For years, I have struggled with Bible reading. Most Christians I know struggle to read the Bible (though we don’t like to talk about it).
We wonder why it doesn’t seem to make a difference to us. We wonder why we don’t miss it when we don’t read it.
We know we should read its words, but often we don’t really feel like reading it. We know it’s true; we don’t remember it’s beautiful.
Maybe you’re in that position as you read this. Maybe you are in church leadership and wish your church family would read the Bible more (even as you wish that your own Bible-reading was more than doing your duty).
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When was the last time you felt completely at a loss to know how to handle challenging circumstances?
1 Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”
3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
Psalm 3:1-3... continue reading
We live in the day of the corporation—the way to get it is through slick advertising, bold slogans, innovative marketing. And then there’s the kingdom of God…
Why is the kingdom not like Coke or Nike—big, successful, all-conquering? What has been going on for the 2,000 years between the time Jesus came to establish the kingdom and the time we live in?
18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Luke 13:18-21... continue reading
Which book starts, "In my former book, Theophilus…"
In the centre, round the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with _____, in front and behind.
Which is the longest book (by chapter) with an odd number of chapters?
As for zeal, persecuting _______; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless
Which Gospel contains the parable of The Good Samaritan?
Who is the first king mentioned in 1 Kings?
‘What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ Pilate asked. They all answered, ‘_______ him!’
I think you could make a pretty good case that evangelicals don’t really know what worship is—or, at least, they don’t really know what worship fully is.
Scroll through your social media feeds on a typical Sunday morning and you will see lots of talk among your churchgoing friends about worship—but I’d be willing to bet that most of that talk is focused entirely on music.
But worship is more than a genre of music or one section of a worship service. Even to speak of worship largely in terms of a worship service is not to do the subject justice. We tend to talk in compartmentalized ways about something that by its very nature cannot be compartmentalized; because, according to the Bible, worship is every human being’s way of life. We are never not worshiping. We just can’t help it.
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Have you ever walked right through the night? Maybe for fun? (I did it for a sponsored walk as a student.) Or maybe you'd broken down in the middle of nowhere? (Before the days of mobile phones.) How would you feel in the morning? (I had blisters like dinner plates.)
Now imagine the reason you've walked all night is to get some vital help. There's only one person who can help you - it's vital that they come back with you. How would you feel when you reach them? How would you feel when they tell you to go away?!
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1 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:1-7
“Extol” means “praise” or (to use a colloquial phrase!) “big up”.... continue reading
Here is the first of the seven “I am” sayings of Jesus: “I am the bread of life.”
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:35-40
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It's a Gospel themed Friday Quiz. Enjoy!
Which book of the bible has the most mentions of the word 'gospel'?
What is the first city named in the Bible?
In which book does Paul talk about the armour of God?
What was created on the fourth day?
Which of these four books is the longest?
Who was the last King of the Northern Kingdom of Israel?
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged ______
You can probably name a church in your community with a reputation for courageous defense of biblical truth. The preaching is strong, and discipleship involves a lot of good books from dead theologians. Another church you know is beloved for its compassion. Its food pantry is always stocked, and no one walks away empty-handed. Yet another church is all about fulfilling the Great Commission. They have the latest technology, the most energetic worship services, the most creative outreach strategies.
But where are the churches that are courageous, compassionate, and commissioned, all at the same time and among the same people? Where are the gospel-shaped churches that teach the Bible, love the poor, and reach the lost? If God’s Word is our timeless guide, then churches seeking after Jesus ought to share this core DNA even if they don’t agree on every theological detail, even if they’re located on opposite sides of the world.... continue reading
