Bible Minute

[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 16, 2008
Topic: Holiness


The Value of Godliness

The arrival of the Sandhill Cranes in Nebraska each spring is a sight never to be forgotten. Hundreds of thousands of the great, graceful birds flock to the central part of the state to gather together in fields and lakes for a time of feeding before they continue their long migration.

Another event involving birds that occasionally draws attention is the ominous, soaring, circling of several huge turkey vultures as they zero in on a dead or dying animal below.

Now, you'll notice that the cranes don't spend time flying with the vultures and the vultures are not at all interested in hanging around with live cranes.

Several centuries ago, an observant person came up with the proverb: "Birds of a feather flock together."

And that relates to what we want to think about today in our Bible Minute. People are not cranes or vultures, but people do tend to hang out with their own crowd. When that happens, they tend to become more and more like their companions.

What Does God Say?

Part of God's will for His people is that they reflect His glory and His character. The Holy Spirit works in the life of Christians to make them more like God. God-likeness or godliness ought to be the mark of every believer. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV) says, "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

So, how do you become a godly person? Well, you have to spend time with God. You need to be His constant companion. How do you spend time with Him? You hear from Him through His written Word and you fellowship with Him in prayer. The Bible says,

"But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself;

the LORD hears when I call unto Him" (Psalm 4:3 ESV).

The Bible speaks plainly about the dangers of spending your time with companions that drag you down into ungodliness. First Corinthians 15:33 ( ESV) says, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'" What kinds of wrong company can you spot in the following verses? Make a note of each.

    * Proverbs 13:20
    * Proverbs 16:29
    * Proverbs 20:19
    * Proverbs 22:5
    * Proverbs 22:24-25
    * Proverbs 29:24
    * 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (note especially the last warning in verse 5)

On the other hand, godliness comes from being in the presence of God. If sin in a Christian's life has disrupted communication with God, then he or she must do what David did, recorded in Psalm 32:5-6 ( ESV ) :

"I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,'
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found"

My Thoughts

John Gilmour, a godly British man who loved to witness for Christ, always carried Gospel books to give to people as he had opportunity.

One day Gilmour was walking through a village when he came across an old Irishman selling lids, kettles and saucepans. Gilmour greeted the man,

"Good morning, how is business today?"

"Oh, I can't complain," the Irishman said.

Then Gilmour remarked, "What a grand thing it is to be saved!"

The old man looked at him and replied, "I know something better than that."

"Better than being saved? I would like to know what that is."

Smiling warmly, the man responded, "The companionship of the Man who saved me, sir."

My Part

Which companions are most influential in your life right now? Are you "training yourself for godliness" as 1 Timothy 4:7-8 says? What does your training regime include?

    * Prayer?
    * Regular Bible study?
    * Confession of all known sin?
    * Meditation on the person and presence of Christ?
    * Enjoyment of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)?

If you are missing one or more of these, add it to your regime today.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 17, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


The Hidden Things God Sees

Marie wrote a letter to her ex-fiancé:

"Dear Jimmy,

No words could ever express the great unhappiness I've felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you'll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me. I love you! I love you! I love you!

Yours forever,

Marie.

"P.S. And congratulations on winning the state lottery."

Marie's apparent motive for writing seemed honest, and if Jimmy had stopped reading before the "P.S.," he would never have known what her real motivation was for wanting to go back to him!

Just as it is impossible for you to know all the thoughts of another, so it is beyond your scope to know a person's motives for doing something. Therefore, God told us that, though you may be able to see the fruit of a person's actions, you are never able to discern the motives that led to those actions. There are times when you know your own motives, but there are also times when even you can't explain yourself. Only God knows human motives intimately and correctly, so He gives the following warning to us all:

What Does God Say?

First Corinthians 4:5 (ESV) "Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God."

In that Bible verse:

    * What does God order you not to do?
    * What is the "time" that God is speaking about?
    * What two things is God going to reveal?

Read Matthew 6:1-9 in your Bible. Jesus, the Judge of every person's motives, warns the Pharisees about practicing religion with wrong motives.

    * In Matthew 6:1, what warning does He give about "righteousness"?
    * In 6:2, what was the motive for giving?
    * In 6:5, what was the motive for praying publicly?
    * In 6:7, what was the motive for repeating prayers over and over?
    * In 6:1-9, how many times does Jesus mention "rewards"?

My Thoughts

God doesn't simply appraise actions; He evaluates the works a person does in light of the motives he or she had in doing them. Therefore He warns believers that they are not to pass judgments on people and, in particular, other believers. Romans 14:10-12 (ESV) says, "Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,

"'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.'

"So then each of us will give an account of himself to God."

    * Who will stand before God's judgment seat?
    * What be required of those who are there?

My Part

Think about the motives you have for (1) going to church; (2) giving a contribution; (3) praying; (4) teaching a Bible class; (5) reading the Bible.

Do you detect any motives in your life that might be less than honorable?

Jesus saves us and gives us one supreme motive in life. The Westminster Shorter Catechism says a Christian's motive should be to "glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Do you have motives that need to be discarded and replaced by the pure objective of glorifying God? Ask Him to give you the faith to make that true in your life.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 18, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Sin/Temptation, Evil


Satan's Lies

If Satan lacks anything, it's imagination. It's not that he hasn't developed an extensive bag of tricks to use on us, but he uses the same tricks over and over. Why? Because he knows they work. So, if we want to stand firm against Satan's attacks, we need to be alert and prepared.

What Does God Say?

Let's take a look at one of the enemy's most successful tactics--getting us to doubt God by twisting the Lord's words or coloring their meaning.

Genesis 2:15-17 tells us, "The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die'" (ESV).

Now, look carefully at how the evil one twists things around in Genesis 3: "Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.

"He said to the woman, 'Did God actually say, "You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'"? And the woman said to the serpent, 'We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, "You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die."' But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil'" (Genesis 3:1-5, ESV).

    * How does Satan's first question compare to what God really said?
    * How does Eve's reply fit what God said?
    * According to Satan, what is God's motive for keeping Adam and Eve from the tree?

My Thoughts

    * If you've ever doubted God--doubted that what He said in His Word is what He meant, or that He cares about you like the Bible says, then you will recognize this tactic--one of Satan's favorites. So, what can you do? How can you prepare yourself for Satan's schemes?

First, be alert to this subtle tactic. Remember what Jesus tells us about Satan in John 8:44: "He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (ESV)

    * What lies have you believed?
    * When have you been prompted to question the truth about God or Jesus Christ?
    * What did you do about it?

These lies won't come directly from the mouth of a serpent as in Genesis 3 but you may hear them from a friend, a co-worker, a teacher. You might read them or see them on TV. The enemy is crafty and subtle, not stupid.

Secondly, be prepared. The only way to fight lies is with the truth. In turning away from the lies and evil (Job 1:1), you need to turn to something else: fearing God and embracing the truth. Jesus is the truth (John 14:6); and He said to all who believe, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32, ESV).

My Part

Tapping into the truth so you can stand up to Satan's lies takes time and effort. That's why in John 8, Jesus uses the word "abide." It means we settle down to live deeply in God's Word; that we know it inside and out and trust God to be exactly what He is: truthful, faithful, good, just, merciful, etc. The more familiar we are with the truth, the stronger we are against Satan's lies.

Jesus gives us an excellent model in Luke 4:1-13 when he is tempted by Satan. Take a few minutes to look at how Satan attacks. What does Jesus do in response? What should your response be when you're tempted? What will you need to do to be prepared this way? Start by using Psalm 119:11 as a reminder to embrace the truth and reject Satan's lies.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 22, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, God, Faith/Trust


Before Life Unravels

In college I read A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis. I'd had some hard times by that point, but I hadn't yet lost a loved one. But a few years later, when I personally experienced that grief, I remembered what I'd read and was better prepared to cope. Lewis' little book had given me an inside look at loss, anger, questioning and trusting God.

Knowing what you believe about God--before your crisis comes--is critical. You need to have the truth of who God is settled in your mind, so you know whom you're holding onto when life unravels. Few people show us that like Job does.

What Does God Say?

What had Job decided about God before he experienced affliction? It's right there in the Bible's description of this man in Job 1:1. "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" (ESV). Job knew God was righteous and holy so he feared Him and chose to live a blameless and upright life--one that pleased God.

We also see it when, after he lost his wealth and his children, Job responded by recognizing "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21, ESV). He saw that all he had came from God, and God had every right to take it away if He saw fit. For Job, it didn't change the fact that the Lord was to be blessed. And in Job 2:10, he says, "Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?"

Even in the "worst of times," Job chose to worship, to hold on to his integrity before God, to trust in God to be faithful, even to say, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him" (Job 13:15, ESV). Why? Because Job had an understanding of who God is. He saw the Lord as just and merciful, trustworthy and compassionate, even when the circumstances of his own life had him on the ropes.

Job understood what we need to learn: That the character of God is not influenced or changed by the events or trials of our lives, by our actions or failures. And we need to know Him, deeply, personally, intimately, in the good days of our lives so we can trust Him to anchor us during the storms.

My Thoughts

So, what do you need to know about God before life unravels? Look through each group of verses to learn something about God you'll need as your anchor.

    * Deuteronomy 7:9; Hebrews 10:23
    * 2 Chronicles 7:3; Psalm 100:5; Psalm 119:68
    * Exodus 34:6; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; Isaiah 30:18
    * Psalm 145:17; Psalm 119:137
    * Psalm 103:13; Psalm 119:156
    * 1 John 4:8-10; Psalm 13:5; Romans 5:5; Ephesians 2:4

Take a few moments to jot down things you know about God now that may help you hold on when the difficult times come. Create a statement of faith and keep it where you can refer to it in those darker days.

My Part

Now is the time to get to know God and to trust Him even before life unravels. What do you know about His character now? How would you describe your trust in Him? Are you just looking for what He can do for you? Or are you focused on living to please Him? Those attitudes make a difference when the bottom falls out of your world.

What if your life has already unraveled, if you're facing the depths of crisis right now? You can get to know God in a special way through the storms; testing has a way of refining us and tuning us in to His heart. But remember that He is still the same God He was in your peaceful times. He hasn't lost sight of His goal: to make you better, not just to make life better for you.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 23, 2008
Topic: Pain/Suffering


When the Worst Happens

Have you seen those television programs where they throw a person into a harsh environment and watch him survive? Now, the part is not played by the average guy. The "stars" of these dramas are trained survivalists. They work hard to prepare for the hardships of the wilderness. And we, at home, watch and are fascinated because we know that we wouldn't stand a chance.

But what about Job and the devastating hardships he faced? What if Job's situation was suddenly thrust upon you? What if you suddenly found yourself with nothing? Would you still have your faith?

What Does God Say?

Job 1:20 records Job's reaction when he received the news that all his children had been killed. (This was the fourth message he received; the other three told of the loss of all his wealth.) "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'" (Job 1:20-21, ESV).

It's worth studying that word "worship." It has come to mean something different today than it meant to Job. He didn't sing songs or play music. The word used here means "to bow down in reverence." And that's exactly what Job did. Although his world had just been turned upside-down, one thing remained unchanged--the sovereignty of God. Job's declaration, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" shows that he still recognized God as sovereign and knew that it was within God's authority to give and to take away.

How could Job respond without anger or agonized questions? Don't forget how God described him in Job 1:1, "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" (Job 1:1, ESV). Long before any tragedy struck, Job had set his feet on the right path.

My Thoughts

As you read Job 1:1-22 think about the following questions:

1. What do you learn about Job's attitude toward his wealth, his family and his faith in these verses?
2. What do we learn about Satan's powers?
3. How do you think you'd respond if everything you had was suddenly taken away?

My Part

How strong are you in your relationship with the Lord? Even today it's not uncommon to read about men and women who lose everything in one fell swoop. Job's story reminds us how important it is to be living in a close relationship with God. Life may be uncertain, but a solid relationship with God can pull us through any storm.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 24, 2008
Topic: Hope, Obedience/Discipleship


Good Grief

The late Joseph Bayly in his book The View from a Hearse tells of trying to comfort a woman whose small son was dying. He assured her that while the medical outlook seemed hopeless, her son's future would be bright in heaven.

Her response was, "If I could only believe that, but I don't. When he dies, I'll just have to cover him up with dirt and forget I ever had him." Sadly that reflects the feelings of many people around us.

Those who know Christ, however, can approach grief in a different way. Let's see why our grief is different from the world's grief.

What Does God Say?

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

"For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

"Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.

"Therefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, NASB).

    * What expression does Paul use for those who have died in Christ?
    * What is the basis for our hope that death is not final?
    * In what ways do you find these verses comforting?

My Thoughts

No where in Scripture are Christians told not to grieve or that grieving is wrong. Even knowing that someday we will be reunited with our loved one in Christ does not change the fact that, for the present, we are separated. We may face empty days and lonely nights for

What gives us hope, however, is the sure expectation that the separation is not permanent. While we grieve, it is without that sense of helplessness and despair experienced by those who are without Christ.

My Part

Are you grieving today? Go through the verses above and look for at least three reasons why you can have hope in the midst of your grief. At the right time, share these reasons with someone else who is grieving.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 25, 2008
Topic: Salvation


Jesus & Sorrow

I like to be in control of my schedule. I feel stress when my calendar is full. Even if I know I'll enjoy everything I have to do, I can't get past the feeling that I've lost a little bit of my freedom.

I doubt I'm the only one who feels that way. We live in a culture that emphasizes personal choice. We want to be in charge of our personal destinies. After reading the Scripture passage for today, I'm grateful Jesus didn't think the way I do.

What Does God Say?

"He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief ...
he was despised,
and we esteemed him not" (Isaiah 53:3, ESV).

Although that verse is written in the past tense, it's a prophecy about the coming Messiah--Jesus. Long before He was born, Jesus' life was planned out, and it wasn't going to be an easy one.

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows....
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace" (Isaiah 53:4-5, ESV).

Jesus' life would be one of sorrow and pain, but it would be for a purpose. Jesus' life would end in a death that would be our perfect sacrifice. He would take on the punishment of sin for everyone. He would bear all our sorrows and all our grief and receive the judgment we deserved.

Jesus willingly chose to live that life and accept that death. And through His death, He's given us a choice we never had before. He's allowed us to choose life, to choose freedom, to choose a better destiny than any of us could provide for ourselves.

My Thoughts

As you read Isaiah 53:1-12 think about the following:

1. In your own words, what was the purpose of Jesus' life?
2. How has Jesus' life and death changed your life?
3. Ask God to help you write a purpose statement for your life.

My Part

The ironic thing is that we don't know the first thing about freedom until we meet Jesus. We like to think we're in control, but all of us will one day face judgment. Some will be judged based on what they did, what they tried to accomplish--and won't measure up. The rest, though, are the ones who have accepted Christ's sacrifice for their sins. They are the ones who have decided to let Jesus choose our destiny. How about you? Are you ready to meet Jesus?

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 28, 2008
Topic: Worship/Praise/Worthiness


In Spirit and in Truth

How do you truly worship God? Is it by attending the morning service in church? Is it by singing some praise songs? Is it by quietly reading your Bible? Is it by enjoying God's creative works beside a lake in the mountains? Is it by getting together for family devotions?

All of those activities are commendable, but in themselves they do not constitute true worship. Theologian William Barclay said: "If we haven't learned to be worshipers, it doesn't really matter how well we do anything else."

If worshiping is that important, isn't it worth your time to find out what true worship involves? God provides in His Word some insights on worship.

What Does God Say?

In Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV), the psalmist issues an invitation to the people of God, saying:

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord , our Maker!
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.

Our word worship comes from the old Anglo-Saxon word worth-ship, emphasizing the praiseworthiness and importance of God. One requirement of true worship is that the worshiper have a correct understanding of who God really is. It is an understanding that is gained only by knowing His revelation of Himself in Christ and through His written Word. In the psalm above, the psalmist recognizes Him as Lord over all, the Creator and the personal God of His people.

In addition, true worship requires you as a worshipper to have an accurate appraisal of yourself. In verse 7, the psalmist realizes his complete dependence upon God. True worship involves preparation of your spirit, mind, heart and soul through the saving, cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice for you on the cross. It involves the living sacrifice of your body to be used for God's purposes (Romans 12:1), the preparation of your mind through intake of the Word and a firm grasp of the truths of God through the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Read Job 1:6-20 in your Bible. Note the dreadful attacks of Satan on Job's possessions and his family. Write down everything that Job lost in Satan's first onslaught.

How does Job 1:20 describe Job's reaction?

You can see that Job's worship involved knowing and trusting his God as well as knowing, but not depending on, himself. Job's worship rested not on his circumstances, his emotional condition or his location (face down on the ground). Later in the book, you see that he lost his physical health and his "support group" (his wife and critical friends). Yet, he worshiped. He entertained no sinful thoughts or actions against His Lord (Job 1:22).

My Thoughts

Jesus spoke about worship when He met the woman at the well in Samaria. After the woman guessed that Jesus must be a prophet, she decided to talk about her worship. Then Jesus taught her about true worship. Pick up the narrative in John 4:19-24 and answer these questions:

    * What did the woman consider to be the most important thing in worship (4:20)?
    * What did Jesus say was to be the proper focus of worship (4:21)?
    * What requirement of true worship was lacking in the Samaritan's ritual (4:22)?
    * Who does Jesus identify as the object of true worshippers (4:23)?
    * What two qualities does Jesus say are necessary in worshipping God (4:23-24)?

My Part

Worshiping God in spirit and in truth is a spiritual discipline. In other words, it requires training on your part. True worship doesn't just "happen." It arises out of the heart of a person who knows himself or herself and knows God. In order to worship God in spirit, you must be born of the Spirit (in other words, you must be born again). In order to worship Him in truth you must know the truth.

Memorize Jesus' words in John 4:24 (NKJV): "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 29, 2008
Topic: Pride/Humility, God, Worship/Praise/Worthiness


Worship Up and Down

When we talk about worship, we speak in terms of praise, celebration or rejoicing before God. We see it as an "up" moment. But in the Bible, it's often a "down" moment: face down, humble, even silent before God. Just look at Job.

What Does God Say?

Job had it all: wealth, family, property, a good reputation and health. But when it all came crashing down, he did the unusual. Job 1:20 tells us that, after all the calamities, "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped" (ESV).

That doesn't sound like worship the way we do it! Granted, some of Job's actions like tearing his robe and shaving his head were connected with his grief and distress. But falling to the ground to worship--well, that's not quite how we do it.

We need to understand, from Job and others in the Bible who worshiped face down, that this is a significant action. Bowing, even to the ground, shows a respect and humility before God that little else does. In worship we're to ascribe or attribute worth to God, to see Him as greater than we are and righteous which we're not. Worship is to remind us that He is completely good and holy as well as demonstrate our dependence on Him. God is God; you and I are not. Worshiping face down shows Him (and reminds us) that we understand this fact.

My Thoughts

Take a look at a few other examples of worship in the Bible.

Exodus 4:29-31
Nehemiah 8:5-6
Psalm 95:1-7
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 28:1-9
Revelation 5:8-14

    * What is the occasion for worship in each passage?
    * What is the attitude of those worshiping? How do you see it?
    * Where is the focus of this worship?

My Part

When you go to worship God, how do your attitudes or actions reflect these biblical examples? Where is your focus? Is it squarely on God and who He is? Or are you preoccupied with what you want from Him?

The hard part in this kind of worship is that it requires us to get beyond ourselves, to bow humbly before God and focus only on Him. The next time you go to personal worship, try getting on your knees or even going face down. Direct your words to God in praise of His character or His works. You could even borrow Psalm 95 and start "up" with praise (1-5) and then bow "down" in worship (6-7), acknowledging Him and your place before Him.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 30, 2008
Topic: Worship/Praise/Worthiness


Working at Worship

The English word worship comes from the Old English word worthship. Literally this word means "full of worth." Worship is the way we show that someone is of great value or worth to us.

The Bible maintains that only God is worthy of worship.

What Does God Say?

In Revelation 4:11, we find the angels in heaven saying to Him who sits upon the throne:

"You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created" (NKJV).

    * According to this verse, why is God worthy of worship?

A few verses later in Revelation 5:11-12, we see more worship taking place:

"Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" (NKJV)

    * Who is being worshipped this time?
    * What makes this person worthy to be worshipped?

My Thoughts

God is jealous of His worship. When the Israelites had Aaron make a golden calf and the people worshipped it (Exodus 32:8 ), God would have consumed them totally if Moses hadn't interceded. As it was, 3,000 people lost their lives. And in 1 Kings 9:9 we read that the people were later taken into exile and the land destroyed, "Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, and worshiped them and served them; therefore the LORD has brought all this calamity on them." (NKJV)

Someone has said, "We worship our play and play at our worship." While that may not be true of every Christian, it's close enough to make us all look more closely at our practice of worship.

If we truly want to show God how much we value Him, let's show Him that we take worship seriously.

My Part

Here are some questions we should ask ourselves before going to church:

    * Have I prepared myself for worship? Do I have clean hands and a pure heart before I come before the Lord (Psalm 24:4)?
    * Am I rested so that I can give my full attention to the worship service or have I stayed up late and gone to church exhausted?
    * Am I going to keep from feeling guilty or am I going to meet the living God (Hebrews 9:14).

If God is truly full of worth, let's show Him that by our actions.

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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: Aug 1, 2008
Topic: Jesus, Faith/Trust


Jesus Does What You Can't

Jesus does for you what you can't do for yourself. When you're helpless and hopeless, when you're searching for something to make life meaningful and you've looked at traditions, rituals or good works and nothing satisfies, He's there. When you're at the end of your rope and failure is inevitable, He reaches out a caring, helpful hand.

What Does God Say?

In John 5, we meet a man whose physical condition made him helpless and hopeless. "Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids--blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years" (John 5:2-5, ESV). This pool was rumored to have healing properties if a person could get in at just the right time.

John 5:6-7 continues the story. "When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, 'Do you want to be healed?' The sick man answered him, 'Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me'" (ESV). What this man needed was more than someone to help him into the water; he needed full healing. And that was something he was unable to accomplish on his own.

Only Jesus could do it. In John 5:8-9, "Jesus said to him, 'Get up, take up your bed, and walk.' And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked" ( ESV).

Every other solution falls short of what Jesus can do. Whether you're struggling with physical, practical, emotional or spiritual needs, Jesus is the only one who offers what you truly need.

My Thoughts

Look at these times when Jesus did something for those who couldn't do anything themselves.

John 9:1-17, 35-39

Matthew 9:1-8

Luke 7:36-50

Luke 8:42-48

John 3:1-21

    * What was the need?
    * How did this person respond to Jesus?
    * How did Jesus meet the immediate need? What else did He offer?
    * Which need do you most identify with? What are you asking Jesus for?

My Part

When Jesus can take care of you so completely, why would you go anywhere else? Why would you struggle to take care of your problems yourself? Well, often we either don't want to face the extent of our need, or we're afraid Jesus will require us to make painful changes. So, it's easier just to wallow in the problem.

Did you notice what Jesus asked this man in John 5:6? He asked if the man wanted to be healed. That's almost sounds like a dumb question; of course he did or he wouldn't be waiting around the pool! But Jesus' question has a purpose; it's a way to check on genuine desire, to see if we're willing to depend on Him for what we need. It's a test of faith and a reminder that Jesus doesn't work uninvited; He makes us a participant with Him.

    * What are you trying to do today for yourself?
    * Where do you need to invite Jesus to provide the solution?
    * Are you willing to declare your dependence on Him?
    * Then say yes to Jesus and watch what He will do for you.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Aug 4, 2008
Topic: Faith/Trust


Jesus' School of Faith

If you could teach just one lesson to other people, what would you teach? How would you teach it?

Jesus, the God/Man and ablest teacher who ever lived, walked this earth for about 33 years. For the last three or four years of His life, He taught men and women what He considered to be the most important lessons they needed. Among those lessons, recorded in the Gospels, there is one that stands out. Let’s look at that lesson and how He taught it.

What Does God Say?

The lesson Jesus stressed again and again was faith--faith that He was who He said He was; that He could do what He said He could do; and that all He promised was absolute truth.

How would the Greatest Teacher get this lesson across? Let's look at some ways He taught the disciples about their need to trust Him without reservation.

    * Jesus taught faith by talking about it in the disciples' presence.
    * John 14:1. What did Jesus desire to see in the hearts of His disciples?
    * John 14:10-11. What did Jesus say the disciples should believe?
    * Luke 17:3-6. What response did the disciples have to Jesus' teaching about forgiveness?
    * Luke 24:25. How did Jesus describe those who did not readily believe?
    * Jesus gave miraculous object lessons to deepen the disciples' faith.
    * Mark 11:12-14 and 11:20-24. What was the visual object Jesus used (11:13-14)? What lessons did Jesus want them to learn (11:22-24)?
    * Jesus prayed for His students.
    * Luke 22:32. What specifically did He pray for Peter?
    * Jesus gave His disciples "faith tests."
    * John 6:1-6. How did Christ test Philip's faith?
    * Jesus reviewed the disciples' lessons on faith in the "laboratory of life."
    * Matthew 14:22-33. How did He prove the reality of their faith (14:24)? Why did Peter sink (14:30-31)? What was the disciples' response (14:33)?
    * Jesus furnished unquestionable proof that His teachings on faith were true.
    * Acts 1:3 and John 20:27-28. What was the proof?

My Thoughts

Jesus' lessons on faith would mean nothing if they not cause change in the lives of His students. How effective in the disciples' lives was Jesus' teaching on faith? Look at some of the convincing arguments for faith in Christ that later came from the mouths of disciples who started their journey with Him at various levels of trust.

    * John 20:30-31. What John said.
    * Acts 4:12 and Acts 10:43. What Peter said.
    * Acts 8:35. What Philip said.

My Part

Where are you today in the school of faith? Have you studied what Jesus and others say about the necessity of trusting in Him? Has He tested you or put you through a lab course? Is He deepening your faith in God as you learn more and more of His Word? Do you believe He is praying for you, even as He did for His first disciples?

Then, learn this part of Christ's prayer for you in John 17:20-21 (ESV): "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word; that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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Daily Bible Study

Date: Aug 5, 2008
Topic: Faith/Trust


Faith & Facts

Have you ever had a teacher who liked to put students on the spot? I had one who would respond to a student's answer with, "Are you sure?" It's amazing, but not surprising, how many students would back down from a correct answer.

In John 6 we see Jesus putting Philip on the spot. And although Philip's answer was not the faith response Jesus might have desired, Philip learned a lot from what happened next.

What Does God Say?

The first five verses of chapter 6 set the scene. Jesus with his disciples had crossed over the Sea of Galilee and taken a seat on a nearby mountainside. Looking up, Jesus saw a large crowd of people approaching. Then He turned to Philip. "Jesus said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?'" (John 6:5, ESV).

It's clear from verse 6 that Jesus wasn't asking for advice. He already knew what He would do. But like a good teacher, Jesus wanted to take the opportunity to teach Philip, and us, a valuable lesson.

Philip responded just like many of us would. "Philip answered him, 'Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little'" (John 6:7, ESV). Philip looked at the crowd and began estimating what it would take to feed them. His response showed that he clearly thought it would be impossible.

Well, you know the rest of the story. Jesus took the five barely loaves and two fish a little boy offered. With them, He fed the entire crowd and had plenty left over. When Jesus put Philip on the spot, He wasn't looking for facts, He was looking for faith.

In the next section, we'll look at ways we can apply this lesson.

My Thoughts

As you read John 6:1-13, think about the following questions:

1. Why do you think there was so much food left over?
2. If you were one of the 5,000, how would you have told the story to someone else?
3. What did the disciples learn from this experience?

My Part

A lot of us become like Philip when we feel God calling us to serve Him in a particular way. We look at the facts and say, "God, I just don't have the abilities" or "I don't have the resources to do this." But He understands this tendency in us. That's why the Bible is filled, front to back, with stories of God using what is insufficient in our eyes and turning it into abundance.

Is God calling you to a task that has no apparent resources? Step out in faith, asking God to provide what is lacking.

Hudson Taylor, a famous missionary to China, said, "God’s work, done in God's way, will never lack God’s supply."

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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Daily Bible Study

Date: Aug 6, 2008
Topic: Jesus, New Life, Faith/Trust


The Bread of Life

When my mother baked bread, we would devour a loaf in the first 20 minutes it was out of the oven! There's nothing quite as good as a slice of fresh, homemade bread, warm and slathered with butter. Skip the jam. You don't even need a plate. Just get to the good stuff! Let me guess, your mouth is watering right now?

Bread is one of those "building-block" foods. Every culture has some form of bread at the heart of its diet. And no matter how much the "food police" object, we need it, love it and use it to satisfy hunger.

What Does God Say?

So, it's no wonder that Jesus describes Himself as the Bread of Life, satisfying the spiritual hunger of our hearts. He couldn't have picked a better way to illustrate what He brings to our needy souls.

In John 6:1-14, Jesus fed a large crowd of hungry people with a few loaves of bread and a couple fish. Miraculously, it was enough to satisfy them and even provide leftovers. Jesus saw the need for food, and He met it in an extraordinary way. But while it was satisfying at the time, like any good meal (or even a warm slice of bread), people eventually get hungry again. Bread met only the immediate need.

But later, during a discussion about the miraculous signs Jesus did, He offered the long-term solution to our hunger problem. "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst'" (John 6:35, ESV).

In John 6:47-51, He goes on to say, "'Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh'" (ESV).

What Jesus offers is eternal life; the spiritual food of His presence, His will and His power in our lives. He is the only One who can truly satisfy the deepest longings of our heart: the desire for forgiveness, for purpose, for hope, for love and belonging, for eternal life at peace with God. When you've got the best Bread, why settle for anything less?

My Thoughts

Read John 6:22-59.

    * What were these people looking for? Do you see the same need in people today? How is it demonstrated?
    * What did they find?
    * What does the "bread of life" offer you?
    * What were these people missing in their questions to Jesus?
    * Why do you think it's so hard to understand and accept what Jesus has to offer?
    * What do you learn here about Jesus and the will of God?
    * What does He expect from us?

My Part

So, what are you going to do with the Bread of Life?

    * Do you look to Jesus to satisfy your spiritual hunger? Not just for your salvation but for your daily life?
    * Or are you relying on something else to feed your inner needs? Maybe it's food, relationships, entertainment, work, family, religious practices, even worry. All these and more we use as substitutes, but they fall short of the real thing.

You see, like good bread, you can't enjoy Jesus just once and then be done. While He satisfies your eternal need for salvation and peace with God, He also "feeds" you daily with His Word. He "fuels" you with His strength and power through the Holy Spirit.

Today's study made it possible for you to tap into God's Word, even briefly. Are you making it a daily part of your "diet"? Do you ask the Holy Spirit to fuel you? Take time to commit yourself to enjoying the Bread of Life.

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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Daily Bible Study

Date: Aug 7, 2008
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship


Become a Disciple

We don't use the term "disciple" much anymore unless we're talking about the disciples--the 12 men who followed Jesus. The concept still exists though. We may have friends who talk about a particular author or teacher in every conversation. They've read every book and heard every talk given by the personality they admire. And they even try to live their lives based on what that celebrity says.

It's easy to think of people today who inspire devoted followers. But do they deserve such admiration? In reality, only one person has ever deserved such attention.

What Does God Say?

Jesus had a lot more disciples than just the 12. Everywhere He went, crowds of people followed Him listening to everything He said. In John 8 we see Jesus addressing the crowd. And when we get to verse 30 we read, "As he was saying these things, many believed in him" (John 8:30, ESV).

At this point, though, these believers hadn't become "disciples." Being a disciple isn't just a title we wear, it's a way of life. "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples" (John 8:31, ESV).

That word "abide" is the key to being a disciple. In John 15, Jesus talks a lot more about what it means to abide in Him. It involves knowing Him, listening to Him and also living a life consistent with what He teaches. Jesus said, "'whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing'" (John 15:5, ESV).

Being Jesus' disciple today is about much more than simply knowing who He is and what He taught. Being Jesus' disciple means living the way He lived as well.

My Thoughts

As you read John 8:30-31, think about the following questions:

1. In your own words, how would you define, "disciple," and, "abide"?
2. What are some challenges we face when we go from simply knowing Jesus to abiding in Him?

My Part

We talked in this study about the noun form of the word "disciple." Christians also talk a lot about the verb "discipling." As we all grow in maturity in our Christian faith, one of our responsibilities is to help those who are less mature grow. Is there anyone in your life you feel God is leading you to disciple?

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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