Bible Minute

[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jun 21, 2007
Topic: God's Love


God's Anger

What makes you angry? Maybe it's when someone says something unkind to you. Perhaps it's when another driver pulls out in front of you and almost causes an accident. Or maybe it's at work when you don't feel you're being treated fairly.

Did you know that God also gets angry? But God's anger is not like human anger. Let's look at what the Bible tells us about why God gets angry and what we can do about it.

What Does God Say?

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming (Colossians 3:5-6, NIV).

    * What are the "these" that God is angry at?
    * What does Paul tell Christians to do about "these"

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2, NIV).

    * How has Jesus dealt with the issue of sin?
    * How does this affect you and me?

"That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world" (1 Corinthians 11:30-32, NIV)

    * What might happen when Christians willfully sin?
    * Instead of anger, however, what is God's motive for doing this?

My Thoughts

What would you think of parents who didn't get angry if someone was threatening to harm their child? You'd probably wonder if those parents truly loved their boy or girl. In a similar way, because God loves you and me, it's understandable that He would get angry when He sees the damage that sin does to us

But unlike a child who is threatened by an outside source, sin is wrapped up in the person of the sinner. God's wrath can't be directed toward sin without also being directed toward the person in whom the sin dwells. Romans 1:18 says, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness" ( NIV).

Those who accept Christ as their Savior, however, avoid that wrath. Romans 5:9 assures us, "Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!" (NIV)

Those who reject Christ ultimately will experience the full brunt of God's anger at sin. Romans 2:5 says, "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed" (NIV).

Which situation do you want to see in your life?

My Part

If you've not accepted Christ as your Savior, take time now to ask God to forgive your sins. Turn from them and put your trust in Jesus and His sacrificial death on the cross. Then thank God for His forgiveness and for His love and ask Him to help you live in a way that pleases Him.

If you already personally know Christ, then give thanks that through Him you have escaped God's wrath toward sin.

Additional Scripture: Romans 8:33-39; Mark 3:5

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Jun 22, 2007
Topic: Jesus


Jesus Above Angels

Angels are popular today. Nearly every major newspaper and magazine over the last few years has run a story about angels. And, of course, many stores offer angel statues, angel jewelry, angel pictures, etc. In fact, a few years back a survey discovered that there are more than 140 stores in the United States that specialize solely in angel paraphernalia.

While angels are certainly a reality, do they deserve all the attention they're receiving these days? Let's look at what the Bible says.

What Does God Say?

"For by him [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him" (Colossians 1:16, ESV ).

"Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen"

(Romans 1:24-25, ESV).

"Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14, ESV).

    * Who created the angels?
    * What happens when people focus on that which was created rather than the Creator?
    * What is the true purpose of angels in their relationship with humans?

My Thoughts

Today's fascination with angels borders on worship. Do you find yourself more attracted to angels than Jesus? Memorize Hebrews 1:4. The next time you're tempted to buy another "angel item," remind yourself who is better--angels or Jesus.

My Part

Take a look around your home and garden. You may also want to consider the jewelry you wear. Is there any indication that angels may be holding a more prominent place in your life than Jesus? Consider removing items that might distract you or others from the Person who should be the primary focus of your attention and adoration.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Jun 25, 2007
Topic: Salvation


Part of the Royal Family

Who do you think of when you think of a King or a Queen? The most well-known Queen right now is probably Queen Elizabeth II. While everyone knows of her, how many of her subjects do you think have personally met her? Probably not very many. Royals tend to be set apart from the common people. They live in a nice palace and don't normally go places the general public goes. The good news is, we have someone who is of even purer royalty--and He doesn't separate Himself from His people. His name is Jesus Christ.

What Does God Say?

"The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names" (Hebrews 1:3-6, NLT).

"This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:18, NLT).

    * What makes Jesus (the Son) so unique and special?
    * How does Jesus' power compare to the power of the angels?
    * How was Jesus conceived?

My Thoughts

Because He was conceived by God, Jesus' bloodline comes from God Himself. As a Christian, we are part of that lineage as well. We become an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ. We become part of the royal family of Christ! The Bible says that Jesus is better than all the other kings of this world; in fact, He's the King of kings!

"For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords" (1 Timothy 6:15, NLT).

    * What makes Christ the King of all kings in your life?
    * Do you live your life like you are an heir to God?
    * What kind of impact should our new relationship to God have on our lives?

My Part

Isn't it comforting to know that we serve the King of kings and Lord of lords! As a Christian, you are a child of the King and part of the royal family. Take some time today to pray and thank God for making you a part of His family. Thank Him for being an even better King because He wants to have an intimate relationship with you--one that we could never have with any earthly king.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Jun 26, 2007
Topic: Jesus


Jesus the Forever King

We tend to think of Jesus as our Savior, the one who rescues us from sin and gives us access to heaven. Or we see Him as a miracle-worker, the one who taught us about how to live here and now. But how often do you stop and consider Jesus as your king? The Bible is full of references to Jesus as the eternal king, so let's take a look.

What Does God Say?

Kings come and go in our world; they reign; they die or are deposed. Other leaders are elected, overthrown or installed but none last forever. Only Jesus is the king who reigns eternally...beyond the reach of time past, time present and future time. Hebrews 1:8 says

"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom" ( ESV).

Reading on, we see just how "eternal" or timeless and unchanging King Jesus is.

"You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment,
like a robe you will roll them up,
like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
and your years will have no end." (Hebrews 1:10-12, ESV).

And the prophet Isaiah described it this way:

"Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore" (Isaiah 9:7, ESV).

Why is this so important? Well, since Jesus is the King Eternal, you can trust Him to always be the one in charge. He is the king you can depend on, without change, without limitation, no matter what you experience here and now. No one can vote Him out or depose Him. Furthermore, because He will never die, you never have to worry that He will leave the kingdom to one who's less equipped to rule.

My Thoughts

As the king, Jesus has all the rights and privileges of rule over the whole earth--and that includes you. But He's no tyrant. He's a king who saves and serves. Look through these verses and describe the characteristics He has.

Isaiah 40:11
Ezekiel 34:23
Isaiah 9:6-7
Jeremiah 23:5
Daniel 7:13-14
Jeremiah 33:15-16
Zechariah 9:9
Colossians 1:11-14

    * How do these things influence your view of Jesus as king?
    * Why would you want to live under a king like this?

My Part

If you have the opportunity to meet a king or queen, you'll quickly discover it's serious business. There are rules to follow about what to wear, how to shake hands, what you can and can't say, when you show up, etc. There's no room to be casual or careless.

    * So how do you usually approach Jesus?
    * What needs to change if you take Him seriously as king?
    * What can you do to prepare to meet with Him?
    * What sort of respect or honor do you need to show Him?

What will you do today to meet Jesus as your king?

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Jun 27, 2007
Topic: God/Jesus


The Righteous King

Have you ever wondered what life would be like under a monarchy? America has a democratic government; every citizen has a voice. But what if we had a king, instead, who called all the shots? As a person unaccustomed to this form of government, you probably wouldn't like the idea. But as a Christian, well, you're already living in a monarchy with God as the king.

What Does God Say?

The thing that scares most people about a monarchy is the sheer amount of power one person wields. So, let's ask ourselves, "What kind of king is God? How does He use His power?"

We'll find the answer to these questions in the Bible. The author of Hebrews specifically looks at God's kingly characteristics.

    * "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
    * A scepter or righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom" (Hebrews 1:8, NKJV).

First of all, God's reign is eternal. There will be no coups in God's kingdom, and there is no prince to claim the throne later. God is King today, and He is King always. Second, God's scepter, the symbol of His Kingdom, is a scepter of righteousness.

What that means for you and me is that God is a good King. The next verse goes into more detail. "You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness" (Hebrews 1:9, NKJV).

As subjects of the King, we also need to love righteousness and hate lawlessness. We need to love what God loves and hate the things He hates.

My Thoughts

This idea of loving the things God loves and hating the things He hates can be a bit startling. God wants us to hate? Yes, He wants us to hate sin. He wants us to be repulsed by it when we see it in our own lives. He wants us to pursue righteousness, right living; and we can't do that while secretly loving sin.

My Part

To apply this truth, let's say the prayer David prayed at the end of Psalm 139.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Jun 28, 2007
Topic: God/Jesus


The One Who Never Changes

Have there been a lot of changes in your lifetime? If your answer was a resounding, "Yes!," you're not alone. The technology we used as kids is long gone, and so are the days of paying only a handful of change per gallon of gas! Change can be good or bad. But it often feels like we have more bad changes in life than good. If you're the type of person who doesn't handle change very well, then you can take comfort in knowing that there is Someone who will never change. Let's take a look at our Bible study today.

What Does God Say?

"He also says to the Son,
'In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
They will perish, but you remain forever.
They will wear out like old clothing.
You will fold them up like a cloak
and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
you will live forever'" (Hebrews 1:10-12, NLT).

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8, NLT).

    * According to these verses, what is going to wear out?
    * What is the one thing that will remain forever?
    * When will Jesus Christ change?

My Thoughts

This earth was created to wear out. Everything in it will eventually die. However, the Bible promises that God will never wear out like the rest of His creation. Even better, we are also promised that He will never change. Take a moment and think about change; when something or someone changes, they usually become better or worse. Ask yourself these questions:

    * If God did change for the better, then what kind of God is He today?
    * Why do you think God can't change?

My Part

What does it mean to you to know that God will never change? Take some time today to think about how having an unchanging God affects your life and your relationship with Him. Spend time in prayer thanking Him for His unchanging ways.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Jun 29, 2007
Topic: Faith/Trust


Who's Better Than Jesus

You know, my first thought when I looked at the title of today's study (Who's Better Than Jesus) was of Abbott and Costello's classic comedy routine, Who's On First? In that routine, the comedy was built around a misunderstanding: The first baseman had the unusual nickname of Who. Now, there may have been very few men like Who when it came to playing first base (or Abbott and Costello when it came to comedy). But when it comes to restoring our relationship with God, there's no one like Jesus.

Many people make that mistake, though; and the result isn't comical, it's tragic. Nothing and no one is better than Jesus. And when we put our trust in anything other than Him, the results will be disastrous.

What Does God Say?

In Hebrews we've seen how Jesus is better at providing everything you and I really need.

"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises" (Hebrews 8:6, NKJV).

Jesus is the author of a better covenant--essentially the terms of our relationship with God. Under the Old Covenant, yearly sacrifices were required to cover the sins of the people. But Jesus died once to pay for sins once and for all time. All of us can now have a relationship with God knowing that when we trust Christ, He washes away our sins forever. Apart from Jesus, a relationship with God would be impossible.

Jesus also provides hope. "On the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God" (Hebrews 7:19, NKJV). A lot of movies and novels will make much of the fact that hope will sustain a person in even the darkest times. But in those stories the hope is usually for family or a return home. How much more powerful is the hope Jesus brings! "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:19, NKJV).

Many people make promises to us, but only Jesus can supply everything we really need. He's the only One we can truly trust.

My Thoughts

So, what are your thoughts? Is it easy or hard to believe that Jesus is better than anything we can put our trust in? What have you seen that makes it easy? What makes it hard? What is one specific thing you can do today to show Jesus you trust Him?

My Part

Take an inventory of how trusting Jesus has made your life better. As you think of these blessings, turn them into praise. Thank God for everything He's done for you. Let the memory of God's faithfulness in the past fuel your trust in the future.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

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


What God Wants

"God, what do You want from me?" What kind of picture comes to your mind when you read that question? I see a man at the end of his rope screaming at the heavens. I see an elderly woman breathing a silent prayer before climbing out of bed in the morning. I see a teenager at summer camp having just met the Savior for the first time.

No matter the situation, God has answered the question. In Deuteronomy God tells us exactly what He wants from us. "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statues of the Lord" (Deuteronomy 10:12-13, ESV).

What Does God Say?

The first thing God requires is to: "fear the Lord your God." Fearing God doesn't mean living in terror of Him. Instead, it's keeping a balance between reverent respect for who He is--the God of the universe--and what He wants: a relationship with us. It's drawing near to Him as a father but respecting His authority as king. The next two things mentioned in Deuteronomy take this idea further.

"Walk in all his ways"--that means becoming the kind of person God is. It means learning to like the things God likes and hate the things He hates. We walk in God's ways by copying Him as the Holy Spirit works in us (Galatians 5:22-23). Reading the Gospels is a great help in this. By looking at the life of Jesus, we can see exactly how God would respond in various situations.

The next thing God wants us to do is to love Him. It would be enough for God to command our obedience, but He also desires our love. Again, looking at the life of Jesus, we see this love demonstrated; and we are encouraged to respond in kind.

Finally, God wants us to serve Him with all our hearts and souls and to keep His commandments. Serving God will take us out of our comfort zones more often than not. But it also displays trust. We "say" a lot about our God to those watching when we obey Him--even when it's not the popular decision.

My Thoughts

Throughout the rest of the day, think about the following questions: How can you learn God's ways? In what ways did Jesus demonstrate His love for you today? What opportunities do you have to serve?

My Part

There's an old hymn by Avis B. Christiansen that says:

Only one life to offer,
Jesus my Lord and King;
Only one tongue to praise Thee
And of Thy mercy sing (forever).

Only one heart's devotion--
Savior, O may it be
Consecrated alone to Thy matchless glory,
Yielded fully to Thee.

Take a few minutes and pray the words of that hymn. Pray that God would show you how you can use your one life to make an impact for Him.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
With Woodrow Kroll

Date: Jul 3, 2007
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


What's All This about Service?

What comes to your mind when you think of a servant? A person who waits on someone who is barking out orders? Well, we know that as Christians we are called to be servants of Christ, so the idea of "serving" can be a little confusing. In today's lesson, let's take a deeper look at service--what it means and how to implement it in our everyday lives.

What Does God Say?

"And now, Israel , what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul" (Deuteronomy 10:12, NLT ).

What are the four things that God requires of us?

"And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5, NLT).

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him" (Romans 12:1, NLT).

In light of these verses, ask yourself these questions:

    * What parts of ourselves should be involved in loving God?
    * Why should we give our bodies to God as a sacrifice?

My Thoughts

From the verses above, we know that we are called to serve the Lord with every part of our being. In fact the New Testament word for service (latreia) can be translated as worship. Service is the way that we worship God. We don't have to be in a church or on a mission field; we can serve God wherever we are and whatever we are doing. Ask yourself:

    * Am I giving my talents and abilities to God?
    * If not, how can I use them to serve God?
    * How can I use my job to serve God?

My Part

God doesn't want only 20 or 40 percent of us; He wants 100 percent of us. Spend some time today thinking about your service--are you giving Him 100 percent? If not, pray that God will help you use every part of yourself as service to Him.

Additional Scripture: Matthew 22:37

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 4, 2007
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship

100 Percent

If I asked you to give God 100 percent, would you immediately think I meant money?

Well, don't worry, this question really isn't about money; it's about you. All of you: heart, mind, soul and strength.

What Does God Say?

In fact, that's what God wants from you. Check out Deuteronomy 6:4-5: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" ( ESV). And Jesus underscored this: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37, ESV). That's definitely 100 percent!

Jesus goes on to say, "This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:38-40, ESV). Did you notice that it begins with love? It's not "serve the Lord" or even "obey the Lord." He says "love." When you choose to love God like that, the obedience and the service fall into place. You honor His commandments because your love for Him keeps you from lying, adultery, coveting, creating idols and all the rest (Exodus 20:1-17).

But to do this will take all of you--heart, mind, soul and strength.

My Thoughts

The Bible talks about the heart as the center of all activity, the real intents and desires that drive and determine what you'll do and become, and "from it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:23, ESV).

    * How's your heart for God?

The soul is the eternal spirit, the "you-ness" God created in you that continues when your body fails and dies. In talking about the end of a person's life, Ecclesiastes 12:7 describes it as "the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it" (ESV).

    * Does your soul belong to God? Will it spend eternity with Him?

The mind is your will, where you make choices and reason through your actions or attitudes. "Be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).

    * What choices have you made to follow God? What decisions do you try to make without Him?

And you can't leave out your physical strength, the body, because it houses (for our time on earth) all the rest. "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1, ESV).

    * How much of your mind, heart, soul and even body have you given to God?
    * Do you think you're holding onto something that He wants from you?
    * What's keeping you from giving 100 percent?

My Part

So, how do you do this 100 percent thing, 100 percent of the time? Well, there's no easy formula. But it begins with a choice. Choose to love God--for who He is and what He's done for you.

Then start asking, How can I show God I love Him? If I love God, what other choices do I make? Remember, He'll help you. So make sure you ask God to show you each day how to give Him more and more of yourself.

Try Proverbs 3:5-9 as a guide. Verse 5 focuses on the heart and soul; verses 6 and 7 instruct the mind and will, verses 8 and 9 look at your strength or assets (oops, there's money!).

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce" (ESV).

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 5, 2007
Topic: Service/Servanthood


Sacrifice of Service

All of us, whether we're moms at home, pastors of congregations, missionaries on the field or business professionals, are called to serve God with our whole lives. That's the idea behind Romans 12:1. Paul tells us, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (NKJV).

We typically think of sacrificing our lives as giving up our lives--death. But God calls us to be living sacrifices. What does that mean?

What Does God Say?

Let's look a little closer at Romans 12:1.

"Living sacrifice." Being a living sacrifice means being obedient to God's will each and every day. It means sacrificing our want and desires, if necessary, to serve Him.

"By the mercies of God." One of the major themes in the Book of Romans is how God, through Jesus, has demonstrated His love and mercy by forgiving and atoning for our sins. Because of this, when we believe in Christ, God gives us eternal life instead of death. Now, being alive through God's mercy, we can live according to Christ's example.

God's mercy also enables us to: "Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God." We willing lead lives that keep our bodies pure before our God and our hands clean before our Maker.

    * For the Christian, our sacrifice doesn't begin the day we die, it begins today--it ends the day we die.

The Bible goes on to tell us that presenting our bodies to God is "Your reasonable service." Some translations say, "spiritual act of worship," which is a valid translation as well. Paul says that our service is "reasonable." It's logical, the natural next step. It makes sense that a person saved by grace through faith would want to serve God with his or her life. (See Ephesians 2:8-10).

My Thoughts

What are some ways you can demonstrate a life of service in your home? At school? In church?

My Part

Start by looking for ways to serve in your home. Begin your morning by praying that you would be attentive to God's prompting and the opportunities that arise. As you encounter other people who are active in service, encourage them through a letter or card. Find creative ways your whole family can participate in serving the Lord together.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 6, 2007
Topic: Service/Servanthood


Willing to Serve

Someone observed, "Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity. " But God doesn't need any advisors--the all-knowing God is quite capable of making His own decisions with no input from any of us.

But it is true that God is looking for servants. Let's look at the kind of people who please God with their service.

What Does God Say?

And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD. And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats' hair or tanned rams' skins or goatskins brought them. Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the LORD's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair. And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece, and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD (Exodus 35:21-29 ESV).

    * What kind of an attitude does God want His servants to have?
    * What was the purpose of the gifts/services rendered by these Israelites?
    * What do you think motivated these people to serve the Lord by giving so generously?

My Thoughts

We serve the Lord in many ways, one of which is through the gifts that we give. When it comes time to write your check or put your offering in the offering plate, what kind of an attitude do you have? Compare this passage in Exodus35 to 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 in the New Testament. What similarities do you see?

My Part

In addition to giving material gifts, list at least two other ways you could serve the Lord this week. Share this with a friend and ask him or her to hold you accountable not only for the service itself but also for the attitude you show as you serve.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
Date: Jul 9, 2007
Topic: Service/Servanthood


Serving Because We Can

Have you ever had someone do something really nice for you, but you sense that it was out of obligation--not because that person really wanted to? How about the opposite scenario? Someone invites you home and serves you a nice dinner or someone gives you a compliment or a gift--just because he or she wants to do something especially for you? Which "giver attitude" would you prefer?

If you prefer a "gift" given because someone wanted to give it, you know how God feels. He wants us to serve Him because we want to, not because we feel we should.

What Does God Say?

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God (1 Peter 5:2, NLT).
According to this verse, what should our motives be for serving God?
But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy (Philippians 2:17, NLT).

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people (Colossians 3:23, NLT).

Serve the LORD with gladness (Psalm 100:2, NKJV).

What are some keywords that are repeated in these verses to describe how we should serve?
In what areas of our lives should we "work willingly?"

My Thoughts

We often confuse the word "service" with the word "enslavement." We think that being a servant means we are forced to do something for someone else. It becomes a problem when that is our view of serving God. We should want to serve Him. One of the natural outcomes of loving God is doing something about that love, and that's what service is about. Ask yourself this:
Am I serving the Lord because I have to or because I want to?

When I am not serving with joy and willingness, what does it say about my relationship with God?

Do I willingly and gladly serve in all areas of my life?

My Part

This might call for a heart check up. No, not one that you get at the doctor, but a check up that you and God perform. Spend some time in prayer and reflection over the condition of your heart for service. God does not want someone who serves Him because it's something that they have to do. God wants a willing and joyful servant--let's strive to be that type of servant in everything that we do.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
Date: Jul 10, 2007
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship



Why Obey?

What is the key to obeying God? The Bible teaches that the better we know God, the more obedient we will be. When we know who God is and what kind of God He is, then obedience will naturally flow from our hearts.

What Does God Say?

"I am the Lord;
there is no other God.
I have equipped you for battle,
though you don't even know me,
so all the world from east to west
will know there is no other God.
I am the Lord, and there is no other (Isaiah 45:5-6 NLT).
 
These verses tell us that, "there is no other God'" And He proves that fact in big ways (and small) all the time.

So, who is this God? If I'm going to obey God, I have to answer the question, "Who is He?" And the answer to that question is "He's the God who rules all the earth." He's the God who is the God over all the other gods.

That's the God of the Bible, the Heavenly Father of all who have become a part of His family by committing their lives to His Son, Jesus, the Savior of the world.

Now, what kind of God is He? The Bible also answers that question just as clearly and directly.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,'" declares the Lord, "'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life"(John 3:16, NKJV).

My Thoughts

What do these Scriptures tell us about God?
What response do you have to this kind of God?
If He is the God, the only God and He is a loving God who will sacrifice for your benefit, is He not a God you can trust? And is He not the kind of God you would want to know better and have a relationship with?

My Part

We will never willingly and lovingly obey God until we trust Him. Trust comes from knowing that He is the only God, the mighty and awesome God who created the heavens and the earth--and us--and gave us breath and life. We can trust Him with our lives and our eternity, with our sins and our failures, with our strengths and our weaknesses, with every situation and every relationship. And because we trust Him and His love, we know why we obey.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study
Date: Jul 11, 2007
Topic: God/Jesus



What Kind of God?

What kind of God do you have? How do you see Him? In fact, take a moment right now and jot down five or six words that, to you, describe God.

Maybe you've come up with words like awesome or powerful, angry or judgmental, loving and compassionate or strict and expecting obedience. Actually, there's much more to God than we generally consider. But sometimes that's a problem.

What Does God Say?

The problem starts when we have an incomplete view of God. Maybe we prefer to focus on His love and compassion and forget how much He hates sin or how willing He is to judge evil. Or we start treating God like He's one of us. We limit Him and decide what kind of God He'll be.
Guess what? That doesn't fly with God. First, because we're the creation, not the Creator:

" For thus says the LORD,
who created the heavens
(he is God!),
who formed the earth and made it
(he established it;
he did not create it empty,
he formed it to be inhabited!):
'I am the LORD, and there is no other.'" (Isaiah 45:18, ESV).

When you create a painting or a cake or a piece of furniture, it owes its existence to you. You're the greater of the two. It's the same with God--He created us, and we owe our existence to Him. We're the work of His hands, not His equal as He reminds us in Isaiah 45:9-10:

"Woe to him who strives with him who formed him,
a pot among earthen pots!
Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?'
or 'Your work has no handles'?
Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?'
or to a woman, 'With what are you in labor?'" ( ESV).

So much for putting God in a box and telling Him how to be God!

My Thoughts

Take a look at a few more things we need to know about God.

Psalm 100:3
Isaiah 40:28
2 Peter 3:9
1 John 4:7-20
Isaiah 45:21-22
Deuteronomy 9:7
Exodus 34:6
Psalm 145:8-20

What did you see of God?
What kind of response does He deserve from you?
Does your view of God conflict with what He says about Himself in His Word?
Have you looked at Him from only a few angles, the ones you're most comfortable with?
What needs to change in your view of God?

My Part

Let me ask you again, what kind of God do you have? The only sure way to develop a better understanding of who God really is, is by exploring His complete Word, not just the parts you like best or what makes you feel good. It may mean coming to grips with a God who really doesn't put up with sin or learning to accept the mercy and grace that a just and holy God offers.

Whenever you read the Bible, pay attention to what God says about Himself. Jot your finding and the references in the back of your Bible or your journal. See how your view of God grows and develops more fully. You can begin with the passages we've looked at here, or try a survey through Psalms 90-100 and see what you find.

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