Bible Minute

[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 15, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Sin/Temptation, God


Sin Against God

We tend to judge our sins in terms of how it affects other people. "I didn't hurt anyone" becomes our way to justify our actions. But sin is ultimately not about the person or persons you hurt (including yourself); it's about your offense against God. The prodigal son understood that, and we need to as well.

What Does God Say?

Luke 15 records a story Jesus told about a son who took off with his inheritance, rejected his father, wasted his resources and got himself into a real mess.

When the young man comes to his senses, he recognized the impact of his sin. Look at what he says: "How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants'" (Luke 15:17-19, ESV).

He recognized that his sin wasn't just directed at his father but also against heaven, against God. The rebellion, rejection and disrespect he showed his dad reflected a deeper heart attitude towards God.

It's been that way since the Garden of Eden. Go back and read Genesis 3. You'll see that initial act of sin did not in itself "hurt" anybody: the apple wasn't poisoned; the snake didn't kill anyone; Adam and Eve didn't commit adultery or steal from each other. But it reflected rebellion against God and disobedience to His commands. That's where sin begins.

My Thoughts

We need to see where our sin is directed and then take responsibility for it. Read through these examples to see what they show you about the right perspective on sin.

    * Joseph: Genesis 39:1-10
    * David: 2 Samuel 11-12
    * Saul: Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-19

In each example:

    * How did these people view their sin? What did they do to deal with it?
    * Compare their view to our general attitude today.
    * What needs to change in your perspective on sin?
    * How do you think this might help you resist or deal with sin in your life?

My Part

Our sin is really against God; He's the holy and righteous One we offend the most. However, He's also the One who offers us forgiveness and restoration.

Look again at Luke 15, but focus on the father's response. "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate" (Luke 15:21-24, ESV).

God is our Heavenly Father, offering us forgiveness even at the expense of His own Son. Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" (NLT). When we confess and repent of our sins, He welcomes us into His family and removes our sins from the record. Check out Psalm 103:8-12 and take some time to thank and praise God the Father for His enduring love and gracious forgiveness.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 18, 2008
Topic: Bible Characters


Steps To Come Home

An old Chinese proverb says that the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. No prodigal ever returns home without making that first step. What makes taking that first step and subsequent steps possible? The parable of the Prodigal Son gives us some insight.

What Does God Say?

"And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:16-20, ESV).

What is so critical about the first stage: "he came to himself." The idea is of a person awakening from a dream or even coming out of a coma. The implication is that the prodigal was not thinking clearly when he left home. But when he had experienced the result of his decision and realized where he was and where he could be, he understood how poor his choices had been. That realization is always the first step.

My Thoughts

Along with the realization of where he was, there was a sense of repentance knowing that he had hurt his father--not only by leaving home but because of the mess he had made of his life.

And the third step? "he arose and came to his father." He wanted to get back to his father. That was the goal--and his father was at home.

My Part

1. Could Jesus have ended the story at "he arose and came to his father"?

2. Why didn't He?

3. What feelings do you have when you think of going home?

4. Can you identify more with the father or the prodigal?

Jesus is teaching us how our Heavenly Father treats sinners and prodigals when they come to Him.

"So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.'

"But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began" (Luke 15:20-24, NLT).

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 19, 2008
Topic: Pride/Humility


A Humble and Contrite Heart

Lord Kenneth Clark, internationally known for his television series Civilization, lived and died without faith in Jesus Christ. He admitted in his autobiography that while visiting a beautiful church he had what he believed to be an overwhelming religious experience. "My whole being," Clark wrote, "was irradiated by a kind of heavenly joy far more intense than anything I had know before." But the "gloom of grace," as he described it, created a problem. If he allowed himself to be influenced by it, he knew he would have to change, his family might think he had lost his mind and maybe that intense joy would prove to be an illusion. So, he concluded, "I was too deeply embedded in the world to change course."

Unfortunately, that attitude is reflected in the lives of many people. Yet only when we are willing to be humbled and broken, to admit our sinfulness, can we find our way back to God. We see an example of this in the life of King David.

What Does God Say?

David first sinned by committing adultery with the wife, Bathsheba, of one of his loyal soldiers, Uriah. He compounded his sin by arranging for Uriah to be killed on the battlefield. Some suggest he maintained his hardened heart until the death of his infant son nearly nine months later. However long it may have been, God used the prophet Nathan to confront the errant king (2 Samuel 12:1-12). David's response can be found in 2 Samuel 12:13, "David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the LORD.'" (ESV)

David further expressed his brokenness in a psalm (Psalm 51) in which he says:

"Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment"
(Psalm 51:1-4, ESV).

● What was David basing his plea for mercy on?
● What did David want done for him?
● How could David say that it was "against you [God], you only, have I sinned?

"Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit" (Psalm 51:8-12, ESV).

● What do you think David meant by "the bones that you have broken"?
● What did David want God to do with his heart and spirit?
● What did David want restored?

My Thoughts

David fell hard and he fell deep--adultery and murder. Maybe you have too. What hope does this psalm give you for turning back to God?

My Part

Draw a picture of the condition of David's heart (or express in words) before he turned back to God. Draw a second picture (or express in words) of his heart after his confession. Circle the heart that best reflects the condition of your heart today. Pray Psalm 51 back to God and make it your own cry for forgiveness and restoration.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 20, 2008
Topic: Forgiveness/Unforgiveness


Welcome Home - 1

The Sunday School teacher asked her fourth grade class, "Who was sorry when the prodigal son returned home?"

Johnny answered, "The fatted calf!"

Who else didn't welcome home the prodigal? Let's see what the Scripture says.

What Does God Say?

"And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him.... And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found'" (Luke 15:27-28, 31-32, ESV)

The father was overjoyed to have his younger son back home safe and sound. He wanted to celebrate, to share his joy. But the older son was jealous and resentful toward his prodigal brother.

   1. According to the older brother, why did he feel that way? Describe a time when you may have felt jealous or resentful?
   2. Should the father have allowed the prodigal to come home but disciplined or punished him in some way? Why or why not?

Jesus was teaching us how God feels about sinners and prodigals, and He made it very clear that any time we come to God, or come back to God, we are welcomed with open arms.

My Thoughts

In this story (To read all of it, see Luke 15:11-32.) what character do you most identify with?

Are you a prodigal?

Are you waiting on a prodigal to return?

Are you struggling with the return of a prodigal?

How would you write the ending to this story?

Remember the story behind "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree"?
A released convict, traveling back to his home, requested that his family indicate whether or not he was welcome to return by tying a yellow ribbon around an oak tree. If he saw the sash, he'd know he was welcome; if not, he would not even stop. He was amazed to see hundreds of ribbons tied around the tree's trunk.

His family opened their arms and hearts to accept him back.

My Part

If our family loves us this much, how would you describe God love for us? Draw a picture which would symbolize God's love for you.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 21, 2008
Topic: God's Love


The Compassion Of A Father

As incredible as the journey of the Prodigal Son is, the story of his father is pretty amazing too. He was hurt and betrayed by his youngest son. He watched as this son squandered his inheritance--an inheritance the father had worked hard all his life to provide for his children. And after all this, the young prodigal decides to come back home. Let's look at how the father responds.

What Does the Bible Say

"And he [the son] arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20, ESV).

Instead of a stern lecture, instead of a cold shoulder, the father gives his son a warm embrace. Instead of closing the doors, he opened his arms and showed his son that he never stopped loving him.

That's compassion at work. Compassion is that deep love we feel for others that stirs in our hearts. We see Jesus moved by compassion several times in the Gospels (See Matthew 9:36; Matthew 20:34). And every time Jesus acted out of compassion, lives were changed as a result.

My Thoughts

As you read Luke 15:20-24 think about the following questions:
1. How hard is it for you to show compassion for someone who has hurt you?
2. Is it possible to have compassion for someone without having love for him or her?
3. How can you foster love for others?

My Part

I think the most striking thing about the father's compassion in the Parable of the Prodigal Son is that it's so unexpected. When someone offers a compassionate embrace rather than a stinging rebuke, it always catches us off guard--especially when that rebuke has been earned. Ask God to give you opportunities to practice compassion and grow your love today.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 22, 2008
Topic: Relationships, Christian Living/Situational


Let your Love Show

If your prodigal child or spouse came to your door today, what sort of welcome would you give him or her? Would you throw your arms wide and draw him in? Or angrily slam the door in his or her face? Maybe you lay awake at night wondering and planning for that moment. There's a story in the Bible about a father who experienced this and his example prepares you for that reunion.

What Does God Say?

Luke 15:20-24 describes it this way: "And he [the prodigal] arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate" (ESV).

Probably not the welcome this son expected! But it made perfect sense to the father. He was so happy to see his son that he ran to him, hugged him like crazy then threw a party!

What's significant is what you don't see: No "I told you so," no conditions for return, no reluctance or skepticism about the son's motivations, no half-hearted acceptance, no reviewing the laundry list of wrongs or hurts inflicted by the prodigal. No, this father was only interested in restoring his relationship with his son. He wanted to let his love show. And it did--in a big way!

There are three keys to this welcome. The first is forgiveness; you see it not in words but in actions. The father saw him; he had compassion; he ran and embraced him (Luke 15:20). He responded positively to his son's confession of sin and guilt (Luke 15:21-22). No bargaining, no added punishment. No "tough love" used to mask a hurt and unforgiving heart. This dad's heart was overflowing with forgiveness.

The second is joy: The father is filled with joy, enough to run, hug, kiss, kill the fatted calf and throw a party. He is generous in his joy and eager to let everyone share in it (Luke 15:22-24).

The third key is restoration. The most the son hoped for was the meager wages of a day laborer. "I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants" (Luke 15:19, ESV). The father, however, didn't settle for his son's expectations; he did what his father's heart wanted to do and restored his prodigal to full status. "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found" (Luke 15:24, ESV).

My Thoughts

Forgiveness may be the hardest part because a prodigal inflicts a lot of hurt and does a lot of damage. Forgiving your prodigal, even before he or she walks in the door makes this warm welcome possible. Look through these verses and consider a few questions:
Ephesians 4:31-32

    * What do you need to get rid of as you learn to forgive?
    * What should replace those things?

Colossians 3:12

    * Why are we to forgive others?
    * What goes along with forgiveness?

Psalm 103:8-12

    * Who is our model for how to forgive?
    * What characteristics accompany forgiveness?
    * Once we've forgiven, how should we view the past sins?

My Part

So, where are you with the prodigal in your life? Still waiting? Finding it hard to forgive? Or just ready to explode with love the moment you see him or her? Now is the time to ask God to search and prepare your heart so you can let your love show.

    * Ask God to help you forgive...even now, even before that prodigal is broken or coming home.
    * Ask God to give you joy; to make you truly glad to see your prodigal and to give all you can to celebrate his or her return.
    * Pray for God's strength to restore this broken relationship. You can't ignore the hurt or act like nothing happened, but you don't have to hold onto the past. Work on being like this father who focused on what was good--"my son is home"--instead of reliving what was bad--rebellion, past sins, wasted years, etc.

And when the time comes, let your love show as you welcome your prodigal home with open arms just as God our Father welcomes us home.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 25, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


What Makes a Prodigal?

Do you remember all those anti-drug public service announcements on TV and radio a few years ago? The announcer would declare, "No one ever says, 'I want to be a junkie when I grow up'"? Similarly, the young man in Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son probably never would have announced, "I want to be a prodigal when I grow up."

And Christians don't want to be prodigals today. Yet many believers become prodigals. All it takes is one bad choice. Let's look at what God's Word says about prodigals and how we can avoid that dark path.

What Does the Bible Say

Luke 15 is where we read the story of the prodigal son. "And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me'" (15:12, ESV). You can't be a prodigal and wander away if you have nothing to wander away from. Prodigals today are people who have experienced the joy of a relationship with God at some point in their lives.

The next thing we notice about prodigals comes in the next verse. "Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living" (Luke 15:13, ESV). As long as there's sin in this world, it will always feel easier to live selfishly than under God's command. Prodigals today decide they don't want to try. They live for themselves and waste their lives on their own pursuits.

Third, prodigals always experience the consequences of their choices (Luke 15:14-16). Only God can truly sustain and provide for us and sooner or later the prodigal will run dry.

Finally, we see what really makes a prodigal a prodigal: he comes back. "But when he came to himself, he said,... 'I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you."'" (Luke 15:17-18, ESV). At his lowest, the prodigal repented of his sin and decided to go back home.

My Thoughts

As you read Luke 15:12-24, think about the following questions.
1. What could the young man have done to avoid being a prodigal in the first place?
2. Why is important that the young man confessed his sin against heaven first?
3. Have you, or someone you know, been a prodigal? What brought you back?

Is there anyone in your life who needs to "come back home"? Take some time to pray for him or her.

My Part

The key to avoiding becoming a prodigal is to keep your mind focused on what's really important. The young man in the parable went wrong when he started thinking about himself as most important. If you and I can keep our eyes focused on Jesus, it will be that much harder to lure us away into selfish pursuits.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 26, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Bible Characters


Surviving a Prodigal

The baby was coming. The exhausted mother looked up at the nurse and asked, "Is the hard part over?" Replied the RN, "Honey, the hard part is the next 18 years."

Many parents have discovered that parenting doesn't stop when a child turns 18, it just moves into a different phase. And, would you believe, sometimes that can be the most difficult part of parenting.

What Does God Say?

A wise child brings joy to a father;
a foolish child brings grief to a mother (Proverbs 10:1, NLT).

King David experienced that kind of wrenching grief firsthand when his son, Absalom, tried to take over as leader of the nation and was killed:

"The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to his room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, 'O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom!'" (2 Samuel 18:33, NLT).

Jesus gave us a picture of a hurting parent, too, in a parable we know as the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

"A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, 'I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
"A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living" (Luke 15:11-13, NLT).
To get a better understanding of the moments you just read about, look at 2 Samuel 15-18 and Luke 15:11-32 and answer the following questions:

1. From your reading of these verses, what kind of a person would you say Absalom is?

2. What about the prodigal? Does the Scripture give you any indication what kind of character the prodigal had?

3. Which child gave his parent the most opportunity to respond?

4. How was the response David gave to Absalom different from the response the father gave to the prodigal?

5. How did the story of Absalom end?

6. How did the story of the prodigal end?

The story of Absalom and the Parable of the Prodigal Son both involve
hurting parents. Perhaps, you find yourself in the same place today--your heart is breaking because of the choices of one of your children.

What should you, as a parent, do? What can you do?

Watch
Wait patiently
Pray

Waiting patiently is painful and difficult, but you don't have to do nothing while you wait. Here are some tips to help you while you wait.

My Thoughts

   1. Realize that no matter how much you love the prodigal, God loves him more.
   2. Remember that God knows how you feel. Our Heavenly Father grieves over those who have gone away.
   3. Pray. And then pray again. Finally, pray some more. Pray for the prodigal, pray for yourself and pray for a homecoming where there will be joy overflowing, love abounding and grace abundant.
   4. Certain Scriptures might comfort and encourage you as you wait. Try reading Psalm 46 and Philippians 4 during your quiet time.
   5. Look at your own life and make sure that you are not holding on to the hurt your child has caused you--that you will be willing to forgive and restore the relationship when your child approaches you.
   6. Ask God to give you some specifics to pray for concerning your child, write them down and pray faithfully about those things.

My Part

What if you are the prodigal? What should you do to restore that broken relationship? Do what the Prodigal Son did--return home to your mom and dad:

"'I will go home to my father and say, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.'

"So he returned home to his father" (Luke 15:18-20, NLT).

Write down four things the prodigal did to return home and restore the relationship with his father.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 27, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Anxious For Nothing

The Greek word for anxiety comes from a word that means "to divide." And that's exactly what it does. Anxiety divides your mind. You may try to carry on as normal, but there's a part of your mind that is occupied with the cause of your anxiety. You have a divided mind.

A divided mind is not God's will for a Christian's life, so the apostle Paul gives us the solution to this problem. Let's look at Philippians 4:6-7.

What Does God Say?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 4:6-7, ESV)

● What can we legitimately be anxious about?

● List the four steps Paul mentions in verse 6 to deal with anxiety.

● What promise do we have in verse 7 if we follow these steps?

My Thoughts

The word "prayer" in verse 6 implies "a prayer of praise." In a prayer of praise we focus on the attributes of God-His power, His grace, His wisdom, His mercy. Of course God knows all that about Himself, but you and I often forget. When you bring your problems to God-the prodigals in your life, your finances, your health-begin by reminding yourself that you're bringing your problems to a God who is big enough to deal with them, no matter what they are.
Obviously, God wants us to bring our difficulties to Him, but not in a demanding way. Supplication implies that one who is less is asking one who is greater for a favor. We can't force or manipulate God into answering our prayers.
This is then followed by thanksgiving. Not just thanksgiving that God is going to deal with our problems, but thanksgiving that our problems are driving us to a closer relationship with Him.
And it is to Him--the ultimate solution to all our anxieties--that we're to turn when anxieties arise. Often we're tempted to tell everyone but God about our problems. God graciously says, "Bring them to Me. I'm the one who can deal with them."

My Part

God doesn't promise us an absence of problems, but He does promise us a peace in the midst of them. Is your mind being divided by anxious thoughts or are you experiencing the peace of God? If you're not experiencing that peace, go back through the steps in verse 6 to see what you might be missing. Are you focusing on the mighty God you serve or are you focusing on the problems? Are you bringing your problems with a humble attitude (supplication) to God? Are you expressing thanksgiving not just for the solutions to your problems but for the spiritual growth you're experiencing through them? And, finally, are you truly bringing them to God or are you trusting that others will have the solutions you need? If you're missing one of these steps, it could be the reason you're missing the peace of God.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 28, 2008
Topic: Prayer, Relationships


Praying for Your Prodigal and Yourself

"Pray about it." Doesn't that sound cliche at times? When you're really faced with a crisis, when you're ripped up inside by some great turmoil, it's hard to believe you're supposed to "just pray." It doesn't seem like much of a solution...but it is.

What Does God Say?

Prayer connects you with God, the only One who's perfectly and completely able to provide the solution or to give you what you need during a crisis or time of trouble. And if you're struggling with a prodigal, your prayer needs to go two ways.

The first is obviously to pray for your prodigal. First Peter 5:7 tells you to "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you" (NLT). A prodigal is definitely a "worry" and a "care." But this verse in 1 Peter means you can turn that person over to God and let Him take care of your prodigal. You might pray, "OK, God, it's Your turn to deal with my prodigal!" And from this story, we see that God is very good at dealing with prodigals-including sending famines and pigs into their lives.

In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul teaches us, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" (NLT). Taking your prodigal to God in prayer also opens the door to peace for your heart.

And that's the second thing your prayer needs to cover: you. While you pray that God will deal with your prodigal, you need to also pray that God will work in your heart, too, that you may not only experience His peace but that you'll be ready to welcome your prodigal home.

So, what do you pray for? Let's take a look.

My Thoughts

1. Praying for your prodigal:

    * Review Luke 15:11-24. While you don't see the father actively praying, what happened to the son that his father may have prayed about? Try verses 13-14, 17-18, 20 for a few ideas.

    * What else can you add to your prayer based on the following verses? Matthew 6:12-13

Psalm 91:11-12
Isaiah 30:15

2. Praying for yourself:

    * Go back to Luke 15:11-24. What do you see in the father that needs to be present in your life, especially when your prodigal comes home? Focus on verses 20-24.
    * What specifically can you add to your prayer from these verses?

1 Peter 5:7
Philippians 4:6-7
Psalm 37:5, 7-8

My Part

Now comes the hard part--you actually have to pray. Maybe you've been on your knees before God about your prodigal for a long time. Or perhaps you've given up praying because nothing's happened. Try again; God has His own timetable and it's perfect.

Perhaps you've spent a lot of time praying for your prodigal, but you haven't really asked God to work in your life. The father in Luke 15 gives us a wonderful example of a man who was ready to welcome his child home. He was prepared to forgive, to rejoice, to show compassion, to restore a broken relationship. He wasn't waiting to say, "I told you so" or "It's about time!" He left his worries and anxieties to God and lived in confident hope.

Use some of your discoveries from this study, along with the Bible verses, as you pray for God to work in your heart and in your prodigal's heart too.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 29, 2008
Topic: Hope


Hope for the Prodigal

What if the young man in the story of the prodigal son returned home to find that everyone had forgotten him? What if, instead of finding open arms, the young man found that his room had been turned into a storage space and his favorite pet had been sold for a little cash? What if he had found that everyone had already written him off and his presence was now more of a nuisance than anything? How long do you think he would have stuck around?

We all know that's not what happened though. In fact, one of the most endearing parts of the story is the undying hope of the father

What Does the Bible Say?

How do we know that the father held out hope for his son's return? "But while he [the son] was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20, ESV). I'm not sure what's more surprising here, that the father actually saw the son while he was off in the distance or that the father recognized his son so far away. Whatever the case, it's clear that the father had been hoping for the day when his son would return home.

We can also see that it was love for his son that fueled the father's hope. The father wasn't waiting for a chance to say, "I told you so." He wasn't hoping for his son's return because the chores were now harder with one less set of hands. The father was overjoyed because he had never stopped loving his son. "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found" (Luke 15:24, ESV).

For those of us today with prodigals in our lives, it's important to never give up hope that they'll return. If the father in the story had given up hope, he would have effectively closed the door in his son's face. He would have sent the message, "We're fine without you now."

And while you wait and hope, it's important to never let go of your love for your prodigal because once the Lord has done His work in the life of the wayward one, bringing him or her to repentance, the thing needed most (from you) is love, not judgment.

My Thoughts

As you read through Luke 15:12-24 think about the following questions:
1. Why is it hard to welcome back prodigals with open arms?

2. Someone once said, "Hope is not something you do, it's something you have." Why is it important to remember that distinction?

My Part

Being the parent of a prodigal can mean just as much soul-searching as being a prodigal yourself. How do you move past the hurt and the feelings of rejection? Today as you pray for your prodigal to come home, pray also that the Lord will prepare your heart for that day.

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[nChrist]

Title: It's a Given
Date: Mar 3, 2008
Topic(s): Salvation
Scripture: Acts 16:25-34



There is a scene in the classic movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where the tour group stops in a room full of large geese, each one laying golden eggs. Young Veruca Salt declares that she wants a goose, and her father obediently pulls out his checkbook.

"How much do you want for a goose, Wonka?" he asks.

"They're not for sale," Wonka replies.

Mr. Salt scoffs, "Nonsense! Name your price!"

Wonka again refuses the offer which sends Veruca into a wild tantrum. Charlie, the hero of the story, eventually discovers that Wonka wasn't looking for someone to sell the geese and the factory to, he was looking for someone to give them to.

What does this have to do with the Bible? Many people assume they can buy salvation. But the sooner we realize God is giving salvation and not selling it, the sooner we will find the forgiveness we all need. Let's look at a fellow in the Bible who discovered this fact and how we as Christians can help others understand it.

What Does the Bible Say

Paul and Silas were in prison. "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them" (Acts 16:25, ESV). Can you imagine being in one of those other prison cells listening to Paul and Silas? Where curses and complaints were coming from every other cell, blessings and praises were coming from the cell of these two prisoners.

"And suddenly there was a great earthquake" (Acts 16:26, ESV). What's amazing here is that not only was Paul's cell opened, but every other cell as well. There couldn't have been any doubt in the minds of the prisoners that it was the God of Paul and Silas who had come to the rescue. The jailor must have realized this too.

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30, ESV). Recognizing the power of God and recognizing his own unworthiness, the jailor asks the only natural question, "how can I be saved?" At that moment he would probably have scaled the tallest mountain or crossed the widest sea, but the answer was simple. "'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved'" (Acts 16:31, ESV).

My Thoughts

Your friends and loved ones who don't know Jesus yet are like those other prisoners whose cells have just been opened. The way to salvation is free and clear, they just need to step through that door.

As you read through Acts 16:25-34, think about the following questions:

1. Why is it so hard to believe that salvation is free?

2. How can you set an example in your neighborhood and family that will help others see the power of God in your life?

3. How would you answer the jailers' question, "How can I be saved?"

My Part

As you think about your friends and loved ones who don't know Jesus, pray for them. Pray that God would first work in their hearts and open their eyes. Pray that God would give you the wisdom to answer their questions. Pray that you would be able to live a godly example among them.

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[nChrist]

Title: Missing Ingredients
Date: Mar 4, 2008
Topic(s): Hope
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15, 1 John 3:2-3, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9



It was a family joke for many years. Aunt Mary was eagerly expecting her brother's arrival. He had been with the U. S. Air Force in Europe involved in World War II. Mary hadn't seen him for over three years.

To add a special touch to the homecoming, Mary was putting a chocolate cake together when the doorbell rang. Her brother was there! She popped the cake into the oven and the family met him at the door. Happy greetings mingled with tears of joy. Suddenly remembering the cake, Mary hurried to the kitchen and pulled it out of the oven, only to discover she had forgotten one ingredient--the flour!

Do you know there are many unhappy Christians around because they're unaware that certain ingredients are missing from their understanding of what Christ has done for them in salvation?

For some, the missing ingredient is an understanding of God's forgiveness of sin. Others may be ignorant of the work of the Holy Spirit. Some are blind to the grace of God in Christian living. Still others may fail to recognize the importance of Christ's return.

In your Bible study for today you'll look at one aspect of salvation that is often misunderstood or totally left out of a Christian's perception of his or her salvation. See what the Bible says about it.

What Does God Say?

Some people in the church at Corinth had trusted Christ for their salvation and were waiting for Christ to return (1 Corinthians 1:4-9) but felt there would be no resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12).. They were lacking a critical ingredient in their understanding of the Lord's work of salvation First Corinthians 15 is the apostle Paul's teaching aimed at correcting their misconceptions about the resurrection of the body.

Read through 1 Corinthians 15, then look up the following verses and answer the questions below.

    * 1 Corinthians 15:12. What were some of the Christians in Corinth saying about the resurrection of the dead?
    * 1 Corinthians 15:16-17. What is the consequence for Christians if the dead are not raised?
    * 1 Corinthians 15:23. When will those who belong to Christ be raised?
    * 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. Contrast the "natural body" with the "spiritual body."
    * 1 Corinthians 15:49. Who will the risen believer be like (cf. 1 John 3:2-3)?

My Thoughts

There are many church-going people who believe that Jesus died to save their souls and their souls will go to heaven and live without a body forever. Some even think that, since the body is material, it is evil and will be done away with. Those ideas are completely foreign to the Bible, which teaches that saved people will be raised to live forever in a perfect body, like the risen Christ. The resurrection is a key part of the Christian faith and hope, as Paul describes it in 1 Cor. 15:51-56 (ESV):

My Part

Here is a great verse for you to memorize. "Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 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 15:51-55, ESV).

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 5, 2008
Topic: Salvation


Born Again

You've probably heard the expression "born-again Christian"Since Jimmy Carter was president, this phrase has been in the news. The media frequently uses it in interviews and stories. But it's obvious that a lot of people have little idea what it means. Does the Bible provide any understanding of what a "born-again" Christian is?

What Does God Say?

A man named Nicodemus went to talk with Jesus one night, and Jesus explained to him the concept of "being born again."

"Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.
"'What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?' (John 3:3-4, NLT).

   1. What is required to see the Kingdom of God?
   2. How did Nicodemus understand the phrase "born again"?
   3. Why did Jesus use the phrase "born again"?

"Jesus replied, 'I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life."

"'So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit (John 3:5-8, NLT).

   1. Jesus says a person must be "born of water and the Spirit." How are these two "births" defined in the preceding verses?
   2. Who is the source of spiritual birth?
   3. In what ways is the Spirit like the wind?

My Thoughts

So, you might be wondering about the experience of coming to Christ. That experience is so transforming, so life-changing, so eternity-altering that it can only be expressed as being "born again" (1 Peter 1:23), "born . . . of God" (John 1:13) or as the apostle Paul says, "a new person with new life" (2 Corinthians 5:17). It means that you are a new person; your old life if gone; all your sins are forgiven; you have a home someday in heaven and a new purpose--to live for Christ--in this life.

John 3:16-17 tells us, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him " (John 3:16-17, NLT).

When people believe in Christ as their Savior, it means they believe that He died on the cross to pay for their sins. They accept Him as Lord. From that point on, the Bible says that God sends His Spirit into their lives to give new life in Christ and to empower them to live their lives to please Jesus.

My Part

The question you might be asking now is...

How can I be born again? Click on "Meet Jesus" and learn how you can come to Christ.

What's your future look like once you've met Christ? Jesus told us, like He told Nicodemus:

"There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son (John 3:18, NLT)

That makes being born again serious business.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 6, 2008
Topic: Salvation, God's Love


From Death to Life

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, ESV). It really couldn't get much simpler than that. God loved, God gave, we believe, we live forever. Let's take a closer look.

What Does God Say?

John 3:16 is the summary statement of the Gospel. It perfectly encompasses God's complete plan for us. But it's not the only verse in John 3.

John 3:17-18 goes on to tell us, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God" (ESV).

While we love to focus on God's love, we can't forget our condition. We were in bad shape; sin had condemned us to be forever separated from the Holy God. It's not like we were in "neutral" and things could go either way; we were hopeless. It was up to God to fix things, and He did so through His Son, Jesus. When we believe that Jesus did what was necessary for our salvation; when we place our trust in Him and His work on the cross then we make the transition from condemnation to salvation, from death to life. That's why John 3:17-18 are included.

God's love provided us with the Savior. God's love provided us with an opportunity to believe and thereby say goodbye to condemnation. Do you see what happens? You don't have to be afraid any longer of God's wrath or punishment or judgment because through Christ you are now one of God's own. And "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1, ESV).

My Thoughts

Ephesians 2:1-10 offers a more detailed "before" and "after" picture of what's summarized in John 3:16-18. As you read through these verses, consider these questions.

    * What were you like "before" (vv. 1-3)?
    * What did God do? Why?
    * What part did Jesus have?
    * What does God want your response to be?
    * How do you tap into this salvation?
    * When "work" shows up, what's it for?

My Part

That God would love us so much He'd be willing to sacrifice His own Son so we could enjoy a relationship with Him today and through eternity future, defies description! But it doesn't mean we can't accept that that's the way it is.

That's what John 3:16-17 touches on: believing and accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior, the gift of God's great love, the One who makes eternal life possible and who removes you from condemnation. This isn't just about head knowledge but about belief in action, putting your faith and trust in what Christ has done. Have you done that? Do you realize you can live without fear of condemnation? Have you tapped into God's boundless love and rested in the saving work of Jesus?

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