Bible Minute

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 8, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Sin/Temptation, Evil


Satan's Lies

If Satan lacks anything, it's imagination. It's not that he hasn't developed an extensive bag of tricks to use on us, but he uses the same tricks over and over. Why? Because he knows they work. So, if we want to stand firm against Satan's attacks, we need to be alert and prepared.

What Does God Say?

Let's take a look at one of the enemy's most successful tactics--getting us to doubt God by twisting the Lord's words or coloring their meaning.

Genesis 2:15-17 tells us, "The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die'" (ESV).

Now, look carefully at how the evil one twists things around in Genesis 3: "Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.

"He said to the woman, 'Did God actually say, "You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'"? And the woman said to the serpent, 'We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, "You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die."' But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil'" (Genesis 3:1-5, ESV).

    * How does Satan's first question compare to what God really said?
    * How does Eve's reply fit what God said?
    * According to Satan, what is God's motive for keeping Adam and Eve from the tree?

My Thoughts

    * If you've ever doubted God--doubted that what He said in His Word is what He meant, or that He cares about you like the Bible says, then you will recognize this tactic--one of Satan's favorites. So, what can you do? How can you prepare yourself for Satan's schemes?

First, be alert to this subtle tactic. Remember what Jesus tells us about Satan in John 8:44: "He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (ESV)

    * What lies have you believed?
    * When have you been prompted to question the truth about God or Jesus Christ?
    * What did you do about it?

These lies won't come directly from the mouth of a serpent as in Genesis 3 but you may hear them from a friend, a co-worker, a teacher. You might read them or see them on TV. The enemy is crafty and subtle, not stupid.

Secondly, be prepared. The only way to fight lies is with the truth. In turning away from the lies and evil (Job 1:1), you need to turn to something else: fearing God and embracing the truth. Jesus is the truth (John 14:6); and He said to all who believe, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32, ESV).

My Part

Tapping into the truth so you can stand up to Satan's lies takes time and effort. That's why in John 8, Jesus uses the word "abide." It means we settle down to live deeply in God's Word; that we know it inside and out and trust God to be exactly what He is: truthful, faithful, good, just, merciful, etc. The more familiar we are with the truth, the stronger we are against Satan's lies.

Jesus gives us an excellent model in Luke 4:1-13 when he is tempted by Satan. Take a few minutes to look at how Satan attacks. What does Jesus do in response? What should your response be when you're tempted? What will you need to do to be prepared this way? Start by using Psalm 119:11 as a reminder to embrace the truth and reject Satan's lies.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 9, 2010
Topic: Evil


Godly Hate

As a child of God, your aim for this life, as well as for the life hereafter, is to be like Christ. The apostle John wrote, "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he has appears we will be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure" (1 John 3:2-3, ESV).

This means that your Christian hope should involve seeking to be like Christ right here and now. It means that you ought to be demonstrating a godly life in your actions, purposes, words and thoughts.

But how can you know what Christ is like? Well, He didn't leave you to guess about what He's like. In the Bible, you have a clear revelation of Christ. You can go to God's Word and see the very character and personality of the Creator, whom you will someday meet face to face as John pointed out.

Being like God may involve some attitudes and actions that will surprise you. Let's look at one of those surprises today.

What Does God Say?

Is it right for a Christian to hate anything? Doesn't our society tell us all hate is wrong?

Being like Christ means not only exercising love like He does, but also hating the things He hates. If you do not hate what God hates, then you are not like Him and you can end up hating God instead. So, what does God hate?

God hates evil and despises all that is related to it. First, look at some Scripture passages that speak of things that He hates. Find the verses and write down what He says He hates:

    * Proverbs 6:16-19
    * Isaiah 61:8
    * Zechariah 8:17

Second, find these Scriptures and list what God's people have said they hate:

    * Proverbs 13:5
    * Psalm 139:21-22
    * Psalm 119:104, 128
    * Psalm 26:5

Third, look at some passages where God tells His people of certain things they should hate:

    * Psalm 97:10
    * Amos 5:15

Finally, read Jesus' commendation of the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:6. Notice what He praises them for.

My Thoughts

There are several verses in Proverbs that speak of the fear or reverence of the Lord. It is called "the beginning of wisdom," "the beginning of knowledge," "a fountain of life," and Proverbs 16:6 says, "By the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil."

But in Proverbs 8:13, we learn that the fear of the Lord also includes hatred of evil. If you love Him, you hate evil, just as He hates it. Read that verse in your Bible.

Christ's love for sinners is so great that He went to the cross to provide forgiveness for our sins, but His hatred of evil and its consequences is also seen at the cross where He defeated Satan, the author of sin and evil.

My Part

Take some time today to write down any specific areas of failure or weakness you see in your life that are due to tolerating actions or attitudes that God hates. Ask God to give you the spiritual backbone to resist the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil. Ask Him to help you see as He sees, love as He loves and, yes, hate what He hates.

"When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail."-- Pearl S. Buck

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 10, 2010
Topic: Holiness, Christian Living/Situational


Love Holiness

You may be familiar with an old hymn that declares, "Take time to be holy." That's wise advice because one of the secrets to wisdom is holiness. Wisdom begins with our "fear of the Lord" but it also includes loving what He loves and hating what He hates--the essence of holiness.

What Does God Say?

Proverbs 9:10 tells us,

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (ESV).

To fear the Lord means you have the proper sense of reverence and respect for God, His power, wisdom and character. It's the foundation for wisdom; it's what we build on to become wise.

But "the knowledge of the Holy One" takes us a little further along. It means we not only revere and respect God, but we recognize that He is the Holy One. Because of God's holiness, He cannot put up with evil; and, in fact, hating evil is also linked with the fear of the Lord (see Proverbs 8:13).

If you want to build godly wisdom into your life, you'll demonstrate your fear of the Lord through your reverence for Him. That means you'll take Him and His Word seriously. And you'll take His holiness seriously. You'll love what He loves; you'll embrace what He embraces. Holiness is only perfected in God, but you can do your part to reflect Him to others.

My Thoughts

Holiness means to be set apart. God is holy because His greatness, power and perfection set Him apart from anything and everything else. He wants us to be "set apart" as well for Him. What do you learn about your holiness from these verses?

    * 1 Peter 1:14-16
    * 1 Peter 2:9
    * Ephesians 1:3-4
    * 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

My Part

In Hebrews 12:14, we're told to "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (ESV). How do you reflect the holiness that helps others see the Lord?

We've already mentioned that we're to love what the Lord loves. What are those things? Make a list from Psalm 146:8; Psalm 33:4-5; Colossians 3:12-14. Are these things you love? How would someone know that you embrace holiness? What do you need to do to live out the fear of the Lord in this way?

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 13, 2010
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.

What Does God Say?

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.

My Thoughts

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?

My Part

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.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 14, 2010
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."

What Does God Say?

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

    * What 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?

My Thoughts

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.

My Part

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."

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 15, 2010
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:

What Does God Say?

"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).

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

My Thoughts

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!

My Part

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).

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 16, 2010
Topic: Holiness, Christian Living/Situational, God


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.

What Does God Say?

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).

My Thoughts

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 has to changed to line up with your status of “holy”?

My Part

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.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 17, 2010
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.

What Does God Say?

"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?

My Thoughts

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.

My Part

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 www.backtothebible.org and begin to daily spend time in the Word.

[nChrist]

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Daily Bible Study

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


Ready to Lead

A man was cleaning his car in the street in front of his home. He was using one of those amazing brushes which lift off the dust like magic. A very small girl came up and watched him.

"My daddy's got one of these brushes to clean his car too," she said.

"That's nice," the man replied. And, with a view to making conversation, added, "And what kind of car has your daddy got?"

"Oh," said the little girl, "he hasn't got the car yet, but he's got the brush to clean it."

Had cars been invented in Nehemiah's time, he probably would have had one of those brushes as well. He was a man who knew how important it was to be prepared "just in case." Preparation is the key to being ready when the right time comes.

What Does God Say?

Nehemiah 1:4-6 says, "As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, 'O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned."

    * What did Nehemiah do to get himself ready?
    * Whose sins did Nehemiah confess? How would this fit our situation today?

My Thoughts

Great leaders prepare themselves long before they become leaders. And when we look forward to being a Christian leader, there's no more important part of this preparation than getting ourselves right before God. As Psalms 24:3-4 says, "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." Before God is going to use you to accomplish some purpose for Him, you need to be spiritually ready.

My Part

Set aside some time this week and get alone with God. Ask Him to show you what you need to do to get ready to serve Him. Is there some area of your spiritual life that needs to be strengthened before you're ready to be used? Is there a sin to be confessed? A broken relationship to be mended? Prepare yourself to do that which God has prepared for you.

[nChrist]

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 21, 2010
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship, Bible Characters, Faith/Trust


When God Opens the Door

"When God opens the door" Christians often use this phrase when they're considering a change in direction or service to God or when they're looking for new opportunities but waiting for "when God opens the door"

An open door is a way to see that God is making new things possible. And through a man named Nehemiah, God teaches us something about open doors.

What Does God Say?

Nehemiah was a Jewish exile humbly serving as cupbearer to the king of Persia. When Nehemiah heard about the terrible state of Jerusalem, he went before God and grieved over the holy city (Nehemiah 1). He wanted to do something. He saw it as his mission to do something. But how? (Watch as God opens the doors for Nehemiah.)

First, the king picked up on Nehemiah's distress; he was familiar enough with his cupbearer to see that something wasn't right. "And the king said to me, 'Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.' Then I was very much afraid" (Nehemiah 2:2, ESV). It wasn't a good idea to bring your troubles to work when you served the king; in fact, it could have some pretty serious consequences. But God had begun to open a door, by first opening a conversation.

"I said to the king, 'Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?' Then the king said to me, 'What are you requesting?' So I prayed to the God of heaven" (2:3-4, ESV). God prods the door open even farther!

The king doesn't just offer empty sympathy; he immediately offers a solution. This is extraordinary: A king does not usually offer to help build someone else's city!

But God continues to open the door for Nehemiah. After he prayed (Nehemiah 2:4), "And I said to the king, 'If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.' And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), 'How long will you be gone, and when will you return?' So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time" (2:5-6, ESV).

Nehemiah prayed first--prayer is essential, not only in discerning a mission from God but in seeing the opportunities and open doors. And once he'd stated his case, the king responded positively with all Nehemiah requested and more. "And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me" (Nehemiah 2:8, ESV). God's hand was on Nehemiah, taking care of his needs and opening all doors for his mission. The hand of God opens the doors in our lives too.

My Thoughts

Nehemiah was not the only one to have doors opened for him. Some were directed by the voice of God; others through God-ordained circumstances or conversations. Read the following and look for the calling or mission, the seen or unseen actions of God and the response.

Genesis 12:1-4
Genesis 41:14-40
Genesis 46:1-4
Acts 10:1-43
Acts 16:6-15 (includes a closed door)
Acts 17:16-34

    * How do these examples give you confidence for moving forward when God opens a door for you?

In Numbers 13:1-14:4, God opens the door for His people to enter the Promised Land.

    * What did the people do with that open door (13:27-29; 14:1-4)?
    * Has fear kept you from taking advantage of an open door from the Lord? How or why?

My Part

Now it's your turn. Consider three big questions:

   1. What will you do when God opens the door? Will you be ready or still looking around and wondering if it's the right step? Or will you hesitate, make excuses, "pull a Jonah" and run the other way? Your answer says a lot about your readiness to be used by God, and how much you trust in Him.

   2. What are you doing in the meantime? What about these days while you're waiting for God to open a door for you? Are you like Nehemiah, faithful in what you're doing right now but ready to do whatever God calls you to? What needs to happen to help you prepare for the next thing?

   3. What door is open before you right now? Are you just not looking for it, or are you resisting it? What's getting in your way? Whatever it is, don't miss this opportunity to step out in faith and follow as Nehemiah did.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 22, 2010
Topic: Prayer, Christian Living/Situational


Minute Prayers

During the American Revolution, special groups of soldiers were designated as Minutemen. They got their name because they were able to be ready "in a minute" to be wherever they were needed. Rather than taking days or weeks to muster up an army of soldiers, these groups moved swiftly to confront the enemy whenever the need arose.

There are also what we could call "minute prayers." These are short prayers uttered in a time of need. While there is a time and place for long extended prayers, many of the prayers recorded in Scripture were the kind that could be prayed "in a minute." Nehemiah gives us an example of one.

What Does God Say?

"And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence.

"So the king said to me, 'Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.' Then I was very much afraid.

"I said to the king, 'Let the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?'

"Then the king said to me, 'What would you request?' So I prayed to the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 2:1-4, NASB).

    * What situation caused Nehemiah to utter a "minute prayer"?
    * How effective was this prayer (consider vv. 5-8 )?

My Thoughts

Read the following "minute prayers." List below them the person who prayed them and the outcome.

    * 1 Chronicles 4:10
    * 2 Kings 20:3-6
    * Luke 18:13-14
    * Acts 7:59-60
    * 1 Kings 18:36-39
    * Luke 23:34

My Part

Be sure to set aside a time each day for extended prayer; but, as you go through your day, don't forget the value of "minute prayers." When God puts someone or something on your heart, don't wait until you have "more time to pray." Instead, immediately send up a short prayer for that person or situation. Of course, this certainly doesn't mean you can't take more time later to pray about this concern, but don't neglect your "minute prayers" either.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 23, 2010
Topic: Thankfulness, God's Care


Where God Guides

There's a church in my neighborhood, maybe you have one like it, too, that posts a different quote on its billboard every week. Some quotes are funny like, "Forbidden fruits create many jams." And some of them are thoughtful, "Give God what's right, not what's left." And then there are some like this one that just kind of stick with you, "Where God guides, He provides." That's a lesson Nehemiah learned when He felt God calling Him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

What Does God Say?

In chapter 1 we meet Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah heard the distressing news, Jerusalem, a once great city, is lying in ruins. Jerusalem's destruction was a visible reminder of how far the nation of Israel had fallen from God. But it was time for Israel to be restored, and Nehemiah knew that God was calling him to lead the effort to rebuild Jerusalem's wall. There was just one problem: Nehemiah was a slave and had no resources of his own.

What would you do? Some might suggest launching an underground movement, reaching out to the other Israelite slaves, asking for donations from people sympathetic to the cause. But look what Nehemiah did:

"Then the king said to me [Nehemiah], 'What are you requesting?' So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, 'If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.'" (Nehemiah 2:4-5)

Nehemiah, a slave in the king's court, was asking the king not only for the time to go and rebuild the razed walls of Jerusalem, but also for the resources to complete the task. Read verses 1-3, and you'll find this wasn't originally Nehemiah's plan. But as much as he tried to hide his grief about the sad state of the great city of His people from the king, Artaxerxes still knew something was up and asked Nehemiah about it. Nehemiah, knowing an opportunity from God when he saw it, seized it.

My Thoughts

If you read on in Nehemiah, verses 6-8, you'll find the king was very generous to Nehemiah, not only giving him permission to return to Jerusalem but making sure that Nehemiah had everything needed to begin rebuilding the walls.

    * Have you ever experienced generosity from an unexpected source?
    * Has God called you to do something challenging or difficult? What can you learn from Nehemiah's example?

My Part

Where God guides, God provides. Nehemiah learned this lesson in the court of a foreign king. Hundreds of years later a crowd of people listening on the side of a mountain heard a man named Jesus teach the same lesson. Read and memorize Matthew 6:33 today, and remind yourself every day God will always provide for those who seek to honor Him.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 24, 2010
Topic: God's Care


How God Provides

"God will provide." What a great statement of faith, echoed through the years by the people of God. But how does God provide?

What Does God Say?

God provides for His people in many ways. He makes direct provision--an obvious act. Think of Abraham, about to sacrifice Isaac, and God provided a ram instead (Genesis 22) or remember the time Peter and Jesus owed a tax and a coin was found in the mouth of a fish, just in time to pay a tax (Matthew 17:27). It's hard to miss these moments; they have an element of the miraculous.

Sometimes God's provision requires work or participation from us. He provided for Noah in the flood, but Noah had to build the ark (Genesis 6-8 ). He provided for Ruth and Naomi, but Ruth had to glean in the fields (Ruth 2). In 2 Kings 4:3-4, He provided a supply of oil for the prophet's widow, but she and her sons had to collect jars from the neighbors.

Much of God's provision is natural or indirect. With the seasons, He gives us planting and harvest times to produce food; He provides the air, water, sun and darkness we need to sustain life; He gives us physical abilities to work and think, create and care for our needs. And sometimes God provides as He silently engineers history: think of Esther, an obscure woman raised to a specific position, connected with a man who heard and knew things she could use to influence the king and save her people!

Frequently God provides through other people. Just look at Nehemiah, an exiled Jew serving as the cupbearer to the king of Persia. Nehemiah's mission was to restore Jerusalem, and he needed everything: a release from his job, funding, passports and permits, transportation, helpers, etc.

Look at God's provision in Nehemiah 2:4-9: "Then the king said to me, 'What are you requesting?' So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, 'If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.' And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), 'How long will you be gone, and when will you return?' So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. And I said to the king, 'If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.' And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me" (ESV).

My Thoughts

Review Nehemiah 2:4-8 and list all the things God provided for Nehemiah through the king.

Verse 9 reveals a little something "extra." What is it and how might it help?

Look up these passages to see how God uses people to provide what's needed.

    * Exodus 36:2-7
    * Joshua 2:1-21
    * Ruth 2:8-18
    * 1 Samuel 20:1-42
    * 1 Kings 18:3-16
    * 2 Kings 4:8-10
    * Acts 4:32-3
    * Philippians 4:10-20

    * Who has the need or mission to fulfill?
    * Who helps and how?
    * How do you think this may have built faith or given blessing to those in need?

My Part

As we begin to see and understand the scope of God's methods for providing for us, we need to keep these things in mind.

   1. Be careful about looking at only the "big moments" or "miracles" and missing the small, daily ways God answers your needs or assists in your service to Him. Nehemiah picked up on the king's simple question; he didn't wait for a voice from heaven or a bundle of cash dropped at his feet.

   2. Be ready to ask like Nehemiah did. When you are confident that God has given you the assignment, it's fine to invite fellow believers to participate. You benefit, not only from their assistance but their encouragement and shared passion for the work.

   3. Remember God is also working in other people to be your partners and investors. Don't allow personal pride or independence to keep you from denying another believer of doing what God gave them to do. When the king offered assistance, Nehemiah accepted gladly!

Step up when you have the resources and you see the need, just as the king did. Maybe you're not the leader or the man or woman with "the mission" like Nehemiah was. But when you can be the supporting partner, do it with all your heart; see it as your mission, your part in accomplishing the task. And know that God honors your work as much as He does that of the mission leader.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 27, 2010
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship, Bible Characters, Faith/Trust


Good Leadership

Thomas Paine, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, is credited with this quote: "Lead, follow, or get out of the way." It's such a powerful statement, it's no wonder it's still in use over 200 years after Paine's death. It's a challenge to always be moving forward, either as a leader or as a follower, and not just standing around getting in the way. But for some practical advice on being a good and godly leader, let's go back even further into history, to a man named Nehemiah.

What Does God Say?

In the last half of Nehemiah 2 we see this man, who only a short time ago was a slave in king Artaxerxes' court, now in charge of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. It was a big job and definitely one he could not do alone. So, he gathered some of the Israelites and said.

"'You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.' And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me" (Nehemiah 2:17-18 ).

There's a lot to unpack here; so, some bullet points may help:

    * Nehemiah identified the problem.
    * Nehemiah offered a solution.
    * Nehemiah stated the benefits of the solution.
    * Nehemiah shared his story.
    * Nehemiah joined in the work.

My Thoughts

Look at the points above again and think about the fourth one. What was unique about Nehemiah's story? Why was it important for Nehemiah to share with the people about how God had provided for them thus far? What stories do you have to share with those following you?

My Part

Whether you style yourself a leader, a follower or you feel like you're just in the way, there are important lessons here for all of us. We all have a common problem: there are people dying all around us without a savior. We all know the solution: the blood of Jesus. As Christians, we have all experienced the benefits of a new life in Christ, and we all have a story to tell. The question before you now is, will you also join in the work?

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 28, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


When Outsiders Oppose You

In 1858, pioneer missionary John Paton sailed from Scotland with his bride, Mary, to the New Hebrides islands in the South Pacific. Less than a year after their arrival on the island of Tanna, Mary died in childbirth. Their baby boy died a few days later.

For John Paton, this was only the beginning of sorrows. He labored faithfully for the Lord among people who threatened his life almost daily. Armed bands again and again came to his house at night to club and spear him to death. Paton said that he knew of 50 times when his life was in certain danger, and he was saved only by the grace of God. Finally, in 1862, Paton was forced to flee Tanna and go back to Scotland. He remarried and returned to the New Hebrides, where the Patons ministered until the 1880s.

By the time of John Paton's death in 1907, it could be said that virtually all the native population where he labored had turned to Christ.

The Patons reflected the spirit of Nehemiah, who labored among opponents and ultimately saw God win the battle.

What Does God Say?

At the end of the Jewish captivity, King Artaxerxes I of Persia granted Nehemiah permission to return to his homeland to initiate the rebuilding of Jerusalem. He began with the restoration of the walls and immediately ran into opposition. Read how he faced his opponents in Nehemiah 2:17-20.

    * What do you see about the condition of Jerusalem when Nehemiah arrived (2:17)? What challenge did he give to the Jews in Jerusalem (2:17)? How did they respond (2:18 )?
    * How did the pagan leaders in the area -- Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem -- react to Nehemiah's plan (2:10; 2:19; 4:1-3,7-8 )? What did they accuse Nehemiah of doing (2:19)?
    * How did Nehemiah respond (2:20; 4:9)?

My Thoughts

As a believer in Christ, you should expect opposition, but you need to know that you will not be alone. Look at some people in New Testament times that were opposed because of their message and work for God.

    * Jesus. Who were His opponents in Mark 14:1-2? What was their intention?
    * Stephen. What was he doing when he encountered opposition (Acts 6:8 )? Who opposed him (Acts 6:9)?
    * Peter and the other apostles. What were they doing when they ran into opposition (Acts 5:12)? What happened to them (Acts 5:17-18 )?
    * Paul and Barnabas. See Acts 13:44-46. What prompted the Jews' opposition to their message? What did Paul and Barnabas do about it?

You live in a world where opposition to the Gospel message is escalating, resulting in hatred, oppression and persecution. Nehemiah, John Paton and others didn't flinch in their trials. They recognized that opposition would come. They prayed for God's direction. They moved forward according to God's leading, and they left the results to Him.

My Part

As a Christian, have you experienced opposition to your faith? What kind? Where did it come from? How did you respond? If it happened again, what would you do differently?

Read Paul's question in Romans 8:35. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"

Then consider his answer in Romans 8:37-39. How does it encourage you about facing opposition?