Driven By The Bible

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬Romans 10 is part of a 3 chapter explanation by the Apostle Paul of how Israel and the nations relate to God in the post-resurrection era. The Gospel is for all - Jew and Gentile. Let’s talk about it!

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:13-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬What is Paul “straining forward” toward? What is he forgetting that lies behind him? And what does an often overlooked story from the Torah have to do with this?Let’s talk about it!

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭55:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬This verse is about the burden of betrayal. But what is most challenging is that this verse talks about betrayal as something given to us by God to test us. Let’s talk about it!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬Paul’s prayer at the close of this chapter of his letter to the Ephesian Believers is simple: if God can extend His love to all humanity - Jew and Gentile alike - there is nothing His love can’t do. Let’s talk about it!

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬Our God is not a god who dwells on mountain tops. He isn’t a god who requires us to build Him houses to dwell in. Our God is a god who creates a world for us to live in: a place for us to worship Him.Let’s talk about it!

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:24‬ ESVAre you aware that the words you speak today can literally bring physical health to those around you? Or on the other hand, they can bring physical sickness to others? Your words can bring life or death. Let’s talk about it!

“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬Be honest: you’ve prayed and asked God to work in a specific situation, and nothing worked out the way you asked. Does this make Jesus a liar? In other words - what does it means when we ask and don’t receive what we asked for? When we seek and don’t find what we’re looking for? When we knock and the doors stay shut?Let’s talk about it!

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬Too often, I’ve heard this verse taught as if it’s supposed to be about our faith in a God who has to obey our wishes. That isn’t even what this verse is about. It’s about trusting our Heavenly Father when He answers our prayers in ways we don’t understand. Let’s talk about it!

And he said to him, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37‬ ‭ESV‬‬If you were to stand before God Almighty, and He judged your success or failure based upon this verse, what would be the outcome? Let’s talk about it!

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬What does it mean to “fear God?” And why is hat the beginning of wisdom?Let’s talk about it!

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,”‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬Satan’s chief areas of attack are pride and worry. We must guard ourselves from these attacks. And this is especially true for pastors. Let’s talk about it!

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬There is a cycle in our lives that is demonstrated by our friendships. If we have friends who are pulling us upward into greater obedience to Christ, our lives are blessed. If we have friends who are liking is downward into disobedience to Christ, we are cursed. Let’s talk about it!

“For nothing will be impossible with God."”‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:37‬ ‭ESV‬‬The Scriptures are filled with stories of miraculous births. This verse comes from one of those. But whenever I read it, I can’t help but think of another one. Let’s talk about it!

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:23-24‬ ‭ESV‬‬Why do we do what we do?Let’s talk about it!

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬In the middle of our greatest sorrow and weeping, God is waiting with love and mercy. Let’s talk about it!

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬The key to prosperity and success is in continuously refocusing our hearts and minds on what success truly is: Love God and love others. Let’s talk about it!

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."”‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬Sometimes the reason our prayers go unanswered is because God isn’t listening. And that’s our fault, not His. Let’s talk about it!

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ ‭ESV‬‬The world tells us this is weakness. But Jesus willingly chose not to call the armies of Heaven to come to His defense. He willingly laid down on a cross out of love for us. And He calls us to follow His example. Let’s talk about it!

“...who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began...”‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬This is a sentence fragment. The sentence begins in verse 8 and ends in verse 12. But the point Paul is making begins and ends with suffering. This is a part of the Gospel. Let’s talk about it!

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”‭‭John‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬Your wish is my command. That is too often how we read verses like this in the Gospels. But Jesus is not a genie in a bottle. He is God Almighty. And this is the perspective we must have when bringing our prayers to Him. Let’s talk about it!