Tag: Romans

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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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How Are We To Behave As Christians?

Many people seem to have an opinion of what it means to be a Christian. But what does the Bible say about how we are to conduct ourselves as Christians? We are to love sincerely and actively (without hypocrisy). Read more to learn how.

 

There seems to be a lot of confusion about what a Christian is. At a minimum, it requires a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and a decision to follow Him. Practically speaking, there should at least be some evidence of Christ in you as well.

So what does the bible say about how we are to conduct ourselves as Christians in our everyday lives? Jesus taught that “we should let our light shine so that men would see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

 

We are to love sincerely and actively (without hypocrisy).
Just as God has poured out His love unconditionally to us.

 

Here are several practical examples on what it’s like to behave like a Christian:
  • Hate what is wrong or evil
  • Cling to what is good
  • Love each other with genuine affection
  • Give preference to one another in honor
  • Be diligent and fervent in spirit
  • Enthusiastically serve the Lord
  • Rejoice in hope
  • Be patient in affliction
  • Continue steadfastly in prayer
  • Share with God’s people who are in need
  • Pursue the practice of hospitality
  • Bless those who cause you harm or hardship (and do not curse them)
  • Share each other’s joy
  • Share each other’s grief
  • Live in harmony with each other
  • Do not be proud
  • Associate with humble people
  • Do not be conceited
  • Never repay anyone evil for evil
  • Do what is right and honorable
  • Live at peace with everyone (as much as it depends on you)
  • Do not take revenge (and leave room for God’s wrath)
  • Give food and drink to your enemy if they need it
  • Do not be overcome by evil (but overcome evil with good)

 

So, how are you doing against the list above? The Bible exhorts us to “let the mind that was in Christ be in us too” (Philippians 2:5). No matter where you are, there’s always room for improvement. Ask yourself “What Would Jesus Do” (WWJD) and follow His example.

 

Note: All bullet points are from Romans 12:9-21.

 

PS: If you are interested in learning more about Jesus Christ and receiving Him as Savior, check out our salvation appeal page. That is the first step towards behaving like a Christian.

 

#HowToBehaveLikeAChristian #Love #LoveUnconditionally #Christian #Bible #BibleStorm #PracticalGuidance #Wisdom #Character

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 trivia game cards today from our online store.
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Fear is ungodly

You may have seen or heard the expression that fear stands for “false evidence appearing real”.

 

Why and what do we fear?

Financial issues, health issues, insecurity about the future, concern for loved ones?

We (as believers) fear because:
  • We do not know how much the Lord loves us.
  • We do not know about our new position in Christ.
  • And we do not know the promises the Lord has made concerning us from the foundation of the earth.

 

God has said He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5) and He would be with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:5,9). He said He would never let us be tempted above what we can bear but with every temptation will provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

When we change our focus from our fears  (which may seem insurmountable or impossible from our viewpoint) and see our fears in the context of our loving Father in heaven, we recognize we have nothing to fear. The bible declares that
“[we] did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but [we] received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15

 

No matter what fears we may have or be experiencing, we have an answer in the bible. The psalmist declared “I sought the Lord and He heard me and He delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4). That “when we cry out, God hears us and saves us from all our troubles” (vv6,17).

 

How do we turn from our fears?

By looking to, seeking and trusting God. The Word of God states that:
  • Those who look to the Lord are radiant and their faces are not ashamed (v5)
  • Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing (v10)
  • Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord (v8)

 

So what then is the proper application of fear in the believers life?

Psalm 34:9 tells us “Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!

 

In a future post, we’ll share the only thing the believer should fear and some of the benefits to this reverential fear.

 

Did You Know?

but of power and of love and of a sound mind (or self control)
(2 Timothy 1:7).
This spirit we have been given as believers is the Holy Spirit which Jesus promised to His disciples before He ascended to heaven. He said we would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon us (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49). Also, love and self control are 2 of the 9 fruits of a spirit led life (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

However, this gift of the Holy Spirit is only given to the children of God. And you can only become a child of God by accepting His Son, Jesus the Christ. To learn mroe about Jesus and how to receive Him as Savior, check out our salvation appeal page. That is the first step towards being delivered from ungodly fear.

 

#Fear #BibleStorm #BibleStormTrivia

 

Check out more of our blog posts on fear including the consequences of fearful thinking.

 

About 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.

 

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