According to the Scriptures

1 Cor. 15:3--For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received – that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,

According to the Scriptures--I believe this is a place that the people of God are returning. We have wandered away. We have gone into the paths of the world's teachers. We have found them wanting.

I have my own experience in this, and I receive mail from others who have also tasted of the desert realm. Dry. Dusty. Lifeless.

I have tried to have fellowship with those who have left off the Word of God for the new teachers, but I find it lacking in adding to my life. Indeed, I find it draining.

Without the Word of God hidden within our heart, we are not able to fulfill Paul's admonition in Col. 2:8--Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

We were warned about the New Age movement decades ago, but the church went there anyway. Now God is once again calling His people to be People of the Book.

Are you a person of the Book?
Do you have a daily practice of spending time in the Word?
Do you use your knowledge of the Bible when talking with others?

People of the Book

Are we a People of the Book?
Is our Bible more than just a coffee table decoration?
Do we know the value of the Book of Books?

According to George Gallup:

One third of those surveyed know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
Fewer than half can name the first book of the Bible;
80 percent of born-again Christians believe the phrase God helps those who help themselves is in the Bible (it's actually Ben Franklin).

So I'm thinking a lot these days about how to help the people that God brings my way to know and love the book. How do I proclaim the Scriptures in a way that honors their authority, and at the same time recognizes where my hearers are (as opposed to where I wish they were)?

Read the entire ariticle by John Ortberg

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Winning Souls

Scriptures: Pro. 11:30; Dan. 12:3; Matt. 28:19-20
As a new believer in the early 70s, I would often feel that I was not measuring up to the standards that were being held out by many.
We were constantly told that we should be witnessing to all those around us.
We would be asked, "How many people have you led to the Lord?"
After only a short time, I began to feel that I was somehow less than a true Christian. Not only had I not led anyone to the Lord, I wasn't trying to witness to people.
I simply read my Bible and shared what I was learning. That was usually with believers, but sometimes with non-believers.
Nevertheless, the guilt remained.
I see this happening again in this day as new believers are struggling in their faith, trying to measure up to the constant challenges of "sharing their faith."
Discussion:
Are there differences of gifts when it comes to sharing the faith?
Why should a brand new believer have pressure applied to witness?
What would Jesus do?

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Being Perfect

It is possible to be perfect.

James tells us that whoever does not offend with their tongue, that person is perfect. (3:2)

Now isn't that interesting?!?

How often I hear a comment such as, "No one can be perfect!" whenever the subject of being perfect comes up.

We are told more than once in the Scripture to be perfect, and this verse tells us how we can achieve that.

However, it must be noted that James also tells us that no man can tame the tongue.(3:8)

That is worthy of our consideration, because to the undiscerning, there appears to be a contradiction.

Look at the context of verse 8, and you will see that James uses natural elements such as a bit in a horse's mouth, the rudder of a ship, and wild animals to show how we have dominion in this life. He then makes his statement about no man being able to tame the tongue. He is speaking of outside influences.

In other words, there is no way I will ever be able to train you to control your tongue. That is not to say, however, that you cannot train yourself to control your tongue.

Discussion:
Have you ever offended someone with your speech?
If it was unintentional, how did you feel afterwards?
Has the Lord ever dealt with you about watching your words?
Tell us about that.

The Possibility of Perfection

Matt. 5:48 Be perfect therefore, as your your heavenly Father is perfect. (NIV)

This appears to be an imperative from Jesus. He tells us to be perfect.

This follows on the heels of all the statements He made that elaborated on what was commonly thought. "You have heard it said...but I say..." He is telling us to be different than the norm.
How hard that is for many Christians!

That little connector word "as" could mean either "to the same degree" or "because He is."

To my mind, it doesn't make much difference. He began millenia ago by telling the Israelites that they were to be holy, because He is holy. I'm not convinced that the God who changes not (Mal. 3:6) has changed.

We seem to have a problem with that word "PERFECT." I get the impression that we are scared to death of it, because of its implications.

What do you think.

I will be continuing this topic for the next few days.

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A Bible Reading Plan

Read the Bible FOR a Year,

DON'T Read the Bible IN a Year

As Christians, we believe the Bible is The Word of God. It is God’s word to us. Most churches state in their creed that the Bible is their standard for faith and morals. Paul writes to Timothy that the Bible is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Timothy 3:16 KJV)

The “man of God” that Paul refers to is firstly, one who is a minister to God’s people; and, secondly, anyone who wants to follow the Lord. We are all to be completely “furnished unto all good works.” The Bible gives us the necessary instructions for how to do that.

Being able to read the Bible for one’s own pleasure, profit, and growth is a privilege we relinquish at great peril. Yet, there are many today (2007) who no longer take the time to read the Book of Books. Of those who do, precious few know how to read with understanding. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is able to overcome our ignorance if our heart is pure. (Matt. 5:8)

We should study the Bible for at least three reasons:

1. To know what it says

2. To know what it says about Jesus

3. To know what it says to me.

The first reason is simply to become familiar with the text itself. There are 66 books in the Bible, and each one of them was written for a different purpose. Some contain historical data; others contain wisdom sayings, others contain prophetic utterances. However, every single one of the 66 books has something to say about Jesus, either prophetically or historically.

The second reason takes us beyond the mere reading of the words on the pages. It requires understanding to know how the particular book relates to anything about Jesus. Often, that understanding can only come from someone helping us to understand. (See Acts 8:30-31)

Thirdly, we should study the Bible to know what God says to each of us. It is more important to know what God is saying to me than it is to know what God is saying about others. Yet, this is the most common outcome of Bible study today—using the Bible to prove that so-and-so shouldn’t be doing such-and-such.

God has something important to say to you today. One of the ways He will do that is through your continual reading and application of His Word.

Reading is important. Reading with understanding is more important.

In the same way that Phillip asked the Ethiopian, “Do you understand what you read?”, so I ask you, “Do you understand what you read?” more>>>

The Lord is after the quality of a changed life, not how many words one can read in a year. Quality—not quantity. That is the Lord’s desire. Make it your desire also.

Discussion:

Are you one who got lost trying to read the whole Bible in a year?

Tell us about your experience.

Did you read the Bible in a year?

Tell us about your experience.

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What is the Question?

Today is Post Your Question day.
What is your question? Post it here and read what others may have to say in response.
We may take some of those questions for future discussion.
Do you have a question about something in the Bible?
Do you have a question about how we should live?
Do you have a question about our society?
Anyone is free to post their question, and all are free to respond.
What is the Spirit saying to the Church?
We reserve the right to edit or delete any comment or question that demeans, disparages, or otherwise disgraces another person.
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