Driven By The Bible

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:7-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬This is a paradox. Treasures aren’t stored in jars of clay. Treasure is too valuable for that. And this is the point Paul is making. We are common and of little value outside of the presence of Messiah dwelling within us. Let’s talk about it!

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬A few years ago, the Holy Spirit began to impress on me the importance of prayer. Developing this spiritual habit can be awkward and challenging, but it is worth it. Let’s talk about it!

“...it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬“He had it coming!” Whether or not we say these words, I wonder how often we think it. When someone who has done wrong suffers the consequences of their actions, do we rejoice in the wrong that’s done to them?Let’s talk about it!

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬There is a war going on. It’s largely unseen and not talked about. And in most cases, it’s being lost. It’s the war for our minds. Let’s talk about it!

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬Words matter. They speak into our world what our hearts truly feel. And when our words reveal that our hearts are out of alignment with the Living Word - Jesus - we cannot ignore this. It must be addressed. Let’s talk about it!

“Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬To think that God not only hears our prayers, but answers them. And then to think that He goes beyond that and gives us something so much better. He truly is a great God. Let’s talk about it!

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬How would we live if we truly understood that our Shepherd is leading and protecting us when we face the trials and evils of life?Let’s talk about it!

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”‭‭James‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬James goes on to describe what that prayer looks like, using the prophet, Elijah, as an example. This example might surprise you. Let’s talk about it!

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬We think if sacrifices as being offerings made in ancient temples. But in in the New Testament era, the Temple has changed. And with it, the sacrifices. Let’s talk about it!

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.”‭‭John‬ ‭13:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬Talking about humility is one thing. Waking in humility is something very different. Jesus - God; King of Kings and Lord of Lords - lowered Himself to the place of heaters humility in His culture. Then, He commanded us to do the same thing. Let’s talk about it!

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”‭‭James‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬This opening phrase seems like a contradiction. Blessing and trials seem to cancel each other out, at best. But that’s because we haven’t yet experienced the full blessing. Let’s talk about it!

“One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬In the midst of David’s greatest battles and struggles, he desired only one thing: to be in YHWH’s presence. In the midst of your own battles and struggles, we should seek the same thing. Let’s talk about it!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬Because we live in a broken world that is in constant warfare for control between Jesus and Satan, we will experience struggle and suffering. The Apostle Paul experiences more than his fair share of this. But he saw this suffering as an opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God. Let’s talk about it!

“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 ‭ESV‬‬Temptation is tricky. It presents itself as being overwhelming; as if we can’t help but sin. But this is not reality. God always provides a way to move beyond it: it’s called worship. Let’s talk about it!

“...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:11‬ ‭ESVIf there is one spiritual discipline I wish I had understood and embraced earlier in my faith, it would be praying Scripture. Let’s talk about it!

“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬Imagine the warrior, leader, poet, and anointed king, David, hiding in the wilderness; wondering why everything has taken a terrible turn. Let’s talk about it!

“Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;”‭‭Joel‬ ‭2:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬Today is Ash Wednesday - a day where millions around the world begin a period of religious introspection and self-denial. Let’s talk about it!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭ESV‬‬This verse should have its number retired and entered into the Hall of Fame our out of context verses. We’ve made this a “go to” verse for inviting people to “invite Jesus to come into your heart.” The problem is, it’s not about that at all. Let’s talk about it!

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬Too often we forget that when the New Testament was written, its writers didn’t consider it the inspired Word of God. For them, the Hebrew Scriptures (what we call the Old Testament) was the only authoritative Word. And it was in those Scriptures that they found the encouragement and hope they needed. Let’s talk about it!

“If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.”‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬This verse and others like it always provokes two thoughts from me: first, is life really this simple? And second, why do bad things happen to good people. Let’s talk about it!