Bible Study Planet

Forgiving Others

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:26:02 +0000

Jesus spent a great deal of time talking about the importance of forgiving others. He made it clear that forgiveness is to be a characteristic of his followers. So let’s explore what it means to forgive others, the benefits of forgiving and how to forgive.

What It Means To Forgive

“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

To forgive someone means to not seek revenge on the one who has hurt you. It means letting go of the anger we harbor inside us and allowing God to deal with him or her as he, in his perfect wisdom, sees fit.

It doesn’t mean excusing a wrong or denying that it ever happened. It means we don’t allow ourselves to be consumed with anger towards the one who has done something to us. Instead of cursing him, we pray for him. Here are three verses that reflect the attitude of the forgiving heart:

“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)

“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.” (1 Peter 3:9)

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, ‘I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,’ says the Lord. Instead, do what the Scriptures say: ‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you’. Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

The Forgiveness Factor

“And don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior” (Ephesians 4:26-27,31)

As the verses above tell us, anger gives Satan a foothold in our lives. Anger has a devastating affect on our relationship with God as well as with others. Over time we will take our anger out on those around us. It will consume us and eats us alive unless we deal with it. Jesus passionately taught us to forgive others, to let go, to let him handle it. He wants us to be at peace and for that to happen anger must be replaced with forgiveness.

A few years ago Christianity Today featured a cover story entitled, “The Forgiveness Factor: Social Scientist discover the power of a Christian virtue” (January 10,2000). In it, they discussed how researchers have discovered the importance of forgiveness. What was most interesting was that they had come to the conclusion that the one who does the forgiving is the one who benefited the most.

How To Forgive

“Without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

After Jesus taught the apostles about forgiveness (Luke 17:3-5) they said to him, “Give us more faith!” Forgiving is not easy. It takes the strength of God to truly be able to let go. It takes faith and much prayer to say to someone, “I will repay this evil with good. I will not hate you.”

“I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

The One who spoke these gentle words has the power to heal the hurting soul. He can take your shattered life and piece it back together again. You just need to let Him. “Cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you.”

Jesus told us to pray for our enemies and when we do something beautiful and indescribable happens: He takes that which is terrible and molds it into that which is wonderful. He gives us beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3). With His help all the restlessness, all the anger that has built up for so long, will wash away like waves turning back into the ocean. He will, just as He promised, give us peace.

Here are some tips to help you forgive:

- Do not deny that you have been hurt. As we learned, forgiving is not denying.

- Make a decision to forgive others (Luke 17:3-5)

- Do not seek revenge or repay evil for evil. Let God handle it in his perfect way (1 Peter 3:9)

- Ask Jesus to help you release the anger inside you (Ephesians 4:26-27,31)

- Pray for a forgiving heart and read what the Bible says about the subject.

- Pray for those who have hurt you (Matthew 5:44)

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5 Kernels Of Thanksgiving

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:39:59 +0000

Thanksgiving. Besides symbolizing a time when many of us gather together to feast on turkey, cranberry sauce, and apple pie, what does the word truly mean? America’s revered holiday was founded by a group of struggling Pilgrims during the fall of 1621.

Peter Marshall and David Manuel’s account, The Light and the Glory, tells how the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock endured extreme hardship to pioneer a new land. Three long months at sea aboard The Mayflower and a brutal winter left them ragged, malnourished, and susceptible to disease. During the first four months of that year, nearly half of the Pilgrims had succumbed to illness and died under the harsh strain of their barren lifestyle.

The Pilgrims’ daily existence was a life-or-death battle to overcome constant hunger, sickness, and exposure to the elements. Crudely assembled houses made of mud daub were their only shelter from the icy New England weather. Because they were not yet knowledgeable about their new environment’s agriculture, planting gardens in the hostile conditions proved virtually fruitless. Every meal was portioned out meticulously. The death toll, a constant reminder of their fragility, rose steadily. At one point only five men were well enough to care for the sick.

Despite their tribulations, the Pilgrims thanked the Lord every day, petitioning Him for rehabilitation. One morning, during an ordinary Sunday worship service, the Lord sent tangible evidence that He had heard their prayers. Their church service was interrupted by an unexpected guest, an Algonquin Indian chief who assessed their hopeless situation and returned with a helper named Squanto. The Pilgrims, who had warred with Indians before and lived with a continuous fear of being attacked by them, were astonished by their new friends’ eagerness to provide much-needed assistance. Squanto, a Patuxet Indian who spoke perfect English, taught the Pilgrims how to hunt game, trap beavers, and plant Indian corn, a staple that would eventually save their lives.

When the harvest yielded more than the Pilgrims could eat, Governor William Bradford, their elected leader, declared a day of public thanksgiving. He invited the chief of a friendly neighboring Indian tribe to join in their tribute of Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims were excited to celebrate with their honored guest, but were completely shocked when he arrived with ninety other Indians.

Although God had provided abundantly, their food supply would not accommodate a group of this size, and they had no idea how to feed their visitors. Despite their quandary, all worries were soon dismissed. To their amazement and ever-increasing thankfulness, the Indians had brought with them five dressed deer and a dozen fat, wild turkeys. Over time they taught the women how to make pudding, maple syrup, and an Indian delicacy — roasted kernels of corn called popcorn.

But the Pilgrims’ trials were far from finished; their plentiful autumn was followed by a particularly treacherous winter. Unfortunately, the weather proved to be the least of their ailments. In November a ship called The Fortune dropped anchor in their harbor. Aboard the ship were thirty-five more colonists who had brought with them no provisions — no food, no extra clothing, no equipment for survival. Additionally, the oppression of the physical environment had become almost unbearable after a twelve-week drought dried up their crops and withered their spirits. The newcomers’ arrival had drained already inadequate food rations and there was no obvious resource for sustenance. At their lowest point, the Pilgrims were reduced to a daily ration of five kernels of corn apiece. In utter desperation they fell to their knees and prayed for eight hours without ceasing.

Again God heard their supplications; fourteen days of rain followed. A second Day of Thanksgiving was declared. The neighboring Indian chief was again their honored guest; he brought with him one hundred and twenty braves. The Pilgrims feasted on game and turkey as they had during their previous celebration, only this time one dish was different. The first course, served on an empty plate in front of each person, consisted of five kernels of corn, a gentle reminder of God’s faithful provision for them.

The Pilgrims’ humble response to their affliction is evidenced by their many writings which express deeply thankful hearts. We can learn countless lessons about sincere thankfulness from their example.

God commands us to live a life of gratitude and thanksgiving. “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thes. 5:16-18). By teaching our children to have grateful hearts, we can prepare them to respond gracefully to life’s trials.

The impact of thankfulness can extend to every area of life.

1) Being thankful motivates us to look for His purpose in our circumstances.

When we consider the Pilgrims’ story, we can see God’s hand directing their course all the way from England to the New World. We can see how He strengthened them and enabled them to settle a new land. If we’re perceptive and truly thankful we can see His guiding hand shaping our own lives in the same manner.

2) A grateful heart reminds us of our constant dependence upon God.

It changes our attitude toward life. When the Pilgrims thanked the Lord regardless of their destitution and entreated Him to supply their needs, they were able to respond positively to daunting situations and overcome great obstacles. When we thank Him for everything, big and small, we begin to realize that there is nothing we possess that we have not been given.

3) Gratitude increases our trust in God.

When the Pilgrims set sail for America, they couldn’t see the new land. They had to trust The Mayflower’s compass implicitly. Likewise, when they arrived at Plymouth Rock they had no foreknowledge of what would sustain their lives from then on. They had to trust God for everything from food and shelter to a secure future for their families. When we’re thankful for His constant provision, trusting Him with our lives becomes easier.

4) A thankful spirit teaches us to rejoice in every situation.

The apostle Paul, no stranger of tribulation, wrote, “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:16-18). Like the Pilgrims, Paul was refined by a burning fire that yielded a spirit of pure gold. We can be, as well.

5) Thankfulness transforms our anxiety into the peace of God.

The Pilgrims had myriad reasons to fear for their lives. Thanking God in plenty and in want enabled them to celebrate His faithfulness to them. When we focus our attention on God’s provision for us, we begin to see the world through a Christ-centered lens. We become acutely aware that He abides with us continually and we can rest in His peace.

Thanksgiving — the word only has meaning when we can attach it to behavior demonstrated in real life. The Pilgrims gave us their blessed holiday so we could remember how God answered their prayers with rich abundance. But we aren’t constrained to experiencing true thankfulness vicariously. When we meditate on God’s wondrous provision for our nation’s founders, we find it isn’t all that different from His blessings in our modern setting.

By focusing our attention on God and what He is teaching us throughout life, we can, like the Pilgrims, be thankful for even the most simple things.

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The Golden Rule

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:30:35 +0000

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12

In the verse above, Jesus lays down a general principle for delaing with people. We’re not to deal with others as others deal with us, we’re to deal with others as we would like others to deal with us. This is how the Christian is to live.

This is a golden rule indeed! It doesn’t simply forbid petty malice and revenge, cheating and deceit. It does much more. It prevents the necessity of laying down endless little rules for our conduct in specific cases. It sweeps the whole debatable ground with one mighty principle. It shows us a balance and measure, by which everyone may see at once how they should act.

Is there something we wouldn’t like our neighbor to do to us? Then let us always remember, that this is the thing we ought not to do to him. Is there a thing we would like our neighbor to do to us? Then this is the very thing we ought to do to him.

- J. C. Ryle

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Four Things Christianity Teaches

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:57:40 +0000

(1) Christianity has always taught the inspiration, sufficiency, and supremacy of Holy Scripture.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17)

Christianity teaches that the Bible is the only trustworthy rule of faith and practice in religion, that God requires nothing to be believed that is not in this Word; and that nothing is right which contradicts it. It has always maintained that, however imperfectly we may understand it, the Bible is meant to be the only standard of life and doctrine.

(2) Christianity has always taught the sinfulness, guilt and corruption of human nature.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23)

Christianity teaches that people are born in sin, deserve God’s wrath and condemnation, and are naturally inclined to do evil. It doesn’t teach that men and women can become good whenever they please, and can make their own peace with God. Christianity teaches that people need Divine forgiveness and atonement for sins, a new birth or conversion, and an entire change of heart. (Rom 3:23-24)

(3) Christianity has always taught that Jesus Christ is the chief object of faith and hope.

“Christ Jesus himself is the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord” (Eph 2:20)

Christianity teaches that Christ is the Divine Mediator between God and men, the only source of peace of conscience, and the root of all spiritual life. The main teachings about Christ are the atonement, and the complete redemption from guilt and condemnation for sin He made by His death on the cross, His victory over the grave by His resurrection, His active life of intercession at God’s right hand, and the absolute necessity of simple faith in Him. In short, Christ is the center of Christian theology. (Luk 24:25-27)

(4) Christianity has always taught Christians live by the Spirit .

“Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Gal 5:16)

Christianity teaches that we must be born of the Spirit, led by the Spirit, sanctified by the Spirit, feel the operations of the Spirit, and that a close walk with God in the path of His commandments, a life of holiness, love, self-denial, purity, and zeal to do good, are the only satisfactory works of the Holy Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23)

Christianity, in the days of the Apostles, “turned the world upside down!” (Acts 17:6) It emptied the idol temples of their worshipers, routed the Greek and Roman philosophers, and forced heathen writers to confess that the followers of the “new superstition,” as they called it, were people who loved one another, and lived very pure and holy lives!

True faith is more than holding theological positions — it’s living, burning and active. It produces works of love, it purifies the heart, and overcomes the world.

- J. C. Ryle

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Living for Christ

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:27:49 +0000

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:2-4

Living for Christ puts Christ at the center of our life

It’s only as we learn to die to self that we begin to live for Christ.

Human nature seeks everything for itself and nothing for Christ. But when you become a Christian, you’re no longer the center of your life, Christ is.

Life has a new center, a new direction. Christ comes first. His plan for our lives replaces our own. It’s no longer what we would like to do but what the Lord wants us to do. We now say “Not my will, but Your will, be done.”

Dying to self and growing in Christ — this is what Christian living is all about.

While we’re thinking how this or that will affect us, whether it will benefit us to make this sacrifice or that self-denial; while we are consulting our own ease, our own comfort, our own interest or advantage in any form, we have not yet learned fully what the love of Christ means.

Living for Christ leads to peace

When Christ is small and self is large we cannot be deeply restful. Everything annoys us. We grow impatient of anything that breaks our comfort. We grieve over little trials. We resent whatever would hinder or oppose us.

But when self decreases and Christ increases then a life of friction and worry is changed into a life quietness and peace. When the glory of Christ streams over this little, cramped, fretted, broken life of ours peace comes, and the love of Christ brightens every spot and sweetens all bitterness. Trials are easy to bear when self is small and Christ is large.

God really thinks about our lives and has a purpose of His own for them, a place He would have us fill, a work He would have us do. Surely if God cares enough for us to make a plan for our life, it must be better than any plan of ours could be!

How do we die to Self? (From Colossians 3:5-9)

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

How do we Live for Christ? (From Colossians 3:12-17)

“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

- J. R. Miller

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God Gives Beauty for Ashes

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:00:46 +0000

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

It is one of the wonders of divine love, that God will take even our blemishes and sins, when we truly repent of them and give them to Him, and make them blessings to us in some way.

Someone once showed an expensive handkerchief to an artist. The hankerchief had a blot of ink on it.

“Nothing can be done with that!” the person said, thinking that the handkerchief was now ruined and worthless. The artist took it with him and after a time sent it back to his friend. In a most skillful and artistic way he had made a fine design on the handkerchief, using the blot as its foundation. Instead of being ruined, the handkerchief was made far more beautiful and valuable.

In the same way, God takes the flaws and blots and stains of our lives, the disfiguring blemishes, and by His marvelous grace changes them into strength and beauty of character! God gives us beauty for ashes. (Isa 61:3)

David’s terrible sin was not only forgiven, it was made a transforming power in his life.

Peter’s sad fall became a step upward through his Lord’s forgiveness and gentle dealing. Peter never would have become the man he became if he had not denied his Lord, and then repented and been restored.

Paul tells us that we become more than conquerors in all life’s trials, dangers, struggles, temptations, and sorrows only “through Him who loved us.” (Rom 8:37)

Without Christ we are defeated. There is only one power that can turn evil into good, pain into blessing — the love of Christ. There is only one Hand which can take the blotted life and transform it into beauty.

- J. R. Miller

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Thanksgiving @ Bible Study Planet

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:16:27 +0000

Our 2009 Thanksgiving page is now up. Enjoy Thanksgiving-themed bible studies, devotionals, history, dinner tips and links!

Visit Thanksgiving @ Bible Study Planet

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God Will Not Remember

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:09:00 +0000

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” -Jeremiah 31:34

When we know the Lord, we receive the forgiveness of sins. We know Him as the God of grace, passing over our sin. What a joyful thing this is!

Notice how wonderfully this promise worded: the Lord promises to “remember our sins no more”! Can God forget? He says He will, and He means what He says.

Through Christ He will view us as though we had never sinned. The great atonement so effectually removed all sin that it is to the mind of God no more in existence. The believer is now in Christ Jesus, as accepted as Adam in his innocence — even more accepted, because he wears a divine righteousness.

The Lord will not remember our sins or love us any less because of them. Just as a debt once paid ceases to be a debt, the Lord completely removes the sin of His people.

When we mourn over our sin and shortcomings, let us also rejoice that they will never be held against us. This makes us hate sin. God’s free pardon makes us anxious to never again to grieve Him by disobedience.

- C.H. Spurgeon

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Drawing Near To God

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:00:02 +0000

“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you….” – James 4:8

The nearer we come to God, the more He’ll reveal Himself to us. When the prodigal son comes to his father, his father runs to meet him. (Luk 15:11-32) When the wandering dove returns to the ark, Noah puts out his hand to pull her in unto him. (Gen 8:9) Come then, dear friend, draw close to God who so graciously awaits us, who runs to meet us.

Have you ever read that verse in Isaiah 58:9?

“Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”

In this verse the Lord seems to be saying, “What have you to say to me? What can I do for you? I am waiting to bless you.”

Why would we hesitate to draw near? God is quick to forgive, to bless, to comfort, to help, to strengthen, to deliver.

If we draw near to others, they may eventually grow weary of us and leave us; but the promises to never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) If we seek the Lord alone, He will continue to come nearer and nearer to us through deeper and more joyful fellowship.

How Do We Draw Near To God?

Christians draw near to God when:

1) Through Christ, they turn from sin to the throne of His grace, for forgiveness and mercy to help them. (Heb 4:14,16)

2) Come to Him in prayer and lift up praises to Him. (Psa 147:1)

3) Read and trust in His Word. (Psalm 119:114)

4) In faith and hope lay hold of His promises. (Psa 119:162)

- C.H. Spurgeon

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How To Have Christ’s Peace In Your Life

admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:10:30 +0000

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

Our text tells us that those whose mind is “stayed on” the Lord will be kept in His perfect peace. What does it mean to keep our mind “stayed on” the Lord? It means at least three things:

1) It means making the Lord the center of your life

All around us people are seeking happiness in things such as money, social standing, fame, pleasures — all of which are broken vessels which hold no water. Only the One who made us can satisfy our heart’s desires. Only after we trust Christ, and turn our focus to things above, (Col 3:2) do we begin to experience His “perfect peace”. This is because Christ “himself is our peace”. (Eph 2:14)

2) It means accepting whatever happens in this life

This begins by first recognizing that “from him and through him and to him are all things,” (Rom. 11:36) and responding to this fact by saying, “He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes.”(1 Sam. 3:18). When we do this, we’re trusting Christ to give us the strength and grace and protection we need, then His “perfect peace” will be ours in this world of sin and turmoil.

3) It means leaving the future entirely in God’s hands

All our days are in His hands (Psa. 31:15) and He has promised to never to leave nor forsake us! (Heb 13:5) There’s no need be fearful of what lies ahead. We’re told to live our lives one day at a time and “not worry about tomorrow”. (Matt 6:34) When we do this, we’re trusting that our future is safe and secure in Christ, then His “perfect peace” will be ours.

Bible Study Planet

Forgiving Others

What It Means To Forgive

The Forgiveness Factor

How To Forgive

Here are some tips to help you forgive:

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5 Kernels Of Thanksgiving

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Living for Christ

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God Gives Beauty for Ashes

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Thanksgiving @ Bible Study Planet

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God Will Not Remember

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Drawing Near To God

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How To Have Christ’s Peace In Your Life

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