5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

My wife feels God is God, not Jesus is God.  She prays to God, not Jesus ands needs clarity on 3-is-1 and 1-is-3.  She feels Jesus is God's Son, not God.  She feels He came out of Mary's womb, was a baby in need of food, water, etc., and wasn't God.  Are there different beliefs among christians on this?

Sincerely,
Head Count

Dear Head Count,

There are different views on this topic – but only one correct Bible answer.  The Father is God… and Jesus is God, too.  There are three parts to the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  This is most easily seen in Matt 3:16-17.  When Jesus was baptized, the Father spoke from heaven, and the Holy Spirit descended as a dove.  Each of them is eternal (they were all at the creation – Gen. 1:1, Gen. 1:2, Col 1:15-17).  John 1:1 specifically says that Jesus is Deity.  Jesus is different than the Father, but He is part of the Godhead.  Jesus even said that He had always existed (Jhn 8:58).  The apostles worshipped Jesus as God (Jhn 20:28).

Jesus was God in the flesh (1 Tim 3:16).  In Jesus, we can see all the fullness of the Godhead (Col 2:9).  Jesus cried to the Father when He was on the cross because the Father was in heaven while Jesus was here suffering on earth (Mk 15:34).  The Scriptures clearly back up that Jesus is deity.

I am seeing a guy who has been married before.  His wife was unfaithful, and they divorced.  My mother is not supportive whatsoever because of the fact that God hates divorce.  But from reading, I understand that God permits him to remarry.  Am I correct?

Sincerely,
Cautious Courting

Dear Cautious Courting,

God absolutely hates divorce, but your boyfriend had every right to get a divorce.  Mal 2:16 makes it clear that God finds no pleasure in divorce.  Every divorce that has ever occurred has been caused by sin.  Divorce destroys families, hurts countless people, and leaves people with years of emotional damage.  God never intended for husbands and wives to split (Gen 2:24).

However, God does allow for divorce when fornication has occurred (Matt 19:9).  Your boyfriend had every right to divorce his spouse because fornication hardens the hearts in the marriage (Matt 19:8).  Your boyfriend is free to remarry.

I have a problem.  I am in a christian school, and almost every teacher there uses terms, that if you pay attention, are questioning if the students really have faith in God.  They will ask if I am a christian, and if so, to prove it.  So I'm using an opportunity, a project assigned to me in Bible class (we are making a devotional), that gives Biblical reasons for why this is wrong, so maybe I could use the Bible to show them. I can’t find any verses on the subject!  Could you help me out?  Thank you.

Sincerely,
No More Questions

Dear No More Questions,

There is nothing wrong with someone asking you to prove why you are a christian.  The Scriptures teach that we should always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us (1 Pet 3:15).  There may be an issue of decorum and diplomacy when a teacher is constantly peppering their students with questions like this, but it isn’t inherently wrong.  Christianity is based off of the evidence that God gives us (Heb 11:1).  Even though we don’t see God, proof of His existence is abundantly provided in both the Scriptures and the world around us (Rom 1:20).  Reasoning and deliberating over the evidence is something that God finds pleasing (Isa 1:18).  All of Christianity is based off of truth (Jhn 14:6).  It is important that every christian be able to solidly defend their beliefs (Php 1:16) against the trickery and wiles of the devil (Eph 6:11).  Know the truth, and the truth will set you free (Jhn 8:32).

I have been married to my husband for ten years.  My husband lies to me about big and small things.  Last year, we lost our house because he wasn't paying the mortgage, even though all the time he was telling me he was.  I found out about the situation by being served court papers while he was at work.  That is just one example of many.   A couple months ago, he lost his job because he lied about things at work.  I don't know what to do.  He tells me he is looking for work, but I know he isn't.

We've been to counseling, but it doesn't help because he agrees to everything the counselor says but then doesn't put anything to practice.  It hurts, and I have no idea what to do.  I pray for him and for us, but I also know my husband needs to want to change.  I feel disappointed and lonely.  Any suggestions or biblical wisdom for me?

Sincerely,
Not A Liar, Liar

Dear Not A Liar, Liar,

Your situation is very difficult, and there are no easy answers we can provide.  You may need to seek counseling for yourself even if your husband won’t go.  A lying spouse is tremendously hard to overcome because all successful marriages are based upon trust.  Lying destroys relationships (Pr 26:28).

Until he wants to change, all you can do is establish yourself in truth.  Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Php 2:12).  Behave in a godly way, and don’t accept anything that will compromise your morals… your uncompromising stance for godliness is your greatest tool to affect your husband (1 Cor 7:12-16).  You have no right to divorce him – as awful as lying is, it isn’t a divorce-worthy offense (Matt 19:9).  However, you do have the right to plant your feet and accept nothing less than the truth in your marriage (Pr 23:23).