Bible Verse Devotionals

 BIBLE VERSE 2 Corinthians 5:17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17  * WHAT DOES IT SAY?  * If a person is "in Christ," they are a "new creation" (17a).  * The "old things have passed away" for this new creation (17b).  * "Behold, new things have come" for the person who is in Christ (17c).  * WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS? a) Historical Context  * Who was Paul writing to in the city of Corinth, and what was their spiritual background?  * How would the concept of a "new creation" have been understood by people in the first century, especially those from Jewish and Greco-Roman backgrounds? b) Cultural Context  * What were some of the "old things" in the Corinthian culture that would have passed away for new believers?  * How would this idea of transformation challenge the way people in Corinth viewed their identity...

 BIBLE VERSE 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments; We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5   * WHAT DOES IT SAY?  * Paul states that the spiritual battle he and the Corinthians are in does not use worldly weapons, but God's powerful weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4).  * These spiritual weapons are used to tear down "strongholds of human reasoning" and "false arguments" (2 Corinthians 10:4).  * They also tear down any arrogant or prideful obstacle that prevents people from coming to know God (2 Corinthians 10:5).  * The goal of this spiritual battle is to take captive all rebellious thoughts and make them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).  * WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS? a) Historical Context  * Who ...

 BIBLE VERSE 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 And my message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith would not rest on human wisdom but on the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5   * WHAT DOES IT SAY?  * Paul says that when he preached and shared the Good News, he did not use persuasive or clever words from human wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:4).  * Instead, he says his message was shown through the powerful work of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4).  * The reason for this was so that the Corinthians' faith would be built on the power of God, not on the cleverness of people (1 Corinthians 1:5).  * WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS? a) Historical Context  * What was the typical style of a public speaker or philosopher in ancient Corinth?  * What specific "persuasive words of wisdom" might Paul be referring to? Was there a specific school of thought he was arguing agai...

 BIBLE VERSE 2 Corinthians 2:4-5 For I wrote you with a deeply troubled heart and many tears. I wasn’t trying to hurt you, but I wanted you to know how very much I love you. I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you, not just me. 2 Corinthians 2:4-5   * WHAT DOES IT SAY?  * Paul wrote a previous letter to the Corinthians with a very troubled heart and with many tears (2 Corinthians 2:4).  * Paul was not writing to intentionally cause pain, but to show his deep love for them (2 Corinthians 2:4).  * Paul says the man who caused the trouble didn't just hurt him, but hurt the whole church body (2 Corinthians 2:5).  * WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS? a) Historical Context  * Who is the "man who caused all the trouble"? What did he do?  * What was the previous letter Paul wrote? Why did it cause so much distress?  * What was the relationship between Paul and the Corinthian church at ...

 BIBLE VERSE 2 Chronicles 15:2 (NLT) He went out to meet King Asa and gave him this message: “Listen to me, Asa! Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The LORD will be with you as long as you are with him. If you search for him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2 (NLT)  * WHAT DOES IT SAY?  * A prophet named Azariah delivers a message from God to King Asa and all the people. (2a)  * The message contains a promise that God will be with His people if they are with Him. (2b)  * The message also contains a condition: if they seek God, they will find Him. (2c)  * Finally, the message gives a warning: if they abandon God, He will abandon them. (2d)  * WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS? a) Historical Context  * Who was King Asa, and what was his reign like up to this point? What was the political and military situation of Judah at this time?    b) Cultural Context  * What di...

 BIBLE VERSE Mark 10:51 (NLT) "What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. Mark 10:51 (NLT)  * WHAT DOES IT SAY?  * Jesus asks a question to someone. (51a)  * The question Jesus asks is, "What do you want me to do for you?" (51b)  * The text implies a conversation is taking place between Jesus and an unnamed person. (51)  * WHAT QUESTIONS DO I HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS? a) Historical Context  * Who is the person Jesus is asking this question to? What happened just before this verse? b) Cultural Context  * What was the social standing of the person Jesus was speaking to? Would a person of high status normally engage with someone like this? c) Theological Context  * Why does Jesus ask this question? Does he not already know what the person wants? What does this interaction reveal about Jesus' character? d) Literary Context  * How does this verse fit into the broader narrative of Mark's Gospel? What themes are being developed here? e) Li...

 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...