a Catholic monk, an evangelical Bible college professor, an editor, a cancer researcher and an expert in numerous other jobs. He was finally exposed during the Korean War, while doing surgery on wounded soldiers as a Canadian naval doctor whose identity he had stolen.
Fred DeMara grossly lacked the virtue of integrity. But he is not alone in this world!
Integrity includes the quality of being whole. A bridge without integrity may collapse; a database that contains corrupted information is said to lack integrity. You have integrity when you are who and what you say you are. It means you are "transparent," readily understood, honest and free from pretense or deceit. But let's see what God says about integrity.
What Does God Say?

God looks with great favor on the person of integrity. He gives you an example in the patriarch Job.
Job 1:1(ESV) says: "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil."
The word "blameless" in the Old Testament speaks of integrity. Job was not sinless, but he was genuine and without hypocrisy. He was morally upright and open with God and man. Look at the following Scripture passages and write down what you see about Job that demonstrates his integrity:


What does Job 1:3 show about his reputation in his home territory?
Job 1:5. What was Job's attitude toward his children?
Job 1:8. What was God's appraisal of Job's character?
What three men does Ezekiel compare for their sterling integrity (Ezekiel 14:14, 20)?
What does the apostle James say about Job in James 5:11?

My Thoughts

Job is a model of blamelessness, but what about the importance of integrity in your own personal life? What are some things the Bible says to believers?


How does God view the person of integrity or blamelessness (Proverbs 11:20)?
What does Ephesians 1:4 teach you about God's ultimate purpose for His people?
According to Philippians 1:9-11, how should you be living now in order to be blameless and pure at the return of Christ?
How is your testimony for Christ affected by your integrity or lack of it (Philippians 2:14-16)?

My Part

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul prays, "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Take an integrity inventory. Is every area of your life what you say it is? Your spiritual life? Your thought life? Your use of your body? If there are places that need more transparency and more purity, tell God about it and ask Him to give you the grace to change.
Then memorize this short prayer from the Psalms:
"May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you" (Psalm 25:21, ESV).

[admin]

Title: Man of Integrity
Date: Jul 2, 2008
Topic(s): Holiness
Scripture: Job 1:1-22 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Job 1:1-22'))

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I've always been interested in the cosmos. I like to watch shuttle launches and moon landings on TV. And I'm fascinated by fiction programs depicting starships zooming between galaxies. One thing I've learned from those shows is how important a spaceship (of any kind) is. The outer hull of a ship is a thin line between life and death, and when it's compromised, bad things happen.
The engineers, on these outer space programs, talk about the integrity of the hull. If the integrity is good, the ship is good. Now, the Bible doesn't have anything to say about starships and space travel, but it does have a lot to say about integrity. And as we take a look at the life of Job, I think you'll see that integrity is vitally important for your life as well.
What Does God Say?

In my dictionary, the word integrity is defined as "incorruptibility." That's the exact description we get of Job in the Bible. "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" (Job 1:1, ESV).
If we knew nothing else about Job, this would be an impressive description indeed. (But, in fact, it's all the more impressive because we do know more about Job!) As you look at this description of Job, notice where his integrity comes from--he was "one who feared God and turned away from evil."
Fearing God is not what it sounds like at first. It is not abject terror of the Almighty. No, fearing God is the quality of revering Him in such a way that your devotion to Him is evident in your life. It's loving God and respecting Him. It's drawing near to him and turning away from the evil that surrounds you.
Understanding this quality of integrity is vitally important because if we aren't near to God, we’ll miss His will for our lives. If we don't draw near to Him and follow His standards, we're nothing more than derelict vessels drifting through life without a purpose.
We'll look more at this in the next section.
My Thoughts

As you read Job 1:1-22, think about the following questions:
1. Why is this description of Job so important in light of what is about to happen to him?
2. What does Satan say is the basis for Job’s integrity?
3. What do these verses tell us about Satan’s limitations?
My Part

Consider today where your integrity may be weak. Ask God to help you strengthen it so that no matter what comes, you'll be able to stand.

[admin]

Title: Integrity, by David
Date: Jul 3, 2008
Topic(s): Obedience/Discipleship, Bible Characters
Scripture: Psalm 78:70-72 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm 78:70-72')), Job 1:20-2:10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Job 1:20-2:10')), 1 Kings 9:4-5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Kings 9:4-5')), 2 Samuel 18 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2 Samuel 18')), 2 Samuel 3 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2 Samuel 3')), 1 Samuel 25 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Samuel 25')), 2 Samuel 9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2 Samuel 9')), 1 Samuel 26:6-20 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Samuel 26:6-20')), 2 Samuel 11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2 Samuel 11')), 1 Samuel 24:1-7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Samuel 24:1-7')), 1 Samuel 20 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Samuel 20')), 1 Samuel 19 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Samuel 19')), 2 Samuel 1 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2 Samuel 1')), 2 Samuel 15 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2 Samuel 15')), 1 Samuel 16-18 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Samuel 16-18')), 2 Samuel 12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2 Samuel 12'))

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Integrity is not about being perfect or sinless. It's about being transparent before God, honest, faithful and committed. It means doing what you say you'll do. It means doing the right thing. Let's see how that worked for one man.
What Does God Say?

Integrity is really a heart issue. It’s being upright and transparent before God, having the right character and motivation deep inside. Here's what the Bible says about King David:
"He [God] chose David his servant
and took him from the sheepfolds;
from following the nursing ewes he brought him
to shepherd Jacob his people,
Israel his inheritance.
With upright heart he shepherded them
and guided them with his skillful hand" (Psalm 78:70-72, ESV).
Now, David was not perfect or sinless; just read 2 Samuel 11 to see his adultery with Bathsheba and the lengths to which he went to cover it up. But throughout his life, David was a man who walked before God in integrity.
Those who knew David, knew exactly what to expect from him. He didn't compromise his honor or God's plan to save his own life (1 Samuel 24:1-7; 26:6-20). He kept his promises to his friends (1 Samuel 20; 2 Samuel 9). He held back revenge even though he had many opportunities (1 Samuel 25). He forgave and even mourned his enemies (2 Samuel 1, 3, 15, 18). And with loyalty and faithfulness, David served Saul, the king he was chosen to replace (1 Samuel 16-18).
All these things are aspects of integrity in action. And in 1 Kings 9:4-5, God tells Solomon, the new king, to follow David's example, "And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you, and keeping my statutes and my rules, then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father" (ESV, italics added).
My Thoughts

You don't have to be sinless to have integrity. But when you do sin, integrity determines how you deal with it. Go back to David's example after his adultery with Bathsheba. Read the whole story in 2 Samuel 11-12.
How do you see the following marks of integrity at work?


Honesty before God about sin instead of trying to hide it.
A willingness to accept the consequences of sin.
A renewed commitment and faithfulness to God.

My Part

Integrity is really tested when you fall into sin or when difficulties and hardships come into your life. True integrity doesn't take the easy way out or blame God for not making life better. (See Job 1:20-2:10.)
Is your integrity being tested today? What can you do to maintain it? Where do you need God's help or a little more personal transparency before Him? What can you take from David's example to help you stand firm in your integrity?

[admin]

Title: Fear of God
Date: Jul 4, 2008
Topic(s): God
Scripture: Proverbs 14:26-27 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs 14:26-27')), Proverbs 15:33 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs 15:33')), Proverbs 8:13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs 8:13'))

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When we think of fear, it's usually that mind-numbing, spine-tingling, hair-raising type of fear that most of us would just as soon avoid.
But that's not the type of fear the Bible means when we are instructed to "Fear God." Scripture uses the word "fear" in the sense of "reverence" or "awe." And rather than making us a candidate for a heart attack, this type of fear is actually something that's beneficial in our lives. Let's look at what happens when we "fear God."
What Does God Say?

The following verses all speak of fearing God. Read each one and indicate the benefit that comes to a person who cultivates this sense of reverence or awe for God.
Ecclesiastes 8:12
Psalm 111:10
Proverbs 1:7
Proverbs 10:27
Proverbs 22:4
My Thoughts

In his fictional novel, The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame portrays two animals in the commanding presence of The Piper. Mr. Graham imagines the following conversation:
"‘Rat,' the mole found breath to whisper, shaking, 'Are you afraid?'
"'Afraid?' murmured the rat, his eyes shining with unutterable love. 'Afraid, of Him? Oh, never, never. And yet, and yet, O Mole, I am afraid.'
"And, crouching to the earth, they bowed their heads."
Although fictional, this conversation accurately reflects what the Bible means when it talks about the "fear of the Lord." It is an overwhelming sense of awesomeness that leaves us no other option but to fall down and worship our awe-inspiring God.
The person who develops this kind of fear toward God--a reverence and respect for who God is and what He has done--will benefit in many ways.
My Part

In Exodus 34:10, God says to Israel: "Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD. For it is an awesome thing that I will do with you."
Increase your "fear of the Lord" by taking time to consider the awesome things God has done for you. Consider the awesomeness of God and bow your head in worship.

[admin]

Title: God's Plan All Along
Date: Aug 18, 2008
Topic(s): God's Love
Scripture: John 19:12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John 19:12')), Matthew 26:59-60 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew 26:59-60')), 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Corinthians 15:3-4')), John 18:1-40 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John 18:1-40'))

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As Jesus hung, dying on the cross, those who loved Him must have been wondering, What went wrong? Maybe they were thinking about the events of the past week and saying, "If only He had never come to Jerusalem."
Today, because we can read about God's plan in the Bible, we know His death was part of that loving design for our salvation. And even though Jesus' death was a painful and heartrending event, it was absolutely necessary. It was not an unplanned accident.
What Does God Say?

Read John 18 and count the number of events that could have kept Jesus from the cross.
Look, first, at the soldiers who went to the Garden to arrest Jesus. When He identified Himself, "They drew back and fell to the ground" (18:6, ESV). Only after Jesus reassured His disciples that this was God's will did the soldiers seize Jesus (vv. 11-12).
Second, when the High Priests questioned Jesus, it was clear they had no valid charge to bring against Him. The Gospel of Matthew tells us the chief priests "were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward" (Matthew 26:59-60). Jesus had done nothing wrong, and everybody knew it.
The third event occurred when Jesus was brought before Pilate. Pilate asked what the charges against Jesus were and the priests could only answer evasively, "If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you" (John 18:30).
Pilate himself, after he interviewed Jesus declared, "I find no guilt in him" (18:38). And chapter 19 tells us that after another interview with Jesus, "Pilate sought to release him" (19:12).
And yet, despite all this, Jesus died. And you and I have God to thank for that. As Paul put it to the Corinthians, "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures…he was buried…he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
We'll look more at what Christ's death and Resurrection mean for us today in the next section.
My Thoughts

As you read John 18:1-40, think about the following questions:
1. What are some of the ways Jesus moved Himself closer to death on the cross?


"Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him" (verse 4). How committed would you have to be to purposely step toward something that would cause you great suffering?

3. What did the soldiers do to Jesus before they took Him to Annas?
4. Why did one of the temple guards slap Jesus?
5. Which of Jesus' disciples denied they knew Him while He was being questioned?
My Part

When I look at Jesus' death on the cross and the events that led up to it, I'm encouraged to know that Jesus' death, as tragic as it was, was part of God's plan (from the instant Adam and Eve sinned). Let it encourage you to know that this plan was put into motion for you.
Jesus died as part of God's plan. For your part, do you plan time to draw closer to Him? Time to read His Word? Time to interact with Him in prayer? Write out a plan that will help you take advantage of these ways to draw close to God. Begin to carry out that plan today.
Because of Jesus' death, you now have an option to live with Christ forever. If you'd like to know more about this choice you have, visit our "Meet Jesus" Web page.

[admin]

Title: Was Christ's Death Really Necessary?
Date: Aug 19, 2008
Topic(s): Salvation
Scripture: Mark 14:65, 1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 9:26, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:44-46, Matthew 26:53-54, Mark 15:17-20, Matthew 16:21-23, Acts 3:18-19, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 12:21

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You can't understand the reason for the shame and suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ until you realize what the cross meant in the eternal plan of God. For some, the fact that Jesus suffered and died means nothing more than the death of a martyr or the senseless execution of a good man or the sad demise of a misguided zealot.

For the Father, however, the sacrificial death of Christ was central to His grand plan of salvation for sinful mankind. Without the cross, God's eternal purpose for creating man would be meaningless and humanity would be hopeless.
What Does God Say?

Read these verses about the suffering and shame Jesus endured:

"And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, 'Prophesy!' And the guards received him with blows" (Mark 14:65, ESV).

"And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him" (Mark 15:17-20, ESV).

Why did God the Father allow such brutal treatment of His Son? Could God have intervened and prevented it? Could Jesus Himself have prevented it? As He was being arrested, leading up to the events that would result in His death later in the day, Jesus said: "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" (Matthew 26:53-54, ESV).

Let's look at the importance of the sufferings of the cross in the mind of Christ and the teaching of the apostles. Go to the following passages, read them and answer the questions.

* Matthew 16:21-23. What did Jesus tell His disciples about the events that were to happen to Him? What was Peter's reaction? In verse 23, what did Jesus say that indicates that the cross was God's plan?
* Luke 24:44-46. In verse 44, what three sections of the Old Testament did Jesus say spoke of Him? In verses 45-46, what did He say was written concerning Him?
* Acts 3:18, 19. In his sermon at the temple in Jerusalem , what did Peter say that all the prophets had prophesied about Christ? What response did he ask for from his audience?
* Luke 24:26. On the road to Emmaus after His Resurrection, what did Jesus ask the two disciples about His death?

My Thoughts

What should the death of Christ mean to you personally?

* Look at Hebrews 9:22. What specific requirement did God have for the forgiveness of your sin?
* According to Hebrews 9:26, what did Christ do to put away your sin?
* Now read Hebrews 12:2. From His eternal viewpoint, what did Jesus see as the final outcome of His suffering, shame and death? What does the writer say you should be doing?

It is clear that in the purpose of God, Christ 's sacrificial death was absolutely essential to guarantee His forgiveness of your sin and your restoration to eternal fellowship with Him.
My Part

Memorize and keep in mind this great verse about Christ 's death:

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit" (1 Peter 3:18, ESV).

Have you taken the step of trusting completely in Christ for the forgiveness of your sin and God's gift of eternal life? For more spiritual help, click on " Meet Jesus."

[admin]

Title: Abundance in Jesus
Date: Aug 20, 2008
Topic(s): New Life, Jesus, Salvation, God's Love
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:24 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Peter 2:24')), Titus 2:11-14 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Titus 2:11-14')), Romans 3:21-26 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans 3:21-26')), Isaiah 53:5-6 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Isaiah 53:5-6')), Colossians 2:13-15 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Colossians 2:13-15')), Romans 5:8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans 5:8')), 2 Corinthians 5:21 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2 Corinthians 5:21')), John 19:17-37 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John 19:17-37')), John 3:14-15 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John 3:14-15')), Galatians 3:13-14 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Galatians 3:13-14')), Hebrews 9:24-28 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Hebrews 9:24-28')), 1 John 2:2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 John 2:2')), Ephesians 2:4-5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians 2:4-5'))

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According to the Guinness Book of Records, a fly, depending on the species, can lay up to 250 eggs at a time. In one life cycle, a female fly can produce as many as a thousand offspring. But that's nothing compared to the world of microorganisms. The protozoan Glaucoma, which reproduces by what's called binary fission, divides as frequently as every three hours. In the course of a single day, it can reproduce itself 256 times or 93,440 offspring a year.
But such abundance pales to insignificance when we think of the abundance Christ gave you and me. What Jesus did for us on the cross provided us with more than we could ever hope for. He died for our sins, so we could have peace with God, freedom for today and life forever.
What Does God Say?

Why? Because God is full of mercy and love. Ephesians 2:4-5 tells us, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved" (ESV). And "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8, ESV).

Second Corinthians 5:21 puts it this way, "For our sake he [God the Father] made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (ESV). Jesus died so we could be righteous before God, reconciled to Him instead of lost in sin.
What do we gain because of Jesus and the cross? Look at Colossians 2:13-15: "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" (ESV).
We get so much in return: forgiveness of sins, our debt cancelled, new life, victory over sin, freedom from the demands of the Law. What did we do to deserve such abundance? Absolutely nothing. It's all about what God chose to do through His Son, Jesus, who died for you.
My Thoughts

This generous grace cost Jesus His life through a horrible death by Crucifixion. Read John 19:17-37, and in your own words describe Jesus' suffering.
Jesus went to the cross for you. And because of that, you get everything you didn't deserve. Read these passages to see what Jesus did for you.
Isaiah 53:5-6
John 3:14-15
Romans 3:21-26
Galatians 3:13-14
Titus 2:11-14
Hebrews 9:24-28
1 Peter 2:24
1 John 2:2
My Part

What did Jesus do for you? More than you can probably imagine. He went to the cross and suffered a terrible death so that you could have forgiveness, freedom and life with God here and in the future. So, the big question is:
What will you do with all that Jesus gives to you?
Have you put your faith in Him as the full payment for your sins, and the only One who can give you eternal peace with God? If not, there's no time like now. Come before God and confess your need for Jesus as your Savior and accept this wonderful gift. (You'll find more help when you visit the "Meet Jesus" page on our Web site.)
If you've already accepted what Jesus has done for you, are you living as one forgiven and at peace? Have you thanked Him for this amazing gift? Then take a few minutes to express your gratitude right now. Are you building your relationship with God through His Word? Maybe you've had trouble believing that Jesus offers all this. Then ask for His help in understanding and living what you know from His Word.

[admin]

Title: Fact or Opinion?
Date: Aug 21, 2008
Topic(s): Jesus
Scripture: John 20:27-28 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John 20:27-28')), Matthew 14:1-2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew 14:1-2')), Matthew 9:27 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew 9:27')), Matthew 8:2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew 8:2')), Matthew 3:17 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew 3:17')), Matthew 8:18-19 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew 8:18-19')), Matthew 13:54-55 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew 13:54-55')), Matthew 27:19 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew 27:19')), Matthew 16:13-17 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew 16:13-17')), John 1:28-29 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John 1:28-29'))

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If you dust off your old Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and look up the word, opinion, you'll find this definition: "A view, judgment or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter."
Opinions swirl around us constantly. I'm sure you know people with strong opinions about politics, religion, the economy, oil prices, abortion and taxes. You probably have a few of your own!
Opinions are not facts. If the price of a can of beans is $1.13, that is a fact, not an opinion. If you think the price is too high, that is an opinion.
Nowhere will you find more opinions than in the world of religion. If you stopped people on the street and asked them, "Who is Jesus Christ?," you might get answers like these:


"He is a man, just like we are."
"He is a prophet, like Muhammad but not as great."
"He is just a great teacher."
"He is a martyr for what he thought was a good cause."
"He is a figment of your warped imagination."
"He is the divine Son of God."

According to the Bible, your eternal destiny requires that you seperate the opinions from the facts. Let's see what help God gives us to do that.
What Does God Say?

Opinions about Christ are by no means recent. Look up each of the following Bible references; identify the person who gave the opinion and write who that person thought Jesus was:


John 1:28-29
Matthew 3:17
Matthew 8:2
Matthew 8:18-19
Matthew 9:27
Matthew 13:54-55
Matthew 14:1-2
Matthew 27:19
John 20:27-28

That list is only partial. There are many other opinions expressed about Jesus in the Gospels. Jesus wanted to hear His disciples confess in their own words who they thought He was. In Matthew 16:13-17 we read:
"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.'"
How do you know that Jesus considered Peter's statement to be a fact and not a mere opinion?
My Thoughts

Notice that Jesus asked the disciples two questions. First, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" and, second, "Who do you say that I am?"
What people say about Jesus, what opinions they express, are not Jesus' main concern. His second question, "Who do you say that I am?" is of first importance. The first question is answered by many opinions, but the second question must be answered by biblical facts because your eternal destiny hangs in the balance. People are not saved by having opinions about Christ; they are saved by knowing who Jesus Christ truly is and placing their faith completely in His person. Forgiveness of sin does not come through your opinions but through personal knowledge of the one and only Savior.
Who do you say He is?
My Part

Go back through the list of Bible verses at the beginning of this study and see if you can identify:


Which persons were most likely simply expressing an opinion?
Which persons expressed the facts they knew about Jesus?
Which persons may have known some facts but missed who Jesus really is?
Which persons expressed an opinion but apparently didn't have the foggiest notion of who Jesus is?Ask God in prayer to give you a crystal clear understanding of who Jesus is.

[admin]

Title: Tune In to Wisdom
Date: Aug 22, 2008
Topic(s): Other, Christian Living/Situational, God
Scripture: Proverbs 4:1-11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs 4:1-11')), James 1:5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=James 1:5')), James 3:17 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=James 3:17')), James 1:19-25 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=James 1:19-25')), Proverbs 2:1-8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs 2:1-8'))

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When radios first came out, a person had to manually turn a knob to cause the radio to pick up a particular station. But it often took some delicate adjustments. Too much one way or the other and all you would pick up was static. By carefully adjusting the knob, however, you could tune into some wonderful programming.
The same is true spiritually. If you want to pick up God's program for wisdom, you have to tune your ears and your heart to what God is saying in His Word and listen carefully.
What Does God Say?

In Proverbs 2:1-6, we see that listening helps you discover wisdom from God:
"My child, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the L ord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the L ord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (NLT, emphasis added).
Wisdom comes from God's own mouth; it's found in His words. Our job is to sharpen our ability to hear what God has to say--to tune our ears to God's Word just as we tune the radio to hear our favorite stations.
How do you do that? Start with His Word. It's all in there. The knowledge and understanding that comes from His mouth is recorded in God's Word. Like a father teaching his child (as Proverbs does), God teaches us all we need. We just have to ask, as James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (ESV).
But wisdom is more than just knowing things; wisdom offers practical help in living to please God. James 3:17 says this wisdom from above (from God) is "first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere" (NLT). That not only tells us about the nature of God's wisdom but what a wise life will look like.
My Thoughts

Go back to Proverbs 2 and read verses 6-8.


Where does wisdom come from?
What does God provide for those who seek His wisdom?

Turn to Proverbs 4:1-11.


How many ways are we told to listen or pay attention?
Why is wisdom worth pursuing? What will it cost you?
How do you benefit from this wisdom?

My Part

Remember, wisdom is practical. Tune in, listen up and then put it to work. Read James 1:19-25.


What do you miss if you only listen?
How will you benefit from practicing wisdom?
What wisdom have you found in God's Word that you need to practice today?

That's the hard part, isn't it? Paying attention or listening is fine, but it's only the beginning. It's time to practice what you know. Jot down a few ways you can practice God's wisdom; then ask for His help in doing just that today.

[admin]

Title: Ask for Discernment
Date: Aug 25, 2008
Topic(s): Obedience/Discipleship, Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: John 10:1-18 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John 10:1-18')), Romans 12:1-2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans 12:1-2'))

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Many decisions require discernment. In today's world there are writers, lecturers, preachers and teachers who advocate philosophies that may or may not be the truth, and you need to be able to discern whether they are good philosophies or not. You will want to know if these ideas you hear are cleverly disguised lies that will ultimately lead you away from God or truths that will draw you closer to Him. Let's see what the Bible has to say about gaining and exercising discernment.
What Does God Say?

Having discernment means that you'll know what God would do in a situation or what He considers right or wrong about a decision. As you draw closer to God, as you begin to think more and act more like Him, you'll find your discernment growing.
And you can get closer to Him, get to know Him better, learn to think more like Him by reading His Word consistently. Jesus told his disciples this parable: "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me" (John10:14, ESV). Earlier He said, "The sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A Stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him" (John 10:4-5, ESV).
So, reading God's Word is important to developing discernment because God's Word attunes your ears to the voice of God. It helps you hear Him clearly in a world where everybody seems to be talking. And it gives you the discernment you need to avoid the unwise philosophies you hear on radio and television or read in newspapers and books.
Paul cautions us about "this worlds" opinions in Romans, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (12:2, ESV).
The only way to keep from being conformed to this world is to read God's Word. Then when you wonder if something is God’s will for you, you'll know the answer. When you're reading popular self-help books that claim to be "spiritual," you'll be able to discern whether or not the book's ideas are consistent with the truths in God's Word.
My Thoughts

As you read Romans 12:1-2 and John 10:1-18, think about the following questions:
1. What does it mean to be "conformed to this world"?
2. How can you present your "body as a living sacrifice"?
3. How can you discern what is the will of God (Romans 12:2)?
4. What does the Good Shepherd do for the sheep?
5. What will happen to anyone who comes to Jesus?
My Part

The ideas of wisdom, discernment and understanding are all closely related in the Bible. And there's no better place to see that than in the Book of Proverbs. Challenge yourself to spend some time in this book and ask God to help you gain a heart of discernment.

[admin]

Title: Father Knows Best
Date: Aug 26, 2008
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: James 1:5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=James 1:5')), Proverbs 2:1-7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs 2:1-7')), 1 Kings 3:6-12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Kings 3:6-12'))

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What began as a radio program, Father Knows Best, became a popular and long running (1954-1960) TV sitcom. The plot revolved around Jim Anderson (played by Robert Young), his common-sense wife Margaret (played by Jane Wyatt) and their children Betty, Bud and Kathy. It always turned out that whenever the kids needed advice on anything, they found they could turn to their father because father always knew best.
What may have been only a fantasy on TV is a reality when it comes to God. As our Creator, God knows us better than anyone else. His wisdom is sufficient for all our needs. Let's see what God's Word says about this.
What Does God Say?

"And Solomon said, 'You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?
"It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, 'Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you" (1 Kings 3:6-12, ESV).


What kind of an attitude did Solomon have?
What did Solomon ask for?
Why do you think this pleased the Lord?

My Thoughts

Knowing that you don't know is always a good place to start. Solomon looked at the responsibilities of being king and said, "God, I don't know how to do it. I'm like a child when it comes to handling this job." God honored that kind of an attitude and not only gave him wisdom but a whole lot more (1 Kings 3:12-13).
Are you in a place where you don't know what to do? Then that's good. That's where God wants you to be. As our Creator, He does know what to do; He simply wants us to look to Him for wisdom.
My Part

There is so much in life that leaves us totally confused. Therefore begin each day by admitting to God that you are at a loss for answers and need His wisdom. With that prayer in mind, open your Bible and begin your daily reading of His Word (for a Bible reading guide, go to backtothebible.org). Keep a notebook handy and record the wisdom God shows you. In a very short time, you'll discover that Father really does know best.

[admin]

Title: Created in Wisdom
Date: Aug 27, 2008
Topic(s): God
Scripture: Genesis 1:27 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Genesis 1:27')), Proverbs 8:1-36 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs 8:1-36'))

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I'm continually amazed by the complexity of Creation. From the majestic spirals of distant galaxies to the incomprehensibly intricate network of neurons in the human brain, every aspect of Creation displays the wisdom of God.
Maybe "wisdom" isn't the word you'd pick to describe God's work of Creation. The word skill seems more appropriate. In fact, in the Hebrew language, the words wisdom and skill are the same. In the next section we'll look at how God exercised that wisdom in creating the world and how we can use that same skill in living our lives.
What Does God Say?

Proverbs 8 is an incredible passage of Scripture because we see that the wisdom God used in creating the universe is the same wisdom you and I need to live our lives. Wisdom is personified in this chapter and speaks directly to us as we read.
"'To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man....
My mouth will utter truth….
All the words of my mouth are righteous.…
Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold'" (Proverbs 8:4,7,8,10, ESV).
Finding wisdom is something we are all called to do. It is the cornerstone of truth, and the path of righteousness. Learning the right way to live, the life that pleases God, is worth more than any amount of money.
This is the same wisdom God used to create the world (verses 22-31). And the next verses tie it all together.
"'Blessed are those who keep my ways…
Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the LORD'" (verses 32, 34-35, ESV).
This is all possible because of Genesis 1:27,
"So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them" (ESV).
Sin has made this harder, but it hasn't changed the fact that we still bear the image of God. We can still find the right way to live by listening intently to His voice and choosing the path of righteousness.
My Thoughts

As you read Proverbs 8:1-36 think about the following questions:
1. What are some characteristics of a life lived by wisdom?
2. How do those who reject wisdom live? How do they end up?
My Part

Proverbs is an excellent place to start a Bible reading habit. Proverbs has 31 chapters so, reading a chapter a day, you will finish in only a month. As you read, ask God to give you a mind of wisdom. Ask for His guidance in choosing the right way to live each day.

[admin]

Title: Searching for Treasure
Date: Aug 28, 2008
Topic(s): Bible Study/Theories, Obedience/Discipleship
Scripture: Psalm 86:11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm 86:11')), Proverbs 2:4-5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs 2:4-5')), Matthew 7:7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew 7:7')), Psalm 1:2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm 1:2')), Psalm 119:105 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm 119:105')), Psalm 119:1-16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm 119:1-16'))

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One of the better known treasure hunts in modern times is the search to find the rumored wealth known as the "Beale treasure." The hunt began when an eccentric man, who left Virginia for the gold and silver mines of the West, returned home, supposedly hid a vast amount of wealth and then disappeared forever. All he left behind were several messages written in a mysterious code. One of those messages when deciphered told of the treasure and its approximate location. Other documents were supposed to narrow down the whereabouts of the cache but they are written in code. Since the Beale documents first came to light, thousands of man-hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent attempting to break the code and find the legendary treasure. So far, no one has succeeded.
God's Word tells us that we should search for wisdom with the same diligence. Wisdom's not a treasure hidden in the ground or in some damp and moldy cave but in the pages of the Bible itself. Let's look at some of the ways the Bible says we should search for wisdom.
What Does God Say?

Read Psalm 119:1-16 and consider how the following verses direct us in our search for wisdom:


Psalm 119:2
Psalm 119:8-9
Psalm 119:11
Psalm 119:15
Psalm 119:16

My Thoughts

Unlike the Beale treasure, God is not trying to make His wisdom difficult to find. Instead, He says, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you," (Matthew 7:7, ESV). That doesn't mean there's not work involved, but the results are guaranteed. If you are willing to search, you won't come up empty handed (Proverbs 2:4-5).
My Part

A great place to begin your search for wisdom is in the Book of Proverbs. (Proverbs is part of what is called the Wisdom Literature. The other books in this category are Job and Ecclesiastes. Of course, all the Bible contains wisdom, but these three have the greatest focus on wisdom.) Read a Proverb each day for 31 days. Go back to Psalm 119:1-16 and select one of the ways (meditate, apply, memorize, etc.) it suggests for finding wisdom. Use a different way each day.

[admin]

Title: Check the Source of Wisdom
Date: Aug 29, 2008
Topic(s): Other, Christian Living/Situational, God
Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians 1:3-8')), Job 28:20-28 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Job 28:20-28')), 1 Kings 3:10-12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Kings 3:10-12')), Daniel 2:20-22 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Daniel 2:20-22')), Job 12:13-16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Job 12:13-16')), 1 Corinthians 1:20-31 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1 Corinthians 1:20-31')), Ephesians 1:15-18 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians 1:15-18')), Proverbs 2:6-7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs 2:6-7'))

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Is it important to you to know where things come from? For instance, do you check the stickers on produce or the labels in clothing to see where they're made or grown? Do you track down the source of a quote you've seen or a piece of music you've heard? Does knowing the background on a writer or film director help you understand what you're about to read or watch? I'm like that. If I know the source, I have an idea what I can expect in quality, taste, values, agenda, etc.
So, when I hear something that sounds wise and practical for living, I have to check the source.
What Does God Say?

The only source for true wisdom, for the practical knowledge that makes godly living possible, is God. Proverbs 2:6-7 reveals,
"For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity" (ESV).
Daniel 2:20-22 shows that God's wisdom is extensive.
"Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
He controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars.
He reveals deep and mysterious things
and knows what lies hidden in darkness,
though he is surrounded by light" (NLT).
Real wisdom, the kind we need to use every day, comes directly from God. It's recorded in His Word. He offers us wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
Not only does He offer it, He's happy to have us ask for it. In 1 Kings 3, when Solomon became King of Israel, God offered him whatever he wanted. Solomon requested wisdom and "It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, 'Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you'" (1 Kings 3:10-12, ESV).
Go to God for the wisdom you need; seek it in His Word. The Book of Proverbs is a great place to find practical day-to-day help. You may not become quite as wise as Solomon but you will grow in wisdom as you listen to and apply God's Word.
My Thoughts

Job 12:13-16; Job 28:20-28


What is the heart of wisdom?
How is God's wisdom revealed?

1 Corinthians 1:20-31


What does Jesus do to the world's version of wisdom?
How does He reveal God's wisdom?
What does that mean for you today?

Ephesians 1:3-8, 15-18


What did God do for us through Jesus?
Where does wisdom fit into this?
What does spiritual wisdom and insight help us do? How does it help us live?

My Part

God is the source of the wisdom you can trust. It's dependable for godly living and using it pleases God, helping you become more like His Son, Jesus Christ.
In our world, you can get a lot of opinions on things, books of advice, help and "wisdom" from people who like to think they're wiser than you are. But if it doesn't match up or fit with the wisdom of God, you're settling for less than the best.
If you want to please God today, ask for His wisdom. Seek it out in His Word. Start with Proverbs and see what practical understanding can be used in your life, your choices, your relationships, your priorities.
Evaluate where you get your "wisdom" or help from on a regular basis. Ask yourself, Does it match up to God's Word? Does it help me become more holy or honoring to God? If the answer is no, it's time to get your wisdom from the real source.

[admin]

Title: Wisdom & Money
Date: Sep 1, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Proverbs 11:24 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%201 1:24')), Proverbs 10:1-5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%201 0:1-5'))

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Some people think the Bible condemns wealth. Others think God wants all Christians to be wealthy. So who is right? Don't let yourself be influenced by others, let's look and see what God has to say in the Bible.
What Does God Say?
Did you know that the Bible actually tells us how to make money? It's true. There is actually a God-prescribed way of acquiring more money.
"A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich" (Proverbs 10:4, ESV).
If you want money, work for it. OK, maybe that's not a huge revelation, but it runs counter to many messages we hear from the world around us.
The next verse says,
"He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame" (Proverbs 10:5, ESV).
Casinos, lotteries and the myriad of get-rich-schemes in today's world are based on the principle that you shouldn't have to work to get money. But the Bible is clear: if you want money, you need to work for it.
But wealth is not an end in itself. What do you do with your money once you have it? The first thing to know is that the money you earn is one of the ways God provides for your needs. You need food; you need shelter and many other things. Each time you pay a bill or buy your groceries, take a moment to say thank you to God for providing the money to meet your needs.
Once you've met your personal needs, there's more to be done with your money.
"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want" (Proverbs 11:24, ESV).
Once you've met your needs, consider the needs of others.
My Thoughts

As you read Proverbs 10:1-5, think about the following questions:
1. What is God's message to us in these verses?
2. Why is righteousness the better path to follow?
My Part

Whatever your financial situation is today, God knows about it. But take time to pray about your finances. Ask Him to give you wisdom about using your money. Ask Him for opportunities to demonstrate generosity. And always be quick to praise Him for His provision.

[admin]

Title: Generosity
Date: Sep 2, 2008
Topic(s): Thankfulness, God's Care, Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20Corinthi ans%209:6-12')), Proverbs 28:7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%202 8:7')), Matthew 6:25-34 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew%206: 25-34')), Proverbs 22:9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%202 2:9'))

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29120)

You know the saying "membership has its privileges"? Well, so does generosity. And giving generously is wise whether you're giving your money, your time or other resources to those who need it.
What Does God Say?

Proverbs 22:9:
"Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor" (ESV).
That "bountiful eye" refers to seeing with a generous heart; seeing a need and being happy to do something about it. And here's the benefit: blessing!
Proverbs 28:27 adds another benefit: "Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing" (NLT). In meeting the needs of others, God continues to provide for you.
However, Proverbs 28:27 also cautions: "But those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed" (NLT). It's hard to hear that if we ignore the needs of others, we're risking God's displeasure. But it makes sense.
You see, everything you and I have--money, possessions, time, even life itself--comes from God's generous hands. He gives us what we have and what we need. He then expects us to give to others the same way. He uses us to meet the needs of the poor, the helpless and those in difficulty. Read His instructions in Deuteronomy 15:7-11, and you'll see how God uses His people to meet the needs of others--and blesses their generosity in turn.
My Thoughts

Look up 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 for instructions concerning generosity.


What benefits or privileges do you find when you're generous?
What attitude do you need to exhibit when you give?
What does God do about your needs?
What does generosity produce?

My Part

In these tough economic times, we're easily anxious and that can make us stingy. "I can't give because I may not have enough for my own needs." Have you looked at Matthew 6:25-34 lately? How will your needs be met? What does it say about your relationship with God when you're anxious or stingy with what you have?
You may not have as much material wealth as some people have, but you're probably richer than most of the world. So, what will you do with it? If you can’t give money, what can you give--energy, time, etc.? Jot down a few ideas today; then begin to act more generously. And ask God to help you give as He wants, with a bountiful eye and a cheerful heart, trusting Him to take care of you too.

[admin]

Title: The Wisdom of Giving
Date: Sep 3, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Psalm 90:12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2090:1 2')), 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20Corinthi ans%209:6-11')), 1 Corinthians 9:7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Corinthi ans%209:7')), 1 John 3:17 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%203 :17')), Mark 9:41 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Mark%209:41' )), 1 Kings 11:3-12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Kings%20 11:3-12')), Proverbs 9:6 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%209 :6')), Deuteronomy 4:21-22 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Deuteronomy% 204:21-22')), Ecclesiastes 5:15-Ephesians:17 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ecclesiastes %205:15-Ephesians:17')), Luke 16:13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Luke%2016:13 ')), Luke 6:38 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Luke%206:38' )), Proverbs 3:7-10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%203 :7-10'))

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A wise man wrote, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." The man was Moses, in Psalm 90:12 (KJV). Another wise man said,
"Forsake foolishness and live,
and go in the way of understanding."
That man was Solomon, in Proverbs 9:6 (NKJV).
Smith's Bible Dictionary defines wisdom as "the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding." True biblical wisdom requires that you know God and obey His will in all areas of your life. Sadly, both Moses (Deuteronomy 4:21-22) and Solomon (1 Kings 11:3-12) suffered loss at the end of their lives because they failed to exercise godly wisdom.
As a follower of Christ, you should practice wisdom in your relationships, your actions, your attitudes, your plans and every other part of your life. Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:15-17, ESV).
If wisdom must be practiced in all walks of life, then your use of money and your giving is included. For many, that is the most difficult place to apply wisdom--and it's what we will look at today.
What Does God Say?

Both the Old and New Testaments abound with teaching about giving. Jesus stressed to His disciples the importance of the wise use of money and right attitudes in giving. Paul gave further extensive instruction on the same topics.
In this list of verses about money and giving, identify the one that best answers each question that follows:


Mark 9:41
Mark 10:23
Luke 16:13
1 John 3:17
Luke 6:38
1 Corinthians 9:7




Which verse shows that God will reward the wise believer who gives to those who are in need?
Which verse tells you that the unwise love of money can prevent entrance into the Kingdom of God?
Which verse shows the mindset a believer should have when giving?
Which verse assures you that withholding from those in need reflects a lack of God's love in your life?
Which verse tells you that money has the power to gain control of your life?
Which verse tells you that God is pleased with your giving and you will be blessed for your generosity?


My Thoughts

Solomon, in the Book of Proverbs, says much about both wisdom and wealth. In Proverbs 3:7-10 (ESV), he connects the two, saying:
"Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine."
Solomon is saying that true wisdom comes from God and that you are to use wisdom in donating to God and to others out of the blessings He provides.
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11


What relation does sowing have to reaping? (v. 6)
Who should determine how much you give? (v. 7)
What will God do for the wise giver? (vv. 8-11)
What will your liberal giving produce for God? (v. 11)

My Part

Review your personal giving to the Lord's work and put down on paper these results:


How much you are giving regularly.
What organizations your contributions are going to.
What changes you would like to make in your giving as the Lord provides.

In your prayer time, ask God to give you wisdom in your giving and your handling of money.

[admin]

Title: What Money Can't Do
Date: Sep 4, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Proverbs 18:11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%201 8:11')), Proverbs 11:4 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%201 1:4')), Matthew 6:25-34 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew%206: 25-34'))

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Have you ever been asked to do something that wasn't part of your job description? Do you remember the frustration of trying to figure out how to handle a new task and the gut feeling that there was someone else in the company who was better fitted to handle the assignment?
That's the way it is with money. We ask it to buy us happiness—but it can't. We ask it to buy us love—but it can't. We ask it to buy us friends—but it can't. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon, the wisest as well as the richest man who ever lived, gives us the real scoop on what money can and can't do.
What Does God Say?

"The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense;
they imagine it to be a high wall of safety " (Proverbs 18:11, NLT).
In other words, many who have vast amounts of money get a false sense of security from riches. They feel invincible and, tragically, can begin to trust in themselves rather than God. But God is the only One worthy of your trust.
Look at Proverbs 11:4 for more wisdom about money:
"Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death" (ESV).
Having money isn't bad, but it can't save us from death. This life, when compared to eternity, will last as long as it takes your eye to blink. And when it comes to determining our eternal home, bank accounts will be worthless.
The most important decision any of us will ever have to make isn't about money. It's about whether or not we will accept Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf.
God never gave us money to provide happiness, fulfillment and security--He gives us Himself to provide all that. Money can be a powerful tool for accomplishing God's work, but we must recognize that only God can truly provide everything we need. As Jesus told said, "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33, ESV).
We'll look more at this passage from Matthew in the next section.
My Thoughts

As you read Matthew 6:25-34, think about the following questions:
1. Why did Jesus use the birds of the air and the grass of the field as an example for listeners?
2. What does Jesus say we should not be anxious about?
3. What does He suggest we focus on instead?
My Part

A lot of people feel like they don't have enough money. If that's the way you feel, take some time to think about why it is you feel that way. Ask God to show you the areas where you are trusting money to provide something He's promised to give you Himself.

[admin]

Title: Treasure: Lasting or Rusting?
Date: Sep 5, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Matthew 6:24 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew%206: 24')), 1 Timothy 6:7-10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Timothy% 206:7-10')), 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Thessalo nians%204:11-12')), Luke 12:16-21 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Luke%2012:16-21')), Matthew 6:19-21 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew%206: 19-21')), James 4:13-15 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=James%204:13-15')), Proverbs 23:4-5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%202 3:4-5'))

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29123)

I was standing in line waiting for the supermarket cashier to total up my grocery bill when a man stepped ahead of me and asked, "Care if I go in front? I'm really in a hurry!"
Curious about what it was that he so urgently needed to buy, I said, "Fine. Go ahead."
He asked the cashier for five lottery tickets, hurried to the end of the counter and began checking his purchase. "Nope! Nope! No!" he said, becoming more agitated as he discovered each losing number. By the time I reached the counter, he had angrily dashed out the door.
Losing may be tough, but according to many lottery winners, that loser was better off than they are because their sudden wealth only brought them financial, domestic and social ruin.
The desire for wealth is a powerful magnet and once it draws you in, its pull can rarely be overcome. When Jesus warned His listeners that it is impossible to serve both God and riches (Matthew 6:24), He was cautioning them that they had the choice of yielding to one of two opposing realms--the sphere where God works, through His Spirit, or the world system where Satan works, through money. Jesus did not condemn the use of money, but He warned against turning your life over to its power. God's Word is loaded with lessons about the need for wisdom in using money.
What Does God Say?

Read the following Bible passages and answer the questions related to each one:
Matthew 6:19-21, NKJV


What are the two contrasting places where you can lay up treasures?
How does the place where you lay up your treasures affect you personally?
Thought questions: Was Jesus talking only to rich people or can you be poor and still lay up treasures in the right or wrong place? Is it possible for you to "lay up treasures on earth" while still making donations to the church and Christian charities?

Luke 12:16-21, NKJV


Does Jesus say this rich man's soul was lost? If not, then what did he lose?
Thought question: What do you think it means to be "rich toward God"? (v. 21)

James 4:13-15, NKJV


Does James say the people in verses 13-14 were wrong in planning a business to make profit?
What were the people doing wrong?
Thought question: Do you think getting people to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will do so and so," is all James wanted to teach?

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, NKJV


In verse 11, what three activities does Paul encourage believers to practice?
In verse 12, what are the two purposes for practicing those activities?
Thought question: Who are those who are the "outsider [s]" and how does this lifestyle help you to "walk properly toward them"?

My Thoughts

Proverbs 23:4-5 (ESV)warns against working for the purpose of amassing wealth, and it also gives you the reason for the warning:
"Do not toil to acquire wealth;
be discerning enough to desist.
When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
for suddenly it sprouts wings,
flying like an eagle toward heaven."
Read a similar warning from Paul in 1 Timothy 6:7-10.
My Part

So that you have a Bible verse to remind you of the wisdom of keeping your financial priorities straight, memorize Matthew 6:24 (ESV), which says:
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

[admin]

Title: What Makes You Happy
Date: Sep 8, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Philippians% 202:12-18')), Proverbs 9:9-12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%209 :9-12')), Proverbs 3:1-2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%203 :1-2')), Psalm 119:1-3 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%20119: 1-3')), Proverbs 3:13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%203 :13')), Proverbs 3:3-12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%203 :3-12')), Hebrews 13:1-21 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Hebrews%2013 :1-21')), Psalm 1:1-3 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%201:1-3'))

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I remember a Sunday school song called, "Happiness Is the Lord." The song informs children (and adults) that knowing Jesus and living a life that pleases Him brings us happiness.
And that's an important truth because the secret to happiness is found in wisely living to please God.
What Does God Say?

Psalm 1:1-2 shows us what makes a happy or blessed person:
"Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night." (ESV)
Happiness begins with tapping into God's Word--taking delight in the Law of the Lord, keeping it to the forefront of your mind and actions through your day. It's the wisdom of ignoring wicked advice and staying away from bad company. The result (found in Psalm 1:3) is a rich and fruitful life, growing strong and happy.
Psalm 119 also offers the link between joy or happiness and walking God's way.
"Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths" (Psalm 119:1-3, NLT).
It only makes sense: Pleasing God and living by His wisdom and instruction leads to blessing or happiness. It's "living a life within His favor."
My Thoughts

Check out these verses and look for the things that bring blessing or happiness to you.


Proverbs 3:1-2, 13
Proverbs 9:9-12

What is pleasing to God? List what you find in these verses:


Proverbs 3:3-12
Philippians 2:12-18
Hebrews 13:1-21

Why not do your own search? Use a concordance or online resource and search phrases like "pleasing to the Lord"; "God's favor"; "happiness" or "blessed is the man." Discover the link between pleasing God, tapping into His Word and your happiness.
My Part

What about you--what makes you happy? What do you expect will give you that feeling? How has that worked for you? How much does God's Word influence your daily actions or choices? What needs to change so your life is more pleasing to God?
This isn't an easy process; we're geared to think doing our own thing will make us happy. Ask God to help you find your happiness in pleasing Him instead of doing it your way.

[admin]

Title: The Key to Happiness
Date: Sep 9, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Proverbs 3:13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%203 :13')), Psalm 16:11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2016:1 1')), Psalm 94:12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2094:1 2')), Psalm 41:1 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2041:1 ')), Psalm 2:12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%202:12 ')), Psalm 32:1-2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2032:1-2')), Psalm 84:4-5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2084:4-5')), Psalm 112:1 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%20112: 1')), Psalm 146:5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%20146: 5')), Proverbs 14:21 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%201 4:21')), Psalm 1:1-2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%201:1-2'))

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For thousands of years, people have tried to figure out what brings happiness. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, declared, "Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient." The philosopher/theologian Albert Schweitzer said, "Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory."
But the Bible reveals the true source of happiness. The Hebrew word that we usually translate "blessed" can also be translated as "happy." It makes sense. The person who is blessed by God is bound to be happy.
So that leaves us with the question, "How can we be blessed?" In the Book of Psalms, we discover at least seven ways we can make ourselves available to be blessed by God.
What Does God Say?

Read the following Scriptures and indicate how you can be blessed by God:


Psalm 1:1-2
Psalm 2:12
Psalm 32:1-2
Psalm 41:1
Psalm 84:4-5
Psalm 94:12
Psalm 112:1

My Thoughts

Happiness can't be found apart from God. Other things might bring temporary relief, but eventually you will sink once again into the doldrums. The happiness God gives, however, is based on His blessings--which never end (Psalm 16:11). So, why settle for temporary pleasures when you can have eternal blessings?
My Part

Are you feeling unhappy? Select one of the above verses (you might want to start with Psalm 1:1-2) and seek to make it a part of your daily life. As you accomplish one, move on to the next. The more you seek those things that bring God’s blessings, the more you’ll experience a happiness that only He can provide.

[admin]

Title: Wisdom & the Fear of the Lord
Date: Sep 10, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-33 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%201 :1-33'))

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29133)

In C. S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis wrote about two talking animals, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, who are preparing two children, Lucy and Susan, to meet Aslan the Lion (who represents Christ).
"Ooh," said Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
"That you will, dearie." said Mrs. Beaver.
"And make no mistake, if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knee's knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."
"Then isn't he safe?" said Lucy.
"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king, I tell you!"
This situation is really similar to what the Bible means when it talks about the "fear of the Lord." We'll find out more in the next section.
What Does God Say?

Do you come before the Lord with the feelings Mrs. Beaver portrayed? Feelings of awe and reverence along with a knowledge that God is good? That's what the Bible calls "the fear of the Lord"? Why do think that "fear" is such an important concept? I'll let Solomon explain.
"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline " (Proverbs 1:7, NLT).
Wisdom is the key to living a God-honoring life. Wisdom helps us make the right choices. And true wisdom begins with a healthy fear of God. This fear, as the Bible defines it, is a balance between reverential awe for who God is (the Creator of the universe) and a respect for what He desires--a personal relationship with you. We need both attitudes to find wisdom.
If we see God only as Creator, how can we draw near to Him? His power is so awesome and terrible we could do nothing more than cower in His presence. On the other hand, if we see only His desire to have a relationship with us, we could run the risk of being flippant. We might think of God as our "buddy," our "pal" or even worse, our servant.
Finding the balance between reverence and familiarity will give us a proper fear of the Lord. Then we'll find a personal, intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe and the Savior of our souls.
It sounds difficult, but there is a way.
My Thoughts

As you read Proverbs 1:1-33, think about the following questions:
1. Why is finding wisdom so important?
2. What does God do to help us find wisdom?
3. How are lives of wisdom and lives of foolishness described?
My Part

The first step to finding wisdom is finding a relationship with Jesus. If you haven't done that yet, click on "Meet Jesus." If you already have a personal relationship with Jesus, then you need to continue reading the Bible. There is no better way to find the fear of the Lord and the wisdom that comes with it than by immersing yourself in the Word of God on a daily basis.

[admin]

Title: Godly Hate
Date: Sep 11, 2008
Topic(s): Evil
Scripture: 1 John 3:2-3 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%203 :2-3')), Proverbs 8:13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%208 :13')), Amos 5:15 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Amos%205:15' )), Psalm 26:5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2026:5 ')), Psalm 119:104 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%20119: 104')), Proverbs 13:5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%201 3:5')), Isaiah 61:8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Isaiah%2061: 8')), Proverbs 6:16-19 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%206 :16-19')), Zechariah 8:17 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Zechariah%20 8:17')), Psalm 139:21-22 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%20139: 21-22')), Psalm 119:128 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%20119: 128')), Psalm 97:10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2097:1 0')), Proverbs 16:6 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%201 6:6'))

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As a child of God, your aim for this life, as well as for the life hereafter, is to be like Christ. The apostle John wrote, "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he has appears we will be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure" (1 John 3:2-3, ESV).
This means that your Christian hope should involve seeking to be like Christ right here and now. It means that you ought to be demonstrating a godly life in your actions, purposes, words and thoughts.
But how can you know what Christ is like? Well, He didn't leave you to guess about what He's like. In the Bible, you have a clear revelation of Christ. You can go to God's Word and see the very character and personality of the Creator, whom you will someday meet face to face as John pointed out.
Being like God may involve some attitudes and actions that will surprise you. Let's look at one of those surprises today.
What Does God Say?

Is it right for a Christian to hate anything? Doesn't our society tell us all hate is wrong?
Being like Christ means not only exercising love like He does, but also hating the things He hates. If you do not hate what God hates, then you are not like Him and you can end up hating God instead. So, what does God hate?
God hates evil and despises all that is related to it. First, look at some Scripture passages that speak of things that He hates. Find the verses and write down what He says He hates:


Proverbs 6:16-19
Isaiah 61:8
Zechariah 8:17

Second, find these Scriptures and list what God's people have said they hate:


Proverbs 13:5
Psalm 139:21-22
Psalm 119:104, 128
Psalm 26:5

Third, look at some passages where God tells His people of certain things they should hate:


Psalm 97:10
Amos 5:15

Finally, read Jesus' commendation of the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:6. Notice what He praises them for.
My Thoughts

There are several verses in Proverbs that speak of the fear or reverence of the Lord. It is called "the beginning of wisdom," "the beginning of knowledge," "a fountain of life," and Proverbs 16:6 says, "By the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil."
But in Proverbs 8:13, we learn that the fear of the Lord also includes hatred of evil. If you love Him, you hate evil, just as He hates it. Read that verse in your Bible.
Christ's love for sinners is so great that He went to the cross to provide forgiveness for our sins, but His hatred of evil and its consequences is also seen at the cross where He defeated Satan, the author of sin and evil.
My Part

Take some time today to write down any specific areas of failure or weakness you see in your life that are due to tolerating actions or attitudes that God hates. Ask God to give you the spiritual backbone to resist the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil. Ask Him to help you see as He sees, love as He loves and, yes, hate what He hates.
"When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail."-- Pearl S. Buck

[admin]

Title: Love Holiness
Date: Sep 12, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational, Holiness
Scripture: Proverbs 9:10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%209 :10')), 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Thessalo nians%204:3-8')), 1 Peter 2:9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Peter%20 2:9')), Proverbs 8:13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%208 :13')), 1 Peter 1:14-16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Peter%20 1:14-16')), Ephesians 1:3-4 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 1:3-4'))

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You may be familiar with an old hymn that declares, "Take time to be holy." That's wise advice because one of the secrets to wisdom is holiness. Wisdom begins with our "fear of the Lord" but it also includes loving what He loves and hating what He hates--the essence of holiness.
What Does God Say?

Proverbs 9:10 tells us,
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (ESV).
To fear the Lord means you have the proper sense of reverence and respect for God, His power, wisdom and character. It's the foundation for wisdom; it's what we build on to become wise.
But "the knowledge of the Holy One" takes us a little further along. It means we not only revere and respect God, but we recognize that He is the Holy One. Because of God's holiness, He cannot put up with evil; and, in fact, hating evil is also linked with the fear of the Lord (see Proverbs 8:13).
If you want to build godly wisdom into your life, you'll demonstrate your fear of the Lord through your reverence for Him. That means you'll take Him and His Word seriously. And you'll take His holiness seriously. You'll love what He loves; you'll embrace what He embraces. Holiness is only perfected in God, but you can do your part to reflect Him to others.
My Thoughts

Holiness means to be set apart. God is holy because His greatness, power and perfection set Him apart from anything and everything else. He wants us to be "set apart" as well for Him. What do you learn about your holiness from these verses?


1 Peter 1:14-16
1 Peter 2:9
Ephesians 1:3-4
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

My Part

In Hebrews 12:14, we're told to "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (ESV). How do you reflect the holiness that helps others see the Lord?
We've already mentioned that we're to love what the Lord loves. What are those things? Make a list from Psalm 146:8; Psalm 33:4-5; Colossians 3:12-14. Are these things you love? How would someone know that you embrace holiness? What do you need to do to live out the fear of the Lord in this way?

[admin]

Title: Wisdom on Display
Date: Sep 15, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: James 4:17 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=James%204:17 ')), James 3:13-18 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=James%203:13-18'))

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There's a danger to avoid when we begin our pursuit of wisdom. It's the danger of thinking that simply knowing facts is all there is to becoming wise. Knowledge may be power as the saying goes--but this power needs to be used to do the right things.
What Does God Say?

James does a masterful job of summing this up in a single verse. "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom" (James 3:13, ESV).
It's not enough to simply know the right thing to do; we show we have wisdom when we actually do the right thing. In fact, James says later, "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin" (James 4:17, ESV).
However, there are wrong ways to do the right thing. If you've ever watched your children mumbling and muttering as they clean their rooms (after being told for the eleventh time), you know what I'm talking about.
There are people who give to the poor simply to be seen. There are some who preach the Word simply for the recognition it gets them. But as James says, "The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17, ESV).
We'll look at how to display this kind of wisdom in the next section.
My Thoughts

As you read James 3:13-18, think about the following questions:
1. What does James mean by showing your works "in the meekness of wisdom"?
2. What does James say is the result of acting out of earthly motives?
3. What is the result of acting in true wisdom?
My Part

It's natural to want to be recognized for the good things we do. Take comfort in the fact that nothing you ever do escapes God's notice. Though your acts done in wisdom often go unheralded by others, you can be sure that He sees and approves.

[admin]

Title: The Wisdom of God
Date: Sep 16, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Proverbs 2:6-7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%202 :6-7')), Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Deuteronomy% 2018:10-12')), 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20Timothy% 203:16-17'))

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A few years ago, a study revealed that at least 12 million people (in the United States alone) believe that their lives can be influenced by the arrangement of the stars and planets. In fact, these people keep 175,000 part-time and 10,000 full-time astrologers busy seeking information that will help them make decisions about their lives.
On the one hand, it is sad to know that this many people are deluded into believing that they can receive guidance based on the location of heavenly objects. On the other hand, it's encouraging to know that so many people realize they need something more than their own wisdom to direct their lives.
The Bible says, however, that they're looking in the wrong place for direction in their lives. There's only one source of trustworthy guidance, and that's the Word of God. Let's consider the verses below.
What Does God Say?

For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity (Proverbs 2:6-7, ESV).


Notice that this verse mentions "knowledge," "understanding," and "wisdom." How would you distinguish between these three?
Where do "knowledge," "understanding," and "wisdom" come from?
To whom does God give these?

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV).


Notice the source for God's Word. By relating it to the verse above (Proverbs 2:6-7), what do we find out about the Bible?
What is the Bible profitable for?
Ultimately, what can God's Word do for us according to 2 Timothy 3:17?

My Thoughts

The increasing commonness of horoscopes in newspapers and magazines; the popularity of such TV shows as Crossing Over and the increase in the number of people claiming psychic powers all point to the growing acceptance of seeking knowledge and wisdom through occult practices.
Yet the Bible clearly forbids this. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (ESV) says: "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a wizard or a necromancer, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. "
As a Christian, you need to avoid these activities and turn to God's Word for guidance. Encourage others to do the same.
My Part

Is there anything on your person (such as jewelry) or in your home that relates to the occult? If so, dispose of it in such a way that neither you nor anyone else will have access to it again.
Take the time you've spent in reading your daily horoscope or watching programs that seek to "normalize" occult practices (such as contacting the dead) and invest it in reading the true source of wisdom, the Bible.

[admin]

Title: Wisdom & Righteousness
Date: Sep 17, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Proverbs 2:6-7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%202 :6-7')), Proverbs 2:6-22 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Proverbs%202 :6-22')), James 3:13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=James%203:13 '))

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Milk and cookies. Peanut butter and jelly. Thanksgiving and football. Some things just seem to go together. Scripture reveals a combination designed especially for your Christian walk: wisdom and righteousness.
What Does God Say?

Proverbs 2:6-7 says,
"For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity" (ESV).
Wisdom comes from God. It's the practical knowledge that helps you live in a way that pleases God, is best for you and benefits others. The Lord gives wisdom to the upright. To be uprightmeans "standing straight, living rightly according to God's standards." Being upright is the result of having a right relationship with God (righteousness).
James 3:13 asks, "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom" (ESV). Good conduct is righteousness in action, and it's tied to wisdom.
You can't live a righteous life without tapping into God's wisdom. And it would be impossible to have God's wisdom yet live in an unrighteous way. One is the internal knowledge; the other is that knowledge translated into action. Each influences, shapes and fuels the other.
My Thoughts

Read Proverbs 2:6-22.


What is the source of real wisdom?
What do you gain when wisdom and righteousness combine (2:7-12)?
What traps or dangers does wisdom help you avoid (2:11-20)?
What characterizes those without wisdom or righteousness (2:12-19)?
What are the lasting benefits of wisdom and righteous living (2:20-22)?

My Part

Review Proverbs 2 adding your name whenever it talks about the "upright" or the "righteous" or "you." For example, verse 7: "He stores up sound wisdom for [your name]; he is a shield to [your name] who walk[s] in integrity." Or verse 11: "Discretion will watch over [your name], understanding will guard [your name]."
Then ask yourself if that's really happening in your life? Are you guided by wisdom from God in your daily life? Are you walking in integrity? How do others see that integrity in you? How has wisdom and righteousness protected you? How has it shaped your choices and actions?
Use this exercise from Proverbs 2 as a reminder and set it as a goal to help you lean on God's wisdom and live in His righteousness.

[admin]

Title: Nothing Stops His Love
Date: Sep 18, 2008
Topic(s): Love
Scripture: Exodus 32:19 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Exodus%2032: 19')), Genesis 2:20 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Genesis%202: 20')), 1 John 4:7-12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%204 :7-12')), Romans 5:8-9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%205:8-9')), Genesis 26:9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Genesis%2026 :9')), Acts 8:1-3 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Acts%208:1-3')), 2 Samuel 11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20Samuel%2 011'))

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God's love: None of us deserve it; none of us can earn it. But He freely gives it to all of us.
When you read the Bible, you'll read about people who tested the limits of God's love--David, Abraham, Isaac, Paul and others--but learned that a limit to His love doesn't exist. Let's take a look.
What Does God Say?

King David is a classic example. As King of Israel, David used his power to seduce a married woman and then killed her husband to cover up the resulting pregnancy. (2 Samuel 11).
Abraham lied (Genesis 20:2); Isaac lied (Genesis 26:9); Noah got drunk (Genesis 9:20-28); Moses had an anger problem (Exodus 32:19). In the New Testament Peter denied Jesus (John 18:25); Paul killed Christians (Acts 8:1-3). Yet God never said to any of them, "That's too much; I can't love you anymore." Again and again the Bible shows us that God's love isn't based on what we do. It's based on who He is.
John wrote, "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10, ESV).
Because of Jesus' sacrifice, all our sins are forgiven. John uses the word "propitiation" which means "to appease." We deserve to experience the wrath of God for our sins (Ephesians 5:6), but Jesus satisfied (appeased) that just requirement through His death on the cross. God's love is that big. Even though we don't deserve it; and we can never earn it, yet we all have it. But we do have to accept it.
My Thoughts

As you read 1 John 4:7-12, think about the following questions:


How did God show His love?
What effects does John expect God's love to have in our lives?
Why is it important that we share God's love with others?

My Part

God's example shows us that love needs to be demonstrated (see Romans 5:8). Think about those you love and plan some way to show them your love in the next few days. Write down at least seven ways you can demonstrate to God that you love Him. Then act on one daily for the next week. Offer your demonstration to God as a gift of love and praise for His love to you.

[admin]

Title: Deep Love
Date: Sep 19, 2008
Topic(s): Love
Scripture: Psalm 102:27 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%20102: 27')), 1 John 3:1 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%203 :1')), 1 John 4:10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%204 :10')), Psalm 119:90 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%20119: 90')), John 3:16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%203:16' ))

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Love is an easy word to say, but a difficult word to define. According to my dictionary, love can mean many things including, "strong affection for another," "an informal term of address in Britain" and "a score of zero (as in tennis)."
When we talk about God's love, we can discard the last two definitions. But does the first definition describe God's love adequately?
What Does God Say?

One of the best-known passages of Scripture about God's love is John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (ESV).


Whom does God love?
How does John describe God's gift?
What does it mean to "believe in Him"?

My Thoughts

When Nicodemus heard Jesus say the words, "gave his only Son," he probably didn't understand what those words meant for Jesus or for mankind. We know now that Jesus was referring to His own death on the cross, His sacrificial death that would atone for all of our sins. Think about the agonizing moments just before Jesus' life was over. Does "strong affection" seem a sufficient definition of the love that drove Him to die for us.
In his first epistle, John has a lot to say about God's love. Here are a couple examples. "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God" (1 John 3:1, ESV). "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10, ESV).
Add to this other attributes of His love such as eternality (Psalm 102:27) and faithfulness (Psalm 119:90), and you can begin to see how inadequate this definition is. When you put everything together, "strong affection" only scratches the surface of what God's love is really like.
As you study this lesson, think about the following questions:
1. In what ways does God's love differ from examples of love you see in the world?
2. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate this kind of love?
My Part

Grab a concordance or head to your favorite online Bible and look at what other New Testament writers had to say about God's love. Using these descriptions, write your own definition of love.

[admin]

Title: John 3:16
Date: Sep 22, 2008
Topic(s): God's Love
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:19 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20Corinthi ans%205:19')), John 17:23 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2017:23 ')), 1 John 4:14 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%204 :14')), Romans 6:23 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%206:2 3')), John 3:16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%203:16' )), 1 Timothy 1:15 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Timothy% 201:15')), John 17:18 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2017:18 ')), 1 John 4:9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%204 :9')), Romans 3:23 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%203:2 3'))

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Today is a good time for you to check a few statistics!


According to the U.S. Census bureau, about 6.7 billion people are living in the world (projected to reach 7 billion by 2012).
According to the Nations Online Project, these people live in 249 sovereign nations, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
According to the National Virtual Translation Center , Earth's people speak a total of about 6,900 languages.
According to Romans 3:23, all of these 6. 7 billion people are sinners who have come short of the glory of God.
According to Romans 6:23, there is bad news and good news for all the world's people:




The bad news is that the wages of sin is death (eternal separation from God).



The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ.


And one last critical fact:


According to John 3:16 (ESV) "God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

What Does God Say?

Look up 1 John 4:14: What great fact does the apostle John testify to?
In 1 Timothy 1:15: What does the apostle Paul say was the reason for Jesus' coming to earth?
My Thoughts

Many Christians agree that John 3:16 is the greatest verse in the entire Bible. It summarizes what God has planned and done in love for all mankind. It spans the history of salvation from eternity past to eternity future. "God loved" and "God sent" are actions that tell you clearly how God views you as a person and how important your salvation from eternal death is to Him who created you.
John 3:16 provides the key to understanding why God created mankind, His solution for saving you from sin, His eternal purpose to prepare a dwelling-place for Himself and His redeemed children. It also gives us the heart of our missionary message to the world. What should you do with this message? Find the following verses in your Bible and jot down your answers to the related questions.


John 17:23. What two things does Christ desire that the world should know?
John 17:18. In Jesus' prayer for believers, what does He say your mission is as His follower?
2 Corinthians 5:19. What is the message that God has entrusted to all believers?

My Part

What personal promises do you find in John 3:16? Have you claimed them by responding to the love of God and trusting Jesus Christ as your Savior?
Memorize 1 John 4:9 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him."
"When God takes the world out of your heart, He puts the world on your heart." --John Wesley
If you want to know more, click on the "Meet Jesus" link.




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Title: Active Love
Date: Sep 23, 2008
Topic(s): Faith/Trust, Jesus, God's Love
Scripture: Ephesians 5:2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 5:2')), 1 John 4:7-21 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%204 :7-21')), John 15:13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2015:13 ')), Ephesians 2:4-7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:4-7')), Galatians 2:20 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Galatians%20 2:20')), John 13:34 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2013:34 ')), John 3:16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%203:16' ))

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Love is more than words; it involves action. Love is visible. If someone says, "I love you," but doesn't seem interested in you or affectionate toward you, you'd question that love. Well, you never have to worry about that with God. His love is active. He offers more than words; He backs them up with His actions.
What Does God Say?

The most obvious example is found in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (ESV).
God loved...so He gave. Not just a few flowers or a card but He gave His Son. God the Father loved us (the world) so much that He sent God the Son, not just for a visit but for a particular purpose. The Son came to die so that we could have eternal life and loving fellowship with God the Father.
Now, that's a pretty amazing gift. Look at Ephesians 2:4-7: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (ESV).
Once again, God loved and He acted. He sent Christ to make us alive, to raise us up, so we might share in the riches of His grace for all eternity. You can tell it's real love because it's active.
My Thoughts

In 1 John 4:7-21, we learn more about God's love and how to follow His example.


Where does true love come from (4:7-8)?
How is God's love for us made visible (4:9-10; 14-16)?
What are we to do with that gift of love (4:11-12; 19-21)?
What do we gain from this love (4:12-17)?
What about the problem of fear (4:16-18)?
How will others know that God's love lives in us (4:19-21)?

My Part

Real love, rooted in God, takes action. It serves others and sacrifices for them. It means we put them ahead of ourselves and give up that "me-first" thinking in order to care for them.
That's what Jesus did for us; just look at John 3:16; 15:13, Galatians 2:20 and Ephesians 5:2. It should also activate us to love others. Jesus puts it pretty clearly in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (ESV).
So, how are you doing in this area? Do you rely on your words to let others know you love them? Or can they tell by your actions? Are you willing to set aside your own agenda in order to serve in love? Are you following Jesus' command to love sacrificially, just as He did? What can you do today to make sure your love is active?




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Bible Study

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Title: True Saving Faith
Date: Sep 24, 2008
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Corinthi ans%2015:1')), John 1:11-13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%201:11-13')), 1 John 5:11-12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%205 :11-12')), Acts 4:12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Acts%204:12' )), John 3:16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%203:16' ))

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An old friend used to tell me, "You know, if you just have faith, that's all that matters."
It was one of the most misleading tidbits of spiritual advice anyone could ever dish out. Sadly, it's a false hope millions of people cling to.
Why is it false?
It is not true because faith has no meaning unless it rests upon something or someone. Faith requires an object. You cannot simply "believe." You must believe something. You cannot merely trust. You must trust some object, some philosophy, some fact, yourself or some other person.
It follows, then, that the "something" you believe or the "someone" you trust is of supreme importance. If you have faith in a fraud, a religion, material wealth or an untrustworthy person, you'll suffer the consequences of your badly placed faith. My friend was naively saying, "Just have faith in your faith." What a costly illusion!
What Does God Say?

Let's look at John 3:16 because it states exactly where you must place your faith if you are to be eternally saved: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (ESV).


Who is this verse written to?
What does the verse say must be the object of your belief if you are not to perish?
What does the verse say God's gift is?

Read also John 1:11-13.


According to verse 12, who are those who receive Christ?

In addition, read 1 John 5:11-12.


Where do you find eternal life (v. 11)?
Who has eternal life? Who does not (v. 12)?

My Thoughts

If you looked carefully at the above verses, you saw that the object of saving faith is God's gift--His Son. Salvation from sin comes "packaged" in the person of Christ Jesus, and in no other way. You may ask, "But then why doesn't God save people whether they believe or not?" The answer: Because faith (belief, trust) is the only way through which you can obtain God's gift of His Son. God gave His Son, but you must receive Him. If you don't receive the gift of His Son, you won't have eternal life and salvation because that comes only in Him.
Christ's victorious bodily Resurrection from the dead proved His authority and power to be the sole object of effective faith. First Corinthians 15:14 (ESV) says, " And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain." Faith placed in any other person, system, ideal or power is totally unacceptable to God, the One to whom we must answer to. He has excluded all other faith-objects and persons when it comes to the business of salvation.
My Part

Don't tinker with your eternal destiny! Examine your faith. Ask yourself what you are really trusting. Make sure it is God's Gift, the Lord Jesus Christ!
Here is a verse worth memorizing: Acts 4: 12 (ESV) "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."




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Title: Live Free
Date: Sep 25, 2008
Topic(s): Faith/Trust, Jesus, Salvation
Scripture: Galatians 5:13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Galatians%20 5:13')), Romans 6:1-14 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%206:1-14')), John 14:6 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2014:6' )), Ephesians 2:1-2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:1-2')), John 8:31-36 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%208:31-36')), John 17:17 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2017:17 ')), 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20Corinthi ans%203:17-18')), 1 Peter 2:16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Peter%20 2:16')), John 8:34 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%208:34' ))

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Growing up, I loved the story of Elsa in "Born Free." She was a lioness born in the wild, but her survival depended on conservationist Joy Adamson. Elsa could be released to "live free" only after a long process of compassion and training for both lion and human.
There's a similar story in our spiritual lives...except that we weren't "born free." We came into this world as slaves to sin. And it's only through the compassionate rescue of Jesus Christ that we can truly "live free."
What Does God Say?

In John 8:34, Jesus says, "' Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin" (ESV). Ephesians 2:1-2 lays it out like this: "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience" (ESV).
That's where we started. However, Jesus came so that we didn't have to stay there. He is our rescuer, the One who transforms and rehabilitates us so that we can live in freedom.
Go back to John 8:31-36. "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' They answered him, 'We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, "You will become free"?'
"Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed'" (ESV).
The keys to freedom come from Jesus, in knowing Him, abiding in His Word and living by the truth.
My Thoughts

Freedom and truth go together. Where will you find the truth? Read John 14:6 and 17:17 for the answer.
John 17 is Jesus' prayer for His followers (including you and me). As you read the chapter, jot down what you find about Jesus, the truth and everything that impacts your spiritual freedom.
Romans 6:1-14 also addresses our sin and how we're set free to live by grace. Read the passage and record the changes or transformation that takes place, and what Jesus does for us. What's the conclusion of how you are to "live free"?
My Part

Once we understand that Jesus sets us free, what are we supposed to do with our freedom? Well, it's really about change or transformation in two key areas:


Read 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 and describe the transformation going on here. How do you see that in your own life?
Look at Galatians 5:13 and 1 Peter 2:16. What's the common thread? How does this adjust the focus of your freedom? There's also a warning; what is it?

Take a moment today to thank Jesus for the freedom He gives you. Ask for His help in using that freedom to become more like Him and to serve others for His sake. Then jot down a few ways you can "live free" today and make them happen.




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Title: The Great I AM
Date: Sep 26, 2008
Topic(s): God/Jesus
Scripture: Revelation 1:18 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Revelation%2 01:18')), John 6:51 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%206:51' )), John 15:1 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2015:1' )), John 10:36 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2010:36 ')), John 10:11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2010:11 ')), John 8:12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%208:12' )), John 10:7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2010:7' )), John 10:14 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2010:14 ')), John 14:6 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2014:6' )), Exodus 3:14 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Exodus%203:1 4')), John 10:9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2010:9' )), Matthew 16:16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew%2016 :16')), John 6:41 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%206:41' ))

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When God commissioned Moses to return to Egypt and free the Israelites, one of Moses questions was, "Who shall I say sent me?"
And God's response was, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14, ESV).
While scholars disagree about the exact meaning of these words, one of the best explanations says that God meant, "I am whatever you need me to be." That is, I am whatever you need for the tremendous challenges ahead of you.
In the New Testament, Jesus puts a little more flesh on this statement and at the same time stakes His claim to Godhood. As God declared Himself to be the "I AM" God to Moses, Jesus does the same for you and me. Let's take a look at these "I AM" statements.
What Does God Say?
Read the following verses that contain one or more "I Am" statements. After each verse, write down the "I AM" statement and indicate how this impacts your life.


John 6:41
John 8:12
John 10: 7
John 10: 11, 14
John 10:36
John 14:6 (three "I AM" statements)
John 15:1
John 18:37

My Thoughts
We live in challenging times. Gas prices are up; people are losing their homes because they can't pay the mortgages; loved ones are losing their lives in a war in the Middle East--the world seems out of control.
More than ever, we need to have the assurance that Jesus truly is the "I AM" God. Whatever we need, He can provide.
My Part
Look back over the "I AM" statements above. Select one that speaks to a special need that you have. Memorize it. And when that need seems ready to overwhelm you, use it to remind yourself that your God is the great I AM.

[admin]

Title: The Will to Prepare
Date: Sep 29, 2008
Topic(s): Prayer
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20Corinthi ans%207:10')), Psalm 10:17 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2010:1 7')), Daniel 9:1-19 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Daniel%209:1-19'))

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In 1976, Indiana University's basketball team was undefeated throughout the regular season and captured the NCAA National Championship. The controversial and colorful coach, Bobby Knight, led them to that championship. Shortly afterwards, Coach Knight was interviewed on the television show 60 Minutes. The commentator asked him, "Why is it, Bobby, that your basketball teams at Indiana are always so successful? Is it the will to succeed?"
"The will to succeed is important," replied Bobby Knight, "but I'll tell you what's more important--it's the will to prepare."
The same is true for prayer. It's important to pray, but it's equally important to prepare for prayer. Let's see what the Bible says.
What Does God Say?

Read Daniel 9:1-19 and answer the following questions:


What is the occasion for Daniel's prayer (vv. 1-2)?
What does Daniel do in v. 3 to get ready for prayer?
What is the first thing that Daniel does as he begins to pray (v. 4)?
Before making his request, Daniel spends the majority of his time doing what (vv. 4-15)?
It is also obvious that Daniel had prepared himself for prayer by getting to know God's nature. What does he know about God that causes him to bring this request before the Lord (v. 18)?

My Thoughts

Sackcloth was often made out of camel or goats hair which made it rough and uncomfortable to wear. It was worn as a sign of mourning and repentance. Ashes also were sometimes tossed into the air and allowed to settle on the person's head and clothing as another sign of mourning and humility. The whole picture of sackcloth and ashes was one of total personal devastation. It reflected an attitude of sorrow and humility.
While these actions were not taken every time Daniel prayed, the attitudes they represent were. Coming before the Lord with true sorrow for sin (2 Corinthians 7:10) and a humble spirit (Psalm 10:17) is good preparation for any prayer.
My Part

If you have a major prayer concern in your life, try Daniel's approach. Prepare yourself with a fast (perhaps skipping breakfast and lunch while drinking only water to keep hydrated). Break your fast with a small evening meal. *Most importantly, prepare your heart. Ask God to give you a true sorrow for your sin and seek to humble yourself before Him. While sackcloth and ashes probably would not be appropriate in our culture, perhaps you can think of another way to show an attitude of humility and repentance (some have chosen to not wear makeup or have tied a black band around their arms).
Keep in mind that these are not ways to manipulate God to answer your prayers. These are reminders of how dependent you are upon God's mercy and goodness.
*To find out more about fasting, read God's Chosen Fast by A. Wallis or a similar book.






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Title: Meism
Date: Sep 30, 2008
Topic(s): Prayer
Scripture: Psalm 86:15 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2086:1 5')), Psalm 71:22 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2071:2 2')), Psalm 111:4 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%20111: 4')), Psalm 22:3-8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2022:3-8'))

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A few years ago a research team studying American lifestyles met a young nurse named Sheila. She told them, "I believe in God although I'm not a religious fanatic. I can't remember the last time I went to my church. My faith has carried me a long way. It's Sheilaism. Just my own little voice. It's just trying to love yourself and be gentle with yourself."
This has become such a prevalent attitude that researchers have even coined a new word for it: meism. The Urban Dictionary defines meism as "Self-importance without any evidence that we (or our world view) actually matter."
And the saddest part of this scenario is that "meism" has invaded the Church. If we were able to listen to many of the prayers of professing Christians, we'd find that they were focused on me. "Lord, help me; Lord bless me; Lord, . . ." It's me, me, me, me---I'm the center of my prayers.
It's not that me should never enter the picture. God wants us to bring our needs to Him, but that's not the place to start. Let's look at a better way.
What Does God Say?

I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments (Daniel 9:4, ESV)


How does Daniel begin his prayer?
What makes God worthy of this response?
God shows these traits toward whom?

My Thoughts

Many people confuse adoration and praise. There is a significant difference between the two. Praise expresses thanksgiving for what God has done. Adoration revels in who God is. Praise focuses on deeds; adoration focuses on character. Thus a prayer of adoration prays back to God who He is. God, of course, doesn't need to be reminded of who He is, but we do. It's for our benefit, not His. If we are ever to break the stranglehold of "meism," we need to remember that we have a great and awesome God who is faithful and merciful toward those who love Him.
My Part

This week try to pray at least once for five minutes without referring to yourself. Focus instead on God's character such as His holiness, His faithfulness, His compassion, etc. Use these words (holy, faithful, compassionate and others) to find verses in the Psalms that talk about God's characteristics. (The Book of Psalms is filled with adoration. The verses under Additional Scripture will get you started.) Take these verses and pray them back to God.

[admin]

Title: Salvation Is a Gift
Date: Oct 1, 2008
Topic(s): Salvation
Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:8-9')), Romans 6:23 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%206:2 3'))

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We'll be looking for a few weeks at what the Bible has to say about salvation and rewards. The Bible clearly speaks of a day when all believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and receive eternal rewards from the hand of God.
But let's make one thing clear here at the beginning: Salvation is not one of those rewards. Salvation is the free gift of God. It can be accepted or rejected, but it can never be earned. And it can never be lost once it is obtained.
Let's look at what the Bible says.
What Does God Say?

There are few verses in the Bible that put it more clearly than this: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23, ESV).
Salvation is a gift because sin is too big a problem for you or me to handle. Sin, left to run its course, would separate us from God forever. But God's plan is to save mankind, and He provided that salvation through His Son, Jesus. Jesus shed His blood and died specifically to bring about the salvation of mankind.
God knows that we can do nothing to earn our salvation, so He offers it as a gift. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV).
If you haven't accepted the gift of salvation yet, why not do it today? You will never be more ready than you are right now.
My Thoughts

As you read Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9, think about the following questions:
1. Why do some people hesitate to accept God's gift?
2. How would you respond to someone who says, "I'm not good enough to be saved"?
My Part

This has been only a brief explanation of salvation. But we've prepared the online guide Meet Jesus to help answer any other questions you may have. The page also includes a section that enables you to contact us, so you can send any comments or tell us about your decision to receive God's free gift of salvation. We'd love to hear from you.`

[admin]

Title: Salvation Depends on Christ
Date: Oct 2, 2008
Topic(s): Salvation
Scripture: Romans 3:19-31 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%203:1 9-31')), Acts 13:37-3:39 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Acts%2013:37-3:39')), Titus 3:4-7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Titus%203:4-7')), Ephesians 2:8-10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:8-10')), Hebrews 11:6 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Hebrews%2011 :6'))

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29169)

What do you need to do to obtain eternal salvation? How can you be certain that you are pleasing God, or pleasing Him enough that He will be happy with you and let you into heaven?
If being sincere about your religion will save you, how can you know that you are sincere enough? How many times do you need to repent and ask God's forgiveness in order to be sure of eternal life? Will God give you a second chance if you blow it here?
What religion pleases God the most, or is He pleased with them all? If you attend church regularly, what other special things do you have to do in order to keep your salvation?
Many people voice concerns and questions that stem from the same mistaken idea: The belief that their salvation somehow depends on human effort and that God is looking at their performance in order to determine whether He will let them into heaven or not. They simply cannot fathom that God has a totally different way and is not impressed at all with human performance when it comes to the matter of salvation.
Let's look at what God has to say about it.
What Does God Say?

God's heavenly home is for people of all ages, from all nations, languages and races. People from earth who may have been healthy or sick, rich or deprived, educated or illiterate--those from every walk of life will be there.
But trusting in one's own good works will get no one there!
Read Hebrews 11:6.
What is essential in order to please God?
Read Acts 13:37-39, where the apostle Paul speaks of Jesus' Resurrection.


What did Paul proclaim?
What does he say a person must do to be set free?
What will not free a person from sin?

Read Ephesians 2:8-9.


What is the source of salvation?
How is it received?
What is not the way to get salvation?

Now, read the next verse, Ephesians 2:10.


Whose workmanship is the Christian?
What does God expect from Christians?
What difference do you see in the "works" of Ephesians 2:9 and the "good works" of verse 10?

Salvation and ultimately a home in heaven totally rests on the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The difference between Christianity and every religious scheme in the world is that man-made religions teach works to obtain salvation, but God freely offers salvation by faith in the person of Christ, which, when received, results in useful service for God. Eternal life depends on the work of Christ alone; the believer's eternal rewards, however, depend on his or her faithfulness to Christ.
My Thoughts

Titus 3:4-7 (ESV) declares, "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."


How does God not save us?
How does He save us? (Note: "the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit" is not "water baptism" plus the work of the Holy Spirit. It means the one act of the Holy Spirit using the cleansing Word of God to give you a new birth when you receive Christ as your Savior).

My Part

Read Romans 3:19-31 and note Paul's argument for salvation by faith in Christ versus man's attempts to be saved by legalistic works
Memorize Ephesians 2:8-9 from your own Bible.


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Title: The Best Gift
Date: Oct 3, 2008
Topic(s): Evangelism, Salvation
Scripture: Mark 8:36 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Mark%208:36' )), Romans 10:9-13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%2010: 9-13')), John 3:16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%203:16' )), Ephesians 2:8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:8')), Hebrews 9:27 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Hebrews%209: 27')), Romans 3:23-24 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%203:2 3-24')), 1 John 4:10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%204 :10'))

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If you could give one gift to the whole world, what would it be? Peace? Liberty? Health? Food? Wealth? Happiness? Education? Wisdom?
The Bible says there is a gift greater than any of those. And it tells you what that gift is, how valuable that gift is, what motivated God to give it to you and how you can receive it.
What Does God Say?

First let's see what the gift is: God's salvation through Jesus.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8, ESV).
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24, ESV).


The scripture from Ephesians tells us that we are "saved through faith."
How do we receive this salvation? How are we "justified by His [God's] grace"?

Second, let's see how valuable this gift of salvation is:
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mark 8:36, NKJV).
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27, NKJV).


Rate the importance God's Word places on this gift? Compare it to peace, liberty, wealth, happiness. How enduring are those gifts compared to salvation?
What does the coming judgment have to do with the gift of salvation?
What importance do you place on your soul's eternal destination? How often do you think about it?
How can you lose your own soul?
How are you preparing for the coming judgment?

Third, the Bible tells us what motivated God to give such a gift: His love for you and me.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, ESV).
"This is real love--not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10, NLT)
Read Genesis 3:7-21 and answer these questions:


How soon after Adam and Eve sinned did God come up with a plan to send the Promised Seed (His Son) to redeem them?
When they realized they were naked, Adam and Eve's made loincloths for themselves. But who does Genesis 3:21 tell us made clothes for them?

My Thoughts

If you haven't received God's great gift, here's how to do it:
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scripture tells us, 'Anyone who believes in Him will not be disgraced.' Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him. For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved" (Romans 10:9-13, NLT).
My Part

How does this great gift from God and knowing how much He loves you make you feel?



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Title: Always a Gift
Date: Oct 6, 2008
Topic(s): Jesus, Salvation, God's Love
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Peter%20 1:3')), Ephesians 2:4-8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:4-8')), Romans 5:8-9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%205:8-9')), Titus 3:4-6 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Titus%203:4-6')), 1 John 4:9-10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%204 :9-10')), Titus 2:11 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Titus%202:11 ')), Acts 16:31 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Acts%2016:31 ')), Ephesians 2:8-9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:8-9'))

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Is it hard for you believe a gift is a gift? That a "free gift" doesn't always have strings attached? Thanks to marketing gimmicks, you and I are accustomed to clever strategies that promise a "gift" if we try a product, listen to a sales pitch or spend our money first.
God doesn't use those marketing strategies. When He offers you a gift, namely the gift of salvation, there's no hidden agenda. You don't have to rack up bonus points, buy something else first or do anything to work your way into the gift.
What Does God Say?

If you're not sure about that, look at Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (ESV). Salvation comes by grace--God's grace--and it's a gift--from God. You didn't do it; you didn't work for it or earn it; in fact, it's impossible for you to earn it.
Titus 3:5-6 adds, "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior" (ESV). That "He" is God. And this gift comes to you by His mercy through Jesus Christ the Savior.
Both passages not only point out that salvation is a gift, but they also underscore that we do nothing to earn it. That's what makes it a gift.
My Thoughts

The gift of salvation comes through Jesus Christ. It's always through Jesus, no one and nothing else. Look up these passages to see some of His reasons.
Romans 5:8-9; 1 John 4:9-10
Ephesians 2:4-8; Titus 2:11
Titus 3:4-6; 1 Peter 1:3


What motivated God to give us this gift?
What else comes with it?
What is your part in the process?
What are some other things you learn about God's gift of salvation from these verses?

My Part

So, how do you get this gift of salvation? You have to do something to open a gift, right? It's much the same with salvation. The gift is there. You decide whether to unwrap or accept it. You accept the gift when you "believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31, ESV).
The only one who did any "work" for your salvation was Jesus Christ. He died on the cross and then was raised from the dead, taking care of your sin and conquering the stranglehold of death. When you believe in Him as your Savior and the only One who can make things right between you and God, then you've accepted this amazing gift. That's it. All you have to do today is ask.
If you'd like to know more, please click on the "Meet Jesus" section here on Bible Minute.



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Title: Covering All the Bases
Date: Oct 7, 2008
Topic(s): Salvation
Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-3 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:1-3')), 2 Corinthians 6:2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20Corinthi ans%206:2')), Romans 6:23 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%206:2 3')), Isaiah 59:2 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Isaiah%2059: 2')), 1 Corinthians 15:52-54 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Corinthi ans%2015:52-54')), Romans 6:5-7 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%206:5-7')), 1 Peter 2:24 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Peter%20 2:24')), Romans 6:14 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%206:1 4')), Romans 8:23-25 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%208:2 3-25')), Isaiah 48:22 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Isaiah%2048: 22')), John 8:34 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%208:34' )), Romans 3:23 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%203:2 3'))

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29172)

Ever heard the expression "cover all the bases"? It originated in the game of baseball. It meant that no matter which base an opposing team member was speeding toward, a member of the opposite team would be there to tag him out.
While that's still true in baseball, it has also come to mean that every part of a job, project or event has been handled, that every possibility has been considered and planned for.
That's true of our salvation. The Bible says that our salvation encompasses the past, the present and the future. God the Father through Jesus Christ, His Son, has all the bases covered. Let's see how that works.
What Does God Say?

The Past:


According to Ephesians 2:1-3, what was our past like?
Read 1 Peter 2:24. What did Christ do about this?

The Present:


Read Romans 6:14. What is Christ doing for you today?
Describe how this came about according to Romans 6:5-7.

The Future:


According to Romans 8:23-25, what is one thing that the future holds?
What else does the future hold? (Read 1 Corinthians 15:52-54.)

My Thoughts

You may wonder, Why do I need to be concerned about my sin, anyway? Here is what someone said in answer to that question:
Because any sin torments (Isaiah 48:22)
Because any sin separates you from God (Isaiah 59:2)
Because any sin enslaves you (John 8:34)
Because any sin ends in death (Romans 6:23)
And because all have sinned (Romans 3:23)
My Part

It's evident that God has "all the bases covered" when it comes to your salvation. But what can you do? What's your part? The key is to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. The apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."



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Title: After Salvation, Now What...?
Date: Oct 8, 2008
Topic(s): Service/Servanthood, Salvation
Scripture: Ephesians 4:22-5:6 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 4:22-5:6')), James 2:14-24 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=James%202:14-24')), Colossians 3:23-24 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Colossians%2 03:23-24')), Romans 12:9-21 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%2012: 9-21')), Colossians 3:1-17 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Colossians%2 03:1-17')), Ephesians 2:8-10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:8-10'))

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29173)

So, you're saved, now what? What are you supposed to do after salvation? Sit back and take it easy while you wait for heaven? Or is there something more?
There's a lot more for you to do. Salvation is just the beginning of your life as a child of God.
What Does God Say?

In Ephesians 2:8-9, we learn about the gift of our salvation: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (ESV). But you need to read Ephesians 2:10 as well: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (ESV).
Salvation is a gift; you can't work for it or earn it. But once you're saved, it's time to get to work. Through Christ, we are a new creation and we have a purpose: to do the "good works" God prepared for us. Salvation leads to service.
And acceptable service, doing these good works and walking in righteousness before God, brings an eternal reward. In Colossians 3:23-24, we're urged, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ" (ESV).
My Thoughts

James 2:14-24 has a lot to say about how and why we do good works.


What are some of the good works God created us to do?
How do your works show your faith in God?

So, what are these good works? You'll find them scattered throughout God's instructions to His believing children. For a sampling, read the following passages and jot down the good works that God wants to see in your life.
Romans 12:9-21
Ephesians 4:22-5:6
Colossians 3:1-17
This is not an exhaustive list. Do your own search with a concordance on such words as "obedience," "faith," and "good works" and see what you learn about serving the Lord.
My Part

What are some good works you need to do? Make a list from the passages you've read and look over your life with those in mind. What opportunities do you have to serve Him? To live a holier life? To make right choices?
Ask the Lord to help you do the things He's set before you, to be alert to ways you can grow in your good works. Then get started. Take the next step and get serving.



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Title: Rewards for Service
Date: Oct 9, 2008
Topic(s): Service/Servanthood, Heaven
Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:8-9')), 2 John 1:8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20John%201 :8')), Ephesians 2:10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:10')), Matthew 16:27 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew%2016 :27')), 1 Corinthians 15:58 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Corinthi ans%2015:58')), Matthew 5:14-16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew%205: 14-16')), Psalm 62:12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%2062:1 2'))

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The Wiktionary defines reward as "something of value given in return for an act";"the result of an action, whether good or bad." Synonyms include accolade, award, guerdon, honorarium, plum, premium, prize, bonus, bounty.
The Bible teaches that the rewards God gives are linked to our service--good works here on earth. While our salvation is free (Ephesians 2:8-9), our rewards are not.
What Does God Say?

"And that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work" (Psalm 62:12, ESV).
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago" (Ephesians 2:10, NLT).
'For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works" (Matthew 16:27, NKJV).
"Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward" (2 John 1:8, NKJV).
"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless" (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT).


What do these verses teach about whose idea rewards are? About who is in charge of the rewards program?
What do these verses teach about our attitude towards rewards?
How does it make you feel that God long ago planned good works for you?
What does God promise you so that you can persevere when you grow weary?

My Thoughts

If rewards are God's design for the Christian life, then living an "escapist life" is not an option. Hiding in a cave or settling down on top of a pole are a contraction for the Christian whose life is to be filled with God's purpose of service for the kingdom and good works in the name of Jesus. Remember the truth Jesus taught in the story of the unprofitable servant--to do nothing is to be judged as an unworthy and unprofitable servant?
Perhaps this oft-quoted couplet sums up our perspective on our time here on Earth.
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last
C. T. Studd
My Part

List some of the ways that you can serve God right now.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV).



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Title: Perseverance of the Saints
Date: Oct 10, 2008
Topic(s): Other
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:24-28 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Corinthi ans%2011:24-28')), James 1:12 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=James%201:12 ')), 1 Peter 5:4 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Peter%20 5:4')), 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20Timothy% 204:6-8')), 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Corinthi ans%209:24-27')), 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Thessalo nians%202:19-20'))

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Imagine how easy it would have been for this person to have given up: He failed in business in '31; he was defeated for the legislature in '32. His fiancée died in '35, and he had a nervous breakdown in '36. He was defeated for speaker in '38 and for election in '40. He was defeated for Congress in '43 and again in '48. He was also defeated for Senate in '50 and defeated for vice president in '56. In '58 he ran again for the Senate but was defeated. Perseverance finally paid off, however; and he was elected president in 1860. His name was Abraham Lincoln.
Perseverance is equally important in our spiritual lives. If we are to expect the maximum reward in heaven, we can't give up. Let's look at Paul's example.
What Does God Say?

Read 2 Corinthians 11:24-28. List at least five difficulties that Paul faced.
When we get to Paul's letters to Timothy, we find him nearing the end of his life. As Paul looks back over his life, he says:
"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-8, ESV).

li>How does Paul sum up his life?
What was Paul looking forward to?
Who else can share in this reward?

My Thoughts

The key to perseverance lies in looking forward to what is ahead. An old Scotsman, digging a drainage ditch in a boggy field, was met by a discouraged writer, Archibald Cronin. When Cronin told him he was ready to give up on his writing, the old Scotsman replied, "No doubt you're the one that's right, and I'm the one that's wrong. My father ditched this bog all his days and never made a pasture. But pasture or no pasture, I cannot help but dig. For my father knew, and I know, that if you only dig enough, a pasture can be made here." Cronin took the advice and went on to become a famous writer.
Keeping your eyes fixed on what lies ahead will help you through the difficulties of today. Paul experienced many trials and tribulations, but he was focused on the crown of righteousness that some day would be his. If you find yourself faltering in the face of hard times, remember to look ahead at what's waiting for you in heaven.
My Part

In addition to the crown of righteousness found in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, there are at least four other crowns mentioned in the New Testament. (See 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 1 Peter 5:4, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 and James 1:12.) Read these passages and list the crowns. Find (or draw) a picture of a crown. Post it where you will see it frequently and be reminded of what's waiting for those who persevere.

[admin]

Title: What's In Your Future
Date: Oct 13, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 2:14-15, Romans 4:10, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 1 John 2:28, Ephesians 6:5-8, Hebrews 9:27, Matthew 16:27, Revelation 20:11-15

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Benjamin Franklin said, "Only two things are sure in life: death and taxes." If I were to rewrite his statement, I'd add one more--judgment. No matter who you are, when death comes, judgment follows. For the unbeliever, it will be at the Great White Throne Judgment seen in Revelation 20:11-15. For the believer, it will be at the Bema (Judgment) Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10).

Let's look at one of the places in the Bible where the apostle Paul describes that future day for the believer.

What Does God Say?

"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw--each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire" (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, ESV).



* What foundation do we build our lives upon?
* What materials can we build with?
* How will this material be tested?
* What is the outcome of this test?

My Thoughts

Unbelievers will face a judgment that determines their eternal destiny. Believers will face a judgment that determines their eternal rewards. While there is nothing that an unbeliever can do to earn his or her way into heaven, there is much that a believer can do to make sure that his works stand the fires of God's judgment. Look at the following verses and indicate some of the ways you can "fireproof" your works:

* 1 John 2:28
* Philippians 2:14-15
* Ephesians 6:5-8

My Part

Paul says in Philippians 4:13 (ESV), "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Every thing that you do in your power will be burned up; only those things which are done through Christ's power will survive. This week, ask God to make you conscious of when you are operating in His power and when you are doing His work in your power.


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Title: The Judgment Seat of Christ
Date: Oct 14, 2008
Topic(s): Service/Servanthood, Jesus
Scripture: John 15:5, Romans 8:1, Matthew 10:42, Matthew 25:40, 2 Corinthians 5:10

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What is the most exciting day in your future? A wedding day? A graduation day? Perhaps you're planning an exciting trip and can't wait until the day of your departure? But if you're a Christian, there's a very exciting day coming. The Bible tells us what it is.
What Does God Say?

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV).

Now, if you're like me, you might be thinking, "Exciting? Frightening is more like it!" But the Bible sets our minds at ease.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1, ESV)
My Thoughts

Standing before Christ at His Judgment Seat is, first of all, a privilege. If we were not His followers, we would not be there.

Secondly, we will stand before Him individually. This is not a group event. Our accountability is personal. He'll not judge you on the basis of another's thoughts, words or actions. You will stand alone before Him. That likely makes your heart race and your knees weak. But you will be filled with gratitude and joy that you are in the fullness of His presence.

1. Based on 2 Corinthians 5:10, write down your feelings as you consider appearing at the Judgment Seat of Christ?
2. Read Romans 8:1 again. As you read it, do you feel relief, are you skeptical, do you have mixed feelings? Define your response to that verse.
3. Draw two stick figure illustrations. In one, sketch your image of the Judgment Seat before you read this study. In the other, your depiction of it now that you've read part of the study.
4. Ask God if there is anything He wants you to do today--someone He wants you to call or some need He wants you to meet--to serve Him?

Jesus says, "And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded" (Matthew 10:42, NLT).

There are two things to know as you work for the Lord:

* Remember He will enable you. Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, ESV)
* Understand that service to anyone in Christ's name, Jesus accepts as service to Himself. "And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" (Matthew 25:40, NLT).

My Part

If you and I have a limited number of days to serve Jesus (and our days are numbered), then doesn't it make sense that we do so now, every day?

Take some time to pray and ask the Lord to help you prepare beginning today for that moment you appear before His Judgment Seat.

[admin]

Title: The Perfect Judge
Date: Oct 15, 2008
Topic(s): God
Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Hebrews%204: 14-16'))

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A lady in high society commissioned a well-known artist to paint her portrait. When it was finished and the completed picture revealed, the lady was disappointed. In a disdainful tone of voice, she told the artist, "I really don't think you did me justice."
"Madam," the artist replied, "you don't want justice, you want mercy."
To be honest, when it comes time for God to judge us, most of us will want a large degree of mercy along with the justice. Will we get it? Let's see what the Bible says.
What Does God Say?

"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16, ESV).


What makes Jesus a merciful judge?
In what way is Jesus different from us?
What will we find when we draw near to Jesus?

My Thoughts

Many people view the Judgment Seat of Christ with fear and trembling. And rightfully so. It will be the place where all our motives as well as our actions will be laid bare. But in the midst of it, we need to remember God's mercy and grace. No one understands better than Jesus what it means to be human.
My Part

Give thanks today that God tempers His justice with mercy and grace.





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Title: The Perfect Judge - 2
Date: Oct 16, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Psalm 139 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Psalm%20139' )), Hebrews 4:15 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Hebrews%204: 15')), 2 Corinthians 5:10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20Corinthi ans%205:10'))

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Have you ever been evaluated--maybe you've had a job review or perhaps you've taken an exam in a class so your instructor could evaluate how much you've learned. Can you remember how you felt when you were being judged on something important? What if you failed to live up to the standards?
Is that how it's going to feel on the day believers stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ?
What Does God Say?

First of all, we know that we will stand before Christ and that our lives will be judged by Him from this verse: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV ).
If you imaged a courtroom scene when you read that verse with a judge and jury, a defendant and a prosecutor, you've got the wrong idea. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, there will be only two: you and Jesus.


You won't need a lawyer to defend your case--Hebrews describes Jesus as a sympathetic High Priest who experienced all our weaknesses as one of us (See Hebrews 4:15 ).
There won't be a prosecuting attorney--all charges against you were dropped the moment you accepted Christ as your Savior.
And there won't be a jury declaring your sentence--all penalties you owed are covered by the blood of Jesus.

There will be nothing subjective about your final job review because nothing can be hidden from the One who formed you. (Psalm 139:13). We'll look more at what Psalm 139 tells us about our perfect Judge in the next sections.
My Thoughts

As you read Psalm 139, think about the following questions:

1. Does David find it comforting or disturbing that God knows everything about him? Why?
2. How do these verses motivate you when you are thinking about your final evaluation at the Judgment Seat of Christ?
My Part

Take a look at the last week and try to imagine how God would evaluate it. As you think of what you've done, remember that the purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ isn't to punish you for what you've done wrong, it's to reward you for what you've done right. What is God going to reward you for this past week?





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Title: The Righteous Judge
Date: Oct 17, 2008
Topic(s): Salvation, God
Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:4-5')), Acts 10:42 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Acts%2010:42 ')), Romans 3:6 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%203:6 ')), Deuteronomy 32:4 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Deuteronomy% 2032:4')), 1 Corinthians 4:5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20Corinthi ans%204:5')), 1 John 1:5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=1%20John%201 :5')), Romans 2:16 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%202:1 6')), Ecclesiastes 12:14 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ecclesiastes %2012:14')), Genesis 18 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Genesis%2018 '))

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U.S. District Judge Isaac Charles Parker presided over the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas for 21 years during the late 1800s. He is remembered today as the "Hanging Judge" of the American Old West. Even though his record shows he was stern but fair, his nickname kept any criminal from assuming leniency.
The Bible teaches that God is the Judge of all mankind. What can we expect from Him?
What Does God Say?

"Abraham ... stood before the LORD, 'Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?'" (Genesis 18:22, 25, NLT)
Abraham had occasion in Genesis 18 (Read Genesis 18:16-33 if you wonder about the circumstances) to ask God, "Won't, You, the Judge of all the earth, do what is right?" And the answer is:
"He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.
Everything he does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong;
how just and upright he is!" (Deuteronomy 32:4, NLT).
"If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world?" (Romans 3:6, NLT)
"This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all " (1 John 1:5, NLT).
1. What is the major truth in the above scriptures?
2. What do they teach you about God?
3. How does knowing God is a fair judge impact your life?
My Thoughts

Not only will God judge us fairly and accurately, but His judgment will be thorough and all-inclusive.
When "the Lord returns.... he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due" (1 Corinthians 4:5, NLT)
"God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad." (Ecclesiastes 12:14, NLT).
Read Acts 10:42 and Romans 2:16 and answer the following questions:


Who has been appointed by God to be “judge of all"?
Who does the "all" include in Acts 10:42 ?
What part of your life does Romans 2:16 specifically mention?
Does the thought of that make you uncomfortable?

My Part

We are in desperate need of God's mercy. In Christ, God has, in His great love, offered us just what we need--mercy.
"God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)" (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV).
Thank God right now for His great mercy, His love for you and that you know that someday, when you are judged, He is a fair Judge.

[admin]

Title: More Than Today
Date: Oct 20, 2008
Topic(s): Obedience/Discipleship, Heaven
Scripture: Romans 12:9-20 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Romans%2012:9-20%27%29), Romans 12:1-2 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Romans%2012:1-2%27%29), 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=2%20Corinthians %205:18-21%27%29), 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=2%20Corinthians %205:1-10%27%29), John 13:34-35 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=John%2013:34-35%27%29), Hebrews 12:1-2 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Hebrews%2012:1-2%27%29), Hebrews 13:1-18 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Hebrews%2013:1-18%27%29), 2 Corinthians 4 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=2%20Corinthians %204%27%29)

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It's easy to get tangled up, stressed out and totally overwhelmed by the worries and demands of life. When that happens, we tend to become careless about our relationship with God. We stop reading our Bibles and praying. We don't take time to tell others about Jesus. As a result, we short-change ourselves when it comes to fellowship with God. As Christians, we need to have an eternal perspective that helps us live--today.
What Does God Say?

Paul shows us this eternal perspective in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (ESV).
This body we live in, the worries and struggles we face, the demands of daily life--they're all temporary and transient. They don't last. We're to live today without forgetting that but also with heaven in mind. Keep reading through 2 Corinthians 4 and into 5:1-6 to see how Paul underscores the temporary nature of this life. He doesn't treat it lightly as if it doesn't matter, but he reminds us that something more important--eternity with God--is coming.
So, what about today? Does it matter what you do with it? The answer is yes. Look at 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (ESV, emphasis added)
We may be longing for heaven, but we're not there yet. Today the challenge is to "walk by faith, not by sight." Remember, what you see is transient; it won't last (2 Corinthians 4:18). And today, we "make it our aim to please him," because there is a reward to come when we stand before Jesus in heaven.
My Thoughts

What can you do today that pleases God as you walk by faith? Here are just a few assignments the believer is given.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21


What is the ministry or task we're given?
How does it fit with what's eternal?
How do you personally fulfill this mission?

John 13:34-35


What is the new commandment?
Whose example are you to follow?
What does keeping it reveal about you?

Romans 12:1-2


What is the charge given here?
What perspective needs to be changed or removed?
What is the outcome of this transformation?

Hebrews 12:1-2


What are you challenged to do here?
What needs to change or be set aside?
What are you to focus on as you run the race?

You'll also find some day-to-day choices and actions that please God in passages like Romans 12:9-20 and Hebrews 13:1-18.
My Part

So, you've been given today. What will you do with it that matters for eternity? Think through your daily routine. How are you doing at the ministry of reconciliation? At running with your eyes on Jesus? At laying aside the entanglements of sin? What about loving others as Christ did? Is your sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to Him? What are some practical ways you're doing this? What other ways can you think of to fulfill these assignments?
Maybe you have a friend or family member who needs to see how Jesus loves them through you. Maybe you need to deal with a habit of sin that keeps tripping you up. Maybe you let the worries and concerns of your day undermine "walking by faith" or you easily "lose heart" instead of being "of good courage." Commit that issue to the Lord, ask for His direction and help in reshaping your attitude or actions and then take action. Yes, what you do today matters for eternity.
Borrow Colossians 1:9-12 as your prayer; it covers all that you need for today as well as reminding you of the eternal reward or inheritance from God.







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Title: Junk Mail
Date: Oct 21, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: 1 John 1:9 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20John%201:9% 27%29), Psalm 51:10-12 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Psalm%2051:10-12%27%29), Psalm 51:1-2 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Psalm%2051:1-2%27%29), Psalm 139:23-24 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Psalm%20139:23-24%27%29), Psalm 139 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Psalm%20139%27% 29), 2 Samuel 11:1-17 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=2%20Samuel%2011 :1-17%27%29)

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Don't you just hate junk mail? It fills our mailboxes. It clutters our kitchen tables and countertops. It multiplies faster than fleas on a dog--and it's just about as aggravating. Sometimes it's hard to find the really important mail underneath the crush of all the junk. The only solution is to sort through it, toss the worthless stuff (which is most of it) and file the rest so you can find it when needed.
Unfortunately, our lives can be filled with the equivalent of junk mail as well. Some of it is simply worthless while others can be actually harmful. And the solution is the same--sort, toss and file. Let's see what the Bible says.
What Does God Say?

"In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
"It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house (2 Samuel 11:1-4, ESV).


What should David have been doing?
What was his response when he saw Bathsheba?
Can you identify the "junk mail" that arrived in his mailbox?
Read the rest of the story in 2 Samuel 11:5-17. Identify some of the other junk mail that came to David's box.

Fortunately, the story doesn't end there. When confronted by Nathan the prophet, David repented and got rid of the junk mail. We read about this in Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12.
"Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin! (vv. 1-2).
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit (vv. 10-12).


What was David's response to God?
What did David desire?

My Thoughts

David had allowed his life to be filled with junk mail. It had begun with laziness, then lust, followed by immorality, deceit and even murder. As a result, the "good stuff" (the joy of God's salvation) had gotten lost underneath the bad.
Fortunately, the prophet Nathan brought David to his senses. David then turned to the Lord to help him sort through and clean out the junk in his life. Then and only then was he able to experience the real joy that comes with salvation.
My Part

Have you allowed the joy of your salvation to be smothered by all the junk? Maybe it's not as serious as immorality or murder, but even seemingly harmless activities such as spending hours in front of the TV or playing computer games can rob you of the joy that should be yours as a Christian.
If so, follow David's example in Psalm 139:23-24 (another psalm of confession):


Ask God to help you sort out the junk from the good (create a clean heart).
Seek His cleansing from all that is robbing you of your joy (wash me).
Focus on those things that will bring you joy in the Lord (restore the joy of Your salvation).

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Title: Worthy of Reward
Date: Oct 22, 2008
Topic(s): Service/Servanthood
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:13-14 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20Corinthians %203:13-14%27%29), 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=2%20Corinthians %204:16-18%27%29), 2 John 1:8 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=2%20John%201:8% 27%29), 1 Corinthians 15:58 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20Corinthians %2015:58%27%29), Psalm 19:11 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Psalm%2019:11%2 7%29), Psalm 19:9 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Psalm%2019:9%27 %29), 1 Corinthians 4:5 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20Corinthians %204:5%27%29), Galatians 6:4 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Galatians%206:4 %27%29), Philippians 3:13-14 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Philippians%203 :13-14%27%29)

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How do you feel about pop quizzes? What about taking a test when you're unsure how the instructor or teacher grades? What if you're not sure what material will be covered on the test? Doesn't seem fair, does it?
When God grades, He is always fair and just.
What Does God Say?

God tells us that at the end of life, there is going to be a test, an evaluation. He lets us know that our lives on earth will be judged. If you're a Christian, you will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. If you don't know Christ, you'll be judged at The Great White Throne Judgment.
"But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward" (1 Corinthians 3:13-14, NLT).
For each Scripture below, list the criteria the Lord gives us so we know what is worthy of reward.
"The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
They are a warning for your servant;
a great reward for those who obey them" (Psalm 19:9, 11, NLT)
"So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due" (1 Corinthians 4:5, NLT)
"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless" (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT)
"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else" (Galatians 6:4, NLT).
My Thoughts

The prospect of rewards should lead to:


Diligence.

"Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward" 2 John 1:8 (NLT).


Dedication

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us" (Philippians 3:13-14, NLT).


Endurance

"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NLT)
My Part

Suppose you won a contest at your local bank. The prize is this: You have three minutes to gather as much money as you can from two vaults. One vault holds $5 bills and the other vault contains $100 bills. Where would you begin? Easy choice, right?!!
If you only have a limited number of days to earn your rewards from the Lord, doesn't it make perfect sense to begin now and do all you can in His service?





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Title: Performance Review - 1
Date: Oct 23, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=2%20Corinthians %204:5%27%29), 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=2%20Corinthians %205:1-10%27%29)

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29193)

Have you ever heard of the "boss key"? Not long ago, when computer games were still fairly new, a lot of them were programmed with a boss key. The idea was that if you were playing a game at work and your boss happened to walk by, you could press the boss key and the game would disappear from the screen leaving behind something that looked like company work. When the boss went away, you would press the key again and resume your game.
Life doesn't come equipped with a boss key though. And it's impossible to hide anything from God.
What Does God Say?

"He will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives" (2 Corinthians 4:5, NLT).
With that in mind, read what Paul had to say to the Corinthians: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV).
It's easy to read those words and think, God's always watching; He's waiting for me to mess up so He can punish me! But Paul took it as a positive: "God's always watching, and everything I do that pleases Him will be rewarded."
As we look closer at 2 Corinthians 5, notice that this knowledge enabled Paul to live with confidence.
My Thoughts

As you read through 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, think about the following questions:
1. How does Paul describe his "earthly home"? What keeps him going?
2. When we die, who will give us new bodies?
3. Describe a time in your life when your longing for heaven was nearly overwhelming.
4. We want to put on our new bodies so these dying bodies will be swallowed up by what?
5. What should be the goal of all Christ-followers?
My Part

Our day at the Judgment Seat of Christ will ultimately be a day of blessing and rejoicing. Our salvation won't be in question, only our rewards. If there's anything bad about that day, it will be the realization that we wasted some opportunities. What can you do today to increase your joy when that Day arrives?






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Title: Performance Review - 2
Date: Oct 24, 2008
Topic(s): Heaven, God's Care
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=2%20Corinthians %205:10%27%29), Romans 14:12 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Romans%2014:12% 27%29), Hebrews 10:22 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Hebrews%2010:22 %27%29), Romans 14:10 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Romans%2014:10% 27%29)

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29194)

Do you remember being disciplined by your parents? Can you recall a time you were scolded by a school principal? By your boss? By the coach? I would be willing to make a guess that no matter how stern the lecture, if it were done publicly, it seemed a lot more humiliating than a private upbraiding.
But what about our final life-performance review? Will it be held before an audience?
What Does God Say?

Romans 14:10,12, "For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." (ESV)
Second Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (ESV).


Who is going to have to give an account?
What will be the result of this judgment?
How does this make you feel?

My Thoughts

Both of the verses above refer to the Judgment Seat of Christ. Christians are the only ones who will appear at this judgment, and it will be a private one-on-one encounter between you and the Judge. Romans 14:12 says, "each of us will give an account" and 2 Corinthians 5:10 says "each one may receive." Every Christian must stand before that one Judge. But Jesus is the judge of individuals, not the masses. He's not going to put up on a screen or read aloud all the things we've done so others can know, because, quite frankly, at that point nobody will much care what others have done. We're going to be concerned about how we fare at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
My Part

Draw a picture of Christ's judgment seat. Using a stick figure, place yourself in relationship to this judgment seat--the farther away you are, the more fearful you are. Now take a few moments to think about what you could do to be less fearful and draw closer to Jesus (Hebrews 10:22). Ask God to remove the fear and replace it with a confidence in what Christ has done for you.



Title: Saved for a Reason
Date: Oct 27, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Romans 7:4 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%207:4 ')), Colossians 1:10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Colossians%2 01:10')), Galatians 5:22-23 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Galatians%20 5:22-23')), Romans 1:13 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Romans%201:1 3')), Hebrews 13:15 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Hebrews%2013 :15')), Ephesians 5:9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 5:9')), John 15:4-5 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=John%2015:4-5')), Ephesians 2:8-10 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Ephesians%20 2:8-10'))

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29195)

Some years ago, when the The Merv Griffin Show was a popular late-night program, Merv had a body builder as his guest. During the interview, Merv asked, "Why do you develop those particular muscles?"
The body builder simply stepped forward and flexed a series of well-defined muscles from chest to calf. The audience applauded.
"But what do you use all those muscles for?" Merv asked. Again his guest flexed his biceps and triceps which sprouted to impressive proportions.
"But what do you use those muscles for?" Merv persisted.
The body builder was bewildered. He didn't have an answer other than to display his well-developed frame.
Some Christians have the same confusion. They've received Christ as their Savior, but that's where it stops. Yet the Bible says God saves us for a reason and that reason is more than simply going to heaven. Let's see what the reason is.
What Does God Say?

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10, ESV).


How are we saved?
What are we saved for?
What is special about this?

My Thoughts
Those works which take place as a result of our salvation are called "fruit." Look at the following verses and determine what kind of fruit God wants us to bear:


Romans 1:13
Galatians 5:22-23
Hebrews 13:15
Colossians 1:10
Ephesians 5:9

My Part

Consider the different areas of fruit bearing from the list above. Select a "fruit" that needs to increase in your life. Determine what "good work" that God may have prepared for you that will encourage this fruit to grow in your life.






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Title: Motivation for Service
Date: Oct 28, 2008
Topic(s): Service/Servanthood, Obedience/Discipleship
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20Corinthi ans%204:16-18')), 2 John 1:7-9 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=2%20John%201 :7-9')), Matthew 10:42 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew%2010 :42')), Matthew 16:27 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew%2016 :27')), Philippians 3:13-14 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Philippians% 203:13-14')), Matthew 25:21 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew%2025 :21')), Matthew 6:1 (javascript:remoteStartBible('passage=Matthew%206: 1'))

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29196)

A loaded station wagon pulled into the only remaining campsite. Four youngsters leaped from the vehicle and began feverishly unloading gear and setting up a tent. The boys then rushed off to gather firewood, while the girls and their mother set up the camp stove and cooking utensils. A nearby camper marveled to the youngsters' father: "That, sir, is some display of teamwork."
The father replied, "Well, I have a system. No one goes to the bathroom until the camp is set up."
There are many ways to motivate people; the one God uses is rewards.
What Does God Say?

The Lord Jesus Himself lists rewards as a motivation for service (Matthew 6:1, 10:42, 16:27). But how can you serve in such a way that you will be eligible for rewards? Here are three ways:
Diligence: "Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward" (2 John 1:8, NLT).
Read 2 John 1:7-9 and answer the following questions:


Who are the "deceivers" and what are they teaching?
What do those who remain faithful to the teachings about Christ possess?
How are we to treat those who hold false teachings?

Dedication: "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us" (Philippians 3:13-14, NLT).


Why is it important to focus your energies on the future?
What is Paul working for?
Through whom does God call us to heaven?

Determination: "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NLT).


What part of you is being renewed every day?
How does it encourage you to know that your troubles today are temporary and short-lived compared to eternity?
What do today's problems produce?
How successful are you at "fixing your gaze on things that cannot be seen."

My Thoughts

Every Christian should hope to someday hear Jesus personally say to him or her, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21, NLT). The greatest reward of all is to know that you have pleased your Lord and Master. But that can't be won lightly. Determine today that you will strive with all your might to be one of those who will be received with such a commendation.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV).
My Part

What is your strongest motivation for service to the Lord? Identify what motivates you, and then ask the Lord for sensitivity, opportunity and strength for service for Him--our Lord and our God.





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Title: Run the Race
Date: Oct 29, 2008
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:8 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20Corinthians %203:8%27%29), Matthew 16:27 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Matthew%2016:27 %27%29), Hebrews 12:1 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Hebrews%2012:1% 27%29), Ephesians 2:8-9 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Ephesians%202:8-9%27%29), Colossians 3:8 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Colossians%203: 8%27%29), Luke 6:23 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Luke%206:23%27% 29), Revelation 22:12 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Revelation%2022 :12%27%29), 1 Corinthians 9:24 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20Corinthians %209:24%27%29)

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29197)

As the world reels under the impact of what some have called an "economic tsunami," one thing is pretty clear: Many corporate leaders made decisions based on greed rather than wisdom. They were lining their own pockets at the expense of everyone else.
So, it's only natural to wonder if considering rewards as a motive for service is not the same issue. Could it be a sign of greed or is it something the Bible approves of? Let's see what God's Word says.
What Does God Say?

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." (1 Corinthians 9:24, ESV).


What is the prize that Paul is talking about in this verse?
Paul compares the Christian life to a race. How are we to run it?
In light of the comparison Paul makes, what are some of the implications if you want to win the prize?

My Thoughts

If you answered the first question as "salvation," think again. Salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9), not something that we win by our own efforts. Instead, Paul is talking about rewards. And, instead of seeing it as a sign of greed, he actually urges us to do everything that we can to win them.
My Part

Consider today how you might be able to run the race better and win the prize. Take a sheet of paper and divide it down the middle. On one side, list some of the attitudes/activities that need to be cast off to run the race well (see Hebrews 12:1, Colossians 3:8). On the other side, list some of the attitudes/activities that you should put on (Colossians 3:12).






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Title: The Reward of Praise
Date: Oct 30, 2008
Topic(s): Service/Servanthood, Jesus, Heaven, Pain/Suffering
Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Colossians%203: 23-24%27%29), Matthew 6:1-2 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Matthew%206:1-2%27%29), 1 Corinthians 4:4-5 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20Corinthians %204:4-5%27%29), 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20Thessalonia ns%202:4-6%27%29), 1 Peter 1:6-7 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20Peter%201:6-7%27%29), Matthew 25:21 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Matthew%2025:21 %27%29)

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29198)

Sir Philip Sidney, a 16th century English statesman, said, "It is great happiness to be praised by them who are most praiseworthy."
Who is most worthy of all praise, honor and glory? Jesus, of course. So, whose praise would you most like to hear for your service? The answer should be Jesus'. In fact, when you stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and hear Him say, "Well done," that will be a "great happiness" which lasts for all eternity.
What Does God Say?

In Matthew 25, Jesus told a parable about a master who entrusted his wealth to his servants while he was away. On his return, the servants were judged and rewarded. "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master'" (Matthew 25:21, ESV).
Jesus will do the same with us. One day He will return to judge our service, and He will commend the faithful, fruitful work we've done. He'll reward us in a number of ways, but that personal praise will be worth it all.
The apostle Paul focused on this future praise in 1 Corinthians 4:4-5. "It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God" (ESV). This praise can be a great motivation for service.
On the other hand, if you do good things so that people here and now notice, you're working for the wrong praise. In Matthew 6:1-2, Jesus said, "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward" (ESV).
If you're serving or living righteously so that everyone around you see you and thinks you're the best Christian ever--if their praise is all you want, then that's all you'll get. And you will miss the more worthwhile praise of Christ.
My Thoughts

These passages offer further insight into our motivation for praise and service.
1 Thessalonians 2:4-6


What was the service done here?
What motivated them to speak?
What was not part of their service or motivation?

Colossians 3:23-24


Who is the focus of your service?
How should you do the work (attitude)?
Where does the reward come from?

1 Peter 1:6-7


What will result in praise, honor and glory?
How does this help you view or deal with present-day troubles?

In Matthew 25:21, the Master praises the "good and faithful servant."


"Good" means what is acceptable, excellent, what has integrity, quality or a moral uprightness. What do you think Jesus sees as "good" in your life today?
"Faithful" can also include being consistent, persistent, committed, unwavering, believing, trusting and obedient. How do you think Jesus would view your faithfulness today?

My Part

So, whose praise are you working for today? There's nothing wrong with graciously accepting praise from someone who recognizes or appreciates your service or your example. Just check your motivation. Did you do it expecting people to praise you? Are you hoping everyone notices how good your spiritual example is? Are you disappointed or even angry when your service isn't recognized?
In his book, Facing Your Final Job Review, Woodrow Kroll writes "How much a commendation by our Lord means to us after the judgment seat will depend on how much we love and respect him." We put more stock in praise from those we love and respect. So, are you content to settle for the temporary praise of the people around you? Or does your love for Christ compel you to desire and work for His perfect and eternal praise?
(Facing Your Final Job Review, p. 161)





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Title: The Reward of Praise
Date: Oct 30, 2008
Topic(s): Service/Servanthood, Jesus, Heaven, Pain/Suffering
Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Colossians%203: 23-24%27%29), Matthew 6:1-2 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Matthew%206:1-2%27%29), 1 Corinthians 4:4-5 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20Corinthians %204:4-5%27%29), 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20Thessalonia ns%202:4-6%27%29), 1 Peter 1:6-7 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=1%20Peter%201:6-7%27%29), Matthew 25:21 (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:remoteStartBible%28%27passage=Matthew%2025:21 %27%29)

< previous date (http://www.bibleminute.org/content.php/id/29198)

Sir Philip Sidney, a 16th century English statesman, said, "It is great happiness to be praised by them who are most praiseworthy."
Who is most worthy of all praise, honor and glory? Jesus, of course. So, whose praise would you most like to hear for your service? The answer should be Jesus'. In fact, when you stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and hear Him say, "Well done," that will be a "great happiness" which lasts for all eternity.
What Does God Say?

In Matthew 25, Jesus told a parable about a master who entrusted his wealth to his servants while he was away. On his return, the servants were judged and rewarded. "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master'" (Matthew 25:21, ESV).
Jesus will do the same with us. One day He will return to judge our service, and He will commend the faithful, fruitful work we've done. He'll reward us in a number of ways, but that personal praise will be worth it all.
The apostle Paul focused on this future praise in 1 Corinthians 4:4-5. "It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God" (ESV). This praise can be a great motivation for service.
On the other hand, if you do good things so that people here and now notice, you're working for the wrong praise. In Matthew 6:1-2, Jesus said, "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward" (ESV).
If you're serving or living righteously so that everyone around you see you and thinks you're the best Christian ever--if their praise is all you want, then that's all you'll get. And you will miss the more worthwhile praise of Christ.
My Thoughts

These passages offer further insight into our motivation for praise and service.
1 Thessalonians 2:4-6


What was the service done here?
What motivated them to speak?
What was not part of their service or motivation?

Colossians 3:23-24


Who is the focus of your service?
How should you do the work (attitude)?
Where does the reward come from?

1 Peter 1:6-7


What will result in praise, honor and glory?
How does this help you view or deal with present-day troubles?

In Matthew 25:21, the Master praises the "good and faithful servant."


"Good" means what is acceptable, excellent, what has integrity, quality or a moral uprightness. What do you think Jesus sees as "good" in your life today?
"Faithful" can also include being consistent, persistent, committed, unwavering, believing, trusting and obedient. How do you think Jesus would view your faithfulness today?

My Part

So, whose praise are you working for today? There's nothing wrong with graciously accepting praise from someone who recognizes or appreciates your service or your example. Just check your motivation. Did you do it expecting people to praise you? Are you hoping everyone notices how good your spiritual example is? Are you disappointed or even angry when your service isn't recognized?
In his book, Facing Your Final Job Review, Woodrow Kroll writes "How much a commendation by our Lord means to us after the judgment seat will depend on how much we love and respect him." We put more stock in praise from those we love and respect. So, are you content to settle for the temporary praise of the people around you? Or does your love for Christ compel you to desire and work for His perfect and eternal praise?
(Facing Your Final Job Review, p. 161)