Category: Know the Bible

Is Your Faith Your Own?

Guest Post by Phil Robertson

     The old adage “numbers never lie” is really true.  Two plus two will always equal four.  No matter the situation, time, consequence, or feelings of those “doing the math” the numbers always stay the same.  When someone learns the math, they can calculate almost anything.  For example, NASA scientists use the precision of numbers to determine the exact location of stars, planets, and comets shooting through space at 20,000 miles per hour.  It truly is amazing when you think about it.  Using math, scientists have sent spacecrafts through the icy tails of comets and even guided one probe into a head-on collision with a comet.   And due to the precision of numbers, scientists know that Haley’s comet will return to our inner solar system in 2061.      

    Although the numbers never lie, that does not mean mathematical answers are always easy to find. That is why math teachers do more than just demand the correct answer on tests, they require students to “show their work.” 

     Jesus taught absolute truth.  Like the precision of numbers, He claimed He was the only path to salvation.  “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except by Me” (John 14:6).    But, Jesus also demanded believers “show their work.”

     Consider Pilate, the Roman responsible for our Lord’s execution. “Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” (John 18:33-34) 

      It seemed like Pilate had the right answer but Jesus challenged his means of arriving at that conclusion. Jesus wanted Pilate to “show his work” or in this case “show his faith.”  It is as if Jesus is saying to Pilate, “Are you saying I’m the king of the Jews because you searched for the answer yourself and that is what you truly believe or are you just repeating what someone else has said?” 

    When you think about it, it is a good question for all of us.  Do you believe in Jesus because of your own faith?  Or, are you just believing what the preacher said, or what your parents said, or what your friend said? 

    “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his own cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37-38).  Where did you get your answers?  Is your faith your own?  Can you “show your work?”

     Please answer the following questions with Bible verses.  This will hopefully give you a little insight into your our faith.  Remember “faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).  The Word is our only guide to absolute truth (John 1:1).  (Hopefully you will be able to answer these questions with the verses from memory without opening your Bible): 

     1) Why do Christians worship God on Sunday?

     2) Why does the Lord Supper consist of unleavened bread and grape juice?

     3) How do believers worship God collectively?

     4) How is someone saved from sin?

     5) How are disciples added to the Lord’s church? 

     Although numbers enable us to calculate the pathway of a star or comet, I’m sure I could never figure it out.  However, it does not take a rocket scientist to find the pathway to heaven.  Jesus said, “Seek and you will find” (Matthew 7:7).  Just remember, we have to seek on our own and we cannot follow someone else’s path.  We must have our own faith.  

Answers to the questions will follow soon… but for now… please do your own work!  Thanks.    –  Phil Robertson  philrobertson@charter.net

Reading With A Purpose

Guest post by Josh Creel

Have you ever said or heard someone say, “I don’t understand the Bible,” or “I read the Bible, but I don’t come away with anything,”? Bible study is clearly important for the Christian because the Scriptures reveal the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-13), reveal all we need (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and will judge us (John 12:48-50). So, what can we do to profit more from our Bible study? How can we insure that we come away with something each time we read the Scriptures? Try answering these questions whenever you read the Bible:

  1. What commands are there to obey?
  2. What examples are there to follow?
  3. What sins are there to avoid?
  4. What promises are there to receive? Are those promises conditional or unconditional?
  5. What prayers can I make my own?
  6. What do I learn about God?

While this method of Bible study may not result in a complete understanding of any particular passage, it will insure that we gain something each time we read the Bible. Also, if we will apply what we learn we will grow in our faith and be pleasing to our Father. So, try reading with a purpose the next time you sit down to read the Scriptures; read to find out what God is telling you.

Are You Chicken?

What Would You Do?
Ken and Larry were standing in the hall at school and noticed a red handle that, when pulled, would set off the fire alarm. Ken dared Larry to pull the handle and run away—he said it would be funny. When Larry did not do it, Ken said he was a “chicken” if he would not do it.

  • Why was Ken’s choice smart?
  • How should you answer when someone dares you to do something wrong?
  • Why do you think someone would dare you to do wrong?

    • Your Sin Will Find You Out

    “Your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

    Sometimes children will act right when their parents are around but misbehave when they leave. Some students only behave when the teacher is in the room.

    Though the parent or the teacher may not see all the wrong things done, God always sees and knows who is obeying Him.

    However, often the people that these children and students try to fool know of their misbehavior. Someone might tell the teacher about the person’s wrongdoing. The person may say or do something that lets the teacher or parent know that they did wrong. If we do wrong, we may think no one knows may be wrong.

    The passage in Numbers warns that a person’s sins will find him out. Though he may try to escape from them and wish that he did not sin, God knows and will punish the wrongdoer. Instead of being stubborn and trying to hide our sin, we need to tell God that we know we did wrong and ask Him to forgive us.

    Even when God forgives us we may still have to suffer a penalty for our sin. A person who steals may feel sorry and return what is stolen but may also have to be punished for stealing. A person who hits someone but says he is sorry may still have to be punished for hitting the other person.

    We will not always do the right thing but when we sin, we need to ask God’s forgiveness because we cannot escape our sin.

    Do Unto Others

    “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you,
    do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets ” Matthew 7:12

    This verse is sometimes called the Golden Rule because it is one of the most important things that a person should do.

    This verse means that you should treat others the way that you want to be treated. You should not be mean to others, talk bad about them, or do anything else that you would not want others to do to you.

    If you know someone has few friends and that others make fun of them, this verse teaches you to not to make fun of them, exclude them, or be mean to them. What if you were that person. How would you want other people to treat you? You should also urge your friends to quit making fun of the person.

    This verse teaches us to think about how our words and actions affect other people. We must think about others and not think only of ourselves.

    Not only does this verse teach us not to do bad things to others, it should also encourage us to do good things for others.
    You probably like to get cards and calls from friends when you are sick. When your friend is sick and cannot go to church or school, why not give them a phone call or send them a card?

    You like to get compliments when you get something new or earn an award; be sure to compliment others.

    Think how you want to be treated and do it for others.