Category: Bible Challenge

“Each time Jehudi finished reading three or four columns, the king took a knife and cut off that section of the scroll. He then threw it into the fire, section by section, until the whole scroll was burned up. Neither the king nor his attendants showed any signs of fear or repentance at what they heard. Even when Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah begged the king not to burn the scroll, he wouldn’t listen.” v.23-25

Only three leaders protested this evil act of burning the scroll containing God’s Word. This shows how complacent and insensitive to God the people had become. Not only did the king reject God’s Word, he tried to destroy it. Speaking out against these actions took courage. Anyone who decides to live for God must be willing to stand for right even if almost everyone else turns away. It is in the climate of darkness and sin that genuine faith shines most brightly.

When I hear things that confront sin in my life, unknown and known, how do I respond? Do I listen and repent, or do I ignore and indulge?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“‘O Sovereign Lord,’ I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”

The Lord replied, ‘Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!’ Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,

‘Look, I have put my words in your mouth!
Today I appoint you to stand up
against nations and kingdoms.
Some you must uproot and tear down,
destroy and overthrow.
Others you must build up
and plant.’” v.6-10
Often people struggle with new challenges because they lack self-confidence, feeling that they have inadequate ability, training, or experience. Jeremiah thought he was ‘too young’ and inexperienced to be God’s prophet to the nations. But God promised to be with him. We should not allow feelings of inadequacy keep us from obeying God. He will always be with us. If God gives you a job to do, He will provide all you need to do it!

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows[a] that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.” v. 4- 6
This prophecy was fulfilled by the death of Jesus. How could an Old Testament person understand the idea of Christ dying for our sins – actually bearing the punishment that we deserved? The sacrifice suggested this, but it is one thing to kill a lamb, and something quit different to think of God’s chosen servant as that Lamb. But God was pulling aside the curtain of time to let the people Isaiah’s of day look ahead to the suffering of the future Messiah and the resulting forgiveness made available to all people!

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Then I said, ‘It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, ‘See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.’
Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?’
I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’” v. 5-8
Seeing the Lord and listening to the praise of the angles, Isaiah realized that he was sinful before God, with no hope of measuring up to God standard of holiness. When Isaiah’s lips were touched with a live burning coal, however, he was told that his sins were forgiven. It wasn’t the coal that cleansed him, but God. In response, Isaiah submitted himself entirely to God’s service. No matter how dificult his task would be, he said, “Here I am. Send me.” The painful cleansing process was necessary before Isaiah could fulfill the task to which God was calling him. Before we accept God’s call to speak for him to those around us we must be cleansed as Isaiah was, confessing our sins and submitting to God’s control. Letting God purify us may be painful, but we must be purified so that we can truly represent God, who is pure and holy.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’” v.1
A life without God can produce bitterness, loneliness, and hopelessness in old age. A life centered around God is fulfilling and can be richer and more bearable when we are faced with disabilities, sickness, or handicaps. Being young is exciting. Bit the excitement of youth can become a barrier to closeness with God if it makes young people focus on passing pleasures instead of eternal values. Make your strength available to God when it is still yours – during your youthful years. Don’t waste it on evil or meaningless activities that become habits and make you callous. Seek God now!

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,
examining every path he takes.
An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
they are ropes that catch and hold him.
He will die for lack of self-control;
he will be lost because of his great foolishness.” v.21-23
In our world today good men, even men being used by God, are falling into the trap of looking outside of their relationship with their wife, for some type of relationship. Some of them went looking for it while others simply let their guard down. That is why Solomon warns us all to be careful. In contrast to what we read, see, and hear today, this passage urges couples to look to each other for life long satisfaction and companionship. Many temptations cause husband and wives to leave when things become hard, stale, dull, or complacent. They begin to think the grass will be greener on the other side. It may appear that way at first but the reality is that it’s not. Don’t let God’s best for you be wasted on the illusion of greener pastures somewhere else. Instead, rejoice with your spouse as you give yourself to God and each other.

If you are single, don’t think this doesn’t apply to you. Don’t settle for less than God’s best! Be patient, and God will bless!

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.” v23
Our heart – our feelings of love and desire – dictates to a great extent how we live because we we always find time to do what we enjoy. Solomon tells us to guard our hearts above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections lead you in the right right directions. Put boundaries on your desires: Don’t go after everything you see. Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your goal, and don’t get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.” v. 13-14
Sometimes our burdens seem more than we can bear, and we wonder how we can go on. David stands as this bleak intersection of life’s road and meditates on the Lord, the great burden bearer. God is able to lift us because:

1. His greatness is beyond discovery
2. He does mighty acts for each generation
3. He is full of majestic, glorious splendor
4. He does awe-inspiring deeds
5. He is righteous
6. He is kind, merciful, patient, loving, and compassionate
7. He rules over an everlasting kingdom
8. He is our source for all our daily needs
9. He is righteous and kind in all his dealings
10. He remains close to those who call on him
11. He hears our cries and rescues us

If you are bending under a burden and feel that you are about to fall, turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up and bear your burden.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.” v.1

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” v.23-24
Sometimes we don’t let people get to know us completely because we are afraid they will discover something about us they won’t like. But God already knows everything about us, even the number of hairs on our heads and he still accepts and loves us. God is with us through every situation, in every trial – protecting, loving, guiding. He knows and loves us completely.

David ask God to search for sin and point it out, even to the level of testing his thoughts. This is exploratory surgery for sin. How are we to recognize sin unless God points it out? Then, when God shows us, we can repent and be forgiven. Make this verse your prayer. If you ask God to search yor heart and your thoughts and to reveal your sin, you will be continuing on “the path to everlasting life”.

Taken from the NLT LIfe Application Study Bible

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.” v. 1-2
David’s praise focused on the good things God was doing for him. It is easy to complain about life, but David’s list gives us plenty for which to praise God: He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from death, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires, and gives righteousness and justice. We receive all of these without deserving any of them. No matter how difficult your life’s journey, you can always count your blessings-past, present, and future. When you feel as though you have nothing for which to praise God, read Davids list found in this psalm.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible