Bitcoin Prices Soar -Nasdaq to Launch Bitcoin Futures in Q1 2019

Bitcoin Prices Soar -Nasdaq to Launch Bitcoin Futures in Q1 2019

Bitcoin Prices Soar -Nasdaq to Launch Bitcoin Futures in Q1 2019

Investing.com – Bitcoin and other major digital coins’ prices all traded higher on Thursday in Asia on news that Nasdaq is set to introduce Bitcoin futures in the first quarter of next year. ?

Bitcoin jumped 6.55% to $4,187.5 by 09:31 PM ET (02:31?GMT) on the?Investing.com index.?Ethereum added 4.49% to $118.77 and XRP gained 2.48% to $0.37633?on the?Poloniex?exchange.???

1337/LTC?also advanced?8.68% to $33.550?on the?Bitifinex?exchange.?

Bitcoin regained a bit of momentum following a second low this week. The most traded digital coin dropped below $3,800 in mid-week before bouncing to this week’s peak at $4,395 on early Thursday morning.

However, Bitcoin remains trading 30% less of its value since mid-November, when the digital coin dropped from above $6,500.

On Thursday, media reported that Nasdaq is set to launch bitcoin futures in the first quarter of 2019 despite the current bearish sentiment for cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin futures will provide investors with a centralized marketplace where participants can speculate on the future price movements of Bitcoin.

Nasdaq has reportedly been working closely with the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to secure regulatory approval for its proposed Bitcoin futures launch together with investment management firm VanEck.

Gabor Gurbacs, VanEck's director of digital asset strategy, said the firm "ran a few extra miles working with the CFTC to bring about new standards for custody and surveillance."

Nasdaq is not the first one to enter the digital currency space. The CFTC has so far approved two crypto futures products. One is from the Chicago Board Options Exchange and another from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Nasdaq showed interest in tapping into the crpyto space earlier. In April, its CEO Adena Friedman told media that “certainly Nasdaq would consider becoming a crypto exchange over time.”

 

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

Bitcoin BTC Bulls Are Back in the Game

 

Bitcoin (BTC) Bulls Are Back in the Game!

Bitcoin could be due for a reversal from its slide as it just broke past the top of a descending channel.

Bitcoin was previously trending lower inside a descending channel but has just broken past the resistance to indicate that a reversal is due. Price has also closed above the 100 SMA dynamic inflection point as an additional bullish signal.

However, the 100 SMA is still below the longer-term 200 SMA to indicate that the path of least resistance is to the downside. In other words, the downtrend is more likely to resume than to reverse. Price has yet to test the 200 SMA dynamic inflection point which might also lead to some bearish pressure.

RSI has also reached the overbought zone to indicate that buyers are starting to feel exhausted. Similarly stochastic is in the overbought area to signal that buyers might want to take a break. Turning lower could confirm that sellers are about to take over, possibly pushing bitcoin back inside the channel and onto the lows.

Still, it’s also worth pointing out that both oscillators are pointing up for now and have yet to show any inclination to head south. This suggests that bulls could keep charging.

Also, bitcoin is forming a double bottom pattern with the latest move and could be due to test the neckline at $4,200. A break beyond this could spur a rally that’s the same height as the chart pattern, which is around $400. Increased bullish momentum could lead to technical breaks of the next areas of interest, that might draw even more buyers in.

Indications that institutions are pushing ahead with crypto investments despite the recent bear market are making it to the newswires. Confirmation from a few key figures in the industry also led to the improvement in sentiment that is likely driving the recent moves.

 

Rachel Lee by Rachel Lee November 28, 2018

Bitcoin (BTC) Bulls Are Back in the Game!

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

What is True Worship According to the Bible?

Worshiping both in Spirit and Truth

Written by Dan Lee on 23/08/2016
Series: Weekly Devotional
Tags: God, Singing, Worship
The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

John 4:23-24
In John 4:23-24, Jesus spoke about worship with the Samaritan woman. Let’s try to understand what true worship is according to the Bible, and how you can apply it to your own relationship with God:

1. True worship requires our spirit.
“. . . true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit . . .” Does this mean our spirit, or God’s Holy Spirit? Actually, it’s both! Worship is meant to include our whole self. This is why the Lord commanded Israel in Deuteronomy 6:5, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Both publicly and privately, we must not just go through the motions of worship, but be fully involved with our heart and soul – our inner selves.

2. True worship requires to worship in the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5:19-20 tells us, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” When we are filled with God’s Spirit, a natural result is heartfelt worship – singing to God, and talking about Him to others.

3. We need to worship in Truth.
What is the truth? A better question is, who is the truth? The answer is Jesus: “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)

Jesus also said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32). The more we know Jesus, who is the truth, the more we will be able to worship in truth. We get to know Jesus through prayer (we talk to Him) and His word (He speaks to us).

When you worship God in a church or anywhere else, ask the Lord to help you “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (Colossians 3:2). He will help you to worship him with your whole heart, and not just go through the motions. The Lord will be glorified, and your faith will grow, and others will hear about Him.

Pray this week:
Father, Please help me understand how to worship You in spirit and in truth.

Do you need more help understanding worship?

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

Bitcoin BTC Daily Price Forecast November 27

Bitcoin (BTC) Daily Price Forecast – November 27

Bitcoin (BTC) Daily Price Forecast – November 27

BTC/USD Medium-term Trend: Bearish

Resistance Levels: $6,800, $6,900, $7,000

Support levels: $3,600, $3,400, $3,200

Yesterday, November 26, the price of Bitcoin was in a bearish trend. On November 25, the digital currency fell to the low of $3,774.80 and made a bullish movement to the 12-day EMA. On November 26, the crypto’s price was resisted at the 12-day EMA and it fell to the low of $3835. Price is likely to make another bullish movement to the 12-day EMA.

However, for the digital currency to resume its uptrend the crypto must break the 12-day EMA and the 26-day EMA to the upside and remain above it. Meanwhile, the crypto's price is below the 12-day EMA and the 26-day EMA indicating that price is in the bearish trend zone. Also, the MACD line and the signal line are below the zero line which indicates a sell signal.

On the 1-hour chart, the price of Bitcoin was in a sideways trend. On November 25, the crypto's price broke the 12-day EMA and the 26-day EMA to the upside and remain above it. On November 26, the crypto ‘s price broke the EMAs to the downside which led to the continuation of the bearish trend.

Courtesy of  BitcoinExchangeGuide.com

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

What is Worship?

It's Not About Us

Written by Jim Denison on 15/11/2015

Series: Weekly Devotional

Tags: GloryPraisePurityPurpose


 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30

 

This verse describes true worship. Do you worship your Maker? We need to know what worship is, what it isn't, and why it matters so much to our God and to our souls.

What Worship Is

God defines worship as "love": "Love the Lord your God." Love is a verb, an action word. It requires doing, not just attending church, listening to a sermon, singing hymns, or giving money. You've only worshipped when you've loved, adored, and honored. And it is about loving God in every way a human can love.

With all our hearts: our emotions and senses.

With all our souls: the life force itself, that which gives our bodies life, our essence. Worship involves a passionate love for God.

With all our minds: We are to have no ungodly thoughts, or songs, or movies, or television shows, or books in our minds (see Psalm 101:3). We are to think about our faith, to study God's word, to engage intellectually in the worship of God.

With all our strength: We love God with our actions, not only on Sundays. God is looking for Monday Christians, Monday worshippers, Monday disciples.

How to Worship

You can love God the same way you love anyone else. You can spend the day with him—talking to him, thinking about him. Ask him for what you need, and thank him for what he gives. Spend the day with Jesus. Love him. Worship him. This is his first commandment for every day.

Worship is not performance, entertainment, therapy, or even evangelism.

Worship is not about us. It is about loving God, every moment of every day.

We were created for worship. He gave us free will so we could choose to worship him. Nothing else fulfills us.

Worship provides the power to serve God. If you want God's power for your life, you must worship God every day.

Why Do We Worship?

Because God deserves our worship. “We love him because he first loved us“ (1 John 4:10). He created and redeemed us, and made us a place in his perfect heaven forever. He watched his Son die on the cross, to save our souls and purchase our salvation. He gave everything for us. He deserves our worship.

When last did he receive yours?


Pray this week:

Lord, help me understand what it really means to worship. Take away my wrong ideas, and teach me how to love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Amen.


Is this a new idea for you? Do you need help knowing what it means to worship God?

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

Bitcoin Price Prediction- BTC Value by the Year 2020

Bitcoin Price Prediction- BTC Value by the Year 2020

Currently, everyone within the crypto space is wondering what the future of Bitcoin holds for its investors in 2020 and beyond. The cryptocurrency market is widely known for its price volatility which can shoot to incredible highs or lows in a short period.

While this may be great for Bitcoin traders who depend on a buy-low-sell-high method of investment, it makes these digital assets a poor means of value storage. It also gives long-term investors a tough time since they have to continuously track this volatility to ensure the safety of their investments. When the price changes sporadically, it can become difficult to do so.

Despite how unpredictable this volatility makes the future of cryptocurrency seem, it has not stopped industry figures from predicting the possible future of virtual assets, especially Bitcoin. Although most of the predictions stem from mere speculation within the cryptosphere, a good number of them are derived from complex quantitative methods. From research and modeling to creating special indexes, experts are working hard to prove that Bitcoin is here to stay. Predictions for 2020 vary widely, ranging from $20,000 to $1 million.

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency in existence and paved the way for the development of others. Cryptocurrencies like Litecoin were created by directly copying the original Bitcoin source code. It was created in 2009 by an anonymous developer under the pseudonym of “Satoshi Nakamoto” and has functioned as a store of value and an investment vehicle since then.

As a store of value, Bitcoin allows its users to send and receive funds without the need for an intermediary or central authority. The system is fully decentralized, leaving consensus in the hands of its network users. As an investment vehicle, Bitcoin has produced many millionaires, including the Winklevoss twins.

Early investors who bought into the cryptocurrency when its tokens were cheap rose to millionaire status when its price became worth thousands of dollars. Most of all, billionaires were made in December 2017 when Bitcoin soared to a record high of $20,000. Since then, the currency has underperformed in a series of bear runs, marking a market correction far worse than anticipated.

Another factor that makes the future of Bitcoin seem unpredictable is the fact that its usage has not increased by a substantial amount in 2018, implying stagnation. In truth, mass adoption is not occurring as quickly as the crypto industry would like to believe.

Apart from current adoption rates, there are several other factors to consider when analyzing the future value of a cryptocurrency. These include real-world events.

  • Technological improvements and modifications to a network such as a hard fork or software upgrade

  • The solidity and clarity of a platform’s future roadmap objectives

  • Announcements of new partnerships or sponsorship deals

  • New patents and discoveries by crypto research and development firms

  • A new exchange listing

  • New regulations

It is important to research all of the above factors rather than follow predictions blindly. Investors must also research predictions, looking at the specific reasons for each and ruling out any based on guesswork.

A Few Bitcoin Price Predictions for 2020 From Prominent Industry Figures

John McAfee

He is the creator of popular antivirus software, McAfee antivirus, and a well-known presence in the cryptocurrency industry because of his outlandish price predictions and interesting background. McAfee, who makes a lot of money from ICO promotion, has revealed that cryptocurrency projects are willing to pay him more than $100,000 to make his predictions.

In 2017 he predicted that Bitcoin would reach $500,000 in 2020, a price which he upped to $1 million recently. According to McAfee, his prediction is based on a price model he created, which also predicted that Bitcoin would hit $5,000 by the end of 2017 – a feat that seemed unbelievable at the time. If McAfee’s model is accurate, his prediction puts total market capitalization at $15 trillion. This would mean a 4,900% increase from Bitcoin’s peak of $20,000.

Recently, he predicted that Bitcoin will hit $15,000 in June 2018 despite the cryptocurrency’s poor performance in the previous month. That prediction failed, emphasizing the fact that not all of McAfee’s predictions come true and users must take all predictions with a grain of salt.

McAfee, a major Bitcoin bull, is seemingly unfazed by criticism claiming his predictions defy the mathematical behavior of the market. However, McAfee continues to support Bitcoin.

Tom Lee

Thomas Lee, co-founder and head of research at Fundstrat Global Advisors, a popular cryptocurrency research firm, predicted that Bitcoin could reach $25,000 by the end of the year. [Editor’s note: He later revised that prediction to $15,000.]

Mostly known for his Bitcoin price discussions on live TV and the creation of a misery index for monitoring the price of Bitcoin, Tom Lee is definitely a respected industry figure. He also made another prediction placing the price of BTC at $91,000, through a chart analysis of Bitcoin historical price movements.

Osato Avan-Nomayo

Bitcoinist analyst Osato Avan-Nomayo predicted that the Bitcoin mining reward will be halved from 12.5 BTC to 6.25 BTC by 2020. The Bitcoin mining reward has only been halved twice since the currency first emerged.

In 2012 it halved from 50 BTC to 25 BTC, and in 2016 it went from 25 BTC to 12.5 BTC. When both events happened, Bitcoin saw higher prices shortly thereafter. Although Bitcoinist did not predict a specific price for BTC, their analysis predicts new price peaks up to $20,000.

Fran Strajnar

CEO of Brave New Coin, Fran Strajnar has predicted a Bitcoin price of $200,000 by 2020 as a result of increasing adoption rates. According to Strajnar, as more users join the network, more wallets and apps are being created and used. He expects that as usage increases, so will the price of BTC in the long run.

 

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

The Darkness or the Light

Are you worshipping in the light?

Written by GodLife on 13/11/2018

Series: Weekly Devotional

Tags: ChurchCultsReligionGodJesus


I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

John 12:46

The old saying, “All that glitters is not gold,” is truth. Just because something looks like gold and feels like gold does not mean it is gold. Have you ever heard of fool’s gold? It looks like the real thing, but it is worthless. Those who know the real thing well enough know the difference. 

On the road to Damascus, Jesus appeared to Paul (Acts 9) and told him he was to open the eyes of the Jews and the Gentiles to bring them out of the darkness into the light, from the power of Satan to the power of God, that they may receive forgiveness of sin and have a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Him. Where do you stand? Are you worshipping in darkness or in light? 

Only One God

There is only one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If you are in a church that only focuses on one person of the Holy Trinity, it is not of the Light. Similarly, when a church’s doctrine adapts the Bible’s teachings to conform to a separate religion, it is not of the Light. There is only one way to the Father: it is through Jesus Christ, God the Son (John 14:6). There is only one Holy Spirit given to indwell and guide us, and He points us to the Savior of the World.  

“I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.” (Isaiah 44:6

Sound churches go by many different names but share the same biblical doctrines. Those who are in Jesus have life because they receive these essential doctrines and have asked Him to save them. They have become a new creation. We are no longer a member of the darkness and must have nothing to do with the world’s pagan religions or practices. We are now in the Light, and we should behave as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)

Demonic Practices

In some African and Latin American societies, Yoruba religion and other tribal practices with witchcraft, spiritism and demon guides have been blended with Catholicism or some other forms of Christianity. This practice has created new man-made religions such as Santería, Candomble and Voodoo with their demon spirit guides and curses. They are satanic in origin. These demons are disguised as Catholic saints and are worshiped. Animal and even human sacrifice may also be involved.  

Some in Hindu societies add Jesus Christ to the list of Hindu idols to be worshipped as one of their pagan gods. Hindi Christians sometimes find it difficult to come out of participating in pagan Hindu religious practices. As Christians we are to leave the darkness behind. To become a Christian is not to accept a foreign culture associated with Christianity, but to trade darkness for the Kingdom of God. 

“You shall not make for yourself any graven image of anything and bow down to it or serve it.” (Exodus 20:4-5)

Come out of the darkness and into the light. God is light, love and life. He brings joy and peace.

“…for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true…  try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Ephesians 5:9–11)

Counterfeit Religion

Any other religion mixed with Christianity makes a separate religion. Chrislam is an example of this. Chrislam also began with the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria, but has now spread around the world. Chrislam is an attempt to mix Islam and Christianity. Chrislam denies one of the essentials: the deity of Christ Jesus. It treats both the Quran and the Bible as Holy texts. Since the Bible contradicts the teachings of Islam, in Bangladesh a new translation of the Bible has been produced, which changes terms and names in order to refer to Jesus as only a prince or Master. 

In effect, in Chrislam all become Muslim because the full doctrine of Christ is denied. Christ is the Lord, God the Son and the only way to God. Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no man comes to the Father but by me.” To deny this fact is not to not believe the whole doctrine of Christ. In addition, scripture clearly says if you do not have the Son, the Saviour of the World, you do not have the Father either.

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves so that you may not lose what we have worked for; but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.” (2 John 7-10)  

Chrislam, Santería, Candomblé, Vodun and New Age Christianity are counterfeits. They are of the darkness because they deny the Trinity. We are saved only by our faith in the sacrifice of the Son of God and receiving Him as our Lord and Savior. Christianity is about Christ. Fear of persecution leads many into the delusion that a compromise religion would be better. But if we deny Christ, He will deny us. (Matthew 10:33) Christ did not come to give mankind a way to salvation. He said He was “the Way”, and that no one could come to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)

A child of God cannot worship Jesus in these man-made, false religions. It would be trying to walk with one foot in the light and one in the darkness. It is following a glittering deception: a false peace motivated by fear. Just because something includes Christian terms or practices does not mean it is the real thing. Many first-century Christians were persecuted or martyred when they did not compromise their faith. In peacefully obeying His call to take up their cross and follow Him, they turned the world upside down instead. (Acts 17:6)


Pray this week:

Lord, Please, I only want your Light. Please keep me in your Light in all of my ways.


God loves you. Are you in the darkness? Why not come into the Light? 

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

Bitcoin Price Weekly Analysis: BTCUSD Nosedives Below 3800

Bitcoin Price Weekly Analysis: BTC/USD Nosedives Below $3,800

Bitcoin Price Weekly Analysis: BTC/USD Nosedives Below $3,800

Key Points

  • Bitcoin price fell significantly and traded below $4,000 and $3,800 against the US Dollar.

  • There is a major bearish trend line formed with resistance at $4,200 on the 4-hours chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).

  • The pair is under pressure below $3,800 and it could even break the $3,500 support level.

Bitcoin price tumbled more than 15% and broke the $3,800 support against the US Dollar. BTC/USD could accelerate declines towards the $3,500 level.
 

Bitcoin Price Analysis

This past week, there was a tiny upside correction above the $4,300 level in bitcoin price against the US Dollar. However, the BTC/USD pair failed to gain traction above the $4,400 and $4,500 resistances. As a result, there was a sharp downside move and the price declined below the $4,000 support. The price declined more than 12% and it is currently trading well below $3,800 and 100 simple moving average (4-hours).

A new yearly low was formed at $3,620 and it seems like the current decline is not over. The last swing low was at $3,678 before the price started an upside correction. It moved above the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $4,340 high to $3,678 low. However, the upside move was capped by the $4,000 level. The price was also rejected near the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $4,340 high to $3,678 low. Finally, the price declined again and broke the $3,678 swing low. A new low was formed below $3,650 and it seems like there could be more losses. The next key support is near $3,500, below which the price could test $3,200.

Looking at the chart, BTC price is facing a lot of selling pressure below the $4,000 and $3,800 level. If there is an upside correction, the price could face sellers near $4,000.

Looking at the technical indicators:

4-hours MACD – The MACD for BTC/USD is placed heavily in the bearish zone.

4-hours RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI is currently well below the 20 level.

Major Support Level – $3,500

Major Resistance Level – $4,000

 

AAYUSH JINDAL | NOVEMBER 25, 2018 | 5:28 AM

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

Bitcoin Moving in a 400 Range with Resistance at 4700

Bitcoin Moving in a $400 Range with Resistance at $4,700

Bitcoin Moving in a $400 Range with Resistance at $4,700

The path of least resistance is clear and as long as prices are trading below $4,700 then we could see further declines towards $3,000 or lower. But even as analysts and investors track price, the survival of Bitcoin conjures memories of the dot com bubble. It did burst; birthing Amazon and Google, companies that wield so much control with individual market caps more than triple that of cryptos.

Latest Bitcoin News

Much has been talked about price, the collapse and the effect of low trading volumes. In fact there has been some comparison about the current bear market and the dot com bubble. Well, this isn’t the deepest correction Bitcoin traders have had to contend. Back in 2013-14, losses were deeper and prices more volatile mostly because of thin trading volumes as investment channels were few and Bitcoin not as common as it is now.

Regardless, blockchain and Bitcoin is a solution that is here to stay. Just like Paul Krugman, a non technical financial guru of yester years said the internet was a fad and famously suggested it would be no more transformational than the fax machine, current nay sayers as Jamie Dimon and Roubini or Dr Doom will surely watch as the technology shape and disrupt current systems.

While the contention is different there is strong correlation between events around the dot com bubble and recent discussions around DLTs, public blockchains and even competing protocols as IOTA. The mass is split and some are betting on IBM’s HyperLedger–interoperability, others on Bitcoin—security and community and more on the IOTA and the internet of things.

However, many are backing open source solutions to prevail over permissioned systems just like TCP/IP did nurturing current mega-corporations as Google and Amazon. If that is the case then the stars are sparkling for Bitcoin investors.

 

BTC/USD Price Analysis

Weekly Chart

Like before, the top down overview is pretty clear—BTC/USD is in a meltdown and poised to lose more as trading volumes dry up and the so called whales cover their positions to stay profitable. But, thing is even as bear pressure rage and threaten to wipe out 2017 super gains, prices have been stable in the last few days.

Moving within a tight $4,300-$4,700 range, there is obvious support. If prices close above $4,500 then odds are we might see prices recover above $5,000 and towards $5,500 as laid out before. Conversely, strong losses below $4,000 could open a flurry of sell orders pushing BTC towards $3,000–$3,500 from where analysts expect prices to find strong support.

The significance of $4,300–$4,500 support is beginning to show in the daily chart. Here, we have a doji bar, a mark of overall market indecision but still trading volumes are light.

Nonetheless, this did shore prices confining movements within a $200 range of which we expect buyers to build their momentum on.

Now, if today ends up as a bull, closing above immediate resistance of $4,700 then our previous upbeat BTC/USD price forecast would most likely go live as buyers thrust prices above $5,000 towards $5,500. If not and BTC capitulate below $4,000 then we shall trade as above.

All Charts Courtesy of Trading View

 

by DLT Guru November 24, 2018

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

More on How to Avoid Misusing the Bible

Be prepared to defend the Gospel

Written by Dan Lee on 06/11/2018

Series: Weekly Devotional

Tags: BibleWisdom


Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Just last week, we talked about ways to avoid misinterpreting the Bible. Today, we want to conclude this two-part devotional series by pointing out something just as important – using the knowledge we gain from studying His Word to better represent the Lord. 

A while ago when I was in school, my teacher would always put us in groups to research and prepare a presentation about a certain topic related to the class. I would prepare for days! My teacher was known for asking difficult questions just to make sure we all did our work. Sure enough, when question time came around, you bet I was prepared to answer all the questions! My peers, not so much. 

It’s the same when it comes to learning the Bible. You must always be prepared so you don’t look foolish. How can you defend the Word of God when you yourself may take out of context?

Let’s use the following verses as examples of how to better interpret the Bible. 

Take it step, by step 

Let’s break down one of the most popular verses quoted by people looking for assurance of a good life. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

You might look at this verse and think that God never intends anything bad to happen to you. 

However, when we read this whole chapter in Jeremiah, we find first that something bad has already happened to Israel – they had been defeated by the Babylonians and forcibly removed from their homeland. They were living in exile, slaves to a wicked foreign empire. 

Another prophet, Hananiah, had been telling the Israelites what they wanted to hear: that their captivity would last just two years. Jeremiah’s answer to him? “You are a false prophet, and you’re going to die.” And Hananiah did die (Jeremiah 28:12-17).

Then Jeremiah sent a letter from Jerusalem to the exiles in Babylon telling them the truth: They were going to be there for a while. A LONG while:

 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

Yes, the Lord had a plan to restore Israel to their homeland, but it would take place in 70 years – after most of the listeners had died! Not only that, but the promise was conditioned on Israel praying and seeking God with all their heart (Jeremiah 29:12-13).

Your calling 

So what does Jeremiah 29:11 promise for today’s believers? It does not promise peace and prosperity now, but instead promises restoration in the future. For us, the ultimate restoration comes at the return of Jesus and the establishment of His kingdom.

We don’t know when the Lord will be coming back for His church. Until then, we encourage you to go deeper in your relationship with Him and be a living testimony of the truth He brings to the world. Fall in love with His truth and be ready to defend the hope that lives within you. (1 Peter 3:15)


Pray this week:

Lord, I ask you to give me the opportunity to use the wisdom I gain through your Word to share the truth with those around me. Amen. 


Are you prepared to defend your faith when brought difficult questions?

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

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