There are so many web sites devoted to tips for almost anything you can think of–tips for using computers, getting stains out etc. Here is a blog post with tips for spending time with God. I know that sounds trite but I believe this is a very important message for the majority of of the people in the Church.
“I was basically getting spiritual crumbs from books, podcasts and my pastor. I was living vicariously through others’ relationships with God… While it’s good to learn from others, Jesus calls us to follow Him (not follow others who are following Him).”
Use S.O.A.P. - Simple tips for spending time with God.
Here are transcripts from a sermon by John MacArthur:
Children and the Kingdom of God, Part 1
Children and the Kingdom of God, Part 2
What I mean by that is when an infant dies, or a child dies before reaching the condition of accountability, I think Scripture gives us enough insight to be sure that they are saved, they are gathered together by God into His presence, just as God in Isaiah 40 gathers the little lambs and carries them. I think God has a special affection for them and when they die He gathers them into His presence. And I want to show you how I think the Scripture lays that out for us.
Luke 18:15-17
[pruh-pish-ee-ey-shuhn] or [pro-pish-ee-ey-shuhn]
Propitiation: peace with God forever at CAMPONTHIS
Be sure to listen to the excellent Podcast which lasts about 15 minutes.
Some translations use “atoning sacrifice”, “sacrifice of atonement” or “expiation” (RSV) among others. If you want to read more about why different terms are used you can find plenty on the web by using Google.
These are the four instances the term is used.
Romans 3:25
whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Hebrews 2:17
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
1 John 2:2
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 4:10
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Something I’ve wondered about.
Christians and Cremation at Pulpit Magazine
The faithful pastor, and all other faithful believers, love to learn God’s Word because they love the God of the Word.
–John MacArthur
From Why Preach the Word?
Reasons to Get Reading, Reloaded
This is a great list and I have experienced nearly every one of them.
This goes along with:
Reading Better with Richard Baxter
(I’m having computer problems and am doing some short posts.)
‘I can’t resist watching Kirk Cameron because it’s, well, just so intense to see Mike Seaver “bring it”.’
For those of you old enough to have seen the TV show Growing Pains (USA) this quote was priceless.
But that’s beside the point. Please read the post:
Beginning a Conversation about Christ
Acts 17, Acts 13:16-42
A while ago I asked one of the people at Better Bibles Blog to look into Nahum 1:7 because of a difference I noticed in the last part of the verse between translations. I was thrilled to find out Suzanne McCarthy looked into it for me.
http://englishbibles.blogspot.com/2007/08/nahum-17-yada-yada.html
I was looking at knows, protects and cares in the third line of each.
Nahum 1:7 KJV
The LORD is good,
a strong hold in the day of trouble;
and he knoweth them that trust in him.
Nahum 1:7 ESV
The LORD is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 NASB
The LORD is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble,
And He knows those who take refuge in Him.
Nahum 1:7 NET
The LORD is good indeed,
he is a fortress in time of distress,
and he protects those who seek refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 NRSV
The Lord is good,
a stronghold in a day of trouble;
he protects those who take refuge in him,
Nahum 1:7 TNIV
The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,
Nahum 1:7 HCSB
The Lord is good,
a stronghold in a day of distress;
He cares for those who take refuge in Him.
‘Early in my Christian life, I thought the Gospel was the message to win people to Christ, then, in disciple-making, one moved on to “deeper things.” What a fallacy! You never move beyond the Gospel.’
‘A steady delivery of brochures to my office offer conferences that will help the church “make the Gospel relevant.” Betsy Childs, a daughter of our church and writer for Ravi Zacharias, in commenting on this phenomenon, writes: “Why would we think the Gospel is irrelevant?” She is right. Nothing is more relevant than the Gospel.’
Please read the whole article:
The Gospel-Driven Life by Harry L. Reeder III, Ligonier Ministries | Tabletalk Magazine
“When I really enjoy God, I feel my desires of Him the more insatiable, and my thirstings after holiness the more unquenchable. And the Lord will not allow me to feel as though I were fully supplied and satisfied, but keeps me still reaching forward.”
Thanks to Expository Thoughts.
This is somewhat of a tangent for this blog, but I like the perspective this article brings.
New Year’s Resignation
Pitchford’s Ramblings has a good, concise article on the Biblical basis for the Doctrine of the Trinity:
Treasuring the Trinity
If you approach the Scriptures with all humility and with regulated caution, you will perceive that you have been breathed upon by the Holy Will. It will bring about a transformation which is impossible to describe. You will perceive the delights of the Blessed Bridegroom; you will see the riches of Solomon. The hidden treasures of eternal wisdom will be yours.Yet I would caution you. the entrance to this abode of wisdom is narrow. The doorway is low, and there is danger in not stooping when you enter.
–Erasmus, The Handbook of the Militant Christian
Thanks to:
http://englishbibles.blogspot.com/2007/11/hen-scratches-23-11-07.html
Disclaimer: I’ve not read much of Erasmus, but I love this quote.
From The Blazing Center blog:
8 Ways to Get More out of Your Bible
and
Bible Boost Part II
Be sure to read the comments too.
Here is one of the best articles I’ve seen regarding the benefits of memorizing Scripture and why it’s so essential to the Christian life:
Why Memorize Scripture? by John Piper
A related post on this blog:
Knowing Scripture
I didn’t realize I was listed on this site until recently. I’m honored. If you’re interested in finding other Bible blogs this may be the most complete list out there:
A Map of the World of Bible Bloggers
Bible Commentaries
Some people say that the Bible is our owner’s manual. I think it’s much more than that and thinking of it in that way devalues what the Bible is. However I think of commentaries as owners’ manuals for the Bible. Not that they are a necessity. After all, many Christians in the past and in some cultures now don’t even have a Bible in written form. And the Holy Spirit teaches us as we read God’s Word.
But commentaries can give us insight that we normally wouldn’t find and informs us of ancillary information pertaining to history, culture, society, politics, literary style etc. which help us to better understand why something was written the way it was. They can also teach us how to read and interpret the Bible by following their model of using Scripture to interpret Scripture, looking at context etc.
Here is a two part blog post I came across that I want to pass along.
Using commentaries in Bible study
Tips on using commentaries to study the Bible
HT: Using Commentaries in Bible Study
There are a couple of past entries on this blog related to commentaries:
Spurgeon In Defense of Commentaries
Bible commentary reviews