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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How the Bible Re-Energizes Your Soul

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Wayne Davies

Every day I thank God for His Word.

And every day I thank God for the godly people He raises up in the Church to teach His Word.

“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 ESV).

 

God gives pastors and teachers to the Church to minister the Word to us, so we can better understand how to live mature, Christ-like lives.

I read, study and meditate on the Bible by myself every day. And I also sit at the feet of pastors and teachers every day, listening to their sermons and reading their books. That’s why a regular feature of my weekly newsletter is “This Week’s Freebies” – so you, too, can take advantage of the multitude of free and low-cost resources available online to learn more about God in His Word. (To subscribe, visit the home page at www.GodWroteTheBook.com)

Over the past 15 years, many Bible teachers have become mentors for me – John MacArthur, John Piper, R.C. Sproul, J.I. Packer, Ray Comfort and Charles Spurgeon, to name a few.

Today I want to tell you about a man who has helped me understand the Old Testament. His name is Paul House. He’s been a pastor and seminary professor for over 30 years, and is a gifted teacher of God’s truth.

He’s written an article entitled “How Studying the Bible Restores the Soul.” You can access it here:
https://www.crossway.org/articles/how-studying-the-bible-restores-the-soul/

First, he tells you a bit about himself and the different ways he has read the Bible over the years. Then he takes you through Psalm 19 and provides a wonderful overview of what this psalm teaches about the life-changing benefits of daily Bible study. I highly recommend it.

Then, if you want to take a deeper dive into the teaching ministry of Dr. House, do yourself a favor and check out his free course “Understanding the Old Testament” at BiblicalTraining.org. This is an 18-lesson overview of the Old Testament. If you’ve struggled to make sense the first 39 books of the Bible, this course will open your eyes to the big picture of the meaning and significance of what God is doing, from Genesis to Malachi.

Here is the link to the course:
https://www.biblicaltraining.org/understanding-old-testament/paul-house

And be sure to take check out the many resources at www.BiblicalTraining.org. There’s a boatload of excellent online Bible courses available here. And it’s all free.

If you’re new to the site, start with the “Foundations” courses at https://www.biblicaltraining.org/foundations, a group of core Bible classes that form the foundation of Christian living:

Life Is A Journey (Dr. Bill Mounce)
Bible Survey, A Big Screen Perspective (Dr. Bert Downs)
Understanding the Old Testament (Dr. Paul House)
New Testament Overview (Dr. Carl Laney)
52 Major Stories of the Bible (Dr. Bill Mounce)
How to Read Your Bible (Dr. George Guthrie)
Understanding Theology (Dr. Bruce Ware)
Understanding Spiritual Growth (Dr. Stephen Martyn)
Understanding Worship (Dr. Gary Parrett)
Why I Trust My Bible (Dr. Bill Mounce)

Enjoy!

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How to Read (and Write) Your Way into God’s Presence

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Wayne Davies


Do you ever read the Bible and then, in response, write down your thoughts, prayers and praises to God?

Whether you’ve ever done that before or not, why not follow along below as I walk you through a simple exercise of reading, meditating on, and writing down your thoughts on Psalm 8, which says:

“LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens” (Psalm 8:1)

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place . . .” (Psalm 8:3)

Let’s ponder verse 1a and spend time filling our mind and heart with great thoughts about our great God! The Lord is described as “majestic” (NIV). Other translations use words such as “excellent” and “wonderful” and “magnificent.” On and on we could go! Go ahead and write out a prayer of praise and adoration to God for His glorious majesty. It need not be long, but write down as much as you can about the matchless splendor of God’s glory. Pour out your soul to Him as you worship Him.

Verse 1a also tells us that God’s majesty is found “in all the earth.” Spend time meditating on the power and wisdom of God as displayed in our physical world. If you can, take a walk outside and look at creation. (Or bring up some pictures on your computer or phone from the Internet.) Start with what you can see right away in nature: grass and trees and flowers; animals and birds and fish; streams and rivers and lakes and oceans; hills and valleys and mountains. Then spend time praising and thanking God for His incredible greatness as Creator of everything you see. Worship Him as Maker of all! Then write down your words of adoration and offer them to God as a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving per Psalm 50:14, for “the one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me (Psalm 50:22).

This psalm also directs our attention to the skies above. Like David, take time to meditate on the glory of God as displayed “in the heavens” (verse 1b). He continues: “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place” (verse 3). If possible, spend time outside at night, gazing at the moon and the stars, taking in the breathtaking beauty of outer space. Of course, many of us live in urban areas where man-made light obscures the glory of God. If that’s the case, again, use the Internet to view pictures of the stars, or go to your local library and find books that provide photos of the planets and other celestial bodies. Use these visual images to stimulate your worship of the God who made it all by merely speaking the planets and stars into existence! And again, I urge to write down your thoughts about the glory of God as seen in the heavens. May you be filled with awe, and as you lift your eyes to the skies, may He lift your heart into heavenly places, where King Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father.

And if you found this endeavor helpful, let me know by leaving a comment below.

Posted in Attributes of God, Bible reading, Thoughts on the Psalms | Tagged | 2 Comments

What Makes the Bible So Unique?

Posted on October 10, 2021 by Wayne Davies

There is no other book like the Bible. According to 1 Timothy 3:16 (ESV), “All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Only the Word of God is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:15 ESV).

I’ve been reading A.W. Pink’s The Divine Inspiration of the Bible, and thoroughly enjoying it. Chapter 2 is entitled “The Perennial Freshness of the Bible Bears Witness to Its Divine Inspirer.” Here Mr. Pink provides a wonderful explanation of how the Bible is an unlimited treasure chest of truth for the one who reads it.

Here is a paragraph that I found most encouraging:

“The contents of the Bible are never exhausted. Unlike all other books, the Bible never acquires a sameness, and never diminishes in its power of response to the needy soul which comes to it. Just as a fresh supply of manna was given each day to the Israelites in the wilderness, so the Spirit of God ever breaks anew the Bread of Life to them who hunger after righteousness; or just as the loaves and fishes in the hands of our Lord were more than enough to feed the famished multitude – a surplus still remaining – so the honey and milk of the Word are more than sufficient to satisfy the hunger of every human soul – the supply still remaining undiminished for new generations.”

Has this been your experience with the Word of God? (If so, please leave a comment below.)

As I reflect on my own Bible reading, while the degree to which the God satisfies my soul through His Word can vary from day to day, overall, during the past several years, what Mr. Pink says has happened to me. On a consistent basis, God’s Word is a source of unparalleled delight for me. Because of His grace and by the inner working of His Spirit, I can read the Word and find my spirit soaring into His presence. I read the Book and find myself repeatedly in awe of His greatness and goodness. And I am content, satiated with Him because I am meditating on His truth.

And this happens over and over, day after day, year after year. That is what Mr. Pink is stressing here. God’s provision of satisfaction in Him through His Word is “never exhausted.” Furthermore, what God is doing for me, He is doing for countless other believers all over the globe – and He has been doing this work in the hearts of His people for centuries!

Can you also testify to this amazing characteristic of Holy Scripture? (If so, you know what to do, below.)

Not only is the Bible “an inexhaustible mine of wealth,” is it also “a fountain of living water . . . a spring of water which never runs dry. No matter how many may drink from its life-giving stream, and no matter how often they may quench their thirst at its refreshing waters, its flow continues and never fails to satisfy the needs of all who come and take of its perennial springs.”

This is why God is crying out to all who have ears to hear:

“ 1 Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.
Isaiah 55:1-3

What command is repeated three times in the passage above? “Listen, listen to me . . . listen.” The water of life is found by listening to the words of life as revealed in the Word of God. God has made available the one thing that can quench the spiritual thirst of our souls. When we read the Bible we are opening our minds to hear Him speak. His truth then fills our hearts and we find “delight in the richest of fare.” We receive life itself from the Source of Life.

This means that listening to the Word requires effort on our part. It doesn’t just happen. Self-discipline is needed, and Mr. Pink addresses that. “Like earthly treasures, the gems of God must be diligently sought if they are to be found. Potatoes lie near the surface of the ground, but diamonds require much laborious digging, so also the precious things of the Word are only revealed to the prayerful, patient and diligent student.”

Yes, the treasures of God’s Word are free for the taking, “without money and without cost.” Yet they are given only to those who are willing to spend the time and energy required to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear Him speak.

Will you come and listen? Never ending joy awaits you.

For a free PDF of A.W. Pink’s The Divine Inspiration of the Bible, or to read it online at no charge, visit:
https://www.ccel.org/ccel/pink/inspiration.html

The Kindle version of Pink’s book is available for 99 cents here:
https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Inspiration-Bible-Building-Classics-ebook/dp/B082MRGD6T

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