Tag: DidYouKnow

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God has given His children spiritual gifts

Did You Know?

“God has given each of [His children] a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. [We are to] use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT).
As children of God, we all receive at least one spiritual gift. These gifts are given by God so we can use it to minister to each other (and each other’s needs).
Do you know what your spiritual gift(s) are?
Spiritual gifts come in 2 forms – speaking gifts and ministering (or serving) gifts (1 Peter 4:11).
A list of spiritual gifts is provided in Romans 12:6-8. They include:
  • prophecy,
  • ministry/serving,
  • teaching,
  • exhortation/encouragement,
  • giving,
  • leading,
  • showing mercy/kindness
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Ephesians 1:3 NKJV

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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The Lord daily loads us with benefits

Did You Know?

The Lord is our salvation and daily loads us with benefits
(Psalms 68:19)
What are some of these benefits, you may ask? Psalm 103 has a bunch:
  1. He forgives all our sins
  2. He heals all our diseases
  3. He redeems our lives from destruction
  4. He crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies
  5. He satisfies us with good things
  6. He renews our youth (makes us feel young and strong again)
  7. He does not treat (or punish) us as our sins deserve
So when you pray “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3), think about all the benefits God has already promised to provide to us.
Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with  benefits,
The God of our salvation!
Selah
Psalms 68:19 NKJV

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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God is an ever-present help in trouble

Did You Know?

There is a popular song with the lyrics “He may not come when you want Him; But He’ll be there right on time”.
But is that statement actually true? What does the word of God say?
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalms 46:1 NIV)
[God] will not leave you, nor forsake you (Joshua 1:5)
For [God] Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. (Psalms 145:18 NKJV)
But you might ask, what about the time Mary and Martha asked Jesus to come to Bethany because their brother, Lazarus, was sick? (John 11:1-44). Isn’t this an example of God not coming when He was needed/wanted?
Well, 2 things apply to this unique situation. Jesus was in human form and so carried the Holy Spirit within Him, which limited His ability to be in multiple places at once. This is one of the reasons why He said He had to go back to Heaven so He could send the Helper (Holy Spirit) to us directly (John 16:5-11).
Secondly, Jesus intentionally tarried so that God would get the glory and the people would know that God has power even over death (John 11:4-6,40-44). As a result of this miracle, “many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him” (John 11:45).
So be encouraged. God certainly is an on time God. But that’s because He is right there with us no matter what we may face.

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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God is Faithful

Did You Know?

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
I Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
I Corinthians 1:9 NKJV

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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What does the Bible say about Thankfulness?

What does the Bible say about Thankfulness?

A lot actually.
Here are 5 verses to mediate on year round (and not just during Thanksgiving).
1. God’s will is for us to be thankful (in every situation/no matter the circumstances)
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
~1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV
2. Approach God with thankfulness
“Enter into [God’s] gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
~ Psalms 100:4 NKJV
3. Give thanks with your whole heart
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds”
~ Psalms 9:1
4. Give thanks because God is good (all the time)
“Give thanks to the Lord because he is good. His love continues forever.”
~ Psalms 136:1 NCV
5. Pray with thanksgiving (with the confident assurance that God hears our petitions and will respond)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
~ Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 NKJV

Our Prayer For You

Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16 AMP

Did You Know?

We are to do all things without complaining. Why? So that we may prove ourselves to be children of God (Philippians 2:14-15). Instead of complaining, we are to do whatever we do heartily, as unto the Lord and not unto men (Colossians 3:22-24; Ephesians 6:5-8).

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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Why should you live righteously?

Why should you live righteously?

Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.
Matthew 5:6 AMP
I don’t know about you but I want to be blessed (joyful and nourished by God’s goodness). So how do we get to experience this perpetual state of blessing?

By hungering and thirsting for righteousness.

Righteousness indicates a right standing with God. There is nothing we can do ourselves to be righteous in the eyes of God. Our self effort and actions to do good to others, live ethically, etc are not enough. In fact, the bible states that our righteousness is like filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6).
The truth is, the only way to really be in right standing with God is to accept His perfect sacrifice on our behalf, Jesus (Romans 3:21-23).
Jesus is the righteousness of God who freely exchanged His righteousness for our unrighteousness (even while we were yet sinners and enemies of God) – Romans 5:6-8 – so that we could become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus invites us to a life of abundance in Him (Isaiah 55:1-2; John 10:10). Jesus is the bread of life that came from heaven to give life to the world (John 6:33-35). Those who come to Him shall never hunger or thirst again (John 6:35,51-58).
Jesus said we are not to worry (be concerned or consumed with) what we shall eat or drink. Our Heavenly Father already knows we have need for those things. But if we seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, not only will we receive His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 7:7-8) but we will also have all other things added unto us (Matthew 6:31-33).
How do you live righteously? 
It’s simple really. Just seek the righteousness of God (Jesus) and receive the free gift of His righteousness by faith. To learn how to receive this free gift, check out our Salvation page.

Our Prayer For You

[We pray that you be] filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:‬11

Did You Know?

It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him (Hebrews 11:6 NLT).

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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What characterizes religion that is pure and genuine?

What characterizes religion that is pure and accepted by God?

According to James 1:27, religion that God accepts as pure and genuine involves just 2 things.

1. Care for orphans or widows who need help

Jesus said that when He returns, He will reward His righteous servants who fed the hungry, took the stranger in, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and the imprisoned (Matthew 25:31-40).
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.
Proverbs 19:17 NKJV

2. Keep yourself free from the world’s evil influence (and refuse to let the world corrupt you)

The bible tells us not to love the world or the things in it. Because all that is in the world is not of the Father and the world is passing away. If we do love the world, the love of God the Father is not in us. (1 John 2:15-17)

We are also commanded not to conform to (copy the behavior and customs or by shaped by) the world but rather to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2).

What does your religion command? And how does that compare to God’s standard? 
Here’s God’s command to us:
Learn to do right;
Seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
Plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1:17 NIV

Our Prayer For You

[We] pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9‭-‬11 NKJV

Did You Know?

God desires the knowledge of Him more than offerings and sacrifices (Hosea 6:6).

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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How Do You See?

2 Kings 6:8-17 recounts the story of Elisha and his servant being surrounded by the Syrian army. Elisha was a prophet of God and the Syrians were enemies of Israel. The king of Syria sent an army to the city where Elisha lived because he wanted to silence his prophetic gifts. Upon discovering the shocking sight of an army encamped against them, Elisha’s servant asked him “What shall we do?”.

Do not fear

Elisha’s first instruction was not to fear. There is something about letting our fears get the best of us. It causes us to act or respond in ways that do not please God or bring glory to His name.
There are many reasons why we can be at peace and calm in spite of the obstacles and challenges we face on this side of eternity. One reason is because “those who are with us are more than those who are with them (i.e. the enemy)” (v16).
We have to have the proper context!
God has already commanded His angels to protect and defend and guard us in all our ways (Psalm 91:11 AMP). There is a hedge of protection around us constantly and God is always fighting battles on our behalf.

See the situation through spiritual eyes

The next thing Elisha did was pray that God would open his servant’s eyes to see the unseen reality around them (v17). This is the reality that Elisha saw but was hidden from everyone else (including the Syrian army). There was a whole host of heaven ready to intervene on their behalf!
Why is this important and relevant today? There is a spiritual battle constantly taking place around us (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy fights against us with various strategies that all originate in the supernatural realm – marital conflict, financial lack, disease, suicidal thoughts, etc.
However, we too have the host of heaven ready to intervene on our behalf. There are countless examples from the bible of supernatural deliverance when things appeared to be dire. From the parting of the red sea to Daniel in the lion’s den and the 3 Hebrews boys in the fire among others.
It is important that we place more trust and confidence in God and His Word than in what we see. Find scripture references that relate to the situation you are facing and meditate on them day on night. Choose to declare God’s word instead of (and in spite of) what you see. And resist the urge to fear or believe there is no hope.
We live by what we believe, not by what we can see.
2 Corinthians 5:7 NCV

Will you live by what you believe or by what you see?

Our Prayer For You

And [we pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people),
Ephesians 1:18 AMP

Did You Know?

The Apostle Paul exhorted us not to be ignorant of the devil’s schemes and strategies (2 Corinthians 2:11). And we are instructed to put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand in the evil day (Ephesians 6:13).

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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There Is A Time For Everything

Did You Know?

“There is a time for everything:
A time to hug and a time not to hug”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1,5).
I know it may be particularly challenging for many of us not to be able to be in physical contact with others during this pandemic caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Be encouraged. This season will not last forever. We have other seasons to look forward to (See Ecclesiastes 3:1-8):
  • A time to heal
  • A time to build up
  • A time to laugh
  • A time to dance

God knows we need more of these types of seasons in our nation and the world at large.

In the meantime, let’s pray for wisdom on how to navigate this season, for answers to be released in the earth, and for God’s name to be glorified ultimately at the end of it all. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Why can we have this assurance?

Because God has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.