Basic Bible Study Tools

By: Jeff Sample

Dr. Young introduced the subject of how to feed your soul from God’s word on Wednesday night. Later I will post the important preliminary principles he covered with some brief explanations. In the meantime, though, here is a short list of essential tools to help you become a better student of God’s word with the end of deepening your relationship with him and applying his truth to life.

1. Use a good study Bible with reliable annotations for reading insight. Suggestions would include – The English Standard Version Study Bible or the NIV Study Bible; both are excellent but we predominantly use the ESV which is a great, reliable, but readable text. Another to consider would be the Spirit of the Reformation Bible.
2. Have a concordance at hand in the translation from which you are reading (ESV, NIV, NKJV, or NASB); if you have something other than those don’t tell anyone – (jk, but not much.)
3. You may want to have a solid whole Bible commentary. Purchase, New Bible Commentary by Wenham, Motyer, Carson, and France, 21st Century Edition to help you understand as you read.
4. Add a solid theological dictionary like New Bible Dictionary; want to spend more? Add the International Standard Bible Dictionary (Revised); and/or New Dictionary of Theology.
5. Did you know there are literary guides to the Bible? Here’s one that is a standard: How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Fee and Stuart. For Christmas have someone purchase for you, Is There Meaning in this Text by Kevin Vanhoozer.
6. You might want to throw in a good map of Bible lands unless you are the manly type (we never use maps or a GPS, which is why we get lost!). Even if you are the manly type throw in the Moody Atlas of Bible Lands by Beitzel; you will be tour guide before long!
7. Just for fun why not add O. Palmer Robertson’s Christ of the Covenants to your library.
8. Have a plan. You can follow a Bible reading guide. Use the pulpit series; a class topic or series and read systematically. You might read 1 John everyday for 30 days to soak in or you might read the gospel of John a chapter a day or a paragraph at a time but follow a plan.

In another post, I will add to the library and suggest additional means to deepen you devotional life.

Living Like Jordan

By: Will Savell

Do you remember when Michael Jordan decided to play baseball? I will never forget the ESPN commentators pleading with him to put a stop to his nonsense. Jordan, basketball's greatest, was failing at his new endeavor...but why?

You have a man who was undeniably crafted for the game of basketball. By the time he finally ended his career he was able to claim...

Member of six NBA championship teams (1991-93, 1996-98)
Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1988, 1991-92, 1996, 1998)
Six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (1991-93, 1996-98)
Ten-time All-NBA First Team (1987-93, 1996-98)
Nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team (1987-93, 1996-98)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1985)
NBA All-Rookie Team (1985)
Holds the NBA Finals record for highest single-series scoring average -- 41.0 ppg (1993)

Those awards just scratched the surface of everything he was credited with.

The fact is, MJ was a basketball player - not baseball. And when he tried to do something that he wasn't, he failed. The experts, the fans, and deep down (though he won't admit it) even Jordan recognized that.

What pulled Jordan away? If he was obviously a basketball player, what made him decide to go and do something that he wasn't?

What pulls us away from who we were created and called to be?

You see, our primary function is to be one who is in union with Christ. And it’s not merely our function, it’s who we are on a fundamental level. It’s our ultimate calling, and if we neglect it and move away from it, we fail.

Paul urges us in Ephesians 4 to live consistently within our calling. Check it out. It begins like this... "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Stop deviating from the path that God has intended you to walk. Live... function... be who you are called to be. Are you confused as to what that might look like? Why don’t you finish up chapter 4 in Ephesians.

Song of the Week (10.28.09)

By: Johnny Coggin

I first heard this song about two months ago, and liked it immediately for two reasons:

1. The melody is so simple and catchy that I could immediately sing along with it.
2. The message is so simple - yet profoundly central to worship - that it immediately resonated with me.

The theme is the glory of God, and a heart of worship that seeks to live solely for his glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31 comes to mind: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

The song is called "Glory to God Forever," written and performed by Atlanta-based worship band, Fee.

You can hear the whole song in the embedded video (for email/rss readers, click the song title if the video doesn't show up). The song can be purchased at iTunes or Amazon.

Glory to God Forever
by Fee

Before the world was made
Before you spoke it to be
You were the King of kings
Yeah you were, yeah you were

And now you're reigning still
Enthroned above all things
Angels and saints cry out
We join them as we sing:

Glory to God, Glory to God
Glory to God forever!

Creator God, you gave me breath so I could praise
Your great and matchless name
All my days, all my days

So let my whole life be a blazing offering
A life that shouts and sings
The greatness of our King

Glory to God, Glory to God
Glory to God forever!

Take my life and let it be
All for you and for your glory
Take my life and let it be yours

We sing:
Glory to God, Glory to God
Glory to God forever!

Parents, Don't Forget to Teach

By: Landon Ditto

So Miley was in town last night at the Fed Ex Forum. (those who aren’t aware of who Miley Cyrus is probably haven’t discovered email technology yet anyway so I’ll assume we’re on the same page) Sell out crowd, as usual. Screaming fans varying in age from kindergarten to 17, check. Take one look at concert footage on facebook today and there is no doubt that she is a cultural phenomenon. Now before I go on any further I’ll state that I’m in no way condemning those who attended this ear-piercing high-pitched squeal fest at the Forum last night or questioning your judgment. I simply want to point out a principle that we as parents ‘can’t forget to teach’.

A product of Disney, Miley has clean lyrics and generally exudes a girly, cutesy, fun vibe that most view as harmless and admirable. And for the most part, it pretty much is. But as the sadly predictable trend of the entertainment industry ‘growing up’ young women is proving true, there is possibly a valuable teaching moment at hand. For example, there was some controversy back in August over a performance that involved Miley dancing on what appeared to be a pole (hint: it wasn’t an American flag pole outside a little country schoolhouse) protruding from an ice cream cart. The principle we must be aware of as parents is this; Are we consistently taking every opportunity possible to teach and point our children to God’s standards of holiness as found in His Word?

This isn’t a ‘pick on Miley and pop culture’ or ‘let’s lock our kids in the Christian bunker’ or ‘we don’t have cable or internet so our family is in a higher bracket of holiness’ mentality. This is a mentality that calls us to sift through the good and bad of our culture and our kids’ world while accurately communicating to them what living a life that honors the Lord looks like. Maybe a teaching opportunity for you looks like this; ‘Wow that was a fun concert wasn’t it? But what were some of those outfits of hers about? Hot pants? Really?? Have you heard about this pole controversy thing? What do you think? Can you see how maybe the pressures of the world are causing her to bend on some areas we’re not called to bend on?’ It’s easy to give Miley a free pass because her lyrics aren’t ‘drugs, sex, and rock-n-roll’ but what about the simple fact that the hip thrusts and hot pants ARE communicating something to your daughters??

One of my biggest fears for this generation is that they grow up completely desensitized to the seriousness of the very sin that Christ descended to take the punishment for. So in short, it’s your call as a parent as to which concerts you hit, but don’t let even the smallest opportunities pass you by that the Holy Spirit could use to call your child’s attention to the truth of Scripture.

Parents, don’t forget to teach…

Featured Book: Counterfeit Gods

By: Johnny Coggin

Idolatry is sin. This we know. But admit it -- it seems like an ancient concept, far removed from our modern culture, right? So how does the Bible's warnings about idolatry apply to your life today?

This is exactly why best-selling author and trusted pastor Tim Keller wrote his new book, Counterfeit Gods, which is available today.

In this brief video, Keller talks a little further about the book, and who it was written for. If you're not already familiar with Tim Keller, this might be a good time to get acquainted! (see here and here)

Watch the video, and consider putting this book on your reading list.

Ever-increasing Repentance

By: Johnny Coggin

“We need to realize that while God’s acceptance of each Christian believer is perfect from the start, our repentance always needs to be extended further as long as we are in this world. Repentance means turning from as much as you know of your sin to give as much as you know of yourself to as much as you know of your God, and as our knowledge grows at these three points so our practice of repentance has to be enlarged.”

- J.I. Packer, Keep in Step with the Spirit: Finding Fullness in Our Walk with God, 87.

Spiritually Invigorating

By: Johnny Coggin

". . . one of the best things that could happen to many believers would be for them to be led to give away, all at one time, a substantial part of their savings. That is, they should give a substantial part of their capital. Why? Because there is something about giving away a sizable percentage of one’s money – and, of course, the amount would vary entirely from one individual to another – that is spiritually invigorating. And there is seldom a case in which a large gift does not throw the Christian back on the Lord and increase the feeling that he is all-wonderful and that he is more than able to care for the one who trusts him. I have seen this happen in many instances. And I have never known a true Christian to be sorry for even the most sacrificial giving afterward."

James Montgomery Boice, Philippians, page 290.

(cited from Ray Ortlund)

How Eternity Influences a Mom's Daily Tasks

By: Johnny Coggin

The daily routine of life can sometimes become suffocating. At the workplace, in the home, driving kids from place to place - it's easy to get bogged down in the mundane details and lose track of the bigger picture, the ultimate purpose.

For parents, John Piper offers a wise reminder about keeping in mind the eternal perspective. Here's an excerpt pertaining to moms:

A mother will delight most in the little baby in front of her when she has a vision of God and a vision of the world that's big enough to admit that this little child has a destiny in front of him or her and might become this or that.

If she is totally circumscribed by her little home—with no vision for the world—then I think her domestic scene is probably going to shrivel up on her, and she is going to feel that it is small and constraining. But if she sees it in the wider context of what she is a part of in the missionary enterprise, I think every detail of her life can take on a global significance, indeed, an historical significance.

And to dads, there's this:

The goal isn't just to fulfill some little task that dads are supposed to do. Rather, you're building men who hopefully someday will have absorbed so much of God and so much of the Bible that it's going to shape their whole world. And they might wind up going to Pakistan to help build shelters for earthquake victims.

Read the rest here.

Song of the Week (10.14.09)

By: Johnny Coggin

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Sovereign Grace Music, and it seems I'm not alone: Worship Leader magazine picked SGM's recent Psalms album as one of the “Best of the Best” for 2009. (For the record, I've never read "Worship Leader" magazine... not that there's anything wrong with that. I was made aware of this by the internet machine, thank you very much.)

To celebrate, SGM has dropped the price for the Psalms CD to $8 through the end of November. The downloadable album is also on sale, for $6.

Psalms contains twelve songs echoing the passion, prayers, and praises of the psalmists. It's excellent (in my opinion), and if you haven’t heard it yet, you can preview it with a free download of the song “Praise the Lord,” which is our song of the week.

It's a happy, celebratory song based on Psalm 150, exhorting us to praise the Lord with everything we have and are, because of everything He is and does. And how can you go wrong with Scripture songs?

(it's also available on iTunes and Amazon, but not at the discounted rate!)

Praise the Lord (Psalm 150)

Music by Doug Plank

Words by Doug Plank and Bob Kauflin

Praise the Lord, O praise His name

From the heights of heav’n He reigns

Seated in the highest place

Surrounded by unending praise

Praise Him for His mighty deeds

Awesome in His majesty

Praise Him now with trumpet sound

Lift your voice and dance around

Everything that has breath, praise the Lord

Everything that’s in us, praise Him

Everything that has breath, praise the Lord

Praise the Lord with instruments

Praise Him for His excellence

Look at what He’s done for us

Bore our sins upon the cross

Praise the Lord with all you are

Mind and soul and will and heart

From His hand comes everything

He alone is God and King

Everything that has breath, praise the Lord

Everything that’s in us, praise Him

Everything that has breath, praise the Lord

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/

Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

Walking with Jesus - A Pastor's Perspective

By: Johnny Coggin

As Christians, we often hear about the importance of "walking with God" or "spending time with Jesus." But it seems far more rare to hear anyone describe how he or she actively pursues a consistent relationship with the Lord. It doesn't just magically happen, does it?

Here's a brief but helpful video of pastor Matt Chandler (Dallas, TX) describing the proactive steps he takes to walk close with Jesus.

Song of the Week (10.07.09)

By: Johnny Coggin

This week's featured song is a new one from well-known worship leader and songwriter, Matt Redman. It's called "You Alone Can Rescue," and it comes from Redman's new album We Shall Not Be Shaken. About the album, Redman says:

"This album praises God's steadiness. We're being reminded how shakable earthly things are: job losses, home foreclosures. When we traveled to Korea, there were high profile suicides due to the failing marketplace. So it feels appropriate now to address the economy in a worship song. Nothing in the Psalms was ever detached from its era. We Shall Not Be Shaken is intentionally Psalm-like, using simple poetic lyrics to express unbreakable truth in an age of utter brokenness."

The song "You Alone Can Rescue" is a simple song of salvation, and a great example of this Psalm-likeness. Verse 1 asks a question, "Who, O Lord, could save themselves, their own soul could heal?" and the chorus then answers, "You alone can rescue, You alone can save."

Simple and true. Comforting and God-exalting.

You can hear the song in the youtube video below (or click here if your email/reader doesn't display the video). This song/album can be also purchased at Amazon or iTunes.

You Alone Can Rescue
By Matt Redman

Who, O Lord, could save themselves,
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still

You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise

You, O Lord, have made a way
The great divide You heal
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still
Yes, your love goes further still

You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise

We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life

You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise

Success in Marriage

By: Johnny Coggin

What's the key to marital success? Finding your soul mate? Having enough money?

John Piper offers this answer:

Success in marriage is not finding the right person, but being the right person in the power of the one perfect Person.

(For more truth daggers like this, follow @JohnPiper on Twitter.)

Approved

By: Johnny Coggin

"For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

Wise commentary from pastor Ray Ortlund of Immanuel Church, Nashville:

Paul had lived for human approval. That's what his uppity legalism had really been about. It's why the word "still" is in there: "If I were still trying to please man . . . ." Paul gave it up, in order to please God.

It is so freeing to stop caring so much about what people think. It is so freeing to lift your eyes to Christ, whose approval is all that finally matters. What does he want from you? Not that people would think you're wonderful, but that your gospel would be pure and honoring to him. You can't control how people respond. That is their own responsibility before God. And if your gospel is pure, some will inevitably disapprove (2 Cor 2:15-16) and will blame you for it. Why? The impenitent are incapable of self-awareness. Don't be discouraged. Just keep your gospel clear. And keep your heart close to the Lord.

Here is his word to you: "Approved."

Justification and Suffering

By: Russell Jeffares

One of the most glorious, foundational, life-transforming teachings in the Bible is that we are justified by faith in Christ. This means we are declared righteous through the death of Christ on the cross. Interestingly, the Apostle Paul put this idea side by side with the reality of suffering. In Romans 5:1-5 Paul says,

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. … we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

In these verses Paul parallels these two profound themes. Why is that? According to Paul, our ability to face suffering with “rejoicing” is directly dependent upon our grasp of the fact that we are declared righteous and made at peace with God.

So how does our being declared righteous and at peace with God give us the ability to rejoice in the midst of suffering? Simple: We can now rejoice in suffering because we know that God is now fighting for our good. Paul says it this way:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. …What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies. (Romans 8:28, 31-34)

So Paul tells us that because we have now been declared righteous, are at peace with God, and are even adopted as His sons and daughters, we can rejoice in any circumstance—even if it means terrible suffering. As our Father, God is working all things together for our good. He is fighting for our good as our loving, heavenly Father, who -- by the way -- is truly good.

So if you are facing difficult, uncertain, painful times, rest and rejoice in the beautiful truth that you are justified—declared righteous, approved, and precious in God’s sight.