How to most effectively use your Bible

1 Peter 2:1-2 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, ² like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation

Now that you have chosen your particular Bible, now what?  Below are some practical ways you can either take your brandnew Bible, or perhaps one who already own, and begin to explore and grow in your Bible study and reading of God's word.

1. Read the Book of Proverbs every month
      In my Christian walk of nearly 27 years, I have found reading a Proverb a day to be highly effective in gaining godly wisdom.  Proverbs' intent is to impart wisdom, gain understanding and enable skillful godly living for life  (Compare Proverbs 1:1-7).  Being that there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, that means there is exactly one Proverb for each day of a given month.

2. Or Try reading the Book of 1 John six times through in one month
      1 John is another book of the Bible I would commend to new Christians and to those who have known the Lord for decades.  Its main purpose is found in 1 John 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."  Among the major themes of 1 John is that of assurance.  In this short book's 105 verses we find nearly 70 statements relating to the theme of how one can know, that they know they are truly a child of God.  Read a chapter a day, enough for a week, then start again.  You will be able to read 1 John 6 times through in a month

3. Or try reading 3 Psalms a day for a month
       The Book of Psalms helps the Christian understand how God relates to them, and they are to relate to God in a lifestyle that is worship given to Him.  I love Psalms because it helps me to understand and gain control of my emotional life and thought life.  Reading 3 psalms a day will get you through all 150 Psalms in one month.

4. Have a little notebook or write in the margin of your Bible
        As you discover new insights from God's word, write them down.  God's word, the Bible, is His communication to His people in all places at all times (this is called a the logos).  When you are reading a Bible verse, and the verse is made personal to you, that is God taking that Logos and turning it into a Rhema (ray-ma).  God speaks to us through His word. (Proverbs 6:22; John 5:39)  A Rhema is a specific word, for a specific person at a specific time.  Peter said to Jesus at the end of John 6 - "Lord, where can we go, for you have the words of life".  That term "words" in the original language is the word "rhema". 

        In my years of Bible study, I have kept little notebooks and have written in the margins of my Bible.  Which ever one you are most comfortable with, writing helps you to reinforce what you are hearing through God's word into your mind and heart.  Truly the Holy Spirit Himself is the One Who, by the Bible, guides and illuminates to the believer's heart the contents of the scriptures. (Psalm 119:105; John 16:12-15; 1 John 2:20,27). 

5. Memorize the books of the Bible
       Truly knowing where the Bible books are found will aid greatly in your study of the scripture.  The best way to know where the Bible books are found is to go to the introduction page and review the table of contents.  To me this is part of doing what we read in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."

May the Lord bless you, dear believer, as you aim to grow in God's Word. 

Choosing your Sword's features

In today's blog we want to explore the various features to look for when trying to choose a Bible for purchase, regular reading and study.  Yesterday we consider the different types of translations, and now we want to note what features to look for in helping you grow in your Christian walk.

1. Cross References
     When you open up your Bible, have you ever noticed those little Bible verses running down either the middle column or on the side.  Those little verses references are what we call "cross references".  Simply put, many Study Bibles have a system that editors have included to guide the Bible student to other verses that have similar themes as the given verse.  Cross referencing helps you to learn and explore your Bible, and is the most effective way to grow in the scriptures.  By comparing scriptures with other scripture, you begin to know what God has to say on a given matter.  I would recommend Bibles that are strong in this area such as the MacArthur Study Bible, Ryrie Study Bible, Reformation Study Bible, New Scofield Study Bible and Thompson Chain Reference Bible.

2. Study Notes
     Most Study Bibles will not only have cross references, but also study notes either at the bottom of each page or on the side.  Some study Bibles will tell you what the verse means (deductive Study Bibles), while others are designed to help you discover the meaning (Inductive Study).  The top Study Bibles with the best notes that I have seen are the NIV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, New Geneva Study Bible, Archaelogical Study Bible and New Scofield Reference Bible.

3. Articles
     Some study Bibles, in addition to having cross references and study notes, will have feature articles that will sometimes be one or two pages in length.  Usually topics such as parenting or the Deity of Christ are included as aids in helping the Bible student to broaden their understanding of a given topic.  The top four Bibles that do this in my opinion are the Archaelogical Study Bible, New Open Bible and New Geneva Study Bible.

4. Topical index
     All study Bibles will feature verses in the back arranged under different topics.  The NIV Topical Study Bible and the MacArthur Study Bible are fine examples of Bibles with incredible topical indexes.

5. Maps, Weights and Measures, Bible Dictionaries
     Nearly all study Bibles have these features.  Bible dictionaries list main Bible words and concepts in alphabetical order, giving definitions and cross references.  Good colored Maps that have clear ways of finding Biblical locations are a must.  Knowing what the difference is between a shekel and a cubit will be helpful if your Bible as a good weights and measure section.  The NIV Study Bible, New Open Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Archaeological Study Bible and Reformation Study Bible are the finest examples with these features.

By using a checklist such as this, you can prayerfully compare which Study Bible is best for helping you to grow in your faith. 

Choosing your sword

Choosing the Right Bible is important for your Christian growth

Hebrews 4:12 refers to the Bible, God's word, as being sharper than any two-edged sword. 
Today I want to begin a short blog series for the Christian who is desiring a guide for choosing a Bible.  Years ago I had worked for a Bible Bookstore and was amazed at the wide variety of study Bible's and Bible translations that were available.  Now as a Pastor, I am asked on occasion which is the best Bible version, and how can you determine which one is best for you.  Choosing a Bible is a major part of growing in the Christian faith, since Christian growth and stability cannot be done without the scriptures. (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17)

3 general types of Bibles
     We can note the way in which Bibles are translated from the original Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) and how readable they are in the English.  Three general categories are helpful in classifying Bible Translations and Versions:

a. Literal Translations (word for word faithful to the Original Languages, good for Bible Study)
      This first grouping views faithfulness to the style and wording of the Original text as a priority.  Preachers, Bible Teachers and those who study the Bible regularly prize these versions for helping them get as close to the original Hebrew and Greek as much as possible.  The top four translations in this category tend to be the King James Version (KJV); the New King James Version (NKJV); the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and the English Standard Version (ESV). 

b. Readable Translations (Good for regular Bible reading, devotions)
      This second type of Bible translation aims more at being readable than corresponding to every word to the original Hebrew or Greek.  Thus if I were using this approach to Bible translation, I may take a sentence in the original that is say, 10 words along, and summarize it into 6 or 7 words to emphasize the overall meaning.  For everyday Bible reading or devotional reading, Bibles such as the New International Version (NIV) and the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) are the best examples of this category. 

c. Paraphrases (Good for getting a summary or commentary on a verse)
      This last category refers to those versions which function more like a commentary than a translation.  If the literal versions focus on the author's wording, and the second category aims more at the reader, then this final group emphasizes the interpretation given by the actual translator.  Bibles such as The Living Bible (TLB), Today's English Version (TEV) and the New Living Translation (NLT) are the best examples of those Bibles that are more on the paraphrase side.  Reading these alongside the first two categories can be sometimes helpful in gaining a clearer understanding of the text. 

The Best Version is the One that Will help you grow in Christ
       Ideally having a literal translation, a readable translation and a paraphrase is the best way to ensure you have all the bases covered in your growing in the scriptures.  Each type will get you to study the Bible, read the Bible and have a clearer understanding.  Sometimes reading a familiar passage like Psalm 23 or John 3 in each version helps in the choosing process.  Another rule of thumb to follow when choosing a translation is to find out what version your church uses in their services.  That helps in your overall Christian growth with the body of Christ.   Then finally, if you desire to memorize Bible verses, using one of the more literal versions is the best approach, since the emphasis is on the translation corresponding to the original wording. 

With those categories defined, we can begin to look closer at determining how to choose a Bible.  Tomorrow we will look at various features found in today's Bibles as a means in helping you choose your sword. 

Heaven coming down into the heart

John 3:3 ³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

We have been exploring Heaven and its major themes in these past several blogs.  We have witnessed the Bible repeatedly telling us that Heaven is God centered, that its glory is Jesus Christ and that it is a real place or destination for the Christian who passes on out of this world.
Heaven's reality though is not just confined to only the future.  As true as the above paragraph is, the foretaste of Heaven begins to be experienced by the Christian not at physical death, but at the moment of their salvation. 

Some fifty conversations are recorded in the Gospel records betweeen Jesus and various individuals.  Out of all of them, the one with Nicodemas in John 3 is the longest and perhaps the most important one.  It is in the text above we find reference to the "New Birth" or "Being born again". 

The New Birth means being born from above
         When Jesus says to Nicodemas that in order to enter into the Kingdom of God (or to experience salvation, in our modern day terms), he needs to be born again.  That phrase "born again" could be also translated from the Greek (the New Testament's original language) with the phrase "born from above". 

The New Birth entails Heaven coming down into the human heart
         As one begins to explore other scriptures concerning the New birth, it is immediately seen that salvation is described as a foretaste of Heaven's joy coming down into the human heart.  Remember how we saw in our previous studies on Heaven that John saw what will be the Heavenly Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven to earth in Revelation 21?  As we look at Galatians 4:26, we discover that when the child of God begins salvation, its source is from God's grace coming from above.  Paul writes - "But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother." 

The New Birth is received by faith alone
         So when God in Heaven above is affecting a person by His grace to see the awfulness of their sin and the awesomeness of Christ, it truly is an event whereby Heaven is coming in contact with the human heart.  No human being can work this by their own effort, nor can any amount of right living lead to the "birth-from-above-experience".  The Bible makes it clear that:

1. Heaven coming down into the human heart is an act of God's grace (John 1:13; James 1:18)

2. The New Birth must include God's word, which alone can convert the heart (Psalm 19:6; 1 Peter 1:23)

3. The Holy Spirit is required to convict the person to truly believe on Jesus Christ (John 16:8-11)

4. The only sufficient way to receive the birth from above is by faith alone (John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9)
The New Birth makes me a citizen of Heaven
        The New Birth, being "born from above", makes me a citizen of Heaven.  We read for instance in Philippians 3:20 - "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ".  As a person is drawn by saving grace to the Savior, God births in them the desire to seek Christ.  They come by faith, and are declared by God to indeed be a permanent citizen of Heaven.  Hebrews 12:22 describes the Christian's salvation in this way - "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels."

Thus the Christian is somebody who though living in this world, has the reality of Heaven operating in their heart.  Only by God's grace through faith can such a reality take place.  

The Great Heavenly City

Revelation 21:1-2  ¹ Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. ² And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

If you have ever lived or driven near a large city, the one thing that catches the eye is the city skyline.  For a period of time my family and I had lived near Tulsa, and I can recall driving into that city for the person I was working for at the time.  Often I would be driving in the morning hours and witness the sun coming up, shining brightly upon the glass and steel of those skyscrapers.  When that took place, it was as if this glass and steel buildings transformed into vertical columns of light. 

I have seen quite a few cities in my relative short time - Huston, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Jacksonville Florida.  All of those cities are different.  However I guarantee you none of them compare to the city being described here by the Apostle John.  Today I want us to consider what the Bible has to say about this Heavenly city.

1. It is being Built by Jesus.  In John 14:1-3 Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them.  Now what is amazing to me is that it only took the Lord six literal days to make Heaven and earth (Genesis 1).  Yet He has been working, building this city for His saints for over 2,000 years.  What a place that must be.

2. It bids us to hope in God.  Throughout the Bible, we discover that God at various times gave His people glimpses of this city to come.  Abraham for instance had glimpses of this city.  Though He lived over 2,000 years before Jesus came, he nonetheless journeyed, looking for this city that God revealed to him.  Hebrews 11:10 tells us - "¹⁰ for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God."  The greatness of the city bids us to understand that the one who designs it, builds it and communicates it is greater than the city itself. 

3. Its a big city.  When you go down the verse here in Revelation 21, you discover some facts about the New Heavenly Jerusalem.  First, it's height is the same as it's width and length - 1400 miles or so in each direction.  The city would be large enough to cover nearly all of North America and its height would reach out into the vacuum of space.  Most Bible scholars picture the city having several levels.  Its streets are pure gold, and its gates are one solid pearl.  Its features points us back to the scriptures, and its glory comes from the one who is building it - Jesus Christ. 

4. Only Believers in Jesus Christ will occupy the city.  Revelation 21:27 notes -  "and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life."  Notice the identity of the Heavenly city's occupants - "whose names are written in the lambs book of life". The book of life contains the names of those whom, convicted and called by the Grace of God, believe and are saved.  Jesus reminds us in John 14:6 that He is the way, the truth and the life, and no one can come to the Father accept by Him. 

Dear reader, may these scriptures move you and I to crave after the Builder of this city - Jesus Christ.  May we pine after Him who is building this city for those who, drawn by grace and faith believing treasure Him above all things. 

What Christians do in Heaven

Revelation 4:10-11 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  ¹¹ “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

As we saw in yesterday's blog, the twenty four elders, gathered at the throne of God, represent believers of all ages, as well as being quite literally 24 literal saints of God - 12 apostles and the twelve heads of the tribes of Israel from the Old Testament.  With this understanding we can begin to understand a little bit as to what Christians can expect to do when they are in the presence of God in Heaven.  Along with other passages in the New Testament, we can get a pretty good picture of what Christians can expect concerning their future destination.

1. Definite Home WIth the Lord.  2 Corinthians 5:6-8 states: Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— ⁷ for we walk by faith, not by sight— ⁸ we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

2. Delightful welcome in Heaven. Heaven as the Christian's destination is revealed by God to encourage Christians to live for the Lord while here in this world.  Consider the promise of a delightful welcome in 2 Peter 1:10-11 ¹⁰ Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; ¹¹ for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

3. Definite Joy over seeing Christ.  The saints of God in Heaven will do what these saints are described doing in Revelation 4:9-10 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

4. Definite recognition of other believers. So what will it be like when we are in the presence of the Lord with other saints stretched across the ages?  Scripture indicates we will recognize one another not only by sight, but intuitively.  Peter for instance stated that when He saw Jesus on the Mount of transfiguration in Matthew 17:3-4, that he saw "Moses and Elijah".  Now how did he know?  He had no picture of them, and they had lived hundreds of years before he came on the scene.  Clearly when believers are in the direct presence of the Lord, the Holy Spirit who unites them all together in Christ will enable them to recognize each other instantly. 

The Saints of God around God's throne

Revelation 4:4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.

As we continue our tour of Heaven, we once again are observing the activity around the throne of God.  One of the marks of God's way of revealing truth in scripture is through what is termed "progressive revelation".  Simply put, God will reveal a truth or concept in general, and then bring that truth into sharper focus as one proceeds into the scriptures.  In today's blog we want to understand this important truth of God's people and their place in the Heavenly reality described by the Apostle John here in Revelation. 

How to begin identifying God's people around his Throne
The people in the above passage are given a title - the 24 elders.  Much ink has been spilt over who or what they represent in this chapter.  A combination of two views has helped me understand the place and role these 24 elders serve in the decidedly God-centered reality of Heaven.  Today we will attempt to identify them, since they provide the basis for understanding the role and activities of God's saints in Heaven - both now and into eternity.

God's people will serve Him around the throne
Unlike the popular ideas we have today of people floating on clouds in Heaven, doing absolutely nothing, the Bible portrays Heaven as a place of activity and excitement.  Identifying who the 24 elders are in Revelation 4 helps us to understand what believers can look forward to in Heaven.

As a Jewish writer, the Apostle John would had been very familiar with the writings of the Old Testament.  1 Chronicles 27 records the number of priests that served in the temple - the place of worship of the God of the Bible - during the reign of King David.  In that chapter, we discover that 24 sets of one thousand priests took their turn, performing their duties in the temple.  Many commentators through the history of the church have made the connection between that historical event and to what John is referring to here.  Christians in 1 Peter 2 are described as a "royal priesthood" and a "kingdom of priests".  So without a doubt, it would appear that these 24 elders provide a picture of the saints of God gathered around the throne.

The saints of God retain their individual, as well as corporate identies
But there is also a second view point which I believe also is valid enough in helping identify these 24 elders.  Many have taught that twelve of them are in reference to the twelve sons of Jacob - who were the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament.  The remaining twelve might very well be the twelve apostles of Christ in the New Testament.  Scripture certainly confirms this idea.  Jesus discusses about the time when many will come and share at a table of a feast along with Abraham in the coming Kingdom.  Certainly the scripture throughout pictures the saints of God seated at a table with the Messiah in the coming age.  Thus what we have are 24 literal men who also represent what the saints of all ages will be doing around the throne. 

Having identified who the 24 elders most likely are, we will aim in tomorrow's blog to look a little more closely at what God's people can expect to be doing as they enjoy the glory of their God and King both before them and shining through them.