Driven By The Bible

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬When pulled out of context, this verse feels like a proverb - a short, catchy saying designed to invoke meditation on a principle of wisdom. This verse should be read in context. Let’s talk about it!

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”‭‭James‬ ‭1:19‬ ‭ESV‬‬You’ve heard the saying, “God gave you two ears and one mouth. You should listen twice as much as you speak.” Did you know that this was Biblical?Let’s talk about it!

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬Something in this verse stood out this morning that is never noticed before. What if the peace of Christ is a choice we make?Let’s talk about it!

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬This very famous Psalm is often read and prayed through during times of spiritual attack. But what if we received this as a promise to be lived by every day?Let’s talk about it!

“...give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:38‬ ‭ESVIs this a promise of prosperity? Should we look for opportunities to seed into the spiritual realm in order to be blessed financially? Let’s talk about it!

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬Have you ever thought about how a candle changes everything in a dark room? It’s impossible to escape its influence. This is how our lives are to be. Let’s talk about it!

If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:20‬ ‭ESV‬‬The Bible is so much more concerned with us living out what we say, rather than saying we believe the right things. Let’s talk about it!

“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.”‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:34-35‬ ‭ESVWhat are you willing to give up in order to prosper? In the ancient world, people were willing to give up nearly everything in order to have financial wealth, children, long-life. Let’s talk about it!

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬I think when we’re honest, we are half-hearted more often than we would like to be. Especially when it comes to prayer. Let’s talk about it!

“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬Simple doesn’t always mean easy. This verse is simple. But carrying it out is much more difficult to do than it is to understand. Let’s talk about it!

“And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,”‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭29:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬There’s a reason we’ve all heard the cliche: “Talk is cheap.” Integrity resides where our actions and our words match. And for the Christian, this starts with a reverence for God. Let’s talk about it!

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬Strength, love, and masculinity aren’t often used together. They should be.Let’s talk about it!

“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 ‭ESV‬‬Do you ever give expecting recognition? Hoping that others see it and say something about it? It’s natural to do. But there is only One we should concern ourselves with. Let’s talk about it!

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭33:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬YHWH is bringing a message of judgment against Judah. But on the other side of that judgment can be restoration. Let’s talk about it!

“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.”‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭29:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬As King David ended his reign and prepared to transfer the rule over Israel to his son, Solomon, he offered up an amazing prayer of thanksgiving for all God had done. In it, he reveals an important truth that brings freedom to all who understand it. Let’s talk about it!

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.‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬We don’t boast about our weaknesses. We hide them. Either because we are afraid to admit we have them, or we’re ashamed others will judge us because of them. But Paul openly admitted to his weakness. He saw it as a gateway to the power of God in his life. Let’s talk about it!

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”‭‭Acts‬ ‭20:24‬ ‭ESV‬‬The Apostle Paul never seemed to view his life as of any value. He was always willing to head straight into whatever danger may be out there, as long as he was advancing the Kingdom of God. It’s as if he was a dead man walking. Maybe it’s because he was. Let’s talk about it!

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬Christians often struggle with feeling like they don’t fit. That the world is going one direction and they’re going another. This is a good thing. Why? Because it’s true. Let’s talk about it!

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”‭‭3 John‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬Some of the simplest prayers are the most important. The Apostle John opens this short letter to his friend, Gaius with these words of encouragement. I wonder what would happen if we were more committed to short, simple prayers like these. Let’s talk about it!

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬There’s a stereotype of the American man. It’s one of independence and strength. He doesn’t need anyone else. But the Bible never once endorses this philosophy. In fact, it shows the exact opposite. Let’s talk about it!