Read the Bible Challenge 2023 – The Scriptural Truth

Thoughts From Hebrews 1:1-2

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
Hebrews 1:1-2 NKJV

In the past, God spoke to people through his prophets. When the Israelites or other people did evil in His sight, God sent specially selected men and women to warn them about His coming judgment. Sometimes the people listened and repented. Other times they ignored the prophets and suffered the consequences.

Thoughts From 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

As I was reading 2nd Corinthians today, these verses from chapter one stood out. In this passage Paul talks about how God comforts us through all our troubles and suffering. And with the comfort God gives us we will be able to comfort others. But there is one thing we must do to receive God’s comfort, look at verse 9. Folks, we must stop relying on ourselves and learn to rely only on God! It’s that easy, turn your troubles, whatever it may be, and let God handle it.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. [4] He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. [5] For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. [6] Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. [7] We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

Thoughts From Matthew 3:8-9

As I was reading today, Matthew chapter 3 verses 8 and 9 stood out. John the Baptist was preaching to the people “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near”! You know, that’s the same message we should be preaching…we don’t know when Jesus is coming back or when we will be called to join Him in our death. While he was preaching the religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, came to see what John was up to. When John seen them, he confronted them “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Folks, some of our religious leaders today need to hear that message. Actually every believer needs to hear and adhere to that exhortation. They proclaim that Jesus is their Lord and Savior, but their lives doesn’t resemble what they proclaim. I’ll tell you the truth, I sure don’t want to stand before God on judgment day and explain why I broke the 3rd Commandment.

“You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
Exodus 20:7 NLT

2 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 5 tells us to “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.” Folks, we need to look at our lives and see if people can see Jesus in you. If not, now is the time to change. I’ll leave you with this verse…

“And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”
Ephesians 4:30 NLT