Bible Minute

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 18, 2011
Topic: Service/Servanthood
Give, Serve, Love

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.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 19, 2011
Topic: Forgiveness/Unforgiveness
Godliness and Forgiveness

A little boy was asked what forgiveness is. He thought for a moment and then replied, "It is the odor that flowers give when they are trampled on."

Forgiving a person who has wronged you does not make you godly, but if you are a godly person, you will be forgiving.

What Does God Say?

Today, let's look at three persons in the Bible who are noted for their forgiveness of others.

The first person is Joseph, son of Jacob. Joseph's brothers threw him into a pit, sold him into slavery and lied about their sin to their father. Joseph endured years of banishment, cruel treatment and imprisonment because of his brothers' sins against him.

    * Read Genesis 50:15-21 and list the actions you see that reveal Joseph's godly nature.
    * What did Joseph say was God's purpose in allowing these evil things to happen to him?

The second person is the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is not simply godly, He is God. His actions all issued from His pure heart of righteousness and love. Jesus endured the injustice of political and religious leaders, the lies of witnesses, the disloyalty of His disciples, the cruelty of soldiers, the scorn of the crowd and the reviling of thieves.

    * Read Luke 23:32-34 and note the words of forgiveness that Jesus spoke from the cross.
    * Read 1 Peter 2:21-25. List the character qualities of Jesus that you find there.
    * In 1 Peter 3:18, what does Peter say about Christ's character--and ours? What was Christ's aim in suffering for us?

The third person is Stephen.

    * Read Acts 6:1-15 and list the qualities of Stephen's character that you find (there are several).
    * Now read Acts 7:58-60. How did Stephen treat his killers & arch-enemies?

My Thoughts

As Christians, you and I should forgive because we ourselves are forgiven of great sin. In Romans 4:7-8 (ESV), the apostle Paul quotes the words of David from Psalm 32:1:

"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven,
and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."

As Christian believers, we all have the indwelling Holy Spirit. He is at work molding and shaping our character into the likeness of Christ. Forgiving others should be one indication of His presence in our lives.

The Bible says, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32, ESV).

My Part

Ralph Waldo Emerson said of Abraham Lincoln: "His heart was as great as the world, but there was no room in it for the memory of a wrong" (7700 Illustrations).

Are you harboring anything against someone who has wronged you? A parent? A child? A friend? An enemy? If so, ask God to give you the mind and heart of Christ and the attitude of Joseph and Stephen. Then, regardless of the cost, appropriate the freedom that comes from forgiving those who have wronged you. Turn the hurt over to God and leave it forever at the foot of the cross.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 20, 2011
Topic: Other
Philip the Missionary

"As long as I see anything to be done for God, life is worth having; but O, how vain and unworthy it is to live for any lower end!" -- David Brainerd, quoted in World Shapers, p. 5.

What Does God Say?

The world of lost people was ever on the mind of Christ. During His time with His disciples before His death and Resurrection, He told them:

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV).

"Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15, ESV).

"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you" (John 20:21, ESV).

After His Resurrection and just before He ascended to the Father, He reminded them:

"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).

The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in power in Jerusalem. The Church was born. The preaching of the good news of forgiveness and salvation began immediately. Thousands came to Christ in those first days. Joy was in every heart.

It must have seemed that this wonderful experience would last forever. And where could there be a better place than Jerusalem--the promised City of the Great King?

Please turn in your Bible to Acts 8:1-8. Write down your answers and observations.

   1. Read Acts 8:1. What happened to the Jerusalem church on the very day that Stephen was stoned to death? Who remained in Jerusalem? Where did the people go?
   2. Instead of hiding, what were the believers doing (8:4)?
   3. What important Christian missionary is introduced in Acts 8:5?

My Thoughts

Let's meet the man named "Philip."

The first thing you need to know about this Philip is that he is not one of the twelve disciples. Philip the apostle, whose calling to become a follower of Christ is revealed in John 1:43, was with Christ throughout His earthly ministry. He is briefly mentioned in Acts 1:13.

Philip "the Evangelist," who is introduced to us in Acts 6:5, was one of the seven outstanding Spirit-led men chosen to minister to Greek-speaking believers in Jerusalem (Stephen was another). Perhaps we should think of Philip as the first of thousands of God-called missionaries who have gone to the ends of the earth to lead people to Christ. He symbolizes those who have served in this capacity. Let's get acquainted with Philip today:

   1. (Acts 8:5-8 ). Where did Philip go when the Jerusalem fellowship was scattered? What special powers did God give him? What was the mood of the city of Samaria (8:8 )?
   2. (Acts 8:26-27). Where was Philip sent next? Whom did he meet there?
   3. (Acts 8:39-40). Who carried Philip away from the presence of the eunuch? What city did Philip find himself in? What did he do next? What city was his final stop (v. 40)?

And finally, Philip shows up many years later, still in Caesarea, still serving the Lord. Luke, the writer of Acts, was traveling with the apostle Paul on a ship from Tyre, bound for Jerusalem. When they landed in Israel, they went to Caesarea and stayed with none other than Philip!

Read Acts 21:7-9. What interesting revelation do you find about Philip's family?

Not everything, in fact, not a lot, about missionary life is glorious and exciting; but Philip's ministry gives us a glimpse of the work of the Holy Spirit through faithful messengers. This work goes on today. It is the labor of doing what Jesus told us to do until He comes back.

My Part

The task of taking the good news of salvation to the world is at the very heart of God. He has a place for you in this task. Should you go? Can you give so others may go? Where and how should you serve?

One outlet you and all other believers have is obedient prayer. Jesus said: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Luke 10:2, ESV).

Pray now about where Christ would have you involved.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 23, 2011
Topic: Salvation
Saul Meets Jesus

Can you believe that I once was jealous of people like Saul--the man who became Paul? Not jealous because Paul went on to become one of the most influential Christians of all time. Not jealous because through his ministry thousands if not millions of men and women came to understand that forgiveness was available through the blood of Jesus.

No. I was jealous because Saul (and others I've known like him) had such an amazing, dramatic, life-changing encounter with Jesus; and all I had was a quiet moment on my knees when I was just old enough to understand why I needed forgiveness in the first place. I know. It is a bit insulting, isn't it? If Paul was standing beside me now, he might be offended to learn about my misplaced jealousy.

What Does God Say?

Acts 9 opens with this description of Saul: "But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem" (9:1-2).

Later on in the Book of Acts, Saul--now known as Paul--describes himself as "being zealous for God," and in his zeal he, "persecuted this Way [the Christians] to death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women" (Acts 22:3-4). In another place Paul admits to "raging fury" and "persecuting them even to foreign cities" (26:11).

By any standard, Saul was a "bad guy." Even though he thought he was serving God, Jesus Himself stopped Saul and said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (9:5). Instead of helping, Saul was hurting. Confronted with the truth, Saul changed his ways.

Though he never really talks about it, imagine how Saul felt later about all that time spent persecuting the Christians. It's not hard to imagine that he would have taken those days back if he could. And that's why I realized that it's a bit insulting for me to be jealous of Saul and his "exciting" testimony. I have no doubt that he would have traded it for my "boring" testimony in an instant.

But the truth is, every testimony is a miracle, and we'll see why in the next section.

My Thoughts

Many years later, Saul would write these words to the church in Ephesus:

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.... 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" (Ephesians 2:4-5; 8-9).

We always read these verses and interpret them as:  "It doesn't matter how many good things I do, I can't earn the gift of salvation." Saul might have put it another way: "It doesn't matter how many bad things you do, the gift of salvation is for you too."

The moment Paul came to know Christ was the beginning of his testimony. And the moment you came to know Christ was the beginning of your testimony.

1. Write down three facts from Ephesians 2:4-5 that make the miracle of your testimony a reality.

2.  If you are ashamed of past behaviors, what can you learn from today's Bible Minute Study that will help you live in victory?

3. If your testimony is like mine, not very sensational--keep reading.

My Part

Every testimony, whether characterized by drugs and violence or peace and well-being, is a miracle. Because forgiveness is solely a gift from God, no good thing you do can make you more worthy, and no bad thing you do can make you less.

The next verse in Ephesians tells us "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (2:10). Now that you have found a new life in Christ, literally, the best is yet to come. So, with eyes forward, ask God what He would have you do today, and then do it.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 24, 2011
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship, Bible Characters
Ananias & Obedience

What does obedience look like? If you were to sketch it out or take a photo of it, what would you look for?

The Bible includes many "pictures" of obedience and one of them gives us some insight into what obeying God can look like in our lives too.

What Does God Say?

In Acts 9, the Lord intercepts a fire-breathing, hate-driven Saul on the road to Damascus and redirects his life mission with some bright lights, a voice from heaven and three days in the dark. You can read about it in Acts 9:1-9.

While Saul waited in the dark, the Lord gave directions to another man, Ananias. "Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, 'Ananias.' And he said, 'Here I am, Lord,'" (Acts 9:10 ESV). Well, Ananias is off to a good start. He knows the Lord, and he answers when he's called. That's the first mark of obedience.

"And the Lord said to him, 'Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight'" (Acts 9:11-12 ESV). So, there's the instruction that Ananias is asked to obey. Go and lay hands on this man, Saul, who, by the way, came to Damascus to arrest and imprison believers like Ananias! Is this a challenge to obedience? Oh yeah.

In Acts 9:13-14, "But Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name'" (ESV).

Apparently God doesn't mind a question or two when He asks us to obey. And sometimes He answers them, at least in part. Look at how He dealt with Ananias' concerns. "But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name'" (Acts 9:15-16 ESV).

What did Ananias do with that? "So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit'" (Acts 9:17 ESV).

Obedience acts; it gets on its feet and sets off on the task. It may ask a question or raise an issue, as we see with Ananias, but it never lets those questions and issues get in the way of doing what the Lord has asked. While God gave him a preview of Saul's new mission, faithful Ananias didn't need to understand all the details; he only needed to obey. Obedience is taking God on faith that His plans and commands are trustworthy even if and when we don't fully understand.

My Thoughts

Take a look at some of the other pictures of obedience in God's album.

Noah: Genesis 6:9-7:5
Abraham: Genesis 22:1-19
Moses: Exodus 3:1-15
Elijah: 1 Kings 17:8-16
Isaiah: Isaiah 6:8-9
Jeremiah: Jeremiah 1:4-10
Peter: Acts 10:9-23

In each case,

    * What is God's command?
    * How does the individual first respond?
    * How does God answer them or offer an explanation?
    * What does the individual's obedience look like?
    * How does their example help you understand how you will and can obey?

My Part

Now it's your turn. Think of an area or an issue in which God is calling you to obey Him. It might be talking with a neighbor, developing a better spiritual habit, investing in His work, changing how you parent or teach or coach or any number of things.

    * What will it look like for you to obey?
    * Are you using your questions as an excuse for inaction?
    * Is there a lack of trust in God's plans or character that keeps you from obeying?
    * What would be the first step to obey? For Ananias, it meant getting out of his house and going down the street. A simple act but one that pleased God. Commit yourself to that first step...then take it, even today!

Now if you were to sketch your obedience, what would it look like?

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 25, 2011
Topic: Holy Spirit
The Gift That Gives

It's going to be a beautiful destination, this eternal city that God is preparing for His redeemed. One of its features is the crystal-clear River of Life that issues out of the throne of God and flows down the center of the city's main boulevard.

Alongside the river grows the beneficial tree of life, which provides a new, luscious fruit every month--the ultimate "Fruit-of-the-Month" gift from God to all the nations (Revelation 22:1-2).

What a picture of the gift of the Holy Spirit, whom God gives to every new believer from every nation! The Spirit, like the tree of life, is God's gracious "Gift that keeps on giving."

What Does God Say?

You will need your Bible, pen and notepad. First, we're going to look at some Bible passages that speak of the Gift Himself--the Holy Spirit--and, second, some of the good things that the Spirit freely makes available to every follower of Christ.

   1. The gift of the Holy Spirit Himself.
          * Acts 2:38. Who is the gift? To whom was He given?
          * Acts 10:44-45 and Acts 11:15-17. Who is the gift? To whom has the gift been given?
          * Romans 5:5. Who is given to all believers?
   2. Some of the benefits that the Holy Spirit gives to believers (Write down what you find.)
          * John 14:17
          * John 14:26
          * John 16:13
          * 2 Peter 1:21
          * Romans 8:26
          * 1 Corinthians 12:11
          * Romans 8:11
          * Ephesians 1:13; 4:30

My Thoughts

The Holy Spirit does far more for God's people than we can even touch on in this short lesson, but the Spirit does something else that can enrich your life and continually bring about dramatic changes from the life you had before you were saved.

Look up Galatians 5:19-21. List the characteristics that arise from the sin nature. What does the apostle Paul call them (v. 19)?

Now read Galatians 5:22-23. List the nine characteristics that mark persons who walk with, and are led by, the Spirit of God. What does Paul call them (v. 22)?

My Part

As believers, we live because God has given us the gift of the Spirit. So Paul says, "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25).

Walking by the Spirit means living according to the working of His power within you. The Spirit uses the Word of God, which He gave to us, to change our lives. Commit yourself to a regular, daily time when you let the Holy Spirit speak to you through the Word.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 26, 2011
Topic: Evangelism
How to Be an Igniter

We've all heard the excuses: What--me?! Start a Bible study and prayer group at work…at church? Impossible. I don't know where to start, and I'm not a trained minister. And besides, I'm way too busy. I just CAN'T do it.

But excuses don't cut it in God's kingdom. And the truth is, we can do it. Take some clues from Barnabas and Paul in Acts 11:24-26. They took to heart Christ's call to every Christian: "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15).

What Does God Say?

Matthew 22:37-39: "Jesus replied: '"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

2 Corinthians 3:2-3: "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."

2 Timothy 2:15: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

1 Peter 3:15: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

My Thoughts

God doesn't want us to hide our faith from the world. We're called to share the Good News. But many Christians find that hard to do. In fact, more than 90 percent don't share their faith.

1. List some of the reasons you don't share your faith.

2. Think through your hindrances to witnessing and come up with an idea to overcome each obstacle.

3. Write down two names--names of coworkers or friends you see often with whom you could share your faith and plan how you will do it--beginning with the two tips on effective witnessing below.

    * KNOW what you believe and why by engaging the Bible daily. (We can't share with others what we don't know.)
    * BELIEVE what you know by trusting Jesus Christ daily. (We can't convince others of something we doubt.)

One last thought: If you start a Bible study and prayer group, you'll be under a microscope. Make sure people see Christ when they look into the lens.

My Part

    * Connect with others. Your pastor, church elders, teachers--enlist the aid of any Christians who are interested. Get them praying. Ask for advice. Once you've enlisted prayer support, find all the Christian friends you can and get them interested too. Don't go solo.
    * Make outreach the group's goal. Don't study the interpretations of Revelation or pray about Uncle Fred's receding hairline. Read Scripture passages that will encourage you to spread the Good News. Pray for people at work, church, or school by name. Then go and experience the thrill of witnessing for Christ and the joy of leading someone to Him.
    * Carry your sword. Have your Bible where it can be seen. It's a bold but gentle way of saying, "I take this Book seriously." Sure, some will sneer. But if you're real, many will respect your courage. Christians will imitate your example. And non-Christians will ask questions. When they do, you'll have your Bible there to answer them.
    * Be a friend who listens. If you care enough about people to listen, you'll be the one they come to when someone dies in their family or when there are financial difficulties. Use your ears before you use your mouth. If you learn to listen first, you'll know the right time and the right way to help heal hurting hearts with God's Word.
    * Bridge social boundaries. Don't let race, neighborhood, or music preference prevent you from reaching out. Remember, we must go into all the world.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 27, 2011
Topic: Doubt/Fear, Bible Characters, Faith/Trust
Sleep in Peace

There are some scenes in the Bible that can make you chuckle. And one of them is our focus today. Not necessarily for the humor value, but for the reminder of God's great enfolding peace.

What Does God Say?

In Acts 12, we learn that James, one of Jesus' disciples, has been arrested and killed by Herod. Herod has also gone after Peter. "And when he [Herod] had seized him [Peter], he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church" (Acts 12:4-5 ESV).

Of course, this isn't the funny part yet; that's found in Acts 12:6. "Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison" (ESV).

First of all, Herod has set up a lot of insurance against a prison escape, with Peter chained to soldiers, guarded by sentries, locked doors and four squads of soldiers! But what's Peter doing? Sleeping! He's not taking a catnap or "resting his eyes." The man is soundly asleep! In fact, in verse 7, an angel has to strike Peter to wake him. Isn't that worth at least a giggle?

Well, you can read the rest of this miraculous escape in Acts 12:7-19. But it's Peter's ability to sleep at such a time that not only prompts a little chuckle but also a little awe.

God gives us peace to sleep even in the worst of times. When we rest in Him, relying on His hand of protection and His divine will to see us through, we can "sleep in peace" just as Peter did. The church was praying; Peter probably knew that since it was standard operating procedure for these believers. So, he closed his eyes and trusted God to take care of it…execution or escape.

My Thoughts

Peter surely knew the promise of Psalm 4:8. Look it up and jot down this statement of faith.

Psalm 91 might have been on Peter's mind at this time too.

    * Look for the ways God promises His protection or shelter (91:3-13).
    * What circumstances give us an opportunity to find rest or refuge in the Lord?
    * How does the psalmist address or describe God (91:1-2)?
    * What does the Lord promise to do for those who hold fast to Him (91:14-16)?

According to Isaiah 26:3, what's the secret to finding the peace you need?

My Part

So, what's keeping you up at night? What worries, fears or enemy disturbs your sleep? What chains keep you from trusting in the Lord for the rest you need physically, emotionally, spiritually? Take a few minutes to identify them, even write them down, and then present them to God in prayer. Ask Him to give you peace and sleep while He takes care of these things for you.

You see, God promises you the peace that passes all understanding and rest for your soul and your mind. Your part is to seek Him as your refuge, your sleep. Like a soft blanket, wrap yourself up in His Word, shifting your focus from your fear or worry back to the God who cares for you. Start by committing Psalm 4:8 and/or Isaiah 26:3 to memory. Or keep Psalm 91 handy by your bed if your nights are frequently disturbed.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 30, 2011
Topic: Other
Going Viral

If you do anything on the Internet, like write a blog, conduct ministry, or sell homemade candles coast-to-coast, chances are you also dream of "going viral." Viral?

"Going viral" is the latest term for a concept that's as old as communication itself. It means, "becoming the talk of the town," "buzz worthy," "a household name." As long as men and women have had opinions and ideas to share, they have also desired that those opinions and ideas be shared far and wide.

In the Old Days, it may have taken months for a new idea to spread across the country; today in the Internet Age, only seconds. And the idea doesn't even have to be deep and meaningful. It can be as simple as a home video of two toddlers standing in the kitchen having a "conversation."

By this point you may be wondering What's this have to do with the Bible and Christianity? In fact, it has everything to do with the Bible and Christianity.

What Does God Say?

The first thing required in order to go viral is a message. In Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas arrive in Antioch with a message to share: "So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: 'Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen" (13:16). Over the course of the next 25 verses Paul reminds his listeners of Moses, of Samuel, of David and, finally, he tells them about Jesus.

Paul tells his audience: "Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses" (13:38-39).

Paul's message--the message of the entire Bible--is that mankind needs forgiveness, and forgiveness can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Going viral also requires an audience; no message was ever spread that was not shared with another. In the next section we'll look at how Paul's audience responded.

My Thoughts

Verses 42-48 show the varying responses of the audience.

Why do you think the Jews were so opposed to Paul's message? Why do you think the Gentiles were so eager to hear it again?

Do you think Paul and Barnabas should have done something to make the message more "palatable" to the Jews?

My Part

If we're not careful, verse 49 can easily slip by without our noticing. "And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region." In other words, the message went viral. The people in the audience that day who heard the message of forgiveness went and told their friends. Those friends told their friends and even those opposed to the message couldn't stop talking about the message. And so, before long, even in a world without Facebook and Twitter and the rest of the Internet, the whole country was buzzing about Jesus and the forgiveness of sins.

What are you doing with that message? There are still people who need to know that their sins can be forgiven. Maybe they live in the house next door; maybe they "live" on your Friends List. Wherever they are, they may never hear the message if you don't share it.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 31, 2011
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship, Evangelism
Beautiful Feet

As you read Acts 14:24-28, do you sense that Barnabas and Paul had what seemed like a perfect ministry partnership? They followed their hearts and reached out to others with Christ's compassion. They used their mouths and spoke boldly about eternity with God. But mostly, they used their feet--what the Bible describes as beautiful feet. Why get so excited about a pair of feet? The Bible gives us some clues.

What Does God Say?

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns' " (Isaiah 52:7).

Those feet belong to a messenger who brings good news from God--the hope of a transformed life and eternity with our Creator. That's why the feet carrying the good news are very beautiful indeed.

In many ways, the world we live in isn't much different from the one to which Isaiah brought his good news of peace and salvation. (It's not that different from the one Barnabas and Paul lived in either.) We are a people trapped in personal and private crawl spaces--where darkness constantly threatens to close us in and loneliness is an everyday fact of life.

Probably sitting next to you in church are people who feel hopeless and worthless…and who never thought of a foot as being beautiful. In some ways they are just as broken and mixed up as the people of Israel centuries ago.

My Thoughts

The message we're called to carry is amazing! Think about it: Jesus died on a lonely hilltop outside Jerusalem, at a place called Calvary. By dying a brutal and humiliating death, He took the rap for our sin and rebellion.

1. To remind you of what He did for you, write Isaiah 53:5 on an index card, put it in your pocket and read it several times today. Each time thank Him for His sacrifice.

Why did He do it? You see, the holy God who is the perfect judge couldn't overlook our sin. But the loving and compassionate God who is our Father didn't want to oversee our death and judgment. So, in effect, He first judged our penalty to be death, then stepped down from the judgment seat and sent His only Son, Jesus, to pay that penalty for us. (That's what I call great news!)

2. Consider what it cost the Father to sacrifice His only Son. Write three adjectives that describe how He must have felt.

Now consider this: If Jesus had stayed in the grave after His bloody death, there wouldn't have been much to get excited about. But death couldn't keep Jesus down! He broke out of the tomb, and by His Resurrection, declared that death itself would die.

3. Celebrate His Resurrection, find the lyrics for the old hymn "Up from the Grave He Arose" (on the Internet or in a hymn book) and read through those triumphant words.

This beautiful feat means that by believing in Jesus and receiving His sacrifice, not only can we be saved by His death, but we can also be saved by His life. In other words, Jesus didn't just die for us, He rose to live through us, to love through us and to help us live out God's plan.

4. How can you live out God's plan for you? Read the next section, "My Part" and add one bullet point of your own.

Yes, the feet of Christians who evangelize are beautiful indeed!

My Part

    * Spend some time in prayer. Ask Jesus to give you a heart and passion for evangelism: "Lord, God, open my ears and eyes to the lost. Show me who to reach and give me the words that will open their eyes. Amen."
    * Read God's Word daily. If you don't get it, your soul will crave it. If you don't eat for several days, your spiritual hunger pangs will fade. If you don't eat God's Word for a month, your soul will shrivel. What's more, being connected to the Bible is essential to evangelism.
    * Know that "eating" God's Word takes time. A 30-second glance at the Book won't do much for you. If you bite off too big a chunk, you'll choke. Chew on a small portion of God's Word; nibble it to shreds with your mind. And give your heart a chance. God's Word tastes sweet that way (Psalm 119:103).

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jun 1, 2011
Topic: Relationships
Anatomy of a Disagreement

"You know, dear", he said, breaking the long silence. "I've been thinking over our argument."

"Well," she snapped, without looking up from her reading.

"Yes, dear, I've decided to agree with you after all," he said meekly.

"That won't do you any good," she sniffed, "I've changed my mind."

Psalm 133:1 declares, "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" Is it any wonder the psalmist rejoiced in seeing unity, after watching the way people so often disagree with each other?

What Does God Say?

For years the apostle Paul traveled and worked alongside his friend Barnabas to take the good news of salvation in Christ to the Jews and Gentiles of Asia Minor. They experienced victories. They went through persecution and hardships together. They were coworkers in every sense as they founded new churches in the region. You may read about how Paul and Barnabas met in Acts 11:19-26. Verse 24 describes Barnabas' godly character.

But while they were on that first missionary trek an incident happened that began to turn the long relationship sour. Take your Bible. Turn to the Book Acts and answer the questions below as you trace the development of a disagreement between two great Christian pioneers.

See Acts 13:1-3. Note the outstanding teachers who were in the church at Antioch in Syria (Saul is Paul's other name). Who chose Barnabas and Saul? What were they to do?

As they started their campaign, they had an assistant. Acts 13:5 tells us his name was John, and Acts 15:37 lets us know he was called Mark. He was Barnabas' cousin Mark, who later penned the second Gospel. Sometime further on in the journey, though, what happened to Mark (see Acts 13:13)?

Paul and Barnabas finished their ministry in Asia Minor and eventually returned to Antioch in Syria. After quite some time, including a journey to Jerusalem to meet with the church leaders there, Paul made a suggestion to Barnabas. What was it (Acts 15:36)?

And there is where a disagreement between two great Christian brothers was revealed. Read about it in Acts 15:37-41.

   1. What was the problem?
   2. What did Barnabas do?
   3. What did Paul do?

Who was right and who was wrong? You and I can't really make that call. And that's not our purpose here. What we need to note is that honest disagreements happen among God's people, and we need to consider how we should seek to handle them. Some of the greatest lessons come from the writings of Paul himself!

My Thoughts

   1. First of all, Paul, has something to tell you about forgiveness, which is nearly always a factor in bringing back unity after a disagreement. Ephesians 4:31-32, NASB: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
   2. What is the "bond of unity" spoken of in Colossians 3:14?
   3. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, what does Paul exhort all Christians to do?
   4. Who has the basic responsibility to try to live at peace with all people (Romans 12:18 )?
   5. Euodias and Syntyche were two respected women believers in the church at Philippi. But they were not getting along. In Philippians 4:2, what did Paul instruct them to do?
   6. We know that Paul practiced what he preached. Look at Colossians 4:10 and especially 2 Timothy 4:11, written years later. How did he feel about Mark?

My Part

Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:1-6 (NASB), "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Take stock now. Is there anyone you have a disagreement with? If so, what can you do to restore communication? What attitudes do you need to change? Ask the Lord to give you wisdom in your relationships. He never asks us to compromise truth, but He does tell us to speak the truth in love.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jun 2, 2011
Topic: Service/Servanthood, Obedience/Discipleship, Bible Characters
A Good Servant

Even a powerful preacher like Paul needed coworkers. He chose Silas, and with help from the church, he found Timothy. But Paul didn't use all their service for himself. He also mentored and trained these men for extended service. Training believers to help him with his own ministry was important to Paul, but it was even more important to develop useful servants of God.

What Does God Say?

On his second missionary journey, Paul set off with Silas. But he soon added to his team. In Acts 16:1-5, "Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily" (ESV).

Timothy may have been young and inexperienced, but he was just the person Paul wanted to work with. In Acts 16:1, we learn he was a disciple, meaning he already knew and believed in Jesus. His mother was even a believer so he probably had training since early in life. And he was also "well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium" (Acts 16:2 ESV). He had more than a good reputation; his fellow believers thought well of him. His faith and spiritual development were known and regarded highly. If you're looking for a ministry partner, you want someone who's growing and whom others recognize as spiritually gifted.

Timothy did have one hurdle to cross. Since his father was Greek, he would be viewed as a Gentile by the Jews they would encounter. But with a Jewish mother, he was connected to the Jews; circumcision would seal and clarify the issue. So, when Paul circumcised Timothy (16:3), it didn't reflect a lack of faith on Timothy's part or a requirement for salvation. It was a practice that would make others more willing to listen to this young servant of God.

In Timothy, Paul found both a coworker and a spiritual son, someone he could train and entrust to further ministry. Later on, Timothy was left behind to take on the challenging church in Ephesus. And as Paul's letters reflect, the early opportunity to serve both helped Paul and developed Timothy into a godly effective leader.

My Thoughts

In his later letters to Timothy, Paul gives us further insight into what it takes to be an effective servant or minister for Jesus Christ.

Read 1 Timothy 4:6-16, and track all the things a "good servant of Jesus Christ" should do.

Then list the things a "good servant" does not do or take part in.

Add what you find in 2 Timothy 2:15-22.

    * Where do you feel you match up with these descriptions of a "good servant"?

    * What areas need some work in your life?

My Part

Becoming a good servant should be our goal. But we also need to encourage, support and mentor others to become servants. How does Paul reflect on his part in Timothy's ministry in 2 Timothy 1:3-14?

Think of someone you serve with who could use some encouragement or support today. How will you offer it?

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Bible Minute Bible Study

Date: Jun  3, 2011

Topic: Bible Study/Theories

Title: A Study in Contrasts

It's not hard to find someone willing to talk about the Bible. Seriously. Look around the Internet sometime and you'll find hundreds of blogs, thousands of websites (including ours), and millions of Facebook and Twitter posts each with something to say about the Bible.

How does a person sort through it all? How does one discern biblical fact from mere opinion?

In the early days of the early church the Apostle Paul traveled extensively preaching a message that was brand new to many of his listeners. It was a message about a Messiah and salvation. And the ways in which Paul's listeners received the message has a lot to teach us about the right ways and wrong ways to approach the messages we hear today.

What Does God Say?

At the beginning of Acts 17, Paul and Silas arrive in Thessalonica. "And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ'" (17:2-3).

This message is what we call the Good News. It's the news that Jesus suffered and died for our sins; the news that God raised Jesus from the dead; the news that we can now be forgiven once and for all because of the shed blood of Jesus, the Christ, our Savior. In light of this, "Good News" seems a ridiculously inadequate phrase. It's Miraculous News, Awesome News, the only news truly fit to print! And the Jews in Thessalonica rejoiced to hear it, right?

Wrong. "Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas....But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, [and] set the city in an uproar" (17:4,5).

We'll look closer at the reactions of the Thessalonian Jews as well as the reactions of another group of Jews in the next section--and the differences could not be more pronounced.

My Thoughts

Why do you think the Jews in Thessalonica reacted the way they did?
Why were they jealous?

Paul and Silas slipped away from Thessalonica under cover of night and made their way to Berea. Paul, true to form, once again sought out the Synagogue and shared the same message with the Jews gathered there.

Read Acts 17:10-12 and think about the following questions:

What was different about the character of the Berean Jews?
 What was different about their response?

My Part

In our response to all the seemingly biblical messages constantly swirling about us, there are two dangers to avoid. The first, demonstrated by the Jews in Thessalonica, is to think you have everything figured out. Because they were comfortable in their doctrines and beliefs, many of the Jews in Thessalonica rejected outright the Good News Paul presented.

The other danger is accepting without question. There have always been preachers who have little respect for the Bible. And while they claim their message comes straight from God through His Word, what they really preach is their own doctrine. The Bereans understood this which is why they didn't take Paul at his word; they held Paul's words up against God's words and then made their choice.

How familiar are you with God's Word? Because the more familiar you are with what God has said, the more able you will be to recognize His truth when you hear it.

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

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jun 6, 2011
Topic: Evangelism
Spirit-led Witnessing

Suppose that you and some Christian friends are planning to go for a short-term mission trip to a needy place in Outer Mongolia. You have studied the culture. You have raised the funds to take the trip, and you have an invitation from a missionary in that region who will help you with meals, lodging and assistance while you are there.

Everything is set. Tickets are in hand. You plan to leave a week from today. You are thrilled to have this opportunity to serve the Lord.

But then, this evening, you have a visit from the Holy Spirit. He informs you that God will absolutely not let you go to Mongolia. "You must go somewhere else," He says, "a messenger will come tomorrow to tell you where."

How would you feel? What would you do?

What Does God Say?

Well, something similar to that happened to Paul, Silas and Timothy. Read Acts 16:6-10. They planned to go to upper Asia, but they ended up in Macedonia and Greece.

None of us know where the Spirit may take us when we are willing to follow His directions. Before the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, He left His disciples with this command: "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 ). Paul and his companions were launching out into a beachhead of the "end-of-the-earth" part of the task, bringing the Good News of Christ to Europe.

It became a daunting, but satisfying, task. Every place they stopped was unique and Satan persistently opposed them, but God worked and new converts came into Christ's fold.

   1. Their first stop was Philippi, in Macedonia (Acts 16:11-12).
          * Who was their first convert (Acts 16:14)?
          * How did Satan oppose them there (Acts 16:16-24)?
   2. Next, they went to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1).
          * How successful were they in leading people to Christ there (Acts 17:2-4)?
          * How did Satan oppose them in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9)?
   3. Then, Paul and Silas fled to Berea (Acts 17:10).
          * What was the reason many Bereans believed (Acts 17:11-12)?
          * Whom did Satan use to drive Paul out of Berea (Acts 17:13-14)?
   4. Friends of Paul then escorted him to Athens, Greece (Acts 17:15).
          * What Satanic opposition awaited him there (Acts 17:16,18,32)?
          * What fruit did God produce in Athens (Acts 17:17,34)?

My Thoughts

Although Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles, when he went into a new city he customarily went first to the Jewish synagogue, even in Europe. Why? Because Jews were scattered among the nations far from Jerusalem and Gentiles who were God-fearing people often attended the synagogue meetings as well. Furthermore, Paul himself was a Jewish scholar of note.

Paul's experience in Athens, a cosmopolitan city full of philosophers, idolators and polytheistic religious intelligentsia, was different from any other he had encountered. After first going to the synagogue, where did he go to preach (Acts 17:17) How do you think his sermon to those Greeks differed from his teaching in the synagogues? Why do you think he began with the God of creation, rather than the cross? (Acts 17:18-25). What truth turned off the crowd (Acts 17:30-32)?

My Part

Paul and his companions made plans, but they were also open to God's revision of their plans. Also, just because they were following God, it didn't mean that they would have only success or that they would always be joyfully received by the populace or unopposed by Satan.

God has plans for every believer. Are you open to His leading? If He leads you to change your personal plans, would you follow a new path, regardless of what awaits you? Proverbs 16:9 is a good Bible verse to memorize. It says:

"The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps."

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Bible Study

Title: Let Your Lifestyle Do the Talking
Date: Jun 7, 2011
Topic(s): Evangelism, Salvation
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, Matthew 22:37-39, Malachi 4:19, Mark 16:15, Ephesians 5:15-20, Acts 18



While Jesus Christ's first call is to "Come, follow me" (Matthew 4:19), His second is to "Go." "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15).

Yet exactly how are we supposed to accomplish this? How can we teach and preach if we're not Bible scholars? The Apostle Paul has some ideas.

What Does God Say?

We must put away fear and trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit - Acts 18:9-11: "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: 'Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.' So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God."

We must live in such a way that our very lives preach and teach the Word of God - 2 Corinthians 3:2-3: "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."

We must walk our talk in public and in private - Ephesians 5:15-20: "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Paul discovered that when we have a close relationship with Jesus, which is nurtured through prayer and Bible study, the Lord tells us what He wants us to say and to do - moment by moment. Not only does Jesus direct our steps with solid answers from Scripture, He also communicates with us throughout the day, answering our questions and offering guidance. We literally walk in His presence minute by minute. The Holy Spirit deals with each believer in a personal and intimate way, convicting, directing and influencing us.

My Thoughts

God wants our faith to be noticed, and He wants others to see that we belong to Him. But mostly, He wants our words and actions to lead a dying world to eternal hope. Here's how A.W. Tozer once summed up our call to teach and preach: "I can do no more justice to the awesome wonder-filled theme called love than a child can grasp a star. Still, by reaching toward the star the child may call attention to it and even indicate the direction one might look to see it. So, as I stretch my heart toward the high, shining love of God, someone who has not before known about it may be encouraged to look up and have hope."

It's comforting to know that as we go through heartache, pain and suffering, Jesus is right there by our side, feeling every tear, every ache, every bit of sorrow. And Jesus wants each one of us to care about others in the same way. He wants us to see people with "new eyes."

While most Christians understand that their lives could - and should - be a reflection of Jesus Christ, they often allow fear to get in the way. They're afraid of being rejected or ignored, putting someone off, or being branded as a loser in today's culture. But if God, the One who created us, says we are worthy of His love, why do we allow our thinking to be ruled by what our culture sees as acceptable instead?

The key is allowing the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Bible to saturate our hearts, minds and souls. We must let the One who created us and everything else in this world reshape our hearts, redefine our self-worth and refocus our vision.

Are you ready for some "eye surgery"? It all begins by following Christ's example.

My Part

Be compassionate.

    Observe those within your sphere of influence - family, friends, students, coworkers.
    Now, think about each friend or family member and consider what motivates him, what he values, what she believes.
    List some creative ways you can be Christ's "hands and feet" to those loved ones.

And as you witness, never treat non-believers as a project. "Jesus replied: '"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Matthew 22:37-39).

Be consistent.

    Take a look at yourself. Is your walk in sync with your talk?
    Is your life a reflection of Jesus?
    Are you nurturing your relationship with Him by consistently reading the Bible (four or more times a week) and communicating with Him?

Be bold.

    Has fear ever held you back from telling someone about Jesus?
    How can you deal with that fear?
    Pray that God will help you demonstrate just the right degree of boldness as you reach out for Him.

Now, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15).