8 Reasons to Think about Jesus and His Word

Posted on June 22, 2024 by Wayne Davies

God has much to say about our minds. What we think about matters to Him.

Therefore, we don’t have to go very far to sin, do we?

Iniquity is just a thought away.

 

I’ve been, well, thinking about this a lot lately. I want to live a holy life. And the older I get, the more I realize that the foundation of a God-pleasing life is a God-pleasing mind. Easier said than done.

To that end, here’s a verse I’ve been meditating on this week:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8

This is a straightforward teaching from the Apostle Paul on how to have holy thoughts. If I think about things that fall into any of these eight categories, I’m on the right track.

Here’s another way to look at it. Who or What can I think about that will always meet the criteria spelled out in this verse? Answer: The Word.

Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, is perfectly true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

Likewise, the Bible, the written Word of God, is perfectly true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

If I’m filling my mind with thoughts about Jesus and His Word, I’m much less likely to entertain a sinful thought or an ungodly attitude. And I’m also much more likely to express myself with words and behaviors that align with these God-honoring thoughts.

Thank you for letting me share these thoughts with you. If anything you just read makes sense, please let me know by leaving a comment below.

Posted in Bible reading, Bible study, Jesus Christ, Thoughts About God | Tagged | Leave a comment

How to Feed Your Soul with God’s Wisdom

Posted on June 15, 2024 by Wayne Davies

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I’ve been reading The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Modern World, by Brett McCracken.

(See below for a link to get your free copy.)

Here’s how it starts:

“Our world has more and more information, but less and less wisdom. More data; less clarity. More stimulation; less synthesis. More distraction; less stillness. More pontificating; less pondering. More opinion; less research. More speaking; less listening. More to look at; less to see. More amusements, less joy.

“There is more, but we are less. And we all feel it.

“We have vertigo from the barrage coming at us from every direction, every day. We are nauseous from the Tilt-a-Whirl nature of a constantly changing, always unstable world described in (often contradictory and whiplash-inducing) feeds of fragmented and partisan news. Our ears are bleeding from the screeching multitudes who daily assault our senses. Everyone has a megaphone, but no one has a filter.

“Our eyes are strained, brains overstimulated, and souls weary. It’s hard to know if anything can be reliably known. We are resigned to a new normal where the choice seems to be: trust everything or trust nothing. Or maybe the choice is: trust nothing or trust only in yourself . . .

“How can one flourish in a world like this? How can one fortify one’s immunity and be healthy amidst a contagion of foolishness whose spread shows no sign of stopping? How can Christians become storehouses of wisdom in this era when more and more sickly people will be looking for a cure?

This description of our world and the challenges we face certainly resonates with me. Fortunately, the author also provides a solution to the problem:

“We need a better diet of knowledge and better habits of information intake . . . we need to be more discerning about what we consume. We need a diet comprised of lasting, reliable sources of wisdom rather than the fleeting, untrustworthy information that bombards us today; a diet heaven on what fosters wisdom and low on what fosters folly.”

So, if you feel yourself becoming more foolish the more time you spend scrolling on social media, this book is for you. If you ever get the sense that “smartphones” are actually making us dumb, you’re not alone. Addictive algorithms make huge money for Silicon Valley, but they make huge fools of us.

It doesn’t have to be this way. With intentionality and the discipline to cultivate healthier media consumption habits, we can resist the foolishness of the age and instead become wise and spiritually mature. In this book, Brett McCracken offers a rubric (inspired by the food pyramid) for what it might look like to build a “diet” of intakes conducive to spiritual health and wisdom rather than spiritual sickness and foolishness.

The Gospel Coalition is offering this book to you for FREE as an ebook. Click below to get instant access to this timely tool for growing in wisdom in our post-truth digital age.
https://pages.thegospelcoalition.org/the-wisdom-pyramid

Posted in Book Reviews, Free Books & Other Resources | Tagged | Leave a comment

Does God Ever Change?

Posted on June 15, 2024 by Wayne Davies

NOTE: This post is written by Heather Erdmann, author and Bible teacher. For more info about her ministry, visit www.GoodPortionPromises.com.

Is the Old Testament God the same as the New Testament Jesus?

Have you ever heard people say that the God of the Old Testament is “the angry God” and Jesus in the New Testament is “the nice God”? 

As I interact with unbelievers through my writing and online ministry, I have heard this sentiment in some form or other many times. On occasion, even believers seem to feel this way and may shy away from spending time in the Old Testament. But that got me thinking, that if those people actually understood the Bible in context and in its entirety, their opinion would change.

You may already know this, but the Bible is actually made up of 66 smaller books (39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament), compiling the one complete book we know today. Amazingly, all of these come together to tell one cohesive story, namely God’s plan of salvation for us through Jesus Christ! Every smaller book of the Bible points to Him in some way. Knowing this can make your time in God’s Word even more productive and precious.

SO, does the Bible portray two different sides of God? The “angry” and “wrathful” OT version, and the forgiving and gentle NT Jesus? Let’s see what His Word says:

Malachi 3:6 (Old Testament)
“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”

Hebrews 13:8 (New Testament)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

God is one God, in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We mainly see the Father revealing Himself throughout the OT, yet the entire Old Testament is filled with types, shadows, and actual pre-incarnate appearances of our Lord Jesus. In fact the entire Bible tells the story of God’s plan to rescue us through the promised Messiah, and the OT points to that promise. God the Father is the same God we see in Jesus, who is the Word made flesh, and who appeared on earth in human form-fully God and fully man-to accomplish the plan the Father set forth before time even began! That loving Father made a way for us to be saved and sent His own willing Son to do just that! 

See, God never changes, so the God of the OT is still the God of the NT! Jesus even stated, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father,” and “I and the Father are One.”

This is KEY: 

The parts of the OT people consider “angry” parts or show “the angry God” are basically a result of showing us the bad news first of all, that leads us to the good news of the New Testament and Gospel of Christ. The Bible is not primarily a rule book of do’s and don’ts (as many people believe), but it’s more like a mirror that shows us ourselves and how far we fall short of God’s laws every day. That’s because time and time again throughout the OT we see how we can’t keep all of God’s laws, no matter how hard we try. It is a cycle of man’s rebellion and God’s redirection (and occasional punishment), but always pointing forward to our rescue by the only One who DID perfectly keep the law on our behalf, and who died and rose again to take away our sins and give us eternal life with Him, free from sin, death, and the power of the devil forever!! It’s not meant to condemn us, but to convict us to admit our sin, confess it, and cry out for God’s mercy which He gives us freely in Christ!

So the OT “anger” you see (along with a ton of God’s patience, grace, and efforts to call His people back to Him through the Prophets) is just the bad news (that we are hopelessly lost without Him) which points us to the NT Good News that our Rescuer has come, and we are saved by faith through His finished work on the cross on our behalf. All of those OT sacrifices were just a shadow to point to the one, final, perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!! THAT’S the main message of the Bible, and that is truly Good News!!

Editor’s note:
To access Heather’s free “5-Day Bible Study Tools VIDEO Challenge,” visit:
https://subscribepage.io/biblestudytoolsvideochallenge

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How to Spend More Time Reading the Bible

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Wayne Davies

Here’s an easy way to spend more time reading the Bible:

Read the Bible by listening to the Bible.

“Reading by listening” offers this advantage . . .

You can listen to the Word while doing “mindless” activities such as taking a walk, jogging on a treadmill, driving a car, traveling on public transportation, or folding the laundry. During a typical day, you may have 30 or 60 minutes (or more) of available time that could be spent hearing God’s voice.

BibleGateway.com has a free app for this  — the Bible Audio App.
https://www.biblegateway.com/bible-audio-app

Here are some of the features:
— 5 different translations, including NIV, KJV, and NKJV
— 10 narrations available; choose from dramatized or voice-only productions
— Set chapters or verses to repeat
— Adjust the narration speed
— Choose whatever passage you want, or use a Bible reading plan, such as New Testament in Year

Here’s another suggestion for how to listen to the Bible — listen to one book of the Bible in its entirety in one session, i.e. listen to the whole book. And do this repeatedly (at least 5 or 10 times) for a particular book over a period of time (say one or two weeks).

Start with the smallest New Testament books such as Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude. These are only one chapter each and it will only take 5 or 10 minutes to listen to these.

Utilize the power of repetition to immerse yourself in God’s Word, one book at a time.

After listening to these one chapter books, move on to the other shorter New Testament books: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, as well as 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, James, 1 & 2 Peter, and 1 John. All these books are 3-6 chapters each and listening to them will typically take about 20-30 minutes.

It is amazing what you’ll learn by listening to one book of the Bible — in its entirety, repeatedly.

This is what I call The Forgotten Bible Reading Method  — you can learn more about it here:

Bible Reading Tips – What Is The Most Forgotten Bible Reading Method? (Start Doing This Today)

Perhaps you’re already doing this. If not, why not give it a try!

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How to Know and Do God’s Will for Your Life

Posted on May 30, 2024 by Wayne Davies


I am thanking God today for this simple fact:
He has made known His will for us.

The will of God has been revealed in the Word of God:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

“Sanctification” means “holiness.” And what is holiness? A life separated and set apart from sin unto God. A holy life is characterized by an increasing measure of godliness, obedience, and Christlikeness. Other synonyms include moral purity and righteous living.

Make no mistake, “God expects every Christian to live a holy life” (Gerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness). He commands that we “be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Yes, sanctification is the divine mandate for all God’s people.

The problem, of course, is that while striving for holiness, we continue to sin. This is why the Christian life can be harder (yet better) than the non-Christian life. We are fighting a never-ending battle against our flesh.

This is why I freely confess that “I am a serial sinner.”

(For more on that, check out this blog post):

Confessions of a Serial Sinner (Thoughts on Psalm 53:1)

I also thank God today for another profound truth: in the believer’s lifelong struggle against sin, we have hope! An obedient and holy life is within our reach because God has provided a solution to our sin problem, and that solution is found in the power of His Word.

Would God tell us to be holy and not supply the means to joyfully fulfill this command? I think not.

The key that unlocks the door to holy living is the holy Bible.

Paul said so in 2 Timothy 3:15-17. Note the indispensable role of Scripture in the quest for both salvation and righteousness:

“You have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

What Paul told this young pastor applies to every believer. We have the resources needed to overcome our sins and live a life pleasing to God. Through knowledge of the Scriptures, we can live a life of godliness and obedience. We will not attain perfection this side of heaven, but by the grace and power of God, increasing Christlikeness can be the direction of our lives.

I find much comfort in this! How about you?

Posted in Bible study, Holiness, Thoughts on the Thessalonians | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Am I Really A Christian? (Part 2)

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Wayne Davies

Have you ever wondered whether you are really a Christian?

If so, you are not alone.

Christians have struggled with the assurance of their salvation for centuries. That’s why Thomas Boston (1676-1732) wrote Am I Really A Christian? Eight Doubts Answered. In this short booklet, he addresses eight of the most common reasons believers may doubt the genuineness of their conversion.

Here is DOUBT #3:

“Heart in more turmoil.”

“I find that my heart has been in more turmoil after I became a Christian than it was before. Is this consistent with someone who is supposed to have been changed by Christ?

“Answer: Corruption can be stirred up in a Christian even more strongly than it was before he became a Christian. It might appear to you that all the forces of hell have been raised to try to recapture you as an escaped fugitive. Such stirrings may indeed occur in those truly changed by Christ. When restraining grace comes up against the corruption in a new believer, it is no wonder that corruption tries to fight back, “warring against the law of my mind” (Romans 7:23). Sin will resist all the harder when it knows this new principle is seeking to cast it out. When the sun shines through a window, we see all the dust in the house that we did not see before. So when the light of grace shines in our lives, we see the corruption inside us that we had not noticed before. Sin is not quite dead in the believer’s soul. It is dying a lingering death. It is being crucified. No wonder it begins to fight so hard—it knows it is about to die, so it struggles to live!

“Besides all this, the Christian might be faced with more numerous and stronger temptations after his conversion. Satan has to work harder to try to bring back one who has escaped, than he does to guard one who is still a captive. The author of Hebrews says, “But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings” (Hebrews 10:32). He then adds, “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (v. 35). Remember, God’s grace is sufficient for you, and the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. Remember how Pharaoh and the Egyptians had the Israelites cornered at the Red Sea, but then God intervened and overthrew them (Exodus 14)?

“Do not let this doubt destroy the foundation of your trust. Empty yourself of doubting. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, and you will be victorious.”

The above paragraphs are packed with sound biblical teaching. I find this comment especially helpful:

“The Christian might be faced with more numerous and stronger temptations after his conversion. Satan has to work harder to try to bring back one who has escaped, than he does to guard one who is still a captive.”

The Bible is clear that believers will continue to face temptation. It is to be expected. This is normal, because “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Words of comfort indeed!

To get a free downloadable copy of this 16-page booklet, visit:
https://www.chapellibrary.org/book/aira/am-i-really-a-christian-bostonthomas

NOTE: This booklet contains selected sections from Human Nature in Its Fourfold State, by Thomas Boston, modernized for easier understanding by today’s reader. Jeffrey T. Riddle, pastor of Christ Reformed Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, provided the abstraction and modernization. Copyright 2015 Chapel Library. www.ChapelLibrary.org

Posted in Free Books & Other Resources, Salvation | Leave a comment

3 Simple Steps to Understand the Bible Better

Posted on May 16, 2024 by Wayne Davies

What does it take to understand Scripture?

Here’s a word picture that provides an answer: “Raking is easy, but you get only leaves; digging is hard, but you might find diamonds” (John Piper, Future Grace).

The same can be said about finding gems of truth in the Bible. It requires time and effort – digging rather than raking. Yes, some passages are self-explanatory, but others can be difficult to comprehend. It often necessitates disciplined study rather than superficial skimming to understand the Word.

This should not surprise us. Rather, it’s to be expected. Note how Peter describes Paul’s writings: “His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16).

I take much comfort in this verse. If Peter says that Paul’s letters can be hard to understand, then it is likely that I may not “get” everything Paul (or any Bible writer) says immediately. It may take multiple readings and some serious study time. And that’s OK.

In light of Peter’s comments, the need to study the Word is self-evident. This raises the question: “How do we do that?” What does it take to not only read the Word but examine it more closely, to better understand it?

To that end, here’s a simple 3-step Bible study method:
1. Ask questions of the text.
2. Write down your answers to these questions.
3. Pray throughout your time in the Word.

STEP ONE
The following two questions can facilitate intimate, life-changing interaction with God and His Word.

Question #1: “What does this passage teach about God?”
What do you learn about who God is — His character and attributes? Look for His promises, His law (His “training in righteousness,” per 2 Timothy 3:16), and His sovereignty. We start with God because first and foremost, “The Bible is a book about God” (Jen Wilkin, Women of the Word). Jesus said so in John 5:39 – “These are the Scriptures that testify about me.” In other words, the Bible is God’s autobiography. “In any biblical narrative, God is the ultimate character, the supreme hero of the story” (Gordon Fee, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth). By “God” we mean God the Father, God the Son, and/or God the Holy Spirit.

Question #2: “In light of this teaching about God, what is my response?”
According to this passage, what does God require of people? Or, as Francis Schaeffer wrote, “How should we then live?” These divine expectations come in many forms: a command to obey, a promise to believe, an attitude to cultivate, an example to follow, a blunder to avoid, a sin to confess and forsake, a reason to worship, a truth about God for which praise and thanks are warranted.

This second question leads us to an essential component of God-honoring Bible study: self-examination. Be sure to ask yourself, “What is God teaching me about my attitudes and actions? In light of this passage, how do I need to change to become more like Christ?”

STEP TWO
It is beneficial that you write down your answers in a paper journal or electronic device. This exercise will enable you to articulate what you’ve learned and further impress God’s Word on your heart and mind. A year or two from now (or a decade), having a written record allows you to look back at what God has taught you – yet another source of joy.

Write as little or as much as you like, however you like. Grammar and punctuation do not matter. Write from your heart to the Lover of your soul. He would be delighted to read what you’ve learned about Him and how you are responding.

STEP THREE
Bathe the entire process in prayer – before, during, and after. Ask for His enlightenment: “Open my eyes and teach me, Lord! Give me understanding!” (Psalm 119:18, 26, 27). Plead for His transforming power: “Change me, Lord! Renew my mind and sanctify me! (Romans 12:2, John 17:17). Offer praise and gratitude to Him for His infallible Word and the lessons you glean from it: “Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your truth! (Psalm 119:62).

This is one way to better understand any passage, regardless of its genre. Don’t just read it. Ask probing questions; write down your answers; pray continuously — and you’ll go deeper into the meaning of God’s incomparable Word.

NOTE: The above comments are adapted from my book, 7 Deadly Sins of Bible Reading: Common Bible Reading Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, available on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Sins-Bible-Reading-Mistakes-ebook/dp/B09KZGV1XY

Or for a free PDF of this book, visit:
https://payhip.com/b/9CetT

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What Jesus Said About Heaven and Hell

Posted on May 5, 2024 by Wayne Davies

I have good news to share with you.

My latest book has been released on Amazon and is now available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook formats.

The title is:

Why Bad People Go To Heaven
and Good People Go To Hell (Part 2):
An Explanation of Luke 7:36-50

 

Here’s what one reader says:

“I absolutely loved the book. God bless you for letting the Holy Spirit work through you on such an important topic. You made the concept so simple with specific examples of why a “good” person goes to hell and a “bad” person goes to Heaven. So many people claim faith but have “no love” for Jesus. I really liked the concept of “does the punishment fit the crime?” We deserve hell for sinning against the Holy One — a debt we can’t repay. I think a lot of people know (or think) they are saved so they don’t worry about hell but it’s important to save as many people as we can from hell because it is real.”
— Jen Pontoriero

This short book is Part 2 of the series, “What Jesus Said about Heaven and Hell.” Each book in the series takes a look at what Jesus said about our eternal destiny. Is there a more important topic than that?

The Son of God had much to say about heaven, hell, and who goes where. It was one of his favorite topics. And for good reason. He wants you to know where you will spend eternity.

In Luke 7:36-50 we find the Son of God having dinner with a Pharisee named Simon. Suddenly a “sinful woman” (probably a prostitute) enters the scene, comes up behind Jesus, wets his feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, and kisses his feet while anointing them with expensive ointment.

Simon is appalled at this display of affection. So Jesus rebukes the Pharisee and then proceeds to amaze everyone by saying to the woman, “Your sins have been forgiven.”

Incredible! How can this be? This book explains why. Read it and you’ll discover why Simon is a “good” man on his way to hell while the “bad” woman is a sinner on her way to heaven.

The Kindle version is free. Please take advantage of this introductory price and get your copy today!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CW1K34XN

More good news: The book is also available in paperback and audiobook.

TAKE NOTE: If you want the audiobook, be sure to “buy” the Kindle version first (for free), because if you own the Kindle version, Amazon then gives you a nice 60% discount on the audiobook.

TAKE ANOTHER NOTE: Part 1 of this series is also now available in audiobook, with the same great deal – the Kindle version is free, and the audiobook is 60% off for those who own the Kindle.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CLLJPS3X

Also, would you also help me out by leaving a review on Amazon? Customer reviews really help a book do well in the rankings, so thank you!

Most importantly, who do you know who needs to hear the Good News that Jesus provides eternal life to those who trust Him for the forgiveness of sins and salvation from hell?

Please share this blog post (or the links above) to anyone you know who would benefit from finding the answer to life’s most important question:

“What must I do to be saved?”

Posted in Evangelism, Free Books & Other Resources, Heaven and Hell, Jesus Christ, Salvation, What the Bible Says | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

I Would Die for This Bible Verse

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Wayne Davies

I love the truth of God’s Word.

Here’s a verse I love so much, that I would die for it.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 ESV)

I believe that this verse teaches that Jesus Christ (the Word) always was, always is, and always will be God.

Stick a gun to my head and tell me to deny the deity of Christ, and I will tell you, “You’ll have to go ahead and kill me. Go ahead and make my day infinitely brighter because I refuse to recant my belief that Jesus is the eternal and almighty God — the Creator, Sustainer, and Lord of the universe.”

Yes, I would die for the truth of John 1:1. That would be a privilege.

I will also do whatever I can to tell others that Jesus is God.

I just spent the last eight months meeting with members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization, who came to my house last summer and offered to study the Bible with me in my house. I gladly accepted the invitation.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in the deity of God the Father, but they deny the deity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is a created being and therefore he is not God. And the Spirit is merely God’s active force in the world and not a person.

We met about 15 times, for 1-2 hours each session. We used their materials, and this provided ample opportunity to explain the Trinity to them. We discussed John 1:1-18, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:1-13, and many other passages, in detail. I did my best to explain the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. They let me talk as much as I wanted, and to take them to as many passages as I wanted. They asked many questions and I was delighted to have this opportunity to explain my beliefs.

Unfortunately, it was all to no avail. They are resolute in their conviction that Jesus is a created being. He is Savior and King, but he’s not God. Their Bible (the New World Translation) has inaccurately translated many passages that teach the deity of Christ and the Spirit.

We never argued. They were polite and respectful of me, and vice versa. We agreed to disagree. After  eight months, they finally said, “Wayne, there’s no point continuing this study with you.”  The last few times we met, I verbalized what we knew was happening: “We don’t have the same God.”

I continue to pray for them. My heart aches for the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are so passionate about their beliefs. They are sincere and devout. But I believe their answer to the question “Who is Jesus?” is contrary to Scripture.

Like Paul, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness” (Romans 10:1-3).

I could go on and on about what God taught me through this experience. My understanding of the Trinity was taken to a new level. Explaining anything for 10+ hours will do that! My love for Jesus is greater. My desire to tell people who he is has become dramatically more intense.

Does it matter whether we believe that Jesus is God? Absolutely. Our eternal destiny depends on it. How we answer the question “Who is Jesus?” has everlasting consequences. The Apostle John made this clear in 1 John 4:15 and 1 John 5:12 –

“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”
“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

And what is the meaning of the title “Son of God”? It means that Jesus is “equal with God,” as indicated in John 5:17-18 –

“But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I am working.’ This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”

To understand that Jesus claimed to be God is not rocket science. Even his enemies knew that’s what he meant.

Jesus’ claim to deity was the “crime” (blasphemy) for which the Sanhedrin demanded his crucifixion. Matthew 26:63-66 makes that clear:

“And the high priest said to him, ‘I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’  Then the high priest tore his robes and said, ‘He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’

If you’re unsure whether Jesus is God, here are some additional resources, so you can examine the Scriptures — “to see if these things be so” (Acts 17:11).

Short but Meaty Articles
Basic Bible Doctrine – Who Is Jesus?
https://godwrotethebook.com/169

Basic Bible Doctrine – Who Says Jesus Is God?
https://godwrotethebook.com/225

Basic Bible Doctrine – How Do We Know Jesus Is God?
https://godwrotethebook.com/227

For a Deeper Dive, Here’s an Excellent Book
The Forgotten Trinity, by James White
https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Trinity-James-R-White-ebook/dp/B00B0VMJC0

If you find anything in this post helpful, please leave a comment below. I welcome your feedback.

Posted in Jesus Christ, Thoughts About God | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

8 Great Bible Verses about the Goodness of God

Posted on April 23, 2024 by Wayne Davies

God is great and God is good. Amen?

I like meditating on who God is – his holy character and his many amazing attributes. The goodness of God is mentioned repeatedly in the Psalms. Here are eight great passages that extol our Lord for his goodness, along with a few comments to stimulate your gratitude and worship.

Psalm 13:5-6
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

1) v. 6 — God’s goodness is reason to praise God. “For” means “because.” I will sing the Lord’s praise because of his goodness.
2) v. 6 — God’s goodness is personal. He has been good to me.
3) v. 5 —  God’s goodness to me is closely related to his unfailing love for me.
4) v. 5 —  God’s goodness is closely related to his salvation. His salvation is one of the many ways he demonstrates his goodness to me.


Psalm 23:6
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

1) Again, God’s goodness and love are closely related.
2) I can depend on God’s goodness and love every day – all the days of my life, I will experience the goodness of God. That includes all those “bad” days, when “bad” things happen.
3) The goodness of God has a future aspect. God has promised his goodness to me today, tomorrow, and forever. God has promised to be good to me forever; this future aspect of his goodness means I can be optimistic about the future; my best days are yet to come. He demonstrates his goodness with this promise: I will live with him forever! God demonstrates his goodness by telling me that my eternal destiny is to be in his comforting presence, “in the house of the Lord,” forever, i.e. trillions of years.


Psalm 25:7
Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.

1) God’s goodness is again related to his love. Because God is good, he will not “remember” my sins and my rebellious ways – i.e. he treats me as if I had never sinned; that’s amazing grace in action. Because he has forgiven me, it’s as if he has “forgotten” all my sins – he does not hold them against me today, nor will he do so on Judgment Day.


Psalm 25:8
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

1) There’s a relationship between God’s goodness and his uprightness. He is good = He is always right and always does the right thing. His goodness is related to His righteousness/moral perfection/holiness.
2) God demonstrates his goodness by teaching sinners how to live a righteous life — how to live a life of moral purity, how to do the right thing, how to be more like Jesus.


Psalm 27:13
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

1) Again, God’s goodness has a future aspect: I will experience God’s goodness today, tomorrow, and forever.


Psalm 31:19
How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

1) God provides good things for his people. These good things are gifts; they are demonstrations of grace and mercy. We do not deserve or earn them; he bestows them freely, simply because he chose to do so.
2) There are many of these good things! There is an abundance of them!
3) There are so many of these gifts, God stores them up for us. He doesn’t give them to us all at once. There is an unlimited supply available, to be distributed according to God’s timetable, at his discretion, when he deems it best.
4) These gifts are easily identifiable. They can be seen and received by everyone – like the sunshine and the rain, per Matthew 5:45.


Psalm 34:8-10
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

1) The goodness of God can and should be experienced personally. Like food, it can be tasted. Like the sunset, it can be seen. It is real. If I am not experiencing God’s goodness, it’s my fault, not God’s. If I do not taste and see the goodness of God, I’m like the blind referee who is missing a good game.
2) God’s goodness means he will meet all my needs (not wants). Because God is good, I will never lack anything that I need.
3) God’s goodness is demonstrated to all people, believers and nonbelievers alike (again, per Matthew 5:45). At the same time, God’s goodness comes in special ways to believers. Note the repeated references to the people of God as the recipients of the goodness of God: “the one who takes refuge in him . . . his holy people . . . those who fear him . . . those who seek the Lord.”


Psalm 52:9
For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

1) God’s goodness is demonstrated through God’s actions on behalf of his people. How do I know God is good? Look at “what he has done” to see the evidence.
2) God’s goodness provides ample reason to praise, thank, and worship God. No matter what happens, the believer never has a valid excuse for not exalting God for his goodness.
3) God’s goodness is the basis of our hope. Our future is secure because “your name is good.”

Enjoy your day, and the rest of your life, because God is good!

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