Joshua 1:8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite, it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us. Micah 6:8 Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. 1 Samuel 2:3 Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogant words come out of your mouth, for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and actions are weighed by Him. Proverbs 13:20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. Joshua 1:9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
ALLOW THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Scripture teaches both persistent prayer and confident prayer. They are not contradictions—they are two sides of mature faith. Persistent prayer shows dependence. Confident prayer shows trust. We keep praying until God answers, redirects, or gives peace. Persistent Prayer — God Invites Repeated Asking Biblical Examples of Repeated Prayer: Jesus prayed the same request three times in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:44). Paul prayed three times about the thorn (2 Corinthians 12:8). Persistence is normal for God’s people. Confident Prayer — Ask in Faith and Trust God’s Timing. Believe You Have Received (Mark 11:24) That’s why I tell you to have faith that you have already received whatever you pray for, and it will be yours. Faith believes God hears and responds. Confidence is not arrogance; it is trust in God’s character. Present Your Requests and Rest (Philippians 4:6–7) Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. Bring your requests to God. Then let His peace guard your heart. Faith rests after asking. Assurance of Being Heard (1 John 5:14–15) We are confident that God listens to us if we ask for anything that has his approval. We know that he listens to our requests. So we know that we already have what we ask him for. If we ask according to His will, we know He hears us. Confidence replaces anxiety-driven repetition. Persistence is not unbelief • You keep asking because you believe God is the only answer. • You are not trying to “wear God down”—you are expressing dependence. Confidence is not passivity • You trust God after asking, but you still bring the burden to Him daily. • Confidence means you trust His timing, not your own.
John 3:16 God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with you. He is a hero who saves you. He happily rejoices over you, renews you with his love, and celebrates over you with shouts of joy. Jeremiah 32:41 — “Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good…” God delights in blessing His people. Psalm 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. KJV “Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Hebrews 12:6 The Lord disciplines everyone he loves. He severely disciplines everyone he accepts as his child.”
IT IS GOOD TO BE A CHILD OF GOD. ISN’T IT GOOD TO BE LOVED BY GOD?
WHO IS JESUS? The Word of God teaches us that Jesus is the Son of God. Matthew 16:16 — “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 20:31 — “That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…” The Word of God teaches us that Jesus is God (Divine) John 1:1 — “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.” John 1:14 — “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” The Word of God teaches us that Jesus is the Savior. Luke 2:11 — “For unto you is born… a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Acts 4:12 — “Neither is there salvation in any other…” The Word of God teaches us that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ). John 4:25–26 — Jesus tells the woman at the well, “I that speak unto thee am he.” AGAIN, I ASK WHO IS JESUS? Jesus is the Light of the World. John 8:12 — “I am the light of the world…” Jesus is the Good Shepherd. John 10:11 — “I am the good shepherd…” Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25 — “I am the resurrection, and the life…” Jesus is the Lamb of God. John 1:29 — “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Jesus is the King of Kings. Revelation 19:16 — “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Jesus was a 1st‑century Middle Eastern Jewish man from Galilee. That means His appearance would match the typical traits of Jews living in that region during that time. Based on archaeology, ancient Jewish skeletons, and historical records: Let us take a look at the most likely physical traits of Jesus: Skin tone: Medium‑brown to dark olive (similar to modern Middle Easterners) Hair: Black, coarse, likely short or medium length (Jewish men did NOT wear long hair in that era — Paul even says it was shameful for a man) Beard: Yes — Jewish law required men to keep a beard Eyes: Dark brown Height: Around 5’5″ (average male height in 1st‑century Judea) Build: Lean, muscular — He walked everywhere and worked as a carpenter/stoneworker Clothing: Simple wool tunic, outer mantle, leather sandals Not white robes or glowing garments — that’s artistic tradition What Jesus did NOT look like: Not European Not pale-skinned Not blue-eyed Not long-haired with soft features Not tall Not wearing a halo Those images came from European art, not history. THE MOST ACCURATE SCIENTIFIC RECONSTRUCTION Forensic anthropologists created a reconstruction of a typical 1st‑century Galilean Jew using: • Skull measurements • DNA from ancient remains • Cultural clothing • Historical records The result: • Dark brown skin • Short, curly black hair • Thick beard • Broad nose • Strong jaw • Dark eyes • Average height • Rugged appearance This is likely much closer to the real Jesus than European paintings. WHAT THE BIBLE IMPLIES ABOUT HIS COLOR The Bible never gives a skin‑tone description, but it DOES give clues: He had to blend in with other Jews. Judas had to point Him out with a kiss. If Jesus looked unusual, this wouldn’t be necessary. He hid in Egypt as a child. A light‑skinned European‑looking child would NOT blend in among Egyptians. Isaiah 53:2 Says He looked ordinary — meaning He matched His people. WHAT JESUS REALLY LOOKED LIKE: Jesus looked like the Jews of His time. Jews of His time had dark brown skin, not light brown or pale olive. Jesus was a dark‑skinned Middle Eastern Semite, not a European. He blended in with His people — because He looked like them.
I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK STUDY TO BE HELPFUL. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS QUICK STUDY?
Matthew 24:45–51 “Who, then, is the faithful and wise servant? The master will put that person in charge of giving the other servants their food at the right time. That servant will be blessed if his master finds him doing this job when he comes. I can guarantee this truth: He will put that servant in charge of all his property. On the other hand, that servant, if he is wicked, may think that it will be a long time before his master comes. The servant may begin to beat the other servants and eat and drink with the drunks. His master will return unexpectedly. Then his master will severely punish him and assign him a place with the hypocrites. People will cry and be in extreme pain there. IN THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE JESUS IS TEACHING: A. Readiness is proven by ongoing obedience. Being ready for Christ’s return isn’t about predicting dates—it’s about consistent, faithful living. B. Delay reveals character. The master’s delay exposes what’s truly in the servant’s heart: The faithful servant stays steady. The unfaithful servant shows his true nature. C. Judgment is real and personal. Jesus emphasizes that His return will bring: Reward for the faithful, and Judgment for the unfaithful. This is meant to sober, not scare—calling believers to live with integrity, compassion, and diligence. Jesus tells a parable contrasting a faithful servant and an unfaithful servant to teach His disciples what true readiness for His return looks like. The faithful servant continues doing the master’s will even when the master seems delayed, and is rewarded. The unfaithful servant uses the delay as an excuse for abuse, indulgence, and neglect—and is judged severely when the master returns unexpectedly. In One Sentence: Matthew 24:45–51 teaches that true readiness for Jesus’ return is shown through faithful, consistent obedience—especially when it seems like He is taking a long time to come.
1 Peter 1:15–17 But because the God who called you is holy, you must be holy in every aspect of your life. Scripture says, “Be holy, because I am holy.” So if you call God your Father, live your time as temporary residents on earth in fear. He is the God who judges all people by what they have done, and he doesn’t play favorites. • What is holiness. “Holy” (1 Peter 1:15, 16). Holiness is Divine virtue; it is the character of God; it is the opposite of sin. It involves devotion to God, loyalty to God, living like God. It is not popular, for men scorn such conduct and makes laws to tolerate unholiness. • Why be holy. Peter gives some good reasons why we should be holy. First, because of the command. “Be ye holy” (1 Peter 1:16). This is actually reason enough. If God commands it, you need no other reason. Second, because we are children. “Hath called you … for I am holy … the Father” (1 Peter 1:15–17). The redeemed are children of God. We are to act like the family. The Father is holy; the children need to be holy. Third, because we are celebrants. “If ye call on the Father” (1 Peter 1:17). Calling on God here is to call in adoration. Veneration is involved. If we are worshipers of God, we ought to act holy. Fourth, because of the Divine court. “The Father … judgeth” (1 Peter 1:17). God judges fairly (“without respect of persons” (1 Peter 1:17) and fully (“according to every man’s work” (1 Peter 1:17). You will have to reckon with God for your unholy behavior, therefore, “pass the time of your sojourning here in fear [which will be seen in holy living]” (1 Peter 1:17). • Where to be holy. “In all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:15). After giving some specifics, Peter makes a summary statement about where to be sanctified. First, the defining of conversation. “In all manner of conversation.” When the KJV was translated, the term “conversation” referred to one’s entire conduct. Today the word is limited to speech. Second, the dimensions of conversation. “All.” This says no area of our conduct is exempted from the call to holiness. Be holy at work as well as worship, be holy before the minister as well as before others, be holy in music as well as in the message, be holy in private as well as in public, be holy in thoughts as well as deeds and be holy in motivations as well as in manners.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK STUDY.
WHEN IT COME TO MAKING DECISIONS, TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR HELP IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES. WE MUST ALLOW GOD TO HELP US MAKE OUR DECISIONS. God will give you wisdom to make good decisions—if you ask Him to. James 1:5, NKJV. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Look to God—not yourself—for guidance and good judgment. Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” God will help you make good decisions if you are humble. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 25:9, NKJV. “The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.” God uses the Bible to reveal what way to go. Psalm 119:105, NKJV. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” To make sound decisions, you must first get the facts. Proverbs 18:13, NKJV. “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.”
ALLOW THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Psalm 37:23 (KJV) “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”
LET US TAKE A LOOK AT THE KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES ON LOVING GOD
Beginning with the greatest commandment Deuteronomy 6:5 establishes the foundational call: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” This particular command is so important it is located within multible books within the bible. In Matthew 22:37–38 Jesus affirmed this as the greatest and most important commandment. This command is also located in Mark 12:30, and in Luke 10:27. These passages of scripture is so important because they teach us to love God and how to love God. Love Expressed Through Obedience Jesus taught that obedience demonstrates love: “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” (John 14:15) Similarly, whoever knows and obeys Christ’s commandments is the person who loves him (John 14:21), and loving God means obeying his commandments (1 John 5:3). Deuteronomy 11:1 reinforces this connection, calling believers to love God and obey his laws, rules, and commands. Loving God is expressed thru Devotion The Psalmist declares, “I love you, O LORD, my strength,” (Ps 18:1) while Psalm 97:10 calls those who love the LORD to hate evil. Romans 8:28 assures believers that all things work together for good for those who love God, and 1 Corinthians 8:3 notes that those who love God are known by him.
LET US LOVE GOD THE WAY HE HAS TAUGHT US TO LOVE HIM. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE A GREAT REMINDER.
Not European 
Jesus looked like the Jews of His time.
