Tag: Faithful

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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 kind of servant are you?

In Matthew 25:14-30, we read the story of the Parable of the Talents. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man who went on a long journey. Before he departed, he called 3 of his servants and entrusted to them his possessions (v14). The text does not specify that he told them what to do with it (and based on the 3rd servants response, which we will see later, we can assume this to be the case). But it is clear that the master intended the servants to work diligently during his absence. And he gave them the resources to do that work.

What does this story tell us about how we are to live and serve?

This story is symbolic of the gifts and talents that God gives us. Truth be told, everything we receive is from God (James 1:17; John 3:27). He gives us the abilities we have (i.e. gifts and talents), the resources we need (e.g. time or money) and has left us to determine what to do with those things (see Deuteronomy 8:18).
The master gave to each servant “according to his ability” (v15). This suggests that the master had previously observed their work habit and ethics in order to determine their abilities. Were they lazy, excuse prone or complained a lot? Or were they diligent and resourceful in getting their work done? Proverbs 20:11 declares that “even a child is known by his deeds” and Jesus said we will be known by the fruit we produce i.e. the way we act (Matthew 7:16).

Option 1: Apply our talents to God's glory.

The one with 5 talents went and traded with what he had received and doubled the money (100% return). The one with 2 also made a 100% return although it is not clear in what capacity he invested the money.

Truth be told, it doesn’t matter. There are myriad ways and industries for us to be creative in applying our gifts and talents. But the goal ought to be 100% return on the gifts God has given us. Anything less is not ideal. Remember, God already knows what we are capable of and has given us gifts accordingly. So we can’t give Him an excuse as to why we weren’t able to be productive with what He has given us.

Option 2: Bury our talents to our own shame.

The last servant dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s talent. This may be a situation where you have a skill but instead of using it, you cover it up for whatever reason (in the case of the servant, he said it was because he feared his master).

Time to check the results.

After a long time, the master returned from his journey and settled accounts with them (v. 19). God will give us ample time to produce a result but He will show up eventually. We should be prepared to settle our accounts with Him at any time.
The reward for being faithful in little is being made ruler over many things (vv. 20-23). Conversely, if you can’t be faithful with the little, who will trust you with much? (Luke 16:10-12)
The “wicked and lazy servant” thought that giving back exactly what he had received was an acceptable result (vv. 24-27). But it is also telling his perspective and his motivation for what he did. He saw his master as a “hard man” and was afraid of him.
How we see God will impact our relationship positively or negatively.
If anyone should have been afraid, it’s the servant who got more talents not the one who got the least. We are considered wicked and lazy if we do not make the best out of the gifts and talents God has given us.
The talent of the 3rd servant was given to the first servant who had proven he would use it wisely (vv. 28-30). And the “unprofitable servant” was cast out of the master’s house.

Did You Know?

Unlike the master in this story, Jesus left specific instructions for His followers before He departed for heaven. We are to make disciples of all nations and teach them to observere all the things that He has commanded us. This is the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

What are you doing with your God given talents?

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’s Word Is …

At BibleStorm, our mission is to use trivia to illuminate hidden truths 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.

 

What is so special about God’s Word, you may ask?

 

Here are 3 key qualities about God’s Word. It is:
  1. Inspired (by the Holy Spirit)
  2. Infallible (and a trustworthy guide to salvation and the life of faith)
  3. Inerrant (i.e. without error or fault)

Note: Bullet points from 2 Timothy 3:15-17

 

God took the time (over multiple millenia) to speak through dozens of prophets, priests, kings, judges, apostles and others to document His words. The result is 66 distinct books across Old and New Testaments, 1189 chapters, and over 31,000 verses.

 

But why is God’s Word so important to you and I?

 

“[So] that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:17 NIV)

 

Here are 20+ additional virtues of God’s Word.
  1. God’s Word is tested, proven, flawless and true (Psalms 18:30)
  2. God’s Word is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12)
  3. God’s Word makes you wise (2 Timothy 3:15)
  4. God’s Word prepares and equips (2 Timothy 3:17)
  5. God’s Word does not fail (1 Kings 8:56)
  6. God’s Word endures forever (1 Peter 1:25)
  7. God’s Word nurtures and develops us (1 Peter 2:2)
  8. God’s Word builds us up (Acts 20:32)
  9. God’s Word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8)
  10. God’s Word cannot be stopped (Isaiah 55:11)
  11. God’s Word makes us prosperous (Joshua 1:8)
  12. God’s Word prolongs life and brings peace and prosperity (Proverbs 3:1-2)
  13. God’s Word are life and health to our bodies (Proverbs 4:22)
  14. God’s Word is rewarding (Proverbs 13:13)
  15. God’s Word preserves our lives (Psalms 119:37)
  16. God’s Word is faithful and trustworthy (Psalms 119:86)
  17. God’s Word is settled and unchangeable (Psalms 119:89)
  18. God’s Word is a guide and a light (Psalms 119:105)
  19. God’s Word gives understanding (Psalms 119:130)
  20. God’s Word is eternal (Psalms 119:160)
  21. God’s Word lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:22-23)

 

PS: Want to learn more about God’s Word (i.e. the bible)? There is an entire Psalm (119) that extols the virtues of His Word (only 176 verses!).

 

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About BibleStorm:

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truths 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.

 

Order your very own BibleStorm trivia game cards today from our online store.