Tag Archives: Bible

Another “How To Read The Bible” Post

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The Pharisees wanted Jesus dead. These men knew the Old Testament Scriptures like no one else, and here right before their eyes was the very One the Old Testament writers talked about. They knew how many prophecies were being realized in Jesus. But Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. And for that, the Pharisees wanted to kill him. (Matthew 12, Mark 3, Luke 6)

Sounds a might drastic to me.

But the Pharisees had convictions, they believed they knew the mind of God and they would not consider the possibility they were wrong.

If we read the Bible in an attempt to find verses to support our beliefs, we are like the Pharisees. We try to make God’s Word conform to our idea of right and wrong. We need to read God’s Word with an open heart and mind and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us through these precious pages.

Someone I love asked me if I didn’t think that opens up the possibility of misinterpretation and heresy. Don’t we need to supplement our study of God’s Word with the wisdom of those who have published books on the subject to keep us in check?

How incompetent do we think the Holy Spirit is?

Sure, if I need to read the Bible so that it lines up with the theology of my church or denomination then, yes, I guess I need those commentaries. But if I read the Bible in its entirety, depending on God to reveal himself, I’m pretty sure he can.

I have many commentaries and Bible studies in my library. But none of those are the final authority. And, yes, I believe that the Bible is all we need to know God, and understand what he wants us to know about this life and eternity.

We just need to read it, study it, think on it, love it, memorize it, and talk about it. We need to approach our time in the Word bathed in prayer, with an open heart and mind, and allow God to teach us exactly what it is we need to know for today. We need to put aside our preconceived notions and ask God to show us the Truth according to His Word. And we need to be willing to let the Holy Spirit break down some walls if they need destroyed, to convict us when conviction is necessary, and to build us up to be the people he needs us to be in a world that is lost without him according to Scripture.

Inquiring Minds

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Habakuk wasn’t afraid to question God. “Why, God?” he asked. He listened to God’s reply, then went on to ask “What about this?” Habakuk is an example of an inquiring mind, and God made inquiring minds.

I’m not interested in pouring over ancient history to put a time-line on these prophecies. But some people are, and that’s ok. I think Scripture teaches that God wants us to dig, to learn, to be awed by creation, and to love him enough to get to know him. The problem is when we assign human attributes to God, when we try to define him by ways we understand.

We can’t know anything about God that’s not revealed in his Word. Studying history, or reading commentaries (as helpful as they are) to come to an understanding of God isn’t necessary. Reading the Bible is.

God isn’t afraid of our questions. He created us with the ability to think and wonder. But he will reveal only a portion of Who he is, give only the answers we NEED to know this side of heaven.

So go ahead and ask. Then accept the fact that there are some things we cannot know. If we were able to know everything God knows, he’d be us.

There’s Always Something To Learn

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It’s foolishness to stop learning, to think you know everything you need to know. I chuckle every time I read the proverb that says, in effect, keep your mouth shut and people will think you’re intelligent. It’s only when you speak that they can see how much you don’t know. (17:28)

I wish I’d learned that lesson long ago. I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve spouted off about something only to find out later how wrong I was, how foolish I must have sounded.  If only I had taken time to learn about that subject, I wouldn’t have made a fool of myself.

My nephew is a natural athlete. This year, as a high school Sophomore, he was ranked among the best baseball players in our county. He has a state of the art batting cage at home in their barn. But it sits unused most of the time. He’s like most teenagers in that they want success, they just don’t want to work for it. I wish I could get him to see that the men who are making millions playing the sport he loves still go to the batting cages every day. They work out in gyms, shag flies because they want a better batting average this week than last week, they want to make that defensive play that will wind up on ESPN. They recognize they have some things to learn. some areas in which they can improve, and if they don’t another young and hungry athlete will take their place.

Years ago I had a friend whose husband was on her to read her Bible. Her answer to him was, I’ve read it already. She didn’t see the necessity of reading it again.

I’ve read the Bible multiple times. But every time I do I learn something, grow stronger in my faith, love God more. I don’t know everything there is to know about my Lord. It’s foolish to think I do. It’s foolish to not want to learn everything I can.

The King James version of 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us to “study to show thyself approved unto God.” The NIV says it like this, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved.” All the versions that I read go on to talk about being a good worker, someone who correctly handles the Word of Truth. That ability doesn’t come without some intentional study, prayerful learning.

Dear one, be in God’s Word every day. Study it. Commit it to memory. Use it. And don’t be ashamed of it. We’ll never know all there is to know about God this side of heaven. But we have in the Bible everything we need to know for this life on planet earth. Don’t be foolish and let it sit unused in your home. You have a treasure there that’s so worth a little bit of time and effort. And you, my friend, have a lot to learn. And so do I.

August 6

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Jeremiah 14:1-15:9, 18:1-19:13, 24:1-10

The Bible makes it clear that each of us is accountable for ourselves. What we believe about God is between God and individuals based on his Word.

God told Jeremiah he was done playing around. He was going to punish the Jews for their sin. But Jeremiah said – wait a minute, Lord. Their preachers are telling them you’re ok with how they’re living. To which God replied – those preachers are lying. I did not send them or give them that message.

Should God excuse the congregation because the pastor is teaching false doctrine? Christianity is not a religion we should follow blindly. We should never accept what someone says without looking into God’s Word for ourselves. Because, sadly there are a lot of false doctrines being preached in too many churches.

Is what your pastor spoke on Sunday consistent with the entire Bible or did he use other authorities to tell you something different? Did he take a verse out of context to make a point not consistent with the whole of Scripture? Do you even know the Truth when you hear it?

I am praying that if you are reading this blog you are first and foremost reading the Scripture each day. I’d much rather you read the Bible and skip my rantings. 

When we stand before the Lord on that Day no one will be able to point a finger at anyone else as an excuse for not holding on to the Truth. When we stand before Jesus and he looks each of us in the eye the only question will be, does Jesus know me? Did I repent of sin according to his Word and accept his cleansing? Am I wearing his righteousness because of his grace?

We have such a treasure here in the pages of God’s Word. In here is everything we need to know for today and for eternity. Read it. Study it. Meditate on it. If you have questions, keep reading. God wants you to know him. And he’s right there in the pages of the Bible. 

Father, may we know you according to the Word you inspired men to put to paper so many years ago. May we cherish the Bible, may we spend time in its pages as we get to know you and the truth written there. Let your people recognize false teaching and may we demand of our pastors that they stay true to your Word. I pray for those pastors and teachers, Lord. As they prepare for another message or lesson for Sunday, I pray that they would cling to the truth of Scripture and present it boldly. I pray for those who read this blog today. May each of us recognize the truth because we’ve spent time getting to know that truth through your written word.

July 18

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Isaiah 43-46

“I am The Lord and there is no other.”

These words are repeated over and over in the passage we read today. In fact, in 45:19 God tells us he has not spoken in secret or told his people to try and find him. Here I am, God says. Mystery solved.

Here are some things he says of himself in these chapters:

He created the heavens.
He is God.
He fashioned and made the earth.
He will save his people with an everlasting salvation.
Before him every knee will bow.

When people say they are searching for God I wonder if they think God is playing a game of Hide and Seek with them. Do they think God dangles clues to his existence and only the wisest of us can figure it out?

If you are searching for God, for Truth, stop. Hear what God says to you today.

I am The Lord and there is no other.

The God we read about in the Bible is the only true God. He’s explained himself, drawn pictures, demonstrated his power in such a way that there can be no question.

If you don’t believe, that’s on you. God has laid it all out. It’s up to you to realize the Truth you seek is found right here. It’s up to you to accept it.

I pray for seekers today. May you realize that what you are looking for is right in front of you. It’s written in the pages of God’s Word, in God’s creation, and in the lives of those of us who know him.

He is God and there is no other. Period.

July 16

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2 Kings 18:3-7a, 20:20,21; 2 Chronicles 29:2, 32:32-33; Isaiah 24:1-27:13

So much of Isaiah’s prophecy is about rejoicing and praise. It’s not all gloom and doom. In fact, it’s very much a picture of what happens when a soul comes to Christ. Listen to these words of encouragement:

25:8 The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all their faces; he will remove the disgrace to his people from all the earth.

25:9 Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is The Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.

26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

26:4 Trust in The Lord forever, for The Lord, The Lord, is the Rock eternal.

26:12 Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

I guess I believe we miss out on something if we try to fit Old Testament prophecy into a material futuristic box. I am reminded that our God is a personal, never-changing God who speaks in words, through nature and history, through the lives of people since the beginning of time.

The Bible is relative for today. Let’s be sensitive to what it has for us here in 2013. Let’s not miss out on the blessings that were meant for us today!

June 20

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2 Kings 2:1-25, 3:4-27, 8:16-29; I Kings 22:50; 2 Chronicles 21:1-29, 22:1-6

Do you believe there might be life somewhere else in outer space? I had a friend who taught science in a school where I worked and he believed Elijah’s experience proved alien life. He said Elijah was snatched up by a UFO. I laughed because I thought he was joking. Sadly, he wasn’t.

I just said the “U” in  UFO stands for unidentified. The Bible clearly identifies it as a chariot and horses of fire in a whirlwind. Nothing unidentifiable there.

One of my favorite Bible verses is found in Genesis 1:16 where it says – he created the stars also. Just like that. And he made the moon and the stars to brighten up the night sky – for us. For his creation right here on planet earth.

Could there be life out there? Well, sure if God wanted there to be. He’s God. 

Do I believe there is life out there? No. The Bible doesn’t even hint at that possibility and everything I believe is grounded in the Word, the final authority. 

So when I look at the night sky and realize the vastness of space I am awe-struck. To think God created that for my eyes! To help travelers navigate at night. There is so much love tucked away into the truth of the words: “he created the stars also.” 

Not other life.

Doesn’t that make you feel loved? It does me.

June 15

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I Kings 17-19

Elijah has to be one of my favorite Old Testament characters. This prophet of God stood up to Ahab, but ran in fear of Jezebel. I wonder what he thought about taking bread and meat from ravens.

Elijah prayed for a widow and her flour and oil were never used up during the famine. He even prayed for her dying son and the boy was healed. And Elijah had a little fun taunting the prophets of Baal.

But here’s what spoke to me today. Elijah could challenge those 450 prophets because he knew Baal was not a god of any kind. It wasn’t that Elijah “believed” that Baal was no threat. Elijah knew Baal had no power. He knew without a doubt that no amount of praying or dancing or shouting could produce fire on Baal’s altar. And you know what? Elijah didn’t feel the need to apologize for being sure about that, either.

Elijah repeatedly and very publicly challenged them because Elijah knew the Truth.

How sure are you that the Bible is true and God is who he says he is? How sure are you that Jesus is the only way to God? Are you convinced that Christianity is the only true theology? Can you stand up for God without apology?

I am not asking you what you believe. I’m asking you what you know to be true. Have you experienced the life-changing presence of God as you ask Jesus to be your Savior? Do you see him work in your life and in the lives of others? Do you recognize his power in creation?

If God asked, would you defend him as publicly as Elijah did that day? Would I?

Father, may your children know you. May we define what we know is true. May we never apologize for knowing the truth. And may we be ready to put ourselves out there because we are sure that you are who you say you are.

June 12

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I Kings 14:1-18, 22-28; 2 Chronicles 11:5-10, 18-23, 12:1-12; Psalm 89

Judah, under King Rehoboam, began living like the ungodly people God had driven out of the Promised Land. So when the king of Egypt attacked, God removed his protection over Judah and the Israelites were defeated.

The enemy invaded the temple and took the beautiful gold pieces Solomon had commissioned. What Solomon intended to serve the temple for generations were lost because of his own son.

Rehoboam probably didn’t have the resources his dad had. Or maybe he didn’t think temple utensils were all that important. Whatever the reason, he hired craftsmen to make replacement shields. The ones that were stolen were gold. Rehoboam’s replacements were bronze. Polished up, they probably looked like gold from a distance. But closer inspection couldn’t hide the fact they were not the original. They just couldn’t compare.

I might be grasping at straws here, but I wonder if some of our churches have replaced the gold of the Bible for the bronze of a politically correct, feel-good replacement. It still looks like a church, but upon close inspection you can tell it isn’t the original.

God’s holiness, his demands for our holiness, his law and the consequences for breaking those laws don’t always leave us feeling good about ourselves. Proclaiming Jesus as the only way to the Father doesn’t always sit well with non-believers. Holding the Bible up as the standard for living upsets people who think they have a better idea.

But any other gospel is no gospel at all. It’s a poor imitation. And, in the end, it cannot stand up to closer inspection. 

What is your church made of? I pray you are involved in a solid gold fellowship where Jesus is honored and God is worshiped in all his holiness. I pray, like Paul, you stand united, not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it alone has the power to save. 

Let’s toss out the bronze and hold on to the gold.

June 11

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I Kings 12:1-13:34; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19, 11:1-4, 13-17

God had told the man of God exactly what to do. Go to Bethel and tell Jeroboam that God punishes disobedience, then get out. Don’t eat or drink anything. Don’t even go back the way you came. Just walk away and keep walking. The man of God didn’t have to guess at any of the details because God had spelled it all out for him.

But when someone who claimed to have received a special message from God that contradicted what the man of God knew to be true, the man of God changed his course. After all, didn’t the old prophet say he had received the message straight from God? So it must be true, right?

Wrong.

Dear one, it’s important for you to know what it is that God has spelled out in his Word. The Bible and ONLY the Bible is God’s instruction manual. It’s ok to read blogs (I’m glad you read mine) or commentaries or books about God. It’s good to listen to preaching and teaching. But you must always measure what you hear with what you read in the Bible. Always.

God will not ever, ever give a word to anyone that contradicts what he has already said in his Word. The Bible is God’s truth. Not the Bible plus anything.

And beware of those who would take a verse and use it to justify their own agenda if that verse, taken out of context, doesn’t agree with the rest of the Bible and who God is as revealed in the entire book.

The man of God died for his disobedience, even if the old prophet sounded like he had a revelation from God. The warning here for us is that if we accept a religion or a theology that contradicts what God said in his Word, we too will die for our disobedience. 

So I hope you continue to read my blog. But don’t take my word for it. Read the Bible for yourself. I hope you go to church and soak up the message from your pastor. But read the text for yourself and the chapters before and after the text. Is what you read or hear consistent with the entire Word of God?

The Bible is God’s instruction manual. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Hold it close. Study it. Live it. Know it so that you can discern when something you hear isn’t consistent with God’s truths written there. We have such a treasure in these pages. Don’t miss out on the blessings of reading God’s message for yourself. Let him speak to you through his Word today.

Dear God, thank you for the written Word, your message to your people in 2013. Help us to read it, love it, use it every day. Help us to know what you have said in it’s pages so that we recognize when someone’s message isn’t consistent with Scripture. Give discernment to your people as we study those precious books we call the Bible.