God’s Plan – Page 34 – Three Minute Bible

February 17, 2020February 17, 2020

Affirmation Monday – Doors

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you

— Luke 11: 9

I was looking for a verse to use as an affirmation for today’s post and I happened across this one. Jesus had just finished praying when one of his disciples asked him to teach them about prayer. Jesus teaches the disciples what we know as the “Lord’s Prayer” and then he tells them a story about persistence. He says, in essence, that we should ask God for what we need boldly. Jesus also tells us to be persistent. Then he gives this assurance:

“Ask and it will be given you…”

He doesn’t say we should hang around and wait to see what God is going to do. He says, “ask.” Then he adds:

February 11, 2020February 12, 2020

The Question – James 2: 15-16

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?

In today’s world, we have a homeless crisis. Hopefully, if someone in the future reads this post, they will be surprised by this idea. In the future God has planned for us, homelessness is not a thing. Sadly, today it is a thing. A big thing.

When people come to Christ, we come from all walks of life. Sometimes we come with no worldly possessions. Other times we come with much more than we could ever use. Sometimes, like Job, Christians with possessions and money lose it all. Sometimes events overtake us and we are in need. Great need.

If a brother or sister in Christ is without clothes or food, what do you do?

February 9, 2020May 26, 2021

Psalm Sunday – Context

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

— Psalm 5: 11

People who study the Bible often talk about the importance of context. Taking a verse out of context can entirely change its meaning. Except sometimes it doesn’t.

Psalm 5 starts as a lament of King David. He mourns the sinfulness of wicked people. He complains about their arrogance and their lies. They offend God and because they offend God, David is offended, too.

February 7, 2020February 7, 2020

Hearts and Deeds – James 2: 12-13

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.

Some people have told me that they feel put off by James’ letter because of his emphasis on what they call “works.” There seems to be a lot of confusion on this point. Paul spends a lot of time in his writings defending the Gentile Christians against the demands of Jewish law. Time and again he returns to this theme which is summed up in his letter to the Ephesians:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

The “works” that Paul refers to are a kind of righteousness defined by the laws of Moses. These are the laws of the covenant or agreement God made with the Israelites through Moses. (If you would like to know more about this covenant in general terms read Deuteronomy, chapters 27-30.) Under this agreement, the Israelites were to remain faithful to God. Not just in their actions, but in their hearts as well. God taught the Israelites the difference between right and wrong actions in the hope that their hearts would follow.

Sadly, that didn’t work.

February 6, 2020February 6, 2020

Hard Time – James 2: 11

For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

As we discussed in “You Break It You Buy It” a glass angel with a broken wing is no longer “new” in the eyes of the Curio Shop owner. In the same way, if you commit murder the whole law is broken, just like that angel. Even something as minor as disrespecting the poor brother in Christ breaks God’s law of loving our neighbor as ourselves.

Using the logic James puts forth, the one who discriminates between the rich and the poor has broken the law. Unlike people, the Law does not discriminate. Once you break the law, the law condemns you to the same place all other lawbreakers go.

February 3, 2020February 3, 2020

Affirmation Monday – Keeping Up

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

— Philippians 4:6

One affirmation everyone likes to hear is that everything is going to be okay. I know I do. Especially when I’m in a tough spot.

It is easy to be happy when everything is going well. It is when things go bad that we become anxious. Like when you suddenly realize that the car to your right that was supposed to stop at the stop sign is still moving. That gets people’s adrenaline up! Another fun event is being called into the boss’s office without warning. They usually don’t do that to pat someone on the back.

February 2, 2020February 2, 2020

Psalm Sunday – Movies

For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
    with you, evil people are not welcome.

But I, by your great love,
    can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
    toward your holy temple.

— Psalm 5: 4, 7

Have you ever noticed how many stories are based on the Bible? The Bible story is based on Jesus coming into our world. He offers us a special relationship. He is wonderful. But something bad has happened. The people Jesus loves have been taken captive by his arch-enemy, Satan. In the battle to free his people, Jesus is killed. Then, amazingly, he comes back to life.

In the movies, the hero often follows a similar story arc. A great sacrifice is needed. Sometimes the hero or heroine even dies. Once in a while, the hero comes back to life. (If you have ever seen the movie, Princess Bride, you know what I mean.)

January 31, 2020January 31, 2020

King’s Law – James 2: 8

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

The word translated as “royal” comes from the Greek word, “basilikos.” A quick look at Strong’s Concordance reveals that the word, basilikos, can also mean “of or belonging to a king.” So why wouldn’t James refer to this law from God as the “King’s law?” After all, Scripture tells us Jesus is “King of Kings” (Revelation 19:6).

While there is at least one translation of the Bible* that uses “king’s law” instead of “royal law,” it is not commonly done. The reason we shy away from the use of “king” in this case is that the reader might be prone to confuse the meaning.

January 27, 2020January 27, 2020

Affirmation Monday – In God We Trust

Enlarged photo of a penny showing the words, "In God We Trust."

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

— Romans 15:13

If you look at any United States coin, written on the front are the words, “In God We Trust.” Over the years I have come to marvel at the implications of what it means to trust in God.

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he ties together trust, hope, joy, and peace. All this is by the power of the Holy Spirit. Without God, we do not have access to that power.

So what? So what if we don’t have trust?

January 26, 2020January 26, 2020

Psalm Sunday – A Prayer Medley

Hear my cry for help,
    my King and my God,
    for to you I pray.

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.

— Psalm 5: 2-3

David, the psalm writer, knows about needing help. Invited into King Saul’s service as a boy, it isn’t long before the king becomes jealous of David. God and David already have a close relationship. David has a simple, child-like faith. God looks on that faith and honors it by blessing what David does. David the child defending the army of Israel with a sling was an example of that relationship.

Because David relies on God, God blesses David. Because God blesses David, the people of Israel honor David. Because Saul has lost God’s blessing (see 1 Samuel 13) Saul is jealous of David. Jealously leads to strife and strife leads to Saul trying repeatedly to kill David. During all this time David remains faithful to Saul and respects God’s anointing.