Do you have the Essentials of Christian Character?

2 Peter 1:5-8 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How do you add to Faith --> Virtue --> Knowledge --> Temperance --> Patience etc? It is one of those passages that many of us read through, shrug our shoulders and continue reading. Jim Berg's two free messages on Essentials of Christian Character show that we cannot ignore this passage as it is essential to new believers to know how to grow in Christ and live for Christ in the right order.

You can get a PDF summary of each word defined and how they build on each other here.

You can listen to these messages here under Cultivating Christian Character and I should recommend the book as well here. Post up what you learn in the comment section.

Bible Study: The Sovereignty of God 2

Bible Study: The Sovereignty of God 2

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
-- Psalms 46:10

PART ONE HERE

What does the Bible say about the extent of God’s sovereignty?

• Ephesians 1:11

• Hebrews 1:3

• Phil 3:20,21, Psalm 119:91b

Does the Sovereignty of God mean we should not pray?

• King Hezekiah – see 2 Kings 20:1-6
• Israel and Moses – see Numbers 21:1-3, 5-9

What impact does knowing God’s sovereignty have on our response to suffering for righteousness sake? Genesis 50:15-21, 1 Samuel 24:1-8

Why is just knowing God’s sovereignty not enough to be of comfort to us? See Romans 8:31-32 & 37-39

What are some responses to God’s sovereignty that will give him glory?

• Heb. 10:36, Isa. 30:15, Psalm 37:7, Lam 3:25,26

• Matt 26:39

• Lamentations 3:40-41, 2 Chronicles 7:14

What is the biggest lesson that God is teaching tonight about his sovereignty over outcomes, death, leadership and the response He desires from you?

Write down one theme verse to memorize from the verses mentioned in this Bible study.

Bible Study on Sovereignty of God

Bible Study: The Sovereignty of God

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
-- Psalms 46:10

What does sovereignty mean to you?

Look at 1 Chronicles 29:11-13. List the various things that are mentioned in this passage that God has power over and belongs to Him.

Sovereignty of God is holding power that cannot be overruled. Read Daniel 4:35, Revelation 3:7, Acts 5:38-39 and 2 Chronicles 20:6. What situations in your life are you reminded of, where God’s sovereignty is demonstrated in spite of what man does?

Four books of the Bible accounts for much of Israel’s Old Testament History. Read the following passages in Kings & Chronicles, to see God’s sovereignty at work

• Why did King Jehu suffer defeat?
  2 Kings 10:30-32

• Why did King Asa have peace in all the land? 2 Chronicles 14:2-6
• Why was King Ahaz defeated? 2 Chronicles 28:1-5

What factors, other than their level of obedience, caused each King’s victory or defeat?

If God is sovereign, why do bad things happen to good people? 1 Peter 1:7

What things in your life do you struggle to admit God’s sovereignty is involved?

What is the biggest lesson that God is teaching you tonight about the sovereignty of God?

Write down one theme verse to memorize from the verses mentioned in this Bible study.

Part 2 HERE

Christian Bible Software for Mobile Phones

I recently purchased a Nokia E63 on the Three $29 12 month plan and have been looking around for Christian mobile phone software. The main one that I have been using is KJV Go-Bible. You can download this searchable software for your phone at www.go-bible.org.

If you know of any other software which is useful for Christians to use on their mobile phones, please leave a comment below.