Bible Minute

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 14, 2012
Topic: Prayer

How to Talk to God

Do you know the protocol you'd have to follow if you were to be introduced to the Queen of England? Do you know the proper form of address for a visiting diplomat? In what situations is it appropriate to shake hands with the President?

When the Dignitary we're talking about is God, things get even more complicated. Not only is He King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He's our Savior and Friend as well. How do you talk with such a person?

What Does the Bible Say

Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, has some sage advice for those who would approach the throne of God. "Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few" (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2, NKJV).

First, notice the privilege we have in being able to approach God in the first place. God personally invites us to bring our petitions to Him. Second, notice the humility with which we are to approach Him. Our time in the throne room of heaven isn't a time to issue demands and ultimatums; it's a time to respectfully and reverently hear the Word of God.

Let's look at another verse. "Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: 'O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear.... Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone'" (2 Kings 19:15-16,19, NKJV).

We'll look closer at this passage in the next section.

Reflect

As you read Hezekiah's prayer in 2 Kings 19, think about the following questions:

1. In what ways does Hezekiah follow the advice of Solomon?

2. In what ways can you see that Hezekiah recognizes God's willingness to listen to him?

Respond

Someone described the phrase, "Incline your ear," as God acting like a grandfather who bends down when his little grandchild tugs at his hand. Jesus talked about the importance of having the attitude of a little child when coming before God. That's because many children have mastered that balance between reverential awe and intimate fellowship. Ask God today to help you restore that sense of wonder and fellowship in your relationship with Him.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 15, 2012
Topic: Prayer

Will God Really Answer?

Let me tell you about the first time God showed me plainly that He answers prayer. I was just a few months along on my journey in the Christian life, a poverty-stricken seventeen-year-old, trying desperately to work my way through college. Shortly into my first semester, I encountered an unexpected predicament. The college required a sport jacket, slacks and tie for some of the events I had to attend regularly. For five dollars, I managed to buy a "pre-owned" sport coat; but, unfortunately, neither of the two pairs of slacks I had came anywhere close to matching the jacket ("matching" was important in those days).

I had no way to buy a pair of slacks, but I didn't mention the need to anyone, except the Lord. "Father," I prayed, "You know how badly I need a pair of slacks. I don't have any money to buy them. I pray that you will somehow provide them. And, Father, I really need brown ones. Amen." I left it there with God.

Early the next week, a package came from a far-away person who had no clue about my request. Inside, I found a note. It simply said: "I'm sending you a pair of slacks. I don't know what you need, but I thought you might like some brown ones." I instantly knew those slacks were from the Lord. He has answered prayers innumerable times since, but you can see why I've never forgotten that first time.

God is good and righteous. He cannot lie. He doesn't tell you to pray and then turn His back on your prayers. He doesn't say He will answer and then go back on His promise. But He does have guidelines you need to be aware of, and He has some things to say about how and when you may expect your prayers to be answered.

Receive

"And 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" (1 John 5:14-15, ESV).

In 1 John 5:14-15, what is the condition God requires for answering your request?
If He hears you, what is the promise He makes?

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

What quality does Hebrews 11:6 say you need in order to please God?
What two truths about God must you believe?

Read the following Scripture passages and write down your answers to the questions.

John 16:23-24. How many times do you find forms of the verb "ask" in these verses? What condition does Jesus give for asking? What two results come from asking properly?
1 Peter 3:12. Whose prayers does this verse say the Lord hears? Whose does He not hear?
Name the attitudes that will block your prayers, as mentioned in these three verses: Psalm 66:18, James 1:6 and James 4:3.

Reflect

Prayer is communication with God. It's a two-way conversation. He has spoken to you in His Word, the Bible, and He has given you the privilege and responsibility to talk with Him in prayer. Just as good human-to-human communication requires open relationships so an effective prayer life depends on your keeping the line open. The Lord always has His ear tuned to your prayers, but He requires that you come to Him in humility (Luke 18:9-14), belief (Matthew 21:21 -22) and expectancy (Luke 11:9).

Respond

There's no better time than now for you to start a prayer journal. List the needs you have today and the people you want to pray for specifically and regularly. As time goes on and you see God work, be sure to note His answer and the date. If your list is too long and your time limited, don't try to pray for every need or every person every day. Instead, pray for certain requests on certain days of the week or month. Make your prayer calendar or prayer journal work best for you personally. But pray!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV).

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 16, 2012
Topic: Prayer

Need to Talk

There's an old proverb that says, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans." Do you think that's a true statement? Let's see what the Bible has to say about it.

Receive

"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that'" (James 4:14-15, NLT).

Why does this verse begin with a question?
How does James describe your life?
How should the Lord fit into your planning according to this verse?

Read Psalm 144:3-4 and answer the following questions.

Notice that the psalmist began this psalm with a question. Both James and the writer of the Psalm 144 follow their questions with similes. Write your own simile to express the idea of life as temporary.
What emotions does the brevity of life evoke in you?
Write a short paragraph to God telling Him how grateful you are that He does care about "mere mortals."

Life is brief and uncertain but we can hope in God. Read David's prayer as he spoke to God in Psalm 39:4-7 about the length of life.

"Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath."

Interlude

We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you" (Psalm 39:4-7, NLT).

Reflect

Is the Lord your only hope and focus for finding value and meaning in your life? Talking to God each day is not just a good spiritual exercise; it is mandatory for living lives of significance. There is nothing wrong with planning. In fact, the Bible teaches we ought to plan for the future. But we also should pray as we plan, asking God to provide wisdom for planning and living out our lives. Here is a basic principle for each day for every child of God.

"Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NIV).

Respond

We stay closer to God when we let Him into our lives every day. So, keep talking to God as someone who loves Him, knowing He is someone who loves you. The key to wise living for the Christ-follower is talking to God every day all day and being totally dependent on Jesus. Right now might be a good time to begin living wisely--why not talk to God about it?

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 19, 2012
Topic: Prayer

The Model Prayer

Have you ever wanted someone to teach you to pray? Jesus' disciples did. No one knows more about prayer than Jesus. From the beginning of His ministry up to His final moments on the cross, Jesus' life was filled with prayer. After seeing the Father answer Jesus' prayers in amazing ways, His disciples came to Him one day and said, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1, NKJV).

His response was, "When you pray, say..." (Luke 11:2, NKJV). Jesus then proceeds to give His disciples and us a model for effective prayer. Let's look at it.

Receive

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed [honored] be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one" (Luke 11:2-4, NKJV).

According to Jesus' model, what should be our focus as we begin our prayers?
As we move further into the prayer, what attitude is indicated on the part of the person praying?
What are some of the requests found in this prayer?

Reflect

Effective praying begins by reminding ourselves that we are coming to One who deserves our deepest respect and honor. He is our Father before whom we bow in humble adoration, submitting to His will in the same way that the angels in heaven give unquestioning obedience to His commands. Only when we've placed ourselves in a proper position--mentally and spiritually--before God are we ready to present Him with our needs: our need for daily sustenance, for forgiveness as we forgive others and for protection from the evil one (Satan).

Respond

Determine today that you will begin praying the way Jesus taught us to pray. Instead of rushing into God's presence with a grocery list of requests, begin with adoration. Humble yourself before Him (James 4:10). Make sure you aren't harboring any bitterness or grudges toward others and receive His cleansing for your own sins (1 John 1:9). Then lay before Him your every need. As you practice the kind of praying that Jesus taught, you will discover how effective your prayer life can become.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 20, 2012
Topic: Faith/Trust

Faithful When You Fail

I remember a video game I used to play many years ago. The player controlled this cute character named Lolo through a series of rooms. In each room, he or she had to figure out how to get to the exit while avoiding various traps and hazards. Obviously, as the game progressed, the puzzles got harder, and some puzzles were incredibly difficult. But I knew there had to be a way. It'd be a pretty poor game if some puzzles didn't have a way through.

Receive

The analogy is far from perfect, but I was thinking of that game as I read today's verse:

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV).

The word used for temptation in this verse can also be translated as "test." I like that word because it implies that, like other tests, I can pass it successfully. It tells me that temptation can have an upside--that I can grow stronger in my relationship with God if I keep my focus on Him. Of course, I never seek temptation (I never asked for any tests in school either!), but I can know that each temptation is an opportunity to draw closer to God.

So, what does this have to do with the faithfulness of God? Just like I could know that the game designers would never give me an impossible puzzle, I can know that God will never allow me to face an impossible temptation. There is always a way of escape. While failure may be an option, so is success.

Also, God's faithfulness means that even when I fall, when I fail the test, He doesn't give up on me. He'll be ready the next time temptation comes my way. And in the meantime, He's given me His Word to read so that I can be ready as well.

Reflect

When you reread verse 13, read verse 12 as well and think about the following questions:

Why doesn't God just stop any temptations from reaching us?
How would meeting temptation be different if God wasn't faithful?
Why is verse 12 so important?

Respond

I'm reminded of the hymn that states,

*Let Thy goodness like a fetter,
Bind my wand'ring heart to Thee.
Prone to wander--Lord I feel it--
Prone to leave the God I love;

Here's my heart,
O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.

Look at the words in that hymn that talk about "binding" and "sealing." It's because of God's faithfulness that we can even ask that. Because of His steadfast love towards us, we can always stand back up after we fail.

*"Come, Thou Fount," Robert Robinson; lyrics in Public Domain.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 21, 2012
Topic: Sin/Temptation

Returning to the Light

In The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Zane Hodges writes, "When a believer loses personal touch with the God of light, he begins to live in darkness. But confession of sin is the way back into the light."

Receive

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

What does John's use of the words "we" and "us" imply about the intended recipients of this letter?
What is your spiritual condition when you have sinned?
What must you do when you sin?
What is God's response?
Why does John start the statement with the word "if"? What does that tell you about your responsibility when you sin?

Reflect

So, what should you do if you fall into sin? 1 John 1:9 tells you: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

But what does it mean to "confess"? How do you know God will hear your confession and forgive you?

King David was a true believer. He sang and wrote psalms of praise to God that came from his heart. In spite of that, he gave in to temptation and sinned against God and man when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and tried to hide the sin by killing her husband (2 Samuel 11:2-27).

The prophet Nathan confronted David with his sin (2 Samuel 12:1-15). You can read David's confession to God in Psalm 51. His prayer is a model for every believer who is guilty of sin. Turn to that Psalm in your Bible and answer these questions:

What honest admission did David make to God about his sin (Psalm 51:3-4)?
What did David say that reveals his true sorrow over his sin (Psalm 51:17)?
Look up 2 Corinthians 7:10 to see what the apostle Paul says about "godly sorrow."
How did he express his desire for God's forgiveness (Psalm 51:1-2, 7-9)?
How do you know that David believed God had heard him and would restore him (Psalm 51:12-15)?

David's prayer shows you how true confession must involve acknowledging your sin before God, looking at it as God looks at it, regretting the action of your sin, asking to be cleansed by the blood of Christ and believing that God is faithful to cleanse you, forgive you and restore you to fellowship and service.

David's sin had consequences, but God's forgiveness was complete, as was David's restoration to fellowship. God is faithful. He will not forget His promise to forgive you when you confess your sin and call upon Him to cleanse you through the power of the sacrificial death of Christ.

Respond

As John points out, we all sin and need to confess those sins to God. But sometimes a believer may feel that he or she has sinned against God so terribly that He will never forgive the wrong that has been done. They wonder, What's the use of trying to get right with God? He'll never hear me,and I'll never get out of this mess I'm in. But when God tells us that He is faithful, He is also promising that He is faithful to forgive even the blackest sins.

If you are in that place right now, don't delay a moment longer! Go to God in prayer; do what David did; acknowledge your sin and accept His gracious forgiveness. Don't forget to thank Him for His faithfulness, which He shows even when His children have been unfaithful.

Remember, fellowship can be restored. "When a believer loses personal touch with the God of light, he begins to live in darkness. But confession of sin is the way back into the light."

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 22, 2012
Topic: Faith/Trust

Very Little Is Very Big

They don't take much at a time--just a bit--but over the years they've brought some rich gold and silver mines to the brink of bankruptcy. They are known as "highgraders," and they are found worldwide.

A highgrading miner secretly pilfers a small amount of rich ore and smuggles it out of the mine by concealing it in imaginative ways, such as putting it in a sandwich, scattering it through his hair or cramming it in his ear. After all, he figures, what difference does a little gold dust make to a rich mining corporation?

It can make a lot of difference. At one mine in Nevada in 1908, four miners were arrested when a whole wagonload of ore they had highgraded was discovered in their homes.

So, what difference does a little unfaithfulness make? You might be surprised. Let's see what the Bible has to say about that.

Receive

Jesus talked to His disciples about faithfulness as recorded in Luke 16:10-12 (ESV). He said: "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?"

God is faithful, and He requires faithfulness in your life. Look up these references in your Bible and write down the answers to the related questions:

What does Psalm 31:23 say God does for the faithful?
What eternal reward does God say He has for the faithful in Psalm 101:6? In Revelation 2:10?
In the believer, from where does the quality of faithfulness come (Galatians 5:22)?

Reflect

The highgraders in Nevada were dishonest in the little things. But their intent to sell the wagonload shows you that they were also dishonest in much.

Oswald Chambers wrote in his book, Not Knowing Whither, p. 135: "The life of faith does not consist of acts of worship or of great self-denial and heroic virtues, but of all the daily conscious acts of our lives."

God notices the small things. You build faithfulness into your life as you daily approach the little things in a godly way. Godliness is God-likeness. He is faithful and cannot waver. As you become more and more like Him, you will build faithfulness and become more conscious of how you are using the time, resources and abilities God has entrusted to you.

Read the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 and write down what you see there about faithfulness and unfaithfulness.

Respond

You may feel you have very little going right now that requires much faithfulness on your part. But ask yourself: What about my time? What about my Bible study and devotional life? What about my spiritual gifts and my natural talents?

The time to be faithful is now.
The place to be faithful is where you are.
The way to be faithful is to be Christlike in all you do.

"Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?" Proverbs 20:6 (ESV).

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 23, 2012
Topic: Christian Living/Situational

God's Amazing Patience

According to RoadRagers.com, "Road rage (also road violence) is the informal name for deliberately dangerous and/or violent behavior under the influence of heightened, violent emotion such as anger and frustration involving an automobile in use."

"Losing it" is pretty common these days. At times, you may wonder if patience has totally gone out of style. People want their hamburgers within 60 seconds. Items they order from a website should arrive by "next-day delivery." More than one person ahead of them at the grocery checkout constitutes an unbearable delay, and the failure of drivers in front of them to make instant jackrabbit starts when the light turns green is downright intolerable.

A dictionary will tell you that patience emphasizes calmness, self-control and the willingness or ability to tolerate delay. Another word some Bible translations use, especially when speaking of God, is longsuffering, which speaks especially of His patient endurance of the evils of sinful people. Let's see what the Bible has to say about the amazing patience of God.

Receive

When the Lord established the nation of Israel at Sinai, He wanted Moses and the people to know how He would treat them. You get an interesting look into God's heart when you read Exodus 34:6-8 (ESV):

"The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.' And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped."

You may hear some people say "God is a God of love, so He never would get angry." From the Bible passage above, how would you answer them?
You may hear others ask, "Why does God pay no attention to all the evil going on in the world?" From the passage, what would you tell them?

Now, look at some other verses about God's patience and answer the questions.

What do Romans 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 say is the desired outcome of God's patience toward sinners? Compare 2 Peter 3:15 also.
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10. What is the end result of scorning the patience of God

Reflect

God is a God of love, so your Christian life is to be marked by love. He is the Light of the World, so you are to be a light in the world. He is faithful, so you are to be faithful.

The same is true of patience and longsuffering. As God is patient, His people must be patient. Read the following Bible verses and answer the questions.

What should motivate you, as a believer, to be patient? See 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.
Who makes patience possible in the Christian's life? Read Galatians 5:22-23.
What does God have to say about "getting even"? Romans 12:19 will tell you.

Respond

Commit Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV) to memory. It doesn't contain the word, patience, but it shows you what patience should look like in your daily life, and it tells you why every believer should practice it.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Date: Nov 26, 2012
Topic: Christian Living/Situational

Make Peace

We love to talk about the vague goal of "world peace." It's a running line for beauty queens, politicians and those lost in a haze of idealism. But while "world peace" may sound impossible, you can bring more peace to your world. How? Follow God's example and practice patience (longsuffering).

Receive

Patience (or longsuffering) is critical to creating peace in our relationships and circumstances. In Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul links the two. "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (ESV).

Another translation puts it like this: "Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace" (Ephesians 4:2-3, NLT).

Being patient with the faults and differences of others makes it possible to build unity and create peace in our relationships. How? When you exercise patience, you defer your anger. You have time to think and to be pro-active, time to in find a solution instead of being reactive and unproductive.

Colossians 3:12-15 tells us, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful" (ESV).

Reflect

Go back over Colossians 3:12-15.

List the things we're to "put on" and describe how you demonstrate each one.
Why do they fit together?
How might each quality impact a relationship and bring about peace?

Romans 12:15-18 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 also offer ways patience can bring peace in your relationships.

What's the end goal we're trying to reach?

Respond

Let's be honest, our lack of patience comes from two areas.

Selfishness--I focus on my wants, my wishes, my way; and when other people don't fall into that agenda, I'm upset.
A demand for immediacy--not just what I want but when I want it.

Which of these is usually the source of your impatience?
What fall-out have you experienced because of this?
What can you change about that today?

Think of a relationship or situation where a little patience on your part could have produced peace. What happened? If you exercised patience, what would have changed? What solutions might you have found? What's keeping you from making it right?

Patience (or longsuffering) is not something we can manufacture on our own. It comes as we let the Holy Spirit guide, influence and intervene in our lives. As you consider patience and peace, ask the Holy Spirit to do His work in your life. Committing Ephesians 4:1-3 or Colossians 3:12-15 to memory can be a great way to be ready for the next time you need patience and peace.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 27, 2012
Topic: Faith/Trust

More Than a Virtue

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

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

Receive

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

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

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

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

Reflect

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

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

Respond

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

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 28, 2012
Topic: Christian Living/Situational

Patience Is Possible

Of all the things that try our patience, people are most likely to be at the top of our list. It's no wonder that Linus, from the Peanut carton strip, said, "I love humanity; it's people I can't stand."

Whether we're talking about work, church or home, it's people that most often cause our patience to wear thin. That's what led Ulrike Ruffert to say: "Patience is the ability to put up with people you'd like to put down." But before you allow your impatience to cause you to make an angry reply or hurtful comment, consider what the Bible has to say.

Receive

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all" (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 NKJV).

List the types of people that Paul acknowledges may try your patience.
How should you respond to these people in addition to being patient?
What does Paul instruct you to avoid?
What are we to pursue?

Reflect

It's easy to justify impatience. You've warned this person before. You've told this individual at least 15 times how to do something. Your freedoms have been infringed upon once again by someone else's hang-ups. And you have a right to be impatient!

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

Being patient isn't the same thing as being passive. Nor does patience mean that you do nothing when someone is out of line or has a special need. Patience is reflected not in what you do but how you do it. Even positive actions can be ruined if they are done in an impatient way

Respond

Who in your life pushes the impatience button? Bring that person before the Lord and ask what actions you should take. At the same time, ask for the Holy Spirit to produce in you a patience that will help you take action in a way that will be good for you and for everyone else involved in the situation.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 29, 2012
Topic: Salvation

Saved by Mercy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reflect

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Respond

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

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

Daily Bible Study

Date: Nov 30, 2012
Topic: God's Love

God's Loving Heart

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

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

Receive

The psalmist says:

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

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

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

Reflect

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

Respond

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

Bible Study

Title: The Promise Keeper
Date: Dec 3, 2012
Topic(s): God's Love, Christian Living/Situational, God
Scripture: Genesis 17:15-19, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Genesis 17:3-8, Genesis 46:1-7, Genesis 50:12-14, 1 Samuel 1:1-2, 1 Samuel 1:20-28, 2 Chronicles 6:3-11, Psalm 23, Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 John 2:25, Hebrews 10:23, Genesis 21:1-7, Job 3:16-17, 1 John 5:11, 1 John 1:9, John 14:15-31, Psalm 67:6-7, Luke 1:26-33, 2 Samuel 7:5-16, 1 Samuel 1:10-18, Psalm 105, Genesis 50:1-3, Joshua 24:2-18, 1 John 5:14-15



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

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

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

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

To Abraham:

1) Genesis 17:15-19
2) Genesis 21:1-7

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

To Jacob:

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

To Hannah:

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

To David:

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

To Zechariah and Elizabeth:

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

Reflect

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

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

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

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

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

Respond

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

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

Bible Study

Title: God Is Truthful
Date: Dec 4, 2012
Topic(s): God
Scripture: John 14:3, Titus 1:1-2



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

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

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

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

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

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

Reflect

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

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

Respond

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

Daily Bible Study

Date: Dec 5, 2012
Topic: Christian Living/Situational

Be Holy

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

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

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

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

Reflect

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

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

Respond

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

Daily Bible Study

Date: Dec 6, 2012
Topic: Holiness, Christian Living/Situational, God

Grow in Holiness

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reflect

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

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

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

In what ways is your thinking still conformed to the world?
Where does it have to changed to line up with your status of "holy"?

Respond

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

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

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

Daily Bible Study

Date: Dec 7, 2012
Topic: Christian Living/Situational

Pure Holiness

In the 1850s, cleanliness in the United States, north and south, rural and urban stood at Third World levels. Sanitation was not unknown, but the great majority felt no urgency to clean up. After all, dirt brought food, crops, survival. Dirt was good.

But when it was discovered that dirt--and specifically the lack of proper sanitation that often came along with it--also brought germs, disease, suffering and death, America came clean on a scale unequaled in world history.

What dirt does to the body, sin does to the soul. When we are saved, it is not so we can continue to suffer the disease that infected us before we knew Christ. Instead Christ purifies us and puts within us a hope that motivates us to continue to be pure. Let's see what the Bible says about this.

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

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

Reflect

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

Respond

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

Daily Bible Study

Date: Dec 10, 2012
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Obedience/Discipleship

Abiding in the Vine

I have a dwarf apple tree in my garden. It will only grow about half the size of a normal apple tree which is just right for my small garden. But the more appropriate size comes at a price. The root system of this small fruit tree is very weak. Left attached to its original roots, the tree would soon die. To compensate, the grower grafts the tree onto the root system of a normal apple tree. The dwarf tree will produce abundant fruit but only because it has access to the nutrients provided by a root system other than its own.

The same is true of our spiritual life. While Jesus compares our relationship to Him to a vine rather than a tree, the principle is the same. Let's see how it works.

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"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:1-8, NKJV).

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

Reflect

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

Respond

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