"But He Gives More Grace"

( James 4:6 ) 

On a cold morning last week as I walked around the sheep field taking stock of the new lambs - I don't normally do winter babies, but since we've had several mild winters in a row I didn't protest when the Farmer decided not to sell Big Mac after last winter's breeding season or send him off to "freezer camp," plus Katahdins have proven to be an exceptionally robust breed with super capable mamas - however that day as the flock circled around the hay bales and I made my way through their morning mealtime, I could see Skipper our lead dog in the distance sitting on a clump of flattened hay in guarding position. 

When I got a bit closer it became clear that she was protecting a dead lamb, and as many times as I've encounter this scene it still socks me in the gut. We weren't suppose to experience death. I reached down and hugged her. "I'm sorry, Baby, it's not your fault. You did your job; sometimes, unbeknown to us, these little creatures are just swept back up to their Creator." 

Having made sure no vultures landed, Skipper relented of her duties after I collected the small body. Skipper reminded me of the Good Shepherd who cares for his sheep, the Good Shepherd who refused to leave the lambs helpless even when they were dead in their trespasses and sins. ( Ephesians 2:1-10 ) 

In John 6, Jesus tells the disciples and those gathered around curiously listening to his teaching that no one comes to him unless the Father draws them. He says it twice, expounding on the meaning more the second time. 

This was a hard teaching for the people to receive and John goes on to say that 'many' of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. Why? I believe because it's human nature to want to call into question how God is commanding his universe and the salvation of his people in his redemptive story. This notion of God's sovereignty strikes at our independence, our cavalier spirit, and goes all the way back to Eden where sin and rebellion have their wicked roots. "We'll decide if we obey; we'll decide if God is really trustworthy by our own standards. We'll decide if we follow Jesus or not." 

Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:17 that God gave his only Son in order that the world might be saved through him. He said that God didn't send his Son to condemn the world - because if you don't believe in the name of the only Son of God, you're condemned already. "What?" He doesn't need to condemn us. He needs to save us because he's the only One who can make us acceptable to God since Adam, our covenant head sinned, resulting in our physical and spiritual death. We're born condemned - the seed of Adam. Yeah I know, another hard saying. 

And the only way to be right again with a holy God is for our hearts to be completely changed. We need a new heart. Anything else is like slapping a fresh coat of shiny, red paint on the exterior of an old grey, dilapidated barn. It might look good for a bit, but in the long run the paint doesn't do much good to restore the structure. 

Jesus likened the fallen condition of man to beautiful, whitewashed tombs, but full of dead people's bones. ( Matthew 23:27) He told the religious leaders that they were concerned about cleaning the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ( Matthew 23:25 )  It's what is on the inside of a person that is evil and defiles them.  ( Mark 7:20-23 ) 

The understanding of the doctrine of original sin or total depravity, not meaning that we are as bad as we could possibly be, by God's grace, we are not, but it means no part of us has been left unmarred by sin, including our body, soul, mind, will, and emotions. ( Romans 3:9-18, Psalm 14: 1-4, Psalm 53:1-4, Isaiah 53:6 ) We are still created in the image of God, but that image is shattered and muddied. 

The Good News of the Gospel is that God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God has imputed to us Christ's righteousness, the sinless life he lived, as if we lived it ourselves. ( Romans 4:24, 5:8 ) 

God draws us to Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit regenerating and convicting our hearts, by granting us repentance and giving us faith to believe and trust in Christ. This is the greatest work of the Holy Spirit. Now with us forever, the Holy Spirit enables us to live worthy of Christ and transforms us into his image. ( Ezekiel 36:26, Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10, Titus 3:4-7 ) 

The Holy Spirit truly changes us, and this truth will change how we live. That's the good fruit Jesus said we would produce in him. This knowledge also changes how we raise our children and our grandchildren after us. ( Matthew 7:15-20 ) 

When our children disobey, we don't just tell them that they need to be good and change their conduct, this is only behavior modification and law with no Gospel and no power to help them truly change. God's law is beautiful and good because it reveals his character and standard, but it doesn't have the power to save us, because unlike Jesus, the God-man, in our sin nature, we don't have the ability to fully obey God's holy requirement. 

"For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it." ( James 2:10 ) 

We must explain the requirement of the law along with original sin so they can fully grasp why it is they are acting out against God's commands. Then we can share the Good News that because of his grace, God loved them even in their sin so much that he sent his Son to pay for those sins and live the perfect life they could never live. We must unpack for them that in their salvation, God graciously and mercifully gives them a new heart and a new desire to obey his commandments, to do what pleases him and not themselves. 

We need to explain that this is the only way that they can truly change their behavior, by God giving them this new heart. "Regeneration" is a big word for children, but we can break it down for them - a new heart that only God can give us by his grace, through faith, and by way of the cross of Christ. 

If we only teach them the law with no Gospel, this is basically works righteousness. They are only going to become more frustrated in trying to behave because they think it should be in their power to do good and they can't. ( Romans 7 )  No one can.( Romans 3:9-18 ) No, not one. 

We can certainly do some good things and curve our behavior a bit, but not lastingly, and not for the right reasons like "I'm obeying so I can get a toy, not because I want to obey God for all he's done for me." This certainly applies to us adults as well. 

We must be continuously sharing the Gospel with the children in our circle everyday, maybe concentrating on one aspect at a time for their little minds to understand - catechisms are the best way I know. They are wonderful biblical teaching and training tools. It's a precious thing to share the Word of God with the children in our lives and our privilege. 

This should be our first line of evangelism. "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and talk of them when you sit in your house..." ( Deuteronomy 6:7 ) Yes, the Gospel is all through the Old Testament, not just the New Testament. God promised Adam and Eve that he would send a Redeemer and where ever we find ourselves in any of the biblical narrative, the promises of God find their Yes in Christ. ( 2 Corinthians 1:19 )  

We never get beyond the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. "To everyone who believes." The Gospel is not just for unbelievers, but for believers too! We need it to help us in our on going struggle with indwelling sin, ( Romans 7 ) in our progressive sanctification process until the promised glorification of our bodies and soul in the next life! Another important doctrine to teach our children! ( Romans 1:16-17 ) 

The Gospel is God's Word to us. It is the only thing that saves us and then continues to satisfy our souls and transform us into the image of Jesus. As Paul instructed to Timothy, it's sitting under the expository preaching of God's Word from our pastors and elders as a weekly means of grace, and studying it each day on our own as a daily means of grace. 

Jesus said that man doesn't live by physical bread alone, but by every bit of God's Word. It's our daily spiritual bread. Not self help, not three steps to know God's will for your life or five points to live prosperous and healthy in the New Year. No. That's just shiny, red paint that will eventually peel off. ( Matthew 4:4 ) 

Neither is the Gospel necessarily walking an aisle and saying a prayer, filling out a card, or an emotional experience we feel at summer camp. It could be, but we must be careful of false confessions of faith because we get caught up in the moment. The Gospel is brokenness over our sin, not "repeating after me," but feeling shame and guilt over our sin, that's God drawing us to him. It's his mercy. I know, I never thought of feeling shame and guilt as mercy, but it is. This is God's kindness that leads us to repentance. ( 2 Corinthians 7:10 ) 

When I felt shame, guilt, and a heavy, deep darkness looming over me in my alcoholism, that was God's grace and mercy because it drew me to him. The brokenness is God drawing us to him. Don't ignore it. Respond to him in repentance. "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance." ( Romans 2:4, Matthew 3:8 ) 

If you say "ouch" more than "Amen," believe me, you're in good company and on the right track. 

Repentance is wrestling with our sin, being broken over it, confessing it to God, trusting Christ's death was sufficient to pay for it and believing in his resurrection from the dead. Depending on Him alone and the Holy Spirit to see us through the struggle of sanctification each day is the life we now live and what we will look like as we move out into the world as Christ followers. 

These good works that we desire to operate in are proofs of our salvation. We're not saved by them, but for them, as we gladly take up our own cross each day to follow him, counting the cost and knowing beyond everything that Christ is worth it all. ( Philippians 1:6, Ephesians 2:8-10 ) 

And looking forward to his appearing on that last day when he promises to raise us up. 

Because the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of God unto salvation, is the only thing that can satisfy our hungry souls, but first and foremost, it is the only thing that can bring a dead creature back to life. 

Amen. 

All glory be to Christ. 

💜

 

"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." ( Titus 3:4-7 ) 

My first breeding ram, Fernando. From the HBF archives. 

T.G.I.M. / The Wonder of the Implanted Word

"Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgements he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob his chosen ones!" ( Psalm 105:5 ) 

It's both - Israel was not just to remember the miracles God did, but also the judgements he uttered. Both were considered his "wondrous works," and the first verses of this Psalm indicate the people were to be thankful for all of these "wondrous works" and praise God for them. Most of the time it seems we're quick to recall the miracles, not so much the judgements. 

This applies to us in Christ's Church today as we thank him for the miracles he has done in our lives, and the judgement that will take place when Jesus Christ comes in all of his glory to judge the living and the dead, to judge the hearts of men. ( 2 Timothy 4:1, Romans 14:10, Matthew 25:31-46 ) As we recite in the Apostle's Creed. 

When we recall or pray for miracles, I believe we forget the greatest. Or maybe we just don't realize the blessing in the first place. Today I'm thanking God for a particular miracle we see in the Scriptures that I've overlooked and taken for granted. 

Last night before bed I was reading this text, and it came alive to me in a way it hasn't before: "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls." ( James 1:21 ) 

The "implanted" word, meaning it has been planted in us - We didn't put it there, but it was put inside of us. When? and by Whom?

In the Book of Jeremiah God speaks of the New Covenant to come: "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." ( Jeremiah 31: 33-34 ) 

God promises to put his Word in us at the new birth. Listen to this: 

"For thus says the Lord God, 'Behold I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness." ( Ezekiel 34:11-12 ) ( John 10:11,14 ) 

And to rescue us. One more:

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all of your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statues and be careful to obey my rules." ( Ezekiel 36:25-27 ) 

The KJV uses the word "engrafted," the Greek word "emphutos" meaning "implanted by nature or by others instruction" and "inborn" - my mind goes to Jesus telling Nicodemus that in order to see the kingdom of God one must be "born again." 

So we see the greatest miracle of all toward us is the one accomplished in the human heart at conversion in the regeneration of that sinful heart, separated from God, now by the power of the Holy Spirit granted repentance and given faith to believe and trust in Christ alone for our salvation because of His atoning sacrifice for our sins and God's sovereign grace. ( Ephesians 1, Romans 5:8 ) 

God removes our filthy garments and applies the work of Christ to us, thus replacing our dirty rags by clothing us with His Son's righteousness, supernaturally changing our hearts in a supernatural, inward change and not just an outward mopping up of our mess. 

And not only does he "implant" his Word in us, but He promises in the above verse in Ezekiel to help us obey it by his power, not ours. 

Did you ever "wonder" why you have this hunger for God's Word? Not just to do a surface level reading to check off a box, but to read the Bible with the goal of understanding it? And obeying it because of the grace he has shed upon us? Well, that's a "wondrous work" wrought inside of you at your salvation. God puts his Spirit and his Word in each of us. 

Hold on to that. Remember that truth because it's a promise in his Word, and God faithfully brings all of his covenant promises to pass. Isn't that Good News? I love this. 

Feast on that miracle and his Word today. 

💜

 

"The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart ( that is the word of faith that we proclaim ); because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ( Romans 10:8-9 )  

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as the only Son from the Father full of grace and truth." ( John 1:14 ) 

Prayer Answered By Crosses

By John Newton 

1 I ask’d the Lord, that I might grow In faith, and love, and ev’ry grace, Might more of his salvation know, And seek more earnestly his face. 

2 ‘Twas he who taught me thus to pray, And he, I trust has answer’d pray’r; But it has been in such a way, As almost drove me to despair. 

3 I hop’d that in some favour’d hour, At once he’d answer my request: And by his love’s constraining pow’r, Subdue my sins, and give me rest. 

4 Instead of this, he made me feel The hidden evils of my heart; And let the angry pow’rs of hell Assault my soul in ev’ry part. 

5 Yea more, with his own hand he seem’d Intent to aggravate my woe; Cross’d all the fair designs I schem’d, Blasted my gourds, (1) and laid me low.

6 Lord, why is this, I trembling cry’d, Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death? “’Tis in this way,” the Lord reply’d, “I answer pray’r for grace and faith. 

7 “These inward trials I employ, “From self and pride to set thee free; “And break thy schemes of earthly joy, “That thou mayst seek thy all in me.” 

(1) Jonah 4:6-7, “6 And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.” 

"And the Darkness has not Overcome it"

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness." ( Genesis 1:1-4 ) 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." ( John 1:1-5 )

The famous British philosopher Bertrand Russell who, depending on his audience identified as an agnostic or an atheist for most all of his 96 years, was asked once in an interview what he would say to God if he did in fact come face to face with him after he died. Russell replied, "God! Why did you make the evidence for your existence so insufficient?" 

To which I imagine God replying, "I made my existence abundantly clear, you simply refused to see it." 

Romans 1:19-21 says, "For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." 

While atheists claim they do not believe in the existence of God, we see God saying in his Word that he doesn't believe in the existence of atheists. 

Not only can we look at creation and see beautiful and powerful proof of the Great Creator, but we can look inwardly and see that proof in us as well. After all, we're a part of his creation too. We were made by God, and intricately so. 

Inside each of us at birth is a hunger for identity, meaning, purpose, morality, satisfaction, a way to deal with suffering, and hope. Where did these yearnings come from? The horrifying processes of the strong eating the weak then somehow, someway in the randomness of it all becoming all mushy and lovey-dovey? I don't think so. 

Russell may have been a brilliant man, but he couldn't live consistently inside of his world view. For instance, what I mean by that is in order to account for the hope that lies deep within the marrow of our bones, atheists must borrow from another belief system because secularism is going to fall way short on offering hope. 

Secularism says that when we die we will slip back into the bleak darkness of oblivion to exist no more. There is no light at the end of the tunnel waiting to embrace us and for now that means living in such a way as to trick our brains into avoiding the question of how such shallowness could be attached to the devoted, loving relationships we encounter in this life. 

Our lives will be snuffed out like a candle for all eternity without rhyme or reason or meaning. And the existential despair that overtakes the mind when this lack of hope pervades it has succumbed to much self- medicating as one attempts desperately to make the narrative fit. 

Why do we long for hope? For a happy ending? Why when we attempt to suffocate hope in our human heart does it resuscitate itself again and again refusing to die even as some of us continually try to smother it to death? 

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." ( Proverbs 13:12 ) 

We are born desiring a happily ever after ending to our story. 

In the 2012 movie "The Grey," Liam Neeson plays John Ottway an oil worker whose plane has crashed in the Alaskan wilderness with his team. He and the other crash survivors now fight to survive the harsh weather conditions as a pack of grey wolves stalk and kill them one by one. Something to note is that Ottway's wife has died of a terminal illness and before boarding the plane he contemplated suicide. 

Oh, and Ottway claims to his fellow workers that he is an atheist. In spite of the grisly circumstances, he struggles to live. Interesting. 

The reality of Ottway being an atheist means that his life was extended a bit in an icy, Alaskan wilderness only to be snuffed out forever. His life will not just end in utter darkness, but in tormented, bloody pain. The help he has offered to his fellow coworkers is meaningless. His life is meaningless. He'll never see his wife again, because in a secular world view, her life too was meaningless, everything is meaningless.

And everything in us screams out against this knowledge. That's why this film, although I think is a good conversation piece to open up dialogs about our existence, was met with numbness from many viewers, mostly because of the existential despair in the ending. 

Listen to Roger Ebert, from the famous movie critic team Siskel and Ebert, after he watched "The Grey" and began to watch the next movie after it to review that day: "It was the first time I had ever walked out of a film because of the previous film. The way I was feeling in my gut, it just wouldn't have been fair to the next film." 

Coming to terms with the lack of hope, that's not even the right words, the dark despair of the atheistic future world view, or lack of future, and the horror it evokes in us is a clue we should not ignore. 

We were created for a happy ending that never ends. 

The biblical narrative of fallen mankind being redeemed by a loving God through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son who will come again for his children that they may live with him, holy and blameless, for all eternity fills every need in the human heart. Every single one of them. Our lived human experience matches the biblical narrative in a way that no other world view or religion does. Please don't miss this. 

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." ( John 1:5 ) 

"a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." 

And Jesus Christ - the light of the world - is the fulfillment of that hope. The darkness in us is swallowed up by the atoning work of our Savior on our behalf. 

Repent and believe. 

💚

Pearls and Diamonds

I didn't read many books in 2024. I mostly stuck to my Bible. I say this not out of any measure of personal piety whatsoever, but out of neediness. Crazy as it may sound, my favorite book I read last year was written by a Puritan. It is one of the most helpful I've ever read outside of the Bible, for me it is up there with J.I. Packer's "Knowing God" and is actually a series of sermons written by the famous theologian Richard Sibbes. The book is based on Matthew 12:20 - Isaiah's prophecy of the bruised reed and the smoking flax: 

"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,

my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.

I will put my Spirit upon him, 

and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

He will not quarrel or cry aloud, 

nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;

a bruised reed he will not break,

and a smoldering wick he will not quench,

until he brings justice to victory;

and in his name the Gentiles will hope." ( Matthew 12:18-21 ) 

I think Charles Spurgeon said it so well in his quote listed on the back cover of the book that "the heavenly Doctor Sibbes" scatters pearls and diamonds with both hands. 

"The Bruised Reed" is a thin book, divided into sections, so it can easily be used as a daily devotional if that's something you're looking to add to your mornings or evenings. Sibbs lived from 1577 - 1635; however, the language is easy to comprehend even if the richness and beauty of its content take time and effort to absorb. It's well worth the meditation. 

The Scriptures reveal many firm and serious depictions of our Lord Jesus. There's the one in Psalm 2 that says, "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled." Before it says, "Blessed are all who take refuge in him." 

There's Jesus at the final judgment in Matthew 25 coming in his glory with all the angels and then sitting on his glorious throne saying to the goats on his left, "Depart from me you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." 

Then who can forget John's description in Revelation 1 of Jesus in his long robe and golden sash with his hair like white wool and his eyes like a flame of fire. His voice is like the roar of many waters, out of his mouth comes a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face like the sun shining in full strength. 

If you're like me, maybe you tend to focus on these powerful images and forget as Sibbs reminds his congregants, "There's more mercy in Christ than sin in us."  The cross proves that this is true. 

Like Dr. Packer reminds us in "Knowing God," and Chesterton in "Orthodoxy" ( 2nd favorite last year, thanks, Johnny ) we must hold both truths in our hands and live within the tension of God's sovereign will and man's responsibility; we must also live within the complexity of his severity and his mercy. He's both. 

We need him to be both, and He is. If we refuse to live in this tension and attempt to explain in our limited human thinking how our all-mighty, sovereign God rules and governs his universe, we can land in aberrant territory, embracing the open theism view that has seeped into the western church in the past few decades. 

Christ is severe, yet merciful. 

Sibbs points out the first bruising we undergo is when the weight of our sin is realized, and when we understand the helplessness of the condition we are born into because of the fallen state of mankind. If we aren't grieved over our sin against a holy God and crushed by the law, we aren't ready to hear the Gospel. 

We have to know we are bruised.  

After our conversion, even before our progressive sanctification process starts, already life has wounded us. We come to faith bruised, and in our weaknesses and struggles with sin, in the still fresh wounds of our past abuse and the present lingering of pain, Christ promises not to break us. There is no part of our pain that his love can not heal. 

So gentle and tender is Christ's love that he likens himself to a mother hen longing to gather and protect her chicks beneath her warm wings, against soft feathers, as he laments over Jerusalem. ( Matthew 23:37-39 ) 

Our Lord knows what it's like to wear human flesh, he understands the temptations we face, the sin we struggle to overcome. He knows that life is fragile hanging by a thread and painful. He promises not to break us. 

At times we feel our faith is so small and weak, but we can trust that Christ will not quench our little smoking wicks. "First because this spark is from heaven:" Sibbs reminds us, "It is his own, it is kindled by his own Spirit. And secondly, it tends to the glory of his powerful grace in his children that he preserves light in the midst of darkness, a spark in the midst of the swelling waters of corruption." 

"Ungodly spirits, ignorant of God's ways in bringing his children to heaven, censure broken hearted Christians as miserable persons, whereas God is doing a gracious, good work with them. It is no easy matter to bring a man from nature to grace, and from grace to glory, so unyielding and intractable are our hearts." 

"In pursuing his calling, Christ will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, in which more is meant than spoken, for he will not only not break nor quench, but he will cherish those with whom he deals." 

This is the mercy and love of our Savior. 

Pearls and diamonds. 

💜

T.G.I. 2025 / "Yes, That's the Book for Me."

One day on a whim while I was keeping my grandchildren I played the VeggieTales version of a kids' Sunday school song on Spotify for them. I had no idea it would be such a big hit. I was singing the tune in my sleep that night. 

Baby's ears just tend to harmonize with a catchy beat and a spunky rhyme. I'm guessing that's why these type of songs are good learning tools with a number of subjects. Maybe I'll try it with the Farmer. lol Plus the VeggieTales were a bit after my boys, so like the grandkids, I was new to and enamored with Larry the Cucumber. Along with the present day Paw Patrol pack, of course. Those pups are so stinkin' adorable. We each have our favorite. 

I had intended before the New Year to blog about the best book I read in 2024, but then just now realized, duh, that would have to be "The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E." 

As we turn the corner into another year and also as people of "the Book" I've seen many friends posting their intended Bible reading plans for 2025 and encouraging others to read along together. I love this. So I just want to add to the conversation a few, ( actually just one today ), hopefully helpful suggestions that have served me well in the past few years, nothing groundbreaking, simply reminders. 

I believe most of us aspire to be better and more consistent readers of the Bible. It seems to be a perpetual goal, doesn't it? That's a good thing. 

It's difficult to come at the Bible with a fresh set of eyes. In America, most of us have been raised with some "knowledge" of the Bible, in a particular faith tradition with our cultural blinders firmly set on the end of our noses and our background beliefs seated straight and tight in the upright and locked position. 

How do we see the truth through such dusty, doctrinal spectacles? Maybe by simply being aware of them in the first place. For some stepping outside of these beliefs to examine how their denomination's claims stand up against God's Holy Word doesn't just feel scary, but sacrilegious, and that perhaps is another clue that we might be more at home with our theology than our Bibles. We have to let the Bible correct and shape our eyesight, ( 2 Timothy 3:16 &17 ) which leads to point one: 

Let the text stick. 

Don't try to soften it up or read your meaning into it. And as we read and study remember!! the three most important rules for sound biblical exegesis: Context, context, and context. Read the entire chapter surrounding the text. I can't tell you how many times over the years that I've hijacked verses to fit my messed up doctrinal beliefs only to find out later as I read them contextually that they did not resemble a hint of the meaning I had assigned to them. Many times I was believing promises that God never promised and at the same time, not realizing my true blessings in Christ nor understanding the Gospel of God's grace. Nor sadly, knowing Christ himself. 

As I began to study my Bible better and learn to allow the tension to stand, I've found freedom. God's meaning is always better than ours. 

Jesus told us that when we know the truth it would set us free, and it does just that. Even if it's a hard truth; nonetheless, it supernaturally and amazingly brings us out of bondage and into liberty. The Bible is powerful in this way, if we will simply let the text stand, then savor and work through the hard layers like a green apple Jolly Rancher, slowly, not crunching down breaking our teeth and demolishing the sweetness. 

We've been trained in the American church at times that we are being helped if we feel good about something or ourselves, and have a positive experience attached to it, but the Bible doesn't teach this. I'll give an example as I close. 

"For his anger is but for a moment, but his favor ( one of the Hebrew meanings is 'acceptance' ) is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." ( Psalm 30:5 )

I don't want to make this too long, so I'll share the rest of the points next time because I want to close with a prayer for reading our Bibles this year. There is nothing we can pray to God better than praying his Word back to him. In John 17, we have an entire chapter devoted to a prayer Jesus prayed to his Heavenly Father. It's known as "The High Priestly Prayer." 

Now, I believe that God hears all of our prayers, even if the answers aren't always what we were looking for, so how much more does he hear the prayers of Jesus and answer them!? Even Jesus's most difficult prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane of God's will being done was answered. Praise God! 

Jesus's prayers being answered is something I think I have more than just a little mustard seed size faith to believe in. 

When we feel we don't have the integrity or courage to read God's Word properly, allowing it to shine through all of the spiritual, theological, and traditional darkness we have set in place, refusing to confront them, for whatever reasons, may we pray the prayer of Christ our Lord and High Priest in John 17:

"I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth." ( John 17:15-19 ) 

"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." This is my prayer everyday, that God would please sanctify me and my family in the truth, your word is truth. I know he will. I also know it will not come without weeping and at times grieving, but it will always and forever end in freedom and joy. 

That's the power of God's Word. 

Peter, who, by the way, didn't get everything wrong, told Jesus that he wouldn't leave him like so many other disciples because of the string of hard truths Jesus taught them in John 6. Why?  Because he said that Jesus had the words of eternal life. 

If Jesus has the words of eternal life, and he most certainly does, why in the world wouldn't we let those eternal words stand and devote ourselves to wrestling with the text? Why wouldn't we allow them to pierce our hearts and divide the truth from the error? 

What have we got to lose? Our false beliefs, that's what. I'm convinced to the marrow of my bones that if we pray earnestly this year that God will sanctify us in his Word, in the truth, he absolutely will do it. So join me and my friends this year in reading our Bibles and also praying this prayer before we read and study. I'm willing and determined to read the Bible better this year. 

Because "that's the Book for me." 

Happy New Year! 

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Happy New Year!