Bible Minute

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 20, 2012
Topic: Faith/Trust, Jesus, Obedience/Discipleship

Applied Faith

Some people just love numbers! They revel in figures, formulas and statistics. They're grounded in the reality of facts, eager to determine concrete solutions for problems. And that's great....unless Jesus is asking for more.

Receive

In John 6:5-14, Philip, one of Jesus' disciples, was busy with figures and facts. They were in a hungry crowd, with no pizza delivery and no money to pay the bill. For Philip, the problem was this: 5,000 people + 5 loaves of bread + 2 fish=big disaster!

"Jesus said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?'.... Philip answered him, 'Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little'" (John 6:5, 7, ESV). And he was right. But Philip only saw the facts before him, so he crunched out his formula and came up short.

Jesus had another idea. Look at John 6:6, the verse we skipped, "He [Jesus] said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do" (ESV). Jesus knew what He was going to do; He just asked Philip to give this disciple an opportunity to grow in faith. Jesus wasn't asking for solutions--He already had one in mind. He was looking for a heart that would trust Him. Philip was so busy considering his options and obstacles that he completely forgot who he was talking to.

Someone, however, did have an inkling of faith's possibilities. John 6:8-9 says, "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 'There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?'" (ESV). Andrew saw something Jesus could work with, but he wasn't sure what was possible. But as Jesus said at another time, "What is impossible with men is possible with God" (Luke 18:27, ESV).

Faith doesn't ignore the facts; it just adds Jesus. Faith is confident in what Jesus can do, who He is and what He promises. It views the facts or numbers through the lens of Jesus' power and places them all into His hands.

Reflect

There were other times when Jesus looked for faith from people who were caught up in facts and circumstances.

Mark 2:1-12

Mark 7:24-30

John 4:46-54

John 9:1-7, 24-38

    What are the facts?
    How was someone required to exercise faith?
    What were the results?

Respond

So, what about you? Caught up in the facts or numbers of your circumstances? Are you lost in a problem which seems to have no formula or solution? Then take a few minutes to make some notes:

    What are the "facts" or "numbers"?
    Strip it down to the essentials.
    Can you see two or three ways you might take a step in faith?
    Then add those to your notes.

Now, take your notes to Jesus in prayer. Remember, it's not that you disregard the facts, but that you ask Jesus to take care of the equation. Ask Him for His help; give the "five loaves and two fish" into His hands.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 21, 2012
Topic: Salvation, Faith/Trust

Facts and Faith

Facts and faith are often thought of as contradictory; the two just don't go together. But the Bible teaches that, like the two wings of an airplane, both are necessary in our relationship with God.

Receive

"Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

"One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

"While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, 'Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.'

"Zechariah said to the angel, 'How can I be sure this will happen? I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.'

"Then the angel said, 'I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn't believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time'" (Luke 1:6-20, NLT).

    Why did Zechariah react the way he did to the message of the angel?
    Were you surprised by the angel's response to Zechariah's lack of faith?
    What example in Scripture should Zechariah have turned to (hint: it's in Genesis)?

Reflect

Are we related to Zechariah? Not by birth, but often by lack of faith? See how your faith accepts these facts.

"Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying'"(John 11:25, NLT).

"[Jesus said,] 'Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me" (John 14:10).

And here is a fact: if you will receive Jesus by faith, God will forgive your sins and give you a home with Him in heaven for all eternity. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans:

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved" (Romans 10:9-10, NLT).

Respond

God could have done whatever He wanted to bring the message of salvation through Christ to this world. He could have written it across the skies so you and I could look up at the heavens and read it. He could have inscribed it on the palm of your hand so every time you uncurled your fingers, there you would see the message that God loves you and has provided a Redeemer for you.

Instead, God gave us His Word, the Bible. And He gave us His Holy Spirit to apply that Word to our hearts. And He gave us the gift of faith (Romans 12:3) that we might respond.

Take time today to thank God for all these wonderful gifts.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 24, 2012
Topic: Bible Study/Theories

Satisfy Hunger

I'm at a time in life when a lot of my friends are having their first child. And as I've watched these newborns, I've noticed that there are at least two things that are critical to an infant's growth: first, liquid nourishment and, as they get a little older, solid food.

And you know what? The same thing is true spiritually.

Receive

In John 3 we see Jesus describing our new spiritual life--our life in Him--as being born again. "Jesus answered him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God'" (John 3:3, ESV).

Elsewhere in Scripture, we find that spiritual lives, like physical lives, need nourishment too. In Hebrews we see a description of this spiritual nourishment.

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12-14, ESV).

Our spiritual nourishment comes from the Word of God. And the Bible provides milk for those who are new in their relationship with Christ as well as solid food for those who have learned to discern between good and evil.

It's sad to see those who have been believers for years, yet are unable to answer simple questions from the Bible. These people need to move from the milk of the Word to the meat. How do we do that? It takes a little time and a healthy diet of God's Word.

Reflect

Read again Hebrews 5:12-14 above and think about the following questions:

What were the basic principles of God's Word called? Can you name one?

While we all start with learning the basic principles, what does the writer of Hebrews urge us to do?

What are those, who are mature, able to do that others can't do?

Respond

If you're reading these daily Bible Minute studies, you've already come a long way toward spiritual maturity. But make sure you're taking time to read God's Word and listening to what God has to say to you. Books about the Bible are good, but they're no substitute for the Word of God. Also, look around. Maybe at home or at work there are people you can encourage to become more spiritually mature. Ask God for wisdom as you seek to help them.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 25, 2012
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship

Following the Leader

You've trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. You're a new Christian. You have the gift of eternal life. Now you wonder, Is that all there is? If there's more, what's next?

You've started the greatest adventure of your life, and you want to do it right. What would Jesus tell you to do?

Receive

Your next step after receiving Christ is to begin growing as a disciple. A disciple is a follower of a teacher, and for a Christian that means Jesus. How do you become a disciple of Jesus? When you trust Christ as your Savior, He calls you to move forward in your Christian life, to follow Him and learn constantly from Him. He calls you to become like Him--to be one of His disciples.

Jesus says that being His disciple involves service: "If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him" (John 12:26, ESV).

But discipleship goes deeper than mere Christian service. Here are some other things Jesus said about being His disciple. Look at the following verses and write down the requirements Jesus gives for being a disciple. Ask yourself how each one affects you as a Christian disciple.

    John 8:31
    John 15:8
    John 13:35
    Luke 14:33
    Luke 14:27
    Luke 6:40

Reflect

If you're a disciple, then you've made some choices. You're willing to give up your life for your Teacher; you're willing to be taught, with the goal of becoming like Him; you're willing to hand over the reins of your life to Christ.

There's another word that is closely related to the word, "disciple." It is "discipline." One definition of discipline is "training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental faculties or moral character."

You will learn that there are several disciplines that will make you a better disciple. Let's look at just two of them:

In John 8:31, Jesus mentions abiding or dwelling in His Word. Here is what a noted Bible scholar says about the discipline of Bible study:

"There can be no real discipleship apart from Bible study. Bible study is no option for Christians. It cannot even be a minor, occasional, or 'vacation time' pursuit. Bible study is the most essential ingredient in the believer's spiritual life, because it is only in study of the Bible as that is blessed by the Holy Spirit that Christians hear Christ and discover what it means to follow Him."*

Another discipline that is vital to your growth as a disciple is prayer. Oswald Chambers said: "The point of prayer is not to get answers from God; the goal of prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God."*

Respond

Go before the Lord in prayer right now. Thank Him for the great salvation He has freely given you in Christ, then ask Him to make you the kind of disciple He wants you to be. Ask Him to make your daily time in His Word the core of your life as a follower of Jesus. Ask Him to change and mature you more and more into oneness with Him.

Someone has said "A Christian is a mind through which Christ thinks; a heart through which Christ loves; a voice through which Christ speaks; a hand through which Christ helps."

Does that describe your life?

*James Montgomery Boice, Christ's Call to Discipleship, p. 52.

*Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, (August 6).

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 26, 2012
Topic: Jesus, Evangelism

Truth Sets You Free

A young man, just turned 18, declared, "I can't wait for graduation so I can be on my own. I'm tired of people always telling me what to do. I'm ready for some freedom and independence." When asked what he was going to do after graduation, he replied, "Join the Army."

According to the Bible, no one is born free and no one lives a life of complete freedom--anymore than a private in the Army.

Receive

Here's what Jesus has to say about freedom and what really prevents us from living lives of freedom.

"Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living " (Romans 6:16, NLT).

"Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin'" (John 8:34, NLT).

The life of slavery to sin Jesus referred to was described by the apostle Paul to Titus (a friend of Paul's). Paul wrote Titus about the attitudes that existed among people before they accepted Christ and while they lived in slavery to sin.

"Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other" (Titus 3:3, NLT).

And this is what the apostle Peter had to tell us about slavery:

"For you are a slave to whatever controls you" (2 Peter 2:19, NLT).

    Can you summarize the main truth these Scriptures teach?
    How does Paul describe those who are enslaved to sin?

No person has ever been able to go where they want, do all they want or have all they want. Whatever freedom we have on earth is always limited.

Reflect

Yet Jesus told us there was a way we could experience freedom, more freedom than we have ever known.

"Jesus said to the people who believed in him, 'You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free'" (John 8:31-32, 36, NLT).

Jesus tells us what true freedom is all about--what it really means to be free. "The truth" here clearly means God's special revelation given through the person of Christ and through the work of Christ. Being free in Christ Jesus means realizing we are free through His person--what He did for us on the cross, who He is. He alone is the Savior of the world. We are free through the work that He did.

Obviously, Jesus wants us to see that truth is something that sets us free from the power and the penalty of sin--and that only comes through Jesus.

Respond

Freedom not to be a slave to sin or self or desires and passions is only found in Jesus, God's Son and the Savior of the world. To experience that freedom we must choose to make Jesus the Master of our lives and to follow Him. Then, and only then, will His truth set us free.

"So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free" (John 8:36, NLT).

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 27, 2012
Topic: God

God Is Good

God is good.

God is good.

God is good.

Read through those three phrases again. The phrase "God is good" tends to get overused. As a result, we don't often think about the incredible truth of such a simple statement. But, "God is good" is one of the most richly descriptive statements about God. Let's see what the Bible says:

Receive

Look at Psalm 100:1-5.

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations" (Psalm 100:1-5, ESV).

If God wasn't good, there would be no joy. There would be no such thing as gladness. There would be no reason to sing and no reason to give thanks.

God's goodness is eternal. There has never been nor ever will be a moment when God is not good because goodness is part of what makes God who He is! *A. W. Tozer puts it this way, "By His nature He is inclined to bestow blessedness and He takes holy pleasure in the happiness of His people".

Take some time now to think about this:

Reflect

As you read through Psalm 100, think about the following questions:

    What does it mean to you personally that God is good?
    How would you describe a world where God wasn't good?
    There are a lot of things that happen in the world that aren't good. How do you reconcile that reality with the fact of God's goodness?

Respond

Tozer, in the same chapter quoted above made this claim, "That God is good is taught or implied on every page of the Bible." Check that out. Open your Bible to five pages at random. As you read each of those pages, write down in a journal the ways you see God's goodness either directly or indirectly.

* A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, Chapter 16 Online: Internet, http://www.heavendwellers.com/hdt_chapter_16_koh.htm

[nChrist]

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 28, 2012
Topic: Thankfulness, God's Love

God Is Merciful

You experience lots of changes during your lifetime. Think about it. You were once a child, but you changed; now you're an adult; maybe once or twice (or more often) you moved from one city to another; it's likely that you've changed jobs at some time; you've made new friends through the years and someday you'll retire. But one thing never changes--you can count on it every day of your life: God's mercy.

Receive

David, the poet laureate of Israel, "a man after God's own heart" (See Acts 13:22.) highlighted the mercy of God. First Chronicles 16:41 says, "David also appointed Heman, Jeduthun, and the others chosen by name to give thanks to the LORD, 'for his faithful love'" (NLT) and for His enduring mercy.

Which of the choices following best describes God's mercy?

Faithful love
Kindness
Loving-kindness
Steadfast love
Eternal love
All of the above

The last choice is the best. God's mercy includes all the descriptors you just read. In fact, because of His mercy God doesn't give us what our sins say we deserve. He graciously gives us what we desperately need: His mercy.

Reflect

If you were going to make a list of the times that you needed God's mercy in your life, how long would that list be? As Christians, we would run out of paper or space on our hard drive, before we exhausted all the times we have needed God's mercy.

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah knew how much he relied on God's mercy and His loving-kindness--and how often it had been there for him. How do you think Jeremiah felt when he wrote,

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning" (Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT).

    Will God's mercy ever change? Why not?
    What is the basis for our faith in God's continuing mercy?
    "I am the Lord, and I do not change" (Malachi 3:6 NLT).

Respond

Take time to thank the Lord that He does not change. We constantly need His help to become more godly, more grateful and more aware of His mercies. Ask Him to change you to be more like Jesus. Because of His great mercy, He'll answer your prayer.

[nChrist]

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 1, 2012
Topic: God, Worship/Praise/Worthiness, Faith/Trust

God Is Sovereign

In 1812, Napoleon decided to invade Russia and bring its people under his control. When the plans were laid out, someone ventured to say, "Man proposes, but God disposes." On hearing that remark, Napoleon replied, "I propose, and I dispose." Such pride, however, proved fatal. Using one of His tiniest, most fragile creations, the snowflake, God brought the proud general to his knees. Bogged down in heavy snow, Napoleon ordered a retreat. His army of 600,000 men was decimated. Fewer than 100,000 made it back home again. Ultimately, this disaster weakened his armies and brought about his final defeat in 1813.

The Bible makes it very clear that God is sovereign. The word sovereign means "to be in complete control." Let's see what God's Word says about His sovereignty.

Receive

"David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly:

'O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name!'" (1 Chronicles 29:10-13, NLT).

    List some of the things that David praises God for in verse 11.
    What belongs to God? What implication does this have for you?
    God is the source for what good things?

Reflect

Since the Lord God is the only God and He alone is the Sovereign God, list some of the practical benefits for the Christ-follower in His sovereignty. Use the following Scriptures to help guide your thoughts.

"And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

"Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever" (Revelation 5:13, NLT).

Benefit: _____________________________

"All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen" (1 Timothy 1:17, NLT).

Benefit: _____________________________

"He prayed, 'O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!" (2 Chronicles 20:6, NLT).

Benefit: _____________________________

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

"For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

"Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

"For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 11:33-36, KJV).

Benefit: _____________________________

Respond

If you believe with all your heart that God is sovereign, and you trust Him with all you are, then life is not a threat or a burden but a challenge to see how He will guide and provide for and love you. Take time to thank Him for who He is.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 2, 2012
Topic: Thankfulness

Bringing Back Thank You

When I think of thankfulness, I'm reminded of an old hymn of the church:

*Thanks, O God, for boundless mercy
From Thy gracious throne above;
Thanks for every need provided
From the fullness of Thy love!

Thanks for daily toil and labor
And for rest when shadows fall;
Thanks for love and friend and neighbor
And Thy goodness unto all!

As we read those stanzas, we are reminded that God is due our thanks for literally everything that life brings our way. The hymn next goes on to suggest, "weakness and...health," "clouds as well as sunshine" and "pain as well as pleasure" are all reasons to say, "Thanks!" to the Lord.

Receive

God is pleased to hear prayers of thanksgiving. He does not appreciate ungratefulness. Listen to what He says:

"Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name"
(Psalm 30:4, ESV).

That's an Old Testament command, but what about Christians today? Well, here's something from the New Testament!

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV).

Rejoicing is God's will for you. Praying is God's will for you. Giving thanks is God's will for you.

Have you ever said, "Thank You!" to God because you have been reminded of His character? Why thank Him for that? Isn't that just the way He is? Yes, He's good; He loves; He's gracious; He's merciful, and He's kind. You may have thanked Him for being such a wonderful God. But He is also worthy to be thanked because He is holy and righteous and just. You need to thank God for all that He is!

Reflect

Do you sometimes wonder what has happened to the old-fashioned "Thank you"?

The apostle Paul warns that in the last days before Christ's return, ungratefulness will be one of the marks of the world.

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people" (2 Timothy 3:1-5, ESV).

Unthankfulness marks the world, but you should show the mark of a Christian by being thankful. Jot down some reasons, from the following verses, you find to be grateful to God.

Psalm 7:17
Psalm 9:1
Psalm 28:7
Psalm 106:1
1 Corinthians 1:4
1 Corinthians 15:57
2 Corinthians 9:15

Respond

Here's a way you can remind yourself to stay faithful in giving thanks to God. Write the following verses on a card you can carry in your purse or pocket, and then review them daily until you have them completely memorized. Emphasize the words, with thanksgiving, as you say the verses.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7, ESV).

*Storm, August Ludvig. Thanks to God! #527 in Great Hymns of the Faith. Compiled and edited by John W. Peterson. (Grand Rapids, MI: Singspiration Music of Zondervan Corporation, 1968 ).

[nChrist]

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 3, 2012
Topic: Holiness

What About Holiness?

It may be the first word on the cover of your Bible. Some churches use it in their name. It appears in the hymns and choruses we sing. It's used to describe the City of God in Revelation and the Spirit of God throughout the New Testament.

The word is Holy. You probably see it often. Do you know what it means? Does it have anything to do with your own life? Let's look at what the Bible says about the word holy and its related word, holiness.

Receive

In Leviticus 19:2, God uses the word holy to describe both Himself and His chosen people, saying, "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, 'You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy'" (ESV).

It's very important for you to notice that God did not say, "You shall be holy, as I am holy." God is holy in a way that is totally different from any of His creation. Yet, He did say His people are to be holy, so what did He mean?

The word, holy, in both the Old and New Testaments, means "to be separated from or set apart from." Used of God, it especially refers to God's majestic uniqueness, His moral perfection and His utter separation from all that is evil or impure. Read Psalm 99:1-5. Note that verses 1-3 speak of God's apartness from the things of earth; verses 4-5 speak of His purity and separation from sin and evil. When used of God's people, holiness refers to their responsibility to develop godly character in their lives.

But does the New Testament say anything like that? Do you have the obligation as a Christian to cultivate God-given holiness or godliness in your life? Read carefully what the apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 1:14-19, ESV:

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.' And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

So, it is clear. Both Old Testament and New Testament believers are called to be holy. That, by the way, is why they are called saints which means "set apart" or "sanctified" people.

Reflect

Here are some Bible questions with verses to look up. Write down the answers.

    Who is called holy in these references?
        Exodus 15:11
        John 6:68-69
        Acts 1:8

    Who or what is called holy in these references?
        Ephesians 1:4
        Ephesians 5:27
        2 Timothy 1:9
        Colossians 3:1

Respond

You are called to be holy, for God is holy. But how does the Lord make you holy?

First, He credits Christ's holiness to your account when you are saved. See Romans 8:1, which (although the word, holy is not used) speaks of your standing in Christ. Note also 2 Peter 1:4, "partakers of the Divine nature."

But you are not perfected yet, so God also trains you in holy living which is a process that goes on throughout your life until you enter into His presence. Finally, He finishes the work of making you holy and complete forever in your heavenly home.

Read Hebrews 12:9-11. What are some disciplines God is using in your life now to enable you to share in His holiness? Write down as many as you can think of.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 4, 2012
Topic: Thankfulness

To Life!

Every day you get a gift. God handed it to you the moment you were conceived. It's called your life. And no matter how well your day goes or what your physical, mental or emotional condition might be, life is a precious gift--one you need to thank God for.

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Genesis 2:7 describes that first life-breathing gift: "The LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature" (ESV).

In Job 33:4, Elihu says,

"The Spirit of God has made me,
and the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (ESV).

And "in his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:10, ESV).

Isaiah talks about the Lord God as the One "who gives breath to the people on it [the earth] and spirit to those who walk in it" (Isaiah 42:5, ESV).

It sounds so simple, doesn't it? God gives you life--the air you breathe, the energy you burn, the muscles and thought, skills, emotions, personality and soul--all come from Him.

In Ecclesiastes, the Preacher (King Solomon) records a long and thoughtful search for meaning and purpose in life. In the end, he comes down to a few simple truths: daily food, good work and obedience to God. "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1, ESV), and to "fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13, ESV).

This type of "remember" is more than not forgetting something; it's a conscious choice to recall and reflect on something (specifically God) with gratitude, worship, honor and respect. It translates into how you live, not just what you say.

Reflect

Ecclesiastes focuses on life--what makes it meaningful or pointless, pleasant or unhappy. See what these verses say about the basic elements of a good life.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26
Ecclesiastes 3:11-13
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
Ecclesiastes 8:15

    What activities do these verses talk about?
    What attitudes keep cropping up?
    What is/are God's gifts according to these verses?
    What are some ways you can translate these things into your view of daily life?

Respond

When the alarm goes off too early, when your body doesn't work like it used to or your job drags you down, it's easy to forget that life is a gift from God. When you view your activities and routine as meaningless, difficult or without any joy, maybe it's like that because you've forgotten to be thankful. God calls us to be thankful. First Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"(ESV).

Take a few moments to list some of the gifts you receive every day that you have life. Make it as basic as you want; maybe start with just two or three things. Then write God a thank-you note for those. Over the next week, take a moment to read your note out loud to Him (in prayer, if you like), adding to it whenever something else catches your attention. Making that conscious choice to be thankful for the basics of life can change your perspective.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 5, 2012
Topic: Thankfulness

Thanks for Work!

A man got up in the morning, rushed to the window, jerked up the shade, looked outside and lamented, "Oh, no! Not another day!"

Is that the way you feel about your daily work? Is it a burden to be borne until this weary life is over or is it a God-given privilege for which you give thanks?

Is work something eternal, or is your work forever over after you die? What attitude should Christians have about work? Let's look at some key lessons the Bible teaches about work.

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The first mention of work in the Bible is in Genesis 2:2-3, where you see that God worked six days to accomplish His entire creation.

The first mention of work as it relates to human beings is in Genesis 2:5, where you find that "there was no man to work the ground."

Now, look up Genesis 2:15, what do you discover there about man and work?

All of those events took place before Adam and Eve sinned, showing that work is not a result of sin but a lasting gift of God.

Sin, however, made work more difficult and less rewarding--but no less necessary. Read Genesis 3:17-19.

The Bible makes it clear that God expects His people to work. Even Jesus, on the night He was arrested and condemned to be crucified, said in His prayer to the Father: "I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do" (John 17:4, ESV). He came to earth with an assignment from the Father, and He finished the job.

Paul says in Colossians 3:23, ESV, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Work will continue in eternity on the new earth with the curse lifted forever: "There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him." (Revelation 22:3, NASB). To work in an environment of freedom and blessing will be a glorious experience.

Reflect

With the above information in mind, look up the following Bible passages and write down what you find concerning a Christian's attitude about his or her work.

    Proverbs 16:3
    Proverbs 18:9
    Ephesians 4:28
    2 Thessalonians 3:10-13
    1 Corinthians 15:58

"Just think, God, the Creator of heaven and earth will be watching over you as you work today. He will delight in every extra effort you make. Then on Judgment Day He will say, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant'" (Matthew 25:21,23, ESV).

Respond

Think today about two great gifts God has given you. One is the gift of life--for without that you could do nothing. The other is the gift of strength and skill to do work. Without that, you would have no way to give meaning to your life. Whether your work is driving a semi or praying for others, it is important to God.

Your daily work may seem insignificant, but consider what Lowell Lundstrom says in his devotional book, Daily Power Thoughts for Busy People:

"Your work is your ministry unto the Lord. Remember that when Jesus was sawing boards in the carpenter shop of Nazareth, he was fulfilling the will of God as much as when He preached the Sermon on the Mount. Your work as a secretary, housewife, farmer, mechanic or whatever is the expression of your love for God. So do your job well. The Bible says, 'Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might'" (Ecclesiastes 9:10, ESV).

Take pen and paper and write down some ways that you can make your work more of a blessing to yourself and a testimony to others. Give God thanks today for the work He has given you and the strength to do it.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 8, 2012
Topic: Salvation

God Has Spoken

God has spoken. Are you grateful? You are if you want to know God. And you can be even more grateful because not only has God spoken in the past, He is speaking today. Are you listening?

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God gave His message to men so they might write it down--we call this the Bible. As we read His Word, the Bible, God speaks to us. What does God want to say to us when He speaks? Look at the verses below:

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    List the four ways God's Word is profitable to us.
    What are the results that come from listening to God through His Word?

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4, NKJV).

    Why did God have men write down His words?
    What is the ultimate benefit of the Scriptures?

Reflect

What is one way that God's Word affects our lives today?

"This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life" (Psalm 119:50, NKJV).

The greatest revelation from God was about His only Son, Jesus, who came to make it possible not to just know about God but to experience God personally and become His child.

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1-2 NKJV).

Respond

Because God has made the Bible so readily available to us, we can know what God says to us about a relationship with Him through Christ. In fact, God's Word says that His salvation is easily within reach. Today, listen to God speaking to you and accept His salvation.

This is what the Scripture says: "But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Romans 10:8-10,13 NKJV).

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 9, 2012
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship

Just Do It

In 1988, the Nike company, the maker of athletic apparel, coined a slogan that was destined to be chosen as one of the top five ad slogans of the 20th century. The slogan was "Just Do It." Not only was the slogan catchy, it held a truth that everybody recognized. There comes a time when you have to stop thinking and planning and talking about something--and "Just Do It."

What's true in athletics and other areas of life is also true spiritually. While good intentions may be the starting point, they aren't worth much unless you "Just Do It." God calls that "obedience." Let's see what the Bible has to say about that.

Receive

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing"(James 1:22-25, ESV).

    James says that the disobedient person (hearer only) is doing what to himself/herself?
    To what does James compare the disobedient person?
    What promise is in these verses for the person who is a "doer who acts"?

Reflect

Many people are deceiving themselves. They have prayed a prayer at some point in their lives and feel that all is well. But when their lives are viewed objectively, there is no evidence of change. They have no fruit that comes from obedience.

We can talk about obedience, we can read about obedience, we even can pray about obedience; but what God wants is for us to "Just Do It."

Jesus warns in Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven." How will He discern the difference between true Christians and false? He goes on to say: "but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Respond

Take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. On one side list the areas where you feel you're being obedient. On the other side, list the areas where you know you are being disobedient. Make plans today to tackle those areas of disobedience one by one. And don't simply plan--"Just Do It."

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 10, 2012
Topic: Faith/Trust

Not Afraid of Death

Whether it comes with the suddenness of a midnight phone call or after a lingering illness, death is always troubling. That's why Jesus' words as He talked to His disciples about His own death just hours before He was nailed to a cross are surprising, "Don't let your hearts be troubled" (John 14:1, NLT).

Receive

A heart that's not troubled in the face of death? How is that possible? Here's the whole passage.

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.

"'No, we don't know, Lord,' Thomas said. 'We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?'

"Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!" (John 14:1-6 NLT).

Jesus assures us that we can have untroubled hearts in the face of death. List at least three ways, from this Scripture, to experience an untroubled heart and at the same time face death.

Notice that Jesus is not focusing on death and dying but on who He is and what He promises us.

That reminds us of salvation. Becoming a Christian is never about us--what we do or don't do, where we are born or what our status in life is. Salvation is always about Jesus--that He is the Son of God and the Savior for all of us, and that He died on the cross that our sins might be totally and completely forgiven.

Living the Christian life is the same--it's all about Jesus. And it's the same with death and dying--the key to an untroubled heart when facing death is to have trusted Him as Savior, to have committed your life to Him and to stay focused on Him. The Psalmist lived the truth that Jesus taught:

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4, ESV).

Reflect

The Psalmist experienced the peace of God even before Jesus' words were recorded in the Bible. How could he have a peace like that?

When you have faced the death of a loved one or considered your own death, have you experienced a measure of the comfort the Psalmist refers to in Psalm 23?

Read John 14:1-6 again. Were you surprised by Thomas' frank admission that he didn't know where Jesus was going? or by Jesus' answer?

Why was it important that Jesus' answer to Thomas emphasized that He was the only way to know the Father?

Respond

Ready for life? Ready for the afterlife? You are if Christ is your Savior and Lord. Because we know resurrection is coming, we see death as just the next step in the process toward living forever with God in heaven.

That's the only way to live--and to die.