Driven By The Bible

“...so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:28‬ ‭ESV‬‬In the time before the cross and the resurrection, daily sacrifices were conducted in the Temple. These sacrifices created a sacred space where God’s people could go before Him in worship. Today, the Temple no longer stands and the sacrifices no longer create that sacred space. What does this mean for God’s people?Let’s talk about it!

“As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.”‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭11:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬It all really comes down to the truth that God has a plan that is beyond our understanding or comprehension. And He really doesn’t owe any of us an explanation. Let’s talk about it!

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13:20‬ ‭ESV‬‬As parents, we’re careful who our children make friends with. We know they will become like those friends. Why is this different when we grow up?Let’s talk about it!

“The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬Is Solomon suggesting that this is a formula for success? Is it really this simple? And if it is, does that mean it’s easy? Let’s talk about it!

“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.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬When we’re truly honest with ourselves, we will admit that life doesn’t always make sense. That a lot of the time, it feels like the righteous struggle while the wicked thrive. How do we pray when we feel this way? Let’s talk about it!

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬Imagine yourself as a teenage who has done something they weren’t supposed to. You know your dad has found out about it, and he’s just arrived home. You’re frozen in that space between his arrival and your punishment. Let’s talk about it!

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:21‬ ‭ESV‬‬There is no neutral ground in the supernatural battle we are a part of. If we are not on the offensive against evil, evil will overcome us. But they way we battle against the forces of evil may not be the way we naturally want to fight. Let’s talk about it!

“...for we walk by faith, not by sight.”‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬We can’t believe our eyes. They deceive us. They tell us that this world is all that is real; all that matter; the purpose of our lives. But Paul wants his readers to understand that a new day will come with a new existence. And until we reach that, we must ignore what our eyes tell us and walk by faith alone. Let’s talk about it!

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬We are part of a different kingdom. Peter is showing that in this chapter. And we should love different lives because of it. But how do we interact with those around us. One word: love. Let’s talk about it!

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬We want to be right, more than we want unity in the Body of Messiah. In our brokenness, we would rather be vindicated than at peace. Paul’s answer to this is found in these verses. Let’s talk about it!

“...casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬Is there really any reason to worry and be anxious? We have a God who loves us so much, He became a man, lived a humble life among us, surrendered to death so that He could conquer it and bring His perfect eternal Kingdom to the earth and free us from death and sin. In light of that love, why do we worry?Let’s talk about it!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭ESV‬It’s been said, “God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.” This is exactly what is happening in this passage, as the Word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah (still a young boy) and tells him that he is going to be a prophet to kings. Let’s talk about it!

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”‭‭John‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬John opens his Gospel with a poem that takes us back to the creation story. In it, he reveals that Jesus was the Word spoken by YHWH that brought forth all life. Let’s talk about it!

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬What are we supposed to do when life doesn’t make sense? When it doesn’t fit into our formulas or systems or boxes? Or even more - when it seems as if God isn’t keeping His Word to us?Let’s talk about it!

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬We’ve been taught that “hiding God’s Word in our heart” is memorizing Bible verses. While this is good and important, this ISN’T what this verse is talking about. That’s hiding God’s Word in our heads. Let’s talk about it!

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:23‬ ‭ESV‬‬The readers this letter was addressed to were desperate to draw near to the presence of God. But they had been expelled from the Temple, and couldn’t participate in the Temple worship. What did this mean for them?Let’s talk about it!

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”‭‭The Bible warns us that the world will become more and more corrupt; that society will not follow Christ. How are we to live in this world?Let’s talk about it!

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭ESVUnderstanding the context of the verse doesn’t change the hope that it provides. We are all exiles living in a foreign land. We are to live our lives with honor and obedience to our God and King, looking forward to the promised return to our land where our Messiah will reign in righteousness. Let’s talk about it!

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:24‬ ‭ESV‬‬We throw around the word “friends” too lightly today. What is a true friend? Why do they matter?Let’s talk about it!

“Do nothing out of selfishness or conceit, but with humility consider others as more important than yourselves, looking out not only for your own interests but also for the interests of others.”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭TLVThe world teaches us that we have to look out for ourselves, because no one else will; that we should go for the top; exalt ourselves. But the Bible teaches the opposite. And Jesus Christ is the example. Let’s talk about it!