Bible Minute

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 15, 2009
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


God Makes It Happen

In 1812, Napoleon decided to invade Russia and bring its people under his control. When the plans were laid out, someone mentioned to him, "Man proposes, but God disposes."

On hearing that remark, Napoleon replied, "I propose, and I dispose."

Such pride, however, proved fatal. Using one of His tiniest, most fragile creations, the snowflake, God brought the proud General to his knees. Bogged down in heavy snow, Napoleon ordered a retreat. His army of 600,000 men was decimated. Fewer than 100,000 made it back home again. Ultimately, this disaster weakened his forces and brought about his final defeat in 1813.

Often we think of events as simply "happening," but God's Word indicates differently. We see this in the life of Ruth and Boaz.

What Does God Say?

"There was a relative of Naomi's husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, 'Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.'

"And she said to her, 'Go, my daughter.'

"Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

"Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, 'The LORD be with you!'

"And they answered him, 'The Lord bless you!'

"Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, 'Whose young woman is this?'

"So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, 'It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. And she said,
"Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves." So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.'

"Then Boaz said to Ruth, 'You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn'" (Ruth 2:1-9, NKJV).

    * What request does Ruth make of Naomi?
    * What do these verses reveal about Boaz?
    * How does Boaz treat Ruth?

My Thoughts

While verse 3 tells us that Ruth "happened" to come upon the field belonging to Boaz, we know that it was a "happening" that was guided by the hand of God. Read the following verses and indicate how each one shows that God is in control of what "happens."

    * Psalm 93:1
    * Psalm 94:9
    * Job 34:21
    * 2 Chronicles 16:9
    * Psalm 90:2

My Part

Have you had something "happen" that brought a blessing? Then take a moment right now and thank God for it.

Are you waiting for something to "happen"? Rest assured that if it is God's will, nothing can keep Him from bringing it about in His time. Give thanks that God is in control of everything that "happens."

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 17, 2009
Topic: God's Care, Bible Characters, Faith/Trust


The Secret of Faith

What does tomorrow hold for you? Does your future look bright? Or are there storm clouds on the horizon in your life? Do you have fears when you think about the days ahead? Let's look at faith and the secret to facing tomorrow with calm assurance.

What Does God Say?

The secret is not simply having a positive attitude. It's not a blind faith--refusing to recognize the difficult stuff. It's not trying to be optimistic. It's not hoping for the best.

Reality deems it possible for the storm clouds to become a hurricane or tsunami. You need more than optimism to face the future. The secret you need is a faith that is based on confidence in God. That's the kind of faith that Ruth had.

"And Ruth said, 'Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God'" (Ruth 1:16, KJV).

    * Who was Ruth speaking to in this verse?
    * Where was she willing to go?
    * What God was she choosing as her God?

Ruth was leaving her country and her parent's home and going to a totally new place. Her future was uncertain, but her faith in the God of Israel was her hope for tomorrow.

When Ruth came to Israel, she found a home in Bethlehem. It is fascinating to note that Bethlehem is the little town where the hope for the future of all mankind would be born years later when the baby Jesus was born there. Micah prophesied about the coming Savior:

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth have been from of old,
From everlasting" (Micah 5:2, NKJV).

And guess who is listed in the genealogy of Jesus? Surprise! Ruth.

"The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham...Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse" (Matthew 1:1,5, NASB).

My Thoughts

Are you an optimistic person? Good for you. Are you a realistic person? Good for you. Do you have faith in the future? Faith in your future? You can--if you have the kind of faith that Ruth showed--faith in God. Faith that He cares for you, knows the future and will take care of you.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope'" (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT).

    * What kind of plans does God have for you?
    * What does God want to give you?
    * How does knowing that change your view of your future?

My Part

Do you have confidence in the future? We can if we trust the One who knows and holds the future. Ruth did. And it made all the difference in her life. It can be the same for you. The One who "plans to give you a future and a hope" is with you and is in control of your future. And that is the secret to faith for the future.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 18, 2009
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship


Count the Cost

Kim Su Yung grew up in pagan surroundings where the only religion she knew was the dark fear of evil spirits and the worship of one's ancestors. When the Gospel message came to her village through a Korean evangelist, she joyfully received it. Su Yung immediately shared the good news with her parents.

Then the unexpected came. Instead of being happy, Su Yung's family members were furious. They warned her that if she chose to follow Jesus and continued to speak of Him, she was no longer welcome in their homes. She must renounce her decision.

With a broken heart, she made the choice. She would not give up Christ. Yet, amid great hardships, she continued to show love to her family. After several years had passed, all of Su Yung's family members had trusted Christ as Savior.

The decision to become a disciple of Christ may be easy but the follow-through can be very difficult. It will cost, but the cost of not following Him will be greater. Let's look at the biblical account of another young woman who was faced with a similar challenge.

What Does God Say?

Open your Bible to the Book of Ruth and read verses 1-18 of chapter 1. Then answer:

    * What town and country was Elimelech's family from?
    * Where did they move to during the famine?
    * After all the men in the family had died, what did Naomi decide to do (1:6-7)?
    * What was Naomi's advice to her two daughters-in-law (1:8-13)?
    * What choice did Orpah make (1:14,15)? Ruth?

The people of Moab worshipped Chemosh, one of the most repulsive pagan gods found in Israel's neighbor nations. Among the atrocities committed in his name, the sacrifice of children was common. Orpah chose to return to that environment.

Ruth, for whom the Bible book is named, also grew up in Moab. All she understood of religion was the idolatrous, immoral heathenism of the worshippers of Chemosh. But Ruth was deeply impressed as she learned of the true God, the God of Israel. Her response to Naomi's advice is considered to be one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible:

"But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you'" (Ruth 1:16-17, ESV).

Ruth's experience of turning away from her life in a pagan land to follow Naomi's true God provides a remarkable picture of what should be the believer's response to Christ's call to follow Him. Look up the following passages and respond to the questions.

    * Matthew 4:18-22. How did Jesus' call to discipleship affect the occupation of these four men? Do you see anything in verse 22 that could potentially have created a problem in James and John's family?

    * Matthew 8:19-22. What was Christ's warning to the scribe, who was accustomed to a comfortable lifestyle? How did He respond to the man who wanted to stay at home until his father passed on?

    * Matthew 10:34-38. What similarities do you see in Jesus' call to discipleship and the experience of Ruth?

My Thoughts

Your response to Christ's call to follow Him depends on several factors.

    * Do you have complete assurance that God will take care of you? Ruth had come to know that God will provide, even when the future is unknown.

    * Do you seek to please God in all you do, including your daily decisions? Faithfulness in doing right in the little things prepares you for the call of Christ to follow Him in the hard places.

    * Are you dedicated to God's purpose for your life? Ruth demonstrated a powerful commitment to God and His people, in spite of breaking her ties to her homeland and at the risk of losing all her family ties.

Ruth was blessed by God in a very special way! She became the great-grandmother of King David. Beyond that, she became a direct ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior for whom she gave up all her ties to the world (Ruth 4:13,17).

My Part

The Book of Ruth is short and can be read in a few minutes. Read it now to get the full story. Think about Ruth's commitment to follow God and be included with His people.

Look again at the three questions in the "My Thoughts" section above. Ask yourself each question. If you see yourself holding back in any of those areas, pray and ask the Lord to give you grace to overcome any weaknesses.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 21, 2009
Topic: Love, God's Love, Bible Characters


Esther

She asked, "Will you love me when I'm old?"

"Love you?" he exclaimed, "Why I'll adore you; I'll worship the ground you walk on; I'll...say, you won't look like your mother, will you?"

Love is often fickle, fleeting and faltering. Yet, from Esther's story we learn that love can be different.

What Does God Say?

Esther stood out even when she was competing with hundreds of the most beautiful women in the country.

"The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti" (Esther 2:17, NASB).

Dr. Woodrow Kroll, long-time Bible Teacher, explains why the king chose Esther.

Many young women were brought to stand before the king. Esther, however, found favor in the eyes of King Ahasuerus. King Ahasuerus actually fell in love with Esther. His love was not simply a result of her beauty. This was God-driven love. The fact that he chose Esther wasn't just because she was more beautiful than all the others. It was because God was putting her in a special place.

"And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14, ESV).

    * What do the two preceding verses tell us about the way God works?
    * Why did God arrange this relationship between Esther and the king?
    * What implications does this have for Esther?

My Thoughts

The marriage of Esther and King Ahasuerus should not be taken as God's stamp of approval for believers to wed unbelievers. Paul clearly teaches in 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NASB), "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?" However, the story of Esther and the king should be a reminder that God can make exceptions when it means a higher good--the survival of His people. Exceptions in Scripture, however, should not be taken as the norm.

Esther also made a great sacrifice to fulfill God's purpose. From what we know from historical documents, harems were filled with jealousy and danger. Many women did not survive. Even the queen was not exempt from such peril.

In addition, Esther gave up the comfort of being surrounded by those who shared her faith in God. While her faith probably won converts from the small circle she was allowed to associate with, it could never take the place of the extended Jewish family she was brought up in.

It's also very possible that Esther gave up the opportunity of having her own family. Nothing in the Bible or in history would indicate that children were born of this relationship.

These were difficult sacrifices for a young Jewish girl to make, but Esther did because God called her to do it for the sake of her people.

My Part

If you are thinking about entering a relationship with an unbeliever, take to heart what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:14. The sacrifices you will have to make will not be worth it unless the Lord is specifically calling you to make them.

If you are already in a relationship which you cannot break (such as a marriage), accept the sacrifices with good grace. Pray for your spouse and seek to live a Christ-like life before him or her.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 22, 2009
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Avoiding the Haman Trap

When we think of hatred, we envision horrible atrocities such as the Nazi Holocaust, planes flying into tall buildings or suicide bombers blowing up innocent people.

But the truth is, hatred can slip into any one of our lives. We may cover it up by naming our feelings "anger," "bitterness," "unforgiveness" or even "jealousy" because those words don't carry as much stigma as the word "hatred." Yet, in their plain, unvarnished form, they are all simply variations of that sin.

The beginning and end of hatred can be seen in the life of Haman, a high court official during the time of Esther. But the Bible also gives us an example of a man named Joseph who could have developed a spirit of hatred but didn't. Let's look at them both.

What Does God Say?

"After these events King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and established his authority over all the princes who were with him. And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman; for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage. Then the king's servants who were at the king's gate said to Mordecai, 'Why are you transgressing the king's command?' Now it was when they had spoken daily to him and he would not listen to them, that they told Haman to see whether Mordecai's reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage to him, Haman was filled with rage. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him who the people of Mordecai were; therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus" (Esther 3:1-6, NKJV).

    * Why would Mordecai not obey the king's command?
    * What does this tell us about obeying those in authority?
    * How did Haman respond?
    * What did Haman decide to do?

My Thoughts

Haman allowed his pride to lead to hatred, and his hatred led to the gallows (Esther 7:9-10). Hatred never brings about anything good. So, how can you avoid it? Let's look at the life of Joseph.

Read the following verses and indicate what could have caused Joseph to hate someone:

    * Genesis 37:26-28
    * Genesis 39:11-20
    * Genesis 40:21-23

But Joseph chose not to go down that road. Read Genesis 50:15-21.

    * How did his brothers think Joseph would respond?
    * What viewpoint did Joseph have which kept him from hatred?
    * How did Joseph show he didn't hate his brothers?

My Part

Have you allowed yourself to slip into hatred toward someone? Perhaps you've been treated unfairly or even worse. To avoid Haman's outcome, adopt Joseph's approach:

    * Look for God's good. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) says, "And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Not all things are good, but God brings good out of all things.
    * Follow up your attitude with actions. Jesus says in Matthew 5:43-44 (ESV), "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." Look for ways you can pray for and show kindness toward those who have given you cause to hate them.

Memorize these verses during this week.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 23, 2009
Topic: God's Care, Doubt/Fear


What if...?

Have you ever been plagued by "What if" questions? When you're faced with a choice, sometimes all your mind can do is ask these kinds of questions. Your thoughts focus on dozens of agonizing scenarios--what if this happens? Or what if that is the result of my decision."

Look at the story of Esther and particularly the communication she had with Mordecai in 4:11-16. Imagine what questions went through Esther's mind.

Here are a few that come to my mind, along with God's responses to those questions found in the Bible.

What Does God Say?

Esther: The Jew's have been in captivity hundreds of years, what if God has forgotten about us?

God: "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations" (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV).

Esther: What if the king is displeased when I approach him? What if he has me killed?

God: "For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you'" (Isaiah 41:13, ESV).

Esther: What if I can't find the right words to say to the King?

God: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:21, ESV).

Esther: What if Haman learns about Mordecai's communication with me and has him hurt or killed?

God: "What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted" (Proverbs 10:24, ESV).

Esther: What if I just can't go do this?

God: "'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go'" (Joshua 1:9, ESV).

My Thoughts

    * Name some other "What if" questions that may have gone through Esther's mind?
    * How might God respond to those concerns?
    * What could have happened if Esther had let "What if" questions paralyze her?

My Part

What are some of the biggest "What if" questions you're facing today? Take some time and pray about them.

Asking "What if" is easy. But listening for God's answer can oftentimes be hard. As you read through the Bible, start making a list of the promises God gives you. The next time you find yourself plagued with "What if" questions, pull out that list and allow God's truth to calm your fears.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 24, 2009
Topic: Service/Servanthood, Bible Characters, Faith/Trust


Be Prepared

"Be prepared." I remember that motto from my limited Scouting experience, and I think of it when I read about Esther. She was an excellent example of what it means to "be prepared" to meet challenges and be used by God.

What Does God Say?

Esther's preparation really began with her cousin Mordecai, who "when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter" (Esther 2:7, ESV). Based on the rest of the book, he did a great job teaching her strength, courage and integrity, as well as faith. When Esther was taken into the king's court, she submitted to an entire year of preparation before she was chosen as the next queen. But once she became queen, we see in Esther 4 and 5, her own careful approach to preparation.

In these passages, she learns about Haman's plot to destroy the Jews, including Mordecai and herself. Mordecai points out, "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (4:13-14, ESV).

Esther could've reacted very differently to this news. She could've panicked and been paralyzed into inaction; or gone rushing to the king in anger or tears and made demands. But she didn't. Look at her answer in Esther 4:16, "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish" (ESV). She had a lot to lose: one wrong move in approaching the king and she could be executed. So, Esther was wise enough to spend time (three days) preparing for this challenge.

My Thoughts

Read Esther 5-7.

    * What preparations does Esther make personally? In other areas?Â
    * What kind of attitude does she take before the king?
    * How does the king respond?
    * In the long run, what was the pay off for all this careful preparation (read Esther 5:5-8; 7:1-6)?

When you're faced with a challenge, how do you prepare? Are you prone to just rush in, without all the facts or any idea how you want to proceed? Or do you resist doing anything in a hurry or out of fear?

My Part

Esther teaches us about being ready for God's use. You may not need three days of fasting, but it's essential to take the time to stop and pray about what you need to do. Be careful you don't rush. Be careful you don't act out of panic and fear. Esther faced a crisis, but it was worth her time to stop, think, focus, pray and prepare.

Be prepared: such a simple principle but it takes practice. What challenge or personal crisis are you facing today? How do you need to prepare? Are you doing anything that you may need to stop doing in order to focus and pray? Is there some way you want God to use you? Is anything getting in the way--are you prepared?

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 25, 2009
Topic: God's Care


The Unseen Provider

At the end of the last century, Francis Schaeffer wrote an important book called The God Who Is There. He followed it with another book titled He Is There and He Is Not Silent.

Those two titles suggest a biblical truth that you should be aware of if you are to trust the activity of God in your life and in the world. Unless you have assurance that God is in total control of even the worst of times, your life will seem chaotic. You may not think He is always there, but He is. You may not feel He cares, but He does. You may not be aware that He has spoken, but He has.

The biblical teaching of God's care is often referred to as the providence of God. Basically, providence is God's provision for the needs all of His creation.

What Does God Say?

The Book of Esther records a ten-year slice of history. During that time, many Jewish people were still living in Persia following the Babylonian captivity. They remained there under the rule of a pagan king, in danger from enemies who were bent on exterminating them. The intriguing drama of Esther tells how the Jews were saved from destruction through the vigilance of one of their own people--Mordecai--and his beautiful cousin, Esther. Mordecai had raised Esther, and she became queen of Persia. A Bible Minute is too short to include all the details of the Book of Esther, but let's study one key lesson it contains for believers--the providence of God.

Now, when you read the Book of Esther, you'll find that it never mentions God! Not even once. Yet, He is there behind the scenes, orchestrating the whole rescue of His people. You can see His hand in such events as Esther's rise to royal position (Esther 1-2), King Xerxes' middle-of-the-night discovery of his obligation to Mordecai for once saving his life (Esther 2:21-23; 6:1-4), the frustrating of Haman's evil plot (Esther 6:5-7:10) and the incredible deliverance of the Jewish remnant (Esther 9:1-28 ).

Mordecai's statement to Esther in Esther 4:14 (ESV) goes to the heart of the matter:  "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

The Book of Esther is not the only place you can see God's providence. You might say it appears on almost every page of the Bible. Each of the following ten passages of Scripture reveals an area of God's provision and rule over the needs and affairs of His creation. Read them carefully one-by-one and write down what each one tells you about His providence.

    * Psalm 103:19
    * Psalm 22:28
    * Psalm 5:12
    * Psalm 139:16
    * Matthew 6:26
    * Matthew 10:30
    * Psalm 135:5-6
    * Philippians 4:19
    * Isaiah 45:5-7
    * Psalm 121:3-8

My Thoughts

God's revelation of His providence shows you that you are never guided by blind forces such as fortune, luck, chance, fate or "karma." God plans it all and each thing that comes into a Christian's life is a call from Him to believe, obey and be glad, knowing that God works all things together for his or her eternal good (Romans 8:28 ). The Book of Esther, along with many other events recorded in the Bible, shows this great activity of God.

My Part

Set aside some time soon to read the entire Book of Esther. Look for events that show how God, though not mentioned by name, is silently moving in the lives and hearts of people.

If you haven't already memorized the verse below, do it today because it is such a great promise from God. It reminds you that He is always caring for you as a follower of Christ. (Use the version you are used to.)

Romans 8:28 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 28, 2009
Topic: Worship/Praise/Worthiness


The Song of Mary

Whenever someone compiles a list of the most amazing women of the Bible, there's one woman who's guaranteed to be at or near the top of the list. That woman, of course, is Mary, the mother of Jesus.

While denominations of the Christian church disagree about the amount of reverence due this amazing woman, there's no denying that Mary gives us all a wonderful example to follow.

What Does God Say?

Luke 1:46-55 contains a portion of Scripture known as the Magnificat. This is Mary's song of praise to the Lord. It starts out:

"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:46-48, ESV).

In the verses immediately before Mary's song, we see a reunion between Mary and her relative, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was several months pregnant, which was a miracle itself. As the two women shared their stories, it became clear that God was about to do something amazing on this earth--the Savior was about to be born. Mary rightly understood that in all future generations, those who love God would look to her, the mother of the Messiah, and call her blessed. But Mary was quick to recognize herself as His servant and direct praise to God.

Verse 49: He is mighty.
Verse 49: His name is holy.
Verse 50: He has mercy on those who fear Him.
Verse 51: He is strong.
Verse 51: He scatters the proud.
Verse 52: He dethrones the mighty.

Mary responded with worship. She reminds us that it is God who is in control. It is He who deserves all our worship.

Mary's song isn't over, though. Let's look at the rest in the next section.

My Thoughts

Read Luke 1:52-55 and think about the following questions.

    * In what ways does Mary describe God in these verses?
    * What does this tell you about God and His character?
    * What does this song tell you about Mary's character?

My Part

Mary recognized the blessing God bestowed upon her. She began her song, "from now on all generations will call me blessed." Then she ended it joyfully declaring the incomparable blessings God will pour out on the earth through Jesus. Use that pattern in your quiet time with God today. Recognize the blessings in your life; praise God for His character; then pray that God will send His blessing to the world. Ask Him what He would have you do to be a part of that.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 29, 2009
Topic: Service/Servanthood, Obedience/Discipleship, Bible Characters


Mary Magdalene

Someone once said, "God is more interested in our availability than our ability." Mary Magdalene is a case in point.

What Does God Say?

Who was Mary Magdalene? The Gospel of Luke gives us some insight:

"Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance" (Luke 8:1-3,NKJV).

    * List some of the things these verses tell us about Mary.

    * Consider some of the other demon-possessed people we meet in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 4:33-35, 8:29, 9:38-42). What kind of a life might Mary been living before she met Jesus?

    * What did Mary do after Jesus healed her?

Mary wasn't someone anybody thought of as a person with a lot of talents or potential. As far as society was concerned, she was an outcast. To her family, she was an embarrassment and a danger. To her religion, she was a sinner, cursed by God. To Jesus, she was a person desperately in need of His help; in fact, He was the only One who could help her.

My Thoughts

Mary Magdalene was delivered from demons. She was forgiven of her sins. And she followed Jesus. But God was still not finished with this nobody from Magdala who had made herself available to Him. God honored her by giving her a part in the greatest miracle in the Bible--the Resurrection of Jesus.

"But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb....Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?' Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, 'Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away'
"Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, 'Rabboni!' (which means, Teacher).
"Jesus said to her, 'Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, "I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'"
 "Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord,' and that He had said these things to her" (John 20:11,15,16-18, NASB-U).

    * Where was Mary standing?
    * Who did she assume Jesus was when He first spoke to her?
    * How did Jesus get her to understand who He was?

    * See if you can find the two "firsts" associated with Mary in the verses above.

My Part

You may feel you're a capable person or you may worry that you can offer Jesus few abilities when you come to Him. But all you have to do is make yourself available to Him.

Take a page from Mary's life: Trust Jesus as your Savior and Deliverer; then follow Him the rest of your life, being available and willing to have God use you.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 30, 2009
Topic: Jesus, Service/Servanthood, Bible Characters


Martha, Martha

Have you ever had a moment like Martha's, a moment when serving had you so stressed it became an irritating assignment, not a joy? You're short on time, resources and help from others. You're doing something good, but you're too overwhelmed to remember why or who you're serving.

What Does God Say?

Martha reached that point in Luke 10. Here's her story: "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her'" (Luke 10:38-42, ESV).

Martha welcomed Jesus into her home, and she worked hard doing all she could to make Him and His followers comfortable. That was good, but it became too much. Martha was "distracted"--the Greek root word means "drawn away." She was drawn away from the guest in her house by the overwhelming list of things she needed to do. And she got more and more worked up until she finally exploded: "Lord, don't You care that my sister's left all the work to me?"

Martha appealed to Jesus not for help but for support. She wanted Him to take her side and get Mary to help her. Maybe she'd spent a good hour trying to signal Mary to come help, and it hadn't worked. She needed better firepower! But Jesus did the unexpected. He offered her tender instruction, tackling her anxiety with a new priority. "One thing is necessary." What's that one thing? Look who was talking to Martha. Look who was sitting in her house. Martha had the Son of God in her living room, and she was too busy with daily chores to listen to Him and enjoy His presence.

My Thoughts

Jesus may not physically be in your living room, but He's with you each day of your life.

    * Has your service to Him ever gotten in the way of actually spending time with Him?
    * Do you only pick up your Bible to prepare for teaching Sunday school lessons or finding a devotional for the next women's meeting?
    * Is prayer what you do in the car as you're racing to small group or dropping the kids off for youth group?
    * Have you complained to God (or others) that you'd do a better job serving if other people would just show up to help once in awhile?

Any "yes" answers? Then you understand how Martha was feeling. Jesus didn't criticize her cooking or call her work useless. He only directed her attention back to the "one thing"--and He's the "one thing." Jesus not only cares for Martha--and for you--but He's there. He wants you to find peace in His presence instead of getting lost in the worries of your pursuits.

My Part

What's so great about Martha? She took Jesus' words to heart. She learned, and she grew. In John 11, when Martha's brother, Lazarus, died and Jesus showed up late, Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you" (John 11:21-22, ESV). She expressed her faith and conviction. "She said to him, 'Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world'" (11:27, ESV). And in John 12, Martha is once more hosting a meal for Jesus but without a word of complaint; she's learned to serve and to enjoy the presence of Jesus.

    * What can you do today to find the balance?
    * Will it require making choices about when, how and how often you serve?
    * Does it mean adjusting your schedule to include time with Jesus in His Word?

Be bold in taking that next step and see what you gain from time with Jesus.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 1, 2009
Topic: Other


The Lord's Surprises

As she made the long trek from the village to draw water from Jacob's well, the Samaritan woman couldn't shake the troubles out of her mind. In spite of the heavy pot of water she must carry back home, she chose to walk in the heat of the day--partly because she wanted to be alone with her thoughts, but mainly to avoid the nasty remarks the other women of Sychar constantly made to her. Things at home were abysmal. The abuse and shame she had experienced in five marriages over the past few years was occurring again. But the relationship with the man who was currently living with her was the most unbearable of all. She hated men, and she despised her station in life.

The woman had once thought that religion could free her from guilt. But the meaningless worship of the Samaritans offered no release to a soul in turmoil. Even so, her deep longing for spiritual satisfaction was still there.

Occasionally, travelers stopped at this well for a drink, so she was not surprised when she saw a man sitting beside it. As she drew nearer, she saw that the man was Jewish. She felt she had nothing to fear from him. He wasn't going to speak to her. Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans.

But he did speak! A surprise conversation followed that was later recorded for us to read in the Gospel of John.

What Does God Say?

You can read her whole story in John 4:1-43. Watch for points in her conversation with Jesus where He revealed truths to her that she didn't know before. Look for changes in her attitude toward Christ.

The Samaritan woman was one of many people whom the Lord has caught by surprise. Let's meet a few of them today. Find the scriptures below and answer the questions:

    * John 1:43-51.

          o What did Jesus say when He saw Nathanael coming toward Him (verse 47)?
          o How was Nathanael surprised (verse 48 )?
          o What was the result of the meeting?

    * Luke 19:1-10.

          o How did Jesus surprise Zaccheus?
          o How did the meeting turn out for Zaccheus (verse 9)?

    * Acts 9:1-18.

          o What was Saul of Tarsus planning when Jesus suddenly met him (verses 1-5)?
          o What was the outcome of Saul's surprise meeting with Jesus (verses 17-18 )?

My Thoughts

The Lord surprised other people in the Bible. For example, Jacob, when God suddenly confronted him, wrestled with him and put his hip out of joint (Genesis 32:22-32); Moses, when Jehovah spoke to him from the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6) and the disciples in the boat, when Jesus came walking toward them on the water (Mark 6:45-52).

The Lord still catches people unawares. You don't know if or when or where or how you may be confronted by Him. Perhaps it will be through reading His Word, with a call to serve Him in a place or a way that you weren't expecting. Maybe He'll surprise you by conveying a message from His Word warning you about something that needs to be radically changed in your lifestyle.

Someday Christ will surely surprise the world (and sadly, many believers) when He returns. His surprises are life-changing. The dejected Samaritan woman didn't have a clue she would meet the Lord of the universe at the well, but when she hurried to her village to tell everyone about Him, she went rejoicing with a message of salvation.

My Part

Has the Lord ever surprised you? If He came to your door today, would you enjoy the visit? What changes would you like to make before He arrives?

Reflect on Matthew 24:44. If you're not ready to meet the Lord, you can get prepared. Find out how by going to the "Meet Jesus" section.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 2, 2009
Topic: Service/Servanthood, Bible Characters


Phoebe

Out of the top 1,000 names for girls in 1898, Phoebe ranked 348th. Why is that notable? Because that was the same ranking Phoebe had in 2008. After almost disappearing from the list for 40 years (1956-1989), Phoebe is making a comeback!

You can read about a woman named Phoebe in the Bible. And the Phoebe in the Bible is a worthy role model for Christians today. Let's see what God's Word has to say about this woman.
What Does God Say?

Her biography is found in three verses in the Bible, the only place that makes reference to Phoebe.

"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well" (Romans 16:1-2, ESV).

    * The literal meaning of Phoebe is "bright." How does Phoebe live up to her name according to the above passage?

    * Why was she commended?

    * What are two titles/positions mentioned that refer to Phoebe?

My Thoughts

Jesus tells you how to be the kind of Christ-follower (worthy of commendation) Phoebe was.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'

"Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' (Matthew 25:34-40, NLT).

    * Who was the King speaking to in these verses?
    * What was their response?
    * How did the King answer that response?

My Part

As Christians, we are not only to do the right thing, we are to do it with the attitude of Christ. In other words, our lives of service are to be characterized by humility and a desire to help others.

"Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them....Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other...When God's people are in need, be ready to help them" (Romans 12:9-10,13, NLT).

Perhaps today would be a good day to ask God to help you be more like Phoebe--a bright light--as you serve and help others, doing it as unto the Lord.

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 5, 2009
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, God, Faith/Trust


Perspective on Faithfulness

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

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

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

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

What Does God Say?

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Thoughts

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

As you read this psalm, look for:

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

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

My Part

So, which equation do you live by?

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

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

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

[nChrist]

___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________

Daily Bible Study

Date: Oct 6, 2009
Topic: Faith/Trust


Faithful When You Fail

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

What Does the Bible Say

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

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

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

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

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

My Thoughts

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

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

My Part

I'm reminded of the hymn that states,

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

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

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

*"Come, Thou Fount," Robert Robinson; lyrics in Public Domain.