Inspiration for Today's World
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Commentary:
This verse does not say we are to be joyful with or when we are afflicted. It says that we are only to be patient with our affliction, but joyful in the hope and we are instructed to pray (communicate what is on our hearts to God).
Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
Commentary:
Humility, faith, perseverance all bring mankind to recognize that God is in control of the universe. We are free to believe this or not to believe this. Our trials are often given to us so that we can draw our strength from God instead of mankind
Genesis 12:2-4 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. So Abram left, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.”
Commentary:
The Lord built his entire nation through the faith of one servant, Abram (see Genesis 15:4-5) and Abram was seventy-five years old. As you hold the scriptures in your hand, remember, that all this unfolded through Abram. No person is ever too old to serve. God calls each person for His own glory.
Psalm 104:14-15 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate – bringing forth food from the earth; wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.
Commentary:
Wine is provided by God for man’s enjoyment. (also see Ecclesiastes 9:7)
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Commentary:
Too much wine, beer, alcohol, is wrong because of what it leads us into (sin). (also see Isaiah 5:11-13)
Proverbs 23:20 Do not join those who drink too much wine, or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Commentary:
We are warned to choose our friends carefully. Spending time in pursuit of too much drinking and food causes a person to loose his ambition and energy. This eventually effects both our physical attitude as well as our financial wealth.
Ecclesiastes 2:3 I tried cheering myself with wine and embracing folly my mind still guiding me with wisdom.
Commentary:
King Solomon was known for his wisdom and insight. He tried many things, including wine, to bring him joy (see all of chapter 2 of Ecclesiastes). King Solomon concluded that “everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Wine is provided by God for mankind’s enjoyment, not to bring enjoyment to mankind.
Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”‘ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
Commentary:
Christ drank wine. (also see Matthew 26:27-29)
John 3:7-8 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
Commentary:
Our Christ was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore, Christ would not have created wine if the wine, of itself, was sinful. It is possible to conclude, then, that it is man’s use (or abuse) of wine that leads him to sin. It is the abuse that is wrong.
Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery, instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Commentary:
Debauchery is the seduction from virtue or morality; it is excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; it is seduction from allegiance or duty. When what we drink causes us to lose our Christian productivity, drinking is wrong. We do not have to be drunk to drink too much. When we are led into debauchery, we are sinful. (see Galatians 5:19)
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Commentary:
Our test on whether alcohol is a problem or not lies in the evidence of righteousness, peace and joy. If these are absent or there is immorality, conflict and sorrow, then it is likely that a problem exists.
Ephesians 4:26 In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Commentary:
Paul does not say it is wrong to be angry. In fact, it specifically says “in your anger.” Our instruction is to be on guard that our anger does not turn to sin. The advice seems to indicate that anger carried onto the next day opens the door to Satan’s deceptions.
James 1:19-20 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Commentary:
We are given some important advice on how to control anger, be quick listeners. When we are angry, we are not able to accomplish God’s plan for ourselves. Anger stops communication between people and it is a counterproductive witness to the power and peace of Christ.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Commentary:
This verse can be called “biblical stress management.” By placing our burdens on Christ, we can rest in the assurance that He cares and will guide our lives to Him.
Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Commentary:
In our lives, the approval of others, our parents, friends, co-workers, etc., influence our actions. Too many times, this search for approval leads to a poor self-image. No matter how hard we may try, the other person may never give us the approval we are looking for. The Apostle Paul restates here in Galatians that we only need to please one master and that is Christ.
The concept of physical and athletic training has its metaphorical place in Scripture. Whether through the Apostle’ Paul’s comparison of the discipleship journey to a race or the understanding that intense training and discipline produces strength and endurance, you can find it in God’s Word. If you add to this the fact that athletics and physical training are mentioned at in Scripture, this too is an implication of the significance to athletics that God is there when you compete.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Hebrews 12:11-13
11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
1 Timothy 4:8
8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Colossians 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Psalm 105:4
4 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
1 Peter 2:11-13 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Commentary:
Every day most of us go to work or are exposed to neighbors, family members, etc. Many of these people are searching for God. One of the most confusing things to a non- Christian is not seeing any difference between themselves and those who proclaim to be followers of Christ. It is most important that we be good ambassadors of the Christian faith in all that we do.