Bible Minute

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 28, 2010
Topic: Faith/Trust


God Is Truthful

Have you ever been lied to? Who hasn't? Each time someone lies to us, we trust that person less and less. It complicates relationships when you're never sure whether or not you're hearing the truth. You don't have to worry about that with God. He is always truthful.

What Does God Say?

Why is God always truthful? Well, He cannot lie. In Titus 1:1-2, the apostle Paul drops in this amazing fact: "Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago" (NASB, emphasis added).

Notice it doesn't say He will not lie but that He cannot. It's completely impossible for the perfectly holy God to ever even try to lie. He defines and embodies truth because He is the "LORD God of truth" (Psalm 31:15 , NKJV). God always speaks total truth: no lies, no exaggerations, no half-truths, innuendos or embellishments. He doesn't "spin it" to make it sound better.

"I the LORD speak the truth;
I declare what is right" (Isaiah 45:19, ESV).

What's true of God the Father is also true of God the Son. John 1:14 describes Jesus as "the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" ( ESV). And Jesus told us about the Holy Spirit in John 16:13: "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come" ( ESV).

Lies and half-truths come from the devil. In John 8:44, Jesus points out that Satan "has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies" ( ESV). Satan is a master of the slippery stuff and the lies that look good, and he loves to lie about God--as you see in Genesis 3.

My Thoughts

What's made you question God's truthfulness? Where did it come from? Remember, Satan loves to lie about God or to get you to believe God isn't truthful or can't be trusted. Read through Genesis 3 and jot down the lies he told. Review Genesis 2 and see what God really said.

Since God is truthful with us, He expects us, His children, to be the same. Read Ephesians 4:17-32 and describe what kind of person you were, and what kind of person you are becoming with the help of Christ.

* What role does truth have in that?
* What do you do with lies and other unfit speech?

My Part

Take some time to evaluate truth in your life.

* What kind of lies do you slip into telling? Half-truths, spins? "Little white lies"? Do you like to exaggerate or embellish the truth?
* What usually prompts you to lie? Secret habits, failures, mistakes, a desire for power or popularity?
* Do people trust you to tell the truth? Has lying wrecked some of your relationships?
* What needs to change? Your view of God's truthfulness or how you speak truth?

Being truthful with yourself about lying or believing lies about God is not easy. However, the Holy Spirit "will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13, ESV). The Spirit shows you how to understand and trust God with the truth and how to deal with lies and a lack of truthfulness in your own life. Ask for His help today.

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 29, 2010
Topic: Holiness


Called to be Different

What comes to your mind when you hear the word holy? Do you picture a huge cathedral with tall, stained glass windows? Maybe you see a choir singing hymns while dressed in long, white robes. Our idea of holiness can be a little intimidating, so it's no wonder that when we're told to be holy we get a little nervous. What does it mean to be holy? And more importantly, how are we to live holy lives when we are imperfect people? Let's see what God's Word has to say.

What Does God Say?

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect" (Romans 12:1-2, NLT).

"Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes" (Ephesians 1:4, NLT).

"For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time--to show us his grace through Christ Jesus"(2 Timothy 1:9, NLT).

"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).

* What kind of life has God called us to?
* Why does God tell us we should be holy?
* How does being holy set us apart from the world?

My Thoughts

When we see the word holiness in the Bible, it means "to be set apart--distinct." It doesn't mean that we're to be perfect or sinless because only God can be those things. God wants us to be holy in that we are separate from the world. We desire to be like Him and not those around us. Ask yourself these questions:

* When others see me, do they see someone who has been transformed by God?
* Do my actions show that I desire to be like God and not the world?
* Am I living the holy life that God has called me to?

My Part

If you are a Christian, then you have been called to live a holy life, to be set apart by God as belonging to Him. We have to take a good look at our lives and hearts to see if we are truly living holy lives.

If there are things in your life that you need to change, now is the time to do it.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 1, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, God, God's Love


The Promise Keeper

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.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 2, 2010
Topic: Faith/Trust


Our Dependable God

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!

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 3, 2010
Topic: God



God Is Truthful

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 God 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.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 4, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Be Holy

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.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 5, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Pure Holiness

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).

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 8, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, God's Love


The Faithfulness of God

What sort of characteristics do you look for in friends or employees? You probably want people who are honest, hardworking and loyal. What about faithful? Faithfulness is one quality that doesn't seem to be too important in the 21st century. It's hard to find someone who is truly faithful these days. It seems there is a lack of faithfulness in our workplaces and even in our marriages. Fortunately for us, we serve a God who is completely faithful.

What Does God Say?

"Your faithfulness extends to all generations,
You established the earth, and it abides" (Psalm 119:90, NLT).

"Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands "(Deuteronomy 7:9, NLT).

"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure" (1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT).

"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness" (1 John 1:9, NLT).

In what areas is God faithful?
How long does God's faithfulness endure?
How has God shown you His faithfulness?

My Thoughts

God is consistently faithful to us; therefore, we should strive to be consistently faithful to Him. As Christians, we are to have a relationship with God. Think of the close relationships you have with people in your life: your spouse, your children or your parents. Do you talk to them every once in awhile? More than likely, you are in contact with them every day. Your relationship with God is your most important relationship, yet many times we spend the least amount of time with Him. Consider these questions:

God has proved faithful to me; am I proving myself faithful to Him?
What do I need to do to maintain a consistent relationship with Him?

My Part

First John 1:9 said that God is faithful to forgive our sins. He can only forgive us when we ask Him. Take a moment today to pray and ask God to reveal any sin in your life. When you become aware of the sin in your life, admit it to God and ask for His forgiveness. Make confession and asking God's forgiveness part of your daily prayer life.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 9, 2010
Topic: Faith/Trust


When Is God Faithful? - 1

Sometimes we better understand a question if we frame it in the negative: Instead of asking, "When is God faithful?" we could ask, "When is God not faithful?" The Bible teaches us there is no such time.

What Does God Say?

"Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments" (Deuteronomy 7:9 NASB).

When are we most likely to question the faithfulness of God? It often happens when we have been unfaithful, or when we have sinned or given in to temptation. The Bible assures us that even then, not only is God faithful, but He provides help and strength to deal with those situations.

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will make the way of escape" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The key to understanding faithfulness is to know that God is always God. His faithfulness originates from His character, so it does not depend on us or what we do or don't do. If the faithfulness of God does not depend on our situation--it depends on His character--then God will always be faithful to us.

My Thoughts

Are there times when you've doubted the faithfulness of God? Describe the situation that created the doubt.

Are you able to look back and see now that God was faithful even though it may not have been apparent to you at the time? How has the situation changed?

Do you believe that there is a limit to God's faithfulness? Read Romans 8:32 and write it out in your own words.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the assurance that God will faithfully and generously be there for us and provide for us.

My Part

Is the faithfulness of God an encouragement to you?
Does it bring a sense of relief and peace?
How does His faithfulness encourage you to be more faithful?

Take a few moments right now to verbally or in written form praise God for His faithfulness, to ask His help in learning to trust His character in every situation and to commit yourself to being faithful to Him as best you can.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 10, 2010
Topic: Forgiveness/Unforgiveness


When Is God Faithful? - 2

The story is told of a king who had suffered greatly from his rebellious subjects. One day they surrendered their arms, threw themselves down at his feet and begged for mercy. He pardoned them all. One of his friends asked, "Didn't you say every rebel should die?"

The King replied, "Yes, but I see no rebels here."

That's what God wants to do for us: pardon our rebellion. Let's see what it takes to receive His forgiveness and stop our disobedience.

What Does God Say?

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9, ESV).

*— What must we do to be forgiven?
*— According to this verse, what is the basis for God's forgiveness?
*— What is the difference between being forgiven and being cleansed?

My Thoughts

The word confess means to "agree with." As long as we are not willing to admit to God that we have sinned, God is not able to forgive us. We remain, instead, in a state of rebelliousness. On the other hand, if we're willing to agree with God that we have sinned, He is able through Jesus Christ to not only forgive us but to remove even the stain of sin. God says in Isaiah 1:18,

"'Come now, and let us reason together,'
Says the LORD,
'Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.'"

My Part

While confessing our sins to others may be a good way to stay accountable, it is not required in order to be forgiven. Take a piece of paper and write down the sins you need to confess to God. Read them out loud to God; then shred or burn the paper. If you are struggling with a sin that you can't seem to overcome, find a trustworthy friend to be your accountability partner.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 11, 2010
Topic: God's Care, Faith/Trust


Pour Out Your Heart

Ecclesiastes 3:7 tells us there is "a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." And Psalm 62 includes both a time of silent waiting before God (v. 1) and a time to pour out your heart to Him (v. 8 ). So, what does this "pouring out your heart" involve?

What Does God Say?

"Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us" (Psalm 62:8, ESV).

Pouring out involves a struggle during which the deepest gut-level emotions and needs of your heart flow out of you and into God's hands. We might call it "spilling your guts." It's when you're honest, earnest and purposeful in what you bring to Him.

Psalm 102 is described as "a prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD" (emphasis added, notes in ESV). Here's just a sample of the writer's poured-out heart:

"Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you!
Do not hide your face from me
in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call!
For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;
I forget to eat my bread" (Psalm 102:1-4, ESV).

Among others, Psalms 28 and 31 show us what we can "pour out" to God: need for mercy, need for help, need for refuge, need to be saved from enemies. We can pour out specific needs or issues close to a person's heart; he or she brings to God what matters most and seeks God's face as well as an answer that meets their need and honors God.

My Thoughts

Look at prayers from an ordinary woman named Hannah and a king named Hezekiah.

1 Samuel 1:9-18
2 Kings 19:1-19
2 Kings 20:1-6

* What mattered most to the person praying?
* How was God addressed?
* What did they seek as a response or answer to their prayer?
* How do these prayers differ from yours?

My Part

Remember Psalm 62:8?

"Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us" (ESV)

Did you notice what comes before pouring out your heart? Trusting in God at all times, no matter what's going on in your life. It's a lot easier to pour out your heart or share what's really on your mind with someone you trust. Do you trust God with what's on your heart? He is the most trustworthy Friend you could ever have. Not only that, He's the only one powerful enough, wise enough, compassionate enough to take care of you.

What do you need to pour out to God today? Picture it filling a bottle or pitcher. Don't be afraid of what God might think or say about your struggle. Just pour it out, empty it from your heart and into His capable hands.

Title: Where's Your Trust?
Date: Feb 12, 2010
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: Psalms 62:7-10


We all need money. That's a fact of life. It seems that the older we get, the more important money becomes. When we were younger, money was seen as the key to our dreams: our dream car, our dream house. As the years pass, money becomes a way to ensure that the retirement years are comfortable. It's no wonder many people put an emphasis on the money they have.

What Does God Say?

But for all its importance and power, the Bible tells us that money isn't worthy of our trust. David, in Psalm 62, tells us where we should place our trust.

"In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.

"Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us" (62:7-8, NKJV).

God, our Savior, our Glory, our Rock and our Refuge is the only one worthy of our trust. Money provides an inadequate substitute for the greatest need in our lives. In verse 10, David goes on to say,

"Do not trust in oppression,
Nor vainly hope in robbery;
If riches increase,
Do not set your heart on them" (62:10, NKJV).

What David is telling non-Christians (thieves and extortionists) is this: "If riches increase, don't put your trust in them."

But it's likely that every dollar you have came from hard work and saving or from an inheritance. For you David's advice is, "Don't set your heart on those funds." It's not the lack of money; it's putting your trust in money that will ruin you in the end.

My Thoughts

For what things do you trust money?

1. Are these verses saying that having money is bad?
2. How can you use and save your money wisely while still exercising trust in God for the future?

My Part

Money is not evil, but it often reflects a person's heart better than any mirror. What do your spending/saving habits reveal about where you place your trust?

Do you seem to spend your cash on trivial things?

Just like every other area of our lives, our finances are something we ought to be bringing to the Lord daily in prayer. Look through your bank statements and other financial papers and ask God if there are any areas you can exercise more trust in Him.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 15, 2010
Topic: God's Care


Living In God's Presence

Amy Carmichael commented about God in her book, Gold by Moonlight: "It is not the sense of His presence; it is the fact of His presence that is our strength and stay."

Nothing is more comforting than the knowledge that God is always with you. But what does the Lord want you to know about His presence?

What Does God Say?

Joseph, son of Jacob, was mistreated by his brothers, who sold him to Ishmaelite slave traders Genesis 39:1-2 (ESV) tells us what became of him after that.

"Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master."

As a slave or, later on, as a ruler in the palace of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, Joseph never forgot that God was with him and never failed to practice God's presence in his life.

My Thoughts

Read Psalm 139:1-18, paying attention to God's closeness to you.
God has chosen to be with His people. As a believer, you may confidently claim His promise to Joshua: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

The following Bible passages tell you several things about God's being "with you." Find the passages and answer the questions below. Think about what each passage means to you personally.

* Psalm 27:4--What did King David desire above all else?
* Psalm 34:18-19--Where is God when you go through problems and difficulties?
* Psalm 140:12-13--What does God promise to believers who are persecuted?
* Isaiah 57:15--In what two places does God say He dwells?
* Jonah 1:3-4--What wrong notion did Jonah have about God?
* Jeremiah 23:23-24--What does God say about trying to hide from Him?
* Matthew 1:23--What name of Jesus reflects the truth of His presence with you?
* Revelation 21:3--What is God's eternal desire and plan for you and all His children?

My Part

Oswald Chambers, in his book, Run Today's Race, makes this observation about God's unchanging presence with us: "Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God" (p. 26).

Memorize Psalm 23:4. Ask the Lord to give you the same kind of confidence David had about God's presence with him.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 16, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Time to be Quiet

It sounds crazy! Impossible! The idea of waiting before God and especially waiting in silence doesn't seem to fit with our noisy, busy world. We can't even wait at a stoplight or for our order at a drive-thru without making noise about it. But waiting quietly is an important part of connecting with God and listening to Him.

What Does God Say?

King David put it like this in Psalm 62:

* "For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (Psalm 62:1-2, ESV).

Waiting means...waiting. The dictionary refers to "delaying action for a specified time or until some event occurs; to be expectant or on the watch." Waiting on God means stopping long enough for Him to speak, expecting Him to respond, being alert to His work. And you can't do that very well if you're rushing about, filling every moment with noise and activity.

David also talks about waiting silently or in stillness in verse 5 of this same psalm:

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him" (ESV).

Silent waiting means you're not doing all the talking--in fact, you're not doing any of the talking. You're ready, eager and confident that you'll hear from Him.

If you're willing to slow down, be quiet and wait, you might hear great things from God. David mentions:

"Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work" (Psalm 62:11-12, ESV).

Tapping into God's power and steadfast love, putting your confidence in Him as your rock and salvation--those things make the quiet waiting worthwhile.

My Thoughts

Psalm 62 isn't the only place that talks about waiting on God. Take a look at these passages.

Psalm 27:13-14
Psalm 33:20-21
Psalm 37:7
Psalm 130:5-6

* What can you do while waiting?
* What is not part of waiting silently?
* What do you gain from time spent listening to God?
* What do you learn about God in these waiting times?

My Part

You can't "wait" in a hurry; you'll need more than 30 seconds on your way out the door in the morning. So, plan it into your time with God once or twice a week.

Historically, some Christian orders or communities would practice the discipline of silence, setting aside a period of time when talking was not allowed so a person could devote that time to prayer and listening to God. You also may want to set aside a quarter hour or so when you turn off all the other noise in your life, put your own voice on hold and be quiet before God. Keep your Bible handy because that's His Word to you.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 17, 2010
Topic: God


Finding a Constant in the Midst of Chaos

There was a popular commercial a few years ago showing a guy going into an electronic store and buying a computer. The store associate promised him that it was the latest and newest computer on the market. It held more information, ran faster and outlasted all other computers. On his way home, the proud new owner drove by some men changing a billboard. To his dismay, in the ten minutes since he had purchased his computer they were already advertising an even newer and more updated model! Isn't that how most of life seems? Things are constantly changing, and we just can't keep up. But in the midst of our chaotic world, there is one person we can learn to lean on no matter what.

What Does God Say?

"I...wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken" (Psalm 62:5-7, NLT).

"Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again--
my Savior and my God" (Psalm 42:5-6, NLT).

"I know the LORD is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me" (Psalm 16:8, NLT).

"I am the LORD, and I do not change" (Malachi 3:6, NLT).

What is the one thing that doesn't change in life?
What should we do when we're discouraged?
What images in these verses describe God?

My Thoughts

No matter how much we resist, things in life are going to change. We're going to grow older, people are going to let us down, our kids will leave home. But as Christians, we have confidence that God will never change. He doesn't need to change because He is already perfect. Because God never changes, He'll always remain faithful to us. We never have to worry that His character and His goodness will change. Consider these questions:

When life gets hard, do I try to hang on by myself or do I turn to God, my rock?
How has God proved faithful to me in the past?

My Part

God does His part. He remains faithful to us and is the rock we can hang onto when we're in the middle of a rapidly changing world. Hopefully you have begun to think about the ways that God has proved faithful to you in the past. Take it a step further and share that with others. Maybe there is someone in your life that needs to hear it. Send them a card or an email telling them how God has been faithful and unchanging in your life.

Also, take some time today to thank God for being the rock and the fortress in your life.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 18, 2010
Topic: Faith/Trust


More Than a Virtue

The third chapter of Ecclesiastes starts with these familiar words: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV). Sounds great, doesn't it? But if you're like most people, you'd rather be doing something than waiting for something to happen.

Many people will tell you to take life by the horns. "Stop waiting and make something happen." It sounds like good advice, but is it really?

What Does God Say?

David was a man who faced that choice. In the Bible, we read about how David was pursued by Saul the King of Israel. One day, David and his followers hid in a cave to avoid Saul's passing army. Saul, not knowing that David was there, also went into the cave. "Now's your opportunity," David's men whispered to him. "Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you'" (1 Samuel 24:4, ESV). In other words, "Kill him and take the throne!"

David could've solved two problems if he'd taken their advice. First, David could have ended Saul's murderous pursuit of him; and second, David would be free to become king as God had promised. So, David made up his mind. Creeping forward in the dark cave, David took out his sword and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.

David told his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6, ESV).

David recognized that when God was ready to remove Saul from the throne and elevate David, God would do just that. We'll think about how to apply this kind of patient trust in God's plan to our lives in the next section.

My Thoughts

As you read through 1 Samuel 24:1-7, think about the following questions:

* How would David's life have changed for the better if he had killed Saul? For the worse?
* If you were in David's position, what would you have done? Why?
* Are you frustrated with where you are today? How does this passage affect your outlook?

My Part

Patience is more than a virtue; it shows our faith and trust in God. David truly believed in God's promises, and so he was willing to wait for God's timing. In our world today we have all kinds of ways of speeding through life, from speed dating to get-rich-quick schemes. But let's take a lesson from David and learn to trust in the promises and the timing of God.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 19, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Revealing God's Wisdom

All of us want to be wise and want others to have that opinion of us. But many people don't know where to find wisdom. They look to human philosophies or the latest self-help books trying to find the answers to life. The Bible, however, tells us the source of genuine wisdom.

What Does God Say?

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:2-5, ESV).

* Wisdom appears in the context of trials and patience. How do these three subjects fit together?
* Where does wisdom come from?
* What is God's attitude toward those who ask Him for wisdom?

My Thoughts

Wisdom begins with becoming a Christ-follower and choosing to guide your life according to His Word.

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it" (Matthew 7:24-27, ESV).

My Part

Take time now to pray and ask God to help you spend time in His Word seeking His wisdom. Make it your goal to read His Word at least four times each week. For information on the positive results of reading God's Word four times a week, visit Back to the Bible - P4homepage. Sign up for Powered by 4 and absorb God's wisdom into your life.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 22, 2010
Topic: Holiness


Firm Foundation

On the day that a fortress' wall falls to an invading army, no one praises the wall for its many decades of solid support and protection. Anyone who cares will instead ask, "What made it collapse today?"

Wouldn't it be a shame to walk with God in faith all the days of your life and come down to the last years only to have the walls of your faith crumble because you don't have answers to the issues that face you?

I wonder if that was David's concern as he wrote Psalms 16.

What Does God Say?

David starts out Psalm 16 by reminding himself about where his strength really comes from.

"Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
O my soul, you have said to the LORD,
'You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.'
As for the saints who are on the earth,
'They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight'" (Psalm 16:1-3, NKJV).

The strength of a wall, like the strength of a life, is only as good as its foundation. And for David, his foundation was the Lord. He put his trust in God--it was God who gave his life meaning.

David describes the fate of those who don't put their trust in the Lord in the next verse.

"Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god" (16:4, NKJV).

He then goes on to reaffirm his commitment to God.

"O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance" (16:5, NKJV).

David follows this up by telling us the way to remain steadfast, the way to remain strong in our faith even into our last days.

"I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved" (16:7-8, NKJV).

What a confident declaration! "I shall not be moved!" This statement gives David (and us) hope. "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices" (16:9, NKJV).

The secret to remaining strong in the faith even in the last seasons of life is to hold close that which made you strong in the first place: a commitment to a personal relationship with God. We'll look into this more in the next section.

My Thoughts

As you read Psalm 16, think about the following questions:

What benefits does David draw from his relationship with God?
How is verse 10 also a reference to Jesus Christ?
Where can you find true joy?

My Part

Write down Psalms 16:8,

"I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved."

Place this verse somewhere where it will be visible every day. Let it remind you as you go about your day to place God before you in everything you do. Pray that God will continue to strengthen your faith day-by-day and that nothing will move you.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 23, 2010
Topic: Faith/Trust


Living in Confidence

Getting swindled is one of the most humiliating experiences you can go through. A person sets you up by gaining your confidence and then misleads you in order to get your money or some other possession. It's called a "con game"--short for "confidence game." And it's as old as the Garden of Eden. Satan conned Adam and Eve. He was a beautiful and charming person, and they put their confidence in him. They lost not only their innocence, but their God-given dominion over the earth. Since that time, Satan has been the "prince of this world" and confidence games are played daily causing loss to thousands of unwary people.

Living in a world like this, you may wonder at times, "Is there anybody I can trust?"

God wants you to know where your confidence must be placed if your life is to be eternally blessed. Want a hint? Despite the advice of this world, it is not in "self-confidence," nor by trusting some other human being!

What Does God Say?

* God is the only solid Rock in whom you can place all your confidence:

"On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God" (Psalm 62:7 ESV).

* You can have complete confidence in God because of His name and nature:

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7, ESV).

* Because of who God is, you should trust Him without wavering:

"Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward" (Hebrews 10:35, ESV).

My Thoughts

Your trust and confidence in Christ affects every part of your Christian life. Some areas where confidence is a necessity are listed below. Look up the related verses and read them in your Bible.

* Your ability to walk the Christian walk (Proverbs 3:26).
* Your need for God's care for yourself and your family (Proverbs 14:26).
* Your desire to be sure God hears your prayers and will provide (1 John 5:14).
* Your right to approach God when in need (Hebrews 4:16).
* Your hope for assurance of God's love in the judgment (1 John 4:17).
* Your longing to be unashamed at Christ's coming (1 John 2:28 ).

Neither you yourself (by working up '"self-confidence"), nor any other human being, can give you what you need for the Christian life and for facing the future. This comes only from God.

Write down some areas where you feel your trust in the Lord is weak. Meditate on Psalm 62:7 and think about how you can strengthen your confidence in God in those areas.

My Part

Memorize Hebrews 4:16 from the version of the Bible that you use. Repeat it out loud (or write it on a piece of paper) every time you feel your walk with Christ getting jittery.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 24, 2010
Topic: Faith/Trust


Trust At All Times

In Leicester, England, there is an inscription on the outside wall of an old church, "In the year 1653 when all things sacred were throughout this nation either demolished or profaned, Sir Robert Shirley Baronet founded this church. Whose singular praise it is to have done the best things in the worst times and hoped them in the most calamitous."

It may be easier to trust in trouble-free times, but it is also possible to trust in difficult times. The Bible teaches that we can trust 24/7, regardless of the situation or the times or the obstacles.

What Does God Say?

"Trust in the him [the Lord] at all times" (Psalm 62:8 NLT).

Here's the full verse:
"O my people, trust in him at all times.
pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge" (Psalm 62:8 NLT).

Who is God speaking to?
Is this a word of encouragement?
What exactly does all mean here?

Why are the people of God able to trust at all times and in all situations? Here are two truths that help us understand living by faith.

What is the first truth according to the following verse?
"Do not tremble; do not be afraid.
Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago?
You are my witnesses--is there any other God?
No! There is no other Rock--not one!" (Isaiah 44:8 NLT).

Now, what is the second truth found in the verse below?
"Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock" (Isaiah 26:4 ESV).

My Thoughts

We know that the Lord our God is the only God--there is no other and the Lord who is our God is the strong and solid Rock on which we stand and in which we find safety.

Do you believe that? Do you believe it with all your heart? Do you believe that it is true for you? For the Christian, there can be no separation between faith and trust.

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6 ESV).

My Part

Take time now in prayer for a moment of thanksgiving and trusting. Praise God for who He is and who He wants to be in your life. Then ask for His help, providing the courage and the faith to trust Him at all times and in all situations.

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