Bible Minute

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 29, 2010
Topic: Prayer, Speech/Words, Bible Characters


Criticism & Prayer

Don't you just love to be criticized? To have your work ripped apart? Your character and reputation trashed? Me neither. When you face unjust, critical words, what's your natural response?

Well, I don't know about you, but my response usually involves at least a few choice words. It certainly doesn't match up with the strategy used by Nehemiah.

What Does God Say?

Nehemiah was a godly man who knew that criticism, like a lot of life, needs to be handled with prayer. In fact, his standard operating procedure when faced with any issue seemed to be "stop, drop and pray."

In Nehemiah 1:4, when Nehemiah heard the sad report on Jerusalem, he "sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven" (ESV). In Nehemiah 2:4, before he answered the king, Nehemiah "prayed to the God of heaven" (ESV).

Then in Nehemiah 4, he prays again. But this is a little different. As he and the people rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, some local troublemakers begin criticizing Nehemiah and his work. "Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.…'What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?' Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, 'Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!'" (Nehemiah 4:1-3, ESV).

What is Nehemiah's response? Well, his choice words are directed not at his critics but to God. "Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders" (Nehemiah 4:4-5, ESV).

Nehemiah prayed! Before he spoke a word in his own defense, he called on God to be his defender, to deal out the justice his critics deserved. He doesn't waste breath or time in justifying his action or arguing. Nehemiah says, "God, the ball is Your court, You deal with these men who bring down Your people." And "So we built the wall" (4:6).

Perhaps you don't usually pray this way. But it's an appropriate response to criticism. It helps to shift your focus off yourself and onto God as you ask for His justice and wisdom. It can keep you from spewing words that would open you up to further criticism and even failure in doing whatever God has given you to do.

My Thoughts

Nehemiah wasn't the only one to respond to criticism this way. Look at these passages:
Psalm 3:1-2
Psalm 4:2-3
Psalm 5:9-10
Psalm 17:10-13
Psalm 35:11-12, 15-16

    * What kind of opposition is the psalmist facing?
    * How does it affect him?
    * What does he ask of God?

Go back and read further in each of those psalms and jot down what you find that God does or what the psalmist puts his trust in.

    * How would you make prayer part of your response when you're criticized?

My Part

Now, before you pray for God's judgment on everyone who makes you mad, remember the distinctive of Nehemiah's prayer. He doesn't ask for God to do anything so that he (Nehemiah) can be avenged or feel better. He's asking God to defend His own honor, to do what is good and right for God and His plans, not for Nehemiah's benefit.

For us, it means learning to find perspective, to see what is a temporary setback or hurt and to look for the long plan. We need to think it through: What is God trying to accomplish through me? What am I willing to put up with today for what's to come tomorrow or later in His perfect plan? How much do I trust God to deal with things over the long haul, or am I compelled to take matters into my own hands today?

This can begin to help you face criticism, even unfair ridicule, with a little of Nehemiah's grace and focus. What criticism have you faced recently? What's been your response? How do you need to bring it all back to God? Have you asked Him to deal with it on your behalf?

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 30, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Discouragement from the Inside

In the chorus of the old Western song, "Home on the Range," the writer, Brewster Higley, voiced a longing that you occasionally may have felt:

Home, home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Wouldn't it be nice to be free from discouraging words—especially those painful ones you hear from your friends and allies?

What Does God Say?

King David experienced discouragement by a friend. "Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me" (Psalm 41:9, NKJV).

How do you think Moses felt when his scouts came back from spying out the Land of Promise and ten of the twelve reported that the campaign would be absolutely impossible? See Numbers 13:31-32 and 32:8-9.

Nehemiah had a vision to restore Jerusalem. He had a permit from the king and a plan to get it done. The wall-building work was underway (Nehemiah 3). But he met with some bitter opposition from outsiders who would do everything in their power to stop him. Read Nehemiah 4:7-8,11. Nehemiah prayed to his God, organized the people and carried on with the work.

Next, however, the most discouraging opposition of all appeared. It came from some of the very people who were needed to help do the rebuilding. Read Nehemiah 4:12.

    * What was the nationality of the people who wanted to halt the work?
    * How many times did they seek to discourage the plan?
    * What did they feel would happen if the wall building continued?

Nehemiah took steps to calm their fears by stationing armed men in the spots along the wall where an attack might be attempted. He assured them that God would be on their side (Nehemiah 4:13-14).

My Thoughts

There'll be times when you will meet with varying forms of discouragement. Discouragement can come from weariness in doing the work. It can come from lack of resources to do the job. It can come from unbelievers who oppose your work from the outside, and sometimes it may come from those on the inside who have no heart for the work to be done.

The opposite of discouragement is encouragement. The Lord has a lot to say about that. Look up the following references and answer the questions:

    * Romans 15:5-6. Who is our greatest encourager?
    * 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11. What hope should cause us to encourage one another?
    * Hebrews 3:13. What sinful attitude can mutual encouragement prevent from growing?
    * Hebrews 10:23-25. What actions do you see in these verses that will grow your encouragement of others?

My Part

Have you experienced discouragement in your service for the Lord from fellow believers? In what ways might you be able to help "discouragers" become a part of the work?

On the other hand, can you think of ways that you may have been a discouragement, rather than an encouragement, to those who are serving God? What would you like to do to put yourself on the encouraging side?

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 1, 2010
Topic: Service/Servanthood, Obedience/Discipleship, Bible Characters


No Distractions Allowed

"No Distractions Allowed." I sure need that sign above my desk this week! Every time I start on important projects, something interrupts me and shifts my focus away.

Let me guess--you've been there too! We all have; we live by our distractions. This is why we need a little help from Nehemiah. He knew how to answer distractions!

What Does God Say?

Nehemiah was a godly man with a mission: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after they lay in ruins for over a hundred years. As the construction manager, he was bombarded with criticism and opposition--big distractions! Look at Nehemiah 6:1-2: "Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, 'Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.' But they intended to do me harm" (ESV).

The leaders of the opposition wanted to meet with Nehemiah, and while he recognized this as their attempt to attack him, it was also a distraction. It would require him to expend his time, his energy and his focus on something other than his mission.

What does Nehemiah say? "And I sent messengers to them, saying, 'I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?' And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner" (Nehemiah 6:3-4, ESV).

"I am doing a great work and I cannot come down." Nehemiah is very clear about his purpose and priority. "Building this wall is my great work," he says, "and I'm not going to waste my time on what is not helping get the job done." And he was consistent; he rejected their distraction four times!

The antidote to distraction is focus--having a singular focus on what's really important. Nehemiah made the "one thing" the "one thing," and he lined up all else with that priority.

My Thoughts

Paul was one who could match, maybe even exceed, Nehemiah in determined focus. Read Philippians 3:4-14.

    * What is Paul's "great work"?
    * How does he handle things that could distract him from it?
    * Where do you need to tighten your focus?

Some of our distractions may be necessary things, even good things. But they overtake our priorities. Look at Luke 10:38-42.

    * What good things was Martha doing?
    * How does Jesus describe her?
    * What does He say to reorder her (and our) priorities?

My Part

Distractions come in many forms: interruptions, demands from others, fear of our own failure, ignorance, what others think, even a reluctance to obey God or a lack of discipline or stick-to-itiveness. Start by identifying the types of distraction you wrestle with most frequently.

    * What can you do about them?
    * How will you take responsibility for the ones you create or easily succumb to?

And by the way, people who accomplish great things are not usually trying to accomplish everything. They have a sense of what the "one thing" is in their lives, whether it's building a wall, creating a sculpture, restructuring a company or teaching a child. When God gives you the "great work" to do, He may show you what does not need to happen.

    * What can you do today to work with Him to reorder your priorities and focus on the "great work" He has for you?

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 4, 2010
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship, Faith/Trust


Joshua Chooses God

One of the great leaders we meet in the Old Testament is Joshua. The name "Joshua" literally means "Yahweh is Salvation." He watched in awe as the Red Sea parted; he tasted manna in the desert; and he served faithfully for 40 years as Moses' right-hand man and military commander. And this warrior-leader lived up to his name. Joshua eventually led the Israelites to victory in Canaan--and into "all the good land the Lord had promised." Yet his greatest legacy came down to a choice he made: "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15, NKJV).

What Does God Say?

It's all about choices. Whether we're facing times of trouble or abundance, we can turn our backs on God...or we can choose to trust, obey and serve Him.

The simple fact is, God doesn't want us to add a little of Himself into our daily walk. He wants to consume our lives. He's not pleased with people who dabble in faith, and then forget Him later. The Lord desires us to live for Him--faithfully, consistently, day by day.

Joshua understood this. "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!" (Joshua 24:14, NKJV).

By the end of the book that bears his name, the Israelites stood with Joshua and chose to serve only the Lord. But flip over to Judges and the word follow once again changes to forget. We encounter snapshot after snapshot of raw, uncensored faithlessness: "Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals" (Judges 2:11, NKJV). But keep reading.

In chapter two we discover that, despite Israel's gross unfaithfulness, God is faithful. He molds and disciplines His children. He shows persistent, unwearied love and matchless grace; grace that's absolutely undeserved. "Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them" (Judges 2:16, NKJV).

In God's perfect time, He gives a new beginning to people who so easily turn their backs on Him--people like you and me.

My Thoughts

Look over these passages to learn more about following and forgetting.

Luke 9:23-24
2 Kings 17:35-39
Psalm 95

    * What kind of cross do you carry daily?
    * Exactly who or what is the passion of your life?
    * Is getting your career off the ground the most important thing to you? A relationship, maybe? Or could it be money or popularity?
    * Are you following the living God? Or the gods of money, power, prestige?

My Part

Your conception and birth was God's idea, not yours. Likewise, your childhood came without thinking. (It required no act of the will.) But following God day by day is a choice. Consider the words of Joshua: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Write this verse out and post it somewhere as a reminder of the choice you need to make each day.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 5, 2010
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship


Obedience & Blessing

An old Gospel song says,

Gimme that old time religion;
it's good enough for me.*

But at times it might be paraphrased as

Gimme that part-time religion;
it's good enough for me.

The prayer of a part-time Christian may go something like this:

"Lord, I wanna be a part-time Christian. Now, please, don't misunderstand me, Lord. I wanna be a good part-time Christian. Bless me for giving part of my time. Help me to have devotions once in awhile. Help me listen to parts of the sermon when I can get around to going to church. Help the pastor to keep it short.

"Father, help me to forgive people sometimes. Lord, what I'm going to say now is hard, but help me to serve You once in awhile. There, I've said it! But I sort of mean it, Lord. I mean, like, well, sometimes when they need help over at the church enable me, empower me either to go or at least to send my wife.

"Oh, Lord! I wanna be a part-time Christian. Amen."

It seems the tribes of Israel had this same "part-time" attitude. In Judges 1, there is a list of the tribes with their inheritances in the Promised Land. Attached to each tribe's record is a statement revealing its partial obedience to God's commandment to drive all the idolatrous, immoral Canaanites out of the land and to possess it in its entirety for His people and purposes.

They obeyed--but only partially. Read about it in Judges 1:19 and other verses.

What Does God Say?

"Now the Lord was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley because they had iron chariots" (Judges 1:19, NASB, italics added). The tribe of Judah left Canaanites in the land of their inheritance.

    * So did Benjamin (Judges 1:21). What Canaanites did the Benjamite tribe fail to drive out? What was the long-term result?
    * So did Manasseh (Judges 1:27). What does the verse say about the Canaanites in Manasseh's area?
    * Browse through the rest of Judges 1. Find the other tribes of Israel that failed to obey God and jot down the consequences of their sin.

Do you see the connection between the Israelite tribes' incomplete obedience to God and the deplorable conditions that plagued their people for almost three centuries as recorded throughout the Book of Judges?

My Thoughts

God severely rebuked Israel for their "partial obedience" (Judges 2:3). He also warns individuals who claim to follow Him that incomplete obedience is disobedience.

King Saul, more than once, went only part way in obeying God. For that, he lost his kingdom. Read 1 Samuel 13:13-14.

    * What would God have done for Saul if he had wholly obeyed (13:13)?
    * Instead, what did God do to Saul (13:14)?

Moses and Aaron were told by God to speak to the rock so that it would bring forth water for the thirsty people. Instead, Moses angrily struck the rock twice. He went beyond what God told them to do (Numbers 20:7-12). This imperfect obedience had severe consequences.

    * Read Numbers 20:12. How would God have blessed them if they had fully obeyed? Instead, what great loss came to them?

My Part

Your obedience is not a way to earn salvation. Forgiveness and salvation are the gift of God by the blood of Christ shed for you on the cross. But God does expect His born-again children to fully obey Him (Ephesians 2:8-10). Though partial or incomplete obedience won't cause you to lose your eternal life, it will cause you to lose eternal rewards.

Take stock today. Are there any areas of your life where you detect partial or incomplete obedience? If so, confess these faults to the Lord today and make a fresh start of full obedience in fellowship with Him.

*American Spiritual/Old Gospel

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 6, 2010
Topic: God


God's Anger

Aristotle wrote, "Anyone can become angry. That's easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way-- that is not easy."

In fact, really, only God is able to do that. God's anger is not the temper tantrum of a petulant child; it is the response of a grieving heart to circumstances that will harm His beloved children. For God not to be angry at sin and the consequences of sin would be contrary to the love He professes to have for us.

Let's look at what the Bible teaches us about God's anger.

What Does God Say?

Romans 1:18
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (NASB).

    * Toward whom/what is God's anger directed?
    * Why would this be an appropriate object for God's anger?

John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (NKJV).

    * What is the end result for those who believe in God's Son and those who don't?
    * How would you justify God's anger in this situation?

Psalms 103:8
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness (NASB).

    * What does this verse tell you about God's anger?
    * What impact would this have on the two verses we looked at previously?

My Thoughts

The Bible pulls no punches when it talks about the anger or wrath of God. It is directed at sin because sin destroys. We only have to look at the suffering of children and other innocents in the world to feel our own anger rising. How much more so must a God who is marked by love and compassion feel wrath at such situations.

But sin can never be separated from the person perpetrating it. The old adage of "hate the sin, but love the sinner" is only partially true. A time comes when the sin and sinner must both be dealt with. In Revelation 4, the apostle John see God's throne surrounded by a rainbow--a symbol of mercy and grace (Genesis 9:13-17). In Revelation 20:11 we again see God's throne (the site of the Great White Throne Judgment), but the rainbow is gone.

It's important we not only share with people concerning God's love but also His wrath. God's loving heart cannot allow the destructiveness of sin to go on unchecked forever. A day of wrath is coming (Romans 2:5-10), and you need to be ready.

My Part

The wrath of God is every bit as real and true as His love. Apart from a personal relationship with Christ, we will be subject to that wrath (John 3:36). Make sure you have received Christ today. If you need help in taking that step, click the Meet Jesus link or contact us at info@bibleminute.org.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 7, 2010
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship


Willing if not Able

Reality shows are a dime a dozen these days. The premise of many of these shows is to determine who is "best": The best survivor, the best designer, the best dancer. Each week the judges (and sometimes the viewers) vote until finally the "best" emerges.

In our study of the Book of Judges today, the people of Israel cry out to God for deliverance from a foreign oppressor. Can you envision God holding an "Israel's Next Top Judge" competition to determine the best man for the job? Let's look at what God really did.

What Does God Say?

In Judges 3:9, we read this: "But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother."

God chose Othniel. He didn't ask for a resume, and He didn't hold a nation-wide contest (you weren't really expecting that were you?). God made a choice, but it wasn't a random choice.

It's true, Othniel had a military background. You can read more about it in Judges 1:11-15. But God didn't choose Othniel based on his abilities. Read verse 10 of Judges 3: "The Spirit of the LORD was upon him [Othniel], and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim."

Othniel's success didn't come because of his ability; it came because of his availability to be used by the Spirit of God. This is a pattern we see many times throughout Scripture. Let's look at some other examples.

My Thoughts

Read Genesis 6:7-22. Why did God choose Noah to build the ark? How did Noah respond to God's call?

Read Matthew 4:18-22. Knowing what you do about Jesus' ministry, what was unusual about the men He called to follow Him? How did these men respond to Jesus' call?

My Part

Do you feel God calling you to do something? God will provide whatever you lack. The only thing you need to provide is a willing heart. So, how will you respond to God's call today?

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 8, 2010
Topic: Faith/Trust


Disability or Opportunity?

The year was approximately 1304 B.C., and memories of Moses and the miraculous things God had done in the wilderness were quickly fading--right along with morality. Did the Lord lose His patience and give up on His people? Not a chance! Once again, He showed compassion. This time, God chose an unlikely leader to deliver Israel: Ehud--a left-handed Benjaminite.

What Does God Say?

The hearts of the Israelites had grown cold, and the tribes were slipping back into living for themselves instead of for God. What's more, they were being oppressed by foreign enemies. But Ehud, the man who was "hindered in the right hand," became God's path of victory. Judges 3:18-21 (NIV) reminds us that what a human may perceive as a weakness or a disability can become an opportunity to serve the Lord. In this case, it was a chance to crush God's enemies and to restore peace to His people:

"After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way the men who had carried it. At the idols near Gilgal he himself turned back and said, 'I have a secret message for you, O king.'

"The king said, 'Quiet!' And all his attendants left him.

"Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his summer palace and said, 'I have a message from God for you.' As the king rose from his seat, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king's belly."

Ehud, whose name means "strong" then sounded the ram's horn throughout the hill country of Ephraim, and he gathered the forces of Israel to attack the leaderless armies of the oppressor. Filled with the spirit of the Lord he ordered, "Follow me...for the Lord has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands" (Judges 3:28, NIV). Together, they struck down about 10,000 Moabites. After that, the land had rest for 80 years. (See Judges 3:12-31 for the full story.)

My Thoughts

Look over these passages to learn more about how God turns weakness into strength... disabilities into opportunities.
Exodus 3:10-4:16
Judges 6:11-24
2 Chronicles 16:9

    * Do you feel totally inadequate to serve God?
    * What kinds of things hold you back? Failure? Self-doubts? Fear? Physical limitations?
    * Based upon what you've read in these passages, do you believe that the Lord uses broken and scarred vessels to accomplish His plan? It's true! God's leaders are often ordinary, flawed folks who love Him and make themselves available to pursuing His will--not their own.

My Part

Search your heart. Can you get past your own weaknesses and insecurities? Are you willing to allow God to use you just as you are? Remember Ehud!

[nChrist]

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 11, 2010
Topic: Service/Servanthood, Bible Characters, Faith/Trust


Deborah: An Empowered Woman

There's quite a bit of discussion today about empowering women. We want our daughters to grow up strong and capable and confident. We trot out as role models the women who've reached positions of power or influence as CEOs, judges, presidents, athletes and newsmakers. And movies, TV shows and books show us tough, hard-working, two-fisted female heroines who can take down a villain in a few quick moves.

So, when you get to the Bible story about Deborah, a woman in the thick of battle, well, surely she's an "empowered woman." Maybe if you see it the way God does.

What Does God Say?

Deborah's empowerment came from God, not by any merit or ambition of her own. In Judges 4 and 5, we find five characteristics of a truly empowered woman (or man).

   1. Faithful: Deborah is faithful to God in using her gifts (Judges 4:4-5). She is a prophetess; it was her gifting and calling to speak with God and communicate His message to the people. She faithfully exercised that gift at her "office" under a palm tree, wisely judging the needs and issues of God's people.

   2. Confident: Deborah is confident in God's plan (Judges 4:6-7). She spells it out to Barak as fact; she's fully convinced and confident that God will do exactly as He says and she encourages others to have the same confidence.

   3. Wise: Deborah was wise enough to both delegate and motivate. She delegated the military leadership to the man with those skills (Judges 4:6); she didn't try to do it all herself. She also had the wisdom to motivate a doubtful Barak (Judges 4:8-9, 14-15) to move forward since the Lord was on their side.

   4. Truthful: Deborah was a truth-speaker, even when she had to say the hard things. In Judges 4:9, she has to be pretty upfront with Barak about the doubt that would keep him from getting the honor.

   5. Humble: Deborah was not self-seeking; she didn't grab all the glory for herself or push herself to the front of the victory. In Judges 5, her victory song directs all honor and praise back to God. She acknowledges the contributions of others (Jael, Barak, herself) but never in a way that detracts from the Lord who empowered them.

My Thoughts

Deborah wasn't the only one who provided this example. You can find others--men and women--in Scripture who exhibit these characteristics in different ways. Think of David or Joshua, Moses, Mary, Esther, Peter or Paul. Take a few minutes to dig into some of your favorite Bible stories and look for the ways God empowered His people.

What can you take from their examples to:

    * Encourage your faith?
    * Build your confidence?
    * Add to your wisdom?
    * Help you speak truth?
    * Keep you humble?

My Part

How does this view of an empowered person, man or woman, fit with what you see in your world?

True empowerment really begins and ends with God. Without Him, we are nothing. How do you view His power in your life?

Deborah's amazing experience with God began with her faithfulness. Her faith in what God said was unshakeable and she believed and acted on it. God calls each of us to be faithful--faithful in belief and action, faithful in serving with all He's given to us. And He pours His power into us to accomplish all He wants to do. Where do you need to begin today?

[nChrist]

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 12, 2010
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship


The Unlikely Hero

The "unlikely hero" is a common theme found in literature. Think of Bilbo Baggins in J.R.R. Tolkien's classic story The Hobbit. Bilbo is a simple hobbit leading a simple life in a remote corner of the world. But when Gandalf shows up at Bilbo's door, Bilbo's simple life becomes a lot more complicated. What follows is a life-changing adventure full of tough challenges and miraculous deliverances. And in the end, the wisdom of the sage old man is proved correct.

Stories like this are fascinating because at some level all of us want to be "discovered"--to find out that we have some unique quality that makes us invaluable in a momentous task. Maybe Gideon had dreams like that; maybe he didn't. But whether he did or not, he was definitely caught by surprise the day the mysterious stranger showed up at his home talking about an impossible task.

What Does God Say?

Gideon's story starts in Judges 6. In verse 11 we find Gideon hiding in the winepress beating out the wheat harvest. The Midianites had been oppressing Israel for years, rushing in at harvesttime and stealing the crops. If the Israelites were to keep any of the harvest for themselves, they had to hide it well. In verse 12, Gideon receives an unexpected visit.

"And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, 'The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.'... And the LORD turned to him and said, 'Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?'" (Judges 6:12,14, ESV).

Gideon's life got a lot more complicated that day. What followed was a life-changing adventure full of tough challenges and miraculous deliverance. And in the end, the wisdom of God was proved correct.

Let's look at a couple more examples of unlikely heroes.

My Thoughts

In 1 Samuel 16, the prophet Samuel shows up at the home of Jesse. Samuel is on a mission to find the next king of Israel, and so he asks to see Jesse's sons.

Read 1 Samuel 13:13-14; 16:6-13

    * What qualities was Samuel looking for in a king?
    * What was God looking for in a king?
    * What made David an unlikely hero?

My Part

There's another unlikely hero mentioned in the Bible. Read Ephesians 2:8-10. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

You and I as believers are perhaps the most unlikely heroes ever! We've been gifted by the Holy Spirit with unique talents and abilities that make us invaluable in the service of God!

Have you met Jesus, the mysterious Stranger at the door of your heart, yet? Yes, your life will get a lot more complicated when you begin following Jesus. But it will become a life-changing adventure full of tough challenges and miraculous deliverances. And in the end, you will know God for who He really is. Not just a wise old man from the realms of fiction but your Maker and Creator and your loving Heavenly Father.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 13, 2010
Topic: Service/Servanthood


Work with Eternal Value

One of the notable feats in World War I was the nearly single-handed victory of Sergeant Alvin York in his attack on German machine gun positions in the Argonne Forest. On October 9, 1918, York, a Tennessee sharpshooter and hunter, led 17 American infantrymen into battle against an unknown number of gunners. Four of his men were killed. York sniped at the machine gunners, who began losing men one-by-one. Finally, the whole enemy unit surrendered. Sergeant York and his few surviving men brought back 132 German prisoners of war. For his valor, York, a Bible believer, received the U. S. Congressional Medal of Honor and highest honors from France. We see men of similar valor in the Bible.

What Does God Say?

In the Book of Judges, as well as in some other Old Testament books, you will sometimes come across this phrase: "The Spirit of the Lord came upon him," followed by extraordinary deeds of the person on whom the Spirit came. Here are a few examples to read. Note the person involved and what he did following the Spirit's anointing.

Judges 3:9-10
Judges 6:33-35
Judges 11:29
Judges 14:6, 19; 15:14

My Thoughts

In the New Testament, after the Resurrection of Christ, you will find a change in the way the Holy Spirit works. Jesus promised the disciples concerning the coming of the Spirit, "You know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you" (John 14:17, NIV). Today, in fulfillment of Jesus' promise, the Spirit dwells in every believer (1 Corinthians 3:16).

But one thing is sure, any work for God that has eternal value is accomplished through the energizing power of the Holy Spirit, not through mere natural enthusiasm. It is the Spirit of God working through you, not you working for God, that lays up eternal treasure in heaven and builds lasting memorials of "gold, silver and precious stones." Look up the following verses and note some critical work that the indwelling Holy Spirit performs for you:

John 14:26
Romans 8:26
Romans 15:13; Ephesians 4:30
1 Corinthians 12:7
Acts 1:8
Acts 20:28

Does this mean a Christian is to simply kick back and do nothing? Of course not! In Colossians 1:29, NASB, the apostle Paul perfectly describes the relationship of the believer's work and the power of the Holy Spirit: "For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me." You labor; He empowers!

My Part

Take some time now to review the list above. Write down any areas in your life where you see that you are attempting to do things without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Then jot down what you intend to do about any inconsistencies. Pray that the Lord will give you wisdom and grace to understand your relationship to His Spirit.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 14, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Doubt/Fear


Trusting God's Word

A man fell off a cliff but managed to grab a tree limb on the way down. As he hung there, the following conversation took place:

"Is anyone up there who can help me?" the man called desperately.

A voice replied, "I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?"

 "Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can't hang on much longer," the man replied.

"That's all right; if you really believe, you have nothing to worry about. I will save you. Just let go of the branch," the voice said.

There was a moment of silence; then the man said tentatively: "Is anyone else up there?"

That was Gideon's situation. He knew what God wanted him to do, but he was struggling with trusting God's word. Would God do what He said He would?

Let's unpack the story and see what happens.

What Does God Say?

"So Gideon said to God, 'If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said--look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.' And it was so. When he rose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece together, he wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, 'Do not be angry with me, but let me speak just once more: Let me test, I pray, just once more with the fleece; let it now be dry only on the fleece, but on all the ground let there be dew.' And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, but there was dew on all the ground" (Judges 6:36-40, NKJV).

    * Read Judges 6:16-18. What similarities do you see between these verses and the passage above?
    * Why does Gideon put out the fleece?
    * What do these verses reveal about God's character?

My Thoughts

Notice the phrase "as You [God] have said" occurs twice Judges 6:36-40. Gideon was not trying to discover God's will. He knew God's will. God had told Gideon what He wanted him to do. Gideon understood what God wanted him to do. Gideon's problem was trusting what God said.

Before we throw stones at Gideon, however, how often do we fail to trust what God says in His Word? The Bible is God's way of speaking to us today just as surely as He spoke to Gideon thousands of years ago. Read each of the following verses and indicate how it might change your life if you truly trusted it.

Isaiah 41:10

    * If you trusted this verse, how would you approach life differently?

Philippians 4:6

    * If you trusted this verse, what would you do differently?

Luke 6:35

    * If you trusted this verse, who would you treat differently?

2 Corinthians 6:14

    * If you trusted this verse, how would it affect your choices in the area of relationships?

My Part

Go to our reading guides and download your free Bible reading guide. As you read God's Word, keep a notebook handy. As you come across verses you find difficult to trust, write them down. Ask God to help you trust and apply these verses to your life. As the story of Gideon proves, God is more than willing to help you trust His Word.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 15, 2010
Topic: Hope, God's Care, God, Faith/Trust


Always Enough

Enough. A simple word, really. It means "sufficient," "ample," "as much as is required." It's a great concept; one that can lead us to trust and contentment when we realize that God is enough. He covers and provides all we need. That's what we see in God's Word.

What Does God Say?

Let me give you an example from Gideon's life. God called Gideon to lead an army against the Midianites. For years, the Midianites had raided and plundered Israel's crops, livestock and people. Thanks to the Midianites, Israel lacked "enough" to keep themselves fed. (We first meet Gideon in Judges 6 as he hides grain from the raiders.) In Judges 7, Gideon's 32,000 volunteers were whittled down to just 300 men to face a fully-equipped army of thousands. Oh, and thanks to God's instructions, Gideon "put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars" (Judges 7:16, ESV).

Yes, that's right: trumpets, jars and torches. Hardly "well-armed" soldiers. But they had one thing going for them: God was on their side.

Well, the rest of the story is in Judges 7:17-25, where thanks to the power of God and a crashing surprise in the middle of the night, the Midianites were defeated and Israel won an amazing victory. Why? Because with God, even a little light, noise and pottery is enough to win the battle.

My Thoughts

When all you have is God, you have enough. Not barely what you need to scrape by. He is fully sufficient, often going even beyond what's required.

As you read these passages, pull out 1) the need, 2) what was required and 3) how God answered.

Exodus 16:1-26
Matthew 15:32-38
1 Samuel 17:26-50
2 Kings 4:1-7
John 6:1-14

My Part

We live in a world and culture that says "enough" really isn't good enough; we must have more and more and more. We're trained to be discontent. And that discontent reveals a lack of trust in God, our own failure to put our confidence in His sufficiency.

    * What does "enough" look like in your life?
    * What needs are you trusting God to meet sufficiently?
    * Where have you found discontent and distrust creeping into your life?

In the Bible, when God steps in and does the remarkable like He did for Gideon, He often makes it clear why He chooses that method: So that His people [we] know it's all His work and not their [our] own strength or cleverness or power. Jot down ways you've seen God be "enough" in your own life, and take a moment to praise Him for His sufficiency.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 18, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Ending Well

An old German proverb says, "The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing."

That sums up a challenge facing most people, not only in their normal workday world, but in the spiritual realm as well. The apostle Paul asks the Christians in Galatia:
"You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth (Galatians 5:7, NASB)? The Galatians had averted their eyes from the "main thing."

Let's look at a man who ran well but crashed before reaching the finish line.

What Does God Say?

The man was Gideon--instrument of God's Spirit; victor in battle against enormous odds; hero of Israel and trusted judge over the nation. You may read his story in the Book of Judges, chapters 6-8. Let's look at some highlights.

The terrible conditions in Israel [c. 1150 – 1100 B.C] (Judges 6:1-10)

    * What nation was oppressing the Israelites (v. 2)?
    * How did the Israelites react (v. 6)?

God's call and Gideon's response (Judges 6:11-23).

    * Who appeared to Gideon (vv. 11-12)?
    * How did Gideon feel about his call (vv. 14-15, 22-23)?

Gideon's source of power (Judges 6:34).

    * Where did it come from (v. 34)?

Gideon, nicknamed "Jerubbaal" (Judges 6:32; 7:1) won many victories and led Israel for a total of 40 years.

    * How did Israel react to his leadership (Judges 8:22)?
    * How did Gideon react to their request (Judges 8:23)?

Up to that point, Gideon stuck closely to the "main thing." He followed the Lord and stood for God's truth and purposes. But one day when he was older, he lapsed into greed and pride, which derailed him from finishing well.

    * After declining the offer to be king (Judges 8:23), what did Gideon decide to ask for (Judges 8:24-26)?
    * What did Gideon do next (Judges 8:27)?

(An ephod was sometimes a breastplate made of precious stones and metals, usually used by the priests for determining the will of God. However, we don't know the form of Gideon's ephod).

    * What did the ephod become to the Israelites and Gideon's own household (Judges 8:27)?

My Thoughts

Spiritual downfalls usually affect more people than the person who lapses. Gideon had years of faithful service. He had one major breakdown. What lesson do you find in Judges 8:33-35?

Gideon was not alone in getting his eyes off the "main thing." You may know people personally who have "run well" spiritually but later fell into serious sin. There are several you can read about in the Bible. Here are a few:

    * 2 Samuel 11:2. His spiritual decline began with wandering eyes.
    * 2 Timothy 4:10. His descent began with love for the glittering lights.
    * Deuteronomy 32:48-52. His downfall began with anger and led to disobedience to God.

And a warning for us all--trouble begins with the heart and the thought life (Matthew 15:19).

My Part

Well, how are you doing? Are you keeping the "main thing" as the main thing in your life? Do you detect any potholes in your daily walk that can put you off the track God wants you to stay on? Are you able to say with the apostle Paul, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14, NASB)?

Hey, that's a good verse to memorize!

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 19, 2010
Topic: Service/Servanthood, Christian Living/Situational


Comfort for Castoffs

When it comes to serving the Lord, what excuses hold you back? Fear, failure--a seemingly endless list of flaws? Maybe there are just too many skeletons in your closet; too many dumb choices and embarrassing flops from your past. Maybe you feel as if the word UNACCEPTABLE is stamped permanently across your forehead. Open your Bible to Judges 11 and dig into Jephthah's story. Today you'll discover how God plucked an outcast from the crowd…and turned him into a hero!

What Does God Say?

Jephthah was a fierce warrior, the toughest of the tough guys. He roamed the southeastern regions of Gilead with a gang of salty "adventurers"--soldiers of fortune who spent their days riding and raiding, staying true to Jephthah's name: "an opposer."

So, why would God choose a guy like this to lead His people? What's more, just look at the young warrior's past: a prostitute for a mother, raised in an atmosphere of hatred and hostility, kicked out of his home before he reached adulthood, denied his inheritance--labeled an outcast!

Yet, flip through the Bible and consider how God operates. In chapter after chapter, book after book, He chooses the hurting Jephthahs of the world, heals their wounds and puts them to work for Him. And that's good news for misfits like you and me!

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him" (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, NIV).

My Thoughts

Look over these passages to learn more about the kinds of people God chooses.
Luke 19:1-10
1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 6:9-11

    * Think about the excuses you give when you're asked to serve God. Is it time for a change of heart? What do you think God is telling you about His will for your life?
    * We all deal with flaws and shortcomings--everything from fear to physical limitations. How has the Lord helped you to overcome your own struggles?
    * How do you think our Heavenly Father wants to use you in the future? (Are you ready to say, "Yes, Lord--send me"? Are you willing to trust Him?)

My Part

In Judges 11:1-40, an unlikely leader offers a message of comfort for the castoffs of this world. (In other words, colossal rejects like you and me!) Be encouraged by Jephthah's example. Get out of your comfort zone and seek new ways of serving the Lord.