Bible Minute

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 7, 2010
Topic: Service/Servanthood


Sacrifice of Service

All of us, whether we're moms at home, pastors of congregations, missionaries on the field or business professionals, are called to serve God with our whole lives. That's the idea behind Romans 12:1. Paul tells us, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (NKJV).

We typically think of sacrificing our lives as giving up our lives--death. But God calls us to be living sacrifices. What does that mean?

What Does the Bible Say

Let's look a little closer at Romans 12:1.

"Living sacrifice." Being a living sacrifice means being obedient to God's will each and every day. It means sacrificing our want and desires, if necessary, to serve Him.

"By the mercies of God." One of the major themes in the Book of Romans is how God, through Jesus, has demonstrated His love and mercy by forgiving and atoning for our sins. Because of this, when we believe in Christ, God gives us eternal life instead of death. Now, being alive through God's mercy, we can live according to Christ's example.

God's mercy also enables us to: "Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God." We willing lead lives that keep our bodies pure before our God and our hands clean before our Maker.

* For the Christian, our sacrifice doesn't begin the day we die, it begins today--it ends the day we die.

The Bible goes on to tell us that presenting our bodies to God is "Your reasonable service." Some translations say, "spiritual act of worship," which is a valid translation as well. Paul says that our service is "reasonable." It's logical, the natural next step. It makes sense that a person saved by grace through faith would want to serve God with his or her life. (See Ephesians 2:8-10).

My Thoughts

What are some ways you can demonstrate a life of service in your home? At school? In church?

My Part

Start by looking for ways to serve in your home. Begin your morning by praying that you would be attentive to God's prompting and the opportunities that arise. As you encounter other people who are active in service, encourage them through a letter or card. Find creative ways your whole family can participate in serving the Lord together.


Good News! -- The Holy Bible is the WORD OF GOD! -- God The Father, God The Son, God The Holy Spirit - The Creator Of All Things! -- "GOD'S GRACE" and "OUR WORKS" -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1623 to 1863 ) -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1961 to 2001 ) -- JESUS CHRIST - VERY GOD - LORD - SAVIOUR - MESSIAH - KING

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 8, 2010
Topic: Service/Servanthood


Willing to Serve

Someone observed, "Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity. " But God doesn't need any advisors--the all-knowing God is quite capable of making His own decisions with no input from any of us.

But it is true that God is looking for servants. Let's look at the kind of people who please God with their service.

What Does God Say?

And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD. And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats' hair or tanned rams' skins or goatskins brought them. Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the LORD's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair. And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece, and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD (Exodus 35:21-29, ESV).

* What kind of an attitude does God want His servants to have?
* What was the purpose of the gifts/services rendered by these Israelites?
* What do you think motivated these people to serve the Lord by giving so generously?

My Thoughts

We serve the Lord in many ways, one of which is through the gifts that we give. When it comes time to write your check or put your offering in the offering plate, what kind of an attitude do you have? Compare this passage in Exodus35 to 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 in the New Testament. What similarities do you see?

My Part

In addition to giving material gifts, list at least two other ways you could serve the Lord this week. Share this with a friend and ask him or her to hold you accountable not only for the service itself but also for the attitude you show as you serve.


Good News! -- The Holy Bible is the WORD OF GOD! -- God The Father, God The Son, God The Holy Spirit - The Creator Of All Things! -- "GOD'S GRACE" and "OUR WORKS" -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1623 to 1863 ) -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1961 to 2001 ) -- JESUS CHRIST - VERY GOD - LORD - SAVIOUR - MESSIAH - KING

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 11, 2010
Topic: God/Jesus


What Kind of God?

What kind of God do you have? How do you see Him? In fact, take a moment right now and jot down five or six words that, to you, describe God.

Maybe you've come up with words like awesome or powerful, angry or judgmental, loving, compassionate, strict or expecting obedience. Actually, there's much more to God than we generally consider. But sometimes that's a problem.

What Does God Say

The problem starts when we have an incomplete view of God. Maybe we prefer to focus on His love and compassion and forget how much He hates sin or how willing He is to judge evil. Or we start treating God like He's one of us. We limit Him and decide what kind of God He'll be.

Guess what? That doesn't fly with God. First, because we're the creation, not the Creator:

"For thus says the LORD,
who created the heavens
(he is God!),
who formed the earth and made it
(he established it;
he did not create it empty,
he formed it to be inhabited!):
'I am the LORD, and there is no other.'" (Isaiah 45:18, ESV).

When you create a painting or a cake or a piece of furniture, it owes its existence to you. You're the greater of the two. It's the same with God--He created us, and we owe our existence to Him. We're the work of His hands, not His equal as He reminds us in Isaiah 45:9-10:

"Woe to him who strives with him who formed him,
a pot among earthen pots!
Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?'
or 'Your work has no handles'?
Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?'
or to a woman, 'With what are you in labor?'" (ESV).

So much for putting God in a box and telling Him how to be God!

My Thoughts

Take a look at a few more things we need to know about God.

Psalm 100:3
Isaiah 40:28
2 Peter 3:9
1 John 4:7-20
Isaiah 45:21-22
Deuteronomy 9:7
Exodus 34:6
Psalm 145:8-20

* What did you see of God?
* What kind of response does He deserve from you?
* Does your view of God conflict with what He says about Himself in His Word?
* Have you looked at Him from only a few angles, the ones you're most comfortable with?
* What needs to change in your view of God?

My Part

Let me ask you again, what kind of God do you have? The only sure way to develop a better understanding of who God really is, is by exploring His complete Word, not just the parts you like best or what makes you feel good. It may mean coming to grips with a God who really doesn't put up with sin or learning to accept the mercy and grace that a just and holy God offers.

Whenever you read the Bible, pay attention to what God says about Himself. Jot your finding and the references in the back of your Bible or your journal. See how your view of God grows and develops more fully. You can begin with the passages we've looked at here, or try a survey through Psalms 90-100 and see what you find.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 12, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Pay it Forward!

When someone is clearly responsible for committing a crime, that person stands before a judge and pleads "guilty." There isn't anything he or she can do after that, the perpetrator's fate is in the hands of the judge and the jury. You could say that individual is at the mercy of the court. As Christians, we mess up and sin. We can't go to God our Judge and make excuses for what we did. We confess our sin and accept whatever punishment He feels is acceptable. The good news is that God is able to show us mercy through Jesus Christ.

What Does God Say?

"But 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, NLT).

"He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve" (Psalm 103:10, NLT).

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NLT).

"People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy" (Proverbs 28:13, NLT).

* How does God show us His mercy?
* What are we to do because of the mercy He's shown us?
* Who receives His mercy?

My Thoughts

God doesn't have to give us mercy. We know that we are sinners, and we are completely undeserving of that mercy. He chooses to give us His mercy because He loves us that much. When you think about it like that, it really makes you grateful that we serve Him, doesn't it? Sometimes it can be hard to accept God's mercy. We feel that our sins are too great, even for God. Just know that no sin or sinner is greater than God's mercy! Ask yourself these questions:

* Have I taken advantage of His mercy?
* Does my life reflect the thankfulness I have for the mercy God has given me?
* Am I accepting God's mercy or am I still stuck in past sins?

My Part

God doesn't want us to just accept His mercy but to pass it on to others. God will only give mercy to those who are merciful themselves. If God can be compassionate and merciful to us, why would we not show that same compassion and mercy to others?

Take some time today and thank God for His mercy. Then make sure you are sharing that mercy and compassion with others in your life.

Hentenza said:

I like Woodrow Krull very much. His "back to the bible" radio programs are fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

Click to expand...

You are most welcome. I think that God has been using Back to the Bible for His Glory many years, and I give thanks they are still faithful servants in these possible last days of the Age of Grace. I used to get transcripts of the radio program, and I agree that it's fantastic.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 13, 2010
Topic: Forgiveness/Unforgiveness


Mercy

When the lady saw her portrait, she complained to the artist, "That picture doesn't do me justice."

He replied, "You don't want justice; you want mercy."

So it is when we realize how sinful we are. We don't want justice; we need God's mercy. When the psalmist talks about the wonderful blessings of a personal relationship with God, mercy is high on his list.

What Does God Say?

"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle" (Psalm 103:1-5, NASB).

What is first on the psalmist's list? Forgiveness. Total and complete forgiveness for all his sins. Jesus made that possible. By His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus opened the way for God to forgive our sins, and He rescued us from having to pay the awful penalty that was justly ours. That is mercy in the most profound way: God, extending His mercy to us, does not give us what we deserve.

My Thoughts

"The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:8-12 NKJV).

He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west. Why did the Bible not say as far as the north is from the south? Because at the North Pole and the South Pole, north and south meet. If you go south one step past the North Pole, you are now going south. But if you start going east, you can travel forever and never go west! How far then does God promise to remove our sins? That's mercy!

My Part

If there is anything in your life that you need to confess and ask God to forgive, why not do it now?

If there are sins in your life that you have already confessed but have been uncertain of God's forgiveness, then right now thank the Lord for complete and total forgiveness and trust in His mercy.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 14, 2010
Topic: Holiness


To Be Holy

Who wants to be known as a "holy Joe?" Not many of us. Who wants to dress up in a white robe, carry a cross and march through the malls singing, "Onward, Christian Soldiers?" Again, no one I know aspires to such a life. Yet the Bible is quite clear that God is holy and that we are to be holy. "But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:15-16, NLT).So, what does that mean?

What Does God Say?

Let's first look at what "holy" doesn't mean:

The Old Testament says about Israel, "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God...the LORD your God has chosen you to be His own special treasure" (Deuteronomy 7:6, NLT).

Now, it is certain that if Israel was to be holy, it did not mean they were to be sinless. Their history is marked by disobedience and rebellion as the Chosen People. Furthermore since both Israel and the early Christians were "normal" and "ordinary," it also does not mean "super-spiritual" or "weird."

Now, let's look at what it does means to be holy. The key to understanding holiness is found in this verse.

"So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I, the LORD, am your God" (Leviticus 20:7, NLT).

Every time the word "holy" is used, it's designed to show separateness. So, to be holy means "to be set apart" for the unique distinction of having a close connection with God. It means "being unique, separate, distinct, marked out by God as belonging to Him."

My Thoughts

In the best sense of the word, holy means that, as a Christian, I have this distinct and unique relationship with God that separates me from the rest of the world as I model my life after Christ, the holiest person who ever lived.

* If you are going to be holy, what implications does that have for situations and relationships?
* What does it mean to be holy

at home,
at school,
at work?

Does your lifestyle, your words, your attitudes and actions reflect a distinct and unique relationship with God?

My Part

Now that you understand what it means to be holy and realize that God intends for you to live a holy life, perhaps it would be a good time to personally dedicate or rededicate your life to God.

Evaluate your life looking for any area where you are especially vulnerable and it might be difficult for you maintain holiness. Tell God about that concern and take time to ask Him for His help in living a life that is distinct and separate.

* Commit or recommit yourself to be holy even as He is holy.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 15, 2010
Topic: Holiness


Like Father, Like Son

It starts in the nursery at the hospital. As excited friends and relatives press their noses against the viewing window, someone is sure to say, "Oh, look, he has his father's ears" or "She has her mother's eyes." And that's to be expected--even at birth a child bears some resemblance to his or her parents. Oftentimes, as they grow older, the resemblance between parent and child becomes even more evident.

The same is true spiritually. As you mature in your Christian walk, the resemblance between you and your Heavenly Father should grow more evident. And no resemblance is more important than in the area of holiness. Let's see what God's Word says.

What Does God Say?

Leviticus 11:45 (NLT) says, "For I, the Lord, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy."

God says He is "holy." That means He is morally perfect and that He is set apart from people and sin. He is unique. There is no other like Him."

So, how can God say that you must be holy? How can you be holy? It must be possible, because He says you can. You are a human, and you can't become a god. But you can be separated from sin and separated to God.

God does something wonderful when you believe in Christ as your Savior. He accepts you as His child and credits Christ's holiness to you. You begin to look like your Heavenly Father and a process of growing more like Him begins.

Look at what the apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 1:14-16 (NLT) says: "So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy because I am holy.'"

My Thoughts

God says you are to be holy. Look up these Bible passages and see some ways that this holiness should look in your life. Write down what you see.

John 17:17
1 Timothy 2:8
Colossians 3:12, 13
Romans 12:1
2 Peter 3:11-13
1 Peter 2:9,10

My Part

Hebrews 4:12-13 doesn't contain the word "holy," but it tells you how the Word of God works in your life to expose those things that need to be changed in order for you to become daily more like God--to grow in your resemblance to Him. Meditate on this passage and ask the Lord to reveal any flaws in your life that need to be corrected. Ask Him to mold you into a holy vessel, set apart for His service.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 18, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Being Patient

When Jesus walked the earth, He never had a public relations manager--not that Jesus would have taken his or her advice anyway. Jesus came with a specific mission, and He had the perfect plan to carry it out. He didn't need someone to enhance His image or promote His preaching.

But for just a moment, let's place ourselves in the shoes of a PR (Public Relations) person alongside Jesus at the scene of one of His miracles. As we look at the way Jesus acts, we'll learn a little about what it means to be patient and to trust in God's timing.

What Does God Say?

Read Mark 7:31-37 and picture yourself walking with Jesus to the Sea of Galilee after spending time in the region of Tyre. This is what happens somewhere along the way:

"And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him" (Mark 7:32, ESV). Now, put on your PR shoes. Here's a man both deaf and unable to speak. You know Jesus can heal Him, and you know people will be amazed by the miracle. So, your first instinct tells you to congregate as many people as possible and then wow the crowd with the sensational healing. But that's not Jesus' plan.

"And taking him aside from the crowd privately" (Mark 7:33, ESV). Privately? Jesus healed the man, but no one saw. No one was amazed. No one went to tell his or her neighbor about the miracle man. (Well, people did, but that came as a result of the next part). But it gets worse (from a PR perspective).

"And Jesus charged them to tell no one." (Mark 7:36, ESV). Talk about a public relations nightmare! Jesus just healed a man, and He wants to keep it secret? At this point, you may very well throw your hands up and say, "I quit!"

My Thoughts

Today in the 21st century, we have the advantage of knowing the whole story. Jesus knew that He would die on the cross; He knew that Judas would betray Him and hand Him over to the Romans. And more importantly, He knew when all this had to happen.

Jesus exercised patience in waiting for the right time to make Himself known. He trusted that God's plan was the right one.

My Part

Patience is more than just a virtue; patience is the way to let God work out His plan in your life. Look at your life and find the areas where you are prone to impatience. Ask God to help you see why He might be holding things back in those areas. Pray that He would help you see the wisdom in waiting for His timing.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 19, 2010
Topic: Faith/Trust


Patience & Trust

If you see patience as a "grit-your-teeth, put-up-with-your-problems" sort of burden, it's time to adjust your perspective. According to God's Word, it's really more about persevering, not giving up, and trusting God even when you don't know or understand what He's doing. That's probably why we need patience--not so we don't "lose our cool," but so we learn to trust God.

What Does God Say?

Job is someone often held up as an example of patience. But that didn't stop him from questioning God or struggling to understand when trouble came into his life:

"Why did I not die at birth,
come out from the womb and expire?...
I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
I have no rest, but trouble comes" (Job 3:11, 26, ESV).

In Job 6:11, Job even wonders why he should be patient:

"What is my strength, that I should wait?
And what is my end, that I should be patient?" (ESV).

However, even when pushed to limit, Job chose to keep trusting God no matter what.

"Though he slay me, I will hope in him" (Job 13:15, ESV).

Job didn't know what was really going on and why God allowed him to be tested. Read Job 1:6-2:10 for those details. But he did learn to trust God to be God--to be faithful in His character, His love, His mercy, His justice and His compassion.

My Thoughts

Frequently, our lack of patience comes because we're not sure God will be God, or that He knows what He's doing. Maybe we even think it would be better if we were in control. While the context is waiting for Christ's return (when He will make all things right), James 5:7-11 offers a picture of patience.

* What do we wait for?
* How do these verses describe the process of patience?
* How can you "establish your heart" (verse 8 )?
* How did the prophets exercise patience?
* What else do you learn about Job's patience here (verse 11)?

My Part

Now, why do you need patience? Jot down your thoughts on the situations (or people) that require your patience or perseverance.

* Are you not sure God will answer you or take care of your difficulties?
* Does it make you anxious, frustrated or even angry with Him?
* Do you find yourself wondering if you can trust God to be God and do what He knows is best in this situation?

Take a few minutes to review your thoughts. Then turn them into a prayer: be frank with God about your need; confess any anger, anxiety or disappointment; acknowledge any problems you have trusting Him; and then ask for His help in placing your confidence in Him. Don't simply grit your teeth and wish for patience, but ask God to help you trust Him more today.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 20, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Patience

Sitting or standing or pacing...just waiting for something to happen--is that something you enjoy? Not many of us do. But how can we develop patience? The Bible teaches that patience doesn't come naturally.

What Does God Say?

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [That's patience.], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV).

The fruit of the Spirit is a picture of the character of Christ. As we become more and more like Christ, we'll exhibit more and more of His character. So, patience is something that God provides.

One of the ways God produces patience in us is by allowing us to be in situations that try our patience. That's not the way we want to learn patience, but it surely is effective.

What are some other ways that God might bring patience into your life?

Is there any truth to this statement: "Impatience is all about me--my rights, my time, my needs, my desires?"

List three people and three situations that often trigger impatience in you.

______________ _________________ ____________________

______________ _________________ ____________________

My Thoughts

What motivates you to be patient with others?

Does this statement play into your thinking? "The more we realize how patient God is with us, the more patient we become with the people around us."

My Part

Take time now to pray about people and situations that make you impatient. Ask God to provide you with the fruit of the Spirit so that you might reflect the patience of Christ.

Ariellamb said:

Amazing!!

Only in the last two days has The Lord been speaking to me about 'Both' of these area's & today i find them both in one post. Amazing.

1/ Gods works of power being done out of sight,without a crowd (no PR work) as we see today many times.
2/ Jesus exercised patience in waiting for the right time to make Himself known. He trusted that God's plan was the right one.

Click to expand...

AMEN! We also need to remember that God knows about all of our days - even into Eternity. Waiting upon the Lord is many times hard for us to do, but it's always worth it.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 21, 2010
Topic: God/Jesus


Our Eternally Reliable God

Earl Riney said, "God writes with a pen that never blots, speaks with a tongue that never slips, and acts with a hand that never fails."

That is another way of saying that God is reliable. He never lies. He won't change. He is faithful. He is totally and eternally trustworthy.

What if you woke one morning to find that God had changed, that His character was not the same as it was the day before? Yesterday He was a God of love, but today He is angry and hateful. Yesterday, you could trust every word He spoke; today, you discover that many of His promises are lies. Yesterday, your fellowship with Him was warm; now He is cold and distant.

Praise the Lord! That can't happen! The Bible assures you that God's character is completely reliable and His promises are firm:

["The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works."] (Psalm 145:13, ESV).

Here are some more biblical thoughts about God's reliability. Read them carefully.

What Does God Say?

* Your eternal hope rests on God's character.

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

* Your eternal life is anchored in God's reliability.

"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:9, ESV).

* Assurance of God's eternal love is yours because of His faithfulness, according to the shortest chapter in the Bible!

Praise the LORD, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117:1-2, ESV).

My Thoughts

As a believer, you should respond thankfully to the awesome reliability and faithfulness of your Lord. Each of the three verses below speaks of a response that the psalm writer experienced. Look up the verses; write down the psalmist's response; then meditate on your own life. Ask yourself, How am I responding to God's faithfulness?

Psalm 26:3
Psalm 40:10
Psalm 71:22

How does the truth of God faithfulness serve as a warning to those who reject Him? See Psalm 96:11-13.

My Part

Memorize Lamentations 3:22-23. You'll then have one of the greatest promises of God's faithfulness laid up in your mind and heart!

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 22, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


What Do You Put Your Faith In?

When you sit down in a chair, do you do it cautiously, uncertain whether or not the chair is going to do its job? For most of us, the answer is no. Why do we trust that chair? We trust it because it has faithfully stayed in place each time we sat down. If, however, you had sat down in the chair and it collapsed, leaving you on the floor, you'd probably be a little more careful the next time. You might not have much faith in that chair. So, if we rely on things that prove faithful, how come we have such a hard time trusting God? Hasn't He proved faithful and reliable to us each time we needed Him?

What Does God Say?

"Look what happens to mighty warriors
who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
and grow more and more bold in their wickedness" (Psalm 52:7, NLT).

"LORD, you are righteous,
and your regulations are fair.
Your laws are perfect
and completely trustworthy" (Psalm 119:137-138, NLT).

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise" (Hebrews 10:23, NLT).

"God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful" (1 Thessalonians 5:24, NLT).

* What happens to those who don't trust in God?
* What are some of the attributes of God that are listed in these verses?
* Why can we have hope that God will prove reliable?

My Thoughts

If one part of God's character was flawed, even if it was just a tiny flaw, then His entire character would be flawed. But we know that He is perfect. It's important to remember that just because we don't understand what God is doing, it doesn't mean there's something wrong with His character. Ask yourself these questions:

* Why do I have a hard time trusting God?
* Is my lack of trusting God because of something He did, or is my lack of faith the problem?
* How has God proved faithful and reliable to me in the past?
* What are some issues that I need to rely on God for right now?

My Part

Lack of faith in God isn't the result of something He has or hasn't done. God is reliable in what He promises you and me, and He's proved it over and over again.

Do a word search in your Bible for the words "faithful" and "trustworthy." Most Bibles have concordances in the back where you can look up a principal word. The concordance will give you passages where that word occurs so you can learn how it's used. There are so many stories of God's faithfulness in the Bible. Spend some time reading them, and then spend some time in prayer thanking God that He is One who is always faithful and reliable.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 25, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Compassion

If you say, "I care about him" or "I care about her," are you saying exactly the same thing as if you said, "I have compassion for him or her?" Do the two words--caring and compassion--mean the same thing? Actually, compassion has much deeper connotations. The Bible gives numerous examples of genuine compassion.

What Does God Say?

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous" (1 Peter 3:8, KJV).

Why does Peter say both to have compassion and to love each other?

Might it have to do with the fact that compassion has to be something that is done, not just felt? It's important to feel it, but if we don't do something about what we feel, the result is that we will not show compassion. Nobody is better off if we simply say we love him or her. People are better off if we demonstrate that we love them.

Read the following Scriptures to see how Jesus felt about certain people and situations. Put a check by any of them in which He felt compassion.

"And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick" (Matthew 14:14, KJV).

"Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled" (Matthew 15:32, 35-36 KJV).

"So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him" (Matthew 20:34, KJV).

"They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him" (Matthew 20:33-34, KJV).

"And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother" (Luke 7:13-15, KJV).

My Thoughts

When we see someone in need or suffering; and we're moved from tears to action, we're being like the Lord. For God did not just love the world, compassion moved Him to send Jesus to the cross.

Do you care about hurting people? Does it break your heart? Do the tears flow? Do you feel pity? If you're going to be like Jesus, then you must not only feel--you must also act to do whatever you can to help. That's compassion.

My Part

When we see someone in need or suffering; and we're moved from tears to action, we're being like the Lord. For God did not just love the world, compassion moved Him to send Jesus to the cross.

Do you care about hurting people? Does it break your heart? Do the tears flow? Do you feel pity? If you're going to be like Jesus, then you must not only feel--you must also act to do whatever you can to help. That's compassion.

Ask God to help you be sensitive to people with needs, especially those who need the Lord. Then pray that He would help you have the willingness and the courage to do something. Or simply ask God to give you the compassion of Jesus.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 26, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Learning Compassion

"He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous" (Psalm 112:4 NKJV) Wouldn't you love to hear someone describe you like that? In more conversational language, someone might say, "She's kind and caring, a woman who always does the right thing." Either way, it's much better than being told, "You're a selfish jerk!"

Becoming this kind, compassionate person is something we should all aspire to. Not only does it speak well of us, it speaks volumes about the God we serve. It should be no surprise then that God tells us in His Word how to become compassionate.

What Does God Say?

Psalm 112 starts out with some very practical advice: "Praise the LORD!" (Psalm 112:1, NKJV). This phrase isn't just a shout of joy like you might exclaim when you get your paycheck. When the Bible says, "Praise the LORD!," it's a command, a directive, a call to action. Becoming a compassionate, caring person begins with giving praise to God. It begins when you acknowledge God's greatness and take joy in it.

"Blessed is the man who fears the LORD" (Psalm 112:1, NKJV). It seems like a contradiction to advise fear right after calling us to praise. But fear in this sense doesn't mean terror or fright. Fearing God means respecting Him and His authority while also drawing near to Him as a Father.

We see the third element of learning compassion in the last part of the verse: "Who delights greatly in his commandments" (Psalm 112:1). We sometimes think of Bible reading as benefiting our minds--we learn more about God by reading. But more than that, Bible reading affects our whole person.

The key to learning compassion is a regular time at the feet of God.

My Thoughts

As you read Psalm 112:1-4, think about the following questions:

* What would the type of praise described in this study look like in your life?
* Can you think of any other relationships that have the same element of "fear" in them?
* What do you think it means to "delight" in God's commandments?

My Part

In the classic book The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, the lion, Aslan, makes the comment, "Once the feet are put right, the rest of him will follow." Another way to put that would be to say, "Your heart will follow where your feet lead." Your heart may not feel the emotions of compassion and delight today, but don't let that keep your feet from walking that way. Today, set your feet right by spending time in prayer and reading the Word. Pray that God would take hold of your heart and give you the compassion which burns in His heart.

Good News! -- The Holy Bible is the WORD OF GOD! -- God The Father, God The Son, God The Holy Spirit - The Creator Of All Things! -- "GOD'S GRACE" and "OUR WORKS" -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1623 to 1863 ) -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1961 to 2001 ) -- JESUS CHRIST - VERY GOD - LORD - SAVIOUR - MESSIAH - KING

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 27, 2010
Topic: Relationships, Christian Living/Situational, God's Love


A Heart like God's

When Robert Louis Stevenson retired to the Samoan Islands for his health, he became a kind and generous friend to the natives of his island. Stevenson was concerned that there was only a dirt path leading from the harbor of the island to the interior. His new friends had to walk that path in order to take provisions to their homes. Using his own money and with great personal effort, Stevenson had a good road constructed for the people. In gratitude the Samoans called it "the road of a loving heart."

As Christians, compassion is a sign of God's love flowing through us. Do people see Him and His love--in you?

What Does God Say?

"Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
They themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will last forever.
Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous"(Psalm 112:2-4, NLT).

"O God, insolent people rise up against me;
a violent gang is trying to kill me.
You mean nothing to them.
But you, O Lord,
are a God of compassion and mercy,
slow to get angry
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness"(Psalm 86:14-15, NLT).

"If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion--how can God's love be in that person"(1 John 3:17, NLT).

* How do these verses describe God?
* What characteristics do the godly have according to Psalm 112:2-4?
* What is a sign that someone has God's love?

My Thoughts

We're not born with hearts like God's, so it's important that we ask Him to give us a compassionate heart. Once we have a heart full of compassion, we have to take it one step further. We must have intentional compassion. We have to intentionally look for ways to express that compassion. Am I too busy in life to see the needs of others?

Is compassion a lifestyle for me, or is it something I do a few times a year?

What are some ways that I can show compassion each day?

My Part

Take some time today to ask God to give you a compassionate heart. Ask Him to show you skills He's given you that you can use to help others.

Slow down long enough to see people's needs. Who is in your life that needs compassion? What are some practical ways that you can help them? Write it down. Let your compassion be intentional.

Good News! -- The Holy Bible is the WORD OF GOD! -- God The Father, God The Son, God The Holy Spirit - The Creator Of All Things! -- "GOD'S GRACE" and "OUR WORKS" -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1623 to 1863 ) -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1961 to 2001 ) -- JESUS CHRIST - VERY GOD - LORD - SAVIOUR - MESSIAH - KING