Today's Blog with Wood

May 8, 2008

Do you know anyone who is "too big for his britches"? That old expression describes a lot of people I know. They are "legends in their own minds." One thing about such people, there is likely something in their future that will humble them, bring them down, crush their pride. 
 
It happened to many people in the Bible, just like Nebuchadnezzar whom we talked about on the radio today. And it doesn't take a lot of looking to see it happening to people today. 
 
I want my life to count for something, and so do you. For that to happen we have to be honest about ourselves and live as Jesus did--with others in mind, not ourselves. How do you face pride in your life?

Miss

God tends to take care of my pride. Every time something comes up, God seems to put me in my place. For example, I bought my late step-fathers car. I was quite pleased as it was the nicest car I've every had. I then went out and crashed the car. Fortunately no injuries, but it was a reminder to me that God provides for us and everything we have belongs to Him.

Response to Question

Below is a response from a Back to the Bible staff member regarding abortion. See original question in the blog immediately below this one. 
 
The only justifiable reason for an abortion is to save the life of the mother. While these statistics are somewhat dated, Dr. Irvin Kushner testified before the United State's Constitution Subcommittee on October 14, 1981, and stated that 97% of abortions were due to social, emotional, and financial reasons. Some would extend an abortion to those involved in rape or incest, but while the Bible designates these acts as sin, it does not remove its protection from the innocent life conceived by those acts. God considers the unborn a "person," not just a blob of cells. You mentioned Jeremiah 1:4,5 but there is also Galatians 1:15 (where Paul says God "set me apart before I was born, ESV), Luke 1:41, Psalm 139:13-16 and others. God considers the unborn a child and so should we. Luke 17:2 says, "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." How much more so if we were to murder them.

Question on Abortion

Here in Jamaica, our Parliament is now debating the issue of legalizing abortion. Some women believe that they have the right to decide to terminate a pregnancy. Some people believe that the fertilized egg is not yet a person.But in Jeremiah, God said "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you". Question: is abortion ever justified?

Response to Question

Below is a response from a Back to the Bible staff member regarding prayer. See original question in the blog immediately below this one. 
 
When we feel our praying is empty and ineffective, it is often helpful to check for attitudes which hinder prayer. One is an attitude of unbelief or lack of faith. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that in coming to God we must trust that He is there and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Sometimes we tend to lean more on our feelings than on God's promise that He is present and that He will answer our prayers. Prayer is hindered when we lean on feelings instead of stand on God's promises. 
 
Another hindrance to effective praying is sin in your life (Ps. 66:1 Even inner sins of the attitude, such as grudge-holding toward others, can seriously hinder prayer. 
 
A third attitude which is vital to effective praying is submission to God's will (Matt. 6:10; Luke 22:42). Real praying has as its goal the accomplishment of God's will, not our own. 
Below is a response from a Back to the Bible staff member regarding prayer. See original question in the blog immediately below this one.  
 
A fourth attitude which Scripture ties to effective praying is a grateful spirit. In Philippians 4:6 7, thanksgiving is prescribed as part of turning our anxieties over to the Lord in exchange for His peace in heart and mind. A thankful spirit transforms all of life, including our prayer experience.

How to Pray

Blog comment/question originally submitted on April 28th 
 
Dr. Kroll - My prayer life has greatly improved but I still feel somewhat disconnected like there is a barrier between God and myself. How do I open up the channel? Thanks!

Guest

There is someone I've been praying for a long time, to receive Christ and be born again. I confess I have often wished for "humbling" events, knowing that often they are the only things that turn us to God. But I was convicted by Dr. Kroll's words today that "we don't compare ourselves with others who don't seem up to par, but with Christ." I need to remain humble too and not think myself better than those still seeking the truth. I will continue to pray for his salvation, and for my faith to trust that it will come to pass in God's way and timing.

Response to Question

Below is a response from a Back to the Bible staff member regarding prayer. See original question in the blog immediately below this one. 
 
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the apostle Paul told believers to "pray without ceasing." It is hard to imagine how that could be carried out while a person is on the job, in school, or at the grocery store checkout if praying is only to be done aloud. How would a mute person be able to pray? How would a soldier on the battlefield be able to pray without blowing the cover of his whole unit? If you are in church and the pastor is leading in prayer, are you praying? 
God is all-knowing, and included in the things He knows is your thought life. He doesn't have to hear your words spoken openly in order to know what you are praying (Psalm 139:23). 
The Pharisees loved to pray aloud out in the open so that their prayers would be heard by all. Jesus told His disciples to go into the closet and shut the door. In the closet, whether you pray silently or aloud, it is apparent that God can hear, "and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:6). The Pharisees, on the other hand, "have their reward" (Matthew 6:2).

Praying Silently

Blog comment/question originally submitted on April 28th. 
 
Dr. Kroll I look forward to hearing your teaching on prayer this week. I recently heard a teaching on prayer that suggested that praying silently was not supported by the Bible and therefore was holy ineffective. It did not bear witness with my understanding of the Bible at all. 
I have made it a habit to read through my Bible from cover to cover annually and I estimate I'm in my nineteenth reading this year. It has been my habit to spend an hour and a half in prayer interceding for the things God has laid on my heart four times a week (it's hard work). But though I pray audibly at times the bulk of my intercessory prayer is characterized by silent prayer that is very fervent. I must report that my prayers are answered and I am greatly encouraged but experience alone is subjective. Will you be dealing with the question of whether praying silently or audibly matters to God according to His written word. I would very much like to hear your view of the Scriptures on this matter. Thank you for your devotion to God's Word and His people.

Response to Question

Below is a response from a Back to the Bible staff member regarding the Holy Spirit. See original question in the blog immediately below this one. 
 
Since the Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost, the gift of the Spirit is given to every believer at the time of conversion (Acts 10:45; Romans 8:9). At the time Jesus spoke the words in Luke 11:13, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given to believers as a permanent resident. Believers today do not need to pray for the Holy Spirit, because He is already given to them. But they should pray for the "good gifts" that God gives (see the parallel passage in Matthew 7:11).

Question

I'm sorry, I'm bit late but I've heard some days ago in studies about the Holy Spirit work that nowhere in the Bible it is written to ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. But in Luke 11:13 it is written that God will give the Holy Spirit to everyone will ask for it. Can you please give me an explanation for that. Because this is the verse that a pentecostal friend of mine use to justify the fact that they ask for that gift.

May 8, 2008

Have you ever felt abandoned, all alone, like you're in the fiery furnace by yourself? Sure you have. But when you have the Lord Jesus in your life, you've gotta know He's there for you. 
 
That's what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (not A-bend-nego!) learned in the chapter we studied today. Even in the middle of a literal, blazing furnace, they found out that God was there with them. 
 
Now, you won't be thrown into any furnace these days, and you probably won't literally see God in those trying times. But you have the Holy Spirit there inside you, and you'll know He's there. He promised never to leave you or abandon you. Where is He right now in your life? If you were in Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's situation before the king, how do you think you'd respond?

craig

The Holy Spirit is a very active part of my life. He teaches me as i read God's word. He convicts me when i'm tempted. He reassures me when i get tired and start to question. i can't imagine life w/out Him in me.

Miss

Would I respond like Daniel and his friends? I hope so. They, and their story, are certainly a great example for us in God's word. I do believe that God gives grace when the time comes. We may not need it or understand it until we go through something like that, and God gives us the grace we need.

He saw the Glory of God!

Dr Kroll: 
Today was a neat study. Thank you for your commitment to the Lord Jesus that inspires us. 
I've been in fiery trials before and the result was I didn't even smell any smoke on me. We can be in these instances through life circumstances--but God is still the same!! 
I've been challenged today to continue to serve the only true God. I want the Lord to build in my life the character qualities needed in me to stand in my generation, in this current day. 
I liked your comment about the world trying/testing God and then they try something else like Budda. As it was in the Old Testament, their are so many false gods some folks are going after today. Perhaps some do not seek God very far or fail to give their lives completely to Him. Thank God we know and serve Him the only true God. Praise God.

May 6, 2008

Have you noticed how quickly some people take credit for things they didn't do? Athletes play a good game, grab the limelight center court afterward and make it sound like they were the only player on the court. 
 
In Daniel today we were talking about Nebuchadnezzar's dreams; and, specifically, Daniel's ability to interpret those dreams. Daniel knew he was smart. He also knew better than to take credit for something he didn't do. He knew—and made sure the king knew—that God gave him the interpretation of the dreams. 
 
Sometimes we claim credit for ourselves without even knowing it. God does great things for us, and we claim we did them. God gifts us and we claim to be talented. It's easy to claim the credit that belongs to God alone. We all do it at times. So, what are some areas in your life where you struggle not to grab the praise that should be God's?

May 5, 2008

One of the hardest things in life is to do the right thing when everyone else is doing the wrong thing. And yet, a great deal of the Christian life calls us to do just that. The world is moving one way; we are moving another. 
 
If you caught the program today, you know that's exactly the situation Daniel and his friends were in. They could have easily given up on God's laws--Jerusalem had just been destroyed and now they were in captivity--but they decided early that they wouldn't forget God. 
 
If you're not marching to the beat of a different drummer, whose beat are you marching to? Christ calls us to live a life that is distinctive, separate from the way others live. Is that how you live your life? Are you willing to go it alone when it comes to doing what is right?

want to be like daniel

i would like to be like daniel when come to my friend and family but u give in some time not often but i do just to make them happy what can i do i just can't stay lock up in my house the rest of my life

On Track

I live in a very small west Texas town and work nights, one of my co workers is also a devoted Christian so I find it easier to live by Christ than say others. I had worked in Houston and Dallas for many years. It is so easy to get sucked into the wake of the world, I pray for those of you who have that constant bombardment I know first hand how hard it can be. I thank God daily for living in this remote area.

On Track

To be a christian today it is hard because we live in a fallen world that is getting worst every day. When you take up the cross and follow Christ you can not look back on what you was doing or was you can not waver in your faith. Daniel was committed and did not let any thing or one shake his faith in the true and living God, and I have gleaned a lesson in studing Daniel, to continue to knowledge God and trust in Him in all things; because I serve a powerful and loving God. I revenace what God can do not the world and those who do not know Christ the Savior He is more to me than the people of the world, I am twice born and God promise to me ever lasting life. To God be the Glory![LIST][LIST]

National prayer

As a nation we have broken every one of the Ten Commandments. Atheists have been favored over God in cases concerning prayer and Bible distribution. Abortion and compromising marriage are among sins our nation must confess. It is crucial we repent and correct sins committed in the name of being 'politically correct'. We are more worried about offending sinners than about offending God. May we passionately humble ourselves and pray for our nation's repentance, asking God's forgiveness that He will heal our land.

Miss

I work in San Francisco and live in the San Francisco Bay area. Yes I do find it difficult to stay on track- so to speak. One thing that really helps me is to stay in contact with people who believe the same as I do and know what I believe. Know what the Bible says.

May 2, 2008

If you're like I am--and I suspect you are--when you pray, you ask God for things: good health, financial success, friends who treat you well. But have you ever thought of prayer as a time to confess the sins of your nation to God. 
 
Maybe not, but the prayers in the Bible are often those of people who felt a real need to talk to God about the sins of their nation. What do you think? Are there things you should ask God to forgive your homeland for? Tell God about them.

Ms

Yes I do...because when a nation sins it affects all. My homeland is full of corruption and greed that the poor gets poorer and the rich get richer. The rich sin constantly turning away from God as their love for money controls them. many have turned their back on the Lord, going to church on sundays and visiting the witch doctor on mondays, attending cult meetings on Fridays. Yes there are many things to beg God to forgive my home land for..and daily I do.... for God ordained that if a few people who are called His name would humble ourselves and pray, he will heal the land.

Our Nation

I want God to forgive our nation for greed, immorality, and gluttony. We care too much for "things'. Alot of people are too busy making money and trying to have the biggest house and the fanciest car. There is a lack of compassion for others, as well. What this nation should be doing is praying to God. He is a role model for all of us to follow.