How to Follow Jesus in 2022

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Wayne Davies

I know it’s only January 9th, but how is 2022 going for you so far?

Do you know where you are going this year? I’m not speaking geographically but spiritually.

 

What are your goals for spiritual growth this year?

Here are a three of my 2022 goals:

  1. To be a faithful witness of God’s truth to my friends and family members. God taught me much in 2021 about being a faithful witness. About a year ago I started praying for 5 friends — former co-workers that I had lost touch with. One by one, God orchestrated opportunities for me to re-connect with 4 of these 5 men and to renew our friendships. One of these men joined our weekly Bible study that my wife and I host in our home. In 2022, I am asking God to provide opportunities to share Christ with 5 other men that I know.
  2. To continue communicating God’s truth through writing. Lord willing, I want to write and publish two new books this year (one on the Psalms and another on the Gospel of Mark). I plan to continue writing articles that are posted on the GodWroteTheBook.com blog, as well as other Christian websites. I will also continue to send out a weekly email, plus more frequent posts on Facebook.
  3. To immerse myself in Scripture by reading the New Testament per the Navigator’s 5x5x5 Bible Reading Plan (1 chapter per day, 5 days a week).

NOTE: And if you are looking for a way to read the Bible more consistently this year, there are excellent Bible reading plans on the Navigator’s website:
https://www.navigators.org/resource/bible-reading-plans/.
This Navigator’s webpage has 3 plans. Plans #1 and #2 are for the whole Bible in a year. Plan #3 is the 5x5x5 New Testament Bible Reading Plan that I’ll be doing (scroll down to the bottom to get this one).

You probably know by now that I am an enthusiastic supporter of annual Bible Reading Plans. I call this A Better Way to Read the Bible

At the same time, it’s good to remember that reading the Bible, even the whole Bible, is never an end in itself. It’s a means to the greater end of a God-honoring life and personal holiness – becoming more like Jesus every day, “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV).

Jesus told His disciples to “Follow me.” He issues that same command to you and me. Spending quality time in the Word is one of ways we strive for the goal of staying on the path of discipleship and going where He leads, which is best described as the life of faithful obedience to His Word. Such a life is characterized by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and submission to His will as revealed in His Word.

May we continue to follow our Savior all the days of our lives. If you find anything in this post helpful, please let me know. Got questions or want to dialogue with me, just leave a comment below. I’m available to assist you any way I can.

Posted in Bible reading, Jesus Christ | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

7 Tips on How to Read the Bible in 2022

Posted on December 27, 2021 by Wayne Davies

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Today I’d like to offer resources that can enrich your reading of Scripture in 2022. Oh what a treasure chest of spiritual riches God has placed at our fingertips!

 

Now more than ever, may the Word be sweeter than honey and more precious than gold.

Here are 7 tips to help you read the Bible this year.

TIP #1: Read the Bible Like Any Other Book
To that end, my first suggestion is to embrace “A Better Way to Read the Bible.” Simply put, a better way to read the Bible is to read it like any other book, which means we read the whole thing. For more thoughts on this, please Click Here.

TIP #2: Read the Bible Like No Other Book
My second suggestion is to pray . . . before, during and after you read the Bible. Here’s one of my favorite Bible reading prayers: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18). The word “law” can mean “instruction” or “teaching.” The Word of God, like no other book, contains the instruction and teaching of God. While the Bible is to be read like any other book, it is also to be read like no other book, because there is no other book like the Bible. It is the only book written by God, and we need His supernatural help to understand it. Click Here for “3 Great Prayers to Pray When Reading the Bible.”

TIP #3: Get the Big Picture
When reading the Bible, always keep in mind what Jen Wilkin states so succinctly, “The Bible is a book about God.” I take this to mean that the Bible is primarily or mainly about God. It is His autobiography. Until just a few years ago, this was a new idea for me and a hard pill to swallow, so I know it can come as a surprise to some. But like life itself, the Bible is not primarily about us. Sure, we are in there, and the Bible has much to say about you and me. But we’re not the focus. God is. Therefore, every time you read the Bible, ask the question, “What does this passage teach about God (Father, Son and/or Spirit)?” And then ask, “What is my response to this teaching about God?” You can learn more about the main theme of the Bible, aka “The Bible’s One Big Story” by Clicking Here.

TIP #4: Write Down Your Thoughts
Write down your answers to those two questions in Tip #3. Maintain a Bible Reading Journal. This doesn’t have to be fancy. Record your thoughts in a word processing document or a spiral notebook. I always learn and retain more when I interact with the material I’m reading. Don’t just read and pray. Whenever possible: Read, pray and write. Even better: Pray, Read, Pray, Write, and Pray.

TIP #5: Make a Commitment to Read the Whole Bible (or at least the New Testament)
Yes, I’m circling back to Tip #1 – to understand any book, it is best to read the whole thing. Resources abound to help you do this. Bible Reading Plans are a good place to start, so Click Here to find one that you like. Then . . . Go For It! By the grace of God and for the glory of God, it can be done.

Here’s how I’ve been approaching the task to read the whole Bible. For several years I’ve been reading the entire New Testament in a year. This can be done by reading 1 chapter a day, 5 days a week. The Navigators ministry has put together a nice resource for this called the 5 x 5 x 5 New Testament Reading Plan. You can Click Here to download the PDF.

Then, every 2 or 3 years, I read both the Old Testament and the New Testament in a year. This is how I’ve been doing it for the past 15 years, and it has worked well for me.

If you’re new to the Bible or if reading the entire Book seems too intimidating right now, why not start with the New Testament? Eventually, though, you’ll want to read both Testaments; your understanding of the New Testament will skyrocket to a new level when you read and understand the Old Testament. And when was the last time you read only the last 25% of a book?

TIP #6: Get Help to Understand What You Read
Regardless of how you read it, please take advantage of the many wonderful resources that can aid in your understanding of the Bible. God has given the Church many gifts. One of those gifts is knowledgeable Bible teachers who have spent years studying the Bible so they can help God’s people to comprehend it. “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).

The Bible is both one Book and a Book of Books. As you read through the Bible, take time to get the big picture of each individual book. A good study Bible should have an introduction and an outline of each book, which you would do well to read and use to navigate that particular book. Another important aspect of the Bible is the variety of literary genres which are found in Scripture. With that in mind, here are my recommended resources for getting help.

Two Great Books:
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
How to Read the Bible Book by Book
These two books, written by the team of Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, go together quite well. I recommend that you get them both, and read them in conjunction with your Bible reading, one bite at a time. They are a valuable resource I use over and over. (Sorry, you’ll have to buy these books. If money is tight, check with your with your local library or look for used copies online.)

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth will teach you how to understand the many genres (types of literature) in the Bible, such as narrative, Law, poetry, wisdom and prophecy (in the Old Testament), along with the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles and Revelation (in the New Testament).

How to Read the Bible Book by Book  is similar to a study Bible, providing the following information about each of the 66 books: an overview and outline of the content, an explanation of the historical background and emphases, “specific advice” for reading, and a thorough yet insight-packed summary of each section of every book.

One Great Website
The Bible Project has a plethora of great no-cost resources. If you are a visual learner, you’ll love their videos, especially the “Book Overviews.” In just a few minutes you can literally see the shape and themes of every book in the Bible in a way you’ll not soon forget. So, before reading any book of the Bible, I highly recommend you watch the “Book Overview” at least once, if not multiple times. It will set the stage so you can then read the individual books with greater understanding. Did I mention that everything on this website will not cost you a penny?

TIP #7: Search Your Heart for the Answer to This Question
Finally, let’s not forget the “Why” question. You’re reading this because you want to read the Bible. That is such a good thing, or so it would seem. But why? What is your motive? That is such an important question. I think about this a lot, because I know that my reasons for reading the Bible have not always been good ones.

How about you? How do you answer the question, “Why do I want to read the Bible?”

For more thoughts on this all-important question, please read this:
What Is Your Motive for Reading the Bible?

And then I recommend you read this:
Be Not Deceived: Knowing about God and Knowing God Are Worlds Apart

Here’s to a grace-filled, God-blessed New Year, and may you know God better in 2022 through the reading of His Word.

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One Great Christmas Verse, Three Incomparable Gifts

Posted on December 25, 2021 by Wayne Davies

Do you have a favorite Christmas verse? Here’s mine.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

 

God the Son left the glorious riches of heaven to lavish us with the priceless and incomparable gifts of His grace.

Here are three of them.

Forgiveness of Our Sins
Zechariah prophesied that his son John the Baptizer would “go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God” (Luke 1:76-77).

To forgive means to cancel a debt. Because of our sin, we have a debt so great we can never pay it off. This is why Jesus taught us to ask God to “Forgive us our debts” (Matthew 6:12). Because God the Son was born to die for those sins, God the Father can cancel that debt. For those who believe in Jesus as their Debt Payer, sufficient payment is made on their behalf and the books of heaven now proclaim “Paid in Full.” Glory to God in the highest for this act of tender mercy!

Rescue from the Wrath of God
After learning that Mary was pregnant (and knowing that he was not the father), Joseph gave serious consideration to divorcing his bride-to-be. But God intervened and spoke to him through an angel who said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).

The name “Jesus” means, literally, “the Lord saves/rescues/delivers.” The apostle John wrote that “The Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14), and Jesus is the only one who can save us from our sins. To be saved means to be rescued from imminent and catastrophic danger. Our repeated violations of God’s law have put us in a most perilous predicament: God’s holiness demands compliance with His perfect standard, and we fall far short. We don’t even come close. In the courtroom of heaven we are guilty as charged, and the sentence has already been announced: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Our depravity deserves God’s just punishment of death — physical death (see Hebrews 9:27), spiritual death (separation from God, see Isaiah 59:2) and the second death (the eternal lake of fire, see Revelation 21:8).

Yes, this is the plight of the unbelieving sinner. But in His infinite wisdom God has provided a way to be rescued from His wrath. Because Jesus suffered and died on the cross, He received the punishment that we deserved. He took our place; He did our time; He paid our fine. And because of His death, those who trust only in Christ for salvation are miraculously delivered from the fire of hell. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Reconciliation with the Father
Our relationship with God has been in disrepair from Day One. We are born in sin, separated from God since the moment we were conceived. We don’t become sinners because we have sinned. Rather, we sin because we are sinners, rotten to the core right out of the gate. What child needs training in unrighteousness?

And so we are in desperate need of reconciliation. And for reconciliation to occur, we need a Mediator, a go-between, someone who can bridge the infinite gulf that exists between us and God. Who is worthy for such a task? Only Jesus! “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Timothy 2:5). Because He is both Man and God, Jesus can stand in the gap. Once again, we see that the death of Christ is the basis for the work of Christ. Because He “gave himself as a ransom,” He pays the price that sets us free from bondage to sin and all its devastating consequences in both this life and the next.

The Apostle Paul explains this reconciliation perfectly: “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Romans 5:10-11).

We were God’s enemies. But because of the death of His Son, we have been reconciled to the Father and now “we have peace with God” (Romans 5:1). We are no longer estranged and alienated from God. We can come into His presence, clothed in the righteousness of Christ. We have unlimited access to our Maker, who reigns from the throne of grace, because Jesus “suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

Rejoice, Christian, rejoice! God the Son left the riches of heaven to lavish us with the priceless and incomparable gifts of His grace. Forgiveness of sins, rescue from God’s wrath, and reconciliation with the Father are awaiting you on Christmas day and forever.

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How to Prepare Your Heart for Christmas

Posted on December 12, 2021 by Wayne Davies

Are you ready for Christmas?

It’s easy to get distracted from the celebration of our Savior’s birth, so I’m always on the lookout for ways to focus on the reason for the season.

Here’s a resource I just discovered yesterday and I’m thanking God for it already.

It’s a 7-day Bible study entitled, Jesus’ Birth: The Story of Christmas. I started reading it last night with the thought, “I’ll check out Day 1 and see what it’s like.” And I ended up reading all seven lessons in one sitting. It’s that good.

Written by Heather Erdmann, this study takes you through the key Christmas passages in Matthew and Luke, with insightful comments and thought-provoking questions to guide you along the way.

Heather is a gifted Bible teacher. I admire and covet her writing style – straightforward and understandable, thorough yet concise. I was impressed with how much truth she can communicate with an economy of words.

Best of all, the focus is on Jesus: who He is and why He came. This is a Christ-centered, Jesus-exalting Bible study that will prepare your heart for Christmas by informing your mind with the truth that enables your spirit to soar with delight at His matchless glory.

And it’s free. Check it out here:
https://www.goodportionlearning.com/jesus-birth-the-story-of-christmas

I suggest you print it out and go through the study over a 7-day period, one lesson each day, either on your own or with your family. If you don’t already do something like this with your loved ones, wouldn’t this be a great time to start a new family tradition? My wife Julie and I are going to do this study together as we prepare for Christmas.

Enjoy! And if you find Heather’s study helpful, let me know by commenting below. Better yet, let Heather know by leaving a comment on her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/GoodPortionLearning/

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An Early Christmas Present for You

Posted on December 8, 2021 by Wayne Davies

With Christmas right around the corner, I’ve decided to give you an early Christmas present – a special sale on all my eBooks.

I’ve decided to lower the price of all my Christian eBooks to 99 cents each. Except for one, which is a freebie (see below).

This sale ends December 13, 2021.

http://www.amazon.com/author/waynedavies/

And if you are looking for affordable Christmas presents for your family and friends, did you know that all seven of my eBooks are also available in paperback?

Here’s a quick overview and what readers are saying:

The Forgotten Bible Reading Method
How to Read and Understand the Bible in 5 Simple Steps
Most Christians rarely, if ever, read the Bible the way this book teaches you.
“This method works! If I had an oil well, I’d give a copy to every ministerial student in the hope they’d teach it to their congregants.”
(See below for the companion Workbook)

Sweeter Than Honey, More Precious Than Gold
Meditations on Psalm 119
This is a study of one of the most beloved chapters in the Bible.
“Without this book I would not have understood as much of Psalm 119 as I did. It was a very helpful, easy to understand study book.”
(See below for the companion Workbook)

Jesus: Who He Is, What He Did, and Why It Matters
A concise study of chapters 1, 2 and 3 of the Gospel of John. This is a great book for skeptics, new believers and those who need to understand the basic yet indispensable truths of the faith.
“Wonderful read! From the moment that I picked this book up, I was drawn into the personal and honest writing style of Mr. Davies. My family and I worked our way through it, gaining some wonderful insights, and not once did my daughters try to shirk this study. Each night offered some great reading & thus some wonderful conversations. This is a great study for families, small groups, or just a couple of friends!”
(Includes Discussion Questions suitable for personal or small group Bible study.)

Jesus: Savior, King, Living Water
An in-depth study of John 4, focusing on the encounter Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. There is so much to learn about Jesus (and ourselves) from this passage!
“The book is rich with biblical sound principles. I appreciate the vast knowledge of the author and for staying true to sound biblical teaching. I was blessed with how the book offered us the tools we need to live a victorious Christian walk. The book is highly recommended and will help believers think while aiding the skeptics to believe.”
(Includes Discussion Questions suitable for personal or small group Bible study.)

The Ultimate Communicator: One Man’s Search for the Meaning of Life
My spiritual autobiography is the story of God’s faithfulness to a rebellious prodigal son.
“I started reading this book early one morning when I didn’t have a lot of time and found it so interesting that I had a hard time putting it down to leave for work.”

7 Deadly Sins of Bible Reading
Common Bible Reading Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
My latest book. Sad to say, but I’ve made all these mistakes. That’s why I wrote this book!
“Insightful and Practical. This book is easy to read as the author has a down to earth style of writing. The insights in the book are valuable and very applicable every single time I read my Bible.”

Top 10 Reasons to Read the Bible Today
The Life-Changing Benefits of Daily Bible Reading
Actually, the Kindle version is free (not 99 cents).
“Worth reading again and again.”
“Excellent book. I found this book extremely helpful in understanding the bible. It made me think about why the bible is so important in our everyday life.”

All seven eBooks have a paperback version, and two of them also have a companion Workbook that is only available in paperback:

The Forgotten Bible Reading Method WORKBOOK
How to Read the Bible in 20 Minutes a Day
This practical guide will enable you to put the “forgotten” Bible reading method to work in your life. (Paperback only.)

Sweeter Than Honey, More Precious Than Gold WORKBOOK
I take you on a journey through Psalm 119 in a most unique way. (Paperback only.)

I trust you find this list helpful. May these books be used by God to draw you closer to Him through time in His Word. Enjoy!

And if you find them useful, please let me know by commenting below or by posting a review on Amazon.

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My Favorite Sermon of 2021

Posted on December 2, 2021 by Wayne Davies

Picking my favorite sermon this year was relatively easy. I am so thankful for the way God teaches me through godly men who proclaim and explain His truth. That happened to me this fall in a powerful way.

I’m a member of Broadway Christian Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. On September 12, 2021, Ryan Cochran, our Senior Pastor, preached a message entitled “Jesus, the Faithful Witness.” Toward the end of the sermon he started commenting on the key characteristics of a faithful witness. Here’s what he said about the first characteristic:

“A faithful witness is someone who is seeking to become like Jesus. The first step in being a faithful witness is seeking to become like Jesus. The most faithful witnesses are not people who rack up the most converts or draw the biggest crowds. None of us are likely to be Billy Graham. There’s only one Billy Graham. We are grateful for him and the work God did through him.  But Billy Graham is not our measure of what it means to be a faithful witness. Our measure is Jesus. Are you becoming more like Jesus? The most faithful witnesses are men and women who are like Him, who over time in their lives, by being with Him, by finding their own way with Scripture and prayer, by being a part of God’s people, are being formed into the image of Jesus and who have been conformed into His likeness. They have become His disciples and followers, and over time become more and more like Him. If we are going to be faithful witnesses to Jesus, our first priority is our relationship with Him and our seeking to become like Him by the help of the Holy Spirit. The more that we are with Him, the more we will know Him; the more that we know him, the more we will be like Him; and the more we are like Him, the better witnesses we will be to Him. The most faithful witnesses are those people who are most like Jesus.”

And then Pastor Ryan said this again:
“The more that we are with Him, the more we will know Him.
The more that we know Him, the more we will be like Him.
And the more we are like Him, the better witnesses we will be to Him.
The most faithful witnesses are those people who are most like Jesus.”

I gotta tell you, this was powerful. It resonated with my heart and mind, big time. I cannot put into words how much it meant to me for my pastor to speak these words.

Over the past few years, my desire to tell people about Jesus has increased. And I thank God for that. I don’t remember asking Him for this desire, but now that I have it, I plead with Him to continue providing it. And I want to know what I need to know and do and read and pray about, so that I can be a faithful witness.

Of all the things that Pastor Ryan could have said, he told me that the most important thing I can do to be a faithful witness is to pursue a life of Christlikeness. Wow. It was like I was the only person in the sanctuary, and he was talking with me one-on-one, as God’s representative, His mouthpiece.

And then it occurred to me that this was the second time God gave me this message of Christlikeness as the key to being a faithful witness. Just a few days before this sermon, I was reading a book by Charles Spurgeon entitled The Soul Winner. Spurgeon was a pastor in London in the late 1800’s. He has also become Christianity’s most prolific author because most of his 3,600 sermons were transcribed and continue to be published as books that are read to this day. The Soul Winner has a chapter called “Godward Qualifications for Soul Winning.” According to Spurgeon, here is qualification #1: holiness of character.

Listen to what he has to say:

“A man who is to be a soul winner must have holiness of character. In God’s school, the teachers must be masters of the art of holiness. If we teach one thing by our lips and another by our lives, those who listen to us will say, “Physician, heal yourself.” “You say, ‘Repent.’ Where is your own repentance? You say, ‘Serve God, and be obedient to His will.’ Do you serve Him? Are you obedient to His will?” God will speak through a fool if he be but a holy man. I do not, of course, mean that God chooses fools to be His ministers; but let a man once become really holy, even though he has but the slenderest possible ability, he will be a more fit instrument in God’s hand than the man of gigantic acquirements, who is not obedient to the divine will, nor clean and pure in the sight of the Lord God Almighty. Dear brethren, I do beg you to attach the highest importance to your own personal holiness. Do live unto God. If you do not, your Lord will not be with you.”

Christlikeness. Personal holiness. Aren’t those synonymous?

Charles Spurgeon wrote his book decades ago, and what he said then, Pastor Ryan was saying to me again over 100 years later. Isn’t God good? I’m so glad He repeats Himself, aren’t you?

Back to Spurgeon’s book. Here’s the complete list of his seven characteristics of a soul winner:
1. Personal holiness
2. Spiritual life to a high degree
3. A humble spirit
4. A living faith
5. Thorough earnestness
6. A focus on the glory of God
7. A complete surrender of yourself to God

Isn’t this amazing? These qualities are all about our character – being like Christ — being holy and alive and humble, filled with faith and sincerity, focused on God’s glory and totally submissive to Him.

Oh my friend, do you see the point here? Do you want to lead people to Jesus? I do. Then the most important thing we can do is to pursue Christ and become like Him. When we follow Jesus, leading others to Him will be the natural result.

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How to Avoid the Most Common Bible Reading Mistakes

Posted on November 28, 2021 by Wayne Davies

I’ve made many mistakes over the years.

Too many to count.

When it comes to reading the Bible, it’s definitely a case of “I wish I knew then what I know now.”

 

After hearing the gospel in high school, I made a profession of faith in Christ as Savior, was baptized, and before long found myself wanting to serve God in full-time Christian service. I spent several years studying the Bible in college and seminary to prepare for the ministry.

I then worked in a church as an Assistant Pastor, and over a two-year period, it all fell apart. I started asking the questions for which I was supposed to have the answers. I came to the realization that I didn’t really believe what I was teaching others to believe. I was a hypocrite of Pharisaic proportions.

What Jesus said of the Jews of His day was true of me: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Matthew 15:8).

What happened here? How could I have spent so much time reading the Bible and then walk away from Jesus, spending the next 20+ years in a spiritual no-man’s land of rebellious apostasy and practical atheism?

There are several ways to answer this question. One major factor was the way I read the Bible. I loved reading the Bible. That’s a good thing, right?

But I did it for the wrong reasons. I liked to accumulate Bible knowledge so I could impress people and dazzle them with my theological prowess. I did it for the praise of Me rather than the praise of God.

I got really good at engaging in a godly behavior (Bible reading) in a most ungodly manner (motivated by pride, self-absorption and self-aggrandizement).

What does the Bible call doing the right thing for the wrong reason? Sin. And it’s a sin of the most deadly kind. Yes, reading the Bible with impure motives can have spiritually devastating consequences, destroying the sanctifying benefits that God wants to give you through His Word.

My latest book is all about reading the Bible in ways that cause spiritual harm to the reader. I call them the 7 Deadly Sins of Bible Reading: Common Bible Reading Mistakes and How to Avoid Them. These Bible reading sins are deadly because they will drain the life of God right out of you, leaving you empty and dry, like a barren stream in seven year Egyptian famine.

But there is hope! God has provided the antidote to each of these mistakes. That’s why this book not only diagnoses the problem, it also presents the solution. You will find out what God has said in His Word that will empower you to avoid each of these Bible reading sins.

Here’s what readers are saying:
“Insightful and practical. This book is easy to read as the author has a down to earth style of writing. The insights in the book are valuable and very applicable every single time I read my Bible.”
— Fay Robertson

“This book brings out important things that we all need. I enjoyed how the author quotes and refers to much Scripture. I found this book to be thus refreshing, encouraging and instructive to what is really so valuable to us as believers.”
— Chris Boyko

“I think the book was well written and meets a critical need in today’s churches. I will use the book as a resource to help me read, understand, and practice the truths of the Bible. Although the book was relatively short, I felt the writer accomplished his purpose and focus with each of the seven deadly sins. The book was practical as the author gave specific instructions on how to avoid the particular sin.”
— Ken Dover

“I learned more about prayer and meditation in relation to reading the Bible. Sometimes, I think of praying and meditating as being separate from the Bible reading. After reading this book, I realize that it goes hand-in-hand. I learned more about the importance of memorizing scripture. My eyes are now opened to many of the suggestions that are in this book and I will now incorporate all of these things and not just read my Bible.”
— Mimi Gallman

Get your copy today in either Kindle or paperback format. The Kindle version is on sale for an introductory price of 99 cents.

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How to Be Like Jesus on Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2021 by Wayne Davies

Would you like to be like Jesus today?

For the true Christian, the answer to that question should be a resounding “Yes!”

After all, the word “Christian” means “little Christ.”

But how can I “be like Christ?” He’s perfect. I’m not. Not even close. Yet this is the clear teaching of Scripture: “This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:5-6).

How can I live “as Jesus did”?

I’d like to offer one simple suggestion: Be like Christ by being thankful.

Do you remember what Jesus did before He fed the 5,000? “Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”  (John 6:10-11)

Jesus gave thanks for the food that was miraculously created to feed 5,000 men (plus women and children). That, of course, is a large quantity of food, especially when you consider that they received “as much as they wanted.”

Yet Jesus took the time to give thanks to His Father for this gift of physical food. He did not take it for granted. He had a grateful heart, and He expressed His gratitude to God.

And do you remember what Jesus did before giving the bread to the Apostles at the last supper? “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ (Matthew 26:26)

And let’s not forget what Jesus did before giving the cup to the Apostles at the last supper.

“Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you.’ (Matthew 26:27)

This is amazing. Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Creator of the universe, took time to say “Thank you” to God for food. Before the feeding of the 5,000 – He gave thanks. And just hours before He would offer Himself as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, He gave thanks for the bread that symbolized His body and the drink that symbolized His blood “which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:27).

Oh that you and I would be like Christ by being thankful for our food and drink. And may we also be thankful for the gift of forgiveness that only His death can provide.

An attitude of gratitude to God is a simple thing, but it is huge. Not only is it the antidote for the contagious diseases of self-pity, discontentment and bitterness, but it is the righteous recognition of the greatness and goodness of God. Christians have ample reason to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Like David, may this be our song:
“But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
For he has been good to me.”
Psalm 13:5-6

May you have a joyful life of Thanksgiving — today, tomorrow, and forever!

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Without Repentance, Nobody Goes to Heaven

Posted on November 21, 2021 by Wayne Davies

What does it take to get to heaven?

A biblical answer to this question would include:
–the grace, mercy, love and justice of God
–the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ
–the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit
–God’s forgiveness of our sins
–justification: God declaring the sinner to be righteous in His sight
–confession of sin
–saving faith in Jesus Christ
–repentance

(This list is certainly not comprehensive. Even as I write this, I’m thinking of other items that could be included, such as election, redemption, adoption, reconciliation, and propitiation. Salvation is a glorious and multi-faceted work of God from start to finish.)

It is the last item above – repentance – that is the focus of this article. When explaining the gospel, it is often overlooked. I don’t think I really understood the essential nature of repentance until about 10 years ago when I read John MacArthur’s book, The Gospel According to Jesus.

I was amazed to learn how often Jesus and the apostles preached and taught the necessity of repentance for both the salvation that occurs at the moment of initial faith as well as the ongoing sanctification that a true believer experiences the rest of his/her life.

Here are four important truths about repentance:
1. Along with saving faith, repentance is required for salvation. Jesus made this crystal clear in Luke 13:3 – “But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” This statement was so important that our Lord repeated it just two verses later in Luke 13:5.

2. Like saving faith, repentance is a gift from God. This is why Peter and the apostles told the Jewish religious leaders that “The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:30-31). In 2 Timothy 2:25, Paul also taught that repentance is a gift – “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.”

3. And like saving faith, the evidence of genuine repentance is a life of righteous behavior and good works. Paul told Agrippa that his ministry consisted of telling both Jews and Gentiles that “they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance” (Acts 26:20).

4. Repentance is a critical part of the gospel message. One of the last things Jesus said to the apostles before His ascension to heaven was this: “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46-48)

5. What is repentance? It is a radical change of attitude toward sin, resulting in remorse over your sin, hatred of your sin and a turning away from your sin to God and His ways.

But a one sentence answer to this question doesn’t do it justice. Much more needs to be said on the topic. That is why I am urging you today to take the time to read a short book entitled Repentance: What It Means to Repent and Why We Must Do So, by J.C. Ryle. (That’s his picture above.) See below to get a free copy.

This book contains the best explanation of repentance I have ever read. J.C. Ryle is known for his clear and concise Bible teaching. I starting reading it a few days ago and could not put it down until I finished it. It is that good. You’ll learn so much in just 64 pages, I recommend that you read it as soon as possible.

You won’t get to heaven without repentance, and J.C. Ryle will tell you precisely what the Bible says about repentance and what you can do to make sure you have it.

You can get a free copy of Ryle’s book in Kindle, PDF and audio formats here:
https://www.anekopress.com/product/repentance-ebook/

 

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Should You Read the Bible When You Don’t Feel Like It?

Posted on November 7, 2021 by Wayne Davies

What do you do when you don’t feel like reading the Bible?

Have you ever had a day like that? I have.

I don’t like it, but sometimes an attitude of spiritual lethargy can dominate my mind and heart. And there’s no other way to describe it – there are times when I have little or no desire to read the Bible and commune with God.

 

Then what? What do you do when this is how you feel?

Let me ask you another question. Have you ever had a day when you didn’t want to go to work? The alarm clock goes off and you have no gas in the tank. You don’t want to do anything but nothing. So you continue to lie there. Maybe you go back to sleep. Or maybe you stumble out of bed and get that first cup of coffee and do what it takes to get the motor going.

I would guess that most of the time, when you don’t feel like going to work, you end up going anyway. And after you get there and start working, you’re fine. It just took a little longer that day to warm up to the idea of working.

I think the same principle applies in the spiritual realm. Feelings are so fickle. If I acted on my feelings all the time, what a mess I would make of my life!

So here’s my answer to the question, “What do you do when you don’t feel like reading the Bible?”

Read it anyway.

“But,” some would say, “if my heart isn’t in it, won’t I be sinning against God?”

Perhaps.

But here’s what usually happens to me. If I don’t want to read the Word, but start doing it anyway, within a few minutes my attitude begins to change, and I find myself having the desire that was missing just moments before. Before long I am enjoying myself and experiencing intimacy with my Father.

How about you? Has this ever happened to you?

The other thought that comes to mind on this topic is this: When you don’t feel like reading the Bible, start praying about that. Confess it to God. Cry out to Him for forgiveness and ask Him to change your attitude and renew your desire. Do you think the Creator of the universe is capable of doing that? I believe so!

Here’s a great prayer for times like this:

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:10-12).

Go to Psalm 51 and make this prayer your own. And guess what – you are now reading the Word, pouring out your heart to the lover of your soul, and entering the presence of King Jesus. How fortunate we are that He rules the universe and our lives from a throne of grace.

Does anything I’ve written here resonate with you? If so, let me know with a comment below. I welcome your feedback.

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