Am I Really A Christian? (8 Doubts Answered)

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Wayne Davies


Do you ever have doubts about your salvation?

Do you ever wonder whether you are really a Christian?

I recently came across a helpful little booklet that addresses eight reasons that believers may question the genuineness of their conversion:

Am I Really A Christian? Eight Doubts Answered
by Thomas Boston

The author begins by acknowledging that “True Christians sometimes have serious doubts.” Then he explains eight specific doubts and how to overcome them.

DOUBT #1:

“Not knowing exact time of conversion.
I doubt I am really born again because I do not know the exact time of my conversion. Neither can I trace the steps that led me to becoming a Christian.

Answer: Though it is desirable to be able to describe the beginning of the Lord’s work in your life and the gradual growth you’ve enjoyed, this is not necessary to prove that you truly are a Christian. We must remember that the work of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. In the Gospel of John, we read about Jesus healing a blind man. This man simply said, “One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25). When we see a flame, we know there is a fire, even if we don’t know how it began.

Even so, we can know we are Christians, even if we do not know how or when it all happened. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you repented from your sins? Has there been a change in your soul? Does your mind have light? Do you want to obey God in everything for the sake of Jesus, Who died on the cross? Do you love other believers? Do you flee from the evils in this wicked world? If you answer “yes” to such questions, then you do not need to trouble yourself with this doubt.”

DOUBT #2:

“Struggle with sin.
If I am really a Christian, a new creature in Christ, why do I continue to struggle with sin?

Answer: We certainly do not want to lay down pillows so that hypocrites can rest easy with indulging their sin and making God’s grace a slave to their lusts. On the other hand, we need to remember that “all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Sin may prevail at times even over the children of God. Are you groaning under the weight of sin and the corruption of your nature? Are you disgusted with yourself for the sins of your heart and life? Are you striving to put your lusts to death, fleeing daily to the blood of Christ for pardon and looking to His Spirit for sanctification? Though you might say with Psalm 65:3, “Iniquities prevail against me,” remember that this verse ends, “As for transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.”

The new creature in Christ is like a man who does not live in a house alone: an ill-tempered neighbor lives in the same house with him. His name is “remaining corruption.” These two constantly struggle with each other for control: “The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh” (Gal 5:17). Sometimes old “corruption” prevails and makes the child of God a captive to the law of sin (Rom 7:23). Do not let his occasional victories make you conclude that you are not a child of God! Instead, let it humble you. Let it make you more watchful. Let it make you thirst even more intensely for Jesus Christ, His blood and Spirit. The principle of grace within you, the new birth in Christ, will seek the destruction of the very sin that so often defeats you.”

I find these words most helpful. How about you? If you find this resource beneficial, let me know by leaving a comment below.

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

 

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Where Do You Go During the Storm? (Thoughts on Psalm 46)

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Wayne Davies

Scripture is abundantly clear that the life of faith will never be a trouble-free existence. Far from it.

God is the God of promises, and one of his promises is that we will experience many hardships in this life.

 

Yes, a stressful life is something God has guaranteed for us. “Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). Jesus himself predicted that “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33).

Even though God has made it clear that our lives will be filled with suffering, when it comes, our response can be one of surprise, anger, frustration, and despair. “Why me, Lord? What did I do to deserve this? This is not fair.”

What do you do when faced with a difficult situation? The question isn’t whether we will face turmoil, but what will be our response. How will we handle it? Can we be thankful and even joyful in the heat of battle, or will we be bitter, resentful, and mad at our Maker?

Psalm 46 offers a solution to the pain that is sure to come. Verse one begins with some of the most hope-filled words in the Bible: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (v. 1). For centuries the people of God have turned to these words for comfort in times of calamity.

According to Psalm 46:1, the antidote to the certainty of hardship is the presence of God. The psalmist describes God as our refuge, our strength, and our ever-present help in trouble. The never-failing presence of God is a recurring theme in this psalm, for the psalmist refers to it by repeating these words in verses 7 and 11: “The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”

What is a refuge? It is a shelter, a place to go during a storm to find protection from danger. This word is used often in the book of Psalms, and its frequent use helps us to better understand its meaning.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
(Psalm 9:9)

For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
(Psalm 61:3)

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
(Psalm 91:2).

I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
(Psalm 142:5)

When facing the storms of life, the primary issue is not so much the type of storm or how long it will last, but where we go during the storm. God wants us to know that he is always there for us in the pain –  to be our stronghold, strong tower, fortress, and portion. He wants to be the place to which we go – before, during, and after the trial.

It is relatively easy to trust God when things are going well. The test of true faith is whether we continue to trust him when the tide turns against us. This is the message of Psalm 46. Is God your refuge and strength, your ever-present help in trouble? I pray that he is for me, and I pray that he is for you.

Questions for Further Study, Reflection, and Discussion

  1. Jesus predicted, even promised, that “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Yet when trouble comes our way, we are often surprised, disappointed, frustrated, and even mad. Why is that?
  2. This psalm is filled with several descriptions of trouble. Make a list of all the specific references to trouble in this psalm. How many of these “troubles” do you see in our world today? What form do they take? In terms of current events, what do they look like?
  3. Verse 2 mentions a common response to trouble: fear. Why are we so prone to fear? What causes you to fear? And why?
  4. Verse 2 makes the bold statement that in the midst of trouble, “we will not fear.” How can the psalmist say that? What is the psalmist’s antidote for fear? In your own words, how would the psalmist finish this sentence: “We will not fear because ______________________________.” (Go ahead and fill in the blank.)
  5. This psalm is filled with descriptions of God. Make a list of all the words and phrases used in this psalm to describe God: both what He is and what He does.
  6. Which of your answers to Question 5 is most meaningful and precious to you lately? And why?
  7. This psalm is filled with the voice of God. In verse 10, when God speaks, what does he say? What two commands are found in verse 10? Specifically, what do you do to put these two commands into practice? When you obey these instructions, what does it look like? When trouble and fear dominate us, what role should listening to God play in our lives?
  8. This psalm is filled with the presence of God. What verse is repeated twice? Make a list of all the words and phrases used to describe God’s presence with his people. What can you do to cultivate a greater awareness of the presence of God?
  9. This psalm is filled with the praise of God. What phrase is repeated in verse 10? Take time now to write out a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for all that this psalm teaches us about him: who he is, what he does, what he says, and how he is with us always.

NOTE: The above content is an excerpt from Wayne’s book How to Pray Like David, Volume 2 (A Bible Study on Psalms 42-72), available on Amazon in Kindle or paperback here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJMG8S1F

For a free PDF of this book, visit https://payhip.com/GodWroteTheBook

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What the Bible Says about Joy

Posted on February 11, 2024 by Wayne Davies

I’ve been doing an in-depth study 1 Peter chapter 1. Verse 8 speaks of joy that is “inexpressible and filled with glory.”

Meditating on that phrase led me to do a deeper dive into the meaning of biblical joy. As you may already know, the Bible has much to say about joy.

Here are some thoughts on the joy that you and I can have today and forever.

1. God is the source of true joy.
It is a gift from our triune God (Father, Son, and Spirit). More specifically, joy is the joy of Jesus which God the Son gives to us through the work of the God the Spirit. Scripture also says that God the Father fills us with this joy.

Biblical joy is the joy of Jesus that he gives to us. Christ told the apostles: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:12). Jesus has infinite and perfect joy; note how He speaks of “my joy.” And he wants us to have that joy – his joy. His desire and will for us is that his joy be in us. He wants his joy to be our joy; he speaks of “my joy” and “your joy” in the same breath. His joy becomes our joy because he gives it to us.

He wants us to have his joy in abundance; the result of God’s gift of joy is that our joy “be full.” “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24), “But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves”(John 17:13).

2. Jesus gives us his joy through the work of the Holy Spirit.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace” (Gal 5:22). “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:52). “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17). “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess 1:6).

3. God provides joy to believers in Jesus, to people with faith in Christ.
Like salvation, biblical joy is Christ’s gift and this gift is received by faith. In 1 Peter 1:8, we see the relationship between faith and joy. Peter tells his readers, “Though you do not see him (Jesus), you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.” Our joy in Christ is the result of our faith in Christ.

Paul also wrote about the connection between faith and joy:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13). God fills us with joy because we are “believing” in him. “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.” (2 Cor 1:24)

4. 1 Peter 1:8 teaches us two key characteristics of biblical joy: it is “inexpressible” and “filled with glory.”
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.”

Biblical joy is “inexpressible.”  The KJV translates this as “joy unspeakable.” Phillips renders this as “a joy that words cannot express.” The NET (New English Translation) uses the word “indescribable.” Yes, the Christian’s joy is indescribable, yet here I am trying to describe the indescribable – to define it and explain what it is with words that cannot do it justice. This is the wonder of God’s goodness to us!

The Greek word for “inexpressible” (aneklaletos) is only used two times in the New Testament, once by Peter here in 1 Peter 1:8, and once by Paul in 2 Corinthians  9:15, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” God is the great Giver of gifts. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16). He gives us countless gifts, and Jesus is arguably the greatest of these gifts. God’s gift of Jesus to the world is truly inexpressible! We do our best to explain Jesus with words, but his infinite worth goes beyond words. “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

Biblical joy is “filled with glory.” Philips expresses this thought well: our joy “has in it a hint of the glories of Heaven.” The joy we experience in this life is a foretaste of the perfect joy we will have in the next life, and therefore it is “glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy” (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).

5. Biblical joy is a painful joy.
Peter knows that these believers are being persecuted for their faith and therefore “have been grieved by various trials” (1 Peter 1:6). God’s people have been oppressed by unbelievers for centuries. Jesus was brutally honest with his disciples in this regard, predicting that “In the world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). What kind of trouble? Christians can expect to be hated by the world. “Because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19). The world’s hatred of believers will result in persecution. Jesus experienced rejection, slander, and physical abuse to the point of death. We will get the same treatment because “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).

In fact, like Jesus, some believers will be unjustly killed for their faith, ironically, in the name of God: “Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 16:2). This was Peter’s own experience; according to church history, he was crucified for following Jesus. Later in 1 Peter he writes, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13). Even though we suffer physical pain and deep sorrow from persecution, we are not to be startled by it or view it as “strange.” The path to glory is a journey of grief and suffering. Jesus walked this path, and we are following right behind him, all the way to heaven.

For many believers, the Christian life is hard, a “fiery trial” (1 Peter 4:12). Somehow, by the power of God’s Spirit who indwells us, we can rejoice in these fires because we are sharing the same paradoxical mixture of pain and joy that Jesus felt. This is why we are “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2).

The simultaneous experience of suffering and joy is a recurring topic in the New Testament. Paul told the Corinthians, “In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy” (2 Cor 7:4). He described the Macedonians believers with these words: “For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part (2 Cor 8:2).

The writer of Hebrews reminded his readers that “you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one” (Heb 10:34).

And James, the brother of Jesus, told believers to “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:3-4).

So it is possible to have joy while suffering. This was the lot of Jesus and the early church. By the grace and power of God, this can be our experience, too. The apostles even rejoiced because of their suffering: “When they (the Sandredin) had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:40-41).

6. We rejoice even while suffering because our joy is in God and his salvation.
The first four words of 1 Peter 1:6 contain the key to biblical joy: “In this you rejoice.” What is “this”? God and his salvation.

In verses 3-5, Peter begins the letter with a doxology of praise to God for the mercy he demonstrated through his provision of salvation. He blesses (praises) God for . . .

** His incredible mercy – “According to his great mercy”
** The new birth – “he has caused us to be born again”
** A life of hope – “to a living hope”
** The resurrection of Christ – “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”
** God’s promise of a rock-solid inheritance in heaven – “to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you”
** God’s powerful protection – “who by God’s power are being guarded”
** God’s gift of faith to receive all the blessings of salvation – “through faith”

Peter is saying, that in light of who God is and what he has done for us, rejoice! His merciful character is magnificent. No matter what happens to us, God’s salvation is a sure thing, and therefore, “in this” God and “in this” salvation we can rejoice, even though we face sorrow and hardship during our sojourn on earth.

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Is It Wrong to Drink Coffee during a Worship Service?

Posted on February 3, 2024 by Wayne Davies

I love a good question, especially when we can go to the Bible for help in answering it.

John Piper, one of my favorite teachers and authors, has been answering Bible-related questions on his podcast “Ask Pastor John” for years. There are now over 2,000 episodes at https://www.desiringgod.org/ask-pastor-john

Here are some recent episodes that you might find edifying.

 

On Coffee-Sipping in the Sanctuary
Is it wrong to drink coffee during corporate worship?
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/on-coffee-sipping-in-the-sanctuary

Leading a Church out of Casual Culture
How might churches move away from casual culture toward heartfelt, happy reverence on Sunday morning?
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/leading-a-church-out-of-casual-culture

Strategies for Building a Reverent Church
In a day starving for transcendence, how might church leaders arrange every element of the Sunday gathering to promote joyful Godward reverence?
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/strategies-for-building-a-reverent-church

 

Another great website for getting answers to thousands of Bible questions is GotQuestions.org.

Here are some questions that got my attention.

Does God hate? If God is love, how can He hate?
https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-hate.html

Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people?
https://www.gotquestions.org/good-things-bad-people.html

How were people saved before Jesus died for our sins?
https://www.gotquestions.org/before-Jesus.html

I hope you’ll find these resources helpful. They are not necessarily an exhaustive “final word” on these difficult issues, but I think they do well to get us started in the right direction.

Enjoy!

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The Words That Make Joni Want to Leap

Posted on January 29, 2024 by Wayne Davies

I continue to be encouraged by the life and ministry of Joni Eareckson Tada.

A prolific author of 45 books, Joni has helped millions to better understand God’s purposes in suffering.

She has been paralyzed for over 50 years and knows what it means to endure hardship.

 

One of her books that I highly recommend is A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain and God’s Sovereignty. Her wisdom is based on a biblical understanding of the sovereignty of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I came across this article recently that I also commend to you:
The ‘In Christ Alone’ Stanza That Makes Joni Want to Leap
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/in-christ-alone-stanza/

Here is the stanza from the hymn “In Christ Alone” that makes Joni want to jump for joy:

Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

When singing this song, she reflects on how “I’d give anything to join my friends at that point. I’d love to rise from my wheelchair, stand on tiptoe, throw my head back, and cry and laugh at the same time.”

And why is that? Because “No modern-day hymn has captured the heart of the global church quite like ‘In Christ Alone.’ Every line has been doctrinally cut and carved, leaving not a hint of fluff or filler. It presents the full gospel from beginning to end, and perhaps that’s why its truths thoroughly resonate with our spirits.

“You sing this hymn once, and you’re satisfied. Sing it twice, three times, or many times more and you’re still satisfied. Like the gospel, it never gets old. It seems the more you sing ‘In Christ Alone,’ the more the good news in all its beauty and majesty unfolds before you, layer by layer. The song is that powerful, that unique.”

For more biblical insights from Joni, please utilize these resources:

New Resolve After 55 Years in My Wheelchair (article)
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/new-resolve-55-years-wheelchair/

Suffering, Healing, and the Hope of Eternity (podcast)
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/q-a-podcast/suffering-healing-and-the-hope-of-eternity/

May you have a God-saturated day.

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How to Study Your Bible One Book at A Time (Part 1)

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Wayne Davies

My favorite way to read and study the Bible is to do it book by book. Topical studies certainly have their place. And daily devotionals can also be beneficial.

But there is no substitute for going through one book from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse.

 

And when you do this, it’s best to begin by learning as much as possible about the author and the original readers.

Let’s use the book of 1 Peter as an example.

The author was Peter the Apostle. The first verse of the letter tells us that. We know much about him from the four gospels and the book of Acts.

What about the readers? Let’s focus on them because we can discover much about Peter’s audience right from the letter he wrote to them.

Here’s where reading the entire book can be extremely valuable. If we just read the whole letter in one sitting, which takes about 30 minutes, and look for any verse that tells us something about the readers, we can learn much about them.

Right away, in verse 1, we learn where they live: the regions of “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” in what is today called Turkey. So most of them were probably Gentiles.

As we proceed through the rest of this letter, we learn much about their circumstances. Here’s a list of all the verses that speak to that.

1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials

2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

2:19-21 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

3:13-18 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin

4:12-19 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

You don’t need a theology degree to discover what these Gentile Christians are experiencing: much suffering and persecution from unbelievers. It’s a recurring theme in this letter. At a minimum, they are being reviled, insulted, and slandered for their faith. Physical abuse may also be involved.

Just by reading the text we find out what it was like to be a Christian in Turkey in the first century. Life was hard, and Peter’s letter was written to encourage and instruct believers who were enduring “the fiery trial” (4:12) of opposition.

May we never underestimate the benefits of simply reading Scripture and asking questions of the text (such as “what does this book tell me about the original readers?”).

This approach to the Word is known as the “inductive Bible study method.” Kay Arthur has done a wonderful job of promoting this type of Bible study through her books (hundreds of them) and the Precept.org ministry. It’s a great way to read and study the Bible, and I highly recommend it.

I have read her book How to Study Your Bible several times. If you’re new to inductive Bible study, this resource is a good place to start.

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How to Cultivate the Habit of Bible Reading

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Wayne Davies

Our lives are filled with habits. Some are good; some are bad.

I googled the word “habit” and here’s how three dictionaries define it:

“A settled tendency or usual manner of behavior.” (Merriam-webster.com)
“Something that you do often and regularly.” (Dictionary.Cambridge.org)
“A usual way of behaving: something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way.” (Britannica.com)

Do you consider yourself a person who reads and studies the Bible habitually?

Is spending time in the presence of Jesus in sweet fellowship, listening to Him speak through His Word, your usual manner of behavior — something you do often, regularly, and repeatedly because of your love for Him and your desire to know and obey Him?

Cultivating a godly habit takes time and the power of the Holy Spirit.

And sometimes it can be as simple as following a written plan of action. This is why many Christians find a Bible reading plan helpful.

Of course, a Bible reading plan is not the sanctifying “magic pill” that will cure all that ails us spiritually. But it can be a useful tool.

I like these comments from Ivan Mesa of The Gospel Coalition:

“There is more to the Christian life than Bible reading but not less. Done well and consistently—even (or especially) when we don’t feel like doing it—the decision to regularly make time to commune with the Lord through his Word can powerfully shape our affections, convict us of sin, spur us toward evangelism, draw us closer to other believers, and more. In short, Bible reading can be a keystone habit in your life.”

Don’t let today’s date prevent you from starting the new habit of consistent Bible reading. It doesn’t matter whether it’s January 1 or January 7. Any day is a good day to make a new commitment to regular time in the Word.

When it comes to finding a good Bible reading plan, resources are abundantly available.

I’ve been using a New Testament 5-day-a-week plan from the Navigators for several years. You can download it free here:
https://connect.navigators.org/5x5x5

And here’s a 5-day-a-week plan that takes you through the entire Bible in a year.
https://www.fivedaybiblereading.com/

For an excellent article by Melissa Kruger on the benefits of these 5-day plans, visit:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/melissa-kruger/my-favorite-bible-in-a-year-reading-plan-2/

How do you read the Word? I’d love to hear about it, so please leave a comment below and share how you go about spending time in the Word.

Have a God-saturated day!

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How to Become Like Christ in 2024

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Wayne Davies


Have you given any thought to how you’ll become more like Jesus in 2024?

Christ-likeness or personal holiness or sanctification, however you like to say it, is what God wants to do in you and for you – today, tomorrow, and forever.

I love the way Paul describes the life-changing work of God in our lives:

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

This verse is a source of much encouragement to me. When you stop and think about it, this is breathtaking: God is changing us to become more and more like Jesus. Whoa!

This transformation manifests itself in a variety of ways. It can happen suddenly, dramatically, and radically. And it can happen slowly, even imperceptibly, one tiny step at a time.

It affects us deeply, from the inner recesses of our hearts and minds to the visible behaviors and habits of everyday life.

But it happens! That’s the wonder of it. And this “it” is what God is doing when we “contemplate” (NIV) or “behold” (ESV) His glory.

God does the sanctifying while we do the contemplating and beholding. Ultimately, the transformation is His doing. Yet we do not sit by idly, twiddling our thumbs, doing nothing.

This brings me to the key question of this post: How do you contemplate and behold the glory of God?

Without contemplation of God’s character, there is no sanctification of our character. God changes us when we are looking intently at Him. And the best way I know to see Him clearly and accurately is to spend time in His Word.

If consistent and enjoyable Bible-time is already a habit for you, excellent! What I’ve written so far may therefore be a review of familiar territory. And for that, you should be thanking God. May 2024 be another year of quality time in the Word for you!

But when it comes to habitual Bible-time, if you’ve been struggling lately, I pray that God is convicting you even now of the need for a change – a change in your attitude and/or a change in behavior. I pray that with the New Year will come a new direction. Perhaps this means that you simply return to what you’ve done before but have gotten away from. Or it may mean that you need to do something you’ve never done before.

Regardless of your current situation, there are many resources available at GodWroteTheBook.com to help you either stay on track or get on track.

Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Do you lack motivation to read or study the Bible?
    Please immerse yourself in the Top Ten Reasons to Read the Bible Today. Here you’ll find several compelling benefits of regular time in the Word. If you’ve read this book before you may just need to read it again, perhaps more slowly, taking time to answer the questions that come at the end of each chapter.
  2. Are you new to Christianity and/or the Bible?
    I recommend Jesus: Who He Is, What He Did, and Why It Matters. This book takes you through John’s gospel, chapters 1-3, focusing on foundational truths of the faith.
  3. Are you looking for a deeper dive into the teachings of Scripture?
    Check out Jesus: Savior, King, Living Water. This is an in-depth study of John chapter 4.
  4. Do you need help simply reading and understanding the Bible?
    Here’s a book that can help: The Forgotten Bible Reading Method: How to Read and Understand the Bible in 5 Simple Steps. This is an explanation of the most overlooked Bible-reading method of all, the one that most Christians have never even tried.
  5. Do you like reading and studying the Psalms?
    You should check out How to Pray Like David. Volume 1 covers Psalms 1-41. Volume 2 covers Psalms 42-72.
  6. Do you wonder whether you are really a Christian?
    If you have little or no desire to spend time with God in His Word, could it be that you lack genuine saving faith? Why Bad People Go to Heaven and Good People Go to Hell was written with you in mind.

All the resources above are available for free in PDF format here:
https://payhip.com/GodWroteTheBook

These resources are also available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats here:
www.Amazon.com/author/waynedavies

NOTE: The books mentioned in #1 and #6 above are also free in Kindle format.

Happy New Year! And may God continue to sanctify all of us in 2024 “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV).

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Two Christmas Presents for You

Posted on December 25, 2023 by Wayne Davies

For centuries the people of God have been celebrating the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, with songs of joy.

In his gospel, Luke recorded three psalms, or songs, as an integral part of the story of Jesus’ birth:

 

Mary’s song – Luke 1:46-56
Zechariah’s song – Luke 1:67-79
Simeon’s song – Luke 2:28-32

We love to sing about the grace of God this time of year. Amen!

Like me, you probably have your favorite Christmas carols and it’s a wonderful time when we gather with our brothers and sisters to proclaim the goodness of God in Christ through the gift of music.

Keith and Kristyn Getty are two of my favorite Christian musicians, and they are offering a free download of Christmas music for your worship and enjoyment here:

https://www.gettymusic.com/essential-christmas-hymnal-download-page

Here’s what you’ll find at the above link:

GIFT #1: The Essential Christmas Hymnal
This is a 104-page PDF containing the sheet music for 29 hymns – complete with lyrics, piano music, and chords. The songs are a combination of traditional favorites (such as “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” “O Come All Ye Faithful”) along with newer Christmas songs written by Keith and Kristyn Getty.

GIFT #2: MP3’s of 29 Christmas songs recorded by the Getty’s
Most of these songs are from the hymnal above.

Enjoy! Merry Christmas to you!

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The Best Book Ever Written about Christmas

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Wayne Davies

Christmas can be a time of meaningful reflection, God-exalting worship, and unspeakable joy.

And it can be a major distraction.

The choice is ours.

 

As the Christmas season continues, here are three ideas on how to focus on Jesus this week.

1. Read The Best Book ever written about Christmas.
This is perhaps the most obvious way to keep Christ in your Christmas. Go to the source. Fill your mind and heart with the great truths of the Christmas Story.

Here’s a simple 7-Day Christmas Bible Reading Plan that I’ve been using this week:
Day 1 – Matthew 1:18-25
Day 2 – Matthew 2:1-23
Day 3 – Luke 1:1-25
Day 4 – Luke 1:26-56
Day 5 – Luke 1:57-80
Day 6 – Luke 2:1-21
Day 7 – Luke 2:22-40

Ask these two questions of each passage:
What does this text teach about God (Father, Son, Spirit) and His dealings with people?
What is my response to these teachings?

Write down your thoughts on these two questions and then share them with someone. You can do these readings and writings individually or with your family or small group.

2. Read a good book about the birth of Christ.
Here’s one that I recommend. And you can’t beat the price.

The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent, by John Piper, is available as a free download here:
https://www.desiringgod.org/books/the-dawning-of-indestructible-joy

3. Listen to a good sermon about the coming of Christ.
Here are two sermons I’ve listened to recently:

Out of the Ivory Palaces, by R.C. Sproul
https://renewingyourmind.org/2023/12/16/out-of-the-ivory-palaces

Mary’s Revolution, by Ryan Cochran
https://godwrotethebook.com/marys-revolution/

Have a grace-filled week as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!

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