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How do we know that God is at work?

How do we know that God is at work?
Because the bible tells us so. 

 

But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
John 5:17 NKJV

 

Sometimes it seems as if “God isn’t doing anything, as when Jesus delayed visiting Mary and Martha’s sick brother”, Lazarus (John 11:3-6). Or when Abraham waited 25 years between receiving the promise and when Isaac was actually born (Genesis 12:1-4; 21:1-7).

 

But “our Father has given us the Holy Spirit to help us recognize His presence and handiwork. But discerning God’s work also requires patience since the Lord operates according to His timetable, not ours.”

 

Jesus said
“whatever things you ask when you pray,
believe that you receive them,
and you will have them.”
Mark 11:24 NKJV

 

In between the time we pray for something and when we see the manifestation of it, we should trust in the Lord with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5). Why? Because:
  • God never changes (Hebrews 13:8).
  • His word is always true (Matthew 24:35).
  • God is our helper, our light, our salvation, and the strength of our life (Psalms 27:1)

 

“When we recognize the ways in which God is operating, we will be encouraged and strengthened in our faith.”

 

Be encouraged. Jesus already took all death, sickness and disease in His body upon the cross and by His stripes we are healed and we are healthy (1 Peter 2:24). The coronavirus will be no different.

 

Note: Based on a devotional reading from InTouch Ministries.
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10 reasons to have confidence in God through prayer

Jesus said men ought to always pray and not lose heart or give up (Luke 18:1). The Bible also tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to continue steadfastly and earnestly in prayer (Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2).

 

What is prayer? I like this definition from Wikipedia:

 

Prayer “is an evolving means of interacting with God, most frequently through a spontaneous, individual, unorganized form of petitioning and/or thanking”.

 

Prayer then is simply a dialogue between ourselves and our Heavenly Father. It is an opportunity for us to communicate – to talk to Him and to hear from Him.

 

Why then do we have problems praying consistently (and not just when a crisis hits or we have a need that we are unable to meet in our own strength and ability)? I heard a pastor say that he believed prayelessness was an issue of faith and I can see the reasoning behind that. If you had full confidence (faith) in the one you were asking and *knew* you would get what you asked for, I expect most people would definitely ask.

 

So that caused me to wonder – Why can we have confidence in talking to God the Father through prayer?
  1. Our Father is omniscient and knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:7-8). For example, God already knows we need life’s necessities (food, clothing, shelter, etc) (Matthew 6:31-32)
  2. Our Father knows how to give good gifts to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:11; James 1:17)
  3. Whatever we ask the Father in Jesus name, He will give to us (John 16:23-24; 15:16)
  4. Whatever we ask the Father in Jesus name, Jesus will do for us (John 14:13-14)
  5. Everyone who asks receives, who seeks finds, and who knocks the door will be opened to him (Matthew 7:7-11)
  6. If we ask anything according to God’s will, He hears us and we have the petitions we asked for (1 John 5:14-15)
  7. Whatever we ask, we receive because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (1 John 3:21-22)
  8. God did not spare His own Son for us. In addition to giving us His Son, He freely give us all things (Romans 8:32). Afterall when you have given your most precious possession, giving anything less is much easier.
  9. God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalms 84:19)
  10. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)

 

The reality is God has already given us everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). And He has promised to supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

 

So what is the key to having a successful prayer life?
  • Have faith in God (in who He is) (Hebrews 11:6). God is a rewarder of those who diligently (earnestly, sincerely) seek Him. See also James 1:6-8.
  • Seek the Lord (Psalms 34:10). Those who seek Him shall lack no good thing.
  • Seek God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) and all the other things we want will be added unto us.

 

Most importantly, prayer is a great opportunity to discover who God is and what His will for us is as we develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father. He has said He will not withhold any good thing from us. Conversely, He won’t give us something that will become a weight or stumbling block to us either. So don’t bother asking for anything with wrong motives (e.g. out of selfishness or an unrighteous agenda) because He won’t answer those requests (James 4:3).

 

#prayer #petition #faith #confidence #ask #seek #knock #believe #receive #gift

 

Scripture References:
  • Luke 18:1
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17
  • Romans 12:12
  • Colossians 4:2
  • Matthew 6:7-8
  • Matthew 6:31-32
  • Matthew 7:11
  • James 1:17
  • John 16:23-24
  • John 15:16
  • John 14:13-14
  • Matthew 7:7-11
  • 1 John 5:14-15
  • 1 John 3:21-22
  • Romans 8:32
  • Psalms 84:19
  • Ephesians 3:20
  • 2 Peter 1:3
  • Philippians 4:19
  • Hebrews 11:6
  • James 1:6-8
  • Psalms 34:10
  • Matthew 6:33
  • James 4:3

 

References:

 

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.
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What’s In Your Wallet? (Part 2)

“God supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food (to the eater)”
(2 Corinthians 9:10).

In part 1 of this blog post, we learned that God is the giver. Whether seed or bread, everything we receive originates from Him (James 1:17). We also learned that it was important to ask God how we are to use every income that enters our hands (bank account, wallet, etc) – See Proverbs 3:5-6.

That said, have you ever considered why God provides seed and bread for us? In summary, it is so we can have everything we need and be generous and bless others.

Here are 10 reasons why God provides for us (from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15):

  1. Shows us an example of the generous life we are to live (v8, 10)
    • God didn’t spare His own Son but freely gave Him that we might live through Him (Romans 8:32; John 3:16)
  2. So that we have everything we need (v8)
    • God is Jehovah Jireh (our provider) and wants us to recognize that He is the source of everything (Deuteronomy 8:18; Matthew 6:31-33, Philippians 4:19; James 1:17)
  3. So we have plenty left over to share with others (v8 NLT)
    • Demonstrate compassion and God’s love for others (1 John 3:17)
  4. To increase the fruits (harvest) of righteousness in us (v10)
    • The more we sow, the more we will also reap (Galatians 6:7-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6)
  5. To enrich us (v11)
    • The generous soul will be made rich (Proverbs 11:24-25)
  6. So we can be generous in every occasion (v11)
    • See the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37)
  7. To supply the needs of the saints (i.e. God’s people) (v12)
    • Paul commended the Philippians for sharing in his distress by sending aid to him (Phillippians 4:14-18)
  8. To produce expressions of thanksgiving to God (v12)
    • When we give, it produces praises to God on our behalf (2 Corinthians 1:11)
  9. To glorify and praise God (v13)
    • Seeing our good works causes others to glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16)
  10. To produce prayers for us (v14)

Paul closes 2 Corinthians 9 by “thanking God for His indescribable gift” (v15). What is that gift you ask? It is the person of Jesus Christ, who came to earth, died, and was resurrected in order to atone for our sins and restore us to a right relationship with God the Father. It’s important that we receive the free gift that God has already given in his son, Jesus Christ, before we seek anything else from Him. Check out our salvation appeal page to learn more about Jesus Christ and how to receive Him as Savior.

References

#Money #Finances #MoneyPrinciples #Seed #Bread #FinancialFriday #Steward

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.
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Why was Jesus Christ born (Christmas)?

Nativity scene
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word became 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 1:1‭, ‬14 NKJV

 

On December 25th, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Did you know that Jesus always existed and has always been with the Father? (1 John 1:1-2). When God said “Let there be”, the Word that went forth was Jesus Himself. “All things were made through [Jesus], and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:3) “[This includes] all things … that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16)

 

“God showed how much he loved us [mankind] by sending his one and only [begotten] Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” (1 John 4:9) “That whoever believes in [Jesus] should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16‭-‬17)

 

This same Jesus left His deity to come to earth and take on the stature of a man to fulfill God’s desire for reconciliation with man. Jesus was obedient to the Father, even to the point of dying on the cross and taking on the sins of the entire world.

 

Why did Jesus do this?

  1. To redeem [mankind] from the curse of the law (having become a curse for us by being crucified on a cross).
  2. That the blessing of Abraham might come on us [gentiles].
  3. That we might receive the promise of the Holy Spirit through faith.

 

Note: Bullet points are from Galatians 3:13-14.

 

So this Christmas season, let’s celebrate the love of our heavenly Father, who did for us something that we couldn’t do ourselves – atone for our sin nature and make us right(eous) through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:3-4).

 

Merry Christmas!

 

PS: As we enjoy the festivities of the season and spend time with friends and family, it’s important that we not forget the reason for the season. God has given us the most important gift of all – the gift of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. Check out our salvation appeal page to learn more about Jesus Christ and how to receive Him as Savior.

 

References

 

#Jesus #Christ #Love #Christmas #Salvation #Nativity #GodsWord #BibleStormTrivia #BibleStorm

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.
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What’s in Your Wallet?

seed and bread

God is the source and giver of everything we have. Whether seed or bread, it all originates from Him. God gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater.

Everything we receive is from God (James 1:17) and is to be used to His glory. That applies to our time, talent, and definitely our treasure (money). In fact, God is the one that gives us the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18).

However, not everything that enters our hands is meant for us. We are simply stewards who get to benefit from God’s largesse. But we must use the resources wisely (not in our own wisdom but according to God’s wisdom and direction for the money).

“Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,”
2 Corinthians 9:10 NKJV

A farmer that has a seed has 2 choices. He/she can cook and eat it or they can sow it back into the ground to yield a harvest greater than the seed that was sown.

Likewise, we can’t eat (i.e. spend) everything we get. Everything that we receive is not meant to be consumed by us (like bread) but some is meant to be dispersed (like seed) so that it can produce a future harvest (in others, for ourselves, etc).

So we have to ask ourselves – is what I have in my hand (wallet, bank account, etc.) seed or bread?

How do we know the difference? Whether what we have is seed or bread? Let’s look at some examples.

Boy with 5 loaves and 2 fishes (John 6:1-14)

After teaching a crowd of 5,000 men (plus women and children) all day, Jesus challenged his disciples to feed them. They responded by noting that over 6 months of the average daily wage would be insufficient to feed the multitude. But there was a boy whose parents (well really mom!) had packed a lunch bag of 5 loaves and 2 fishes. The boy gave up his meal to the Master. (Side note: I wonder if he worried about how much of it he would actually get to eat. Perhaps a crumb or two.) But after Jesus broke the bread/fish and gave thanks, He instructed his disciples to give it to the multitudes that were by now sitting down. The bible records that each person got as much as they wanted and were filled. And at the end, there were still 12 baskets of leftovers. (I can just imagine that the 12 baskets were given to the boy to take home to his family!)

Widow with last morsel of food (1 Kings 17:8-16)

During the reign of King Ahab, the prophet Elijah prophesied that there would be no rain over the land and this lasted for 3.5 years (James 5:17). It is no surprise that the land was in a severe drought. There was a widow in Zarepath with a son who was preparing her last meal (handful of flour and a little oil) before she and her child would succumb to hunger and die. The prophet Elijah asked her to first make a meal for him and then for herself and her son and promised that the seemingly insignificant amount of food would last through the rest of the drought (which it did).

 

In the case of the little boy and the widow, what seemed like bread was actually seed. In fact, what they had in their hand already had a divine plan from God. For example, God told Elijah to go to Zarepath where he had commanded a widow to provide for him (1 Kings 17:8). When they were willing to trust God and obey his instructions / release it into the hand of the Master, they received a harvest that was impossible to imagine.

So ask yourself this question –

Is what I have in my hand (wallet, bank account, etc.) seed or bread?

And trust God to show you and tell you which is which.

In part 2 of this blog entry, we will share 10 reasons why God provides for us. Hint: how many parents want to be good providers to their kids?

 

PS: It’s important that we receive the free gift that God has already given in his son, Jesus Christ, before we seek anything else from Him. Check out our salvation appeal page to learn more about Jesus Christ and how to receive Him as Savior.

 

References

 

#Money #Finances #MoneyPrinciples #Seed #Bread #FinancialFriday #Miracle #Sow #Steward

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.