Bible Minute

[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 18, 2007
Topic: Prayer, Christian Living/Situational


How You Treat God - 2

Are you ever surprised by Scripture? Not just amazed but almost unable to believe a specific passage is actually in the Bible? Jeremiah felt the same astonishment when he heard God tell him that his prayers for the Israelites were just a waste of time.

What Does God Say?

"Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, and don't beg me to help them, for I will not listen to you" (Jeremiah 7:16, NLT)

Why would God tell Jeremiah that? Don't you think He wants His people to pray for each other? What is the difference in this situation? God explained it to Jeremiah. The difference was because of how the people had treated God. They had defiled God's house, lived wicked lives, refused to repent; and they had to bear the consequences.

"Don't you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the Lord, have spoken!" (Jeremiah 7:11 NLT)

My Thoughts

God is a God who expects to be treated like God. And any nation, any people who live like they don't need God should not be naive enough to believe that God will ignore their behavior and also help them whenever they ask.

Is God a God of grace, a God of mercy, a God of goodness and love? Most certainly! But He is also a just and holy and fair God. And we, especially His children, should treat God like the God He is. Or we might discover that one day our prayers will be left unanswered because God is not listening.

My Part

Does this seem right to you? Is God being mean and vindictive? Or is God refusing to bless sin and rebellion? Praying and asking for God's help does not begin when we voice our needs and troubles to Him. Our prayers and our behavior are inescapably related. Our prayers are nullified when we live lives of rebellion toward God.

Understand that, today, the way you live reflects what you truly think of God. Ask for His help, and commit to do your best to walk worthy of your God.

"Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God" (Ephesians 4:1 NLT).

"Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better" (Colossians 1:10 NLT).

"We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory" (1 Thessalonians 2:12 NLT).

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 19, 2007
Topic: Prayer


First Things First

"First things first"--you've heard that before, haven't you? Your mom yelled, "Come to lunch! Wash your hands first!"

Your boss told you "Don't ever take out the company car without checking the oil first."

Your spouse warned, "I just vacuumed the carpet. Take your shoes off before you come in."

You know your car won't start unless you turn the ignition key first, and you can't read your e-mail without booting up the computer first; but did you know there is a "first thing first" in prayer too? Let's see what the Lord says.

What Does God Say?

You are probably aware that your relationship to God should be right if you expect Him to answer your prayers. Proverbs 15:29 (ESV) says:

    * "The Lord is far from the wicked,
    * but he hears the prayer of the righteous."

But there's another condition to be met before your prayers can be effective-- something that Jesus said you need to consider before you approach God. He said:  "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24 ESV).

"And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses" (Mark 11:25 ESV).

Jesus is saying that "first things first" applies when we go to the Lord in prayer. God looks at our prayers as offerings to Him (See Revelation 8:4.). If you go to the altar of prayer and your brother has something against you, your offering won't be acceptable to the Lord until you have restored your human relationships. If you go to prayer with an unforgiving spirit, God will be deaf until you have first forgiven the one who offended you.

My Thoughts

Look up these verses and answer the questions:

    * Psalm 145:18--What is God's condition for nearness to those who call on Him?
    * Proverbs 15:8--Whose prayer is acceptable to God?
    * Proverbs 28:9--Whose prayer is an abomination?
    * John 15:7--Who may ask what they wish, and it will be done?

My Part

You should be very careful about rushing into the presence of God. A little preparation time before you go to the Lord can help you be on better "praying ground." Yes, Christ has given us the right to appear confidently before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), but He has also warned us not to appear disobediently.
 
Set aside a few minutes in your devotional time to prepare to meet with the Lord. Ask him to show you anything in your life that is hindering prayer. Try doing this for the next several days and see if it doesn't make a difference in the way you come before the Lord. Keep the first things first.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 20, 2007
Topic: Prayer, Bible Study/Theories


How You Treat the Bible - 1

Some things just seem to go together--for example, bacon and eggs, Abbot and Costello, Simon and Garfunkel. Certainly one can exist without the other, but they're even better if you put them together.

The same is true of prayer and reading God's Word. You can certainly read the Bible by itself, but when you put it together with prayer, you have a dynamite combination. Let's see what the Bible says.

What Does the Bible Say

Scripture indicates that Bible reading should be an integral part of your prayer life. Take a look at Proverbs 28:9:

"If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination" (ESV).

Law is often used in Scripture to refer to the Word of God--the Bible itself. For many more synonyms (and a wonderful reminder of how important the Bible is in our lives), read Psalm 119.

But this wasn't just an Old Testament idea. Jesus said much the same thing to His disciples but in a positive way. "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7, ESV).

● What does it mean to abide in Jesus?
● Give at least two ways you can have God's Word abide in you.
● How does prayer enter into this promise?

My Thoughts

Where does the Bible fit into your prayer life? Do you only open God's Word once a week at church, or do you make time for it every day along with prayer? If you want to know how to pray successfully, find out from God's Word what He wants you to pray about (See Matthew 5:44, Luke 10:2, Philippians 1:9).

My Part

Here are two way to integrate God's Word into your prayer life. For the next seven days, stop to pray before you open God's Word. Confess any sins that might hinder you from hearing what God might want to say to you from His Word. After you've read the Scriptures, pray again--asking God to apply what you've read to your life.

Another way of combining God's Word with your prayers is to take your Scripture reading and turn it into a prayer. If you've read, "you shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15), you might pray: "Lord, help me not to steal today. Help me not to steal time from my employer but put in an honest day's work. Help me not steal from my spouse by looking inappropriately at something (or someone) that would damage our relationship. Help me not to steal from my friends by saying anything that would hurt or cause them to feel badly about themselves. Amen." Your prayer can be written out or spoken spontaneously. Try this at least once a week for the next month.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 21, 2007
Topic: Bible Study/Theories


How You Treat the Bible - 2

You come to this Bible Minute Web site to learn what God says about your life here on earth and in eternity. You come because you want to know more about God Himself and your relationship to Him. Perhaps you have come because you are searching for answers to needs you are experiencing in your life.

Bible illiteracy--ignorance of what the Bible says and what it has to do with life--is a disgrace around the world today. In America hundreds of thousands have Bibles, but they neglect them. These Bible Minutes are written to help you get to know God's Word better and apply its lessons to your life.

Reading God's Word with understanding begins with knowing some very basic facts about the Bible itself. Pick up your Bible and let's look at some of those things today.

What Does God Say?

First, look at two statements from Psalm 119. This is a wonderful psalm. It is the longest chapter in the Bible and nearly every verse says something about God's Word.

Psalm 119:89 (ESV)
Forever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.

What does this verse tell you about God's Word?

Psalm 119:160 (ESV)
The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

What insight into God's Word does this verse give you?

My Thoughts

With the kind of book described in Psalm 119 is in your hands, you'll want to understand it as completely as possible. Your most important responsibility is to read it. As you read it, ask God to give you understanding and life-changing insights.

Many resources are available to help you better understand your Bible. Here are some suggestions. It will help you to consult a trusted pastor or Christian leader about which books are good, since there are also some bad ones out there.

    * A Bible dictionary. You may look up names, places and unfamiliar words. It will also give you brief outlines of each book of the Bible and biographical information on each person.
    * A concordance. Some Bibles have this included. A concordance is a list of Bible words, with the verse references where they are found. Be sure your concordance is for the Bible version you use, since Greek and Hebrew words are not always translated exactly the same way in every version.
    * A Bible commentary. Start with a one-or two-volume commentary. Commentaries cover each book of the Bible in order and shed some light on each section. There are also separate commentaries by trustworthy scholars that deal with individual Bible books.
    * If your budget is too tight to obtain these study helps, one of your best starter purchases would be a good study Bible. These Bibles contain many notes and helps that are found in commentaries or dictionaries. They usually contain a reasonably good concordance.
    * In our day, there are many Bible study resources on the Internet such as this one, but be careful! Cults and false teachers also use the Internet.

My Part

Today's Bible Minute study is a bit different because we want to help you dig deeper into God's Word and learn how to apply it to your life. We pray for you to be one of the "biblically literate.″

Dr. Woodrow Kroll says, “God only wrote one Book. And in that one Book, He reveals to us what's on His heart and what's on His mind. Now, if we don't care enough about God to read what He said to us, why would we think that God would be eager to answer our prayers?”

Now, take some time to investigate God's marvelous Book and look up the following verses in Psalm 119. Write down what each of the verses says God's Word will do for you.

          o Psalm 119:105
          o Psalm 119:9
          o Psalm 119:11
          o Psalm 119:42
          o Psalm 119:169
          o Psalm 119:16

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 24, 2007
Topic: Prayer


When We Get in the Way of Prayer

Imagine that you're getting ready to drive to work. Before you get into your car and start on your way, you lay down nail-studded boards at the end of your drive; you situate huge barricades across your street and then drain all but a cupful of gas out of your tank. Sounds a little crazy, doesn't it? It doesn't make sense. If you want to get from one place to another, you don't want anything preventing you from reaching your final destination. Yet, that is exactly what we do in our own prayer lives. We set up obstacles that prevent us from getting our prayers answered. Let's take a look at some of those obstacles.

What Does God say?

"Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it" (James 4:2, NLT).

"Listen! The Lord's arm is not too weak to save you,
nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.
It's your sins that have cut you off from God.
Because of your sins, he has turned away
and will not listen anymore" (Isaiah 59:1-2, NLT).

"If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened" (Psalm 66:18, NLT).

What is one of the obstacles the Bible gives for us not getting what we want from God?

What is another obstacle that causes God to not hear our prayers?

My Thoughts

How many times do we blame God when our prayers don't get answered? The problem is we're trying to find fault with the wrong person. Instead of looking at God, we need to take a good look at ourselves. Isaiah 59:1-2 reminds us why our prayers aren't answered--it's because of our sin.

Ask yourself:

Is there any sin that would be an obstacle in my prayer life?

We're also told that we don't get what we want because we don't ask!

Am I remembering to ask God for what I need? Or am I just trying to do everything on my own?

My Part

Prayer is one of the ways that you have a relationship with God. It takes two people to make a relationship work, and you have to do your part.

Make sure that you're talking to God every day. It doesn't matter where you are, what time it is or for how long, just make sure that you're spending some time each day talking to God.

Also make sure that you're not setting up obstacles in your prayer life because of sin. Ask God to reveal to you any sin you have in your life.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 25, 2007
Topic: Prayer


Hindrances to Prayer - 2

Oh my! Brake lights flashing up ahead; traffic's slowing down. What's the problem? Train? Accident? Construction? Flat tire? Whatever it is, it can hinder you from getting where you're going. Hindrances in our physical lives are no fun, neither are the hindrances that can interfere with our prayer lives.

What Does God Say?

If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear" (Psalm 66:18 NKJV)

Sin in our lives hinders us from getting through to God. But even Christians sin, don't they? True. Only when we get to heaven will we be completely free from sin and 100 percent delivered from sinning.

So, what is the Bible saying? Perhaps another translation would help us understand.

Psalm 66:18, "If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened" (NIV).

What does the Psalmist identify as a hindrance that interferes with our prayers?

Sin that we hold onto, sins that we refuse to let go, sins that become part of our lifestyle--these are hindrances that keep God from answering our prayers. Such things also interrupt our fellowship with God, keep us from spending time in His Word, dilute the joy in our lives, interfere with our worship and undermine our assurance and trust in God.

Are there any hindrances in your spiritual life?

Are there any situations or relationships that are not pleasing to God that you are holding onto?

My Thoughts

What will remove those hindrances? The apostle John gives us the steps in 1 John 1:8-9, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (NIV).

According to John, what is the first step?

What does God promise to do?

Deal with the sin. Acknowledge it, confess it, and turn away from it. Then, let it go; walk away from it; get rid of it; don't go there; get new friends; make a clean break with that sin.

Can you do that? Not on your own. How does Philippians 2:13 below encourage you?

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose" (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

What does this scripture teach you about God’s help?

Who is working in you?

For what reason is God working in you?

My Part

Take time now to shore up your prayer life. Set aside those hindrances and spend time in prayer, enjoying intimate fellowship with the Lord, confident that God is listening to your prayers.

*Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I'll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

*"Sweet Hour of Prayer," William W. Walford and William B. Bradbury. Public Domain.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 26, 2007
Topic: Prayer


Check Your Motives at the Door

Ever heard the saying, "Never judge a man's actions until you know his motives"? Why is that true? Because motives are what cause a person to act in a certain way. Why are we so interested in the motivation behind someone's actions? Well, it's because a wrong assumption (about someone's motives) determines how we view something someone does. If we know that something's done purely to make an individual look better, we won't appreciate it. Although, we might guess at someone's motives, God knows with certainty each person's motivation.

What Does God Say?

"And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure" (James 4:3, NLT).

"But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted" (John 15:7, NLT).

   1. What is one thing mentioned in these verses that keeps us from getting what we ask God for?
   2. When our motives are wrong, whose best interest are we looking for?
   3. How can we make sure our motives are good?

My Thoughts

One of the biggest roadblocks in our prayer lives is asking God for something for all the wrong reasons. God isn't going to honor us by answering prayers that don't honor Him. We want what benefits us--not what is pleasing and right with God. Ask yourself:

What am I really after when I pray?

What are the things I'm praying for right now?

What is my motivation in those prayers?

 
My Part

When we realize that we're coming to God with wrong motives, we must deal with it like the rest of the sin in our lives. We have to confess it to God and move on. We have to change our motives and then come before God with the right motives.

Take some time today to conduct a "motives checkup." Make sure that when you come before God with a prayer request, you have the right motive. Remember, we can't hide our motives from God.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 27, 2007
Topic: Prayer


Wrong Motives

C. S. Lewis wrote in his Letters to an American Lady, "Humans are very seldom either totally sincere or totally hypocritical. Their moods change, their motives are mixed, and they often themselves are quite mistaken as to what their motives are."

That's also true in our prayer lives. Sometimes even we don't realize what our motives are. But you can be sure that God knows our motives all the time. So, what happens if we're praying for the right thing but for the wrong reason? Let's see what God's Word says.

What Does God Say?

"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions" (James 4:1-3, ESV).

● What are some of the "motives" given in this passage?
● What does it mean to "ask wrongly"?
● The word "passions" can be translated "pleasures." Can you think of a time when you prayed for something simply to use for your pleasure?

My Thoughts

Nobody, as C.S. Lewis observed, has totally pure motives. But what do you do when you discover that your primary motive for praying for something is based on a "wrong motive"? Look at 1 John 1:9 and consider the following questions:

● What does John tell us that a Christian should do with sin in his or her life?
● What is God's response to this action?
● What do we find in this verse that assures us God will forgive us and purify us from unrighteousness?

My Part

If you're not getting a response to your prayers, it might be because you're asking with the wrong motive. Ask God to reveal any wrong motive that might be hindering your prayers. Then follow the directions in 1 John 1:9 to deal with these motives.

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[nChrist]

Title: Facing the Gray Areas
Date: Oct 1, 2007
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: James 1:5-8, Proverbs 12:15, 1 Samuel 31:1-13, Acts 8:2, 1 Kings 2:10, Matthew 14:10-12, Joshua 7:15-25, Luke 23:5-54, Luke 6:12-13, Genesis 25:8-10, Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:8, Romans 14:15, Psalm 25:4-5



Your neighbor, Ted, is dying of cancer. Ted and his family are all Christians. One of his daughters has come to you with a question: "Dad has less than two months to live. He told us yesterday that he wants to be cremated when he dies. Some of our family members feel a Christian shouldn't do that. What do you think?"

As you search your mind for an answer, you wonder what God says about your neighbors' situation. What can you tell Ted's daughter?

What Does God Say?

When you go to your Bible, you find it doesn't offer specific guidelines on the subject of cremation. The Jewish custom was to bury their dead (Genesis 25:8-10, 1 Kings 2:10, Matthew 14:10-12, Acts 8:2). The body of Jesus was entombed (Luke 23:50-54) and burial either in the ground or in a tomb has been the traditional custom for Christians as well.

On the other hand, the Bible also tells us that the bodies of lawbreakers were sometimes burned (Joshua 7:15-25). In addition 1 Samuel 31:1-13 says that the body of disobedient King Saul was burned. But we can't forget, however, that so were the bodies of Saul's sons including the body of his godly son Jonathan.

Considering all this, you probably realize that Ted's family is facing what is referred to as a "gray area" in Christian decision making. The Bible doesn't lay out a black and white rule about cremation; it doesn't say "do" or "don't," "right" or "wrong." Yet this family faces a decision that must be made.

What should you do when you have to determine what to do about one of these "gray areas?"

My Thoughts

The issue of cremation must be decided in the same way that other important decisions are reached. The Bible doesn't tell us exactly what to do, but here are some biblical principles to follow when you don't find clear statements for or against a matter. Look up each of the following verses.

    * Pray earnestly for God's direction (Psalm 25:4-5; Luke 6:12-13).
    * Be sure the decision you make will produce results consistent with the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the glory of God (1Corinthians 10:31).
    * Seek out and listen to godly advice (Proverbs 12:15).
    * Write out the pros and cons of each alternative and choose the best (Philippians 4:8 ).
    * Make the decision (James 1:5-8 ).

My Part

You or someone in your family may face the question of cremation some day. What do you think about cremation for Christians? Putting the above principles into practice, list all the thoughts you have for and against the practice, then write down your conclusion.

When Paul is dealing with another gray area (the celebration of special days), he concludes: "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind" (Romans 14:5). Whatever decision you make, give others the right to be "fully convinced" in their mind even if they come to a different conclusion than your own.

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Daily Bible Study

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


War

Jesus told His disciples, "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet" (Matthew 24:6, ESV). That there will be wars on earth up till the very end seems certain. But what should the Christian's attitude toward war be? That question has special relevance these days, so let's take a moment and see what the Bible has to say.

What Does the Bible Say

Since wars happen on a national scale, the passage in Romans in which Paul describes our responsibilities to governing bodies applies here. Let's look at Romans 13:1-7.

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God" (Romans 13:1, ESV). Given the context of the Roman Empire, this statement may have caught some Christians off guard. Even the secular rulers of the land are appointed by God. As such, it is the Christian's responsibility to respect those rulers. Paul explains this in verses 2 and 3.

In verse 4 Paul says, "But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he [the governing authority] does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer" (Romans 13:4, ESV).

Not only does God appoint the leaders of governments, He gives them the "sword" of judgment. So, it is not inherently wrong for a nation to have a standing army or a police force so long as it exists to serve justice.

Is it, therefore, biblical for Christians to be active in the military? As long as that military serves its God-appointed role, it is biblically justifiable for a Christian to serve in the military.

My Thoughts

I think it's important here to make a distinction between what happens on a national level and what happens on a personal level. While it is biblical for a nation to wage war (and for believers to participate in that war) when acting on principles of justice, it is not biblical for individual believers to wage personal wars against other individuals. This is where Paul's admonitions in Romans 12:14-21 hold precedence. "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12:18, ESV).

My Part

The issue of war and the believer's part in it is much larger than a short Bible study can address. So, I encourage you, if this is a matter that concerns you, to not end the discussion here. Dig deeper into the Bible and find what it says. Look at the wars of the Old Testament and consider their context. Consider Jesus' teaching on the subject--do His teachings apply only to the individual or can they be applied on a national level as well? Ask your pastor to recommend commentaries or other books on the subject. All the while, pray that God will give you the wisdom to discern His will and the ability to apply it to your own life.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 3, 2007
Topic: Salvation, Doubt/Fear


No Need to Worry

The unknown future can often leave us feeling worried and afraid. We're always wondering where we'll be in ten years. If we'll ever find a spouse? If we'll we get that job we really want? If our kids will grow up to serve and love the Lord? However, if we've received Jesus Christ as our Savior, even though we may not know the future, we do know the One who controls it.

What Does God Say?

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23, NLT).

"Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8, NLT).

"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" (John 14: 1-3, NLT).

    * As a result of our sin, what do we deserve?
    * Because we have accepted Jesus Christ, what do we get?
    * If we're not in our earthly bodies, where are we?
    * Where is the Lord's home?

My Thoughts

Too many of us spend most of our lives worrying about the future. Ask yourself, in the end, what really matters? Our time here on earth is just a short period when compared to eternity (James 4:14). The most important thing for us to know is where we're spending forever. As a Christian, we know that we're going to heaven; and we don't have to worry about it.

My Part

While we can take comfort in the knowledge that our eternal destination will be heaven, those who aren't saved don't have the knowledge that brings that comfort. Think about the people you know who aren't saved. (If you don't know anyone, pray that God will send someone who doesn't know Him into your life.) Take some time this week to pray that the Holy Spirit will begin to work in that person's heart. Also pray that God will provide you with opportunities to share the Gospel with your new friend.

And while you're praying, thank God that you know you'll spend the rest of your life with Him in heaven.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 4, 2007
Topic: Other


Eternal Life, or Eternal Death?

On September 7, 2007, the FBI announced that it had added its 488th fugitive to its Ten Most Wanted fugitives list. Almost daily, you hear news that someone has escaped or is fleeing from justice.

But in the Bible, you'll find a court session where everyone who is summoned to be there, will be there. There will be no fugitives. So, let's read about it in God's Word.

What Does God Say?

Hebrews 9:27-28 (ESV) "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."

In this passage, you see that the common experience for all humans is to die once. In the passage below, however, you see that some--but not everyone--will die twice.

Revelation 20:11-15 (ESV) "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

Look through the Bible passage above (Revelation 20:11-15) and answer these questions:

    * In verses 11-12, the apostle John twice says, "I saw." What two things did he see?
    * What are the dead spoken of in verse 12 doing?
    * Where do all these dead people come from (verse 13)?
    * On what information does God base His judgment of the dead (verses 12, 13, 15)?
    * In what two ways does John describe the final destination of the dead (verse 14)?
    * What guarantees that a person will not be thrown into the lake of fire (verse 15)?

My Thoughts

According to the apostle Paul, death for the saved is the last enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). That thought led Paul to break out in joy, saying, "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?'" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55 ESV).
You'll also find assurance in 2 Corinthians 5:8 (ESV) "Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord."
You see, then, though a Christian physically dies, he or she is alive and will be alive and blessed for all eternity. Every true believer's name is written in the Book of Life and no child of God will be summoned to stand before the Great White Throne.
But what if you have never believed the good news of Christ? What if you die without trusting Him for salvation? What does the future hold for you then? Proverbs 14:12 (ESV) gives the sober answer:
"There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death."
That death is the second death--the death all lost people will experience in the lake of fire.

The final judgment and condemnation of the unsaved is not a figment of someone's imagination. Read Revelation 21:3-8, which gives the vivid contrast of those who die in the Lord and those who die in their sins.

My Part

Read John 3:16-18 and then answer this question honestly: "Am I one of the condemned, or am I among those who are not condemned?"

Where are you today? Is your name recorded in the Book of Life? If you have trusted Christ as your Savior, it is there and will never be erased. But if your name is not there, why don't you make certain that it gets written down right now? Quietly pray, confess your sin to God and ask Him to save you and give you eternal life. Then, thank Him for what He has done.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 5, 2007
Topic: Salvation, Heaven


Good News

Do you ever think about your own death? George Bernard Shaw said, "The statistics of death are quite impressive. One out of one dies." Death may be a certainty, but the more important question is this: "Am I going to heaven when I die?"

The Bible teaches that not only does God make it possible for you to go to heaven, He wants you to know that heaven is your destination the very instant you die. (See 2 Corinthians 5:8.)

What Does God Say?

The apostle Paul looked at death this way: "'For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don't know which is better. I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live'" (Philippians 1:21-23 NLT).

On this earth, the presence of Christ is in us. When a Christian dies, we are immediately in the presence of Christ in heaven. Jesus said, “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also" (John 12:26).

What do the following verses tell you about life and death, about God and love?

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

"For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will" (John 5:21 ESV).

My Thoughts

The good news is that you and I can choose where we will spend eternity. But we have to make our choice this side of death. Not to choose is to make a choice. I can think of no better time to nail down your eternal destiny than now.

How?

"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...For 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:9-10, 13 NKJV)

My Part

If you have never prayed and asked Christ to be your Savior, forgive you of your sins and give you a home in heaven, why not do that right now?

If you have done that, why not take a moment and thank the Lord that the greatest tragedy in all of life can never happen to you: standing before God with Jesus not as your Savior.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 8, 2007
Topic: Other


God's Amazing Messengers

Today in the Bible Minute get ready to meet some totally biblical, very real personalities who are spiritual, invisible and powerful. They make their home in heaven with God, yet work around the world and are intimately concerned with the good of every believer.

You guessed it! They are angels. Would you like to know more about them? Find out what God says:

What Does God Say?

Get acquainted with some interesting facts the Bible reveals about angels by taking this brief quiz:

    * In Job 38:4-7, angels are called the "sons of God." What does God say they did when He created the earth?

    * What is characteristic of the angels in Psalm 103:20? In Psalm 148:2?

    * What are angels called in Hebrews 1:7?

    * According to Hebrews 1:14, what people do angels especially assist?

    * When Jesus was being arrested, how many angels did He say He could ask the Father to send to help Him (Matthew 26:53) and how long did He say it would take the angels to get there?

    * In Luke 2:15, where did the angels go after announcing Jesus' birth to the shepherds?

    * What did the angels do for the poor man in Luke 16:22?

    * In Matthew 18:10, what does Jesus say the angels "always" do?

God's Word will give you many more facts about angels. Both the Old and the New Testament have scores of references to them.

My Thoughts

You may have heard legends, read novels or seen TV programs about angels. Because angels are normally unseen, people may give them credit at times for things they didn't do. On the other hand, there are undoubtedly times when an angel has done something on a person's behalf without the person knowing it has happened. The Bible, however, makes it clear that many people have personally encountered angels. For examples, see Luke 1:30; Luke 2:9-10; Acts 5:17-20. It stands to reason that through the ages of the Church, angels have continued to be active in their ministry to God's people.

Your understanding of angels should come from the Bible, however, not from myths and fantasy. For example, angels are not glorified humans. They are not present everywhere. They are spirits without bodies, although they sometimes may take on the appearance of a human. Not all angels are good. Some, including Satan, have sinned and will be punished forever (Matthew 25:41).

Angels are never to be worshiped. They are creatures of God just as you are (Revelation 22:8-9).

My Part

You'll want to learn more about angels. If your Bible has a concordance (a list of Bible words with their references) look up "angel" and "angels" and do your own study. Or go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ for an excellent interactive online concordance for the Bible version you are using.

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 9, 2007
Topic: Sin/Temptation


Temptation

Think for a moment about what tempts you. Got a picture of that (or those) temptation in your mind? Now, ask yourself where temptation originates. Does it come from God? And also, consider a practical question, what's the most effective way to deal with temptation?

Let's see what light the Bible sheds on this matter.

What Does God Say?

James 1:12-15 answers both our questions. It tells us clearly and succinctly about God and temptation.

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death" (James 1:12-15 NLT).

    * How does God expect you to respond to temptation?
    * What will be the end result if you properly handle temptation?
    * Does God tempt you?
    * Where does temptation come from?
    * What's the result of giving in to the temptation?

My Thoughts

Have you ever been tempted and sinned, and then when you looked back on it, you realized that you walked right into that temptation. Maybe you ignored the warning signs, or for some reason, thought you could handle the temptation. Well, Scripture tells us exactly what we should do in such a situation.

Don't do as the wicked do,
and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
Don't even think about it; don't go that way.
Turn away and keep moving." (Proverbs 4:14-15 NLT).

"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts" (2 Timothy 2:22).

    * Write down the best action to take when tempted?
    * Plan ahead. Determine how you can avoid situations where you may be tempted.
    * If you find yourself in a tempting situation, ask the Lord for His strength to get out of the setting as fast as you can. This is the time, to run first; pray later. Or better still, run first--while you are praying!

My Part

Jesus Himself taught us to pray,

"Don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13 NLT).

That's a wonderful petition to pray not only for ourselves but for others. Here's what Dr. Woodrow Kroll, radio Bible teacher at Back to Bible, shared from his life: "I've often been asked what I pray for my children. I never pray for my girls to be great women of faith. I never pray for my son, who's a pastor by the way, I never pray for him to become a great preacher of the Word. But I do pray this for my children; I've always prayed, 'Lord, don't let them fall into sin' because I figure as long as they stay away from temptation and don't wander down a path that leads them into sin, God will take care of the rest of their lives."

Make this your prayer this week as well.

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