I continue in my daily studies to be guided by Tabletalk magazine. 2018 was a study on the Gospel of John and its straightforward presentation of the person and work of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and other doctrines.
- January 2018 (July 4, 2023 - July 23, 2023) John 1:1-2:22 - The preexistence of Christ, the ministry of John the Baptist and the person of Christ.
- February 2018 (July 24, 2023 - August 10, 2023) John 2:23 - 3:36 - Regeneration and our need to believe in Christ for Salvation
- March 2018 (August 13, 2023 - September 30, 2023) John 4:1 - 5:29 - Christ is the incarnate Son of God
- April 2018 (October 1, 2023 - November 6, 2023) John 5:30 - John 7:36 - Jesus is as necessary to our souls as food is to our body; Jesus teaches in the temple during the Feast of Booths
- May 2018 (November 7, 2023 - December 22, 2023) John 7:37 - John 9:41 - Jesus experiences opposition and there is a sin-motivated resistance people have toward being enslaved to sin.
- June 2018 (December 23, 2023 - January 21, 2024) John 10:1 - 11:57 - Jesus as our shepherd will lay down His life for His sheep, but some won't hear Him. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in order to impact the faith of the disciples.
- July 2018 (January 22, 2024 - March 14, 2024) John 12:1 - 13:20 - Jesus as Savior and Judge; salvation comes to Jesus' disciples and the judgment comes to all who reject Him.
- August 2018 (March 15, 2024 - April 12, 2024) John 13:21 - John 14:31 - Warnings Jesus gave on the night of the Last Supper and the blessed promise of the Holy Spirit.
- September 2018 (April 13, 2024 - May 9, 2024) John 15:1 - John 16:24 - Continuing Christ's Farewell Discourse and the meaning of abiding in Christ, the analogy of the vine and conviction/guidance of the Holy Spirit
- October 2018 (May 10, 2024 - July 19, 2024) John 16:25 - John 17:26 - Seeing Christ as our Intercessor, even on the night He was betrayed, Jesus will pray for His disciple; High Priestly Prayer
- November 2018 (July 20, 2024 - September 10, 2024) John 18:1 - John 19:37 - Consider Jesus' trial before Pilate and Jewish authorities and His crucifixion.
Peter's Misguided Zeal (John 18:10-11) - Peter thinks he is coming to Jesus' rescue, though most likely outnumbered, in pulling out his dagger to cut off a high priest's servants ear, but Jesus tells him to back down, as He is to drink the Cup (of wrath) the Father has for him.
Our Only Infallible Rule - Lord, I admit sometimes it is hard for me to read and understand Your word or maybe it hits me in a way that I realize I am not responding to it in the way I should. Your truth God is there but often it does not become my truth. You Spirit convict me, crush me, search me, sadden me, grip me, chasten me, and humble me, but also comforts me, assures me, exhilarates me, comes to my aid and reminds me of that glorious inheritance secured for me by Christ. I love your word, but sometimes I don't feel like I have to study it thoroughly. But I love to study it, examine it, search it, meditate on it, hide it in my heart and dwell on it. Lord, as I read and study it, help me to shine it in my life. Yes, it overwhelms me at times and there is actually so much that is being said, but I pray it would shine forth in my life.
Where is the Word of God - Lord God, this world, it has so much that is competing for truth. In faith, there are so many different claims of what counts as salvation. It is hard for me to reconcile daily. I feel like I have peace what You are teaching me, but sometimes it is hard to get my thoughts out with others. But I appreciate the challenge as well God. But it remains hard to hear of so many with seemingly similar good intentions and yet they beat to an entirely different drum. Oh God, I thank you for the standard and authority you provide through Your word and how you speak through it. I thank you also for the authors that You have led me to read and study and learn from. Even Adam and Eve when after their own way instead of listening to Your word. And yet Lord, I see so many different interpretations of Your word and passages, almost like it gets twisted to say something we want it to say. Again Lord, it is hard to know what is right sometimes. I keep coming back to Love though. But help me to know whether I am denying your truths. Defining truth seems tricky. Lord, I am thankful for the great access I have to Your word that wasn't present early on till the printing press and people were dependent instead on certain people in the church to help them understand Your word. But, I am thankful for the time and place I am in now. I know I am to only depend on scripture and yet, often there are people that help me to understand this truth and I pray that I am listening to the right people. Lord, I sense a need to look at history and how others have interpreted these truths and not to believe in only those that have come along recently to say, "this is now it." Keep me at churches and under teaching that continue to speak the word of God and scripture alone. Keep me thinking about the messages that have been shared for the last 2,000 years repeatedly.
The Lens of Scripture - God, the world seems to be going backwards at times. Lord, please wake up people to value life in all its forms and value the life you create in people as male and female. Move people away from defining life by themselves, their biases, their sin, making you God into what they want to believe. Keep us ready in season and out of season to the preaching of the Word; keep us sober-minded, enduring suffering, and do the work of an evangelist (2 Tim. 4:1-5). There is a distrust of Scripture that continues to make its way into our lives on this earth. O God keep this distrust out of our churches and out of our pulpits. May we all rightly handle the truth. Sanctify us in the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17).
Interpreting the Bible - The gist of this article is making sure we understand the context, setting, and times of scripture passages as we study them.
Encountering Difficult Passages - God, it is normal for me and others to read scripture and see certain texts as difficult to read and understand. Keep me humble in this even as others ask questions about texts they struggle with that even I might see as clear. Help me to understand that with some passages it will require study to uncover the truth. As I study, make me able to discern truth, picking the right sources for information and not necessarily whatever comes up in a search window on the internet. Help me to not assume always that all sources have the right intention in understanding passages and are focused on what You want me to understand and what is the truth of those passages. Instead allow me to see that the texts of the Bible can be discerned through other texts of the Bible. I can also consult members of the church who have spent time in school and have that wisdom that I am looking for. Help me to stand with those individuals that over time have stood up and their truths continue to be respected. Give me discernment in where and who to seek out. Train me in the use of trusted and reliable resources so that as I encounter difficult passages, I can approach them without fear.
How Jesus Read the Scriptures - O Jesus, I recognize that it is often hard for me to comprehend how You are God and yet lived on this earth as fully man. As a man, I see that you needed to learn the scriptures. You grew up and had experiences. And yet you were filled with wisdom from above. You grew and yet you remained God, but laid aside that to be our representative. You were tempted in the same way I am tempted and I need this to be about You. You saw that the Old Testament writings were about you and written to You. At your baptism, you received words of comfort from God, "You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased" and this comfort carried you through temptations, also fighting back with scriptures. Remind me that Your Word carries this weight in my life, to help me fight back any assaults that come my way. God, you spoke to Jesus your Son and confirmed your relationship to Him and His authority and His divine nature. Jesus, you did all that He commanded You. God, You gave Jesus a mission and He fulfilled it. Jesus read and studied the Old Testament Scriptures and as it was written to Him and about Him. Jesus knew that all the promises of God were made first and foremost of Him. God, you had Jesus experience your wrath on the cross, being brutally scourged, receiving the full cup of wrath. Jesus you knew that everything in the Old Testament writings - types, shadows, symbols - pointed to your saving work/benefits. The Old Testament saints pointed to You, even "Abraham rejoiced that he would see Jesus' day and be glad (John 8:56-58)." Every prophecy was about Jesus. Even the festivals and feasts of the past pointed to Jesus, as Jesus alluded to the year of Jubilee in His first sermon (Luke 4). You Jesus referred to yourself as the bridegroom (Matt 9:15; 25:1-10) to redeem a spiritual bride for Himself. You are the perfect source of wisdom and righteousness for His people. Jesus, you knew you were the Son of David sitting on the throne of God to rule over His people forever. You went to great lengths to redeem Your people. All life and godliness are found in You Jesus and You Alone.
Hermeneutics and the Heart - Lord, there is great joy in studying Your Word, the Bible. In understanding it and in applying it - to love you God and neighbor. Everyday, move me beyond knowledge of Scripture to application, so the Life of Christ is communicated to others, living rightly. Help me to not simply love the text, but to treasure Christ himself and being in intimate fellowship. Guard me against this sinful disposition to love the Word, but not the people. Christ, you are the example to Me that I am to emulate. The study of scripture is relational. Keep me submissive to the God of the text. Help me to be a faithful disciple, to know God and love God, know my neighbor and love my neighbor. I am not to acquire information or knowledge in order to impress others, but to seek deeper communion with my triune God, and then overflow with love, grace and encouragement to those around me - for His glory. This is truly understand scripture.
Loving the Word - O God, the notion of love is complex. You have made it this way. As humans you have created us with a mind as we are rooted in knowledge, and we exercise our will with decision(s), experiencing love in the affections. In love, we love a person and we love all about that person. It is the same with you God, we love you and love all that is about You. And we love your word O God - "Oh, how I love your law! (Psalm 119:97). I love You God by Loving Your Word and reading Your Word. We do this publicly. Jesus entered the synagogue to read from the prophet Isaiah and this continues through the early church and church age. We need this community of reading. And I pray we do this together as a family teaching commandments to children. It is important to read God's word together in the home so Lord lead me to lead our family in this. But, I also thank you for the great love of reading your Word privately. "Oh how I love your law!" Thank you God for the delight found in reading it and understanding it and the anchor it is in my life. My delight is in the Word of God.
The Word Stands Forever - Am reminded of how buildings and structures don't last forever. It is amazing often to find a building that is several hundred years old. Even our laws and standards go by the wayside and don't stand true through the centuries. "But the word of our God will stand forever (Isa. 40:8). Your Word O God lasts forever. This Word God keeps us secure yesterday, today and for all time. It was delivered to the saints of old and it remains applicable today. Let me turn from my sin, trust in Christ, let the Word become flesh in me. I look to the the future and the fulfillment of God's promises. God you have perfect timing. "The world is passing away along the with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever" (I John 2:17). All that You said You will do. There are disappointments in this life but they do not compare to the glory revealed to us.
Mildew and the Cost of Sin - Thank you God for all the books of the Bible and what they can teach me. In Leviticus, you show me that Jesus fulfills the office of the priesthood, fulfills the Day of Atonement, and the year of jubilee, freedom and celebration. You also show me the significance of cleansing oneself. Lord, You are sovereign over all of creation. The earth is Yours Lord. You show me that sin must daily be rooted out in my life as you are Holy and cannot look upon sin. Help me to free myself from sin so that You God, the Most High will reign among my life. Praise be to God that You had Jesus pay the cost of sin on the cross. The cost of sin has been paid on my behalf. God you are therefore with me having granted me the forgiveness of sin.
Hungry for the Word of God - God, your word answers all the important questions about life. Despite the way the world views your Word, irrelevant for our lives and the challenges people are facing, I pray Your people would not be discouraged but instead boldly talk with others about the Bible and speak to how it is the most important book. Help me to speak to this when I speak to seekers or other non-Christians, to value the church, the Bible, and my relationship with Jesus. And be praised and glorified through the fruit that comes from this.
Gospel Benediction - Lord, we speak blessings toward one another when we gather together. The Aaronic benediction is one we voice which says, "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26). This reminds me of my reconciliation and your blessing always God of Your people. You are with us Lord and we have that assurance and ultimately only through faith in You Jesus do I know grace, peace, and God's loving countenance. I am blessed because Jesus was cursed. Jesus loves me. You suffered the unspeakable wrath of God on the cross for me, that by grace through faith I would be fully accepted and the know the Father's smile for eternity.
Enemies of Truth - There are certain names that come to mind as enemies of truth, like Richard Dawkins, but even Christians can be an enemy. Lord, help me not be an enemy of truth. I need to listen to the truth and not refuse to accept it. Listening may require humility, repentance and change. Lord, allow your Words to change us and change those around me. Your word applies to us. Let it be. Lord, help my son not treat your word as an enemy but let it continue to confront him and speak to Him. Expose the sin in my life. Let it not be hidden. Give me a clear picture always of Your Gospel message Let me have always a desire to obey Your Word O God.
State of Theology - This is a survey that Lifeway conducts every 2 years and in this case occurred in 2018 and Ligonier captures these results:
Strength in Weakness - I would like to echo the words of Paul, "when I am weak, then I am strong." Paul experienced a thorn in the flesh. It was to depend on God's grace. It was to keep him being conceited. And we can complete our God given tasks. It is important at times for me to remain weak so I see in glaring light the strength of God. "Apart from him we can do nothing (John 15:5)." Be made perfect in my weakness.
Elders are Not Quarrelsome - Well-exercised authority. "Speak Spirit of the Lord, your word my tongue. You God speak so I rule justly over men, in the fear of God, like the morning light, like the sun shining on a cloudless morning, like rain making grass sprout from the earth. (2 Samuel 23:2-4)" Help me spread blessing and hope over those I serve, "worth of double honor" (I Timothy 5:17), and not quarrel, but be a peaceable person. You are the "God of peace" (Romans 15:33), bringing peace through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, so that I will live in peace with others (Ephesians 2:14). Help me to have "peace with everyone" (Hebrews 12:14) and seeking to live with the "peaceable" wisdom from above (James 3:17), and stand firm in sharing the "gospel of peace" with anyone and everyone (Ephesians 6:15). O Spirit, cultivate fruit in me of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Local Gospel Proclamation - To evangelize is to bring new worshippers into the body of the Church or another name for worshippers is disciples. We gather together at church on the mountaintop of the Lord's immanent presence, and then go out each day to be witnesses of the risen and reigning Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian is a witness of the gospel, the incarnation, virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary atoning death, resurrection, ascension, and present mediatorial reign of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. These truths shape how we think about everything. We are not detached observers of Christ, but people that have experienced Him by the inward work of the Holy Spirit. We believe and live our lives, but we proclaim the message of the Gospel. Christ is at work in the worship but also the witness of His people. Gospel proclamation begins in the church and we participate in the body of Christ, worshipping. Gospel proclamation is committing ourselves to earnest and fervent prayer - Lord, may your word be preached on the Lord's Day; May Your Word bear fruit in the hearts and lives of all who hear it. May the Word bear fruit in our own hearts and lives, making us more effective witnesses of Christ, and we pray that we would proclaim the gospel in the regular routines of daily life. -- We are to love our neighbors as ourselves - Help me to love those around me, to invest in them and their lives, inviting them into our homes and to church. Love them enough to speak to them of Christ. Thank you Christ for being with me.
What Does it Mean to Be Reformed -
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