Scripture Snippets

Ephesians 4:17-24 17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. It seems that in a world of prosperity and abundance, there would be great contentment, yet the opposite is true. Why are so many people unhappy, anxious, and unsettle...

  James 4:8 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Writing letters—either by hand or electronically—is a good way to communicate. We can share our innermost thoughts with others, give and receive encouragement, and laugh together. However, letters aren’t perfect. They’re sporadic, coming in intervals of every few days or longer, and the conversation tends to be one-sided. A telephone or video call eliminates those delays by allowing us to interact in real time. We can hear one another and even make eye contact. Many of us feel that prayer is like “writing” requests to God and sending them off, hoping to eventually get a response. But our heavenly Father wants to speak with us in a more immediate, intimate way (James 4:8). That means we must commune with Him daily, clearing space in our mind and heart. When we do, we’ll find that conversing with Him becomes easier over time. Then prayer will be...

  1 Corinthians 2:6-16 6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These t...

  Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. What is my purpose in life? Many people today are asking that question, but only those who have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord can ever discover the true answer. Today’s passage tells us that our salvation is an act of God, and now we’re His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to accomplish what He has prepared for us to do. That is our purpose in life, and it has three components.  1. Sanctification is simply ongoing growth in holiness. As we cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work in our life, He transforms our character to be more like the Lord’s and renews our mind with scriptural truth. 2. Stewardship is faithful management of the time, talents, spiritual gifts, and treasures God h...

  As I continue the outreach of Scripture Snippets and as I talk to other believers along the way, there seems to be a constant theme and even sometimes put into a statement. “Josiah, I love the Bible and I love how you explain it, but I just can’t seem to understand it for myself.” The beautiful thing about God’s Word is that it’s that.  God’s Word.  God did not give us His Word for it be confusing or hard to understand.   He gave us His Word to further reveal Himself to us and to be used as a tool that draws us closer to HIm.  As Psalm 119:105 says, “ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” So, why do so many of us have a hard time with Bible study?  There are many factors, but I believe one of the largest is just simply ourselves giving up on it.  Assuming that it is hard to understand, so we simply don’t do it.    Bible study is so important to the believer though. Here are three reasons why Bible study is importa...

  Read 1 Peter 2:1-12 Many Christians today want to find God’s plan for their life but, sadly, often overlook the one place it’s revealed—the Bible. His overall goal for each of us is that we would bring Him glory, and He uses both His Spirit and Word to accomplish this.  Today we’re going to focus on three ways we glorify God.  1. With our behavior. Righteous living stands out in stark contrast to lifestyles of the world around us. Godliness shines like a light pointing others to Christ and bringing glory to the Father. 2. With our character. God’s purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son. As the Spirit’s fruit is produced in us, we display Christ’s likeness in our attitudes and responses to people and situations. 3. With our obedience. Scripture reveals what God has commanded and how He wants us to live. When we do what He says, we glorify Him. We usually focus on finding God’s plan for our life with regard to circumstances, relationships, and other practical ma...

  Matthew 6:11-15     11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. The first half of the Lord’s prayer focuses on God, but in the second part, Jesus addresses our need for daily provision, forgiveness, and protection. Notice His words remain centered on the Father, who provides all three.  Give us this day our daily bread.  The Lord is the source of everything we need—physical, material, emotional, and spiritual (Philippians 4:19).  By asking Him to provide our basic necessities, we’re acknowledging our complete dependence upon Him and trusting in His sufficient provision for each...