Bible Verse Devotionals

 BIBLE VERSE John 15:11 (NLT) I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11 (NLT)  * WHAT DOES IT SAY?  * Jesus is speaking to His disciples about the importance of remaining in Him, like a branch remains in a vine. He has told them these things for a specific purpose (John 15:11).  * The purpose for Jesus telling them these things is so that they might be filled with His joy (John 15:11).  * Not only will they be filled with His joy, but their joy will also be an overflowing abundance (John 15:11).  * WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS? a) Historical Context What are "these things" Jesus is referring to that he has told them? b) Cultural Context What would the imagery of a "vine" and "branches" have meant to a Jewish audience in the first century? c) Theological Context How is "His joy" different from worldly happiness or pleasure? How can we have joy even in the midst of su...

 **BIBLE VERSE** Luke 18:22 "When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”" Luke 18:22 *** **1. WHAT DOES IT SAY?** * Jesus has just heard a rich young ruler declare that he has kept all of the commandments since his youth (v. 21). * Jesus responds by telling the man that he still has one thing left to do (v. 22a). * Jesus commands him to sell all of his possessions and give the money to the poor, promising that he will have treasure in heaven in return (v. 22b). * Finally, Jesus issues a direct invitation to the man to come and follow him (v. 22c). **2. WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS?** * **a) Historical Context:** Who was the rich young ruler? What was the general understanding of a person with great wealth in this culture? Was it a sign of God's blessing? * **b) Cultural Context:** What was the cultural...

 **BIBLE VERSE** Ephesians 4:32 "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 *** **1. WHAT DOES IT SAY?** * The author, Paul, gives a direct command to replace negative behaviors with positive ones. He tells us to be kind to each other and tenderhearted (v. 32a). * He instructs us to forgive one another, just as we have received forgiveness from God (v. 32b). * The command is rooted in the truth of our own salvation; our forgiveness of others is a reflection and result of God's forgiveness of us through Christ (v. 32c). **2. WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS?** * **a) Historical Context:** What was the social climate of the Ephesian church? Were there specific tensions or divisions between Gentile and Jewish believers that prompted Paul to emphasize these commands? * **b) Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world of the first century, was forgiveness a common value, or was ...

 BIBLE VERSE Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 1. WHAT DOES IT SAY? * The author, Paul, asks a rhetorical question about who he is trying to impress (v. 10a). * He contrasts trying to get approval from human beings with trying to get approval from God (v. 10a). * He asks a second, similar question, distinguishing between trying to please people and being a servant of Christ (v. 10b). * He makes a definitive statement that if his priority were to please people, he could not be a true servant of Christ (v. 10c). 2. WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS?** a) Historical Context:  What was the specific situation in the churches of Galatia that made Paul feel the need to defend his motives and his message so strongly? What was he accused of? b) Cultural Context:  What was the cultural pressure for Paul...

BIBLE VERSE Psalm 24:3-4a *Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands are innocent and whose hearts are pure.* Psalm 24:3-4a  1. WHAT DOES IT SAY? * This passage opens with two rhetorical questions that ask who is worthy to enter God's presence. (3) * The questions are answered immediately, stating that only those who meet specific moral and spiritual criteria are permitted. (4a) * The qualifications for entering God's presence are explicitly defined as having "innocent hands" and a "pure heart." (4a) * This implies that an outward action ("innocent hands") must be matched by an inward condition ("pure heart"). (4a) *** ### 2. WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS? * **Historical Context:** When and why was this psalm written? Was it recited by people ascending a literal mountain to worship at a physical temple? * **Cultural Context:** What was the cultural significance of "c...

James 4:17 "Therefore, to the one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is a sin. -NASB "Remember it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it" -NLT 1. What does it say? Summarize the text in your own words. -In light of the statements before do this. -If you know what is right and don't do what you know to be right then you are sinning. 2. What questions do I have about what it says? a. What comes before "Therefore"? -James discusses God being the only Lawgiver and Arbiter of justice. He also makes a point of recognizing that human life is short and tenuous so make the most of the time you have while you have it. Don't think you have all the time in the world and procrastinate. "Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today." b. Who defines what is right? -God as the moral lawgiver is the One who defines what is right. The scriptures say that God has written His law on human hearts. God has given us a...

Am I a God who is near," declares the Lord, "And not a God far off? 24 Can a person hide himself in hiding places So that I do not see him?" declares the Lord. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the Lord. 1. What does it say? Summarize the text in your own words. a. God asserts His omnipresence and omniscience b. God declares there is nowhere that man can hide from Him. 2. What questions do I have about what it says? a. What motivated God to declare His omnipresence and omniscience in this context? b. Is it possible to hide from God? c. Why would a person hide from God? When do they hide from Him? d. What implications does God's omnipresence have for our relationship with Him? 3. What does the text mean? a.  God's declaration of His omnipresence and omniscience is a response to the false prophets who were misleading the people of Judah. These prophets claimed to have special knowledge from God, but their messages were often contradictor...