Bible Verse Devotionals

Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. WHAT DOES IT SAY? O Jesus had nullified the power and effectiveness of the Enemy. O Christ has triumphed over the enemy making them look foolish. Christ is victorious WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT THE TEXT? O How does Christ disarm the enemy? -Jesus disarmed the enemy by taking their weapon of death and making it His own by making His shed blood the atonement for our sins restoring the relationship with God and man so that all who believe in Him will have forgiveness of sins. O Who are the principalities and powers? -The principalities and powers are those who rebel against God. Satan and those who follow him that have tried to thwart the kingdom of God. They may seem to have authority in this present world but have been defeated by Christ by his death on the cross. God will hold them accountable and they will suffer the punishment of being forever banished from t

1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  WHAT DOES THE TEXT SAY? o No matter what I do all of it should be done for God's glory.  WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT THE TEXT? o How does what I do glorify God? I glorify God by living in a way that represents and honors God. I do everything with excellence knowing that my labor is meant to please God rather than men.  o What is glory? Glory is the praise, worship and thanksgiving man gives to God because we affirm the reality of His magnificence, beauty, and great things He has done.  WHAT DOES IT MEAN? o All I say and do should be in honor and gratitude of God.  Glorifying God by how I live shows gratitude to Him by honoring  HOW DOES IT APPLY TO ME? I am convicted by the fact that as a follower of Christ I represent Him. What I say and do are a reflection both on the sincerity of my beliefs as well

No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB WHAT DOES IT SAY? O Temptation is a regular and expected part of life O The struggles that we go through are not unique to us. They also happen and have happened to others. O God does not leave us alone or without help O God supplies us with all we need to endure and overcome temptation. WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT THE TEXT? O What is temptation? The word used for temptation can also be translated as testing or trial. The assumption when faced with hardship and difficulty is that God is wrong to allow suffering, temptation, and hardship to occur in my life. Also that the suffering/difficulty we face is pointless. O Does this mean God won't allow hardship in our life we aren't capable of dealing with on our own? J

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.  What does it say? o God is ever present, active and concerned with what happens in the world.  o God loves and has made his dwelling around the people who revere Him.  o God protects and provides for those who love Him.  What questions do I have about the text? o What/Who is the angel of the Lord?  The angel of the of the Lord in the OT sometimes refers to a theophany or appearance of the pre-incarnate Messiah. However, in this context what is communicated is that the angel or messenger of the Lord is an entity that embodies the presence and authority of God.  o What does it mean to fear Him?  To fear God means to have a healthy understanding of His authority and power. In the same way that a person might have a healthy fear of a lion or police officer. The lion is beautiful and majestic but at the same time terrifying because of the power

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.  What does the text say? o If you are found in Christ then you are a new person.  o The old way of doing this is over, there is a new currency that we operate by.  What questions do I have about the text? o What are the new things that come?  o What does it mean to be in Christ?  o How should I change if I'm in Christ? What does it mean?  o You can see change in a person who has committed their life to Christ. God gives us first new desires that please Him and the strength through the Holy Spirit to obey Him.  o Followers of Jesus are found in Him because He is the perfect sacrifice and it is His completed work and righteousness that allow us access to the Father.  o The old system or self is and must remain dead. Anything that comes from the old sinful nature must go because it has

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and wealth.  What does the text say? o  You can't be divided in your loyalty.  o Competing priorities and plans will make you miserable.  o You will need to cheat someone if you have more than one boss.  What questions do I have about the text? o Does this mean I can't have money or be rich?  -This is a warning that uses a strong comparative. The choice is either to be mindful of worldly, short term priorities or to prioritize the kingdom priorities that have eternal impact.  What does the text mean?  o Choose to prioritize the matters of the kingdom over the matters of this world.  o Set Christ as Lord and give Him your yes before you give your yes to anyone else.  o Christians that try to straddle the fence are miserable. Moreover, thos