Bible Minute

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 7, 2009
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Obedience/Discipleship, Faith/Trust


According to Ability

Even as Christians, we can look at seemingly more accomplished or devoted Christ-followers and think, I'm not that good; there's no way God's going to reward my service. But God judges fairly, individually and He rewards according to what He's given you, not by how you do compared to the "super stars" in the church.

What Does God Say?

Jesus told a parable that helps us understand this concept. Take a moment to read Matthew 25:14-30.

Did you notice that this man entrusted "talents" to his servants, "to each according to his ability" (25:15, ESV)? He gave each of them a responsibility that he knew they could handle. And on his return, he judged them using the same criteria. What he expected was based on what he knew about their ability and the "talents" he entrusted to them. While the third servant received harsh judgment, it wasn't because he had a small amount but because he didn't make any effort to use what he had been given.

The joy of our reward comes not from having impressive abilities or talents but from doing the best with what you're given. For those who use or invest their gifts, the reward is the praise of the Lord. And when you're faithful, He says, " I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master" (25:21, ESV). If you just sit on whatever He's given to you and do nothing with it, there is no reward. Matthew 25:29 records the master's judgment, "For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away" (ESV).

God doesn't judge or reward you in comparison to other people. He looks only at your work, your motives, your heart, your abilities and the opportunities He's given to you.

My Thoughts

See what else the Bible has to say about abilities and rewards:

Jeremiah 31:18-19; 2 Corinthians 5:10:

    * How is God described in Jeremiah 31?
    * What does that mean for how He judges your work?
    * On what basis does He reward? (See both references.)

1 Corinthians 12:4-7:

    * What is the common bond between our gifts, service or activities?
    * What is their purpose?
    * How does comparison to others fit in here?

1 Corinthians 3:6-15:

    * Instead of comparing our abilities or gifts, what attitude should we have?
    * What makes our abilities or gifts successful in service?
    * How will we be judged and rewarded?

My Part

Take a few minutes today and make an inventory of your abilities.

    * What abilities do you have that God can use?
    * What skills help you serve Him?
    * What gifts has He given to you?

It's not about being the "star" performer as a preacher or worship leader or evangelist. Your abilities might be creative, practical, relational, compassionate, even something that builds up or develops others. Maybe you have that inner radar that just recognizes a need and pitches in to take care of it. Don't judge your abilities by what you see in others but ask the Lord to show you what He sees in you.

With your inventory in hand, think through how you have used these abilities, what opportunities you need to look for, maybe something new to try. Then get busy! There's a reward waiting for you.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 8, 2009
Topic: Service/Servanthood


According to Opportunity

C.T. Studd, a missionary to China, India and Africa, wrote:

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last."

That's a good reminder. Each of us has only a short time to take advantage of the opportunities God gives us to serve Him. Let's see what the Bible says about these opportunities.

What Does God Say?

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required" (Luke 12:48, NLT).

1. What is the basis for God's expectations of us?

2. Make a list of the possible opportunities you have to serve God. (Do not be concerned about the opportunities that others may have.)

3. How are you responding to the opportunities He's given you?

Take some time in prayer today asking Him if He's given you an opportunity where you need to be doing something more.

My Thoughts

God not only wants us to make the most of every opportunity but is concerned about how we go about doing it.

"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen" (1 Peter 4:10-11, NLT).

My Part

1. If you are going to be prepared to give an account of your service to Christ, what things should you keep in mind?

2. How will that affect the way you live today, and the priorities you set for your life as a Christian?

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 9, 2009
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship, Heaven


Motives and Reward

American banker and financier, J. P. Morgan, used to say, "Everyone has two motives for doing something: a good one and the real one." That may be a little too cynical, but it is a good reminder to seriously think about our motives. Motives play a big part in whether our service for Jesus will receive a reward or not. Let's look at what the Bible has to say.

What Does God Say?

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward" (Matthew 6:1-2, ESV).

1. What happens if we do good for the wrong reason?

2. Why does Jesus call those who do good to be seen by others "hypocrites"?

3. In what circumstances is it OK to receive praise from others? What are the dangers?

My Thoughts

Often our motivation to do good deeds is to receive praise from others. We've all been recognized by our peers at one time or another, and it feels pretty good. When Jesus spoke the words in Matthew 6, He was probably thinking specifically of the Pharisees--the religious leaders of the day. The Pharisees went to great lengths to make sure others saw them doing good deeds. Jesus tells them that such behavior will earn them no reward in heaven.

If you do your righteous deeds to be seen and praised by others, Jesus says, "Enjoy it because that will be all the reward you'll get."

How can we give so we please God?

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:3-4, ESV).

Why is God opposed to flashy giving?

Aren't the poor and needy helped by the flashy givers as much as by the quiet givers?

The problem is that flashy giving is self-serving and self-honoring. Flashy givers want people to notice and praise them. The quiet giver is motivated by his desire to serve and honor God. Sometimes others will notice, but the quiet giver can be assured that God always notices.

So, here's your choice: recognition and honor from others or eternal reward and praise from your Heavenly Father?

My Part

Isaiah 26:8 says, "Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws;
our heart's desire is to glorify your name" (NLT).

Write this verse down on a notecard and carry it with you throughout the day. Look at it often and ask yourself, "Am I doing things for my own recognition or to honor and glorify God?"

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 12, 2009
Topic: Service/Servanthood, Christian Living/Situational, Faith/Trust


Confidence in Christ

Do you struggle with confidence? Not just for your day-to-day responsibilities but confidence to serve the Lord? To speak up for Him? To do all that He gives you to do? Well, you're not alone. We each need confidence--a sure and certain trust--to accomplish our service. But we need to find it in the right place, and that's only Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him, you tap into confidence--and everything else you need--to do whatever He calls you to do.

What Does God Say?

In Ephesians 3:7-12, Paul talks about the ministry he was given by the grace of God. And though he was "the very least of all the saints" (3:8, ESV), he could preach the Gospel, build up the church and spread the light of Christ because "this was according to the eternal purpose that he [God the Father] has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him" (3:11-12, NLT, emphasis added).

Paul's only secret (and yours too) is to put your faith in Jesus; He gives you that confidence. You can rely on Him for the power, strength, wisdom and whatever else you need because He has it all--and He can always be trusted. In 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, Paul writes that "such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God" (ESV). Jesus is our sufficiency, our "enough," and that gives us confidence. It makes us secure and bold in coming to God and in our service, just as Paul was.

Jesus goes beyond giving confidence; He is our confidence. He is your security and certainty in a frightening and uncertain world as Proverbs 3:24-26 shows you:

"If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught." (ESV)

My Thoughts

Read Philippians 3:3-9.

    * What does Paul say he could draw on for his confidence?
    * What does he choose instead?
    * How does he view those other sources? What value do they have?

Each of these verses tells you what you get when your confidence is rooted in Christ.

Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 10:35 1 John 5:14

    * What do you gain?
    * How does this help you approach God? Deal with your life today?

My Part

So, let's go back to our earlier question: Do you struggle with confidence? Where do you need it most? What are you drawing on for the day-to-day certainty you need? Are you looking in the right place?

If you're trying to muster up confidence on your own or you depend on the encouraging words of others, you're always going to feel inadequate and uncertain. But when you turn to Jesus, He is your "enough"--He's all you need. His confidence is a gift of certain hope that will never fail. Take a few moments today to ask for His confidence to pour into your life. Maybe there's one area, an opportunity to serve or to speak up for Christ, where you've held back. Ask for His specific help in that area, and then get ready to follow through.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 13, 2009
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Balancing Your Confidence

When you rely on your own powers and abilities to get things done, you are said to have "self-confidence." If you don't have it, there are plenty of books, college courses, Web sites and seminars out there just waiting to help you get it. Is it a bad trait or a good trait? Is it Christian or something to avoid?

What can we learn from people in the Bible about the characteristic of self-confidence? And how should a believer view it?

What Does God Say?

There are some Bible people who got into trouble because of overconfidence in themselves. Take a look at two instances in Simon Peter's life:

    * Mark 8:31-33.

          o What shows that Peter's confidence was in his own opinion?
          o What does Jesus say about that attitude?

    * Mark 14:27-31

          o What shows that Peter's (and the other disciples') confidence was in their own strength?
          o Now look at Mark 14:66-72. What was the painful outcome for Peter?

Saul, the first king of Israel, had several qualities that could have made him a great leader, but his overconfidence in himself caused him to grievously disobey the Lord and lose the kingdom. What did Samuel tell him in 1 Samuel 15:24-28?

There is another person in the Bible, however, whose lack of confidence led to a confrontation with the Lord. When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, this future leader balked at the assignment.

    * Exodus 4:10-14

          o How did Moses feel about his ability to lead the people?
          o What did God point out to Moses in verses 11-12?
          o What was Moses' response to God's assurance (verse 13)?
          o What does this indicate about Moses' confidence in God?
          o How did God react to Moses' lack of confidence (verse 14-15)?

It appears that the Lord is not pleased with too much self-confidence or with too little. If you have overconfidence in yourself, you will fail and crash; if you lack-confidence in God, you may find yourself unable to function as you should.

How can Christians find a balance that keeps them in a right relationship with the Lord and lets them be true to themselves?

In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks about the confidence he has in carrying out the tasks God gave him to do, in spite of grinding hardships that would have stopped many lesser persons. In 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (ESV) he says, "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God."

It is clear that God expects us to trust Him totally. But it is also clear that we are to use the strength and gifts God gives us to serve Him. Paul again speaks of the balance in his ministry in Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."

    * Who does the proclaiming?
    * Who has the wisdom to do the proclaiming?
    * Who toils and struggles?
    * Whose energy powerfully works within Paul to accomplish the work?

My Thoughts

In Philippians 3:3, Paul tells his readers that he worships in the Spirit of God, glories in Christ Jesus and puts no confidence in the flesh. Then he goes on to say in

Philippians 3:4-7(ESV): "Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ."

Someone has defined "flesh" as, "Everything a person is without God." Paul could have leaned on his own background and strengths. He seemed to have everything going for him, and he had the self-confidence to follow that path, but in Christ he found a balance. His confidence that he could do a task wasn't lost, but his trust was in the Lord for the results, not in the flesh. Reliance on one's flesh never reaps any eternal reward from God.

My Part

Charles Spurgeon, the great English preacher, said, "Self confidence is acceptable only if it is rooted in God-confidence."

Where is your confidence placed? Here is a good Bible verse to keep in your memory bank:

Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 14, 2009
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Source of Confidence

Remember the bulldog, Spike, from the old Looney Tune cartoons? He was a massive dog who always had a little companion running around him. Remember the little dog? As long as Spike was nearby, the smaller canine thought he was as big and mean as Spike. Just the presence of the massive bulldog gave the little one incredible confidence.

This is the image I get when I consider Paul's words to the Philippians. Let's take a look.

What Does God Say?

In Philippians 3:4-6, Paul describes himself as, essentially, a bulldog among men. "I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless" (ESV).

But Paul goes on to say that all this counts for nothing. "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (3:8, ESV). As great as his physical stature may have been, Paul recognized someone greater. Compared to Christ, Paul was the little dog. And just like the little dog in the cartoon, Paul drew incredible confidence from his relationship with Jesus.

Paul's desire now was to be, "found in him [Jesus], not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends of faith" (3:9, ESV).

On our own we can do very little in this world. But partnered with Christ, in a living, intimate relationship, we will find our worth and a source of confidence that we never knew before. If you want to make a positive impact on your world, you'll find no better place to stand than in the shadow of the Almighty.

My Thoughts

As you read the verses for today, think about the following questions:

1. Why did Paul consider his Jewish pedigree "as loss"?
2. What was Paul's ultimate goal in life?
3. What would you say motivated Paul to serve God even through hardships?

My Part

A relationship with God always starts with humility. We must recognize that we are sinners, that we're not as great as we sometimes think we are. We have to recognize that Jesus is the superior Savior. But the Bible also promises that if you humble yourself before the Lord, He will exalt you. (See James 4:10.) If you'd like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the new life He brings, check out our Jesus Who? and Now What? resources.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 15, 2009
Topic: Jesus, Christian Living/Situational


Sufficiency - 1

"Lord Jesus, I thank You for saving me, for forgiving all my sins, for making me a part of God's family and giving me a home in heaven. I know You are busy saving others, so I'll take it from here and do all I can for You."

Good prayer, right? Well, the first part is great--but the last part is not so great. Check out what Jesus told us.

What Does God Say?

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, NLT).

   1. Christ compares Himself to the vine and us to the branches. What happens to branches that are not attached to the vine?
   2. What does this verse mean when it refers to "fruit"?
   3. What can you do apart from Christ?

Salvation--the beginning (justification or getting saved), the middle (sanctification or living for Jesus) and the end (glorification or being in heaven and being like Jesus) all depends on Jesus: who He is, what He did for me on the cross, what He wants to do in my life now and what He will do for me in eternity .

My Thoughts

In light of what Jesus told us, read this verse and write out your understanding of sufficiency for a Christ-follower.

"Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God" (2 Corinthians 3:5, ESV).

Read it again in this translation: "We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God" (2 Corinthians 3:4-5, NLT).

Now, explain sufficiency for a believer.

My Part

How do you live for the Lord, so He will be the enabler in your life? Perhaps the apostle Paul can help us.

"So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

"We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light" (Colossians 1:9-12, NLT).

Take time to pray this prayer for yourself. Then thank God that because Jesus is in your life, His sufficiency enables you to live in a way that pleases and honors Him and bears much fruit.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 16, 2009
Topic: God, Faith/Trust


Sufficiency for Everything

The story is told of a poverty-stricken lady who had never seen the ocean. After years of scrimping and doing without, she finally saved enough money to take a vacation by the seaside. As she stood on the beach watching the mighty waves roll in, she was overheard to say, "Well, what d'ya know, I've finally seen something there's enough of."

You and I, however, don't need a trip to the beach to see something that there is "enough of"; we only need to look at to our God. Let's see what His Word has to say about that.

What Does God Say?

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, ESV).

    * Why was Paul given a "thorn in the flesh"?
    * What was the solution to Paul's situation?
    * What was Paul's response to God's solution?
    * How can we be weak and strong at the same time as Paul claims?

My Thoughts

Paul's situation is a classic "good news/bad news" scenario. The good news is that God is sufficient for any situation. The bad news is that we have to go through difficult times to experience it. While most of us would prefer to avoid trials and tribulations, God's Word teaches us this is the only way we can prove God's sufficiency.

When we walk in the assurance that God is sufficient for every situation, we project a confidence that only Christians can have. The confidence is not that we will avoid hardships, but that God is able to see us through these difficulties--not simply to survive but to actually thrive.

My Part

This evening, light a candle and then turn off the lights. As you sit basking in the glow of the candlelight, think about these questions:

    * When does the candle shine the brightest?
    * What does this tell you about God's sufficiency?
    * How does this apply to your life?

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 19, 2009
Topic: Service/Servanthood


Who Is Sufficient?

With the world's economy like it is, you're probably hearing the word insufficient pretty often these days. Those long lines to government offices aren't made up of people who are complaining about having all they need. The government can't print money fast enough to answer the pleas of the victims of insufficiency.

Sufficient is a truly biblical word. You can find it in several places. It carries the idea of "having enough" to do a job or an "ample amount" to meet your needs. It refers to "being able" or "having adequate resources or competence" to do what needs to be done.

You may think of money when you think of sufficiency or insufficiency, but let's look at what the Bible teaches about it because the Christian's sufficiency goes far beyond his or her material possessions.

What Does God Say?

The apostle Paul wrote about the effectiveness of his ministry, saying, "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God" (2 Corinthians 3:5, ESV).

God calls upon all His people to serve Him. The first thought many Christians have about service is that they are insufficient or incompetent to carry out such a holy and weighty task. Humanly speaking, they are right, but that is why God steps in and provides the competency or ability to do any task He calls them to do.

Basically, He enables you to serve by two different means: First, He gifts you to serve; second, He uses other gifted people to impart their skills to you. Let's look at a helpful example in the Old Testament and answer a few questions.

In Exodus, God gave the responsibility to design and craft the parts of the tabernacle, which was to be His temporary dwelling place on earth, to two men. One was named Bezalel and the other, Oholiab. Read Exodus 31:1-6 and Exodus 35:30-35.

In Exodus 31:1-6:

    * Who ordered the building of the Tabernacle and its furnishings?
    * Who appointed the people to do the task?
    * Who provided the ability to get the job done?

Any similarity between the answers to these questions is not a coincidence. What does this tell you about serving God?

In Exodus 35:30-35:

    * Besides providing wisdom and skills to Bezalel and Oholiab, what other ability did God give to them (v. 34)?

Finally, read Exodus 36:5-7 to see what else happened in the hearts of all the people.

    * Was the provision of God sufficient (v. 7)?

My Thoughts

You serve the same God as Bezalel, Oholiab and their coworkers did. When you look at the overwhelming tasks God gives you to meet the needs of others, you may sometimes feel what Paul expressed in 2 Corinthians 2:16 (ESV)--"Who is sufficient for these things?"

The Lord's way of making disciples follows the model you see in Bezalel and Oholiab. He enables a believer; then that person teaches and strengthens another. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." The word, "able" is the translation of the Greek word meaning "sufficient."

    * Where did Timothy's strength ultimately come from?
    * Who had passed his competence on to Timothy?
    * What was Timothy to do with his skills?

My Part

One of the pieces of furniture that Bezalel crafted for the tabernacle still remained intact almost 500 years later when Solomon became king of Israel(see 2 Chronicles 1:5).

Service that you do in the power of the Lord's sufficiency, however, lasts eternally and can be like gold, silver and precious gems (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Where do you get the gold and silver to build with? It's not earthly money, but the "works" God provides for you to do in the ministry He gives you (Ephesians 2:10).

Do you need more? Paul didn't.

    * Memorize what he said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 20, 2009
Topic: Hope


Hope

A month ago today, the 20 th of December, you would have heard the word hope thrown around a lot by little kids in toy stores. You may have used it once or twice yourself. But, coupled with that hope, there was a measure of uncertainty: would they really get what they longed for when they opened their presents. I imagine we've all experienced, at one time or another, disappointment on Christmas Day.

The Bible also talks about "hope." Is it the same hope that boys and girls, moms and dads hold onto until the gifts are unwrapped Christmas morning? Let's see what God says.

What Does God Say?

We probably all understand the concept of hoping for one thing and planning for another. We know that life is uncertain. So, while we hope for good weather for our weekend vacation, we pack the rain gear as well. But what would hope look like if it was placed in something--or Someone--who was 100 percent reliable?

Paul has an answer for us. "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant....Since we have such a hope, we are very bold" (2 Corinthians 3:4-6,12, ESV).

Confidence, competence, sufficiency, boldness--these aren't words typically associated with hope. But when our hope is placed in the immortal, unchanging God, we can live with uncharacteristic boldness.

Throughout the pages of the Bible, God demonstrates His trustworthiness. Page after page tells us of wonderful deeds done by men and women acting in confident boldness because of hope in God.

The more you and I get to know God by spending time in prayer and reading His Word, the more our hope in Him will be strengthened.

My Thoughts

Read 2 Corinthians 3:4-12 and think about the following questions:

1. What does Paul see as deficient in the old Law given by Moses?

2. How has the person of Jesus Christ affected the ministry of the New Covenant?

My Part

There are many believers who like to keep a hymn book next to their Bibles. If have one nearby, turn to the hymn "The Solid Rock" by Edward Mote. Reflect on the hope the hymnist has in Christ. Where does your hope in Christ stand in comparison? If you don't have a hymnal, the lyrics can easily be found online. But here are the first two stanzas and chorus:

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 21, 2009
Topic: Hope, Faith/Trust


Faith and Hope

Sometimes a result cannot be achieved without a combination of factors. For example, water requires that two molecules of hydrogen locked onto one molecule of oxygen or the desired results will never be obtained. Neither the hydrogen nor the oxygen by itself can produce water.

Enjoying the promises of God requires a combination of factors as well: faith and hope. Hope needs to lock arms with faith to fully realize all God promises us. Abraham is a good example.

What Does God Say?

"In hope he [Abraham] believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, 'So shall your offspring be.' He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead ( since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was 'counted to him as righteousness'" (Romans 4:18-22, ESV).

    * What hope did Abraham have?
    * What circumstances might have destroyed this hope?
    * What saved him from losing hope?
    * What was the end result of Abraham's faith and hope?

My Thoughts

Sometimes we use the word hope to describe something we desire, but we're not sure whether we'll actually ever get it. That's not the way the Bible use this word. Because hope is always combined with faith in God's Word, biblical hope is never an uncertainty.

It is said that as Winston Churchill lay critically ill, he reflected on the conditions in the world he had helped to rescue. His dying words were: "There is no hope. There is no hope."

As believers, we never have to reach such a level of despair. Because we know what God promises both for us and this world (the Bible tells us), we can by faith look forward to the fulfillment of those promises. This gives us hope.

My Part

Do you have biblical hope? Make a list of the things you hope for. Then turn to God's Word to see what it says about these hopes. If the Bible confirms your hopes, then, by faith, lay hold of them. When you combine faith with hope, the results are always a certainty.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 22, 2009
Topic: Hope


Genuine Hope

Many of us use the word hope as a synonym for wish. We say, "We hope this or that will happen," but in reality we have little confidence or certainty that it will. What we hope is what we'd like to see occur.

On God's terms, however, hope is a far stronger word. This genuine hope looks forward with confidence; it holds on with certainty; it believes without faltering. It is rooted in the faithfulness and trustworthiness of God.

What Does God Say?

Hope is something we usually need when life is rough. It's what keeps us going when everything in us says, "Give up." When trouble, uncertainty, chaos, disaster, depression or any other problem comes into our lives, from outside forces or of our own making, that's when we need hope.

And genuine hope has to begin with God. In Psalm 42:11, the writer pours out his troubles and then says,

"Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God" (ESV).

Only God--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--provides the hope we need because He can be trusted. He is sovereign, and He knows where things are going. He is faithful to His promises and will never fail. He is unchangeable, an anchor that never falters. This is why hope is so tightly tied to faith or trust: You can't enjoy the hope God offers if you don't trust Him or put your faith in Him.

Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (ESV). God is the source; faith or believing is essential; joy and peace are hope's companions; and with the Holy Spirit's power, you can live in abundant hope. Or, as one translation puts it, "That God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (NLT, emphasis added).

My Thoughts

How do you tap into this hope? Through Christ. Without Him, there is no hope. Take a look at Ephesians 2:11-13.

    * What was it like for the Gentiles or those without Christ (2:11-12)?
    * What changes at verse 13?
    * How did this happen in your life?

See what Hebrews 6:17-20 says about tapping into hope.

    * What makes God trustworthy to provide your hope (6:17-18 )?
    * What does this hope bring to our lives (6:18-19)?
    * Where does Jesus fit into this picture (6:19-20)?

My Part

The Bible has much to say about hope: hope for the future, the hope of salvation, etc. Use a concordance to do a word study for yourself and see what you discover.

While hope is often one of those intangibles like peace or joy or faith, there is something very concrete about it too. You see, Jesus not only offers hope, He is our hope. By coming and dying as our Savior, He became our hope (see Titus 2:13). Through Him, we have the opportunity to know God; to be forgiven of our sins; to live in faith and obedience; to serve with a joyful, peaceful heart; and to experience hope at its best. If you're looking for hope--or if you know someone who is--you only need to look at Jesus.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 23, 2009
Topic: Hope, Christian Living/Situational


Real Hope

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. So said Martin Luther King Jr. And the Bible echoes that hope for the Christian. It is a hope not based on finite "Pollyanna" wishes but a reality rooted in Easter Sunday.

What Does God Say?

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5, NASB).

1. List the words/phrases which are the basis for hope.

2. In these verses, what truth is the most significant to you?

3. Write out what you think the meaning of "a living hope" is.

My Thoughts

Hope is only as reliable as the basis for that hope. What does Peter tell us is the basis for living in hope? Before you answer, read the following verse and then re-read the above verses. Now, write down your thoughts.

"Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory" (1 Peter 1:21, NLT).

My Part

If, for the Christian, our hope is a living hope (and it is), then what is the application of this truth? We who are Christ-followers have placed our hope for now and eternity in the God who is the God of the present ("I Am," see Matthew 22:32) and the Jesus who is always with us ("Lo, I am with you always," see Matthew 28:20).

Take time to pray and ask God to show you and help you to live daily in the hope that is yours in Jesus.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 26, 2009
Topic: Hope, Christian Living/Situational, Joy


Hope & Friends

If you're a fan of the Peanuts comic strip, you recognize certain partnerships like Linus and his security blanket, Snoopy and Woodstock, Charlie Brown and that reluctant kite, Peppermint Patty and the patient Marcie, Pig Pen and a cloud of dust or Schroeder with his piano, Lucy and her psychiatrist's booth or a football, depending on the season...well, you get the picture. Some things just "go together." Even in the Bible you find partnerships like love and truth, faith and trust or hope and... Well, hope has several friends.

What Does God Say?

One of hope's partners is joy. In Romans 5:1-2, we read "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (ESV). When you have hope, you have a reason to rejoice. In fact, having hope--in this case hope in Christ, the glory of God--produces joy in our lives.

Hope is not wishful thinking but a confidence in God. A lack of hope produces fear, anxiety, worry; and it eats away at our joy. But when our hope is found in Christ, it produces joy, gives us peace and builds our faith.

Faith is another close friend of hope. Romans 4 talks about Abraham's faith and hope in the promises of God. Look at Romans 4:18-21, "In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, 'So shall your offspring be.' He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised" (ESV). Abraham placed his confidence in God for the future fulfillment of the promised son. That was faith built on hope in God's character.

My Thoughts

If you want hope, you need to know where to find it. See what the Bible says in the following verses.

Psalm 42:5,11

Lamentations 3:21-24

    * Where does hope come from?
    * What examples have you seen of hope?
    * What does hope produce in your life?

Take a look at hope and its partners. After each verse below, indicate what partner you find there.

Proverbs 10:28

Jeremiah 29:11

Romans 15:13

1 Corinthians 13:13

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Titus 3:7

    * Which of these partners do you need most right now?
    * How have you seen these partnerships evident in your life?

My Part

We said earlier that hope is confidence placed in God. It's based on who He is and what He can do today and in the future. When do you struggle with hope? Is it when you look at the future or is it a confidence issue? Does hope produce some other benefits in your life, like joy or peace? Or do you have trouble seeing past the circumstances, the worry and the anxiety?

Take time today to consider hope and its place in your Christian life; then ask God to help you to live in hope and enjoy the benefits of joy, peace, faith, security, etc.

[nChrist]

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jan 27, 2009
Topic: Hope


Hope & Purity

Moms are smart, aren't they! My sister and I were occasionally asked to babysit our younger siblings. Plus Mom would always add, "And be sure to clean up while we're gone." But if we asked when she and Dad would be back, she'd say, "We'll be back when we get back."

Mom knew that if we were expecting her to be back at 9:00 o'clock, we'd start cleaning at 8:50--and do a terrible job of it! But if we were expecting her and Dad back at any time, we'd start cleaning right away. And we'd keep the house clean in anticipation of her imminent return.

I find a very similar concept when I read 1 John. Let's take a look.

What Does God Say?

John closes out chapter 2 with these words: "And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him" (2:28-29, ESV).

John is reminding us here that Jesus will appear again and that we will all stand before Him. Those who abide in Him--continue on in His work--will be able to stand tall on that day.

In the next verse, John rejoices that we can be called children of God. He goes on to say, "We are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure" (3:2-3, ESV).

Just like we kept the house clean in anticipation of my parent's return, we're to keep our lives clean in anticipation of Christ's return. We're to live lives of purity as children of God.

We'll look more at what this means in the next section.

My Thoughts

As you read 1 John 2:28-3:3, think about the following questions:

1. What do the words, "abide" and "purity" mean to you?

2. What evidence is there that someone "has been born of Him"?

3. Why according to 3:1 does the world not know us?

4. Why will we be like Jesus when He appears? (3:2)

5. What challenges do you face as you seek to live a life of purity?

My Part

How often do you think about the day Christ will return? I'll be honest, some days it feels more like a fairy tale than a future certainty. But let the reality of that day sink in. Let yourself become excited for the return of Jesus. Then let that excitement spill over into your daily routine.