Bible Minute

[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Feb 13, 2007
Topic: Discipline


Old Stuff to Toss Away

A bathtub seems a peculiar place to post a motto, but one ancient Chinese emperor had these words engraved on his bathing place: "Renew yourself completely each day; do it again and again and forever again."

There's a spiritual lesson in that bathtub motto. You'll learn more as you study God's Word in this Bible Minute for today.

What Does God Say?

When you trust Jesus Christ as your Savior, you become a new creation in Christ Jesus. "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB).

But even though your sins are forgiven, you are not a sinless person. Someday, when you are forever with the Lord, your sins will be totally eradicated. Until that time, however, while you remain on this earth, you'll need to deal with your sins on a daily basis. The apostles James, Paul and Peter tell you that there are sins you must "lay aside" or "put away" by letting the Word of God clean you up. Jesus told Peter in John 13:10 that Peter did not need a bath (he already had a relationship with Christ and forgiven of his sins), but he did need to wash his feet daily (the daily cleansing and putting away of sins that rob your Christian life of its effectiveness).

James 1:21-22 says, "Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the Word and not merely hearers, who delude themselves" (NASB).

That verse mentions two things a Christian needs to "put aside": filthiness and wickedness.

Read the following Scripture passages, then write down everything you see in them that you should lay aside or put aside in order live an effective Christian life.

Ephesians 4: 25
Colossians 3:8-10
1 Peter 2:1-3

    * In Colossians 3:8-10, what does Paul say the believer has already "put on"? What has been "laid aside"?

What does the last part of James 1:22 say you are to prove?

My Thoughts

What positive action does James 1:21-22 tell you that you should take? How is that similar to what Peter says in 1 Peter 2:1-3?

My Part

Are you following a daily Bible reading plan? If not, get started! Take time this week to set aside a quiet place in your home, room or apartment where you can daily meet with God to read His Word and pray. Make it your place for regular spiritual "clean ups."

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Feb 14, 2007
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Clear the Way

A pastor and the owner of a company that made soap were walking down the street. The owner of the soap company said, "Looks like your preaching hasn't done much good. You preach the Word but there are still a lot of wicked people in the world."

The pastor didn't say much until they passed a little boy playing in a mud puddle. Looking at the mud-splattered child, the pastor said, "Looks like your soap doesn't do much good; there's still a lot of dirty people in the world."

"Oh," the soap owner said, "Soap only works when it is applied." "The same is true of the Bible," the pastor replied.

Let's have a look at what the Bible has to say about cleaning ourselves up once we become a believer.

What Does God Say?

"So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world....But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him" (Colossians 3:5, 8-10; NLT)

    * How many of these "sinful, earthly things" apply to you?
    * Why should you avoid these things?
    * What should you be doing instead?

My Thoughts

There are so many things that we encounter daily in our lives that cloud our view and keep us from knowing God. In the verses above, you can find several of these things listed, and you can probably come up with more as you reflect on your life. Some of these are obvious; some are much more subtle.

Hebrews 12:1 illustrates this idea in a slightly different way. It paints a picture of a runner that is being hindered by the things he or she is carrying: "Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up" (NLT). So often we try and continue on in our lives while we're holding onto these sins that weigh us down and trip us up.

So, how do you get rid of them? "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2, NLT). The truth is that you can and should take measures to remove these things from your life. However, to truly deal with the problem of sin, you must focus on Jesus and allow Him to impact your life.

My Part

Pray as David did: "Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life" (Psalm 139:24, NLT). Ask God to show you where He would like you to grow. Be prepared to hear Him and respond. Don't focus on the bad things but try to avoid them. Focus on Jesus and trying to be more like Him in each area of your life.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Feb 15, 2007
Topic: Bible Study/Theories


Put It In

Nature hates a vacuum: If there's an empty space, something will come along to fill it. Just move from a small apartment into a house. It looks empty at first, but it's not long before you're running out of room. That works in our spiritual lives too. With the Holy Spirit's help, we can sweep out the junk and filthiness of sin and bad habits, but if we leave it empty, it fills back up with the stuff we don't want. Instead, we need to put in something good, and God says, "Put in my Word."

What Does God Say?

James 1:21-22 says, "So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves" (NLT). Basically, get rid of the filth, then plant or move in what's better, which is God's Word.

And why? Because "all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT).

First of all, the Word comes from God. It's His communication to us, and it teaches us what's right and exposes what's wrong. So, if you're cleaning out your life, it exposes the dark corners that still need to be dealt with, and it shows us what's right to put it in its place. Hebrews 4:12 underlines that: "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires" (NLT).

The Word also prepares and equips us. Thus instead of relying on our sin-driven and selfish instincts, we can turn to Scripture that will help us develop the spiritual skills or fruit that God wants to use in us. Things like "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT). And remember, "There is no law against these things!" (Galatians 5:23, NLT).

My Thoughts

What does God's Word bring you when you plant it in your heart? Take a look at these verses and see what you gain from God's Word.

Psalm 119:105 2
Timothy 3:15
Psalm 119:67
Psalm 119:9
Psalm 119:11
Ephesians 6:13-17

Psalm 119 looks at the relationship between God's Word and our lives. While it's long, it's worth going through the whole psalm to see all that the Word can mean in your life.

My Part

When you come to Jesus Christ as your Savior and the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your life, things will change. Picture it like a housekeeper cleaning up your place room by room.

    * What's already been cleared out?
    * Are there habits or attitudes or actions that still need to be evicted from your life?

It probably won't all happen at once, but as the Holy Spirit helps you clean up, what are you putting in the space? Any alternate habits or new attitudes?

Putting in God's Word isn't automatic, but here are a few suggestions.

    * Begin each day by asking God to help you clean up and replace.
    * Set time on a regular basis to read and soak in God's Word...and keep that appointment.
    * Ask a friend to keep you accountable--maybe even to meet with you on a regular basis so you can both grow.
    * Read, but read with purpose: Ask questions, look for instruction, take action on what you read.

Memorize passages, because as you commit God's word to your mind, it'll come to mind when you need it. God uses what's there to remind you of Him. Hebrews 4:12 is a good verse to remind you of the power of God's Word as you put it into your life.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Feb 16, 2007
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Preparing Your Soil

There's a song that says, "The Word of God is like little bitty seeds, scattered all around." It means that the Bible can work like seeds. As we read the Word of God, we plant seeds in our lives. In order for the seed of the Word of God to take root and grow, it must be planted in the right type of soil. The Bible tells us that there are three different ways we can receive the seed of the Bible.

What Does God Say?

Often times, Jesus uses parables (stories) to get His message across. Matthew 13:1-9 tells the parable of the sower. Jesus used the example of seeds to represent the Word of God and how we receive it. Read these verses and answer the questions below.

    * What are the three types of soil that Jesus said the seeds can fall on?

Read Matthew 13:18-23 and think about these questions:

    * What happens to the seeds planted in the thorny and rocky soil (vv. 20-22)?
    * What does a person do to get good soil for his mind (v. 23)?

My Thoughts

Reading God's Word helps you to understand how your sins can be forgiven and how you can have a relationship with Jesus, so you will be able to grow and know God's purpose for your life. Because reading the Bible is so important and necessary to a Christian, Satan will tempt you with all sorts of ways to create a thorny or rock soil. Ask yourself these questions:

    * What are some things in my life that create a thorny or rocky soil?

What distractions do I have that keep me from reading God's Word?

My Part

There are many different ways that we can make sure we're creating a good soil where the Word of God can grow. Here are a few suggestions:

    * Take time to write down those distractions and thorny parts that you have in your life. Think of ways that you can turn those hard and stony parts of your life into good soil.
    * Ask God to help you keep those distractions and worries out of your life so that you'll be able to present good soil for the Word of God to grow in. One suggestion is to memorize Philippians 4:6-7.

Additional Scripture: James 1:21

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Feb 19, 2007
Topic:


New Man

Poet Louise Fletcher Tarkington penned the longing of many a heart when she wrote:

I wish that there were some wonderful place
Called the Land of Beginning Again
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches
And all of our selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat by the door
And never be put on again.

The Bible tells us there is such a place, not in the "sweet by and by" but in the "daily here and now."

What Does God Say?

" This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT).

In the Christian faith, leopards do change their spots, old things become new and we become citizens in the Land of Beginning Again !

This new life is characterized by not living for ourselves, but living to please Christ.

" He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them" (2 Corinthians 5:15, NLT).

My Thoughts

What do you think would help us live as new people in this new life? Perhaps you thought about getting rid of everything in the old life and focusing just on the new way of living.

Consider what this Scripture teaches.

" Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy" (Ephesians 4:21-24, NLT).

    * What are the two things that we are to do as new creations in Christ?

How is this "new nature" described?

My Part

Express your gratitude to God for your new life and the wonderful opportunity to begin again. Then ask God to help you get rid of the old life and to put on more and more of the new life in Christ.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Feb 20, 2007
Topic: New Life


The Attitude of the Attire

Did you ever play "dress-up" as a kid? Maybe you found some old clothes stashed away in the attic or Dad's suit lying on the bed waiting to be hung up. It's always fun putting on new clothes, or even old clothes from a different era, because it's much more than fabrics and materials we're putting on, our clothes even can cause us to act and talk differently.

The Bible often uses the analogy of putting on new clothes to describe the new believer. Becoming a child of God and being born into His kingdom is similar to taking off old filthy clothes and taking a bath. But now comes the choice--how are you going to act now that you have put on these new clothes?

What Does God Say?

In Ephesians, we learn that when a Christian changes, it's not just on the inside, it needs to be reflected on the outside as well. According to Ephesians 4:24, there's a new man or a new woman has been put on. One that's not corrupt and deceitful (Ephesians 4:22).

In verse 29, we get an example of the actions that should follow once we've been made new. " Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them" (Ephesians 4:29, NLT).

Do you find yourself often tearing down others with your words? When you've put on the new clothes of God (new nature), you are to speak words of encouragement instead.

My Thoughts

    * What areas of your life is it hard to consider others before yourself?
    * How would God prefer you to act in those situations?
    * What are some ways you can remind yourself to act according to your new nature from God and not your old sinful habits?

My Part

You've probably noticed that certain clothes carry certain attitudes with them. Jeans imply a casual attitude whereas slacks have an air of responsibility about them. Or maybe it's the opposite for you. In any event, your new nature (your new set of clothes) should result in new actions.

In light of our new nature, make a conscious decision to make your behavior reflect your clothing. If certain friends you meet with often tend to stress you out and cause you to lash out in anger, put on a new item of clothing the next time you go to see them. Let your physical clothes remind you that you have put on a new spiritual nature that should build others up rather than pull them down.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Feb 21, 2007
Topic: New Life


New Heart

Going through a heart transplant is a long and painful process, but transplant patients know it's worth it to live a better life. They still have "bad days," but that doesn't change the facts. When you accept Christ, a spiritual heart transplant is performed by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come" (ESV).

Even though you may still have bad days, the new life you experience is worth it. Yet some days you probably don't "feel" like you have a new heart. The fact is you do; the key is learning to live with your new heart.

What Does God Say?

This new heart beats not for the evil things of the world or against God, but for God. It gravitates toward Him; it wants to love Him and not oppose Him as the old heart did. In Ezekiel 11:19-20, God says, "And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God" (ESV).

Your new heart belongs to God, just as you do. And it's no longer a hard heart made of stone, but one softened by His grace, mercy and love. It's a heart that wants to know Him more, to seek Him out as Psalm 119:10 tells us, "With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!" (ESV)

And it's a heart that wants to be acceptable before God.

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14, ESV).

My Thoughts

Our emotions, our passions, our goals and desires and so much more come from our hearts. No wonder that God gives us a new heart, no longer controlled by sin, but reoriented toward Him. What are the characteristics or actions of your new heart?

Psalm 9:1
Psalm 24:3-5
Psalm 27:3, 14
Psalm 119:11
Psalm 119:34
Proverbs 3:5
Ephesians 6:6
1 Peter 1:22

For a contrast, these verses picture the old heart.

Genesis 6:5
Proverbs 18:12
Jeremiah 5:23
Jeremiah 17:9
Isaiah 29:13
Romans 2:5

Which heart do you really want to live with?

My Part

Do a "before and after" picture. Jot down your impressions or memories of life with your old, sinful heart. Then describe what you've seen or experienced with your new heart. Take a few moments to praise and thank God for your new heart, and ask Him to help you live with it each day.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Feb 23, 2007
Topic: New Life


New Name

Ever wondered when you see a familiar product advertised on TV as "new and improved," what kind of junk you might have been buying before? "New" in this sense always means the old stuff made over with something added or taken away. However, there is another kind of "new"--that which is created fresh and original. That's the kind of new the Bible tells is applied to a Christian--he or she is a new person in Christ.

What Does God Say?

" Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy" (Ephesians 4:22-24, NLT).

You get not only a new life, but also a new name! A name so new that it is a secret until God reveals it to you. And only you and God will know this new name!

"And I [the Son of God] will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it" (Revelation 2:17, NKJV).

Read Isaiah 62:1-2 and Revelation 3:12 to see the other two instances where the Bible tells us about new names.

My Thoughts

    * Why do you think God has promised new names?
    * Why might He give you this new name?
    * What might the name in and of itself reveal about you? About the Lord?
    * Do you see any connection between your new name to come and your new life in Christ now?

My Part

Take time now to pray about how your new life in Christ might be lived out is such a way that it reflect your new life and your new name to come.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Feb 26, 2007
Topic: Holy Spirit


Walk by the Spirit

We call it March madness! It's that time of year when college basketball teams from all over the country compete to see who will be crowned as champions. If you listen to the analysis of the games, you'll hear this phrase repeatedly: "The best defense is a good offense." And the Bible teaches that's true in the Christian life too.

What Does God Say?

"Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish" (Galatians 5:16-17, NKJV).

    * Can you identify the opposing teams?
    * What's God's game plan?
    * To go on the offense, you must do what?

Often a Christian seeking to live in a way that pleases the Lord can get caught up in playing defense: thou shalt not; don't; no; not for a Christian; sin; bad; etc.

While there are things that we want to avoid, when we focus on walking in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit and being obedient to the Spirit, then the things contrary to the Spirit are squeezed out of our lives.

My Thoughts

    * What activities help you stay sensitive to the Spirit so you can walk by the Spirit?
    * How has God made provision for you to live in a way that's pleasing to Christ?

Jesus not only said that He was the way and the truth, but also that He was the life God wants for us. How is the life of Christ to be lived out in you?

My Part

Read again the Scripture above from Galatians. Now take time to pray, and ask God to help you realize the battle that goes on between the flesh and the Spirit. Then ask God to help you commit to living each day by His Spirit and to concentrate on the things of the Spirit.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Feb 27, 2007
Topic: Holy Spirit


Allowing the Holy Spirit To Guide Us

Have you ever heard someone say that they wanted to do something but their conscience wouldn't' let them? Many people speak of a conscience or an inner voice that tells them what is right and what is wrong. As Christians we have something even better--the Holy Spirit. Let's take a look at how the Holy Spirit leads us.

What Does God Say?

When we become Christians, we are given the Holy Spirit to lead us. He is the constant, indwelling influence though which we obey God' s Will. Read through Galatians 5:16-24, and answer these questions:

    * Why does God give us the Holy Spirit? (vv. 16-17)
    * What happens when we do not listen to the Holy Spirit? (vv. 19-21)
    * What will happen when we do listen to the Holy Spirit? (vv. 22-24)

Read Galatians 5:1.

    * How is allowing the Holy Spirit to have influence in our lives, an act of obedience?

My Thoughts

Because the Holy Spirit is indwelled in our lives, He enables us to make wise decisions and choose right over wrong in our life. We want to be influenced by the Holy Spirit and not the things of the world. The more we read the Bible, the more influence the Holy Spirit will have in our lives. Ask yourself these questions:

    * Am I spending time every day in the Word of God?
    * Am I allowing myself to be influenced by the Holy Spirit or am I allowing activities/thought patterns that God wouldn't approve of to influence me?

My Part

The active presence of the Holy Spirit will make a difference in our lives. Take time today examine your life. To see if your life is showing evidence of the Holy Spirit's leading. You can use the list we're given in Galatians 5:22-26 as a gauge. Ask people who are close to you and spend a lot of time with you if they see evidence in your life of the Holy Spirit.

Pray and ask God that He will make you sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is telling you, and that you will listen to Him and not the ways of the world.

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Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Feb 28, 2007
Topic: Holy Spirit


Freedom from the Law

Imagine that you have been held as a captive of war for 20 years, when suddenly you are released. As you adjust to being free again, you become a new person. No longer are you living in solitude and desperation. Once you become free, you will do everything in your power to make sure that you don't go back to being a captive again.

Just as prisoners of war are set free, so is the person who comes to know Christ. God is our rescuer, and He has come to set us free from sin and evil. Let's see what the Bible says about this freedom.

What Does God Say?

" So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law" (Galatians 5:1, NLT). Read Galatians 5:1-4,16-18 and answer these questions:

    * What does God give us freedom from? (v. 18)
    * Why does God give us this freedom? (vv. 16-17)
    * Why don't we have to follow the law? (v. 4)

My Thoughts

" This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT). Anyone who receives Christ becomes a new person. In this new life that we're given, we're no longer under the law, but have been given grace. We become free and are led by the Holy Spirit. Ask yourself these questions:

    * Has there been a time in your life where you received Christ and became a new person?
    * Are you living under the law or through the grace of Jesus Christ?

My Part

In order to be led by the Spirit, we must be walking in the Spirit. One way to walk in the Spirit is to spend time with God by praying and reading His Word. To have a relationship with Christ, you must spend time with Him each day. If you haven't already, plan a time and place where you will spend time with God each day.

Pray and thank God for giving you a new life in Him. Thank Him for His grace that has freed you from the law.

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Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Mar 1, 2007
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship


I'd Like to Be Like Christ

When Michael Jordan dominated the NBA, an ad campaign featured kids talking about "I'd like to be like Mike." No offense, but forget Mike! As Christians, our version should be "I'd like to be like Christ."

What Does God Say?

Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us to "imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ" (NLT). We are to imitate God's character and follow or build our lives around the example of Christ.

There are some things about God we can't imitate--things that only God can be, like infinite, all-knowing, eternal, sovereign, etc. But there are traits shared by God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) that we can copy. There's one right there in Ephesians 5:2--love. We need to love others as Christ loved us: "He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God" (Ephesians 5:2, NLT). This kind of love sacrifices, commits, forgives, and by the way, pleases God.

You find another trait worth imitating in Colossians 3:13: "Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (NLT). Forgiveness is one of those things we all need, we all want, but we find it so hard to give to others. Follow Christ's example, put aside being offended and forgive others.

My Thoughts

The best way to learn to copy or imitate Christ is to read God's Word and see what He was like. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) are a great way to get to know Jesus better. And take a look at Colossians 3:12-17, where Paul tells us to "put on" the actions and attitudes of Christ.

    * What characteristics do you find?
    * How would you describe the actions of Christ?

What are some ways you could practice these characteristics? Be specific about situations, choices or even people who need these things from you.

My Part

For a lot of kids, copying Michael Jordan meant extra, intensive effort on the basketball court. And becoming an imitator of Christ takes practice, practice, practice! It doesn't "just happen"--you have to "just do it."

Commit Colossians 3:2-17 to memory as a check on how you speak, act and respond to other people. Ask for honest feedback from an encouraging friend and fellow Christian. You can also pray for each other and study together. Make a deliberate choice to exercise these traits in your life each day.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Mar 2, 2007
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Imitating Christlike Love

Do you remember when you were a kid and had an older sibling or someone that you looked up to? Maybe you dressed like them, walked like them or just tried to be like them. Well, we are told in the Bible that we are to imitate, or try to be, like God.

The keyword is "try." We will never be just like Christ because He is perfect, but we can try to be more like Him. One of the ways that we can be like Christ is through love.

What Does God Say?

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" (Ephesians 5:1-2, NKJV). Reflect on those verses, and ask yourself these questions:

    * Why are we to imitate Christ?
    * How is walking in love imitating Christ?

"We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't live to please himself" (Romans 15:2-3, NLT).

    * How should we help others?
    * If Christ is our example, how shall we live?

My Thoughts

If we are going to imitate Christ then we must know Him. The only way to know Him is to have a relationship with God. Ask yourself these questions:

    * Am I spending time in prayer and Bible reading so I can know God more?
    * Do my daily actions reflect God's love for me?
    * Am I sharing with others the love that God has given me?

My Part

The love that God has given us isn't just about caring for people but showing them true love. Here are some practical ways that you can love others. Choose one to do this week

    * Go out of your way this week to be nice to someone that you normally don't get along with.
    * Do something good for a friend or neighbor. If they are in need of anything, help them out.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Mar 5, 2007
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship


Walk in Love

Have you ever come up to a traffic light that's just turned yellow and wondered if you should go through or not? If you do, you just might make it to that appointment in time. But if you stop, you might avoid an accident and someone getting hurt.

That's exactly what the Bible teaches about how we live. When we participate in ungodly activities, people get hurt. The Christ-follower is to live in such a way that it is pleasing to God and loving to others.

What Does God Say?

"Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people" (Ephesians 5:3, NLT).

"Carefully determine what pleases the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10, NLT).

    * What do these two verses teach us about walking in obedience?

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way" (Romans 14:13, NIV).

"The commandments, 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Romans 13:9-10, NIV).

    * What do those verses teach about how our concern for others should make a difference in how we live?

My Thoughts

As Christ-followers, we're to walk in love. And when our lifestyle reflects love for the Lord and others, we can be sure we are walking in the right way.

Are there activities in your life that hinder you from walking in love? Are there things that don't please God or reflect your concern for others? What do you need to do to change that?

My Part

Take time to pray now asking that God would deepen your love for Him and others so that each day you would walk in love.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Mar 6, 2007
Topic: Forgiveness/Unforgiveness


A Forgiving Heart

Take a minute with your Bible and concordance and find the verse that says "forgive and forget." Actually, I'll help you out...it's not there. There is no verse that tells us we should forgive others and forget the offense. Because we can't. We can't purge our memories of the times we've been offended. And it's theologically dangerous to think that God, who knows everything, literally forgets the sins He forgives.

This fact is important because it's what gives forgiveness its power. Forgiving a friend when they offend you means next to nothing if all that happens is your memory is erased. But when you choose to forgive a friend, when you intentionally decide to let go of your grudge and accept them as a friend again, then you're showing the true power of forgiveness.

What Does God Say?

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul describes characteristics Christians should have:

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do" (Colossians 3:12-13, NKJV).

Forgiveness is hard because being offended strikes at our heart and stirs up our pride. We want to defend ourselves; we want to lash out with a devastating insult; we want the other person to feel the hurt we are feeling.

But Jesus came here to heal our hurts, and He healed the biggest hurt in our lives by dying on the cross and paying for our sins--our offenses--against His Father. As Paul pointed out, this is our greatest example of how to forgive others.

But even before He died, Jesus gave us a great illustration of the power of forgiveness in the parable recorded in Matthew 18:21-35. Take a moment to read those verses, then move on to the next section.

My Thoughts

    * Have you ever had a large debt or responsibility forgiven? How did you feel?
    * Have you ever felt that another person's sins or offenses "deserve" justice? What's the correct way to act?

My Part

If you have children, or work with children, the Matthew parable is a great one to play-act with them. Assign the roles of the king, the two servants and a couple of on-lookers to report to the king. After you act out the scene, sit down and discuss the actions of the servant and the king. Find examples in your own life of when you forgave someone and share that story.

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