Bible League: Living His Word And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible. Isaiah wrote the book of Isaiah. Jeremiah wrote the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations. Ezekiel wrote the book of Ezekiel. Luke wrote the books of Luke and Acts. There were approximately 40 men who wrote the various books of the Bible over the course of approximately 1600 years. Although there is a diversity of authors, a diversity of writing styles, a diversity of historical contexts, a diversity of perspectives and concerns, God lies behind it all as the ultimate author of the Bible. II Timothy 3:16 says that "All Scripture is breathed out by God." God worked through every author and used their talents, writing styles, and personalities to say what He wanted to be said. Given the human dimensions of the Bible with all its diversity and individuality, one can see why some might chalk up the Bible as being nothing more than a creation of human beings and human traditions. That's why the Apostle Paul thanks God in our verse for today that the Thessalonians received Paul's message as the Word of God, rather than the word of Paul. You can't appreciate the Word for what it is apart from the grace of God. It is by faith that the hearers and readers of the Word accept it as being the Word of God, rather than the words of men. And faith is a gift from God: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). The next time you hear the Word or read the Word ask God to give you the grace necessary to receive it in faith as a Word from God for you. Ask that, like the Thessalonians, the Word would go to work in you forming you into everything God wants you to be. And be sure that, like Paul, you thank God for all of this. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingLeviticus 15, 16, 17 Leviticus 15 -- Cleansing Unhealthy Discharges NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Leviticus 16 -- The Day of Atonement NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Leviticus 17 -- Blood Designated for Atonement, Forbidden as Food NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 27:1-31 Matthew 27 -- Judas Hangs Himself; Jesus' Trial, Crucifixion and Burial NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. Insight God's protection of his people is limitless and can take many forms. David characterized God's care with five military symbols. God is like (1) a rock that can't be moved by any who would harm us, (2) a fortress or place of safety where the enemy can't follow, (3) a shield that comes between us and harm, (4) a horn of salvation—a symbol of might and power, and (5) a stronghold high above our enemies. Challenge If you need protection, look to God. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 1 John 3:1,2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God."Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us." Consider who we were, and what we feel ourselves to be even now when corruption is powerful in us, and you will wonder at our adoption. Yet we are called "the sons of God." What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it brings! What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels towards the son! But all that, and more than that, we now have through Christ. As for the temporary drawback of suffering with the elder brother, this we accept as an honor: "Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." We are content to be unknown with him in his humiliation, for we are to be exalted with him. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." That is easy to read, but it is not so easy to feel. How is it with your heart this morning? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot? Does your faith almost fail you? Fear not, it is neither your graces nor feelings on which you are to live: you must live simply by faith on Christ. With all these things against us, now--in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be--now, as much in the valley as on the mountain, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." "Ah, but," you say, "see how I am arrayed! my graces are not bright; my righteousness does not shine with apparent glory." But read the next: "It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him." The Holy Spirit shall purify our minds, and divine power shall refine our bodies; then shall we see him as he is. Daily Light on the Daily Path Ezekiel 1:26 Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man.1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:7,8 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. • Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, Revelation 1:18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Romans 6:9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. John 6:62 "What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? Ephesians 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, Colossians 2:9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 2 Corinthians 13:4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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