Read Hebrews 11
1. According to verse 1 what is faith?
2. After reading the whole chapter how would you describe faith in your own words?
3. Is faith simply a belief you have in your heart or does it require more than that?
Read James 2:14-26 for further study.
4. Name at least 10 examples of an active and living faith, naming specifically the work each person was called to do.
5. To you, which one stands out the most? Take some time to reflect and seek God about why it does.
6. Is there anything in your life that God is calling you to do by faith? What step is He asking you to take? What is keeping you from doing it?
7. Take some time to share with one another what you believe God is calling you to do; talk about what it means to truly live by faith in today’s world, especially our extremely secular society.
by Justin Kantonen
originally posted May 2008
Showing posts with label witness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label witness. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Speak Out - The Lord Preserves
When finals began for me this December, it was probably the first time I wasn’t looking forward to my ever-so-close Christmas break. This fall, I started my freshman year at MSU-Moorhead. I am transferring to South Dakota State this spring, so when finals were over, it was the last time I would see many of the friends I had just made in Moorhead. This was hard for me not only because I wouldn’t be around them anymore, but also because God had opened up doors for me to share the Gospel and become a Christian influence in their lives.
As I made friendships this school year, I was looking for ways that I could be a witness for Christ. Having a daily devotional time provided guidance and understanding for things going on at school and in friendships. A couple verses in Psalms recently caught my attention. The first is Psalm 97:11 which says, “Hate evil, you who love the Lord, who preserves the souls of His Godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” A second group of verses are Psalm 116:5-6 which say, “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.” Also Proverbs 2:20-21 stuck out to me, which says, “So you will walk in the way of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land and the blameless will remain in it.”
Psalm 97:11 has been encouraging for me to not allow sinfulness to take over my life, and to live a Godly life as an example to my friends. Psalm 116:5-6 is encouraging in times where I need to repent of sinfulness and reminds me that I am forgiven by my Savior. Proverbs 2:20-21 is motivation for me to follow the commands of God in order to receive the prize which He has for me.
When I figured out in the middle of the semester that I would be transferring in the months to come, I started to pray that the Lord would open up opportunities to share my faith with my friends. Even though I haven’t shared what God has done in my life with them yet, in the time that I was able to spend with these friends I was able to build on those personal friendships. I continue to pray that the Lord would work in these friendships and open up an opportunity for me to share how I have been blessed. As I think of this chance to share I am reminded of the Apostle Paul speaking of how the Lord works through human hands in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, which says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” I receive comfort from these verses knowing that the Lord has the power to work through me.
My favorite Christian rapper, LeCrae, released a new album titled Rebel this fall. Part of the message in the title track said “I know in our day rebel means sinner. But everyone is sinning, so it is no longer rebellious to sin. Jesus was a rebel who was counter-cultural… If you really want to be a rebel, read your Bible, because no one is doing that. That’s rebellion; it’s the only rebellion left.” I know that my devotional life has been instrumental for me to remain positive as a Christian. It also remains the number one source of knowledge and learning in my Christian life. When thinking of it, it is easy to dislike the view of LeCrae, that it is rebellious to read the Bible, but it is also easy to agree that is what our world has come to. I would like to
encourage you in your reading of the Bible, and pray that it would sharpen your knowledge and ability to share with others. In the friendships that you are given, ask the Lord to provide times to share about your life, encourage fellow believers, and show Christ’s love.
by Dan Warner
originally posted January 2009
As I made friendships this school year, I was looking for ways that I could be a witness for Christ. Having a daily devotional time provided guidance and understanding for things going on at school and in friendships. A couple verses in Psalms recently caught my attention. The first is Psalm 97:11 which says, “Hate evil, you who love the Lord, who preserves the souls of His Godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” A second group of verses are Psalm 116:5-6 which say, “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.” Also Proverbs 2:20-21 stuck out to me, which says, “So you will walk in the way of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land and the blameless will remain in it.”
Psalm 97:11 has been encouraging for me to not allow sinfulness to take over my life, and to live a Godly life as an example to my friends. Psalm 116:5-6 is encouraging in times where I need to repent of sinfulness and reminds me that I am forgiven by my Savior. Proverbs 2:20-21 is motivation for me to follow the commands of God in order to receive the prize which He has for me.
When I figured out in the middle of the semester that I would be transferring in the months to come, I started to pray that the Lord would open up opportunities to share my faith with my friends. Even though I haven’t shared what God has done in my life with them yet, in the time that I was able to spend with these friends I was able to build on those personal friendships. I continue to pray that the Lord would work in these friendships and open up an opportunity for me to share how I have been blessed. As I think of this chance to share I am reminded of the Apostle Paul speaking of how the Lord works through human hands in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, which says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” I receive comfort from these verses knowing that the Lord has the power to work through me.
My favorite Christian rapper, LeCrae, released a new album titled Rebel this fall. Part of the message in the title track said “I know in our day rebel means sinner. But everyone is sinning, so it is no longer rebellious to sin. Jesus was a rebel who was counter-cultural… If you really want to be a rebel, read your Bible, because no one is doing that. That’s rebellion; it’s the only rebellion left.” I know that my devotional life has been instrumental for me to remain positive as a Christian. It also remains the number one source of knowledge and learning in my Christian life. When thinking of it, it is easy to dislike the view of LeCrae, that it is rebellious to read the Bible, but it is also easy to agree that is what our world has come to. I would like to
encourage you in your reading of the Bible, and pray that it would sharpen your knowledge and ability to share with others. In the friendships that you are given, ask the Lord to provide times to share about your life, encourage fellow believers, and show Christ’s love.
by Dan Warner
originally posted January 2009
Speak Out - The Word Is Alive
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any twoedged sword, and piercing as far as the division of the soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the
heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
A few months ago, I started volunteering in the Emergency Room at a hospital near my home. I thought it would be a fun and exciting thing to do, and I haven’t been disappointed. I didn’t expect, though, that I would have the opportunity of working with a Muslim girl just a few years younger than me. As the weeks went by and we gradually got to know each other better, she started sharing more and more about her personal life, such as family problems and hard decisions she was trying to make. Soon, we got on the topic of religion.
I have always prayed that God would give me chances to share His Word with others, and He blessed me with another opportunity in the hallway of the ER of this hospital. My Muslim friend started telling me how her father wanted the family to take a trip to Mecca. As I asked her questions about her Muslim faith, she told me the things one must do to be good enough to make it to heaven. Then, curious of what I believed, she asked what the “three Gods thing” was, meaning the Trinity, and why we thought Jesus was so important. This gave me the open door to share with her who Jesus was as the Son of God, and what He has done in my life, saving me from the penalty of all my sins.
She thought it was cool that I believed in God, but was very strong in her Muslim convictions. I shared a few verses with her, but she didn’t seem to really realize the impact Jesus, being true God, made by dying on the cross and rising again. In fact, she said Jesus was just a prophet, a very good man. As I left that night at the end of my shift, I felt hopeless. I started to question myself, “Did I say anything right? She didn’t seem to grasp the importance of what I was saying at all! She had grown up in a strict Muslim family her whole life. How will her heart ever change?”
As I drove home with a heavy heart, the song “The Word is Alive” by Casting Crowns came on the radio. God must have known what I needed to hear! The chorus of the song says, “The Word is alive, and it cuts like a sword through the darkness with a message of life to the hopeless and afraid, breathing life into all who believe. The Word is alive, and the world and its glories will fade, but His truth, it will not pass away. It remains yesterday and forever the same. The Word is alive.”
Then it hit me. Of course my words can’t change someone’s heart, but the living Word of God can! It’s not me that can save a soul or convince someone that they need Jesus. It’s His Word, which is “living and active…and piercing as far as the divisions of soul and spirit.” That is what changes people’s lives. Salvation is about Christ, and God’s Word is about Christ. We should always be ready to share our faith, and in doing so, should always be ready to “preach the Word.” (2 Tim. 4:2) The Word is alive.
by Lydia Franz
originally posted December 2008
heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
A few months ago, I started volunteering in the Emergency Room at a hospital near my home. I thought it would be a fun and exciting thing to do, and I haven’t been disappointed. I didn’t expect, though, that I would have the opportunity of working with a Muslim girl just a few years younger than me. As the weeks went by and we gradually got to know each other better, she started sharing more and more about her personal life, such as family problems and hard decisions she was trying to make. Soon, we got on the topic of religion.
I have always prayed that God would give me chances to share His Word with others, and He blessed me with another opportunity in the hallway of the ER of this hospital. My Muslim friend started telling me how her father wanted the family to take a trip to Mecca. As I asked her questions about her Muslim faith, she told me the things one must do to be good enough to make it to heaven. Then, curious of what I believed, she asked what the “three Gods thing” was, meaning the Trinity, and why we thought Jesus was so important. This gave me the open door to share with her who Jesus was as the Son of God, and what He has done in my life, saving me from the penalty of all my sins.
She thought it was cool that I believed in God, but was very strong in her Muslim convictions. I shared a few verses with her, but she didn’t seem to really realize the impact Jesus, being true God, made by dying on the cross and rising again. In fact, she said Jesus was just a prophet, a very good man. As I left that night at the end of my shift, I felt hopeless. I started to question myself, “Did I say anything right? She didn’t seem to grasp the importance of what I was saying at all! She had grown up in a strict Muslim family her whole life. How will her heart ever change?”
As I drove home with a heavy heart, the song “The Word is Alive” by Casting Crowns came on the radio. God must have known what I needed to hear! The chorus of the song says, “The Word is alive, and it cuts like a sword through the darkness with a message of life to the hopeless and afraid, breathing life into all who believe. The Word is alive, and the world and its glories will fade, but His truth, it will not pass away. It remains yesterday and forever the same. The Word is alive.”
Then it hit me. Of course my words can’t change someone’s heart, but the living Word of God can! It’s not me that can save a soul or convince someone that they need Jesus. It’s His Word, which is “living and active…and piercing as far as the divisions of soul and spirit.” That is what changes people’s lives. Salvation is about Christ, and God’s Word is about Christ. We should always be ready to share our faith, and in doing so, should always be ready to “preach the Word.” (2 Tim. 4:2) The Word is alive.
by Lydia Franz
originally posted December 2008
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