Unwrapping the Gift of Salvation in this New Year of 2025

See blog author's note at bottom of page...

 

Some people receive Jesus as Savior but then view salvation as nothing more than a ticket to heaven. Unfortunately, they never discover the spiritual blessings God has for us, His people, to enjoy here on earth. One of the best ways to explore the gift of salvation is to study the Bible. So how should we approach reading Scripture?

A. Study for yourself. Some people enjoy reading through the Bible every year. Others take it at a slower pace, going book by book—either sequentially or in no particular order. Reading the Scriptures in context will give you a better understanding of spiritual truth. You will also discover interesting passages typically overlooked in sermons and Bible studies.

Write down a few benefits of studying God’s Word:

• Romans 15:4

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17

• Psalm 19:8-11

B. Learn more with study aids. Take advantage of scholarly notes in your Bible. Look up the cross references to find related verses. Use a concordance to discover every mention of a particular topic. Use a Bible dictionary to find more information about scriptural characters and concepts, and dig deeper into a passage by using commentaries. Many of these study tools are available online for no charge. They can provide you with access to the insights of experts in theology and history.

Although these particular study tools didn’t exist in Bible times, turning to another source for scriptural understanding is nothing new.

• What did the Jewish leaders do for the people who hadn’t heard the law before (Neh. 8:8)?

• Describe how each individual below helped someone with less scriptural knowledge:

  • Peter (Acts 11:1-18)

  • Phillip (Acts 8:26-38)

• Why is it important to be sure we understand the true meaning of Scripture (2 Peter 1:20; 3:16)?

C. Write down your spiritual questions. You may want to make a note in your Bible when you encounter a difficult passage. Or you might prefer to keep a list of questions elsewhere. Record the date your question came to mind as well as when God answered it. Remember that while some insights will come immediately, others take years. And some may not be answered in this life.

• Who ultimately gives us understanding of the Scriptures (1 Chron. 22:12-13)?

Be sure to compare all spiritual instruction—even from teachers you trust—with the Word of God.

• According to Acts, why were the Bereans more “noble-minded” than the Thessalonians (Acts 17:10-11)?

• Do you generally examine the sermons you hear by comparing them to Scripture? Why or why not?

D. Apply the Word to your life. When verses encourage or convict you, write them down or underline them in your Bible. You may want to record them in a devotional journal. Include your thoughts on how the passages relate to your circumstances.

Another way to apply biblical truth is to pray Scripture. Acts 4:24-31 gives an example of this: when the apostles were told to stop preaching about Jesus, they began their prayer with quotations from the Bible (verses 24-26 quote Old Testament passages):

• How do you think remembering these truths benefited the apostles as they prayed?

The book of Psalms and the New Testament are full of passages that can easily be turned into prayers. For instance, Romans 15:1 reads: “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.” To turn the verse into a prayer, you might say: “Lord, please help me be patient and seek to encourage others who aren’t strong in their faith.”

• Turn Romans 15:4-7 (or one of your favorite passages) into a prayer.

E. Fill your mind with Bible verses.

Memorizing and meditating on Scripture are helpful in a number of ways. Write down benefits described in each of these verses:

• Joshua 1:8

• Psalm 119:11

• Psalm 119:98-99

• Romans 12:1-2

Of the advantages mentioned above, which excites you the most? Why?

Memorizing the Word also helps us learn the Lord’s values. When you know His priorities, you are better equipped to discern His voice for guidance, direction, and comfort. The Holy Spirit will bring scriptures to mind that will guide you in how to respond to each situation you face.

Conclusion: Don’t be a believer who fails to explore the blessings God offers His children. Discover the spiritual riches you possess by reading and studying His Word for yourself. Then you will be well on your way to “unwrapping” everything the Father has for you in Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful gift of salvation. May I never take it for granted. Show me how to study and obey Your Word so I can experience all You’ve given me. Amen.

Blessings.....

Blog author note: This is by Charles Stanley from my "Bible study folder." It may be several years old because the Bible verse links no longer work and I cannot find it in the archive at InTouch.org. It is still a good study as we move forward into this new year of 2025.

Rekindling Our Fire for God

 

Some people lose their passion for God suddenly, through a crisis or a major life change. Others lose their enthusiasm gradually. They simply spend less and less time on spiritual pursuits. Eventually, their lives hardly differ from those of non-believers. Does this describe you? If so, how can you rekindle your spiritual flame?

1. Remember your desperate need for God.

One of the quickest routes to regaining spiritual fervor is through a tragedy that disrupts life. But you don’t have to wait for adversity to strike. Remember how dependent you are on the Lord physically, spiritually, and materially.

Physically, no human can sustain his or her life for a single second without God. Heart attacks, car accidents, and other trials reveal our frailty. The next time you hear about a tragedy, thank the Lord for sustaining your life.

Take a moment to reflect on the many blessings—both spiritual and material—that God has given you. In all things, we are dependent on our heavenly Father.

• Read Titus 3:1-7. For what sins have you been forgiven?

• What motivated God to save us (vv. 4-7)?

• Describe a time the Father provided physical protection for you or supplied material needs (Luke 12:29-31).

2. Repent of letting sin dampen your devotion to God.

Growing cold spiritually is ultimately a result of sin. Such rebellion can be either blatant, like an act of adultery, or subtle, like a materialistic attitude.

• What sins have crept into your life and damaged your relationship with God?

• What in your life takes precedence over following Christ?

After being rebuked by the prophet Nathan for committing adultery with Bathsheba, King David wrote the prayer of confession found in Psalm 51.

• Read verses 1-9, and then write your own prayer of repentance.

3. Recommit to seeking God daily.

Frequently, a loss of spiritual fervor goes hand in hand with a loss of commitment to a regular, personal time with the Lord.

• How would you describe the current state of your one-on-one meetings with God?

Scripture records that Jesus often withdrew from the crowds to spend time alone in prayer (Matt. 14:23).

• Read Psalm 27:4-8. What did David desire more than anything else?

• Read Psalm 16, especially verse 11. What did the author anticipate finding in the presence of the Lord?

Get in the habit of approaching the Lord for more than simply your list of requests. Devote time to seeking communion with Him for its own sake, rather than what He can do for you.

4. Rely on the Holy Spirit to equip you for living the Christian life.

Sometimes our passion wanes because we try to live for Jesus in our own strength. Following Christ is impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit; attempting to do so can leave us weary and discouraged.

• Are you spiritually worn out? If so, describe your experience.

Jesus relied on the Father not only to guide His ministry, but also to empower Him (John 14:10). In a similar way, believers must learn to let the Holy Spirit work through them.

• What does Paul say is the power behind his labor (Col. 1:28-29)?

• Read John 15:4-5. How much will believers accomplish if they refuse to abide in Christ?

If it isn't clear how to let God work through you, ask Him to reveal what steps to take. Christ-like attitudes and actions should flow from the Holy Spirit within you, not from your willpower (Gal. 5:22-25).

5. Renew your commitment to serving others.

One of the best ways to rekindle your spiritual fire is through service. Galatians 5:13 says, “Do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

• What does 1 John 3:16-18 say about how we should love others?

• What are your spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:4-8)?

• How have you enjoyed helping others in the past? What new areas of ministry do you want to try?

If you aren’t sure how to get involved, ask the Lord for inspiration and clear direction. Remember, serving others doesn’t have to mean a formal commitment to a ministry or church committee. You can also look for opportunities to bless the people you encounter in your daily activities.

Closing: Do you want your fire for the Lord restored? Put aside the distractions that have stolen your affection. As you seek God through times of fellowship, the flame you once had for Christ should reignite with love for Him.

Prayer: Father, I confess that my passion for You has cooled. I repent of allowing the world and its concerns to distract me from pure zeal for Your kingdom. Stir up the flame within me and renew my joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings......

Blog author note:

May we begin this new year of 2025 with our hearts stirred up into flames of love for our LORD and Savior!

This is by Charles Stanley that I had saved in my "Bible study folder." Most of these I have are no longer available on the In Touch website. This may be from early 2000s.

For more study see link below...

Rekindling Your Fire for God

A Balanced, Growing Life

 

God wants you to thrive so you can lead a positive life in a negative world. But people tend to be creatures of habit. We often gravitate toward what is safe, not necessarily what is good. Or we settle for mediocre rather than pursue what is best.

To flourish in all areas of your life, you have to want to be successful. You must desire more for every area of your life—especially spiritually. And that involves a willingness to obey God’s plan and principles. The Lord will satisfy the heart that is hungry for Him and His will.

• Read Psalm 1:1-2, paying attention to the verbs in the first verse. What would it indicate if a person were to walk, stop and stand, then sit with the ungodly? (Note: This passage is not talking about spending time with unbelievers so you can be a witness to them. Rather, it has to do with allowing oneself to be influenced by the ungodly.)

• How does this verb progression apply to gradually establishing bad habits?

A. Making a Life Wheel

Setting objectives is important; if you don’t determine your priorities, other people or circumstances will choose them for you. One way to record goals and evaluate your path is to make a life wheel.

Draw a circle on a large piece of paper. At its center, draw a smaller ring and write “God” within it. Then divide the outside circle into four even sections. Label these “Family,” “Social/Recreational,” “Business,” and “Spiritual.”

Next, identify goals for each area of your life. Find photos of your family and friends, or cut out magazine pictures, that represent your goals. For instance, someone who wants to spend more time with his wife and children would include pictures of his family spending time together. Draw a picture if you can’t find an image that fits your goal.

After you complete your wheel, put it in a place where you can refer to it often, such as inside a closet door.

B. Why make a life wheel? It can help in five ways:

1. Visualization: The wheel is based on the goodness of God. Remind yourself always that “the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord” (Ps. 33:5). Ask the Lord to rule over your imagination and to provide a glimpse of His plan for you as well as the blessings He desires to give you.

• How did God describe the plans He had for the Israelites (Jer. 29:11)?

• List at least one instance in which the Lord’s will for your life was better than what you would have chosen for yourself.

2. Expectation: The life wheel is based on the promises of our heavenly Father. As you visualize and identify your goals, you are in a better position to ask God specifically for what you truly desire and then to look for His answer or provision.

• According to James, why don’t we have more of God’s blessings (4:2)?

3. Motivation: Aim to see your life as the Father sees it, and then act on what He guides you to do.

• Many people believe that God isn’t personally interested in their lives. Is this a biblical idea (Ps. 32:8)?

• Look at the wheel you made. How many of your goals were prompted by the Lord’s guidance? How many sprang primarily from your desires?

4. Meditation: The wheel centers on submission to the Father. As you meditate on His Word, you learn more about the goodness of God and His plan for your life.

• Read 1 Thess. 5:11-21. How can you apply this verse to your goals?

5. Realization: The Lord will faithfully guide you into all truth.

• How can Romans 8:28 provide reassurance of God’s intentions toward you?

• What things in your life do you think the Father will use for your ultimate good, even if you can’t see His final purpose right now?

Take a few moments to pray. Ask the Lord to reveal how He wants you to cooperate with Him this week in bringing about His good purposes in your life.

C. Life Evaluation

The wheel provides an opportunity to evaluate your life at a glance. If you have many goals in one area of your life but very few in another, your priorities might be out of balance. (Note: Some areas of your life may have fewer aspirations of greater importance. In a balanced life, it’s the quality of goals that count—not the number).

After you have made your life wheel, answer these questions:

• What area of my life have I overemphasized in the past?

• What have I neglected?

• What are the results of imbalance in my life?

If your wheel is unbalanced, begin by thanking and praising God for His goodness and His many benefits to you. Then ask Him to highlight areas of your life that need adjustment. As you look over your wheel, you are likely to feel drawn to a particular goal. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom about this specific area. As He leads, change priorities and readjust the goals until you feel that your life is on course with God’s agenda.

Conclusion: A life wheel can help you evaluate yourself and develop a greater dependency on the Lord. That’s one reason to construct it as a circle—let it remind you of God’s desire for you to be whole. True prosperity is always rooted in wholeness, growth, and fruitfulness.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who helps and guides me in becoming all You want me to be. Please reveal to me any areas of my life that are out of balance, and show me the priorities You want me to have. Amen.

Adapted from “Understanding Financial Stewardship” by Charles Stanley (2008).

Blog author note: from my Bible study folder.

Blessings.....

Psalm 8 -- The Glory of the LORD in Creation

 

Psalm 8

The Glory of the LORD in Creation - A Psalm of David.

1    O LORD, our LORD,
      How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
      Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

2    Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
      You have ordained strength,
      Because of Your enemies,
      That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

3    When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
      The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4    What is man that You are mindful of him,
      And the son of man that You visit him?
5    For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
      And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

6    You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
      You have put all things under his feet,
7     All sheep and oxen—
      Even the beasts of the field,
8    The birds of the air,
      And the fish of the sea
      That pass through the paths of the seas.

9    O LORD, our LORD,
      How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

Blessings....