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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Dec 16, 2011
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Obedience/Discipleship, Faith/Trust
All About Abiding
"Abide in Christ": It's one of those classic Christian phrases we like to toss around to explain how to live as a believer. But what does it mean for us in practical terms? In His parable of the Vine, Jesus shows us what it means to "abide."
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During His last teaching session with His disciples, Jesus talked about abiding in Him. In John 15, Jesus says He is the vine and God the Father is the vinedresser or caretaker of the vine. Then, "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).
Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. He is the core, the source, the root that feeds us, connects us, and helps us grow to fruitfulness. Without Him, we're just dried-up twigs. Abiding means we're connected to His life. John 15:4 underscores this, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (ESV).
The root meaning of abide is "to dwell" or "to take up residence." It has a sense of moving in and settling down--you're at home. And with Jesus, it works both ways: We take up residence in Him and He lives in us. As branches on the vine, we need Him to live in us, to pour His life through us. Without Him, we can do nothing. It's that connection at the core that brings us life and fruitfulness.
Reflect
Go back and read through John 15:1-11.
What is the Father looking for from us as the branches of the vine (15:2-4)?
What happens to those who do not abide (15:2,6)?
What's the blessing for those who do stay connected to the vine (15:5-7)?
How do we prove we're disciples (15:8 )?
How does love fuel this "abiding" (15:9-10)?
How does Jesus demonstrate abiding (15:9-10)?
Respond
There's a lot of good stuff that comes with abiding: love, growth, fruitfulness, answered prayer, glory for God. But it's the daily-ness of abiding that we stumble over. We often let the cares and busyness of life crowd out our connection with Jesus.
Would you say Jesus is "at home" in your life? Or do you treat Him like someone who just drops by once in awhile? Do you find yourself thinking that you just have to "go it alone" most of the time? Or are you drawing on all the strength and hope and purpose He offers? Do you find your life and joy in Him? Is it a matter of love?
The best way to stay connected or plugged into Jesus is through the Word of God. The Bible offers all the words of life we need; it's how we see, listen and learn from Jesus. It's how we know that God loves us and how we can respond to Him in love as well. When you make daily connecting with Jesus your focus, you're on your way to a fruitful life of abiding.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Dec 19, 2011
Topic: Christian Living/Situational
Pruning for Eternity
"Our rose bush looks so weak and scraggly," my wife said. "It has beautiful blossoms, but somebody needs to prune it."
"No problem," I assured her, as I visualized a splendid crop of big, pink roses blooming the next year. "I'll take care of it."
I did take care of it. I pruned the bush so it was much shorter than it had been and, lo and behold, the next year there were flowers on it--very small, unattractive, pale ones that didn't resemble our beautiful pink blooms at all.
As it turned out, I had pruned the rose bush below the spot where it was originally grafted into a wild rose root. All I had left was an unsightly wild rose plant and an unhappy wife.
This all goes to show that correctly pruning a vine, bush or tree requires some expertise which I apparently lacked.
God, however, is an expert in pruning--both physical and spiritual.
Receive
Jesus says in John 15:1-2 (ESV): "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."
Who does the pruning?
What is the expected outcome of pruning?
Reflect
What are some of the fruits that God wants to see in your life? See the following Bible verses; jot down the fruit that is mentioned and answer the questions.
Colossians 1:10. The fruit ____________. What lifestyles do you see that go along with bearing fruit?
Hebrews 13:15. The fruit ____________. How is this spiritual fruit described?
Hebrews 12:11. The fruit ____________. What produces this fruit? (See also Philippians 1:9-11).
Ephesians 5:9. The fruit ____________. In what three things is this fruit found?
Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit ____________. Name the nine aspects of this fruit.
Respond
Consider the different spiritual fruits you listed in the "Reflect" section above. Do you see any areas where your life isn't producing those fruits? Can you identify specific twigs He needs to prune away?
Here is a helpful verse to commit to memory: "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples" (John 15: 8, ESV).
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Dec 20, 2011
Topic: Jesus, Christian Living/Situational
Friend of Jesus
Have you ever had someone dislike you because of something you've said or done? Most of us have experienced that. Have you ever had someone dislike you because of one of your friends? If you're a Christian, that has happened--or will happen someday. Why? Jesus explains.
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"'I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name'" (John 15:15-16, NLT).
Jesus reminds us that as Christ-followers we are not just His servants, but we are His friends. Being a friend of Jesus is one of the privileges of being a Christian. But Jesus makes a prediction for His friends.
"The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you" (John 15:19, NLT).
What kind of prediction did Jesus make for His friends?
According to these verses, why will the world hate you?
Read the following verses and answer the questions.
Matthew 12:14
Why did the Pharisees call a meeting in Matthew 12?
Luke 4:28-30
Who was furious with Jesus in Luke 4:28-30?
What did they do to Jesus?
What did they intend to do?
How did Jesus get away?
John 8:57-59
Who was upset with Jesus in these verses?
What did they use to express their anger?
How did Jesus get away?
After reading the above verses, what do you learn about the relationships Jesus had with others (especially the religious leaders) during the last three years of His life?
Reflect
Do you understand why as a Christ-follower you will be disliked or hated even though you have done nothing to deserve it?
Dr. Woodrow Kroll, Bible Teacher, clarifies: "When you live a life that pleases the Lord, you are a problem to people who don't please the Lord. So, is it any wonder, then, that the world hates you? When I say to you, 'Have a good and godly day,' I am saying to you, 'You do that, and you're going to be hated because of it.' Why? Because the world doesn't know God."
Randomly scribble any words that express how you feel when you consider that you will be hated and perhaps even persecuted someday because of your faith.
If "fear" or a similar emotion is on your list, take your list before God and tell Him how you feel. Then think about this.
How does Jesus expect you to respond to hostility and perhaps even persecution? (Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:14).
Who will give you the strength to respond appropriately? (Ephesians 3:16).
Respond
Are you a friend of Jesus? If so, you can expect some people to have a very negative reaction to you.
Ask the Lord to strengthen you by the power of the Holy Spirit and to give you the character of Christ, in particular His courage and compassion. See Acts 6 and 7 for Stephen's example.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Dec 21, 2011
Topic: Holy Spirit, Jesus, New Life, Joy
Sorrow into Joy
When you're dealing with grief and sorrow, there are times when you feel like you'll never be happy again, when the idea of joy is just a joke...and not a funny one. But if you keep going, there's another moment you will eventually reach: You will realize the worst is over and joy is still possible.
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In John 16, Jesus prepared His disciples for those moments. In a few hours, He would be arrested and crucified, and they'd grieve over His death. He knew the loss they'd feel when He returned to heaven after His Resurrection. But Jesus told these friends, "I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy" (John 16:20, NLT).
Jesus promises that joy will be restored, and He illustrates that in John 16:21, "It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world" (NLT). The process of birthing a child is painful and hard but once that baby's in his mother's arms, she rejoices.
The reason for joy is that Jesus gives new life and promises His return. First, from the grave, and later--the one we look forward to--from heaven to take us home with Him. He says, "So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy" (John 16:22, NLT). No one can take away that joy! It's the real deal, and it lasts.
Reflect
What else produces joy? See what you can find in these passages:
John 15:7-11
Acts 11:20-23
Romans 4:6-8
Romans 15:13
Galatians 5:22-23
Philippians 2:16-18
Respond
So, where are you right now? Lost in sorrow, grieving or feeling hopeless? Or have you begun to see that joy is possible? Joy is more than feeling happy; it's a positive confidence that God is faithful to His promises and working on your behalf. It's a quiet trust that the Holy Spirit is carrying the load and filling you with all that you need.
Ask God to show you how to move forward; pray that the Holy Spirit would fill you each day with that sense of joy. Psalm 30:5 promises "Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning" (NLT).
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Bible Study
Title: Authority for Prayer
Date: Dec 22, 2011
Topic(s): Obedience/Discipleship, God's Care, Prayer
Scripture: John 16:23-24, Luke 9:10-17, James 4:3, Luke 9:1-6
Have you ever been given special treatment because of someone you know? Ushered through a crowd of waiting people because you know the owner of a restaurant? Allowed behind the scenes of a play because you know the manager of the company? Given a discount on a car because you are friends with the owner of the franchise?
You have that kind of access to God the Father, and you get that kind of special treatment because of someone you know: His Son, Jesus.
Receive
In the following verse, Jesus was preparing the disciples for the future. He was telling them that soon things would change. He would go away. (He was preparing them for the time He would die on the cross and later ascend to heaven.)
"At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name" (John 16:23, ESV).
Until Jesus left, where would the disciples take their needs or questions?
Where would they take them after Jesus was gone?
Whose name would they make requests in after Jesus was gone?
Why would God grant their requests?
Jesus was God's Son and His death on the cross would ensure that His disciples--including us--would have access to God because we could go to Him in His Son's name.
"You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy" (John 16:24, ESV).
Reflect
Jesus isn't promising a blank check in these verses. But He is promising you the resources you need to carry out His plan for your life.
What are some requests God probably wouldn't honor (see James 4:3)?
Think about what God wants you to do? Do you need to ask Him for anything to help you accomplish His plan for you?
What does it mean to you to know you can ask God for anything in Jesus' name?
Respond
Write down any requests you make in Jesus' name this week and attach them to your refrigerator with a magnet. Then note the answer and the date "you receive" what you've asked for. With "abundant joy," give God the glory each time you note an answer.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Dec 26, 2011
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship
Mark of Discipleship
Being from Nebraska, I'm automatically expected to be a devoted follower of Nebraska football. But if anyone asks me, I say, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, "I'm a fan, but not a fanatic." What I mean is that while I enjoy watching the games, I can't, for instance, name any player on the roster let alone his stats for the last two seasons.
When it comes to being a Christian, I would hesitate to call anyone fanatic--that word has a negative connotation. Fortunately, the Bible has a much better, more positive word to describe a devoted follower of Christ: disciple.
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What does it take to be a disciple? Let's look at Jesus' description. In John 17, Jesus prayed specifically for the disciples. "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you" (John 17:6-8, ESV).
To be a disciple you need to know Jesus. That's the first step; but, unfortunately, many people never get beyond that step. They recognize Jesus and even put their faith in Him, but they never take the next step towards being a disciple (kind of like me and Nebraska football).
To be a real disciple, you not only need to know Jesus, you need to know and keep His Word. Jesus said, "and they have kept your word." This is where a lot of us stumble. There are a lot of people who claim to be Christians and probably have made a genuine confession of faith, but they know next to nothing about the Bible.
And to be a really effective disciple, you have to read God's Book.
Reflect
Start by reading the rest of John 17 and think about the following questions.
What challenges did Jesus know the disciples would face in following His Word?
Why was Jesus confident the disciples would be able to overcome these challenges?
What does Jesus pray for the disciples that would come later?
Why is it worth it to be a disciple and not just someone who knows Jesus?
Respond
The Bible's not as intimidating as you might think. Instead of one large book, think of it as 66 smaller books--and almost half of them (27) can be read in less than 15 minutes. As you read your Bible, ask God how He would have you apply what you read. Ask Him to show you how to be a true disciple.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Bible Study
Title: Denying Jesus
Date: Dec 27, 2011
Topic(s): Obedience/Discipleship, Jesus
Scripture: Matthew 26:34-35, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Matthew 26:57-75, Matthew 26:47, Matthew 26:56, 1 Corinthians 10:12
In Durrenmatt's radio play, The Double, Diego tells Pedro (his double) that he [Pedro] will be executed for murder. Pedro protests: He never killed anyone and never would.
Diego confesses that he committed the murder but informs Pedro that, had he been in Diego's circumstances, he would have done the same. Pedro vigorously denies he would ever commit such a crime. But before the play is over, Pedro commits murder--not once but twice.
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The apostle Peter was positive that he would never deny Jesus; yet, Peter's denial of his Lord is one of the most poignant narratives in the Bible. Jesus told Peter about his soon-to-occur failure during the Last Supper:
"Jesus said to him, 'Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.' Peter said to him, 'Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!' And all the disciples said the same" (Matthew 26:34-35, ESV).
What in this exchange between Jesus and Peter stands out to you?
Why was Peter so sure of himself?
Which of the disciples made the same claim?
After Jesus and His disciples finished eating, they went to the Garden of Gethsemane so Jesus could pray. It was there Judas betrayed Him. Read about it in Matthew 26 verses 47 and 56. Then answer the questions below.
Approximately how much time elapsed between Jesus' encounter with Peter and the time that Judas and the crowd arrived to take Jesus?
What was the crowd carrying?
How did Jesus' disciples respond?
Now, read Matthew 26:57-72.
Where did the crowd take Jesus immediately after they left the Garden?
Where was Peter while Jesus was being taken from the Garden to the residence?
Where did Peter remain while Jesus was taken inside?
"A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, 'You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.'
"Peter swore, 'A curse on me if I'm lying--I don't know the man!' And immediately the rooster crowed.
"Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.' And he went away, weeping bitterly" (Matthew 26:73-75, NLT).
What was happening to Jesus while the bystanders were speaking to Peter?
What did those in the courtyard accuse Peter of?
What was his response?
How did Peter feel when he heard the rooster crow?
Reflect
Do you think you will ever deny Jesus?
What warning does the following verse give?
"If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12, NLT).
Note the words or phrases in the following verse that will help you stand for the Lord.
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are" (1 Peter 5:8-9, NLT).
Respond
Take time to pray now and ask God to help you live for Jesus--when you're alone, at school, with family, at work, with your friends and even when there could be ridicule or danger.
*Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.--George Duffield, Jr.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Dec 28, 2011
Topic: Jesus, Hope, Salvation, New Life
Jesus in the Middle
It's just a small detail recorded in John 19:18. "They crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center" (NKJV). Jesus is in the center, right in between two criminals--in the middle. That one little detail underscores a significant truth. Jesus is always in the middle of things; at the center of the action and the plan of God. Let's look at just a few examples.
Receive
First, Jesus is in the middle of the Godhead. It's God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, each equally God and fully God. And Jesus is right there at the center.
He was also right in the thick of things at creation. Genesis 1 doesn't mention Jesus by name, but we know that He was very much involved. Colossians 1:16 tells us, "For by him [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him" (ESV).
From the beginning, Jesus has been at the center of God's plan for man's salvation. He was the one who would crush the head of the evil one (Genesis 3:15); He would be the ultimate Passover Lamb to save His people from death (Exodus 12); He was the King for the throne of David (2 Samuel 7:16); He is the Savior who would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Everything God wanted to do for us, to give us a hope and a relationship with Him, came through and because of Jesus.
Here at the cross, Jesus is at the middle of our greatest choice. Do we choose life or death? Salvation or condemnation? A personal relationship with God or eternal separation from Him?
God's future plan is also centered on Jesus. The final battle against Satan, the glorious new earth and new heaven, the eternal kingdom we'll be part of--it's all built around Jesus. Just take a look at Revelation 20-22.
Reflect
Colossians 1 offers a rich portrait of Christ that puts Him at the center of things. Read 1:13-23. How do you see Jesus in the middle of:
Creation?
Authorities?
Time and space?
The Church?
The work of God?
Your relationship with God?
Respond
Seeing Jesus at the center is not just for the great cosmic plan of redemption and history. He's still "in the center" for your life today. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus promised, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (ESV). He is among us as believers. Just before He returned to heaven, Jesus promised "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20, NLT).
That's Jesus...right in the middle of your life. What confidence does this give you for facing your daily walk with Him?
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Dec 29, 2011
Topic: Salvation, Heaven, Evangelism, God's Love
Open Invitation
Dad asked who I wanted at my birthday party and I replied, "All my friends." He hesitated and my heart dropped--who would I not be able to invite? Then he looked at mom and back at me indicating it was okay. All my friends could be invited. Yes! You think I was excited? You bet!
Even more exciting is the invitation God extends to His heaven.
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"The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' Let anyone who hears this say, 'Come.' Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life" (Revelation 22:17, NLT).
Who is included in this invitation?
Who is excluded?
What is the invitation to?
Read the following Scriptures and see if the invitation becomes even clearer.
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Acts 2:21, ESV).
How do we qualify for this invitation?
"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:3-4, NASB).
Why do you think that God has given us an open invitation to His heaven?
Read the following Scriptures and identify one reason in each.
2 Peter 3:9
Isaiah 30:18
Ezekiel 18:23
Ezekiel 33:11
Reflect
In the watershed event of the Bible, the Crucifixion of His Son, the truth that God loves every person and wants them to come to Him jumps out at you and catches your heart.
Dr. Woodrow Kroll, Bible Teacher, explains it like this: "When Jesus was on that cross, His arms were stretched out as if He is reaching to everyone around. This is the position of invitation, of welcoming with open arms. That's where Jesus is on the cross; He is gathering people in from all sides to Himself."
Jesus died so that God's love and forgiveness could be experienced by all. One of the most inclusive words in the English language is "whoever."
"WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED" (Romans 10:13, NASB).
Respond
"Whoever" means you. Have you accepted God's gracious invitation? You can, right now. You can trust Christ as your Savior, as God's open door to His love, His salvation and His heaven. Here's how.
"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 Scriptures tell us, 'Anyone who trusts in him will never 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).
Do it now. And then tell your family and friends the exciting news--that God has given them the same invitation!
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Dec 30, 2011
Topic: Salvation
An Eternal Watershed
The Great Divide (also called the Continental Divide) causes the water on one side of this ridge to flow to the Pacific Ocean, while water on the other side flows to the Atlantic or Arctic Oceans. It runs from the Seward Peninsula in Alaska, through western Canada and then along the crest of the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico. From there, it follows the crest of Mexico's Sierra Madres and extends to the tip of South America. It is the longest continental divide or watershed in the world.
But this is nothing compared to the divide created by the cross of Christ. This divide is measured not in miles but in eternal destinies. Let's see what the Bible has to say.
Receive
Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 5:10-12, ESV).
If we refuse to believe what God says in His Word, what does that mean we think about God?
What do we have to do in order to have eternal life?
What happens to those who don't have the Son?
Reflect
What does John mean when he talks about having (or not having) the Son? In John 1:12, he says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." Christ becomes the watershed of eternal life. Those who receive Him (have the Son) will have eternal life. This means they will spend eternity in the presence of their Savior. Those who reject Christ (do not have the Son) will live for eternity as well, but it will be apart from God in a place called hell. Revelation 20:15 says, "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
Respond
So, what side of the watershed are you on? Do you have the Son? Have you received Him as your Savior? Or are you rushing down the other side to a Christless eternity? Unlike the watershed in nature, there is something you can do. Visit the "Meet Jesus" page to find out how you can have the Son.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Jan 2, 2012
Topic: Service/Servanthood, Christian Living/Situational, Faith/Trust
Confidence in Christ
Do you struggle with confidence? Not just for your day-to-day responsibilities but confidence to serve the Lord? To speak up for Him? To do all that He gives you to do? Well, you're not alone. We each need confidence--a sure and certain trust--to accomplish our service. But we need to find it in the right place, and that's only Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him, you tap into confidence--and everything else you need--to do whatever He calls you to do.
Receive
In Ephesians 3:7-12, Paul talks about the ministry he was given by the grace of God. And though he was "the very least of all the saints" (3:8, ESV), he could preach the Gospel, build up the church and spread the light of Christ because "this was according to the eternal purpose that he [God the Father] has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him" (3:11-12, NLT, emphasis added).
Paul's only secret (and yours too) is to put your faith in Jesus; He gives you that confidence. You can rely on Him for the power, strength, wisdom and whatever else you need because He has it all--and He can always be trusted. In 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, Paul writes that "such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God" (ESV). Jesus is our sufficiency, our "enough," and that gives us confidence. It makes us secure and bold in coming to God and in our service, just as Paul was.
Jesus goes beyond giving confidence; He is our confidence. He is your security and certainty in a frightening and uncertain world as Proverbs 3:24-26 shows you:
"If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught" (ESV).
Reflect
Read Philippians 3:3-9.
What does Paul say he could draw on for his confidence?
What does he choose instead?
How does he view those other sources? What value do they have?
Each of these verses tells you what you get when your confidence is rooted in Christ.
Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 10:35 1 John 5:14
What do you gain?
How does this help you approach God? Deal with your life today?
Respond
So, let's go back to our earlier question: Do you struggle with confidence? Where do you need it most? What are you drawing on for the day-to-day certainty you need? Are you looking in the right place?
If you're trying to muster up confidence on your own or you depend on the encouraging words of others, you're always going to feel inadequate and uncertain. But when you turn to Jesus, He is your "enough"--He's all you need. His confidence is a gift of certain hope that will never fail. Take a few moments today to ask for His confidence to pour into your life. Maybe there's one area, an opportunity to serve or to speak up for Christ, where you've held back. Ask for His specific help in that area, and then get ready to follow through.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Jan 3, 2012
Topic: Christian Living/Situational
Balancing Your Confidence
When you rely on your own powers and abilities to get things done, you are said to have "self-confidence." If you don't have it, there are plenty of books, college courses, websites and seminars out there just waiting to help you get it. Is it a bad trait or a good trait? Is it Christian or something to avoid?
What can we learn from people in the Bible about the characteristic of self-confidence? And how should a believer view it?
Receive
There are some Bible people who got into trouble because of overconfidence in themselves. Take a look at two instances in Simon Peter's life:
Mark 8:31-33.
What shows that Peter's confidence was in his own opinion?
What does Jesus say about that attitude?
Mark 14:27-31
What shows that Peter's (and the other disciples') confidence was in their own strength?
Now look at Mark 14:66-72. What was the painful outcome for Peter?
Saul, the first king of Israel, had several qualities that could have made him a great leader, but his overconfidence in himself caused him to grievously disobey the Lord and lose the kingdom. What did Samuel tell him in 1 Samuel 15:24-28?
There is another person in the Bible, however, whose lack of confidence led to a confrontation with the Lord. When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, this future leader balked at the assignment.
Exodus 4:10-14
How did Moses feel about his ability to lead the people?
What did God point out to Moses in verses 11-12?
What was Moses' response to God's assurance (verse 13)?
What does this indicate about Moses' confidence in God?
How did God react to Moses' lack of confidence (verse 14-15)?
It appears that the Lord is not pleased with too much self-confidence or with too little. If you have overconfidence in yourself, you will fail and crash; if you lack confidence in God, you may find yourself unable to function as you should.
How can Christians find a balance that keeps them in a right relationship with the Lord and lets them be true to themselves?
In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks about the confidence he has in carrying out the tasks God gave him to do, in spite of grinding hardships that would have stopped many lesser persons. In 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (ESV) he says, "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God."
It is clear that God expects us to trust Him totally. But it is also clear that we are to use the strength and gifts God gives us to serve Him. Paul again speaks of the balance in his ministry in Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."
Who does the proclaiming?
Who has the wisdom to do the proclaiming?
Who toils and struggles?
Whose energy powerfully works within Paul to accomplish the work?
Reflect
In Philippians 3:3, Paul tells his readers that he worships in the Spirit of God, glories in Christ Jesus and puts no confidence in the flesh. Then he goes on to say in
Philippians 3:4-7(ESV): "Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ."
Someone has defined "flesh" as, "Everything a person is without God." Paul could have leaned on his own background and strengths. He seemed to have everything going for him, and he had the self-confidence to follow that path, but in Christ he found a balance. His confidence that he could do a task wasn't lost, but his trust was in the Lord for the results, not in the flesh. Reliance on one's flesh never reaps any eternal reward from God.
Respond
Charles Spurgeon, the great English preacher, said, "Self confidence is acceptable only if it is rooted in God-confidence."
Where is your confidence placed? Here is a good Bible verse to keep in your memory bank:
Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Jan 4, 2012
Topic: Christian Living/Situational
Source of Confidence
Remember the bulldog, Spike, from the old Looney Tune cartoons? He was a massive dog who always had a little companion running around him. Remember the little dog? As long as Spike was nearby, the smaller canine thought he was as big and mean as Spike. Just the presence of the massive bulldog gave the little one incredible confidence.
This is the image I get when I consider Paul's words to the Philippians. Let's take a look.
Receive
In Philippians 3:4-6, Paul describes himself as, essentially, a bulldog among men. "I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless" (ESV).
But Paul goes on to say that all this counts for nothing. "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (3:8, ESV). As great as his physical stature may have been, Paul recognized someone greater. Compared to Christ, Paul was the little dog. And just like the little dog in the cartoon, Paul drew incredible confidence from his relationship with Jesus.
Paul's desire now was to be, "found in him [Jesus], not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends of faith" (3:9, ESV).
On our own we can do very little in this world. But partnered with Christ, in a living, intimate relationship, we will find our worth and a source of confidence that we never knew before. If you want to make a positive impact on your world, you'll find no better place to stand than in the shadow of the Almighty.
Reflect
As you read the verses for today, think about the following questions:
1. Why did Paul consider his Jewish pedigree "as loss"?
2. What was Paul's ultimate goal in life?
3. What would you say motivated Paul to serve God even through hardships?
Respond
A relationship with God always starts with humility. We must recognize that we are sinners, that we're not as great as we sometimes think we are. We have to recognize that Jesus is the superior Savior. But the Bible also promises that if you humble yourself before the Lord, He will exalt you. (See James 4:10.) If you'd like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the new life He brings, check out our Jesus Who? and Now What? resources.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Jan 5, 2012
Topic: Jesus, Christian Living/Situational
Sufficiency
"Lord Jesus, I thank You for saving me, for forgiving all my sins, for making me a part of God's family and giving me a home in heaven. I know You are busy saving others, so I'll take it from here and do all I can for You."
Good prayer, right? Well, the first part is great--but the last part is not so great. Check out what Jesus told us.
Receive
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, NLT).
Christ compares Himself to the vine and us to the branches. What happens to branches that are not attached to the vine?
What does this verse mean when it refers to "fruit"?
What can you do apart from Christ?
Salvation--the beginning (justification or getting saved), the middle (sanctification or living for Jesus) and the end (glorification or being in heaven and being like Jesus) all depends on Jesus: who He is, what He did for me on the cross, what He wants to do in my life now and what He will do for me in eternity.
Reflect
In light of what Jesus told us, read this verse and write out your understanding of sufficiency for a Christ-follower.
"Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God" (2 Corinthians 3:5, ESV).
Read it again in this translation: "We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God" (2 Corinthians 3:4-5, NLT).
Now, explain sufficiency for a believer.
Respond
How do you live for the Lord, so He will be the enabler in your life? Perhaps the apostle Paul can help us.
"So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
"We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light" (Colossians 1:9-12, NLT).
Take time to pray this prayer for yourself. Then thank God that because Jesus is in your life, His sufficiency enables you to live in a way that pleases and honors Him and bears much fruit.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Jan 6, 2012
Topic: God, Faith/Trust
Sufficient for Everything
The story is told of a poverty-stricken lady who had never seen the ocean. After years of scrimping and doing without, she finally saved enough money to take a vacation by the seaside. As she stood on the beach watching the mighty waves roll in, she was overheard to say, "Well, what d'ya know, I've finally seen something there's enough of."
You and I, however, don't need a trip to the beach to see something that there is "enough of"; we only need to look at to our God. Let's see what His Word has to say about that.
Receive
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, ESV).
Why was Paul given a "thorn in the flesh"?
What was the solution to Paul's situation?
What was Paul's response to God's solution?
How can we be weak and strong at the same time as Paul claims?
Reflect
Paul's situation is a classic "good news/bad news" scenario. The good news is that God is sufficient for any situation. The bad news is that we have to go through difficult times to experience it. While most of us would prefer to avoid trials and tribulations, God's Word teaches us this is the only way we can prove God's sufficiency.
When we walk in the assurance that God is sufficient for every situation, we project a confidence that only Christians can have. The confidence is not that we will avoid hardships, but that God is able to see us through these difficulties--not simply to survive but to actually thrive.
Respond
This evening, light a candle and then turn off the lights. As you sit basking in the glow of the candlelight, think about these questions:
When does the candle shine the brightest?
What does this tell you about God's sufficiency?
How does this apply to your life?
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Jan 9, 2012
Topic: Service/Servanthood
Who Is Sufficient?
With the world's economy like it is, you're probably hearing the word insufficient pretty often these days. Those long lines to government offices aren't made up of people who are complaining about having all they need. The government can't print money fast enough to answer the pleas of the victims of insufficiency.
Sufficient is a truly biblical word. You can find it in several places. It carries the idea of "having enough" to do a job or an "ample amount" to meet your needs. It refers to "being able" or "having adequate resources or competence" to do what needs to be done.
You may think of money when you think of sufficiency or insufficiency, but let's look at what the Bible teaches about it because the Christian's sufficiency goes far beyond his or her material possessions.
Receive
The apostle Paul wrote about the effectiveness of his ministry, saying, "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God" (2 Corinthians 3:5, ESV(.
God calls upon all His people to serve Him. The first thought many Christians have about service is that they are insufficient or incompetent to carry out such a holy and weighty task. Humanly speaking, they are right, but that is why God steps in and provides the competency or ability to do any task He calls them to do.
Basically, He enables you to serve by two different means: First, He gifts you to serve; second, He uses other gifted people to impart their skills to you. Let's look at a helpful example in the Old Testament and answer a few questions.
In Exodus, God gave the responsibility to design and craft the parts of the tabernacle, which was to be His temporary dwelling place on earth, to two men. One was named Bezalel and the other, Oholiab. Read Exodus 31:1-6 and Exodus 35:30-35.
In Exodus 31:1-6:
Who ordered the building of the Tabernacle and its furnishings?
Who appointed the people to do the task?
Who provided the ability to get the job done?
Any similarity between the answers to these questions is not a coincidence. What does this tell you about serving God?
In Exodus 35:30-35:
Besides providing wisdom and skills to Bezalel and Oholiab, what other ability did God give to them (v. 34)?
Finally, read Exodus 36:5-7 to see what else happened in the hearts of all the people.
Was the provision of God sufficient (v. 7)?
Reflect
You serve the same God as Bezalel, Oholiab and their coworkers did. When you look at the overwhelming tasks God gives you to meet the needs of others, you may sometimes feel what Paul expressed in 2 Corinthians 2:16 (ESV)--"Who is sufficient for these things?"
The Lord's way of making disciples follows the model you see in Bezalel and Oholiab. He enables a believer; then that person teaches and strengthens another. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." The word, "able" is the translation of the Greek word meaning "sufficient."
Where did Timothy's strength ultimately come from?
Who had passed his competence on to Timothy?
What was Timothy to do with his skills?
Respond
One of the pieces of furniture that Bezalel crafted for the tabernacle still remained intact almost 500 years later when Solomon became king of Israel (see 2 Chronicles 1:5).
Service that you do in the power of the Lord's sufficiency, however, lasts eternally and can be like gold, silver and precious gems (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Where do you get the gold and silver to build with? It's not earthly money, but the "works" God provides for you to do in the ministry He gives you (Ephesians 2:10).
Do you need more? Paul didn't.
Memorize what he said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Jan 10, 2012
Topic: Hope
Hope
A few weeks ago, you would have heard the word hope thrown around a lot by little kids in toy stores. You may have used it once or twice yourself. But, coupled with that hope, there was a measure of uncertainty: would they really get what they longed for when they opened their presents. I imagine we've all experienced, at one time or another, disappointment on Christmas Day.
The Bible also talks about "hope." Is it the same hope that boys and girls, moms and dads hold onto until the gifts are unwrapped Christmas morning? Let's see what God says.
Receive
We probably all understand the concept of hoping for one thing and planning for another. We know that life is uncertain. So, while we hope for good weather for our weekend vacation, we pack the rain gear as well. But what would hope look like if it was placed in something--or Someone--who was 100 percent reliable?
Paul has an answer for us. "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant....Since we have such a hope, we are very bold" (2 Corinthians 3:4-6,12, ESV).
Confidence, competence, sufficiency, boldness--these aren't words typically associated with hope. But when our hope is placed in the immortal, unchanging God, we can live with uncharacteristic boldness.
Throughout the pages of the Bible, God demonstrates His trustworthiness. Page after page tells us of wonderful deeds done by men and women acting in confident boldness because of hope in God.
The more you and I get to know God by spending time in prayer and reading His Word, the more our hope in Him will be strengthened.
Reflect
Read 2 Corinthians 3:4-12 and think about the following questions:
1. What does Paul see as deficient in the old Law given by Moses?
2. How has the person of Jesus Christ affected the ministry of the New Covenant?
Respond
There are many believers who like to keep a hymn book next to their Bibles. If you have one nearby, turn to the hymn "The Solid Rock" by Edward Mote. Reflect on the hope the hymnist has in Christ. Where does your hope in Christ stand in comparison? If you don't have a hymnal, the lyrics can easily be found online. But here are the first two stanzas and chorus:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.*
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Jan 11, 2012
Topic: Hope, Faith/Trust
Faith and Hope
Sometimes a result cannot be achieved without a combination of factors. For example, water requires that two molecules of hydrogen lock onto one molecule of oxygen or the desired results will never be obtained. Neither the hydrogen nor the oxygen by itself can produce water.
Enjoying the promises of God requires a combination of factors as well: faith and hope. Hope needs to lock arms with faith to fully realize all God promises us. Abraham is a good example.
Receive
"In hope he [Abraham] believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, 'So shall your offspring be.' He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was 'counted to him as righteousness'" (Romans 4:18-22, ESV).
What hope did Abraham have?
What circumstances might have destroyed this hope?
What saved him from losing hope?
What was the end result of Abraham's faith and hope?
Reflect
Sometimes we use the word hope to describe something we desire, but we're not sure whether we'll actually ever get it. That's not the way the Bible use this word. Because hope is always combined with faith in God's Word, biblical hope is never an uncertainty.
It is said that as Winston Churchill lay critically ill, he reflected on the conditions in the world he had helped to rescue. His dying words were: "There is no hope. There is no hope."
As believers, we never have to reach such a level of despair. Because we know what God promises both for us and this world (the Bible tells us), we can by faith look forward to the fulfillment of those promises. This gives us hope.
Respond
Do you have biblical hope? Make a list of the things you hope for. Then turn to God's Word to see what it says about these hopes. If the Bible confirms your hopes, then, by faith, lay hold of them. When you combine faith with hope, the results are always a certainty.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Jan 12, 2012
Topic: Hope
Genuine Hope
Many of us use the word hope as a synonym for wish. We say, "We hope this or that will happen," but in reality we have little confidence or certainty that it will. What we hope is what we'd like to see occur.
On God's terms, however, hope is a far stronger word. This genuine hope looks forward with confidence; it holds on with certainty; it believes without faltering. It is rooted in the faithfulness and trustworthiness of God.
Receive
Hope is something we usually need when life is rough. It's what keeps us going when everything in us says, "Give up." When trouble, uncertainty, chaos, disaster, depression or any other problem comes into our lives, from outside forces or of our own making, that's when we need hope.
And genuine hope has to begin with God. In Psalm 42:11, the writer pours out his troubles and then says,
"Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God" (ESV).
Only God--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--provides the hope we need because He can be trusted. He is sovereign, and He knows where things are going. He is faithful to His promises and will never fail. He is unchangeable, an anchor that never falters. This is why hope is so tightly tied to faith or trust: You can't enjoy the hope God offers if you don't trust Him or put your faith in Him.
Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (ESV). God is the source; faith or believing is essential; joy and peace are hope's companions; and with the Holy Spirit's power, you can live in abundant hope. Or, as one translation puts it, "That God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (NLT, emphasis added).
Reflect
How do you tap into this hope? Through Christ. Without Him, there is no hope. Take a look at Ephesians 2:11-13.
What was it like for the Gentiles or those without Christ (2:11-12)?
What changes at verse 13?
How did this happen in your life?
See what Hebrews 6:17-20 says about tapping into hope.
What makes God trustworthy to provide your hope (6:17-18 )?
What does this hope bring to our lives (6:18-19)?
Where does Jesus fit into this picture (6:19-20)?
Respond
The Bible has much to say about hope: hope for the future, the hope of salvation, etc. Use a concordance to do a word study for yourself and see what you discover.
While hope is often one of those intangibles like peace or joy or faith, there is something very concrete about it too. You see, Jesus not only offers hope, He is our hope. By coming and dying as our Savior, He became our hope (see Titus 2:13). Through Him, we have the opportunity to know God; to be forgiven of our sins; to live in faith and obedience; to serve with a joyful, peaceful heart; and to experience hope at its best. If you're looking for hope--or if you know someone who is--you only need to look at Jesus.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Jan 13, 2012
Topic: Hope, Christian Living/Situational
Real Hope
We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. So said Martin Luther King Jr. And the Bible echoes that hope for the Christian. It is a hope not based on finite "Pollyanna" wishes but a reality rooted in Easter Sunday.
Receive
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5, NASB).
1. List the words/phrases which are the basis for hope.
2. In these verses, what truth is the most significant to you?
3. Write out what you think the meaning of "a living hope" is.
Reflect
Hope is only as reliable as the basis for that hope. What does Peter tell us is the basis for living in hope? Before you answer, read the following verse and then re-read the above verses. Now, write down your thoughts.
"Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory" (1 Peter 1:21, NLT).
Respond
If, for the Christian, our hope is a living hope (and it is), then what is the application of this truth? We who are Christ-followers have placed our hope for now and eternity in the God who is the God of the present ("I Am," see Matthew 22:32) and the Jesus who is always with us ("Lo, I am with you always," see Matthew 28:20).
Take time to pray and ask God to show you and help you to live daily in the hope that is yours in Jesus.
