Reading Through the Bible

This morning I finished reading through the Bible in a year's time (I finished a day early). If you've never done this but would like to try, I would recommend using The One Year Chronological Bible NLT (New Living Translation). It is a very readable, yet accurate, version of the Bible, and it helps the reader to understand the events and writings in the order that they actually occurred. To show you what I mean, here's an excerpt of the description that appears on the back cover:

In The One Year Chronological Bible, prophetic books are interwoven with the historical accounts they accompanied. Psalms follow the events about which they were written. Proverbs are placed in the time frame in which they were compiled. The life of Christ is woven into one moving story. And Paul's letters to the young churches in the first century are integrated into the book of Acts.

I have found this to be a helpful way to read through the whole Bible in a year. Another way is to read Scripture straight through in its usual lay-out, book by book, from Genesis through Revelation. This can be done by reading 3 chapters a day for Monday through Saturday, and then 5 chapters on Sunday. Do this, and you'll be done about a week before the year is over (which allows a little time for catch-up, in case you need it).

I only read the Bible through every other year. I like to use the alternate years to read smaller portions of Scripture in greater detail. Sometimes a single verse impacts me more than several chapters. Nevertheless, I always find myself at the end of that alternate year itching to get back to reading the whole Bible through once again.

As I finished up my year's reading this morning, I was deeply touched by the power of God's Word, and its ability to break and build up this fickle heart of mine. Also as a preacher, I realized afresh how powerless I am to change lives by my own words. No wonder Paul told Timothy, "Preach the Word!" That's where the power is. And God has chosen to use the foolishness of preaching (weak man proclaiming God's Truth) to save those who believe (1 Cor. 1:21).

Our Savior reminded us in the midst of His own temptation, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4; cf. Deut. 8:3). May we, like Job, treasure the words of God's mouth more than our necessary food (Job 23:12).

Blessed Be the Name: Part 4

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold" (Prov. 22:1). The greatest name in all of earth and heaven is Jesus, the Son of God. Scripture affirms that God "has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name" (Phil. 2:9).

The name of God's Son is marvelous in all its dimensions. Each designation is like a cut in a multi-faceted diamond that only further reveals its brilliance. We have been considering four such designations in Isaiah 9:6:

Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace

We have already examined the first two; now we want to turn our attention to the last two titles.

Everlasting Father: Literally, this reads "Father of eternity." This describes One who is Lord over the ages. Moses worshiped the LORD saying, "Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God" (Psalm 90:2).

What's striking - and potentially confusing - about this designation is that it not only reminds us of God's eternality, but it also refers to the Son as the Father! Kind of reminds me of that song I'm My Own Grandpa (if you know the song, you'll get what I mean; if not, don't worry about it!). Yet Jesus the Messiah clarified the essence of this revelation in His own words when He said, "I am not of this world" (John 8:23), "I came in My Father's name" (John 5:43), and "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). Jesus is the "brightness of [God's] glory and the express image of His person" (Heb. 1:3; cf. John 1:14). As Allen Ross points out in his commentary on this verse, "By taking this title, Everlasting Father, the Messiah is to be known as the One who is the sovereign Lord over the ever changing years--he produces and directs eternity."

Prince of Peace: This designation identifies the Messiah as One who blesses His people with peace. The Hebrew concept of peace (shalom) goes beyond the absence of conflict or war. It is a positive term that connotes the presence of security, prosperity, and well-being. Elsewhere Isaiah the seer envisions Messiah's kingdom as a realm in which the wolf lies down with the lamb, and a toddler plays next to a snake pit. How so? Because "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isa. 11:6-9). Eventually Messiah will usher in a new heaven and a new earth; indeed, He makes "all things new" (Rev. 21:5)!

Though this ultimate state of peace is yet to come, even now God's people have a "peace that passes all comprehension" (Phil. 4:7) as we rejoice in our Savior and abide in His love.

Yet this peace did not come without a price. It was purchased for us by the Prince's own blood. It was because of the joy set before Him that Jesus endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and is now seated at the right hand of God. The Prince reigns! He is King of kings and Lord of lords! And the wonder of wonders is that He uses His exalted position to bless us with His peace!

It is ours through faith. Through faith we are at peace with God (Rom. 5:1) and experience the peace of God (Phil. 4:7). Thus we can sing,

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Blessed Be the Name: Part 3

We've been studying the four designations for the Messiah that appear in the latter half of Isaiah 9:6. Today's Messianic title for consideration is "Mighty God." Though the Hebrew word for "God" ('el) is sometimes used in the Old Testament to refer to human kings and judges (cf. Exodus 7:1; Psalm 82), Isaiah does not use it that way here - or anywhere else in his prophecy, for that matter. Every time Isaiah uses term "God" he means deity. In fact, Isaiah has just declared in chapters 7 and 8 that this king would be known as Immanu-'el, "God with us." To have a human king among us is one thing; to have God Himself with us is something else!

This Messiah is the "mighty God." There's another reference in the Old Testament where these two words appear together: Psalm 45:3, which says, "Gird your sword, O Mighty One . . . Your throne, O God, is forever and ever." In the New Testament, the author of Hebrews uses this very passage to refer Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 1:8)!

When Jesus came to earth the first time, He appeared as the Babe in Bethlehem, the Suffering Servant, as One who was "despised and rejected of men" (Isa. 53:3). But we must never mistake Jesus' meekness for a lack of might! He was and is the "mighty God"! Just before His ascension back to heaven, Jesus declared, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth" (Matt. 28:18). To catch a glimpse of Jesus' present and eternal glory, read the apostle John's description of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1.

As I meditate on the might of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, my thoughts go to a chorus I learned years ago by Marlene Bigley:

Great and mighty is the Lord our God, -

Great and mighty is He!

Great and mighty is the Lord our God, -

Great and mighty is He!

Lift up your banner, let the anthems ring -

Praises to our King;

Great and mighty is the Lord our God, -

Great and mighty is He!

Our God is mighty to save! And He is worthy of all our praise! Let us bow before Him humbly in worship, thanking Him for rescuing us from our sin and leading us into His heavenly kingdom!

Blessed Be the Name: Part 2

Throughout the rest of December, I'm blogging about the beautiful name of Jesus. The verse we're considering this Advent season is the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 9:6, written 700 years before Jesus birth:

Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;

and the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

The Messiah's "name" consists of a four-fold designation, the first of which is "Wonderful Counselor." This name literally translates “a wonder of a counselor.” But what does it mean? Let’s break it down into its two parts.

“Wonderful.” The first is the word “wonderful.” The Hebrew word pala indicates “something uncommon or out of the ordinary.” It reflects “a phenomenon lying outside the realm of human explanation; that which is separated from the normal course of events; some-things which cannot be explained.”

The same Hebrew word is used in Psalm 139:6, which reads, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.” It is something miraculous. The problem is, we tend to have a low view of the miraculous. A high-school student comes out of a classroom holding her exam paper which bears a mark in the nineties--and so she exclaims to her friend, “This is a miracle! I didn’t think I was anywhere near ready for that test.” Or a guy asks a girl out on a date, and when she responds in the affirmative, he thinks to himself, “She actually said `Yes’ -- it’s a miracle!”

In reality, however, these things are not miracles. They can all be explained, though some may take a little more effort to explain than others.

A real wonder is something beyond human explanation. And the prophet Isaiah declared that the coming Child and Son would be a wonder. This not only describes what He does, but who He is. He is wonderful! A wonderful what?

“Counselor.” The second part of this compound description of the coming Messiah is “Counselor.” In its historical Hebrew usage, the word is used to picture a king giving counsel to his people. For instance, the prophet Micah declared the dilemma of the captives in Babylon this way: “Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in your midst? Has your counselor perished?” (4:9).

Long before the Christ-child was born, Isaiah foretold that God was planning to send a Counselor for the broken-hearted of the world. In our study of First Corinthians, we read in 1 Corinthians 1:30 that Christ “became for us wisdom from God.” When you take all that we know about Christ, it adds up to a marvelous truth--He is the God who is, and who is called, a “Wonder of a Counselor.”

What is the significance of “Wonderful Counselor” to believers today? How does this “Wonder of a Counselor” give us help? How does He impart unto us His wisdom, and how should we seek it? Through the Word of God. The Old Testament is His story. The New Testament Gospels are the record of His conversations with the people of His day, who had needs not altogether different from ours. The letters of the rest of the New Testament represent the practical application of His teaching to life. The Lord guides us through His written Word. “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). “Thy testimonies are my delight; They are my counselors” (Ps. 119:24).

• God guides us through prayer. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (Jam. 1:5).
• God guides us through people. Proverbs 11:14 says there is safety in a multitude of good counselors. The wise person listens to the advice of other godly, mature Christians.
• God guides us through our circumstances. C. S. Lewis is the one who perceptively wrote: “God speaks to us in our pleasures and shouts to us in our pain.”

Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” God sees what you’re going through, and He uses life’s circumstances to lead you along the path of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Christ, however, is able to give us the needed direction for life. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on yur own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” How thankful we should be that Isaiah spoke of a “Wonderful Counselor.”

Do you regard Jesus as such? Is He your Counselor?

Blessed Be the Name: Part 1

“What’s in a name?” Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet made this question famous. These two teenagers fall in love before learning that they bear the names of rival families. Romeo and Juliet would sooner deny their own family name than abandon their love for one another.

In other settings, the family name would be more important. Several years ago, business deals were conducted and agreed upon by a gentleman’s word and a handshake. As a man was faithful in keeping his promises and paying his creditors, he furthered his credibility and testimony of integrity in the community. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be more desired than great riches.”

Yes, names are important, particularly in Scripture. Nowhere is this more significant than in Matthew 1:21, where we read words attributed to an angelic messenger speaking to Joseph in regard to Mary: “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” The name Jesus means “Jehovah our Savior.” It is the New Testament equivalent of the Hebrew name Joshua, Yeshua, or Hoshea. While others wore these names in honor to God, Jesus bore His name as an expression of the Savior-God that the New Testament says He was.

It is the name by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 says, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”

It is the name that sets the tone for everything a Christian does. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col. 3:17).

It is the name at which every knee shall bow. The apostle Paul wrote: “Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).

It is quite clear, however, that many people have ignored or dismissed altogether the tremendous significance of Jesus’ name. In the days of His childhood, Jesus’ neighbors knew Him as nothing more than the son of Joseph the carpenter. In our generation, many of our neighbors know Jesus only as an expression of anger, alar, or profanity. Many more have only a casual understanding of the scores of additional names given to Him in the Bible.

Throughout this Christmas season, I'll be blogging about the beautiful name of Jesus. Specifically, I want to consider the four designations that appear in Isaiah's prophecy nearly 700 years before Jesus' birth:

Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;

and the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

- Isaiah 9:6 -

As we consider these divine designations over the next few weeks, keep in mind that while others use aliases to veil their true identity, the Scriptures use many names for the Son of God in order to display His glory to the world He came to save!

Next week we'll look at this verse in more depth. In the meantime, why not commit it to memory?

Bringing Christ into the Conversation

God has called each of His children to be an ambassador for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). As believers, we are to "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Tim. 4:5). Jesus Himself said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses. . ." (Acts 1:8).

In light of Jesus' instructions and the promise of spiritual empower-ment, the apostle Paul prayed for two things: opportunities to speak, and the boldness to speak as he ought to speak (Eph. 6:19-20). If God answers the first request, He will most certainly answer the second as well. But this requires walking by faith and not by sight. For instance, my guess is that you have often been aware when opportunities have arisen, yet you have lacked the boldness to share the gospel. So you don't say anything. Am I right?

I know I am, because I've been there myself! Yet I've discovered something else, too. If I see a witnessing opportunity as an answer to prayer, and then I begin to speak believing in the power and promises of God, I actually get the boldness once I start to speak - but rarely before then!

I wonder how many times we have missed golden opportunities because upon recognizing them, we have not acted on them in faith, trusting God to overcome our fears by His Spirit. If you have been guilty of this (and I think we all have at times), why not make a fresh start right now to be a faithful witness for Jesus Christ. The Christmas season especially presents many opportunities to witness for our Lord.

"How do I do that?" you may be wondering. Well certainly you want to rely on the Holy Spirit, trusting Him to give you the words to say in any given moment. Keeping that principle in mind, there are some practical ways we can bring Christ into a conversation. Christian author Don Whitney shares ten questions that can help us move from small talk to "big" talk, the biggest subject of all - the Gospel. All of these questions are not original with Whitney but he has found them to be wonderful segways to sharing the Gospel:

1. When you die, if God says to you, 'Why should I let you into Heaven?', what would you say? Are you interested in what the Bible says about your answer?
2. If you were to die tonight, where do you think you would spend eternity? Why? Are you interested in what the Bible says about this?
3. Do you ever thing much about spiritual things?
4. How is God involved in your life?
5. How important is your faith to you?
6. What has been your most meaningful spiritual experience?
7. Do you find that your religious heritage adequately answers your questions about life?
8. Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs? If what you believe were not true, would you want to know it? Well, the Bible says....
9. To you, who is Jesus?
10. I often like to pray for people I meet; how can I pray for you?

How about giving one or more of these questions a try? Remember: ask God for opportunities to share the Gospel and the boldness to share as you ought, then step forward in faith by bringing Christ into the conversation! Who knows? Maybe in days and weeks to come, you'll be able to add a few of your own additional questions to this list!

(For more useful articles on evangelism and other matters related to the Christian life, visit Don Whitney's website at www.spiritualdisciplines.org.)