Bible Minute

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Apr 27, 2011
Topic: Prayer, Christian Living/Situational, God
God Is Plan A

In my family, we developed an odd habit. Since we had a few cars with ongoing troubles, we'd start to pray whenever the car made a nasty noise or started doing something it shouldn't. By the time Dad would flip on the hazard lights and pull off the road to do a visual check, the rest of us would be praying. Yes, it became a little family joke, but it was also a valuable lesson: Pray first; then deal with your trouble.

What Does God Say?

Hezekiah had bigger problems than car trouble. He had an enemy army camped on his doorstep threatening to take over Jerusalem. But he did what any of us should: he went to God first.

"Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said: 'O LORD, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God'" (2 Kings 19:14-16, ESV).

God was Hezekiah's "plan A," not a last resort after he tried everything else, but his first response. He took his problem and laid it all out before God. Prayer was priority one.

My Thoughts

Hezekiah wasn't the only one to do this. Read these examples and look for:

    * Who was praying?
    * What was the concern?
    * How did they address God?

1 Kings 17:17-24
Daniel 2:18-23; 6:10-11; 9:1-4
Nehemiah 4:1-9
Acts 12:1-5

So, where do you usually start when you need help? With your family or a few friends? Do you look for answers on the Internet or apply to local agencies? Do you fret and worry first? How often do you exhaust all the other possibilities before you take your need to God?

My Part

It's natural for us to want to sort everything out for ourselves; to trust our family or friends, the people we can see, instead of relying on God whom we can't see. But God is the only One who can take care of our problems, big or small. And learning to rely on Him and go to Him first is really a matter of conditioning, like my family and the cars. It takes practice and an alertness to my need and God's abilities.

    * What are you facing today that has you worried, afraid or even threatened?
    * What have you done about it so far? How's that working for you?

Take a few minutes, maybe even write it out like the letter Hezekiah received, and take your concern to God. Ask Him to intercede for you in the matter; to show you your part or to help you face it. And remember to thank Him for all He does for you.

You may even want to post a note where you'll be reminded: God is my Plan A.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Apr 28, 2011
Topic: Prayer
How to Talk to God

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

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

What Does God Say?

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

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

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

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

My Thoughts

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

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

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

My Part

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

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Apr 29, 2011
Topic: Prayer
The Model Prayer

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

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

What Does God Say?

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

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

My Thoughts

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

My Part

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

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: May 2, 2011
Topic: Prayer
Coming to God in Prayer

The disciples of Jesus had been watching Him for some time. It became apparent to them that He prayed often, and He prayed with confidence that His prayers would be answered. It also was obvious that their own prayers were not like His. Finally, they came to the Lord with a humble request: "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1).

Have you ever asked the Lord to do that for you? Since the disciples of Jesus wondered how and what to pray, you may be sure that many other believers have struggled with the same questions at some point in their lives.

Daniel was a man of God who knew how to pray. He knew how to approach God, and he prayed with conviction, believing that God not only heard him but that He would answer. Look at part of his fervent prayer for his enslaved nation and think about the way he came before the Lord.

What Does God Say?

"O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate" (Daniel 9:16-17, ESV).

On your notepad, record your answers to the following:

    * What do you see in Daniel's prayer that shows his understanding of the nature of God?
    * What does Daniel confess to God about Israel 's relationship to Him?
    * What did Daniel ask God to do about his prayer and pleas?
    * What were Daniel's specific requests for the city of Jerusalem and the temple of God?
    * Was his prayer primarily for his own sake, for his nation's sake or for God's sake?

My Thoughts

How should you approach God in prayer? The Bible has many pointers for you. Below are several Scripture verses that give guidance about what your attitude should be as you come to Him in prayer. Write down all that you see.

    * Psalm 105:4
    * Matthew 6:9
    * Mark 14:38
    * Luke 18:1
    * Colossians 1:3
    * 1 Thessalonians 5:17
    * Jude 1:20

There are many more things the Bible teaches about prayer. Use your concordance to look up the words "pray" and "prayer" in order to see what other lessons you can learn about a proper attitude in prayer.

My Part

Here is a verse you should put into your mind and heart. It tells you what the Lord will do for you when you pray, and it encourages you to have complete trust that He hears you and will answer every need.

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16, ESV).

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: May 3, 2011
Topic: Christian Living/Situational
Prayer of Confession

I'll admit, when I first started working on this study, I thought I knew what confession was. It's just admitting guilt. At least that's what I thought. And so it seemed strange that based on passages like Daniel 9, it appeared that I was responsible for confessing the sins of my nation. "How can I admit guilt when I'm not guilty?"

But I learned that confession is much more than admitting personal guilt only. Let's look at Daniel's prayer of confession and see what the Bible has to say about the idea of confession.

What Does God Say?

"In the first year of his [Darius'] reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years" (Daniel 9:2, ESV).

Daniel, an Israelite, was familiar with the history of his people. But as he compared his nation's history to Jeremiah's prophecies, he realized everything was happening just as God said. Israel had forgotten God. Israel had worshipped idols. And God had fulfilled His warning to send the nation into captivity should they abandon their faith. And now Daniel realized that the prophesied 70 years of captivity (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10) were about to end.

And Daniel confessed: "I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, 'O Lord, ...we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land'" (Daniel 9:4-6, ESV).

Daniel confessed the sins of his nation, the sins that led to their captivity. Was Daniel himself guilty of these specific sins? Probably not. Daniel was likely no more than 16 years old when the captivity started. But as an Israelite, it was appropriate for Daniel to confess and then to ask forgiveness for the sins his people committed because he was part of that nation. Daniel realized that it was important to not only confess personal sins but also corporate sins (sins committed by a group of people).

When you look at it closely (and preferably with a Bible dictionary), you find that confession is really about bringing ourselves into agreement with God, acknowledging that what He says is right and true. Often what we agree with God about is sinfulness. But more than that, it's acknowledging the majesty and sovereignty of our God and Savior.

My Thoughts

Read all of Daniel's prayer in chapter 9:4-19 and think about the following questions:

    * What promises, both good and bad, does Daniel mention in his prayer?
    * On what grounds does Daniel expect God to forgive Israel?

My Part

Note the pattern in Daniel's prayer of confession. It starts with reading the Bible and understanding God's promises and warnings. Daniel then moves to acknowledging all the ways in which Israel failed to abide by God's commands and the ways God kept His promises. And then Daniel asks that God forgive Israel.

So, today, as you pray for your nation, make sure you have a Bible close at hand. Make sure you read and understand what God has promised; then admit where you see your nation failing to live up to God's standards and acknowledge the rightness of God's judgments. Finally, pray for God's mercy and forgiveness, not just so our lives will be better but so that we will be better able to praise and honor God with our lives.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: May 4, 2011
Topic: Forgiveness/Unforgiveness
If We Confess

Christians sin. Does that surprise you? It shouldn't; just take a look at your life. Even with the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, there are times when we choose to quench His influence (1 Thessalonians 5:19) and go our own way.

So, then what? Have we lost our salvation? No, but we have lost our fellowship with God. That's why the apostle John wrote 1 John 1:9. Let's see what this verse instructs Christians to do when they've sinned.

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).

    * When we know that we've done something wrong, what does God want us to do?
    * How do we know for sure that God will respond?
    * In addition to forgiveness, what else does God do?

My Thoughts

The word confess in the original language means "to agree with." We can't expect God to forgive us unless we're willing to agree with Him that something is wrong. As long as we deny our attitudes or actions are sinful in God's eyes, we will remain stuck in that sin. Once we agree with God, however, we've taken the first step toward dealing with the hold that sin has on our lives. But that's not all.

In addition to breaking our fellowship with God, sin also leaves guilt, remorse and a sense of hopelessness. When we confess our sins, God promises not only to forgive us (restore fellowship) but also to cleanse us. We no longer have to live under a cloud of guilt and shame. We truly can be free to start over again.

My Part

Set aside some time today to take a serious look at your life. If the Spirit makes you aware of an area of your life that is displeasing to God, confess it to your Heavenly Father and forsake it. Write down the date that you've done this. When Satan tries to bring up guilt and shame for these sins, point to that date and remind him that not only were you forgiven, you were cleansed as well.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: May 5, 2011
Topic: Prayer
A Special Day for Special Prayer

If you go to the Internet today and look up "National Day of Prayer," you will find a Presidential Proclamation that begins like this:

"A prayerful spirit has always been an important part of our national character, and it is a force that has guided the American people, given us strength, and sustained us in moments of joy and in times of challenge. On this National Day of Prayer, we acknowledge God's grace and ask for His continued guidance in the life of our Nation."

A glance at the newspaper headlines or a smattering of news is enough to make you aware of the chaotic condition of the nations of the world today, so you may wonder, What is the use of praying for my country and its leaders? How is that going to accomplish anything?

Praying for your government will seem meaningless to you if your own heart attitude is not in tune with God and prepared to pray in the right way. How can you make the National Day of Prayer or any other day an effective time both for your own spiritual life and the life of your country?

What Does God Say?

The Hebrew prophet, Daniel, could have concluded that praying for his country was hopeless. His nation's home territory was desolate. Its people were captives, scattered throughout the hostile land of Babylon ; and, now, to make things worse, Babylon itself had fallen to the Medes and the Persians. Daniel could have felt he had every reason to throw up his hands in despair and cry out, "My nation is hopeless! My prayers are useless!"

But Daniel didn't. He loved his nation and its people. So, instead of despairing, he went to God's Word and found hope in God's promises. In Daniel 9:1-3 (ESV) we read: "In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans--in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

"Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes."

Our country and our leaders need the prayers of God's people. Consider some of the following Bible passages and write down the answers to the questions.

    * Daniel 2:21 with Romans 13:1. What relationship does God have to human governments?
    * In Titus 3:1, what did the apostle Paul tell Titus to teach Christians about governing authorities?
    * Romans 13:2. How does God view those who resist His appointed leaders?
    * Romans 13:6-7. Besides taxes and revenue, what else do you owe to your leaders?

My Thoughts

Carefully read all of Romans 13:1-7. What do you see there that convicts you of having an attitude toward your country that is not pleasing to God? What do you need to do to prepare properly for coming to God in prayer for your nation? What bearing does 1 John 1:9 have on your personal preparation for prayer?

The New Living Translation paraphrases Proverbs 28:2 as follows:

"When there is moral rot within a nation,
its government topples easily.
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability."

My Part

Take another look at Romans 13:1-7 and Titus 3:1. Add 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Read through them and write down a list of the things you see that God tells you to pray for your country and its people today; then keep the list in your Bible and remember to pray regularly for our nation, its leaders and its citizens. Make the National Day of Prayer a special time in your own prayer life. Make your nation a regular target of your daily prayers.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: May 6, 2011
Topic: Prayer, God
The Place to Start

Remember the old song,

When you read, you begin with A-B-C,

when you sing, you begin with do-re-mi.

Now, think about this: How do think most people begin when they pray? We "begin with me-me-me." But is that the right place to start?

What Does God Say?

The simple, and biblical, answer is "no." Prayer doesn't begin with you; it's supposed to begin with God. One great example comes from Daniel 9 as this godly man prepares to take a very important plea before God.

"Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, 'O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land'" (Daniel 9:3-6, ESV).

Daniel starts by addressing God. I remember doing that as a kid, but my rushed "Dear Lord Jesus" came out like a secret code I used to get God's attention. Daniel does more than that here. Yes, he addresses God, but he also focuses on God's character and nature. Daniel lets God know that he understands just who he's talking to--the "great and awesome God," the one who "keeps covenant," who loves steadfastly.

These will be qualities of God that Daniel will call on later in his prayer of confession as he seeks God's mercy on Israel and asks for His steadfast love to be exercised in compassion and forgiveness. But before that, Daniel tells God what he knows about Him.

We need to start there as well. Prayer isn't about you or me. It isn't about demanding our wants and desires immediately. It's about addressing, praising and extolling God and calling on Him to be God, the only One completely able to answer our prayers.

My Thoughts

Daniel isn't the only example of this important lesson. See how these men began their prayers:

King Solomon in 1 Kings 8:22-25.

King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 19:15-16.

    * How did each man address God?
    * What aspects of God's actions or His character did they focus on?
    * Where did their personal needs or requests come in?

When Jesus taught His disciples (including you) to pray, He started with God. Read Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4.

    * How should we address God?
    * What do we focus on?
    * When do your personal needs or requests come in?

My Part

So, where do you usually start when you pray? A quick "Hello, God," before you get down to the list of things you need from Him? Is your prayer time all about you and your concerns? Or do you take time to focus on God and who He is?

Take a few minutes right now to prepare for prayer. What is it about God that you need to acknowledge? For instance, what could you say about His character or actions? Jot those down before you pray. Maybe you could borrow from the prayers of Solomon, Hezekiah or Daniel. Psalm 8 offers you a great start, too, and the Psalmist expresses an appropriate perspective on his place before God.

If you want to try something very different from the norm, try praying without ever getting into your requests or concerns. Keep it focused solely on God, telling Him what you love and cling to and value in your relationship with Him.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: May 9, 2011
Topic: Holy Spirit, Jesus, Obedience/Discipleship
Worth the Wait

No one likes to wait. We hate waiting at stoplights or the drive-thru window, waiting to open those Christmas presents or even waiting a couple days for test results. When we want something, we generally want it...now!

But what if you were promised the best gift ever…if you were willing to wait? That's the question Jesus' disciples faced after their Master and Savior returned to heaven.

What Does God Say?

In Acts 1, Luke fills in some of the gaps between the Resurrection of Jesus and His ascension or return to heaven. It's at this time that Jesus tells His followers to "not depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now'" (Acts 1:4-5 ESV, emphasis added).

And later Jesus adds to this promise when He says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8 ESV).

Why wait? Because the Holy Spirit was coming. And it was the Spirit who would provide all the power the disciples would need to fulfill Jesus' commands. Up to this point, the Holy Spirit only came temporarily to empower a person for a specific task. In the Old Testament, we see that happening with the prophets or with men like David and Saul.

Now God was doing something new. Jesus had promised the Father would send "another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:16-17 ESV). Now the Holy Spirit would "take up residence" in the believer as the permanent source of power, wisdom and encouragement for this new life in Christ.

Sounds like something worth waiting for, doesn't it?

My Thoughts

Read Romans 8:1-17. List ways the Holy Spirit empowers or impacts your life in these key areas: freedom, thinking, control, belonging, life or death, fear, and inheritance.

    * How have you seen the Spirit work in those areas in your life?

According to 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, how does the Spirit shape your relationship with others?

Look up John 14:26; 15:26; and 16:13-15. How does the Holy Spirit help us accomplish the mission of Acts 1:8?

My Part

In Acts 1, the disciples waited about ten days for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The good news for us today is that we don't have to wait for the Spirit. He takes up residence in us when we are saved. He's the change agent making us a new creation in Christ and empowering us for every good work.

But at times we still have to wait. We wait for God's timing for our next step, or we must be patient for His answers to our prayers. And even in that, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to "wait".

    * What are you waiting for today?
    * How will you rely on the Holy Spirit and what He brings to your life?

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Bible Minute Bible Study

Date: May 10, 2011

Topic: Prayer

Title: Waiting in One Accord

There's a Bible joke I remember learning in Sunday school that asked, "What car did the disciples drive?" I'll let you think about it a moment. Give up?

It was a Honda because the Bible says the disciples were all in "one accord."

Okay, so the author of Acts 1:14 probably wasn't thinking of Japanese automakers when he wrote those words. What he was thinking of, though, has a lot to teach us. Let's take a look.

What Does God Say?

In Acts 1:12-13 we read: "Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James."

These eleven men had just witnessed the ascension of Jesus into heaven. And, doubtless, they could still hear His final words echoing in their minds: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8 ). What Jesus hadn't mentioned, though, was how long they'd have to wait for the promised Holy Spirit.

What do you do when you have to wait? When you know that God has something big in store for you, your family or your church, how do you pass the time until that day? Here's what the disciples did:

"All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers" (Acts 1:14).

My Thoughts

The word "accord" there is important. It means "agreement" and "unity." It means that when the disciples and the women of the early church met together, they were not just united in action, they were united in heart and mission. More than that, they united themselves with God and His plan through prayer. As a result, when the promised day finally came, the disciples were ready. Acts 2 tells the story of the arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, of faltering Peter's stirring sermon and concludes with the miraculous statement, "so those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).

My Part

At its heart, prayer is about unifying ourselves with God's heart and His mind. It's about reaching an understanding about what His plan for this world is and finding our unique role in that plan. So, again, what do you do when you have to wait? When you know that God has something big in store for you, your family or your church, how do you pass the time until that day?

Meet Jesus:
http://www.bibleminute.org/meetjesus.htm

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: May 11, 2011
Topic: Holy Spirit
New Direction; New Helper

They had been together--almost 120 of them--in the large upper room of the Jerusalem house that had become so familiar to them since Jesus' astounding Resurrection. They first had grieved over His death; but then, suddenly, He was appearing in the flesh to some here; then others there, teaching and explaining the wonders of the kingdom of God!

For 40 days it was like that. The disciples prayed joyfully and fervently, inwardly longing for Him to announce the good news to the nation that His Kingdom had arrived.

But the hoped-for announcement didn't come. Instead, God had a new, world-shaking event in store for them.

Jesus led them to Mount Olivet, where He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:7-8 ESV).  Having said that, Jesus ascended to heaven as they watched. He was gone from them again. Two angels told them that it was okay--Jesus would come back.

Ten more days passed. Crowds of Israelites and people from far-flung nations roamed about Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Pentecost. Yet, for the little band of disciples, still gathered together in the house to pray, there was an aura of sadness. Once again, Jesus was gone. The future still seemed unpredictable.

What Does God Say?

Then it happened! The Bible tells us that "Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:2-4 ESV).

John the Baptist, years before, said it would happen: "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11).

Jesus, just days before, told them it would happen: "John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now" (Acts 1:5).

Now, suddenly, with a sound like a gale of wind and the sight of divided tongues as of fire, the Holy Spirit came into them all, baptizing them as the first fruits of the newly-formed Body of Christ. The Church was born. The Spirit gave them the miraculous ability to speak languages they had not known before. Christ's plan for His followers to witness to all nations immediately began to take shape.

My Thoughts

If that Jerusalem house with the upper room were still standing, we might go there today, walk into the room and exclaim, "The Church was born here! The risen Lord stood in this room! The apostles and Jesus' mother and His brothers and many other disciples talked and prayed together--right here!"

Well, you can't go there. But as a follower of Christ, you have the very same Holy Person indwelling you and empowering you to live and work with the Lord today. Let's look at some of the things the Spirit does for believers. Go to your Bible now, look up each of the following references and write down all you see about The Spirit's work on your behalf:

    * 1 Corinthians 12:13
    * 1 Corinthians 6:19
    * John 14:16-17
    * Acts 1:8
    * Ephesians 1:13-14
    * Romans 8:14-16
    * Romans 8:26-27

My Part

As you finish today's study, take time to thank the Lord for sending His Holy Spirit to be a constant companion in your daily walk. See if you can find other ways that the Spirit helps you in your Christian life.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: May 12, 2011
Topic: Holy Spirit
With Tongues of Fire

God sent the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts, so that we might sense His presence in our lives. Can you hear His voice directing your steps? Are you, like Peter, stepping out with power as Christ's witness?

What Does God Say?

Take a look at Acts 2:1-4: "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

Andrew is stunned by what he sees. He blinks a few times and refocuses. "It just can't be! Is this really happening?"

Right there in a top floor room of a nondescript building in Jerusalem, he and the other disciples are encountering something supernatural. It begins with a sound like a violent wind. Then Andrew glances at his brother, Peter, and sees something like a tongue of fire coming down on his head. And Simon begins speaking passionately but in a language Andrew has never heard before.

Suddenly, the roar of the wind is not a sound anymore; it's a storm within his own soul, and Andrew is filled to bursting. He opens his mouth and begins to speak as enthusiastically as Peter--but in a different language altogether.

All the disciples have tongues of flame resting upon them. And all are speaking various languages. And foreign Jews who heard them yelling in their own foreign tongues have arrived to witness it. This is the Holy Spirit! Yes, this is power from on high, the promise of Jesus, and that's what Peter has been talking about.

When some people standing on the steps outside begin to make fun of them, saying that they're drunk, Peter shouts, "No! We are not drunk!" His booming voice silences the crowd. "You are witnessing what Joel prophesied long ago: God is pouring out His Spirit! As Joel said, 'In the last days, your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy'" [See Joel 2:28.]

"Listen to me," Peter calls. "What you see and hear today--this is the work of Jesus! Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Acts 4:13-20. Who gave Peter and John courage during times of distress? Why did they say, "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard"?
Acts 19:1-7. Why was it important for Paul to baptize people into "the name of the Lord Jesus"?
Joel 2:28-32. What happens when God pours out His Spirit on His people?

My Thoughts

Imagine being one of the disciples on that day. What would it have been like to feel that power surging through your body? It was probably the greatest feeling in the world!

While we should not expect this one-of-a-kind event to occur today, nevertheless we can experience the same power of the Holy Spirit today.

The Holy Spirit--the third Person of the Trinity--is our Guide, our Helper, our Strengthener, and our Advocate, sent to live in us and to control every aspect of our lives. Like the Father and the Son, God the Holy Spirit is to be believed and obeyed. It is the Holy Spirit who emboldens us to speak about the love of the Father and the sacrifice of the Son.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter took his heavenly assignment to heart. He stood before the Sanhedrin, the very men who would soon murder Stephen. It was Peter who later took the message of salvation to the Gentiles. Peter was the man whom King Herod imprisoned for his refusal to stop preaching the Good News, and then was miraculously freed by an angel. And it was Peter whose death, Jesus said, would "glorify God" (John 21:19).

My Part

    * Be guided. The Holy Spirit is a Counselor who lives in and with and all around us. Through His guidance, we can fulfill all the goals and plans God has for us.
    * Be encouraged. The Spirit takes away fear--of rejection, of change, of failure--and gives hope and courage to face life's challenges. Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8 ).
    * Be comforted. In times of trouble--when things seem too hard to handle--it is the Holy Spirit who is there to help us. We can trust Him and know that He is our comfort and our peace.
    * PRAY IT OUT: Ask Him to draw you into His inner circle, helping you to know Him better. Ask the Lord to give you guidance and wisdom during times of turmoil and times of tranquility--during moments that involve big decisions and small ones.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: May 13, 2011
Topic: Salvation
Repentance and Salvation

The crowd of thousands that gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost consisted of people from many nations--individuals who spoke different languages and who came from wide-ranging cultures and lifestyles. But that morning the thoughts of all were intently focused on the message of a fisherman from Galilee--the apostle Peter--and they were hearing his words in their own languages.

Read Peter's message in Acts 2:14-36.

Peter spoke boldly about the prophecies, the ministry, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Jesus the Savior and Messiah. The apostle was touching a nerve with facts they could not escape. Acts 2:37 says that they were "cut to the heart" and anxiously asked Christ's apostles, "What shall we do?" Peter gave them God's reply.

What Does God Say?

The answer to their plea is in Acts 2:38, NASB: "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

About three thousand people responded to Peter's call. They had a change of mind and heart, believed the message, received the Savior, were baptized and were added to the newly-forming assembly of believers.

Peter told all the souls in the crowd on the Day of Pentecost that they would have to repent. Why? Were they all the same kind of people? No. But they all had to have a change of mind about the direction they were going. There were the religious, the rich, the poor, the educated, the moral, the skeptical, the scoffers, the reprobate, the fools and the wise. But they all were confronted with the direction they were going. They all were traveling the broad way that leads to destruction and every single one of them needed a change of mind that would turn them to Christ.

My Thoughts

There is much misunderstanding about the meaning of "repentance." But the New Testament word translated "repent" simply means to change one's mind. To repent, in relation to salvation, means realizing that you cannot save yourself, changing your mind about the direction you are going, about who Jesus Christ is and about what He has done to save you. Repentance that leads to salvation is the result of the Holy Spirit's conviction and your turning from rejection of Christ to faith in Him for salvation. In other words, repentance is not salvation, but true repentance is necessary to lead you to faith in Christ, which is salvation.

See what you can learn about repentance from the following Scripture references:

    * 2 Corinthians 7:10. Compare the result of godly grief and worldly grief.
    * Acts 11:18. Who grants true repentance? What does the repentance lead to?
    * Romans 2:4. What is one of the things God uses to lead people to repentance?
    * 2 Timothy 2:24-25. What can help to bring about true repentance and what does that repentance lead to?
    * 2 Peter 3:9. What does God desire for all? What is the end of the unrepentant?

My Part

What part did repentance play in bringing you to the knowledge of Christ as your personal Savior?

What events, circumstances and people has God used to bring you to a change of mind about your life's direction? When you made that decision to change, how did you then come to Christ?

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: May 16, 2011
Topic: Jesus
The Only Way

Acts 4:12 is a key verse of the Bible because it concisely expresses one of the core doctrines of Christianity. "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which me must be saved."

This verse, unfortunately, is often summarized like this: "Jesus is the only way to heaven." That summary is true, but there is more to salvation than just entry into heaven. And when we understand what salvation is all about, it becomes much clearer that, indeed, there is no other Name "by which we must be saved."

What Does God Say?

It was Peter who spoke these words to the religious leaders of the day. He and John had spent the night in custody after spending the previous day preaching in Jerusalem. Their message was that God had sent Jesus Christ into the world; that Jesus had been handed over to the authorities and killed; and that God raised Him from the dead.

Peter continued, "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). This is what salvation is all about. Salvation is about the sin that is in all our lives; the sin that first separated Adam and Eve from fellowship with God, that still separates us today.

Sin requires atonement--the act by which God restores sinful humans to a relationship of harmony and unity with Himself--and atonement requires a sacrifice; but what sacrifice is great enough to atone for the sins of the world? In Matthew 1:21 the angel tells Joseph, "'She [Mary] will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'" God Himself provided a sufficient sacrifice. A sacrifice that only He could provide. "I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior" (Isaiah 43:11).

As Peter and John reminded the people, Jesus would eventually be killed by men and raised again by God thereby completing the sacrifice and atoning for the sins of the world.

My Thoughts

Charles Ryrie puts this very concisely in his "Basic Theology": "We have a Gospel simply because we have a God-man Savior-man who as man is able to die, and as God can make that death a satisfactory payment for the sins of the world. No other kind of savior can save." (p. 324).

A lot of people criticize the Gospel of Christianity as being too exclusive. How would you respond?

Why is moral living unable to provide salvation?

My Part

Think about your personal witness this week. Consider how God would have share the Gospel with those you encounter. And be sure to spend time rejoicing for the salvation He has made available to the world.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: May 17, 2011
Topic: Holy Spirit, Obedience/Discipleship
Spiritual Unity

Unity is hard concept to define. It's a "you know it when you see it" thing. More than bringing people together, unity enables them to connect at a deeper level in order to operate in harmony. In Acts, unity is one of the many things the Holy Spirit brings to the believers in the early church.

What Does God Say?

In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost and the followers of Jesus began to experience tremendous changes: the ability to speak in many languages, boldness in proclaiming Christ, even doing miracles. Then Acts 4:32 adds "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common" (ESV). Another version says they "were united in heart and mind" (NLT).

Thanks to the Holy Spirit, these believers now shared a bond at the heart level. They believed the same thing; they were passionate about the same thing; they were committed to the same goals; they were…in unity. It didn't change their economic background or educational experience. They weren't all the "same" like mindless drones or clones. Each individual believer was still the person he or she had been before the Holy Spirit came but at the heart they were one in loyalty, commitment and a love for God, Jesus and the Word.

What was the result? Read the rest of Acts 4:32 and you find these believers weren't possessive with what they had but generous to share with each other. "The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need" (Acts 4:33-35 NLT).

This unity, fueled by the Holy Spirit, flowed into care and compassion. Blessed by God, these believers gave to meet the needs of each other. Unity became community. This was not communism--it was not a requirement or a practice made into law--this was a voluntary generosity with a purpose.

Unity in the Holy Spirit is the strongest tie we can share with each other. It may result in transforming generosity or be an instrument of peace between people. It can transcend culture, economics, abilities, experience and more. Let's see what else this unity means for us.

My Thoughts

Unity was something that Jesus wanted to see in His followers. He even prayed for it in John 17:21-23. What is the point of this unity?

How was this unity evident in Acts 2:40-47? Do you think it accomplished the purpose Jesus had prayed for?

Read Ephesians 4:1-6. What unifies us as believers? What is our part in developing and maintaining that unity?

According to 1 John 2:7-11, what is the hallmark or evidence of unity among believers?

My Part

We can't manufacture unity on our own. We need the help of the Holy Spirit. He leads but we must be willing to be led, willing to love others and willing to set aside our personal agenda in order to serve God and each other.

What are some things you're doing to foster or encourage unity among the believers you know? What about in your local church Body? How have you seen the Holy Spirit bring unity? Where do you think you can be an instrument for the Spirit's leading to harmony and oneness of heart and soul?

Take a few minutes today for some personal evaluation and commit yourself to the Spirit's leading in this area.