Bible Minute

[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 14, 2008
Topic: Prayer, Relationships, Christian Living/Situational


Take Care of the Horizontal

You know that your relationship with God has a significant impact on your prayers. But so do your relationships with other people.

What Does God Say?

In His Word, God is pretty clear that you need "clean hands and a pure heart" when you come into His presence in worship or prayer. Psalm 24:3-5 tells us:

"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation" ( ESV).

Usually, we realize that for our prayers to be effective we need to "clean up" our own internal thoughts or personal actions--things that affect our vertical relationship with God. But we also need to be "clean up" our horizontal lives--our relationships with others.

In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus says, "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" ( ESV).

Jesus is referring to our acts of worship. We need to make sure that whatever offenses we've committed against another person are taken care of before we come to Him in worship. Notice, it's not about what they've done to us, but how we may have hurt them. It's not easy to go and talk with them; it takes humility and courage to admit our wrongdoing and seek restoration from those we've injured.

My Thoughts

Read Matthew 6:12-14 and Mark 11:25.

    * What are we supposed to give to others?
    * Why?

Put these verses together with Matthew 5:23-24 and you see this need to reconcile and forgive goes both ways. We need to forgive those who've wronged us and be reconciled with those we've wronged.

    * What relationships in your life need forgiveness today?
    * Who do you need to be reconciled with?
    * Do you think these relationships as they are right now are having a negative impact on your prayer life?

My Part

In Proverbs 15, we learn

"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him" (Proverbs 15:8,ESV).

and

"The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous" (Proverbs 15:29, ESV).

So, take care of the vertical relationship with God first, and then examine the horizontal relationships you have with other people as you get ready to pray.

As an exercise, read through Proverbs 15 and look for the impact your actions or words have on your relationships with other people. If we applied this wisdom, we'd be less likely to do things that required forgiveness or reconciliation.

    * Which of these do you struggle with?
    * How have you seen these things impact your relationships with others?
    * What can you do today to build the right things into your life?

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 15, 2008
Topic: Prayer


How You Treat the Bible - 1

When you pray is it a monologue or a dialogue? Do you do all the talking or do you listen as well? The Bible teaches that the Christian's conversation with the Heavenly Father is to be two ways. Let’s see how we can let God speak to us as well as us speaking to Him.

What Does God Say?

"For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7, NLT).

Most of us begin by talking about our needs. After a short greeting (Dear God) we usually launch into our concerns. But that's just a part of praying. What are some of the other components to prayer? Notice the word wait or waited in the following Scriptures.

"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry" (Psalm 40:1, NLT).

"It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD" (Lamentations 3:26, KJV).

"As for me, I look to the Lord for help.
I wait confidently for God to save me,
and my God will certainly hear me" (Micah 7:7, NLT).

Speaking and waiting are both necessary parts of prayer. But there’s another step, a tremendously important step. It makes all the difference in our conversations with God. While it may be difficult, after talking to the Lord and then waiting before Him, the final part is to let God speak to us.

How do we listen effectively? Praying and reading God's Word are inextricably related if we are to hear God’s words to us. Listen to Jesus:

"'If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you'" (John 15:7, NIV).

    * What is the relationship between God's Word and your prayers?
    * Why is it important first to have Christ in you and His Words as part of your life before you ask for something?

In Acts 10:33, Peter goes to the home of a Roman Centurion by the name of Cornelius. Notice what Cornelius’ attitude is:

"Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord" ( NASB).

1. What does this tell us about Cornelius’ expectations?
2. How does this compare to your expectations when you read God’s Word?

My Thoughts

List below what you have learned about prayer as it relates to God’s Word. Put a plus sign in front of anything new that you learned. Put an asterisk by one or two items that you are going to apply in your own prayer life.

My Part

Take the Scriptures in today's Bible Minute and during this week pray them back to the Lord as you continue to pray, wait and listen.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 16, 2008
Topic: Bible Study/Theories


How You Treat the Bible - 2

If you've ever played football, you know how important it is for every player to know the playbook. It's what keeps the team coordinated and focused on their goal. It clearly outlines the responsibilities of each player on the field. If the coach finds out that you haven't been studying the plays, you'll be seeing a lot of the sidelines. If a team is to be successful, following the playbook is not optional.

Solomon said something remarkably similar about the Christians' playbook, God’s Word, in one of his many Proverbs.

What Does the Bible Say?

In Proverbs 28:9 Solomon writes,

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

The "Law" is the Bible, or going back to the football analogy, our playbook. The message is simple: When you don't make time for the Bible, don't expect any favors from God.

Jesus said the same thing to His disciples though 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).

God reminds us many places in Scripture of the importance of His Word. To Joshua He said of the Bible, "meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Joshua 1:8, ESV).

That's not necessarily financial prosperity and success, but it is certainly spiritual success. God can make that kind of promise because He not only wrote the playbook, He controls the game.

My Thoughts

Read again Proverbs 28:9, John 15:7 and Joshua 1:8 and think about the following questions:

1. Solomon uses the word abomination. What does that word mean, and why do you think he uses it in this context?

2. What steps do you take to make sure you are "abiding in Christ"?

3. Is Jesus' promise a "blank check"? If not, what are the limits on the promise?

My Part

The Christian life isn't a sport, but it is a team effort. And part of the reason Christians everywhere need to be diligent in studying the Bible is so that, as a team, we remain coordinated and focused on our goal. Look how often the apostle Paul spoke of the unity of the believers and try to imagine that unity arising with everyone following his or her own wisdom and ideas. If you haven't spent time in the Word lately, do it today; then do it tomorrow and the next day. Allow the Word of God to draw you more fully into the unity of the Body of Christ.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 19, 2008
Topic: Prayer


Talk to God

So, you want to ask God for something, how do you go about it? How will He respond? Will He even hear your prayers? Will He answer? The Bible gives us some insight about taking our needs to God.

What Does God Say?

"One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him" (Matthew 5:1,2; 7:9-11, NLT)

1. What comparison did Jesus make?

2. What truths does Jesus teach us about prayer?

3. In what way are the parents in this story different from God?

4. In these verses, what is God's response to His children who come to him in prayer?

The Bible teaches that often our problem is not unanswered prayer but unasked prayer. "You don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it." (James 4:2, NLT).

Spend a few moments processing the wonderful truth that God is waiting to answer your prayers. And then keep reading for more insight about talking to God.

My Thoughts

There are many reasons why prayers don't get answered. One of them is sin. The God who gives so generously is the God who intends His children to follow Jesus not only as Savior but also as the Lord of their lives. Walking uprightly is a matter of doing our best each day to please Jesus with how we live. God has never promised to bless sin. However, when we live in obedience, God is able to answer our prayers and bless our lives.

You can be assured of one more thing when you ask God for something. In the Matthew 5 passage above, Jesus reminded us that, unlike human parents, our Heavenly Father never gives things that are bad for us, will hurt us or keep us from doing His will. God gives only good gifts. We never have to be anxious or afraid about the way God answers our prayers.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17, KJV)

My Part

Why not take time now to talk to God? Is there any need in your life for which you have not yet asked for God's help? Is there anything too hard for God? Are you sure, absolutely certain beyond any doubt, that God wants to answer the prayers of His children?

"He [God] who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32, ESV).

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 20, 2008
Topic: Prayer


Roadblocks to Prayer - 1

When it came time for dessert to be served, seven-year-old Billy said, "I want the biggest piece!"

His mother scolded him, saying, "Billy, it's not polite to ask for the biggest piece."

He looked at her, confused, and said, "Then how do you get it?"

The question of manners aside, Billy has a point. If you don't ask for something, how can you get it? While God knows our needs, He has ordained that we are still to ask. Let's look at what the Bible says about this.

What Does God Say?

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask , we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15, NKJV).

    * What is the confidence that we can have?
    * What is the condition placed upon our requests.
    * What is it that we can "know"?

My Thoughts

Asking is part of getting. And if we ask according to God's will, we can be assured that He will hear us. And if He hears us, we can know that He will answer us. We don't have to wonder, we don't have to worry; we can know that God has answered. Of course that doesn't mean we will see the answer right away, but we can have an inner confidence that God has answered. (See Hebrews 11:1.)

My Part

This week, begin a prayer notebook. Divide your page in half with the left-hand column devoted to your requests and the date you began praying for that request. In the right-hand column, list the date on which you received God's answer. Keep praying for those requests until you have an assurance that God has answered you whether you see the answer or not.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 21, 2008
Topic: Prayer


Roadblocks to Prayer - 2

You've heard of "rubber checks" right? These are checks a person writes when his or her bank account doesn’t have enough money to cover them. The check is returned or "bounced." Hence they’re called "rubber."

But did you know there are also "rubber prayers." These are prayers that bounce right off the ceiling, never going any higher. Obviously, like with the checks, when this happens there's something wrong. Let's go to the Bible and find out what.

What Does the Bible Say

Psalm 66 is a song of praise to God. In verse after verse the psalmist not only praises God for what He's done, he encourages others to do the same. Let's pick it up in verse 16.

"Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will declare what He has done for my soul.
I cried to Him with my mouth,
And he was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.
But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer"
(Psalm 66:16-19, NKJV).

There it is--right in verse 18: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear." The NIV translates this verse as, "If I had cherished sin in my heart." In both cases the meaning is clear: take care of your sin before praying to God about anything else.

Here's a verse that will help you do just that. It's 1 John 1:9. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (NKJV). It's a clean heart we need when we pray to God. If your prayers aren't getting past your ceiling, maybe it's time to clean up your life.

My Thoughts

As you read Psalm 66:16-19, think about the following questions:

1. Do you think the psalmist was worried that God wasn't hearing his prayers?

2. What does it mean to "extol"? What are some ways you can do this?

My Part

Even the roadblock of sin in your heart will not hinder one prayer from getting through. It's Psalm139:23-24. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Pray along with this verse today and ask God to help you restore the lines of communication.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 22, 2008
Topic: Prayer


Roadblocks to Prayer - 3

So, your daughter wants her own cell phone, and she's very persuasive about how necessary it is for unexpected situations: when the bus runs late or practice ends early. It'll be so good for your peace of mind if she has the phone. But you know what she really wants is to text her friends and fit in with everyone else. Or perhaps you try to persuade your wife that getting a new plasma TV will allow her to see all the delicious details on her favorite cooking shows. Of course, what you really want is to see college football in high-def.

Let's face it; we all know how to make things sound good when, in reality, we have our selfish motives. The Bible talks about that kind of an attitude when it comes to prayer.

What Does God Say?

James 4 says our motives affect our prayers as well as other areas of our lives. "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures" (James 4:1-3,NIV).

There's a lot we want but we either don't ask God or we ask with the wrong motives. We want what pleases us, not what God wants for us. So, we pray and try to sweet-talk God into the answers we want. Have you ever tried the "if you let me win the lottery, I'll be sure to give to my church and help the poor and do good things in Your name" prayer?

Yes, you might quote John 15:7, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" ( ESV). But look at the condition here: you abide in Christ and His words abide in you. When you're closely and intimately connected with Jesus and the Word, you're more in tune with asking God to do or to give what He wants in the first place.

My Thoughts

So, how do you pray with the right motivation? Look at James 4:7-8,10.

    * What's the first step or attitude you need?
    * What "condition" do you need to be in as you come before God?
    * How would you describe the relationship between God and the person who takes this approach?
    * How well does that description apply to you when you pray?

Check Matthew 6:9-10 and 1 John 5:14.

    * When you pray, what's the most important request, no matter what your personal need or desire is?
    * Is this something you include in your requests?

My Part

Think about the last few times you've prayed about something you wanted or hoped for.

    * Were you concerned mainly with your needs or what God wanted for you?
    * Have you ever used prayer to get God's approval for something you knew was against His will?
    * Have you tried to bargain with God to get your way?

Do a self-check on your recent prayer history; then look to see if these attitudes may have kept you from getting answers. Maybe it's time for a little honest confession and humility.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 23, 2008
Topic: Prayer


Roadblocks to Prayer - 4

Bob Kuechenberg, former offensive lineman for the Miami Dolphins, explained what motivated him to attain a higher education.

"My father and uncle worked in carnivals as human cannonballs. My father wanted me to either, 'Go to college or be a cannonball.' Then one day my uncle came out of the cannon, missed the net and hit the Ferris wheel." That's when Bob decided to go to college.

While it may not matter what motivates us to go to college, it does matter what motivates us to pray? Let's see what the Bible says.

What Does God Say?

The model of prayer that Jesus gave us is the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 . Read those verses and answer the following questions:

    * When you pray, how should you begin?
    * What sorts of things should you ask God for?
    * What verse or verses focus on our daily, earthly lives?
    * Why should we pray for deliverance from the "evil one"?

Not only did Jesus give us an example prayer, James told us why our prayers often go unanswered. Look for the word motive in the following verse.

"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).

    * Why don't we get what we ask for in prayer?
    * What reasons do we often have for asking in prayer?

My Thoughts

What do you do with wrong motivations? The same thing you do with anything that does not please God: confess, repent, ask for forgiveness and cleansing and then ask for His help in praying with a sincere and pure heart.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9, NKJV)

My Part

When you pray, go to God with the right motive; and when you go to Him with the right motive, then He will hear and answer you.

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 26, 2008
Topic: Prayer, Christian Living/Situational, God


God Is Plan A

In my family, we developed an odd habit. Since we had a few cars with ongoing troubles, we'd start to pray whenever the car made a nasty noise or started doing something it shouldn't. By the time Dad would flip on the hazard lights and pull off the road to do a visual check, the rest of us would be praying. Yes, it became a little family joke, but it was also a valuable lesson: Pray first; then deal with your trouble.

What Does God Say?

Hezekiah had bigger problems than car trouble. He had an enemy army camped on his doorstep threatening to take over Jerusalem. But he did what any of us should: he went to God first.

"Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said: 'O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God'" (2 Kings 19:14-16, ESV).

God was Hezekiah's "plan A," not a last resort after he tried everything else, but his first response. He took his problem and laid it all out before God. Prayer was priority one.

My Thoughts

Hezekiah wasn't the only one to do this. Read these examples and look for:

    * Who was praying?
    * What was the concern?
    * How did they address God?

1 Kings 17:17-24
Daniel 2:18-23; 6:10-11; 9:1-4
Nehemiah 4:1-9
Acts 12:1-5

So, where do you usually start when you need help? With your family or a few friends? Do you look for answers on the Internet or apply to local agencies? Do you fret and worry first? How often do you exhaust all the other possibilities before you take your need to God?

My Part

It's natural for us to want to sort everything out for ourselves; to trust our family or friends, the people we can see, instead of relying on God whom we can't see. But God is the only One who can take care of our problems, big or small. And learning to rely on Him and go to Him first is really a matter of conditioning, like my family and the cars. It takes practice and an alertness to my need and God's abilities.

    * What are you facing today that has you worried, afraid or even threatened?
    * What have you done about it so far? How's that working for you?

Take a few minutes, maybe even write it out like the letter Hezekiah received, and take your concern to God. Ask Him to intercede for you in the matter; to show you your part or to help you face it. And remember to thank Him for all He does for you.

You may even want to post a note where you'll be reminded: God is my Plan A.

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Bible Minute
by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 27, 2008
Topic: Prayer


How to Talk to God

Do you know the protocol you'd have to follow if you were to be introduced to the Queen of England? Do you know the proper form of address for a visiting diplomat? In what situations is it appropriate to shake hands with the President?

When the Dignitary we're talking about is God, things get even more complicated. Not only is He King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He's our Savior and Friend as well. How do you talk with such a person?

What Does the Bible Say

Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, has some sage advice for those who would approach the throne of God. "Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few" (Ecclesiastes5:1-2, NKJV).

First, notice the privilege we have in being able to approach God in the first place. God personally invites us to bring our petitions to Him. Second, notice the humility with which we are to approach Him. Our time in the throne room of heaven isn't a time to issue demands and ultimatums; it's a time to respectfully and reverently hear the Word of God.

Let's look at another verse. "Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: 'O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear…. Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone'" (2 Kings 19:15-16,19, NKJV).

We'll look closer at this passage in the next section.

My Thoughts

As you read Hezekiah's prayer in 2 Kings 19, think about the following questions:

1. In what ways does Hezekiah follow the advice of Solomon?
2. In what ways can you see that Hezekiah recognizes God's willingness to listen to him?

My Part

Someone described the phrase, "Incline your ear," as God acting like a grandfather who bends down when his little grandchild tugs at his hand. Jesus talked about the importance of having the attitude of a little child when coming before God. That's because many children have mastered that balance between reverential awe and intimate fellowship. Ask God today to help you restore that sense of wonder and fellowship in your relationship with Him.

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Bible Minute
by Woodrow Kroll

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 28, 2008
Topic: Prayer


Will God Really Answer?

Let me tell you about the first time God showed me plainly that He answers prayer. I was just a few months along on my journey in the Christian life, a poverty-stricken seventeen-year-old, trying desperately to work my way through college. Shortly into my first semester, I encountered an unexpected predicament. The college required a sport jacket, slacks and tie for some of the events I had to attend regularly. For five dollars, I managed to buy a "pre-owned" sport coat; but, unfortunately, neither of the two pairs of slacks I had came anywhere close to matching the jacket ("matching" was important in those days).

I had no way to buy a pair of slacks, but I didn't mention the need to anyone, except the Lord. "Father," I prayed, "You know how badly I need a pair of slacks. I don't have any money to buy them. I pray that you will somehow provide them. And, Father, I really need brown ones. Amen." I left it there with God.

Early the next week, a package came from a far-away person who had no clue about my request. Inside, I found a note. It simply said: "I'm sending you a pair of slacks. I don't know what you need, but I thought you might like some brown ones." I instantly knew those slacks were from the Lord. He has answered prayers innumerable times since, but you can see why I've never forgotten that first time.

God is good and righteous. He cannot lie. He doesn't tell you to pray and then turn His back on your prayers. He doesn't say He will answer and then go back on His promise. But He does have guidelines you need to be aware of, and He has some things to say about how and when you may expect your prayers to be answered.

What Does God Say?

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15, ESV) .

    * In 1 John 5:14-15 , what is the condition God requires for answering your request?
    * If He hears you, what is the promise He makes?

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him" (Hebrews 11:6, ESV).

    * What quality does Hebrews 11:6 say you need in order to please God?
    * What two truths about God must you believe?

Read the following Scripture passages and write down your answers to the questions.

    * John 16:23-24 . How many times do you find forms of the verb "ask" in these verses? What condition does Jesus give for asking? What two results come from asking properly?
    * 1 Peter 3:12 . Whose prayers does this verse say the Lord hears? Whose does He not hear?
    * Name the attitudes that will block your prayers, as mentioned in these three verses: Psalm 66:18, James 1:6 and James 4:3.

My Thoughts

Prayer is communication with God. It's a two-way conversation. He has spoken to you in His Word, the Bible, and He has given you the privilege and responsibility to talk with Him in prayer. Just as good human-to-human communication requires open relationships so an effective prayer life depends on your keeping the line open. The Lord always has His ear tuned to your prayers, but He requires that you come to Him in humility (Luke 18:9-14), belief (Matthew 21:21 -22) and expectancy (Luke 11:9).

My Part

There's no better time than now for you to start a prayer journal. List the needs you have today and the people you want to pray for specifically and regularly. As time goes on and you see God work, be sure to note His answer and the date. If your list is too long and your time limited, don't try to pray for every need or every person every day. Instead, pray for certain requests on certain days of the week or month. Make your prayer calendar or prayer journal work best for you personally. But pray!

"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).

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Bible Minute
by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 29, 2008
Topic: Prayer


Need to Talk

There's an old proverb that says, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans." Do you think that's a true statement? Let's see what the Bible has to say about it.

What Does God Say?

"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that'" (James 4:14-15, NLT).

    * Why does this verse begin with a question?
    * How does James describe your life?
    * How should the Lord fit into your planning according to this verse?

Read Psalm 144:3-4 and answer the following questions.

    * Notice that the psalmist began this psalm with a question. Both James and the writer of the Psalm 144 follow their questions with similes. Write your own simile to express the idea of life as temporary.
    * What emotions does the brevity of life evoke in you?
    * Write a short paragraph to God telling Him how grateful you are that He does care about "mere mortals."

Life is brief and uncertain but we can hope in God. Read David's prayer as he spoke to God in Psalm 39:4-7 about the length of life.

"Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath."
Interlude

We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you" (Psalm 39:4-7, NLT)

My Thoughts

Is the Lord your only hope and focus for finding value and meaning in your life? Talking to God each day is not just a good spiritual exercise; it is mandatory for living lives of significance. There is nothing wrong with planning. In fact, the Bible teaches we ought to plan for the future. But we also should pray as we plan, asking God to provide wisdom for planning and living out our lives. Here is a basic principle for each day for every child of God.

"Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NIV).

My Part

We stay closer to God when we let Him into our lives every day. So, keep talking to God as someone who loves Him, knowing He is someone who loves you. The key to wise living for the Christ-follower is talking to God every day all day and being totally dependent on Jesus. Right now might be a good time to begin living wisely--why not talk to God about it?

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Bible Minute
by Woodrow Kroll

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: May 30, 2008
Topic: Prayer


The Model Prayer

Have you ever wanted someone to teach you to pray? Jesus' disciples did. No one knows more about prayer than Jesus. From the beginning of His ministry up to His final moments on the cross, Jesus' life was filled with prayer. After seeing the Father answer Jesus' prayers in amazing ways, His disciples came to Him one day and said, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1, NKJV).

His response was, "When you pray, say..." (Luke 11:2, NKJV). Jesus then proceeds to give His disciples and us a model for effective prayer. Let's look at it.

What Does God Say?

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed [honored] be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one" (Luke 11:2-4, NKJV).

    * According to Jesus' model, what should be our focus as we begin our prayers?
    * As we move further into the prayer, what attitude is indicated on the part of the person praying?
    * What are some of the requests found in this prayer?

My Thoughts

Effective praying begins by reminding ourselves that we are coming to One who deserves our deepest respect and honor. He is our Father before whom we bow in humble adoration, submitting to His will in the same way that the angels in heaven give unquestioning obedience to His commands. Only when we've placed ourselves in a proper position—mentally and spiritually—before God are we ready to present Him with our needs: our need for daily sustenance, for forgiveness as we forgive others and for protection from the evil one (Satan).

My Part

Determine today that you will begin praying the way Jesus taught us to pray. Instead of rushing into God's presence with a grocery list of requests, begin with adoration. Humble yourself before Him (James 4:10). Make sure you aren't harboring any bitterness or grudges toward others and receive His cleansing for your own sins (1 John 1:9). Then lay before Him your every need. As you practice the kind of praying that Jesus taught, you will discover how effective your prayer life can become.

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Bible Minute
by Woodrow Kroll

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jun 2, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, God, Faith/Trust


Perspective on Faithfulness

You've probably seen those visual puzzles where, depending on how you look at it, it's either a sculpted goblet or two people facing each other? Or those movie shots where you think you see stars in the sky, but as the camera angle changes, it's really a reflection in water. These visual effects are caused by your perspective.

When we consider God’s faithfulness, perspective is important too. Sometimes we see only part of the picture so we question His faithfulness. We operate with the idea that, since God is faithful, nothing will go wrong and He'll keep the bad stuff away.

But God's faithfulness isn't a divine insulation from all problems. The better perspective is God is faithful--therefore; He's always with me, even in the bad stuff. He also keeps His promises and brings good according to His plan.

So, how do you get the right perspective? Well, you need to start with His Word.

What Does God Say?

Psalm 23 reflects on God's faithfulness as our shepherd; He feeds, leads and cares for us, His sheep. And verse 4 tells us, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me" (ESV). You notice it says "walk through." God doesn't keep you from the difficult times; He promises to be with you in them.

Job was ambushed by loss after loss, and he didn't know about Satan's challenge or God's response. But he did rely on God's faithfulness. "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong" (Job 1:20-22, ESV).

Having the right perspective on God's faithfulness determines how much we trust Him. Even at his worst and overwhelmed with questions, Job still trusts God, even to death (Job 13:15).

We tend to only see things from our perspective, our circumstances, and we don't know what God is really doing or allowing to happen behind the scenes. Sometimes we never find out this side of heaven; other times it takes a lifetime to understand.

Joseph went through the wringer, too: rejection, attempts on his life, slavery, false accusations of rape, prison, being forgotten, etc. But "the Lord was with him" (Genesis 39:2; 20-23), not removing him from slavery or prison but present and able to comfort and strengthen him. And people around Joseph recognized it.

Many years later, Joseph understood why he'd faced these difficulties, and he affirmed God's faithful hand behind it all. Genesis 50:20 records his words, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (ESV).

My Thoughts

God's faithfulness is tied to His love and His promises. Psalm 89 reflects all three, mostly in the context of David's life. The word "faithfulness" is mentioned six times (in the New King James version) in this psalm. Go through Psalm 89 and mark every verse where this word is used.

As you read this psalm, look for:

    * How God's faithfulness is revealed
    * Circumstances (or adversity) that come up in life
    * Promises God makes and how He keeps them
    * Questions about God's faithfulness

In this and other Scriptures, you discover that God's faithful character doesn't change with your circumstances. Knowing that He is consistently and unfailingly faithful, even when you can't quite see it or understand it, gives you the right perspective.

My Part

So, which equation do you live by?

   1. God is faithful = nothing bad happens to me.
   2. God is faithful = when bad things happen, He's walking through it with me.

The first option sets you up for shaky faith which questions God whenever you hit a snag. The second option offers you a solid faith that puts your trust firmly where it belongs.

Does your perspective need an adjustment? Review some of the Bible passages we looked at, or look further into God's Word on your own to examine God's faithfulness. And as you do, ask God to help you line up your perspective.

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Bible Minute
by Woodrow Kroll

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jun 3, 2008
Topic: Faith/Trust


Faithful When You Fail

I remember a video game I used to play many years ago. The player controlled this cute character named Lolo through a series of rooms. In each room, he or she had to figure out how to get to the exit while avoiding various traps and hazards. Obviously, as the game progressed, the puzzles got harder, and some puzzles were incredibly difficult. But I knew there had to be a way. It'd be a pretty poor game if some puzzles didn't have a way through.

What Does the Bible Say

The analogy is far from perfect, but I was thinking of that game as I read today's verse:

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV).

The word used for temptation in this verse can also be translated as "test." I like that word because it implies that, like other tests, I can pass it successfully. It tells me that temptation can have an upside--that I can grow stronger in my relationship with God if I keep my focus on Him. Of course, I never seek after temptation (I never asked for any tests in school either!), but I can know that each temptation is an opportunity to draw closer to God.

So, what does this have to do with the faithfulness of God? Just like I could know that the game designers would never give me an impossible puzzle, I can know that God will never allow me to face an impossible temptation. There is always a way of escape. While failure may be an option, so is success.

Also, God's faithfulness means that even when I fall, when I fail the test, He doesn't give up on me. He'll be ready the next time temptation comes my way. And in the meantime, He's given me His Word to read so that I can be ready as well.

My Thoughts

When you reread verse 13, read verse 12 as well and think about the following questions:

    * Why doesn't God just stop any temptations from reaching us?
    * How would meeting temptation be different if God wasn't faithful?
    * Why is verse 12 so important?

My Part

I'm reminded of the hymn that states,

*Let Thy goodness like a fetter,
Bind my wand'ring heart to Thee.
Prone to wander--Lord I feel it--
Prone to leave the God I love;

Here's my heart,
O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.

Look at the words in that hymn that talk about "binding" and "sealing." It's because of God's faithfulness that we can even ask that. Because of His steadfast love towards us, we can always stand back up after we fail.

*"Come, Thou Fount," Robert Robinson and John Wyeth.

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Bible Minute
by Woodrow Kroll

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