“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it. (Deuteronomy 12:32)
Today’s big question: how does the doctrine of inspiration affect my life today?
Today’s passage is important, because it established a very important principle as the Children of Israel prepared to enter into the Promise Land: don’t add to or take away from the words of God. God (through Moses) wanted this to be a foundational concept for their nation as they developed in this new land that God had provided. The foundation of their new nation had to be that they let God speak for Himself, and they were not to try to add to that or take away from that.
John ended that last book of the canon of Scripture by adding a similar statement:
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.Revelation 22:18-19
The challenging thing for us today is that we live in a culture that continually seems to add to and take away from God’s Word. The first eleven chapters of Genesis are an excellent example of this. For instance, many writers attempt to perform amazing “linguistic gymnastics” in order to to fit the notion of billions of years into Genesis 1. God has clearly told us that He created the earth in six literal days, and yet people regularly attempt to add to that message.
On the other hand, God has also told us that we will one day have to give an account of our lives before Him, but many Bible teachers seem to want to leave that part of the message out for fear of offending followers. How much better it would be if they would communicate the life-changing truths that God has given us!
God has given us the exact, precise message that we need for life. It behooves us to know and heed every last word!
Today’s big idea: we must take time to study and obey every single word that God has given us in the Scriptures.
What to pray: ask God to guide you through the Scriptures and to help you to trust and obey every single word.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
“God’s Words or Man’s Words?”
For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
(2 Peter 1:21)
Today’s big question: whose words are these [in the Bible], anyway?
As we’ve taken time to ponder concepts related to the inspiration of the Bible over the past couple weeks, we’ve gained a better understanding of the truth that the Bible clearly is God’s Word given to us. But some people then wonder how that works. If the Bible is made up of words that have come from God, why are the writings of the 40 different authors of the various books of the Bible distinct in their style, approach, vocabulary, and perspective?
To give us a better understanding of this, I find it helpful to think of the writers of the Scriptures as functioning as a sort of “box of crayons” with which God has “colored the pictures” related to their own specific books. God is the actual artist, but for each book, He is tapping into that specific “box of crayons” for that writer. This “box of crayons” represents the vocabulary, personality, experiences, memories, etc. of each writer.
Thinking in these terms, we see that the Apostle Peter had a rather small “box.” He was not as well educated which limited him to write with a smaller, simpler vocabulary. The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, had a larger “box” due to the fact that his education and background were so rich and full.
When God wrote through the hand of Peter, He used the vocabulary, experiences, background, etc. of Peter to communicate His message. When He wrote through the hand of Paul, He used more sophisticated language based on Paul’s larger “box of crayons.”
In each case, God used the writers to write from their own background and experiences. However, their writings were ultimately still the Word of God in that God selected precisely what to write from each writer’s “box.”
With this in mind, let us marvel in the wonderful miracle of God in giving us the Scriptures. And let us strive to know His Word better each and every day!
Today’s big idea: God personally crafted the Holy Scriptures for us, so we must put great effort into studying them thoroughly and applying them to our lives.
What to pray: ask God to guide you through His Word and show you any changes in your life that you need to make for Him.
(2 Peter 1:21)
Today’s big question: whose words are these [in the Bible], anyway?
As we’ve taken time to ponder concepts related to the inspiration of the Bible over the past couple weeks, we’ve gained a better understanding of the truth that the Bible clearly is God’s Word given to us. But some people then wonder how that works. If the Bible is made up of words that have come from God, why are the writings of the 40 different authors of the various books of the Bible distinct in their style, approach, vocabulary, and perspective?
To give us a better understanding of this, I find it helpful to think of the writers of the Scriptures as functioning as a sort of “box of crayons” with which God has “colored the pictures” related to their own specific books. God is the actual artist, but for each book, He is tapping into that specific “box of crayons” for that writer. This “box of crayons” represents the vocabulary, personality, experiences, memories, etc. of each writer.
Thinking in these terms, we see that the Apostle Peter had a rather small “box.” He was not as well educated which limited him to write with a smaller, simpler vocabulary. The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, had a larger “box” due to the fact that his education and background were so rich and full.
When God wrote through the hand of Peter, He used the vocabulary, experiences, background, etc. of Peter to communicate His message. When He wrote through the hand of Paul, He used more sophisticated language based on Paul’s larger “box of crayons.”
In each case, God used the writers to write from their own background and experiences. However, their writings were ultimately still the Word of God in that God selected precisely what to write from each writer’s “box.”
With this in mind, let us marvel in the wonderful miracle of God in giving us the Scriptures. And let us strive to know His Word better each and every day!
Today’s big idea: God personally crafted the Holy Scriptures for us, so we must put great effort into studying them thoroughly and applying them to our lives.
What to pray: ask God to guide you through His Word and show you any changes in your life that you need to make for Him.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
“The Word that Changes Lives Forever”
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(Hebrews 4:12)
Today’s big question: how is it that the Bible has the power to change lives?
One of the greatest miracles that God performs on a regular basis is the miracle of a changed life. Every year around the world there are untold millions of lives that are delivered from afflictions such as substance abuse, destructive/self-destructive habits, emotional wounds, etc. For those of us who have been changed, we see a very real power that accompanies life in Christ.
One of God’s main tools for affecting change is the Bible. But what is it about this collection of writings that empowers lives to be changed in such amazing ways?
The key to understanding this is to understand that the Bible is truly the Word of God. This is not just a collection of inspirational writings that were penned by great philosophers. The Bible is distinct from every other manuscript in history in that it actually is the Word of God to man (2 Timothy 3:14-16).
The writings of man may be able to amuse, educate, or even enlighten in some ways, but the Word of God actually has the ability to change lives forever. The Bible actually presents the words that have emanated from the mind and heart of the Creator Himself. These words carry with them power that is unparalleled by anything else that has ever been written. When a person opens his heart to reading, learning, and studying the Scriptures, he will be begin to see himself and God like never before. He will understand his true condition of sin before a holy God. He will understand the gift of forgiveness through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He will begin to grasp the power of the Holy Spirit that will enable him to turn from his sin and enjoy a life of great joy. And he will see a miraculous change begin to take place in his life as he goes deeper into God’s Word over time. What an amazing Book!
Today’s big idea: the Bible has the power to change your life forever, so fill your heart and mind with it every day!
What to pray: ask God to use His Word to change your life forever for His glory.
(Hebrews 4:12)
Today’s big question: how is it that the Bible has the power to change lives?
One of the greatest miracles that God performs on a regular basis is the miracle of a changed life. Every year around the world there are untold millions of lives that are delivered from afflictions such as substance abuse, destructive/self-destructive habits, emotional wounds, etc. For those of us who have been changed, we see a very real power that accompanies life in Christ.
One of God’s main tools for affecting change is the Bible. But what is it about this collection of writings that empowers lives to be changed in such amazing ways?
The key to understanding this is to understand that the Bible is truly the Word of God. This is not just a collection of inspirational writings that were penned by great philosophers. The Bible is distinct from every other manuscript in history in that it actually is the Word of God to man (2 Timothy 3:14-16).
The writings of man may be able to amuse, educate, or even enlighten in some ways, but the Word of God actually has the ability to change lives forever. The Bible actually presents the words that have emanated from the mind and heart of the Creator Himself. These words carry with them power that is unparalleled by anything else that has ever been written. When a person opens his heart to reading, learning, and studying the Scriptures, he will be begin to see himself and God like never before. He will understand his true condition of sin before a holy God. He will understand the gift of forgiveness through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He will begin to grasp the power of the Holy Spirit that will enable him to turn from his sin and enjoy a life of great joy. And he will see a miraculous change begin to take place in his life as he goes deeper into God’s Word over time. What an amazing Book!
Today’s big idea: the Bible has the power to change your life forever, so fill your heart and mind with it every day!
What to pray: ask God to use His Word to change your life forever for His glory.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
“Whose Words Are These?”
I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
(Psalm 119:16)
Today’s big question: whose words are these?
The Scriptures are filled with references that indicate that the words being written are truly the words of God Himself. As a matter of fact, phrases such as “Thus says the Lord” or “Your word” appear more than 2,800 times in the Old Testament alone. Think about that! The Scriptures are clearly working to drive home a key point here!
One example is to go through Psalm 119. In this one Psalm, you will find a reference to the Word of God in every single one of the 176 verses. Over and over again, the Psalmist continues to develop that point.
In Psalm 119:16, David speaks of “delighting” in God’s statutes. You see, David had such a clear understanding of the true source of these words that he felt great joy in his heart. And as you go through the entire Psalm, you will see that part of this joy was related to the fact that these words of God actually had the ability to change lives. David repeats that concept over and over throughout Psalm 119.
But then, in verse 16, David also states that he was committed to not forgetting God’s word. Sadly, that seems to be the state of the world in which we live. So many are turning away from the Scriptures, and so many Christians seem to forget about God’s Word as soon as they get into their cars to go home after church each week. It is a fatal error to allow ourselves to forget about God’s Word. They are the very words of the God of the universe, so we must keep them at the forefront of our hearts and minds at all times.
Today’s big idea: the Bible is the very Word of God Himself, therefore we must keep it in the very forefront of our hearts and minds.
What to pray: ask God to use His Word to change your life, and also pray that He will help you to keep His Word in the forefront of your mind.
(Psalm 119:16)
Today’s big question: whose words are these?
The Scriptures are filled with references that indicate that the words being written are truly the words of God Himself. As a matter of fact, phrases such as “Thus says the Lord” or “Your word” appear more than 2,800 times in the Old Testament alone. Think about that! The Scriptures are clearly working to drive home a key point here!
One example is to go through Psalm 119. In this one Psalm, you will find a reference to the Word of God in every single one of the 176 verses. Over and over again, the Psalmist continues to develop that point.
In Psalm 119:16, David speaks of “delighting” in God’s statutes. You see, David had such a clear understanding of the true source of these words that he felt great joy in his heart. And as you go through the entire Psalm, you will see that part of this joy was related to the fact that these words of God actually had the ability to change lives. David repeats that concept over and over throughout Psalm 119.
But then, in verse 16, David also states that he was committed to not forgetting God’s word. Sadly, that seems to be the state of the world in which we live. So many are turning away from the Scriptures, and so many Christians seem to forget about God’s Word as soon as they get into their cars to go home after church each week. It is a fatal error to allow ourselves to forget about God’s Word. They are the very words of the God of the universe, so we must keep them at the forefront of our hearts and minds at all times.
Today’s big idea: the Bible is the very Word of God Himself, therefore we must keep it in the very forefront of our hearts and minds.
What to pray: ask God to use His Word to change your life, and also pray that He will help you to keep His Word in the forefront of your mind.
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