Sin and Repentance

Sin and Repentance are central to the Christian religion, ever-present reminders of why God's son came to live among us, eventually dying on the cross. Scripture tells us the very first humans sinned when they failed to obey God's instructions in the Garden of Eden. We all inherited that tendency of disobedience, requiring regret in order to receive God's forgiveness. The good news is that forgiveness is never withheld from a repentant sinner. The believer will grow in strength to avoid evil in the future through prayer.

God's Word has quite a lot to say about sin and repentance, from the very beginning in Genesis to the book of Revelation. We are all branded with original disobedience of Adam along with Eve until we are baptized. With baptism, we are cleansed of that original act of disobedience, becoming followers of Jesus the Christ, whose death on the cross gave us the promise of eternal life for ourselves. However, we have always had the gift of free will. Our human weakness for selfishness, self-indulgence, greed, etc. give us ample occasions for disobeying God even after baptism. This human weakness repeats itself one generation after the next. Our faith in the Lord allows us to overcome our weaknesses, confessing our sins to receive forgiveness.

Old Testament descriptions of how one should express regret in the books of II Samuel, I Kings, as well as Jonah was with fasting, tearing the upper garment, wearing sackcloth, as well as sleeping on the ground. The Prophet Joel, on the other hand, said "Rend your heart, and not our garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy, and repenteth him of the evil." (Joel 2:13) How much it is like the Christian view! Learn God's Word by taking a Bible Quiz.

The Commandments were the primary Old Testament set of laws given for man's guidance, then Jesus' exhortation to love God with our whole mind, heart, as well as soul; to love one another as ones self; to treat others as we want to be treated. Penance, then, is being truly sorry for the deliberate breaking of those laws that result in breaking our bond with Christ, then changing our lives so as not to commit the wrong again. It can also involve, where possible, repairing the damage done by our mistakes by seeking forgiveness from the person we wronged. That seems pretty humiliating, but when grave sins have been committed, humiliation is appropriate.

Christians believe once sins have been forgiven, the "slate" (as it were) is wiped clean, and the sinner never has to think about that again. One story that illustrates that is the little girl who said her prayers one evening. She told Jesus about the bad things she had done that day, asking forgiveness, then went to her other prayers. The next morning, she told her mother she had forgotten to tell the Lord one thing the night before. Her mother told her it would be all right to include it the next night. That night, the little girl said: "Jesus, I need to add something to those things I told you last night," proceeding to tell him what it was. Jesus replied, "I've already forgotten what you said, and now you can forget it too."

God's Word gives us plenty of encouragement in our relationship with Him. One of the ways in which evil is particularly affecting us in modern society is the constant portrayal of disobedience of God in the media, not as sinful, but as "normal." Gutter language, outrageous sexual conduct, as well as a lack of respect are just some examples of sinful conduct that demeans the human person, diminishing us all. Christians are called by their faith to discourage these evils by not attending those films or watching the shows on TV. They are to live as Christ lived, setting an example for the younger generation.

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Healing Scriptures

Hurting hearts and aching bodies need inspirational Bible Scriptures to find relief from spiritual, emotional, and physical pains. People look for healing Scriptures from the Bible because God's Word is a well-known resource for providing a soothing balm to those who trust its truths. But the power of the Bible isn't just for the difficult and tragic events of life. Within its pages, there are powerful expressions of hope, joy, and celebration. Wherever someone finds herself on the spectrum that encompasses life's daily struggles to life's daily joys, she can find passages that address her attitudes and thinking. The many books that make up the Bible are, of course, God's ordained Word. So it should not be surprising that each individual book is also great literature that has earned its place among the classics.

The poetry books of the Old Testament are a popular place to look for uplifting inspirational Bible Scriptures. These include the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon (more popularly known as the Song of Songs). The account of Job's unrelenting sorrow and pain provides a fascinating glimpse into the spiritual events that were occurring beyond and behind what was happening to this man who "feared God and eschewed evil" (Job 1:1b). In one horrific stroke, Job's children were killed, his wealth was stolen, and his physical health was destroyed. While experiencing all this sorrow and pain, Job didn't know what the readers of the story know -- that Job was the centerpiece of what might be called a spiritual wager between God and Satan. Throughout Job's ordeal, which included spiritual, emotional, and physical pain, this hurting man was steadfast in staying devoted to God. Job's wife and the three so-called friends insisted Job must be guilty of a horrible sin to have all these tragedies come upon him. But Job rejected their arguments: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him" (Job 13:15). The attitude of this godly man, who trusted in God's justice and power despite tormenting pain, sets an example to others experiencing deep hurts. Just as Job didn't know what was going on behind the scenes, neither do we. But we can trust that God knows and is in control.

The inspirational Bible Scriptures of Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes contain numerous healing Scriptures from the Bible that comfort during hard times and rejoice during the good times. Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, describes the ruler's search for meaning through knowledge, wealth, and accomplishments. The king wisely concludes that meaning comes through God alone. Tradition says that Solomon also wrote many of the Proverbs and the Song of Solomon. The latter is a beautiful expression of marital love. The largest book, Psalms, is a collection of hymns and praises written by King David, a man named Asaph, and others. Because of the depth of its themes, Psalms is a popular book for anyone seeking comfort, hope, or a way to express praise and joy.

Perhaps most of the healing Scriptures from the Bible are found in the four New Testament Gospels. These books tell of the good news of Jesus' prophecy-fulfilling birth, three-year ministry, cruel death, and miraculous resurrection. They were written by two of the apostles, Matthew and John; Mark who was a friend of the apostle Peter, and Luke, a physician. Through these written accounts, the ministry of Jesus and the many healing miracles he performed are preserved. The apostle John wrote that the world could not hold all the books that would have to be written to tell of all the miracles that Jesus did (cf. John 21:25). John himself chose to tell only about seven and, of these, three involved physical healing. One of the more significant miracles was restoring the sight of a man born blind as told in John 9. The apostles assumed the beggar was born blind because either the man or his parents had sinned. Jesus rejected this thinking. The beggar's blindness gave an opportunity for God to be glorified when Jesus restored the man's sight. As in the account of Job, an unseen spiritual significance was behind human tragedy.

Miracles that heal physical ailments are a tremendous testimony to the deity of Jesus. But more important than these messianic deeds are Jesus' healing of spiritual ailments. When the apostles told Thomas that they had seen the risen Lord, he refused to believe them. Not long afterwards, Jesus appeared to Thomas and his doubting turned to belief. After Peter denied knowing Jesus three times on the night before the crucifixion, the fisherman suffered spiritual sickness. In a post-Resurrection appearance on the shore of Galilee, Jesus walked with Peter. During their conversation, Peter affirmed that he loved his Lord three times. This was the fisherman's spiritual healing and reconciliation. In our lives, we will suffer various degrees of physical, emotional, and spiritual illnesses. But through studying the healing Scriptures from the Bible, we realize that we don't know what is going on in the spiritual realm or how our trials will be used to glorify God. Our most important role is to accept the spiritual reconciliation that Jesus offers to us.

Life isn't made up only of sickness and sadness. God blesses with hope, celebrations, and joys. Throughout the pages of His Word are inspirational Bible Scriptures that encourage, motivate, enlighten, and comfort. Favorite verses are memorized and memorialized on bookmarks, plaques, and mugs. They can be imprinted on cards along with relevant photographs or embroidered on pillows and afghans. Sharing one's favorite Scripture passages with others is a meaningful way to share one's faith and give the gifts of healing, comfort, and hope to others.

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End Times Signs

End times signs and prophecy are biblical information that many people are interested in finding more about, as the events of today and of recent history point to many fulfilled prophecies of the Word of God. Soon after the fall of man, God foretold of the coming of a Messiah and the ultimate creation of a New Heavens and a New Earth. The Old Testament and the New are both full of prophetic teachings that not only tell us about the coming days of judgement, but they are also full of warnings which urge God's people to live a godly life, to keep to sound doctrine, and to watch carefully for the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). And as years have crept by, many have forgotten that the Bible tells us that the end of all things is at hand. We are living in the Bible last days. In the book of Matthew, Christ's disciples come to Him and ask what will be the sign of His coming and of the end of the age. Christ answers the disciples with clear indicators that give those who read Scripture clues which signal that the end is very near. While Peter wrote that the end was at hand nearly two thousand years ago, and we know that these are the latter days of Satan's reign on earth, the end times signs that Christ revealed should alert all believers to take biblical action and prepare for the coming of our Lord. "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer" (1 Peter 4:7). Christ's first response to the disciples was to warn them to take heed that no one deceive them, for many would come in the Lord's name saying that they were the Christ. Interestingly, Jesus first warned his disciples, knowing that Satan would attempt to counterfeit God at every turn. More important than observing the times was the need to keep oneself immersed in true doctrine, in the Word of God, able to discern truth from a lie. Then Jesus explained that there would be wars and rumors of wars, but that this would not yet be the end. The Bible last days would hold many more tribulations. There would not only be world wide strife, but there would be wide spread famine, pestilence, and natural disasters; earthquakes, to be exact. Jesus explained that Christians would be persecuted during this time and that all nations would hate those who follow and love the Lord. Christ also said the love of many would grow cold and that people would hate one another, being easily offended. Verse 14 of Matthew 24 explains that other end times signs would include the gospel of the kingdom of God being preached to all the world and that the abomination that the prophet Daniel spoke of would be fulfilled, and then the end would come. For more related topics such as Bible prophecy, false teachers and the apostate Church, visit our Bible resources. In the book of Acts, Luke records Peter preaching that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit upon all of mankind and that both men and women would prophecy. Peter also taught that there would be end times signs in the sky above and on the earth below. Peter also wrote that in the Bible last days that scoffers would come, making mockery of those who waited for Christ. But, Peter wanted the readers to understand that the heavens and earth that exist now were reserved for fire, just as the earth had once been destroyed by water. He further stated that the day of the Lord would catch many off guard and that the heavens would pass away. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10). Because Christ also told His disciples that no one knows the exact day or hour of these great events, many have claimed that the watching and waiting for the Bible last days is not important, nor should it be the focus of Christians living today. But, other Scriptures indicate quite differently. Because we have been given many signs, Christ fully intended for us to be alert and aware for many different reasons. "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness" (2 Peter 3:11). We are to be looking forward to the promise of a new heaven and earth and not enjoying the pleasures of this earth. "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:14). Knowing that the end of time draws near should also serve to remind us to live a holy life, knowing that at any moment we will meet or precious Savior, face to face. There are many more Scriptures about the end times signs and how we are to respond to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word equates Christ to a groom coming for the Bride, which is symbolic of the church. As a bride awaiting the wedding day, so we should wait with great anticipation, watching for any indication that the time is near. To discover more Scriptures about the Bible last days, take the quiz linked above. For more information: http://www.christianet.com/bibleverses

Books Of The Old Testament

Books Of The Old Testament contain the information that God wanted readers to know about the beginning of the Creation, the fall of man, the flood, the law, historical accounts, poetical accounts, and major and minor prophecy. The two main parts of the Christian Biblical canon are the Old and the New Testaments. The list of Old Testament books contain some timeless truths that can be applied in modern times. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:1-3). "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

The Old Testament contains 39 books total and Genesis is the very first record covering the creation, the fall of man, the Flood, and how the nations were started. Abraham and Joseph are main characters in the book of Genesis and both show faith in action as they believe God. Genesis also contains the record of the enslavement of the Children of Israel in Egypt. The books of the Old Testament provide very vital illustrations of how God works through people to accomplish His will. After Genesis are Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These are all considered the Pentateuch or Law. Exodus contains the enactments of Moses and how he was instrumental in bringing the Israelites out of bondage. The Passover, the parting of the Red Sea, and the 10 Commandments are all contained in Exodus. Leviticus contains accounts of the priesthood and instruction. Numbers has enactments of false idol worship, punishment, and the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Finally, Deuteronomy is the account of the ceremonial, civil, and social laws set forth for the Israelites.

The historical account of God's people contains 12 books. These include Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First and Second Samuel, First and Second Kings, First and Second Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. This list of Old Testament books is about Joshua, the time of the Judges, Prophets, the Kings, history of Judah, and Israel's restoration. These stories contain real events that happened to real people. People who loved the Lord and desired to serve Him. Some were successful in remaining faithful to God while others gave in to their earthly desires and found that they had much trouble in their life. For God told the Israelites that if they were obedient to His word and put Him first, their lives would be blessed. However, they were also told that they would be punished and suffer consequences when disobedient.

Some books of the OT were beautifully written. These are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon and are considered the poetical accounts. The account of Job shows the illustration of how one man who was considered righteous suffered at the hand of Satan. Without the book of Job, Christians might not get that Satan has to ask for permission before he can touch God's children. The books of the Old Testament provide life application to those contained in its pages. This helps Christians today to learn by seeing the mistakes that others have made when making wrong choices. Psalms is one of the most favorite books of the Bible because of the poetic writings and encouraging scriptures. Proverbs is known as the account of wisdom. Ecclesiastes talks about the futility of man and Song of Solomon is a love story.

The next 17 accounts are prophetical. Five of these are written by major Prophets and 12 are written by minor Prophets. The first five are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. These show how God works through his Prophets to reach the people, guide them, and to bless them. This list of Old Testament books contains prophecies of future events. Isaiah is largely a look at the sin of Judah and God's judgment. Jeremiah prophecies about judgment to Judah and the establishing of a new covenant. Lamentations is 5 poems about the defeat and fall of Jerusalem and Ezekiel ministered to the Jews who were in captivity in Babylon. Daniel had visions of the future and could interpret dreams. He was faithful to God and God delivered him from the lions den.

The 12 books of the minor prophets contain many accounts of future prophecy concerning Israel and the Gentiles. Some pertaining to end time events and others that happened while they were alive. The list of Old Testament books that are minor prophets include Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Each one of these accounts show God's love for people and how he forgives and blesses them if they repent and turn to Him. Many of these accounts contain judgments because of disobedience, spiritual adultery, moral decay, apostasy, and how many were complacent when it came to obedience to God.

The most important message of the OT is the prophecies that portray the coming of the Messiah to save the people from their sins. Jesus did come and the New Testament tells the account of His ministry and how he does save those who are lost. The work that Jesus did on the cross, dying for sin, and rising from the dead is the fulfillment of the books of the Old Testament and good news for everyone who believes in Him. The word spoken of in the OT was Jesus who was with God in the beginning, who came to earth and walked among men and then gave His life to save them.

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Bible Study On The Book Of Revelations

The future is the fascinating subject in a Bible study on the book of Revelations. Reading and researching this book is similar to getting a sneak preview of the end of the world before it ever comes to pass! A study of this portion of scripture reveals how God views churches, Christians and non-Christians at the end of time, and reveals what will become of all of them. For those who do not know, this book was written by the prophet John, while incarcerated on the Isle of Patmos. Here, our Lord gives John many visions of Heaven, Hell and of how a new Heaven and Earth will be created. Throughout this time, God demonstrates awesome power through His angels and judgments via the seven seals. Now this is exciting reading!

When a Bible study on the book of Revelations is performed in parallel with a Daniel Bible study, the student will be able to detect several instances of similar prophetic visions. For example in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament, he discusses the great beasts that will devour the Earth and break it into pieces. In the book of Revelation, refer to chapter 13 verses 1 - 6. There it talks about the Beast that stands on the sea which has seven heads and ten horns. There is a direct reference here back to Daniel. In another chapter, Daniel is commanded by King Nebuchadnezzar to interpret a dream he has about an image made of gold, silver, bronze and clay. This passage refers directly to chapter 16 in Revelation, which speaks of the same image. Clearly, these two books speak about the same end time prophecies, but are articulated by two prophets born hundreds of years apart!

In a Daniel Bible study, the student will come to understand that this book spans 70 years of Jewish captivity in Babylon. Daniel was very young, just a teen, when God called him to prophesy to both the Jews and Gentiles about his purpose for the Earth. The book reveals that God is very active in our lives, and has been since the beginning of time. It will be the same at the end of time as well. This prophet must have had great faith and boldness to go and preach in this manner to a foreign nation. Our Daniel Bible study begins with a narrative about how Nebuchadnezzar came to power in Babylon, and how Daniel came to find favor with this king. During this time, God provided Daniel with much knowledge and wisdom about great writings and visions.

Also revealed in a Bible study on the book of Revelations, is the fact that John the prophet was very old, contrasting the youth of Daniel and his prophecies. Perhaps this is God's way of showing both the young and old perspective of purpose. Daniel found favor with those to whom he preached, and John fell into disfavor with those to whom he preached. One was free, one was jailed. In both situations, God was able to send His message, regardless of the circumstances. Doesn't this show the omnipotence and omnipresence of God in a powerful way? Certainly! The meaning of the Revelation is unveiling. Here God brings to an end the history of humankind as we know it, and ushers in eternal existence and fellowship with Him, who knows Him as their Savior.

Throughout the Bible study on the book of Revelations, several divisions of the book become evident to the student. First, John discusses the seven churches: the church that doesn't show love anymore; the church which is persecuted, the church that makes exceptions to its hurt; the church which allows gross immorality; the faithful church in Philadelphia and finally, the Laodicean church, which is so lukewarm, God says He will spit them out of His mouth! Then, the story progresses to John's vision taking place in Heaven, where he sees God's throne, angels and elders worshipping around the throne. Then the Lamb of God breaks open the scrolls. The entire time all in Heaven continually worship about the Lord's throne. The breaking of the seals releases the horsemen of the apocalypse upon the earth to do His bidding, and causes men to either worship or curse Him. Then we witness the blowing of the trumpets, the death of the two witnesses, the vision or sign of the great woman who birthed a child. Now comes the description of the Anti-Christ, the bowl judgments, the fall of Babylon, Satan bound for 1000 years, and then the great white throne judgment. At last the book ends when the New Jerusalem comes down out of Heaven, a new Heaven and Earth now exist, and God reigns forever. Wow. Now movie epic can ever match that kind of script! That is why the Bible is one of the world's best sellers of all time.

A careful Daniel Bible study could yield the same excitement for the Bible scholar, because the importance of this book is on a par with the book of Revelation due to the many visions and prophecies Daniel provides to all those Kings he was privileged to know and witness to. As Daniel warns the Old Testament Kings of God's impending judgment, so too does John warn all of mankind through his authoring of the book of Revelation. Lastly, one of the most wonderful things about studying the Bible is that, no matter how many times it is opened to read, it is always fresh and new. Time to start studying!

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Bible Studies On Prayer

Ever been to any real Bible studies on prayer? Multitudes of books on prayer have been written, some better than others, but each with some contribution to make to our understanding of the subject. However, go back to the source to prepare prayer Bible studies. The Bible is full of examples of the prayers of God's people. These stories reveal important principles, and are far more interesting than any set of instructions.

The most startling aspect about Biblical accounts of the lives of the followers of God is that the stories have an 'unedited' quality. Christians are revealed at their best -- and worst -- moments. How could that be appealing? Wouldn't it be better to see the people of God as shining examples of steadfast righteousness? Of course. Yet, the fact that people and events are portrayed with such transparency is in itself a powerful argument for the reliability of the Bible. Also, their failure offers hope. If an examination of prayer Bible studies reveals that God can forgive, love, and continue to use them in His plan, this ignites the hope that the same mercy is available for everyone else.

Some fine examples for prayer Bible studies that come to mind are the prayers of David found in the book of Psalms. David's delight in his relationship with God is evident, and this recalls the importance of a proper attitude in the presence of God. Acknowledging who God is and offering heartfelt praise, as well as confession of personal sin, was part of David's approach to God, and should be a basic part of our prayers, too. David does not hesitate to pour out the contents of his heart before God, with all of the joys, sorrows, longings, fears, confusion, triumphs, anger, disappointments and pain that are common to human experience. This is a relief. Although a person should approach God with awe and respect, one can still be honest about matters which are truly important, and not just rattle off a series of rote requests as though speaking with God were some kind of spiritual ATM transaction.

Further Bible studies on prayer reveal that the people of God pray in all sorts of situations, with some rather spectacular results. Abram laments that he is childless, and God promises countless descendants and a land, as well as other covenant promises. Later, Abraham prays and Lot and two daughters are delivered from the destruction which falls upon Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham's servant prays and Rebekah is revealed as Isaac's future wife. Isaac prays and this same Rebekah is healed of her barrenness. Another time, Isaac calls upon the Lord and those who had been acting as enemies (Abimelech and the Philistines) come asking for a treaty of peace. Plagues are lifted from Egypt when Moses stretches out hands to God in prayer. Moses cries out to God, seas are parted and the Israelites pass on in safety, while their enemies are drowned. After three days of wandering, Moses prays and bitter waters at Marah are made sweet. Amalekites are defeated while Moses' arms are lifted in prayer, and Joshua's prayers halt the sun and moon in its tracks for about a day so that the Israelites can pursue Amorite enemies. Elisha prays and a fearful servant is enabled to see fiery horses and chariots surrounding the servants of God, while hostile Arameans are temporarily blinded. These are only a few of many such incidents in the Old Testament.

In New Testament Bible studies on prayer, the pattern of amazing results continues. Zechariah prays and receives a son, later known as John the Baptist. Simeon, a righteous and devout man, is told by the Holy Spirit that he will see the Christ. He not only sees Him, but is allowed to hold the infant Savior in his arms. Anna, a widowed prophetess, prays continually and is also shown the Child. Blind men call out to Jesus and are healed. Jesus spends time praying and chooses twelve disciples who will shake the world. Later, He prays even for those who will believe through the disciples' testimony, and the Church endures to this day. Finally, Jesus is strengthened (as He prays in the garden of Gethsemane) for the ordeal of the cross, where He provides salvation for all mankind.

After Jesus' resurrection, repentant Peter (who the Lord had prayed would be restored) becomes a leader in the infant church. Prayer Bible studies reveal that the early church devoted itself not only to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, and to the breaking of bread -- but also to praying. Paul's remarkable conversion was part of God's plan and brought about by His hand. Yet God used as an instrument the prayers of Christians Paul had persecuted.

Other Bible studies on prayer reveal that Stephen was one of seven whom the apostles had set aside (with prayer) to deal with matters which threatened to consume the twelve apostles' time for prayer and ministry. Stephen faithfully accomplished these duties, but also stirred up the anger of those who could not stand up against Spirit-led wisdom. Accused of changing laws given by Moses, Stephen launched into a quick history lesson, recounting God's dealings with Israel and rebuking these accusers for their resistance and disobedience to God's work. When he claimed to see Jesus, whom they had crucified, standing at God's right hand, his opponents stoned him, laying their clothes at the feet of a young man named Paul. Paul later urged that believers should be Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18) Paul, the recipient of the grace of God, knew quite personally the life-changing effect of prayer. For Stephen's final act, as stones rained down on him, was to pray for his murderers.

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Praise & Worship

To praise God is to esteem and regard Him as the almighty omnipotent being that He is, bringing glory to the throne in the presence of angels and in the presence of men. From early accounts in the Bible, men and women of God praised and worshiped in a variety of ways and with all their hearts, souls, and minds. When mankind reflects upon the blessings, gifts, and judgements of God, one can not help but be ushered into a state of gratitude that evokes praising the Lord. Many denominations approach worship in different and very distinct ways, and when we take a close look at scripture and the commandments about worshiping God Almighty, we find that there is a broad range of activities that are associated with exalting our Maker. From the first time worshiping is associated with sacrifice to the grand songs sung by choirs of angels at the victory of Christ, the Bible has much to teach us about living a life that expresses the gratitude that God so richly deserves.

In the book of Genesis, one of the most well-known stories of the Old Testament is recorded. In chapter twenty-two we find that Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. After Abraham had journeyed three days, the Lord showed Abraham the place to build an altar and offer Isaac as a burnt offering. At this point Abraham tells the servant men with him to stay put and that he and Isaac were going over yonder to worship the Lord. As this familiar story goes, God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice and Isaac's life was spared. Christians understand that this story is a foretelling of the sacrifice of Christ, but it is also a wonderful demonstration of how sacrifice equates to worshiping. Our Lord considers it worshipful when we offer up our most prized possessions. To discover more about what the Bible has to say about praising and worshiping God, visit these Bible resources.

Throughout much of the Old Testament we find that sacrifice was a intricate part of worshiping. But, we also find that singing and dancing before the Lord were used as means of praising. The Psalms are full of examples and urgent pleas for the people of God to lift up holy hands and to sing to the Lord. We see that worshiping God is not only giving up the things that have first place in our hearts, but worshiping God is also having and demonstrating a joyous heart and attitude. "Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the trimbrel and the harp. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation." (Psalm 149:3-4). Scripture compels us to praise God among the people and to also sing praises to him when we are alone in our beds. "Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds." (Psalm 149:5)

Moving into the New Testament, we find that exalting the name of the Lord takes on a new tone. Jesus Christ himself addressed worshiping with an adulteress woman at a well. The woman, confused by many traditions and segregation, asked Jesus about proper worship protocol, believing that he was a prophet. Jesus answers the woman with a profound truth. "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." (John 4:23) And, in the book of Hebrews, the writer teaches that praising God is now an ongoing activity, not one reserved for Sunday mornings before an altar. "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13:15) Because the Spirit of God lives in believers, each is to live in a constant state of praising the Lord for all that is given, for all that is taught, and for every circumstance because we know that all things work to the good of those who are called.

Because the Spirit of God lives within us, we may partake in praising and worshiping in quiet, reflective devotions or in grand corporate praise services. "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:19) The first step to discovering the type of joyful activity that suits the unique soul is to discover an attitude of gratitude. Just as Abraham built an altar as a grateful expression after receiving the promise of God, so we should have a way of expressing our thankfulness to the Lord for the many promises that He has made to each and every one of us.

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Scripture Verses For Encouragement

Those who look to Scripture verses for encouragement often first turn to either the Psalms or the Proverbs. These two Old Testament books are so popular that most New Testaments include both of them. The Psalms are a collection of 150 Hebrew poems used as prayers and hymns. Though King David, the shepherd boy who killed Goliath, wrote almost half the Psalms, about a third of them were written by anonymous authors. Other writers include Solomon, the sons of Korah, and the Levite singers Asaph, Heman, and Ethan, Some scholars believe Psalm 90 was written by Moses and that the prophet Ezra may also have written a couple of the chapters. If this is so, the earliest psalm was written during the time of the Exodus and the latest psalms were written about a thousand years later, after the long Babylonian exile in the mid-fifth century B.C. The vast majority of the inspirational Bible verses found in Proverbs were collected and recorded by King Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba. After Solomon became king, he prayed, "'Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad, for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?' And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing" (1 Kings 3: 9-10). God was so pleased that Solomon asked for wisdom and discernment, that He gave the king peace and prosperity during his reign.

With such a wide range of authorship and variety of themes, it's understandable why even people who know little else about the Bible are familiar with Psalms and Proverbs. Psalm 23 is probably the most popular psalm, giving comfort to the weary and downhearted who seek rest and guidance from a protective Shepherd. The first eighteen verses of Psalm 139 are life-affirming as David rejoices in God's intimate creative power and complete knowledge of a person's innermost thoughts. Most Christian women both embrace and get irritated at the ideal woman described in Proverbs 31. This remarkable lady is an incredible role model who demonstrated intelligence, initiative, compassion, and financial savvy. Little wonder that her husband and children put her on a pedestal. Other sections of Proverbs praise the importance of wisdom and the dangers of folly. They address daily issues, including money issues, getting along with the neighbors, gossip and discretion, the virtue of hard work and the consequences of laziness. These inspirational Bible verses provide a helpful guideline for personal growth. Since there are thirty-one chapters in Proverbs, many Christians make it a daily habit to read a chapter every day, corresponding to the date. For example, Proverbs 1 is read on the first day of the month and so on. This repetition over a period of time makes it easier to remember Scripture verses for encouragement when they are needed.

Other Old Testament passages tell about historical people and events that teach important, and difficult, life lessons. We sympathize with Joseph's brothers when they are jealous of their father's attention to his favorite child, but we also cringe in horror when the ten young men sell Joseph into slavery and then tell their father that he was killed by a wild animal. Seeing God's providence work itself out through the events of Joseph's life as he becomes second-in-command only to Pharaoh, we trust that God is with us through our family trials. Joseph told his brothers that what they meant for evil, God meant for good "to save much people alive" (Genesis 50:20). The prophet Jeremiah told the Israelites that God's plans for them were for peace, not evil, and that those who search for God with all their hearts would find Him (Jeremiah 29: 11-13). These inspirational Bible verses are favorites for memorization.

Of course, the New Testament also has numerous Scripture verses for encouragement during times of sorrow and trial. Through the Gospel accounts, we see that the darkest moment in history for those who followed Jesus, the crucifixion, was followed only three days later by exuberant rejoicing when He appeared to them. Again and again throughout the New Testament epistles, the apostle Paul encourages Christians to find contentment in their relationship with Christ, to understand that steadfastness through trials will be rewarded by eternal fellowship. One of the most popular is Paul promise that "all things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28). The apostle specifically wrote to Titus and the young Timothy, offering encouragement to them in their ministries. In the book of Revelation, the apostle John promises that a time will come when there will be no more tears, no death, no pain (Revelation 21:4). The book of James is much-loved for its practical applications for Christian living. Who has not been convicted by James' speech on the evils of the tongue, yet encouraged by his admission that we all stumble (James 3:2)?

Those who become familiar with, and even memorize, inspirational Bible verses equip themselves with the resources that are needed during discouraging situations and hard times. Perhaps even more important, these people can offer comfort and compassion to others when they pass along relevant and uplifting passages. This is so easy when internet sites exist that offer the capability to email a thoughtful, Biblical message. The wisdom literature found in Psalms and Proverbs, the lives and events of historical people, the New Testament teachings -- all these hold Scripture verses for encouragement to those who need a word of hope.

For more information: http://www.christianet.com/biblestudy

Evidence of Creation

There is evidence of creation throughout our world today, and anyone interested in finding scientific support for creationism can easily do so with the many valuable resources that are available. The debate of a created world verses an evolved one has been around for many years, but as scientific methods advance, even the non-believing community is recognizing that many of the theories revolving around evolution do not pan out. Honestly there is little substantial scientific proof that supports evolution, making it difficult to understand how this is the chosen theory taught to school children every day. With a thorough study of Scripture, one can find the answers to many questions about what has happened throughout the history of man and his effects on the created order. And, faced with the question of whether or not the Bible is full of interesting stories or is actually the Word of God, one will have to come to the conclusion that he either believes the Bible in its entirety or that he does not. Accepting the Bible in part is not an option, for the Bible claims to be written under the authority of God.

No one can argue that there are many mysteries surrounding the beginnings of the world and mankind. While the Bible explains to us how the world came into being and how man was originally formed, man's finite wisdom does not allow him to grasp the ability of it all. God certainly enlightens man into his methods, but man will never completely understand God's omnipotent power in creationism. There is a call to trust in what God tells us and to trust that this is all we need to know. Evolution, however, works hard at trying to explain the unexplainable, in an attempt to say that man can and does have the power and knowledge of a god. The first act of disobedience was an act wrapped in this very desire, to know, to understand all that exists. When Eve was tempted to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, she was seeking to know more than her Creator desired for her to know; a complete act of distrust. To find out more about what the Bible has to say about creation, evolution or false teachings, visit our Bible resources.

As Satan counterfeits every thing of God, even setting himself up as the Messiah, evolution counterfeits every truth about creationism. Evolution teaches that land was formed before the oceans, and Genesis 1:2 teaches that the earth was without form and that the Spirit of God moved above the waters. Evolution teaches that man and plant life have evolved while the Bible explains that the man, earth, and all its inhabitants were created and the process was completed on the sixth day. Evolution teaches that the world moved from a organic form and develops into a progressed society. Evidence of creation proves that the world is actually going in the opposite direction, being first created perfect but in a continuous and progressive state of destruction and decay because of sinful man. And, evolution teaches that man evolved from an animal. The scriptures address this issue, even before Darwin's theory was published, before Charles Darwin was even born. "But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes and another of birds" (1 Corinthians 15:38-39). Clearly knowing what man would believe, God finds it wise to explain that He alone created the species and He created them separately.

There have been natural disasters throughout the years, such as the eruption of Mount St. Helens, that have given scientists the opportunity to study natural elements and how catastrophes can effect the earth. Many new and interesting facts have been recorded and all point to evidence of creation, dispelling the old methods used for aging the earth. Scientists have discovered that layers of earth can now be formed within days, with hot volcanic lava flows. Creationism can further be supported by proof that a one time catastrophic flood covered the earth. With the advancements of modern technology, many reports and findings are now accessible to the average interested person through the Internet. The curious and the confused should spend time looking into the latest research that has been approved by credible resources.

And, of course, the Bible can be the ultimate resource for discovering the truths about how this world came in to being and for what purpose. God created the heavens and the earth with specific purposes in mind, and it is truly the wish of every living soul to discover that purpose. Take time researching Scripture to clear up questions that the theory of evolution has posed to modern man. Start by testing your knowledge of what the Bible truly has to say about the evidence of creation and take the quiz linked above.

For more information: http://www.christianet.com/bibleverses

Bible Study On Tithing

For those interested in getting together a Bible study on tithing, this topic most likely will be met with somewhat of a stoic response from participants. Giving has never been a subject well received by many church goers, especially those who have had bad experiences in the past from churches that pound the subject into attendee's heads. Therefore when preparing to bring forth this subject, be sure to present it in as positive a way as possible, emphasizing that God is pleased with a cheerful giver, no matter how much the giver decides to give. Exploring the issues of why Christians should tithe, how much they should tithe, and blessings bestowed because of faithfulness to tithing are helpful to the new Christian as well as the old. Let's explore some instances of tithing in the New Testament to get a broad overview.

This subject of tithing in the New Testament is found in two books, primarily Mark chapter 12 and in Luke chapter 21. These passages describe the widow and her sacrificial giving of the last bit of money she had. Jesus contrasted her small gift against the sizeable gifts presented by the rich when they brought alms into the temple. Comparatively speaking, the gifts of the rich were a smaller percentage of what they had than that of the widow; for she gave everything she had left, financially speaking. Therefore, she is viewed as having the greater gift or sacrifice. While Jesus does not go on to elaborate further on the widow, one can read into the story that giving is to be sacrificial, and when it is, the gift is considered greater. When one gives all, there is not a greater sacrifice. Perhaps this even parallels Jesus' sacrificial gift of His life, and certainly paints a very positive picture for the Christian, because His gift was redemptive. Perhaps the widow was also redeemed in some way by her sacrificial gift, though not spiritually. Jesus was certainly pleased with the widow and her gift, and there sermons emphasize that in this way, God is pleased with a cheerful giver.

Leading a Bible study on tithing can be a great opportunity to examine as well, Old Testament and even Jewish beliefs about tithing which isn't often the focus in Christian circles. Some may ask how tithing got started at all. Looking back into the Old Testament, you can find a verse in Genesis, chapter 14 verse 20 where Abram blesses God and gives the high priest tithes of all he has. "And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all". Also, mentions of tithing are found in the book of Numbers chapter 18, as a part of the law given through Moses. It appears that the purpose of the tithes were to support the Levitical priests as they served in the temple.

This explains why Abram contributed his tithes to Melchizedek in the temple.Giving in the New Testament, as seen in the story of the widow, takes more of a voluntary bent than what we see in the Old Testament. One gives out of love in the case of the widow, and one gives out of command in the Old Testament. A careful study of these themes by contrasting stories in the Old and New Testaments will bear out legalistic emphases in the stories for Old Testament, forgiveness, and love in the New Testament. Since it seems giving was voluntary in Jesus' time, when did the 10% viewpoint come to bear? Upon a careful Bible study on tithing, paying attention to later church documents reveals that the Council of Trent made giving mandatory for Catholics. Since governments had a heavy influence from the church, it was in their interest to create revenue, and giving through the church was their avenue to do so. In Roman days, our Bible study on tithing reveals that Joseph even propounded that gifts should be as much as 30%! Surely the Romans exacted heavy burdens on everyone - perhaps this is why Josephus suggested this amount, to find favor with the Roman elites of which he mingled. After all, he was a major historian of the time.

Obviously tithing in the New Testament is important, or Jesus would not have told the story. The subject may get readers to examine the heart's intent when it comes to earthly and material possessions. Jesus' story of the rich man who couldn't part with his belongings and prayed that others in his family would not end up in Hell, illustrates that hoarding possessions does not produce sacrificial love, but rather a hardness of heart. Therefore the subject of tithing in the New Testament is mentioned in a gentle way, Jesus giving credence to the widow's actions as the better way to give of one's possessions. The rich demonstrate their opulence and make loud proclamations about how much they give. By contrast, the widow silently crept up and gave what she had. This most likely was not out of shame, but was an act of humility. This further cements the idea that riches will work to eradicate humility and sacrifice in the life of those who have much.

So, leading a study on giving does not necessarily have to be punitive, dry and boring. The group can discuss how the act can create in believers a genuine love of giving, as it creates in the Christian the fruits of humility and sacrifice. What better positive outcomes can emerge from the subject than these!

For more information: http://www.christianet.com/biblestudy

Old Testament Prophets

A list of prophets in the Bible would be a long one that included both men who spoke for God and those who were false. The Old Testament prophets who wrote books are listed in the table of contents beginning with Isaiah and ending with Malachi. Only one book in the New Testament is classified as prophecy, the book of Revelation written by the apostle John during his exile on the island of Patmos in 96 A.D. The Prophecy section of the Old Testament is divided into two subsections: the major and minor prophets. These designations refers to the size of the texts, not to their importance or validity. The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations (which was written by Jeremiah), Ezekiel, and Daniel are considered the major prophets. The remaining ones are the minor prophets, namely: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. These were not the only ones, though. Many others spoke the Word of God, as directed by God, and their accounts are in the Scriptures.

How did the people know which prophets came from God and which ones were false? "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD; if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him" (Deuteronomy 18:22). A notable false prophet is Balaam who was rebuked by a donkey. As recounted in the book of Numbers, Balaam angered God by going with messengers from the Moabite king. This ruler feared the multitude of Israelites camping along the Moabite borders and wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balaam didn't see the angel of the Lord blocking the path, but the donkey did. When she tried to get away, Balaam beat her. "And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?" (Numbers 22:28). Balaam confessed the sin he committed and "he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments" (Numbers 23:1b). Instead he blessed Israel -- much to the Moabite king's horror. It's worth noting that Balaam's habit was to seek "enchantments" rather than God's will.

The list of prophets in the Bible, that is, in the table of contents, begins with Isaiah. In about 931 B.C., Solomon's sons, Jereboam and Rehoboam, fought over the throne. The northern kingdom of Israel separated from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. These two became the southern kingdom. Jereboam I was the first king of the northern kingdom and Rehoboam was the first king of the southern kingdom. Like several of the other Old Testament prophets, Isaiah foretold the coming of the Messiah. He prophesied from about 740 B.C. until around 686 B.C., during the reigns of the kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. These men ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah for about one hundred years, from about 786 B.C. to 686 B.C.

Known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah ministered from approximately 627 B.C. to 580 B.C. His ministry began during the reign of the boy-king, Josiah, who rid the kingdom of the false gods polluting the land. Known for godly devotion, Josiah is remembered as a great king. After Josiah's death, the southern kingdom was conquered by Egypt. One of Josiah's sons became a puppet king and the brief time of spiritual well-being came to an end. The book of Lamentations, which scholars believe Jeremiah wrote, is a collection of poems that lament the conquest of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. At this time, almost all the people of Judah were taken to Babylon and the period of exile began.

Among the minor Old Testament prophets, Jonah is perhaps the best-known. Told by God to preach to the people of Ninevah, Jonah ran in the other direction. His ship was threatened by a horrific storm and Jonah insisted that the sailors throw him overboard to save themselves. The storm ended and Jonah spent the next three days in the belly of a big fish prepared by God. When Jonah was spit up on land, he went to Ninevah and the people repented of their sins. Instead of being happy about the results of God's message, Jonah pouted and had to learn a lesson in mercy. These events most likely took place during King Jereboam II's reign over the northern kingdom (793-753 B.C.).

The table of content's list of prophets in the Bible ends with Malachi, who prophesied during the postexilic period. At this time (circa 444 B.C.), Ezra and Nehemiah returned to rebuild Jerusalem. Malachi encouraged the people who were intent on restoring their spiritual commitment to God and to obeying His laws. The order of the minor prophets in the table of contents is not a chronological list, though it is close. The chronological list of the minor prophets follows: Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. After Malachi, God is silent for about four hundred years, but Malachi is not the last of the Old Testament prophets. In His perfect timing, God sent the last prophet of the old covenant, John the Baptist, to pave the way for the coming of the Messiah. The gospel writers tell about John the Baptist's ministry in the beginning of the first century A.D. and how King Herod imprisoned and beheaded him.

A comprehensive list of prophets in the Bible includes not only those listed above, but also Moses, the revered Samuel who anointed both Saul and David as kings, the brave Nathan who confronted David when he sinned with Bathsheba, and Elijah and Elisha whose lives were often endangered by the evil King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel. The Old Testament prophets include women such as Moses' sister Miriam and the judge Deborah who fought with Barak against Israel's enemies.

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Bible Studies On Loving God

Bible studies on loving God are a great way to create a close and personal relationship with The Almighty. It is very important, as a Christian, to develop an open and pure relationship with Our Heavenly Father. Getting involved with a Bible study on the Holy Spirit can deepen the personal relationship even more. Going to the Word of God is a very important part of becoming a Christian and strengthening faith in the Almighty. By taking part in these studies, a person can enrich his or her life by learning about and growing in faith. Developing faith can also be done through a Class of this kind. Being a Christian is an important part of life, but more importantly, is the personal walk with God that can be reached through learning, talking, studying, and thinking about who God is, what he has provided, how he works, and many other exciting issues that can be found through learning the scriptures in the bible. Click the link for a great Bible class resource.

Finding Scripture studies on loving the Father may be as easy as attending the church where the individual is a member. If the individual's church does not have these studies or does not stress the importance of having a loving relationship with the divine, it is possible to find different studies in other churches around the area. If taking part in Bible study on the Holy Spirit is something that is very important to an individual and cannot be found locally, there is always a way to create Scripture studies on loving God that will explore how to love God through a private class. An individual can invite friends, fellow church members, family, or other people to take part in a Bible class that will explore a relationship with the Father. This is a great way to become involved with others while taking part in fellowship and worship with God. Taking Scripture class on such a personal and private level can bring much greater rewards and reflection than larger class groups like those that might be found at a church. There is also the opportunity to become more comfortable, open, and honest about God and how he can be worshipped and loved from anywhere, no matter the circumstance or surroundings. Having private Bible studies on loving God can offer a deep understanding of how to love Him and how to be faithful to Him, even when the church doors are not open.

Seeking to learn more about the third person of the Trinity may be a great reason to begin a Bible course. The Holy Spirit has been sent to Earth as a comforter, to be with us until the return of the Lord. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26). As a bible study on the holy spirit suggests, the Holy Spirit has come to be with us and teach us about the things that are of God, in order to draw us to the Father. Beginning a Bible study, especially a very personal search, can allow individuals to explore the divine and what can be learned through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is very important because it is through that entity that individuals can develop faith and love for holiness. The Holy Spirit is basically an Earthly connection that individuals have to the Heavenly Father. Bible studies on loving God can increase the individual's ability to experience the Almighty on a very personal and spiritual level. Using Bible studies on loving God can greatly increase an individual's ability to know, love, and experience the spiritual. Understanding and searching the ways of the Almighty is an important part of knowing how to experience a personal and loving relationship with the Heavenly Father. Also, a Bible study on the Holy Spirit can help attain a more personal and loving relationship with the Almighty. It is through the Holy Spirit that individuals can seek to learn and explore our Heavenly Father on a much deeper and more spiritual level.

Also, developing, building, and maintaining a strong faith can be done through these Scripture studies. Part of showing love and respect for Him begins with being faithful and true to Him. By taking part in a personal class of faith and love, an individual can develop a much better sense of how to worship and fellowship with the Father. A Scripture class on the Holy Spirit will also allow an individual to experience personal growth in knowledge and understanding of the Divine for the Christian life. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)

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Born Again Christian

After one has become a born again Christian they have entered into a close communion with the Lord. Many times new believers will not know what to do after the act of accepting Christ, especially if lacking in fellowship with other believers. Therefore, in order for babes in Christ to grow in a relationship with their Saviour, guidance is required to teach, encourage, and inform those new to the faith about what to expect. Christianity is not based on an individual's performance like many religions, but rather based on one's personal relationship and communion with the Lord.

First and foremost, young believers need to realize that even though they have been forgiven and have assurance of an eternal home in heaven, life on this earth will, on occasion, be difficult. The world scoffs at a born again Christian. The Lord cautions that life will not be easy, but rather the contrary. Topmost amongst tips for new Christians is to expect resistance from non-believers, and in some cases verbal or physical persecution. Within churches and groups of believers it is typical to hear a life of faith described as one of mountains and valleys, or spiritual highs followed by times of discouragement. Satan does what he can to discourage and dissuade all believers, especially new Christians as young believers are not yet strong of faith or accustomed to 'hearing' from God.

For one to grow in a relationship with Christ, communication with Him is necessary and can be accomplished through Bible reading and prayer on a regular basis. A born again Christian stepping out into a new life of faith should acquire their own copy of the Bible as soon as possible and prayerfully begin reading the inspired words. These are valuable tips for new Christians as becoming familiar with the Word of God is vital for spiritual growth since the Lord speaks through the Scriptures. Young believers might not know how to pray, or even wonder if God will take the time to hear individual praises and petitions. Prayer does not have to be difficult as talking to God is as simple as talking to another person. Patterned prayers can be helpful for new believers to become accustomed, but should by no means become habitual. In God's Word people are challenged to pray without ceasing, meaning pray throughout the day, whether petitioning for someone's soul, or sending up a word of thanks for a stranger's smile.

In addition to regular prayer and Bible reading, one of the tips for new Christians is to find and take part in a local church. Fellowship with other believers of like faith is necessary and not to be forsaken. New believers must realize that the value of a church resides in the people, not the structure of a building. Therefore, when seeking out a church to attend, new Christians must not only keep an open mind, but be discerning enough to find fellowship with others who are sincere and take part in worship that glorifies God. There are so many types of churches that a young believer might think that finding one that fits to be a daunting undertaking. However, a tip for new Christians is to find out what is the best type for them by visiting several and talking with the pastor or pastors and the people who attend, in order to find out where the church's heart lies. A new believer must be sensitive to God's guidance and understand that finding the right place of worship might not come immediately, but not to become discouraged; the Lord leads people to where He wants them.

A new child of Christ has embarked on a faith based journey with the destination being closer communion with the Lord. This can be hard for born again Christians as trusting God with one's soul, life, and giving everything over to Him requires dying to selfish wants and ambitions daily. Christ told the disciples that giving up everything, paying no heed to earthly treasures or social status was and is necessary to follow Him. Giving one's heart over to Christ can be one of the most difficult concepts as it involves giving over control, but among the tips for new Christians is that God will bless the giving up of control which ultimately leads to the strengthening of faith.

Taking a course in Bible study can be an excellent investment for new Christians as doing so aids in the reading of the Scriptures and how to listen for God's voice. For this reason small group Bible study, in addition to personal study and worship services are important as they provide an environment for babes in Christ to be nurtured by seasoned believers. Desire for God's Word and a discerning mind will grow; desire needs to be cultivated, discerning minds developed and shaped over time and through experiences.

God will never leave or forsake those who come to Him; a fact born again Christians must keep in mind. A child of Christ has been sought out, and in the same way He wants those who come to Him to do so with a searching heart and mind, " And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). The Lord knows, one could even say expects, that despite being forgiven, believers will continually turn from and disappoint Him. While it is important to serve the Lord with one's whole heart, mind and life, He remembers that humans are as dust. A born again Christian should know that Christ exists outside of time and therefore knows how many times His followers will turn from Him. The Lord is merciful, and is always ready to forgive those who ask forgiveness. God forgives those who are truly repentant and desires, in fact longs for, the attention of His children and is willing and wants to bestow blessings on those who ask with the right intentions.

For more information: http://www.christianet.com/bibleverses

New Testament Commentary

The twenty-seven books of the New Testament cover the historical events that occurred prior to Jesus' birth until the apostle John experienced the vision recorded in Revelation in 96 A.D. A New Testament commentary is a book or set of books that provides pertinent information on these Scriptures. Depending on the comprehensiveness and purpose of the commentary, this may range from a brief overview of each particular book to a verse-by-verse explanation of the text based on the oldest available manuscripts.

A basic understanding of the books of the New Testament is needed before delving into one of the numerous commentaries that are available on the market, both as hard copy and on the internet. Most scholars divide the New Testament into four or five sections. The four Gospels, a word that simply means "good news," are the eyewitness accounts of Jesus' ministry and miracles, and His death, resurrection, and ascension. Matthew, the taxpayer, and John, a fisherman, were both apostles who traveled with Jesus during the three-year ministry. This John is not John the Baptist, who was beheaded by King Herod, but the brother of James and the son of Zebedee. Though Mark was not an apostle, many scholars believe he was in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested. He later traveled with his cousin Barnabas on mission journeys. The fourth Gospel writer, the physician Luke, also wrote the only book in the History section, the Acts of the Apostles. It tells how the church spread from Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

The third section is the Epistles. Some scholars separate this into two sections: the Pauline Epistles, or the letters written by the apostle Paul, and the Epistles written by others. The latter includes the two letters written by the apostle Peter, the three letters written by the apostle John, and the two letters written by Jesus' half-brothers, James and Jude. The authorship of Hebrews is not known, though many believe the writer to be Paul, Luke, or Barnabas. The final section, Prophecy, is the book of Revelation which, as mentioned above, was written by the apostle John.

Even a concise New Testament commentary should provide information on the authorship and historical setting for each work, as well as the date of its events, the date it was written, its major themes, and what applications Christians can make to their own lives based on the writings. The more comprehensive the commentary the more historical background and theological and devotional insight inside its pages. Some commentaries, written for preachers and serious students, examine each verse as it was written in the original Greek language, known as koine (or common) Greek. The meanings and the nuances of the Greek words are explored and explained. This type of scholarship, which may take up several volumes, can be difficult for the layperson to understand. Those who want to learn more about the books of the New Testament for their own personal growth or as part of a small group can find numerous well-written studies. These will not be as in-depth, but will focus instead on the major themes and events of the individual books.

Some commentaries focus on particular sections. Gospel commentaries, for example, may be presented as a harmony. This means that the gospel accounts are presented in a chronological order. Passages from the different gospels that describe the same events are compared and contrasted to each other. Scholars label the gospels written by Matthew, Mark, and Luke as the Synoptic Gospels because of their many similarities. John's gospel is unique in that it starts, not with the birth of the Christ, but with His pre-existence. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1-2). In addition, John only tells about seven of Jesus' miracles. These seem to have been specifically chosen by the young apostle as proofs that Jesus is the Son of God.

A commentary on Acts focuses on the growth of the early church. Peter delivers his famous sermon on the Day of Pentecost which marks the beginning of the church. Later, he visits the Roman centurion Cornelius who became the first Gentile (non-Jewish) convert to Christianity. Luke introduces the zealous scholar Saul of Tarsus who stood by while Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death. After a blinding conversion experience when traveling to Damascus to persecute other Christians, Saul devoted himself to taking the gospel message throughout the region. He changed his name to Paul and eventually was imprisoned in Rome because of the teachings he proclaimed. A few of Paul's epistles were written while he was in prison.

Twenty-one books of the New Testament are epistles, or letters, written to newly-established churches and to individuals. The correspondence to the churches presents spiritual and theological teachings and also addresses specific issues and concerns. Paul's letter to Philemon encourages him to accept his runaway slave as a brother in Christ. He writes to Timothy and Titus to encourage them in their spiritual growth and their ministries. The most controversial New Testament commentary no doubt tackles the prophecies found in Revelation. Scholars differ widely on their interpretations of John's vision. Though challenging, studying Revelation can also be spiritually rewarding.

The oldest commentaries are now in public domain which means that any copyright protection has expired. These can be found on various internet websites. One of these is the Geneva Study Bible written in 1599-1560. Used by the Pilgrims, this work was popular because of the marginal notes added by notable Reformation scholars such as Calvin and Knox. Another classic that remains popular is Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible that dates from the early 1700s. Whatever books of the New Testament people want to study, a New Testament commentary is available that will aid in their knowledge and understanding.

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Books Of The Old Testament

Books Of The Old Testament (OT) contain the information that God wanted readers to know about the beginning of the Creation, the fall of man, the flood, the law, historical accounts, poetical accounts, and major and minor prophecy. The two main parts of the Christian Biblical canon are the Old and the New Testaments. The list of Old Testament books contain some timeless truths that can be applied in modern times. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:1-3). "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

The Old Testament contains 39 books total and Genesis is the very first record covering the creation, the fall of man, the Flood, and how the nations were started. Abraham and Joseph are main characters in the book of Genesis and both show faith in action as they believe God. Genesis also contains the record of the enslavement of the Children of Israel in Egypt. The books of the Old Testament provide very vital illustrations of how God works through people to accomplish His will. After Genesis are Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These are all considered the Pentateuch or Law. Exodus contains the enactments of Moses and how he was instrumental in bringing the Israelites out of bondage. The Passover, the parting of the Red Sea, and the 10 Commandments are all contained in Exodus. Leviticus contains accounts of the priesthood and instruction. Numbers has enactments of false idol worship, punishment, and the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Finally, Deuteronomy is the account of the ceremonial, civil, and social laws set forth for the Israelites.

The historical account of God's people contains 12 books. These include Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First and Second Samuel, First and Second Kings, First and Second Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. This list of Old Testament books is about Joshua, the time of the Judges, Prophets, the Kings, history of Judah, and Israel's restoration. These stories contain real events that happened to real people. People who loved the Lord and desired to serve Him. Some were successful in remaining faithful to God while others gave in to their earthly desires and found that they had much trouble in their life. For God told the Israelites that if they were obedient to His word and put Him first, their lives would be blessed. However, they were also told that they would be punished and suffer consequences when disobedient.

Some books of the OT were beautifully written. These are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon and are considered the poetical accounts. The account of Job shows the illustration of how one man who was considered righteous suffered at the hand of Satan. Without the book of Job, Christians might not get that Satan has to ask for permission before he can touch God's children. The books of the Old Testament provide life application to those contained in its pages. This helps Christians today to learn by seeing the mistakes that others have made when making wrong choices. Psalms is one of the most favorite books of the Bible because of the poetic writings and encouraging scriptures. Proverbs is known as the account of wisdom. Ecclesiastes talks about the futility of man and Song of Solomon is a love story.

The next 17 accounts are prophetical. Five of these are written by major Prophets and 12 are written by minor Prophets. The first five are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. These show how God works through his Prophets to reach the people, guide them, and to bless them. This list of Old Testament books contains prophecies of future events. Isaiah is largely a look at the sin of Judah and God's judgment. Jeremiah prophecies about judgment to Judah and the establishing of a new covenant. Lamentations is 5 poems about the defeat and fall of Jerusalem and Ezekiel ministered to the Jews who were in captivity in Babylon. Daniel had visions of the future and could interpret dreams. He was faithful to God and God delivered him from the lions den.

The 12 books of the minor prophets contain many accounts of future prophecy concerning Israel and the Gentiles. Some pertaining to end time events and others that happened while they were alive. The list of Old Testament books that are minor prophets include Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Each one of these accounts show God's love for people and how he forgives and blesses them if they repent and turn to Him. Many of these accounts contain judgments because of disobedience, spiritual adultery, moral decay, apostasy, and how many were complacent when it came to obedience to God.

The most important message of the OT is the prophecies that portray the coming of the Messiah to save the people from their sins. Jesus did come and the New Testament tells the account of His ministry and how he does save those who are lost. The work that Jesus did on the cross, dying for sin, and rising from the dead is the fulfillment of the books of the Old Testament and good news for everyone who believes in Him. The word spoken of in the OT was Jesus who was with God in the beginning, who came to earth and walked among men and then gave His life to save them.

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Short Bible Devotions

With so many short Bible devotions available to the consumer, just about anyone can find the perfect book to fit his or her needs. Browsing through the available selections, one can find devotional books geared to a variety of different markets. These may be divided by hobbies, professions, sports activities, relationships, or by age group. Bible devotions for children, for new moms, for runners and walkers, for married couples and those who are single -- all these and more fill the bookstore shelves and publishers' catalogs.

Many different studies focus on specific Biblical events, characters, doctrines, or themes. For example, short Bible devotions can be found for those struggling with the difficulties of infertility, the aftermath of divorce, and the empty nest. Others celebrate the joys of high school or college graduation, marriage, and becoming a new parent or grandparent. For those seeking deeper Biblical knowledge, studies are available based on such topics as the lessons that can be learned from Old Testament heroes (or villains) or the women who are named in the Bible. From the lives, mistakes, choices, and good deeds of these people, readers can gain a deeper understanding of how to respond to the good and bad times they are experiencing while seeking spiritual growth. They also learn, in an entertaining way, that it was king Saul who visited the witch of Endor and Balaam who was rebuked by a donkey.

Perhaps the most well-known and popular of the short Bible devotions is Oswald Chambers' classic, My Utmost for His Highest. First published in 1927, the devotions, one for each day of the year, are based on the notes Biddy Chambers, Oswald's wife, took of his lectures. Chambers' insights on numerous topics may be brief, but they are not mere fluff. His readers definitely will find themselves digging deep into God's Word and into their own hearts as they ponder the truths found in Chambers' writings. This is such a powerful book that readers often start over at the end of the year and read it again. The classic has proved so beneficial over the years that it has been translated into thirty-six languages.

People read short Bible devotions for a variety of reasons, but primarily to develop a close spiritual relationship with God. They embrace the psalmist's reason for study: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11). Such books may either begin or end each day's selection with a Scripture passage and includes the author's thoughts both on the Scripture and on the book's theme. The selected Scripture should be carefully selected by the author so that the passage and the author's comments support and enhance each other. Popular works are formatted in different ways. Some include a devotion for each day of the month; others include a devotion for each day of the year. Still others may not be limited to a specific period of time, but have the number of devotions required by the author's publisher. (This relates to the printing costs of varying number of pages.)

Couples, friends, and family members may choose to go through a devotional book together. The goal of these groups is to increase their relationship with God and with each other. Two or three people may get together to hold each other accountable for a specific issue the group is facing. Parents often choose Bible devotions for children so that the entire family can benefit from studying together. By establishing this practice when the children are young, the parents are helping them establish good habits for Bible reading and study. Devotions that are geared to the child's age will be written in a vocabulary that the child can understand. The parents can use the stories as teaching tools to instill positive characteristics into their family dynamics.

With the technology available today, Bible devotions aren't limited to books. Savvy internet users can log in to a multitude of websites to read devotional thoughts by famous preachers such as Charles Spurgeon. Those interested in online studies can sign up to have devotions from a selected source delivered to their email address. There is even a website that delivers Bible devotions for children in an audio format. Boys and girls can listen to Bible stories that teach an important truth from God's Word.

An important aspect of any good devotional, whether found in a book, on a website, in an email, or heard through the computer's speakers, is the takeaway. This is the moral truth or lesson that a person can apply to his or her own life. The skillful writer, whether of a book or an audio script, presents the takeaway in a subtle manner so that the reader doesn't feel preached at or pounded upon by a self-righteous know-it-all. The intent is not to tear people down, but to offer God's compassion and present His teaching on the particular topic.

No matter what a person's interests, hobbies, or activities, his profession or marital status, her deepest concerns or aching difficulty, there are certainly short Bible devotions to meet the reader's need. For parents, Bible devotions for children are available in a variety of formats to help the child develop the habit of studying God's Word and improve her knowledge of Biblical events. By doing devotions together, family members and friends grow closer to God and to one another in their spiritual walk.

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Gifts of the Spirit

The gifts of the Spirit, both those of service and of signs, have been given to individuals on Earth to assist God in furthering his Kingdom by benefiting other people in order to draw them to God. The Bible proceeds to explain these spiritual talents in 1 Corinthians, chapter 12. There are basically two very different categories that work together to draw others to Jesus. The first spiritual category of talents are sometimes called service gifts. It is by these special talents that other individuals can learn and grow in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. These service gifts include wisdom, knowledge, and faith. The other category of offices is much harder to understand at times. These are the sign gifts, which include healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. The use of these talents is very important in helping people come to know God as a savior and redeemer.

The spiritual talents that are in the service category are very important because they are the backbone of Christianity today. Without these, and all the talents given by God, people would not have the ability to seek and know a savior. Wisdom is the first, and perhaps, most important one that can be achieved. While it may be hard for an individual to discern between that gift and knowledge, the Bible seems to paint a clear picture. Wisdom appears throughout the Bible and is something that is stressed to be one of, if not, the most important attribute that an person can achieve - knowing and understanding the will of God. This can mean Gods will for the individuals life, or the lives of many around them. Knowledge, the ability to learn and understand many things, is very important. This is what many people must have in order to teach others about God, the understanding of the Bible, or Gods Word. As a person delves into the Bible and uses his or her talent of knowledge, the person is able to teach others about the Word of God and what it means today. The final service gift, faith, is important because it is the only way that anyone can be saved. While everyone that is a Christian has faith, the actual talent of faith, listed as one of the gifts of the Spirit, is the ability for a Christian to rely heavily on God. With faith, the person has great confidence in God, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit, allowing the person to be strong and unwavering. Test your Biblical knowledge with these other Bible resources.

The category of the offices of the spirit that are considered to be the sign gifts are also very important for the Christian to understand. These are often used to show individuals the miraculous works of God that are still present in the world today, centuries after Jesus walked the Earth. Healing is self explanatory. A Christian with the talent of healing can provide restoration to both physical and emotional health of other people. Miracles, much like healing, are used to physically exhibit the Spirit of God. While not as evident in today's society, there are occasions in which miracles are simply the only answer to an occurrence. Prophecy is one of the offices that many individuals use to foretell future events. It is the knowledge of future events that have been shown to the individual through the Spirit. Discernment is the gift of the Spirit that allows an person to know the difference between something being of God or of Satan and use their wisdom to explain this revealed fact to others. This is one of the gifts of the Spirit that is more difficult to understand because it is not quite as evident or as widely used as many of the other gifts, especially in churches today. Tongues is the ability of the person to pray to God or praise God in a language that was previously unknown to the individual. This talent is used as a sign to unbelievers that God is the true God and the only God. Interpretation of tongues is to be used simultaneously as that of tongues. In churches or meetings where the Spirit of God is present, a person may speak in tongues for the entire group. That same person or another is to have the ability to provide the meaning of what was said. This is a way for God to show Himself to those who may not believe in Him.

While difficult to understand, all the talents serve a purpose in furthering the Kingdom of God. These offices of the spirit are often a way to teach and show individuals who God is and what He can do. The first important set of the gifts of the Spirit are often considered to be the service gifts. They are to be used to teach others how to understand, follow, and live for God, including wisdom, knowledge, and faith. The second group of offices of the Spirit are considered to be the sign gifts. These are gifts that are available to show God to people who may not believe in the existence of God. They include healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. All talents, both service and sign, play a very important role in Christianity and the exploration of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31).

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Healing Scriptures

Hurting hearts and aching bodies need inspirational Bible Scriptures to find relief from spiritual, emotional, and physical pains. People look for healing Scriptures from the Bible because God's Word is a well-known resource for providing a soothing balm to those who trust its truths. But the power of the Bible isn't just for the difficult and tragic events of life. Within its pages, there are powerful expressions of hope, joy, and celebration. Wherever someone finds herself on the spectrum that encompasses life's daily struggles to life's daily joys, she can find passages that address her attitudes and thinking. The many books that make up the Bible are, of course, God's ordained Word. So it should not be surprising that each individual book is also great literature that has earned its place among the classics.

The poetry books of the Old Testament are a popular place to look for uplifting inspirational Bible Scriptures. These include the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon (more popularly known as the Song of Songs). The account of Job's unrelenting sorrow and pain provides a fascinating glimpse into the spiritual events that were occurring beyond and behind what was happening to this man who "feared God and eschewed evil" (Job 1:1b). In one horrific stroke, Job's children were killed, his wealth was stolen, and his physical health was destroyed. While experiencing all this sorrow and pain, Job didn't know what the readers of the story know -- that Job was the centerpiece of what might be called a spiritual wager between God and Satan. Throughout Job's ordeal, which included spiritual, emotional, and physical pain, this hurting man was steadfast in staying devoted to God. Job's wife and the three so-called friends insisted Job must be guilty of a horrible sin to have all these tragedies come upon him. But Job rejected their arguments: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him" (Job 13:15). The attitude of this godly man, who trusted in God's justice and power despite tormenting pain, sets an example to others experiencing deep hurts. Just as Job didn't know what was going on behind the scenes, neither do we. But we can trust that God knows and is in control.

The inspirational Bible Scriptures of Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes contain numerous healing Scriptures from the Bible that comfort during hard times and rejoice during the good times. Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, describes the ruler's search for meaning through knowledge, wealth, and accomplishments. The king wisely concludes that meaning comes through God alone. Tradition says that Solomon also wrote many of the Proverbs and the Song of Solomon. The latter is a beautiful expression of marital love. The largest book, Psalms, is a collection of hymns and praises written by King David, a man named Asaph, and others. Because of the depth of its themes, Psalms is a popular book for anyone seeking comfort, hope, or a way to express praise and joy.

Perhaps most of the healing Scriptures from the Bible are found in the four New Testament Gospels. These books tell of the good news of Jesus' prophecy-fulfilling birth, three-year ministry, cruel death, and miraculous resurrection. They were written by two of the apostles, Matthew and John; Mark who was a friend of the apostle Peter, and Luke, a physician. Through these written accounts, the ministry of Jesus and the many healing miracles he performed are preserved. The apostle John wrote that the world could not hold all the books that would have to be written to tell of all the miracles that Jesus did (cf. John 21:25). John himself chose to tell only about seven and, of these, three involved physical healing. One of the more significant miracles was restoring the sight of a man born blind as told in John 9. The apostles assumed the beggar was born blind because either the man or his parents had sinned. Jesus rejected this thinking. The beggar's blindness gave an opportunity for God to be glorified when Jesus restored the man's sight. As in the account of Job, an unseen spiritual significance was behind human tragedy.

Miracles that heal physical ailments are a tremendous testimony to the deity of Jesus. But more important than these messianic deeds are Jesus' healing of spiritual ailments. When the apostles told Thomas that they had seen the risen Lord, he refused to believe them. Not long afterwards, Jesus appeared to Thomas and his doubting turned to belief. After Peter denied knowing Jesus three times on the night before the crucifixion, the fisherman suffered spiritual sickness. In a post-Resurrection appearance on the shore of Galilee, Jesus walked with Peter. During their conversation, Peter affirmed that he loved his Lord three times. This was the fisherman's spiritual healing and reconciliation. In our lives, we will suffer various degrees of physical, emotional, and spiritual illnesses. But through studying the healing Scriptures from the Bible, we realize that we don't know what is going on in the spiritual realm or how our trials will be used to glorify God. Our most important role is to accept the spiritual reconciliation that Jesus offers to us.

Life isn't made up only of sickness and sadness. God blesses with hope, celebrations, and joys. Throughout the pages of His Word are inspirational Bible Scriptures that encourage, motivate, enlighten, and comfort. Favorite verses are memorized and memorialized on bookmarks, plaques, and mugs. They can be imprinted on cards along with relevant photographs or embroidered on pillows and afghans. Sharing one's favorite Scripture passages with others is a meaningful way to share one's faith and give the gifts of healing, comfort, and hope to others.

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