The True Focus of Bible Bee

23 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.

- Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV

Hello, y'all!

I want to give you some encouragement and reminders as we move into this final phase of studying and reviewing for the 2024 National Bible Bee Competition.  It's easy to lose the correct focus and goal when we're stressed out, tired, and trying to lug ourselves toward the finish line.

Keep the following passages in your mind as you study and memorize for God's glory!

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ... 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ... 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

- Colossians 3:1-3, 15-17, 23-24 NKJV

Guess what?  God didn't choose you because you had the ability in yourself.  He didn't give you this incredible opportunity because He thought you were able to take advantage of it and bring Him glory through your strength and your ability.  He chose you so that He might make you into something He can use to bring Himself glory.  Don't ever forget that the strength you do anything by is not your own--it is the Lord's.

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."

- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 NKJV

Often, it's so easy to get prideful and arrogant and believe we can do this ourselves.  Well, nothing could be further from the truth.  I'm sure you've seen this in your life as I have in mine: God humbles us to teach us that we can do nothing of ourselves.  Once we've learned this lesson, He can use us for His glory as we trust in His grace, rely on His strength, and return all the glory given to us to Him to whom it rightly belongs--God, the Creator and King of all.

11 I returned and saw under the sun that--The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.

- Ecclesiastes 9:11 NKJV

The things you are storing up in your heart will reap abundant dividends in the future!  It's not just any old book we're memorizing and studying--it is the eternal Word of God!

6 The voice said, "Cry out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."

- Isaiah 40:6-8 NKJV

When you get discouraged that you seem to always make mistakes and never seem to do the right thing, turn to God.  It's because we look away from God and focus on ourselves that we become so disillusioned with our own abilities.  The truth of it all is this: it's not about our own abilities!  Isn't that wonderful?  It's about God's abilities.  And you know what?  He can do ANYTHING He wills!  Why do we worry and let ourselves become swept away by anxiety?  That's what I've heard Bible teachers call a "mental attitude sin."  Yes, it's a sin to stop thinking according to the Word and will of God and view everything from a sinful, human perspective.  Turn back to God and get your mind and heart full of His Word so you can think according to His will once more.

6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

- Isaiah 55:6-11 NKJV

 

We serve a faithful God who has proved in history through the events we've been studying this autumn that He always keeps His promises.  Even when the nation of Israel forsook Him, He saved a remnant, and He remembered His covenant to Abraham that He would make a great nation of His chosen people.  The faithfulness God has shown toward His people is the faithfulness He shows toward us, His adopted sons and daughters.  God still has great and uncompleted plans for His special nation Israel, but we Gentiles now have an anchor of hope the He will fulfill His great plans for His church as well!

11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

- Hebrews 6:11-20 NKJV

Notice how many time God states that His covenant with Abram is everlasting:

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 "And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." ... 4 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 "I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 "Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." 9 And God said to Abraham: "As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.

- Genesis 17:1-2, 4-9 NKJV

God repeatedly promised that He would keep His Word to His people Israel:

10 For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

- Jeremiah 29:10-13 NKJV

God's faithfulness to His people Israel is a great cause for praise--a principle we as the church can apply as well.

1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! 3 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! 4 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! 5 Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, 6 O seed of Abraham His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones! 7 He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth. 8 He remembers His covenant forever, The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, 9 The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac, 10 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant, ... 42 For He remembered His holy promise, And Abraham His servant. 43 He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness. 44 He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, And they inherited the labor of the nations, 45 That they might observe His statutes And keep His laws. Praise the LORD! 

- Psalm 105:1-10, 42-45 NKJV

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ... 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. ... 11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. ... 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ... 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 

- 2 Timothy 2:1-3, 7, 11-13, 15, 22 NKJV

Do you become obsessed with success versus failure?  Let me tell you something: success and failure are subjective.  In the eyes of man, winning Bible Bee or advancing in the competition may be a "success."  But is that always a success in the eyes of God?  Man's "success" may be what God classifies as a failure, and what God calls a success may be a failure in the eyes of man.  Keep in mind that God is in control, and He knows His complete and entire eternal plan--you don't.  God's plan for you involves trials as well as triumphs.  Keep viewing everything from the divine perspective--remember, "we have the mind of Christ"!

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

- Philippians 1:15-20 NKJV

We all know certain sections of Psalm 119, but there's so much more to it than just "How can a young man cleanse his way?" and "Your word is a lamp to my feet."  This is just a tidbit of the rich goodness of this great psalm.

9 BETH. How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. 12 Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. ... 68 You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes. ... 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver. 73 YOD. Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. ... 89 LAMED. Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. ... 97 MEM. Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. ... 103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! ... 105 NUN. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 

- Psalm 119:9-14, 68, 71-73, 89-90, 97-99, 103, 105 NKJV

May God richly bless your studies in His Word this year, REGARDLESS of how you do in the competition.

~ Hannah

1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

- 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 NKJV

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" ... 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ... 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. ... 20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

- Hebrews 13:5-6, 8, 14-15, 20-22 NKJV

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