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10 Things You Should Know about Reading the Bible by: Matthew S. Harmon Ph.D., Wheaton College

I enjoy sharing an article that brought a teaching or encouragement to my life and thought Saturdays might be a good day to share them with you!

Here you go:

1. The Bible is both a divine and a human book.

Every word of the Bible is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16). He spoke through the various human authors, using their unique personalities and writing styles to communicate exactly what he wanted to say (2 Pet. 1:20–21).

2. The Bible is a story.

The Bible is not simply a collection of religious sayings or an anthology of various people’s religious experiences. The Bible tells us the true story of the world, the way things truly are and should be. Understanding the basic plot of the Bible that runs from Genesis to Revelation helps us better understand every passage in between.

3. The Bible focuses on God and his plans for the world.

God is the main character of the Bible. He created humanity to reflect his image by ruling over creation as stewards under his authority. But Satan deceived Adam and Eve into rebelling against God, plunging all of creation under the curse of sin and death. The rest of the Bible gradually unfolds God’s plan to redeem his people from their sin, defeat their greatest enemy Satan, and transform creation for his redeemed people to enjoy forever.

4. The Bible is not written to us but for us.

None of us are ancient Israelites following Moses through the wilderness. None of us are eighth-century (BC) Israelites living through the decline of the northern kingdom of Israel. None of us are Jews languishing in exile in Babylon, wondering if God has completely abandoned us. None of us are first-century (AD) Christians living in Rome, Philippi, or Ephesus. But as God’s people, the Bible was written for us to instruct us, empower our perseverance in the faith, and produce hope in the fulfillment of God’s promises (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11).

God’s Spirit uses the Bible to transform us to reflect the image of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives.

5. The Bible is God’s tool to transform us.

Sin has warped our ability to clearly reflect God’s image. God’s Spirit uses the Bible to transform us to reflect the image of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives. As we read the Bible as individuals and with other believers, God grows us in godliness. God has given us other Christians to learn from and learn with as we take in God’s Word. As we hear the Word preached and taught, study it together in small groups, and talk about it with other believers, God uses his Word to transform us into clearer reflections of his Son, Jesus Christ.

6. The Bible shows us the glory of God and the beauty of Christ.

As we read the Bible we see God’s glory through his character, his conduct, and his concerns. We see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit displaying their many perfections as they fulfill God’s purposes in this world.

7. The Bible reveals a basic pattern for the Christian life.

At the center of the Christian life is a pattern of repentance and faith, which are two sides of the same coin. Repentance is turning away from our sin and faith is turning to God in trust. They are not only the entry point into the Christian life. They are the air we breathe in our ongoing relationship with Christ.

8. The Bible shows us our sin.

God’s Word penetrates to the core of our being, revealing how our thoughts, intentions, attitudes, desires, and actions are out of step with God’s ways (Heb. 4:12–13). The Bible can even reveal hidden sin at work in our lives (Ps. 19:12; 90:8)

9. The Bible shows us the gospel.

The Bible doesn’t stop with revealing our sin; it also reveals how God addresses our sin through the gospel. God’s Word explains what Jesus has done for us as our great high priest (Heb. 4:14–16). Jesus can sympathize with our weakness because he too was tempted. But unlike us, he never sinned. Because of his perfect obedience and sacrificial death on the cross, we can receive mercy and grace in our time of need.

10. The Bible applies to our entire life.

God is not just interested in changing how we act. Since God’s purpose is to make us perfect reflections of Jesus, he transforms us from the inside out. He changes the way we think, what we believe, and even what we desire. There is no part of our lives that the Bible does not encompass.

Great Read, Right?

Go in Peace, AChuck

I’ve learned a few significant lessons over the course of the past twelve months. All of them seem to have been learned the hard way. The good news is that lessons learned the hard way are not soon forgotten. Here are four of the lessons I learned the hard way in 2019. Here they are. Four Lessons Learned in 2019…

1. Sometimes the Best Thing to Say is Nothing at All
   Really! There have been at least twenty-two times that I have had to burn enormous sideways energy trying to recover from saying something that was hurtful, sarcastic, inappropriate, or untimely this year. I’ll bet that my count is way lower than the real amount of times that I’ve done this. The problem with this lesson is that it requires two elements that I do not naturally seem to possess. Those elements are grace and judgement. It requires grace to choose and understand, rather than blurting out your own opinion as though it were the gospel itself. And judgement? Well that is almost nonexistent in my life. Having judgement means that I know when to hush, when to argue truth and when to not show myself as a fool. In 2020, I am seeking to listen far more than I speak. Prayers appreciated.
2. Sometimes the Relationship is More Important than the Accomplishment
   I know most of you do not struggle with this one, but it’s a doozy for me. Spending precious time on something that doesn’t enhance relationships is a fools errand. I was once asked as I was teaching a class of future preachers “what did I think their primary role was as pastors?” My answer was actually pretty decent and very honest: “Our God is all about people. The redemption of fallen people in a messy world.” Simply pu, Our job is to join God in His work of redeeming fallen people through meaningful relationships.” To accomplish and not have a team of folks to celebrate with is a wasted opportunity to join the Creator in collaborative brilliance!
3. Sometimes it’s Really Unpopular to Speak Truth, But it’s Always Worth It.
   I have dealt with some significant issues this year and the truth of my experiences aren’t always what people want to hear. I’ve seen some nasty subjects up close. Subjects like Immigration, Border Patrol, Unaccompanied Alien Children and Disaster Relief. This is an ongoing truth; The further you are from the heart of the problem, the more simplistic the fix seems to you. The closer you are to the heart of the problem, the more complex the situation becomes – always! It’s worth speaking the truth and it’s always the right thing to do. This messed up world is in dire need of people that live with less chip on their shoulder and more conviction on their backs!
4. Sometimes it’s Worth Slowing the Pace of Life and Think Clearly
   I could write for days on this topic. I am motivated by accomplishment and checking off those little boxes next to my task list and I doubt that I will ever change in that regard. But intentionally slowing down to plan well, dream big and adopt a God-given strategy is the best thing to do. As a matter of fact, I am convinced that slowing down, actually speeds me up…and I’ll bet it will for you too!

   In a 2004 report published by the CDC’s Department of Health and Human Services the following includes a summary of 52 applied psychology studies on the impacts of extended shifts and regular overtime. Across the board, the studies found the impacts were negative—both for employers and employees:
   People who regularly work overtime are less healthy than those who don’t. They’re more likely to gain weight, fall ill, and get injured on the job. People are less alert and more likely to make mistakes after the 8th hour of work. And people who routinely work extended hours and overtime are less productive than those who work eight hours a day and 40 hours a week. Lesson? Strategically align every day with your purpose and goals for your life. Balance may seem impossible, but it can be found…at least I believe that. Now it’s time to live that!

Thanks for sticking with me to the end. Here’s to learning more lessons in 2020…and hopefully learning with less pain!

Go In Peace, AChuck

I enjoy sharing an article that brought a teaching or encouragement to my life and thought Saturdays might be a good day to share them with you!

Today’s Saturday Share is from my friend, Kitti Murray, Founder of Refuge Coffee in Clarkston, Georgia.

Here you go:

Maybe you’re like me. You know “Peace on Earth” isn’t a flimsy sentiment. Sometimes peace on earth feels nearly impossible, but as much as you’re able, you want to be an agent of peace in your own uniquely-wired, beautiful way.
 
Refuge Coffee was founded on the idea that welcome is both a universal need and a universal capacity. We all need it. We can all give it. But I confess that there are days when I edge dangerously close to closing the door of my heart to people whom I perceive to use their power and wealth against peace and welcome for all. 
 
How do we remain loving and welcoming, when the world—at times—appears the opposite?
 
Here at Refuge, we talk a lot about acts of welcome. Inviting the stranger into our homes. Believing in victims. Giving the same opportunities that we, the privileged, enjoy to those who have had privilege ripped violently away from them. These acts of welcome are just what they sound like: active. So, as much as this Southern, Bible-belt, older woman cringes a little at the label, I guess this makes me an activist.
 
Activism, I’ve begun to appreciate, is a worthy calling. But all this action needs something else to keep me (and, I imagine, most of us) from falling into re-activism. From becoming the dissenting, angry voice on social media and in our own kitchens, from a self-righteous adherence to the high road that doesn’t call people up but rather looks down on them. From pride that we are “woke.” From becoming the mirror image of the very attitudes we oppose.
 
Brian Zahnd says, “Before you can become an activist, you must first become a contemplative; otherwise you’ll just be a re-activist. And re-activists merely recycle anger and keep the world an angry place.” In a piece written about the Christian season of Advent, he adds, “So learn to gaze at the stars. Learn to keep vigil in the fields… Learn to be quiet. Learn to wait.”
 
I’m convinced contemplation is necessary if we are going to do radical acts of welcome. We must think—long and hard and deep—if we are to act well. To be grounded as human beings before moving to action. As a confirmed doer, this is tough for me. But I’ve also learned that genuine introspection almost always makes my actions stronger and more loving in the long run. Richard Rohr writes: “We mostly think like everybody around us thinks unless we have taken some real inner journeys of love, prayer, and suffering.”

Stopping to look within, especially in the difficult or painful times activists can’t help but experience from time to time, often leads to the change I long to see in the world… inside of me.
 
I wonder if you’re like me. If you are, I remind you to stop and contemplate before your own uniquely-wired, beautiful activism unfolds in 2020.
 
Looking forward to more acts of welcome together,
Kitti

Go In Peace, AChuck