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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 12, 2012
Topic: Salvation
Better Life
There are a lot of things I need to renew regularly: my driver's license, my magazine subscriptions, my medical prescriptions and my home owner's insurance (to name just a few). But when it comes to my salvation, that's permanent.
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It wasn't always like this though. The author of Hebrews tells us about a time when men and women had to seek atonement from their sins regularly. It was when the Jewish people lived under the Old Covenant, the Law of Moses.
"For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near" (Hebrews 10:1, ESV).
On a certain day, the high priest of Israel would make a sacrifice and the sins of the people would be covered. But one year later, he would make another sacrifice and the year after that and the year after that....The sacrifice of goats and bulls was never enough to permanently remove the stain of sin--only to temporarily cover it. As a result "in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin every year" (Hebrews 10:3, ESV).
It's one thing to live with the constant responsibility of renewing your licenses, prescriptions and insurance but imagine having to constantly renew your salvation. What a depressing life! But cheer up, we can have a better life.
"But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God....For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" (Hebrews 10:12,14, ESV).
What the blood of bulls and goats couldn't accomplish, the blood of Jesus did. After Christ had removed our sins with His blood, we read that, "he sat down." His work was done. There is no more need for sacrifices; no renewals are necessary.
When we ask Jesus to cover our sins with His blood, He does it. They are gone forever. As a result, we can have a better life knowing that no matter how bad we mess up, our salvation is secure.
Reflect
As you read Hebrews 10:1-3 and 10-14, think about the following question:
Have you ever felt like you had lost your salvation? What does Hebrews 10:12,14 say about this issue?
Respond
Find a good Bible dictionary or a reputable Bible website such as searchgodsword.org or studylight.org and look up the following words: Atonement; Sanctification; Forgiveness. What do each of those words mean? How do they relate to the life of the believer?
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 13, 2012
Topic: Jesus
Jesus the High Priest
Ever had to go to the boss's office for an evaluation? That can be an event filled with anxiety. But how much more anxiety will there be when you stand before God for an evaluation of your life? The Bible says that Jesus, as your High Priest, can help. Here's what the Bible teaches.
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"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe" (Hebrews 4:13-14, NLT).
In the Old Testament, the Jewish people had a high priest whose job it was to make things right with God for the sinning Israelites. Because we also have sin in our lives, we need help in dealing with the consequences of it. In Jesus, God has provided a way to deal with all the sin in our lives. God did it out of love.
"This is real love--not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10, NLT).
Reflect
Isn't it a wonderful thing that because Jesus died on the cross, He can make us right with God?!! Do you ever feel anxious about being in God's presence? Does it make a difference to know that God loves you and accepts you because of our High Priest, Jesus?
"And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:19-22, NLT).
Respond
Jesus understands things that perhaps the high priests of the Old Testament didn't understand about our sins. But, better than that, because He is God, He can do something about them. Why not take a few minutes now and thank God for His love and mercy, and thank Him that Jesus is our High Priest who takes away our sin and makes us right with God.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 14, 2012
Topic: Salvation
The Sacrifice Like No Other
Maybe you've wondered why the Old Testament has so much to say about sacrifices and offerings. The first murder in the Bible came about when Abel's offering was accepted by God and Cain's wasn't. In the Book of Leviticus, you find chapter after chapter full of detailed instructions to the priest of Israel about how to properly approach God through animal sacrifices and other offerings. According to Numbers 28 and 29, there were at least 1,273 official offerings each year, making nearly two million sacrifices in the years from Moses to Christ, not to mention millions and millions more private offerings. But every one of them was insufficient in itself to accomplish the lasting forgiveness of sin!
Next, turn to the New Testament. We find there a breath of fresh air! Carefully read what God says in the following verses from the Book of Hebrews.
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"And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" (Hebrews 10:11-14, ESV).
On the cross, Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God, paid the price for your salvation with His own blood, then "sat down at the right hand of God," because the saving work He came to accomplish was eternally completed by that single sacrifice.
Reflect
Have you thought about what Christ's sacrifice on the cross means to the believer? In the following verses, you will find several gifts that He obtained for you through His death. Look up these Scriptures and write down all the benefits you find.
Go back through each of the items you recorded in the section above. Think over what each one means to you personally. As you go through the list, thank God in prayer for the riches He has given you because of the sacrificial death of Christ.
If you haven't made these riches your own, you can right now by believing Christ and asking Him in prayer to forgive your sins and save you. He is ready and waiting!
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 15, 2012
Topic: Bible Study/Theories
Open the Book
So what do you know about now about God? Where did you pick up those ideas? I know, you've seen the movies or Veggie Tales videos, or maybe you even remember the old flat flannelgraph boards in Sunday school. Great tools, but they give you an incomplete picture. The best way to find the truth about God is to open the Bible, God's own word to you.
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God is on every page of the Bible, either actively visible or behind the scenes. We see that not only is God the Father there, but Jesus (God the Son) is there too. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1, ESV). From the dawn of creation (Genesis 1) through the glorious eternal future (Revelation 22), you can trace Jesus' part in the Father's unfolding plan.
And it's in the Bible that we discover Jesus brings us eternal life. In John 5:39, Jesus says "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me" (ESV). The Bible or Scripture doesn't save you, but you are saved through the One it bears witness or testifies about. He has "the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God" (John 6:68-69, ESV). You would never know that if you didn't open your Bible.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for your sins, you not only have the gift of eternal life, you have new life today with access to the Father. "Jesus said to him, '"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him'" (John 14:6-7, ESV). It's through Jesus that you get to know God the Father.
Revelation 1:5-6 describes Jesus Christ as "the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father" (ESV). That's a lot you'd never know about Jesus if you skipped reading His Book.
Reflect
Read through these passages and jot down what you learn about Jesus.
Did you find something new or something you didn't really think of before?
Where else do you think you could find out more about Jesus?
What are you doing on a regular basis to get to know Jesus better?
Respond
Let's go back to the first question we asked today -- what do you know about Jesus now?
As you've read through these passages and made notes, has it changed your picture of Him?
What do you think matters most to you, today?
What about Jesus can change your view of tomorrow?
How could you take what you know and talk about Jesus with a friend, to your kids, with your spouse?
When you do that, you're not only opening the Book, you're making it part of your life. You're bringing Jesus right in where He wants to be, in your heart, mind and soul.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 16, 2012
Topic: Faith/Trust
Promises, Promises
A promise is only as good as the person who makes it. Someone has observed: "America is always a land of promise during an election." The political candidate who promises jobs and a utopia but can't deliver; the bridegroom who promises lifelong commitment, then is unfaithful to his wife; the soldier who pledges loyalty to his country but goes AWOL--all demonstrate that promises can be empty.
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God promises, however, are never empty. They are totally trustworthy. It seems like you can find gracious promises on almost every page of His Book. Though many of His promises are already completed, there are loads more yet to be fulfilled. God made promises to the first couple as soon as He created them, assuring them of His provision and His purposes (Genesis 1: 26-29).When they broke faith with their Creator and sinned, their future seemed hopeless. But God promised them a Savior (Genesis 3:15). And His promises endured and flourished down through the generations of Old Testament history. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David and others received promises from God, assuring them of a wonderful future, although they often didn't see the fulfillment during their lifetimes.
Now is a good time for you to take your Bible and turn to Hebrews 11:1-13. Note especially verses 8-10 and verse 13.
What was Abraham's response to God's promise (11:8 )?
What was Abraham looking for in the future (11:10)?
If Abraham and others didn't see the fulfillment, what good was the promise? Well, God's promises are the soil in which faith grows. Look at Hebrews 11:13.
Does it say they died hopeless? How did they die? What had they seen in the promises God gave them? How did it make them look at this life?
Why does God delay the fulfillment of many promises? Read Hebrews 11:39-40 very thoughtfully. What does it say about "us," we who also wait in faith?
Reflect
Because of the birth and ministry of Christ Jesus, you, as a believer, share in God's promises. Try to find the promises that include you in each of the following verses. Jot them down.
2 Peter 1:3-4
Ephesians 1:13
James 1:12
James 2:5
2 Peter 3:13
Respond
The psalmist expressed something in Psalm 119:123 that all believers should look for--the final outcome of our salvation. Memorize this short verse from the ESV:
"My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise."
And read 2 Peter 3:4-9. Our Lord is coming! Are you ready?
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 19, 2012
Topic: Faith/Trust
A Better Faith
Have you ever compared yourself to the people of faith you find in the Bible? People like David or Paul or Ruth, who seemed to believe and trust God no matter what?
But these people didn't have a "super-faith" pill or secret formula; they did what you and I can do. They simply believed God and put all their hope, trust and faith in Him through every experience of life. Like a rose opening petal by petal, your own faith can grow into something beautiful.
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What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 says that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (NIV). It's believing in God and His Son Jesus Christ, and trusting God for all that He's revealed through the Bible and through Jesus.
Faith is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (ESV). It does "not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God" (1 Corinthians 2:5, ESV).
In 1 Timothy 1:5, the apostle Paul lists a sincere faith as one of three visible results of following God and His Word. He also tells us in 1 Timothy 6:11 to pursue faith, along with righteousness, godliness, love, steadfastness and gentleness.
Reflect
If we want to pursue or grow in faith, we need to know what it takes. Read Psalm 37:3-7. Each verse begins with a verb or two that relate to living in faith. List them, then come up with ways to do each of these things in your life.
Do the same thing with Jude 20-21.
Is there a particular area where you're constantly challenged to exercise faith? Consider memorizing a passage that encourages you to trust God, such as Exodus 15:2, Isaiah 26:3-4 or Habakkuk 3:19.
Respond
Chart your own faith by outlining your life, beginning with your earliest memory of faith.
What steps have you taken?
What are situations where you trusted God?
What times in your life has your faith been tested?
Your chart probably has highs and lows, but does it show positive growth? Is there a recurring theme or area where you struggle to exercise faith?
After you complete your chart, take a moment to ask God to help you grow in faith, and thank Him for the growth you've already seen.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 20, 2012
Topic: Jesus, Christian Living/Situational
Superior Values
Values serve as the foundation for how we operate. We act based on what we believe is important: if honesty and integrity are valued, then we don't lie or cheat or steal or deceive. When Jesus brought you new, eternal life, He also brought a superior set of values.
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The core value Jesus gives us is simple: "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself'" (Luke 10:27, ESV).
It's the value or law of love, and it goes two directions. First, upward: Love God, value what He values; honor Him; treasure Him with everything you've got: body, soul, strength and mind. Based on that, your actions will not dishonor God; you will not put other things before Him; you will seek to please Him, to follow His commands, etc.
Second, the law of love is outward: Love your neighbor as yourself. What you'd do for yourself, be willing to do for others. This value influences actions and attitudes towards people around us; we're willing to make sacrifices and seek good for them. If I love my neighbor, I'm not going to cheat him, to covet what he has, to do him harm, to lie or deceive him. When love motivates us, it becomes a whole lot easier to keep God's commands.
This is radically different from the world's value system. That system focuses entirely on "me": what I want, how people cater to me, getting more for me, even to the point of self-worship. We put ourselves first so there's no room for God. We work for our own benefit, so there's nothing left to give to others. It's "me first" all the way, and that's not what Jesus wants for you.
Reflect
Jesus lays out His new "kingdom values" in Matthew 5-6. Read through some key verses and see what reflects the law of love.
Matthew 5:2-12
Matthew 5:21-26
Matthew 5:38-48
Matthew 6:1-4
Matthew 6:19-34
How are these different from the values we're used to in our world?
What are some ways you need to practice these new values in your life?
Respond
Luke 10:27 is really the foundation for Christian living: Love God; love others. It sounds simple but, as we all know, the hard part is actually doing it. Hard, but not impossible. Remember that as a child of God, you have the help of the Holy Spirit, "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13, ESV). Remember, too, that this love is a conscious choice, not a hopeful feeling. You choose to love as God loves you--as Jesus loves you, even to the point of sacrifice.
Hebrews 13:1-6 and Romans 12:9-21 offer you the practical nuts-and-bolts of love in action.
What instructions are we given?
How do these reflect love for God? Love for other people?
Pick two or three specific areas from these passages you need to do some work in; how could you make this change in your life?
Ask the Holy Spirit for help and commit to doing what it takes to live by this new value.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 21, 2012
Topic: Prayer
Like Breathing
How often do you get up in the morning, take one deep breath and say, "That's all the breathing I need for today"? You wouldn't make it if you tried. Yet, we often do that with prayer.
We send up one quick breath of prayer and call it good for the day or week or longer. Once we've gone a few days like that, we think we can get by without it; we fail to see it as necessary. But prayer is contact with God, a key to becoming intimate with Him.
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You wouldn't think much of a friend who never talked to you. Your friendship wouldn't grow any deeper. Prayer is the way we talk to God. And He wants us to talk to Him. That's why there are so many instructions on how to pray and what to pray about.
Jesus taught us: "Pray then like this:
'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil'" (Matthew 6:9-13, ESV).
This isn't the only prayer you can use, and you can talk to God about more than this. But it gives us a framework. We see that God wants a close relationship with us; in fact, He wants us to call Him Father. We learn about Him and what's important to Him (His name, His kingdom, His will); that He wants us to ask for what we need (daily bread). We learn how we should relate to others (forgiving, being forgiven) and that His desire is to help us daily (deliverance from evil, guard against temptation).
In 1 Thessalonians 5, we're told: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV). It's what God wants, what He wills for us--to rejoice, to pray, to give thanks. These three are tied together, and they should be as natural as breathing.
Reflect
David, the king and psalmist, saw prayer or conversation with God as necessary in his life. You can read many of his prayers in 1 and 2 Samuel and in Psalms. Let's look at a few:
What are some of the things David talked about with God?
What do you see that fits with the Matthew 6 prayer?
Which of these things do you take to God when you pray? What's missing?
How do you think conversations like these could deepen your intimacy with God?
Respond
When we do pray, it's often a list of requests and needs. Then, when we don't get what we want, we say prayer doesn't work. Instead of focusing on getting your requests answered, try prayer as conversation. Jot down about three or four things you'd talk about with a friend--things that are important, that excite you, that have you struggling to understand, people you're concerned about, etc. Use these to start your next conversation with God, to build intimacy, to be open and transparent before Him, to look for His will and not your wants.
If prayer hasn't been part of your daily "breathing," plan to take time to pray tomorrow. Pick three times in your day when you're likely to have about 2-3 minutes. Set an appointment, a sticky note, an alarm on your phone, etc. When that time comes tomorrow, talk to God about one thing from the list you just created. Do the same for the next day or plan for several days. These are small steps, but they'll help you see prayer as necessary for your life.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 22, 2012
Topic: Prayer
In Jesus' Name
Ever wonder if God hears your prayer? Have you ever desperately needed the assurance that God was listening when you prayed? The Bible teaches us some great truths about prayer that can bring a sense of confidence.
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Here, from Jesus, is the first truth: "In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:9, NKJV).
Jesus taught us that we can communicate with God in prayer, just as we would talk with a father who is loving and caring. God is our Heavenly Father. And so, just as a child eagerly comes to his father to share with him, so a Christian may confidently go to God in prayer.
What do you think might be the second truth? Search for it as Jesus continues to teach.
"Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-10 NKJV).
Notice where the emphasis is? Jesus reminds us that the focus of prayer is not us but God. If prayer becomes about us, when God doesn't answer our prayers, we begin to say, "Well, prayer didn't work for me because I didn't get an answer." But the whole point of prayer is not to get answers; the whole point of prayer is to communicate with God.
The last truth has to do with our access to God and the authority by which we pray: I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name" (1 John 2:12, NIV).
We pray in the name of Jesus because it is through Him we can come before God (His shed blood makes it possible for God to forgive our sins.) and by His name we acknowledge the authority God has given Him.
"For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Philippians 2:9-10, NASB).
"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth' (Matthew 28:18, NASB).
So, prayer is communicating with the Father in the name of Jesus.
Reflect
Has it ever seemed to you like praying in the name of Jesus was just a convenient or traditional way of ending prayers? What is the significance of ending your prayer in Jesus' name?
If prayer is about communicating with God, what is it that you most would like to share with Him?
Sometimes, we experience an urgent or deep need to talk to God. Do you realize that God wants us to talk to Him and wants us to feel privileged and blessed to pray to Him.
Respond
Spend a few minutes in prayer now. Pray, guided by the truths you have learned about praying.
Are there times when you do not feel like praying? The best thing you can do in those moments is to talk to God about how you feel.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 23, 2012
Topic: Bible Study/Theories
Learning to Listen
Connecting with God is like connecting with a friend or a family member. It's a two-sided conversation. You call, email and talk to friends; but you also listen, pay attention and try to understand them. We need to make sure that we do those things in our relationship with God. Not only do we talk to Him (prayer), but we listen, pay attention when He speaks and try to get to know Him and understand Him by reading His Word.
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Throughout the Old Testament, you see God speaking to His people as individuals as He gives the Law, as He uses the prophets and the psalmists to reveal His heart and will to them. "'You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand'" (Deuteronomy 11:18, ESV). What God wants you to hear is right in front of you in the Bible. That's essential as Deuteronomy 30:19-20 says, "'Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days'" (ESV).
In the New Testament, we discover that Jesus is the Word of God. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father" (John 1:14, ESV). And Jesus' words come from God, as He explains in John 14:10, "'The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works'" (ESV).
And we have help: the Holy Spirit teaches us through the Word of God. "'But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you'" (John 14:26, ESV). Plus, the Holy Spirit can bring to God all the things we have trouble saying. Romans 8:26-27 tells us, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God" (ESV).
Reflect
Hearing from God takes the discipline of quiet, waiting and meditating, not the kind of meditating where you empty your mind or make a buzzing sound; but where you focus attention on God, His presence and His Word. Psalm 1:1-2 gives this picture:
"Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night" (ESV).
Read sections of Psalm 119:1-16; 41-48; 89-104; 129-136.
What are some of the descriptions of God's Word (or law)?
Why should you pay attention to them?
What does God do for His people through His Word?
Does the writer reflect how you listen for God? What's the same? What's different?
Respond
The next time you go to God (prayer), don't do all the talking but try to listen instead. Borrow Samuel's prayer from 1 Samuel 3:10: "And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears'" (ESV). Be silent, but focus on God. Keep your Bible handy so when the Holy Spirit prompts you, you're ready. And once you've heard, you're to follow and obey. Jesus said, "'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me'" (John 10:27, ESV).
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 26, 2012
Topic: Prayer
No Substitute
We live with substitutes in every area of our lives. Instead of sugar in our coffee, we use artificial sweeteners. At the drive-thru, instead of the high calorie combo meal, we'll order a health-conscious salad with fat-free dressing. When you want to talk to a friend but the cell phone is dead, you can send an instant message instead.
With so many substitutes out there, what is the substitute for talking with God? Nothing.
Receive
If you want to communicate with God, if you want to get in touch with the King of kings, there's really only one way to do it.
"When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.... But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father" (Matthew 6:5-6, ESV).
When you pray, you talk to God. The hypocrites Jesus talked about weren't really talking to God though it looked like they were. They were putting on a performance so people would admire them. These hypocrites substituted a public performance for real communication with God the Father.
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:7-8, ESV).
Prayer is coming humbly and sincerely before God. The Gentiles (Jesus mentioned) were trying to impress their gods by the continuous repetition of memorized prayers (1 Kings 18:26). They believed the more often they asked, the more likely their god would be to answer. They thought they could substitute quantity for quality. Of course, there is nothing wrong with being persistent in prayer (Matthew 26:36-48, 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 ); but God is looking at our hearts, not our words.
Reflect
Do you find yourself seeking substitutes in your prayer life?
Is it comforting, or does it make you nervous to know God wants an authentic relationship with you?
Is there anything you can do today to draw nearer to God?
Respond
Typically, our most authentic prayers are when we're alone. Use these times to pour out your heart to God. Try keeping a prayer journal. In addition to recording requests and God's answers, also record your praises. What are you thankful for? What about God do you love? How did you see Him at work today? Pray that God would show you there are no substitutes for prayer.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 27, 2012
Topic: Prayer
Is Prayer Really Necessary?
A college student was home for vacation after his first semester. His mother asked him, "How come you didn't write or call us while you were at school?"
He replied, "I've just been too busy."
His mother looked at him sadly and said, "If you are too busy to write home, you are too busy."
Has God ever had to remind you, "If you are too busy to pray, you are too busy"? The Bible study today looks at the necessity of prayer--every believer's need to pray.
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Do you see the difference between the mother's attitude and the attitude of her son? She rightfully felt that communication was necessary; the son didn't feel that it was really needed. In the same way, the Lord tells us that, for our spiritual well-being, communication by way of prayer and His Word are essential.
Look at what Samuel said in 1 Samuel 12:23: "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way" (ESV). Samuel saw that his prayer for others was essential.
Why? Because Samuel realized
It would be a sin against the Lord not to pray for others.
It would be a sin against others not to pray for them.
It would harm his personal spiritual life not to pray.
It would make his ministry to others ineffective.
Now, look at another Bible passage, where the apostle Paul asks Christian believers to pray for him: "Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you" (2 Thessalonians 3:1, ESV).
Do you see why Paul felt prayer was necessary? In this case it was because he knew the effective spread of the Gospel of Christ happens when God's people pray. Again, prayer is essential. Compare the words of Jesus in Matthew 9:38, "'Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest'" (ESV).
Reflect
What do you think were the mother's reasons for wanting her college-student son to communicate with her?
Why would God want us to communicate with Him? Write down all the reasons you think He may have.
Next, write down as many excuses as you can think of for not regularly communicating with God. Which ones do you feel cause times of prayerlessness in your life?
Respond
The tongue-in-cheek motto on a pastor's desk read, "Why pray, when you can worry?"
Make up some of your own mottos that begin: "Why pray, when I can...?
Memorize this verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:17. It's easy to memorize! But it's also easy to forget.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 28, 2012
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?
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"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.
Reflect
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?
Respond
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.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 29, 2012
Topic: Prayer
God's Answer to Your Prayers
Dr. Helen Roseveare, a missionary to Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo), told the following story: "A mother at our mission station died after giving birth to a premature baby. No incubator was available--not even a serviceable hot water bottle. So during morning devotions we asked the children to pray for the baby. One of the girls responded: 'Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead.' That afternoon a large package arrived. The children watched eagerly as we opened it. Much to their surprise, under some clothing was a hot water bottle! The heavenly Father knew in advance of that child's sincere request, and 5 months earlier He had led a ladies' group to include the needed item."
We've all heard stories of answered prayers and even experienced them in our own lives. But, sometimes, months or years will go by and a specific prayer will seem to elicit no answer. Let's allow God's Word to clarify our understanding of prayer.
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"You don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it" (James 4:2, NLT). James is clear. If there is something we need, we have to pray for it. Often, for the Christian, the problem is not unanswered prayer but unasked prayer. Let's remember what Paul told us: "Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying" (Romans 12:12, NLT). He also tells us, "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart" (Colossians 4:2, NLT).
The preceding verses urge us to pray, but what about the times we feel that our prayers are not answered. There are a number of reasons that may happen: we're praying outside of God's will; we don't understand completely the repercussions of what we're asking; it's not the right time. But the Bible makes it clear that there are other reasons. Read the following Scriptures and write out some of the reasons you find for unanswered prayer.
Read the following Scriptures. What does God require for answered prayer?
"Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully" (Psalm 24:3-4, ESV).
"Wash yourselves and be clean!
Get your sins out of my sight.
Give up your evil ways.
Learn to do good.
Seek justice.
Help the oppressed.
Defend the cause of orphans.
Fight for the rights of widows" (Isaiah 1:16-17, NLT).
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor" (James 4:7-10, NLT).
Respond
Now, take a few moments to pray for God's help; confess any wrongdoing to Him, consciously recognize your dependence on God; trust Him to hear your prayer.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Mar 30, 2012
Topic: Prayer, Relationships, God
Pray with Focus
Earnest prayer comes from the heart; it's sincere, focused and real. It's not about impressing others and putting on a big show of spirituality. But what's in the heart will come out in our expression and our actions.
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Jesus gives us a vivid example. As He prayed in the Garden before He was betrayed, His prayer was so earnest and intense that "his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Luke 22:44, ESV). That probably won't happen in your life, but it reveals to us the incredible focus and depth of Jesus' prayer.
Jesus also offered two parables that show us earnestness in bringing a request or need before God. In Luke 18:1-8, He talks about a widow who is persistent in seeking justice from a judge. She didn't give up; her "prayer" was specific, focused and from the heart. She didn't take it lightly.
Then Jesus goes on to describe two men in the temple and their contrasting prayers. While the story in Luke 18:9-14 is a warning about trusting in our own good works, we also see earnest prayer from a repentant man. "But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'" (Luke 18:13, ESV). If you saw him, you could tell his prayer was real.
You can find many other prayers in the Bible that are earnest and sincere. But they're also prayers that are focused, actively seeking God's will, confident that He will hear.
Reflect
It's easy to dash off quick prayers or a long list of needs or even address God with a glib attitude that says, "God, if you're listening, would You mind...?" That's not earnest and effective prayer. Take a look at these verses and jot down the characteristics your prayer should have:
James 1:6
2 Chronicles 7:14
Deuteronomy 4:29
1 John 5:14
We're also warned about what prayer is not to be like. Describe what you find in Matthew 6:5-8 and Mark 12:38-40.
Which descriptions fit your usual prayer?
What's missing from prayer in your life?
What's the outward evidence of your inner prayer life?
Respond
One of the biggest challenges to earnest prayer isn't time but focus. You've probably had those moments when your mind drifts from one thing to another and soon you're planning next week instead of praying about today. It takes discipline to pray with focus.
Start small. What's the one thing you really need to bring before God today? Use a set time to pray about that one thing, even if it's just two or three minutes. Set a timer or clock if you have to. What usually distracts you? The phone, other noises, your own thoughts? Turn off what you need to; close a door; jot down those thoughts so they're out of the way; then focus your attention on God.
Remember, prayer is serious business--it's your personal appointment with the Creator and Lord of the universe. Make it a "big deal" because you have a big God.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Apr 2, 2012
Topic: Prayer
Serious Business
It's really encouraging to have a God you can pray to anytime, anywhere, for any reason. But prayer can become meaningless and ineffective when we take it for granted. Let's see what kind of an attitude God's Word says we should have toward prayer.
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If you were to have a conversation with a king or a president, you wouldn't just waltz in and say, "Hey, how you doin'?" You'd prepare yourself; you'd be respectful and thoughtful and take it very seriously.
Prayer is conversation with God--but don't forget who God is. "For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God" (Deuteronomy 10:17, ESV). When you come into His presence, remember that:
"Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary" (Psalm 96:6, ESV).
That's nothing to be taken lightly.
However, don't be afraid to come before God. Hebrews 4:16 says "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (ESV). We're welcome to come to God, to seek Him for all that we need, the questions we have, etc. But we have to balance the fact that we can come to God without fear with the fact that He is God. We can't lose sight of who we are before Him.
In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God gave Solomon one of the keys to privileged prayer: a humble heart. "'If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven'" (ESV).
Reflect
What attitude do you bring before God? Do you take Him for granted and treat prayer like a nice way to get something good? Or is it serious business for you?
Jesus told a story about two men praying in the temple. Read Luke 18:9-14; then describe the prayers of these two men.
What's the attitude of each heart?
Which one was more pleasing to God?
Which prayer sounds more like yours?
Respond
Don't be afraid to come to God in prayer but don't take Him lightly. Prayer is a privilege we enjoy because Jesus died to give us a relationship with God the Father. Because of Jesus, 1 John 5:14-15 says "this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him" (ESV).
So, how are you going to pray today? When you do, pray with humility and confidence, seeking God's will. And ask Him to show you how to become intimate with Him but never take Him for granted.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Apr 3, 2012
Topic: Prayer
Prayer That Touches Home
Two of the most famous and influential Old Testament prophets never wrote a Bible book. Their names were Elijah and Elisha. Elijah was a rugged outdoorsman who sometimes made his home in caves. He challenged the idolatry and wickedness of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. God blessed his service and took Elijah alive into heaven at the end of his ministry.
Elisha was Elijah's successor. For 50 years he prophesied, worked miracles and led a school of young prophets. The Bible records twice as many miracles for Elisha as it does for Elijah. Though Elisha was not as "rustic" as Elijah, his ministry for the Lord was every bit as effective. You can read about these two prophets in 1 Kings 17:1 through 2 Kings 13:21.
Elijah and Elisha are both known for their powerful prayer ministry. James 5:17-18 (ESV) refers to one of Elijah's prayers in this way: "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit."
What does that kind of prayer look like? You can catch glimpses of Elisha's passion in prayer by reading the account of his restoration of a little boy from death to life in 2 Kings 4:8-37 (note especially verses 32-37).
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Elisha's prayer for the Shunammite's son models many aspects of prayer that Christian believers do well to pay attention to. Open your Bible to 2 Kings 4:32-37. Consider how Elisha dealt with a tough situation; then compare some New Testament statements about prayer and answer a few questions.
1. Elisha faces the impossible (2 Kings 4:32).
What situation did Elisha face that was humanly impossible to solve?
What response might you have had at this point?
How did Jesus view humanly impossible situations (Mark 10:27)?
2. Elisha shuts out distractions (2 Kings 4:33).
How many people were in the room after Elisha shut the door?
What was the first thing Elisha did?
What did Jesus say about privacy in prayer (Matthew 6:5-6)?
How might you shut out your distractions?
3. Elisha's personal touch (2 Kings 4:34).
What happened when Elisha made personal contact with the dead child?
Read 2 Kings 4:8-17 to see why Elisha had special concern for this boy.
How did the apostle Paul feel about the importance of specific prayer for those he knew (1 Thessalonians 3:9-10)?
4. Elisha doesn't quit too soon (2 Kings 4:34-35).
Did Elisha consider his prayer work to be over when the boy's body became warm?
What happened to show Elisha that the child was truly alive again?
What did Jesus say about giving up too soon in prayer (Luke 18:1)? What did Paul say (Romans 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)?
5. The powerful work of Elisha's God brings great joy (2 Kings 4:36-37).
What was the Shunammite mother's response to God's miracle?
In the last part of James 5:16, what do you see about prayer?
Reflect
God will not always heal or work a miracle in answer to your prayers, but He does tell you these things:
You should always pray for every need you face.
You should seek to shut out distractions in your private prayer times.
You should pray with a heart of genuine personal concern for others.
You should not give up simply because God has not answered your prayer immediately or in the way you thought He should answer.
Respond
Elisha prayed with deep concern for this child because he knew the boy and loved his parents. Here is something important to remember: You may be the only person who upholds certain people in prayer, such as members of your family, friends, people you work with, people you know who are in danger and others. If you don't pray for them, who will? If you are not upholding them, then who will?
Take time to write out a list of people you honestly know God wants you to pray for regularly. Then, be their Elisha!
"The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" (James 5:16, ESV).
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Apr 4, 2012
Topic: New Life
Object Lessons
The passage of the Bible we're looking at today begins with Jesus' announcement: "'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified'" (John 12:23, ESV). That sounds like a very exciting prospect. It reminds me of the movie Aladdin where the boy wishes to become a prince. A huge celebration breaks out and the newly-made Prince Ali is paraded through the capital streets.
But Jesus was not about to be celebrated in such a princely fashion.
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"'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life'" (vv. 24-25, ESV).
How are Jesus' words in verses 24 and 25 different in tone from verse 23?
Why did Jesus use an agricultural-type example to teach this truth?
What allows the grain of wheat to bear fruit?
Jesus' path to glory would ultimately end in heaven's throne room, but not before leading Him to the grave. Jesus was teaching His disciples a very important object lesson--you have to die in order to live. You have to give yourself to something larger than yourself in order to be of any value.
In Aladdin, the pauper-turned-prince had to drop his ruse in order to save the day. He had to put to death His princely persona. God created all of us with incredible potential: the ability to change lives forever. But before we can have any lasting value in His service, we need to embrace His life and His goals and leave behind our own.
Reflect
What do Jesus' words in the next verse mean for you today? "If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him" (v. 26, ESV).
Respond
As you think about how God might be calling you to serve Him today, take some time to express your worries and doubts to Him. God understands this isn't an easy calling, so give Him the opportunity to calm your fears and prepare you for greater things to come.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Apr 5, 2012
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship
Get a Life
Maybe someone has said to you (or you've said to yourself), "You need to get a life!" If your heart was beating and your lungs were breathing in air, you knew the person wasn't talking about a physical life. Instead, your adviser was suggesting you needed to focus more on the things that make life enjoyable.
Jesus, on the other hand, tells us just the opposite. In John 12:25 (NASB), He says, "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal." Jesus expands upon this seeming contradiction in the Book of Matthew. Let's take a look.
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Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done (Matthew 16:24-28, ESV).
What does Jesus mean by losing your "life"?
What promise do these verses end with?
Reflect
On the surface, it seems like Jesus is talking in contradictions. "Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." It's only when we look at the context that it makes sense. Jesus is looking beyond the few years that we spend on earth. He has eternity in mind. The people who live totally for the "now," might gain great wealth and power, but they will leave it all behind when they die. Those people will lose everything they felt was worthwhile in life.
Even Christians can get sucked into focusing on things that are only temporal and forget that it's those things of eternal value that really matter. The life we want to be sure to "get" is not this life but the next one.
Respond
What is the focal point of your life--the things of the world or the things of Christ? Make a list of the most important things in your life. Put a star beside those things that have eternal value. Determine to focus on these items and put a lower priority on all the rest.
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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
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Daily Bible Study
Date: Apr 9, 2012
Topic: Holiness
Stay Spotless
When Hebrew believers in Old Testament times wanted to present a blood sacrifice to God, they searched out a lamb or other proper animal with absolutely no imperfections or injuries, so the Lord could accept the offering. God's requirement for perfection was to teach the people of Israel the gravity of their sin and the necessity for a perfect substitute to die in their place.
All of the Old Testament sacrifices were a foreshadowing, or an object lesson, predicting the coming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, on the cross.
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First Peter 1:17-19 (ESV) refers to the priceless blood of Christ as follows: "And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."
Christ, the spotless Lamb, took your place to pay for all of your sin. His sacrifice was completely acceptable to God. Nothing more is needed for your salvation and nothing less is sufficient. When you are saved by the blood of Christ, you are washed spotlessly clean and made acceptable to God. In God's sight, you are completely forgiven and there is no spot of sin to keep you from being His child.
Read about spotlessness in Ephesians 5:25-27 in your Bible.
To what does the apostle Paul compare the proper love of a husband for his wife?
What did Christ give up for the Church?
To whom will the Church be presented in the future?
What qualities will characterize the Church of the future?
Reflect
So, as a Christian, saved by the blood of Christ, you are made spotless by Christ. But wait a minute! Why did Peter write 2 Peter 3:13-14? Look that up and answer these questions.
Is Peter writing to Christians or unbelievers?
What are the recipients of his letter to be careful to do (v.14)?
You see, then, that although Christ has made you spotless and perfect, you are still responsible to get rid of any spots that you might get as you travel along in your Christian life. So, how does that work?
In John 13:3-10, you'll find a lesson about keeping clean. Read that passage of Scripture now.
What was Jesus going to do that shocked Peter?
What was Jesus' warning to Peter?
How did Peter respond to Jesus' warning?
After a person has a complete bath, what gets dirty first?
Jesus is saying that when you take a bath, you are clean; but when you walk on a dusty road, you'll need to wash your feet before you come back into the house. Your spiritual life is like that too. When you are saved, Jesus has completely washed your sins away. You are totally forgiven. But because you live in this world and because you will sometimes be stained by sin, you will need an occasional footbath. That is what 1 John 1:9 tells you. If you sin, you don't lose your salvation. You just need to truly confess your sins in order to be entirely clean again and restore your fellowship with God.
Respond
Do you have a spot that needs removing? Feet that need washing? Does your fellowship with God need to be restored? Keep 1 John 1:9 in your head and heart: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Write out a prayer of confession.
