Sunday, June 30, 2013

June Reflections

Books I read in June:

  1. The Christian Atheist: Believing in God But Living As If He Doesn't Exist. Craig Groeschel. 2010. Zondervan. 256 pages.
  2. Awesome Bible Verses Every Kid Should Know...And What They Mean. Rebecca Lutzer. 2013. Harvest House. 111 pages.
  3. The Book of Revelation. Adapted by Matt Dorff. Translated by Father Mark Arey and Father Philemon Sevastiades. Illustrated by Chris Koelle. 2012. Zondervan. 192 pages.  
  4. Love's Unfolding Dream. Janette Oke. 1987. Bethany House. 240 pages. 
  5. The Holy Spirit: Who He Is and What He Does. R.A. Torrey. Edited by Harold J. Chadwick. Bridge Logos. 343 pages. 
  6. In The Steps of the Master. H.V. Morton. 1934. 416 pages.  
  7. Creature of the Word. Matt Chandler, Eric Geiger, Josh Patterson. 2012. B&H. 256 pages.
  8. The Pilgrim's Progress. John Bunyan. 1678. 185 pages? 
  9. Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark. J.C. Ryle. 384 pages. 
  10. Name Above All Names. Alistair Begg and Sinclair B. Ferguson. 2013. Crossway. 192 pages. 
  11. Children's Favorite Bible Stories. Compiled by Tama Fortner. Illustrated by Natalie Carabetta. 2012. Thomas Nelson. 432 pages.  
  12. The Glory of Heaven: The Truth About Heaven, Angels, and Eternal Life. John MacArthur. 1996/2013. Crossway. 224 pages.
  13. Done: What Most Religions Don't Tell You About the Bible. Cary Schmidt. 2005. Striving Together Publications. 114 pages.
  14. The Cure: The Divine RX for the Body of Christ: Life Changing Love. Harry Kraus, M.D. 2008. 188 pages. 

I met my goals for reading Colossians and Revelation.

My goal for June is to read OR listen to at least ten sermons!

1) No, No, No! [Romans 8:1-39] Mike Abendroth, Bethlehem Bible Church
2) THE chapter in the Bible [Romans 5:1-21] Mike Abendroth, Bethlehem Bible Church
3) Three Severe Tests for An Authentic Ministry, Just Thinking, Ravi Zacharias, five parts, aired June 17-21
4) The Shocking Message of John 3:16 by John MacArthur
5) The Kingly Priesthood of The Saints by Charles Spurgeon
6) Christ's Indwelling Word by Charles Spurgeon
7)
8)
9)
10)

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Quarterly Bible Reading Check-In




Written by Moses

1. Genesis (RV 1885)
2. Exodus
3. Leviticus (ESV)
4. Numbers (NEB)
5. Deuteronomy (NEB)

OT Narratives

6. Joshua
7. Judges
8. Ruth (NKJV)
9. 1 Samuel
10. 2 Samuel
11. 1 Kings (ESV)
12. 2 Kings (ESV)
13. 1 Chronicles (ESV)
14. 2 Chronicles (NEB)
15. Ezra (NEB)
16. Nehemiah (NEB)
17. Esther (NEB)

Wisdom Literature

18. Job (NEB)
19. Psalms (NASB)
20. Proverbs (ESV, NEB)
21. Ecclesiastes (ESV, NEB)
22. Song of Songs (NEB)

Major Prophets

23. Isaiah (ESV)
24. Jeremiah
25. Lamentations
26. Ezekiel
27. Daniel

Minor Prophets

28. Hosea
29. Joel
30. Amos
31. Obadiah
32. Jonah
33. Micah
34. Nahum
35. Habakkuk
36. Zephaniah (ESV)
37. Haggai (ESV, NEB)
38. Zechariah (ESV, NEB)
39. Malachi (ESV, NEB)

NT Narratives

40. Matthew (ESV, NEB, NKJV)
41. Mark (ESV, NEB, RV 1885)
42. Luke (ESV, NEB)
43. John (ESV, NEB, RV 1885) 
44. Acts (ESV, NEB)

Epistles by Paul

45. Romans (NEB, NASB)
46. 1 Corinthians (ESV, NEB)
47. 2 Corinthians (ESV, NEB)
48. Galatians (ESV, NEB, RV 1885)
49. Ephesians (ESV, NEB, REB,  RV 1885)
50. Philippians (ESV, NEB, RV 1885)
51. Colossians (ESV, NKJV, NEB, RV 1885, KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, ESV, ESV, HCSB, HCSB,  KJ21, HCSB, HCSB, NASB, 1599 Geneva, NIV, KJV, ESV, NKJV, NKJV, ESV, NASB, NIV, KJV, NASB, ESV, NASB, HCSB, NLT, NASB)
52. 1 Thessalonians (ESV, NEB, KJ21) 
53. 2 Thessalonians (ESV, NEB, KJ21)
54. 1 Timothy (ESV, NEB)
55. 2 Timothy (ESV, NEB)
56. Titus (ESV, NEB)
57. Philemon (ESV, NEB) 

General Epistles

58. Hebrews (ESV, NEB)
59. James (ESV, NEB)
60. 1 Peter (ESV, NEB, RV 1885)
61. 2 Peter (ESV, NEB, RV 1885)
62. 1 John (KJV, ESV, NEB, RV 1885)
63. 2 John (KJV, ESV, NEB, RV 1885)
64. 3 John (KJV, ESV, NEB, RV 1885)
65. Jude (ESV, NEB, RV 1885) 

Apocalyptic Epistle by John

66. Revelation (KJV, ESV, NEB, KJV, RV 1885, GNT, NASB, NKJV, NKJV, ESV, NIV, KJV)




© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Week In Review: June 23-29

CEB:

  • Colossians

NLT:

  • Colossians

ESV:

  • Colossians (2)

NASB:

  • Psalm 90-150
  • Colossians (3)

HCSB

  • Colossians


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Friday, June 28, 2013

Quotes on Prayer

As a parent, I'd much prefer my young children to climb up into my lap and speak honestly. "Daddy, I'm afraid of the dark. Would you help me?" Imagine the same child standing before me, addressing me thus: "Grand Omnipotent Father of the Household, I beseech your presence. Great provider of all I have, grant me thy presence through the long watches of the night, for lingering fears beset me--verily, until dawn's first rays at last light my heart with hope." Odd picture. But that's exactly how many of us pray to our heavenly Father--or think we have to pray. (Craig Groeschel, The Christian Atheist, 81-2)
There is nothing in which we need to take so many lessons as in prayer. There is nothing of which we are so utterly ignorant when we first begin; there is nothing in which we are so helpless. And there is nothing else that we are so bad at all our days. We have an inborn, a constitutional, a habitual, and, indeed, an hereditary dislike of prayer, and of everything of the nature of prayer. We are not only ignorant here, and incapable: we are incorrigibly and unconquerably unwilling to learn. And when we begin to learn we need a lesson every day, almost every hour. (Alexander Whyte, LORD Teach Us to Pray, 257)
Now it is necessary to know, and ever to keep in mind, that prayer is the all-comprehending name that is given to every step in our return to God. True prayer, the richest and the ripest prayer, the most acceptable and the most prevailing prayer, embraces many elements: it is made up of many operations of the mind, and many motions of the heart. (Alexander Whyte, Lord Teach Us to Pray, 185)
I have often said that prayer and praise are like the breathing in and out of air and make up that spiritual respiration by which the inner life is instrumentally supported. We take in an inspiration of heavenly air as we pray; we breathe it out again in praise unto God from whom it came. If, then, we would be healthy in spirit, let us be abundant in thanksgiving. Prayer, like the root of a tree, seeks for and finds nutriment; praise, like the fruit, renders a revenue to the owner of the vineyard. Prayer is for ourselves; praise is for God. Let us never be so selfish as to abound in the one and fail in the other. (Charles Spurgeon, The Practice of Praise, 93)
Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin will choke prayer. ~ J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion
Prayer is both the easiest thing to do and the hardest thing we will ever do. There is so much against our prayer life. For one, the enemy of man's soul despises the power of prayer and so, with everything he can muster, he will discourage our prayer life. (A.W. Tozer, Preparing for Jesus' Return, 198) 
Concerning wandering thoughts in prayer.
YOU tell me nothing new: you are not the only one that is troubled with wandering thoughts. Our mind is extremely roving; but as the will is mistress of all our faculties, she must recall them, and carry them to GOD, as their last end.
When the mind, for want of being sufficiently reduced by recollection, at our first engaging in devotion, has contracted certain bad habits of wandering and dissipation, they are difficult to overcome, and commonly draw us, even against our wills, to the things of the earth.
I believe one remedy for this is, to confess our faults, and to humble ourselves before GOD. I do not advise you to use multiplicity of words in prayer; many words and long discourses being often the occasions of wandering: hold yourself in prayer before GOD, like a dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man’s gate: let it be your business to keep your mind in the presence of the LORD. If it sometimes wander, and withdraw itself from Him, do not much disquiet yourself for that; trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the mind, than to re-collect it; the will must bring it back in tranquillity; if you persevere in this manner, GOD will have pity on you.
One way to re-collect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquillity, is not to let it wander too far at other times: you should keep it strictly in the presence of GOD; and being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.
I have told you already at large, in my former letters, of the advantages we may draw from this practice of the presence of GOD: let us set about it seriously and pray for one another. ~ Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God, 8th letter
Prayer is what we need to be taught. And though in its beginnings prayer is so simple that even a small child can pray, it is at the same time the highest and holiest work to which anyone can rise. It is fellowship with the unseen and most holy One. ~ Andrew Murray, Teach Me To Pray
 If He has said much about prayer, it is because He knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord's mercy show thee thy misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father's face, and live in thy Father's love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of His love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, "Continue in prayer." ~ Charles Spurgeon, Morning, January 2
Oh, let us be a praying people, and let this year--and all our years--be saturated with prayers to the Lord of all power and all good. (John Piper, Pierced by the Word, 51-52)
What would your prayers look like if you believed that the cross really was the measure of God's compassion for someone? (J.D. Greear, Gospel, 171)
We cannot work miracles as He did; in this He stands alone. But we can walk in His steps, in the matter of private devotion. If we have the Spirit of adoption, we can pray. Let us resolve to pray more than we have done hitherto. Let us strive to make time, and place, and opportunity for being alone with God. Above all, let us not only pray BEFORE we attempt to work for God, but pray also AFTER our work is done. (J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark) 
Let us name all whom we love before God continually. Let us pray for all — the worst, the hardest, and the most unbelieving. Let us continue praying for them year after year, in spite of their continued unbelief. God's time of mercy may be a distant one. Our eyes may not see an answer to our intercession. The answer may not come for ten, fifteen, or twenty years. It may not come until we have exchanged prayer for praise, and are far away from this world. But while we live, let us pray for others. It is the greatest kindness we can do to any one, to speak for him to our Lord Jesus Christ. (J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark) 
Heart-prayers are the prayers He loves to hear.  (J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark) 
True prayer may be described as the soul rising from earth to have fellowship with heaven. ~ Charles Spurgeon, Treasury of David, Psalm 25
We can no more pray too much than we can love too much. (Victor Hugo, Les Miserables, 69)
The true Christian finds no difficulty in speaking to his Savior. Every day he has something to tell Him, and he is not happy unless he tells it. He speaks to Him in prayer every morning and night. He tells Him his needs and desires, his feelings and his fears. He asks counsel of Him in difficulty. He asks comfortof Him in trouble. He cannot help it. He must converse with his Savior continually, or he would faint by the way. And why is this? Simply because he loves Him. (J.C. Ryle, Holiness)

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Book Review: The Christian Atheist

The Christian Atheist: Believing in God But Living As If He Doesn't Exist. Craig Groeschel. 2010. Zondervan. 256 pages.

Hi, my name is Craig Groeschel, and I'm a Christian atheist. For as long as I can remember, I've believed in God, but I haven't always lived like he exists. Today my Christian Atheism isn't as large of a problem as it once was, but I still struggle with it. Like a recovering alcoholic careful never to take sobriety for granted, I have to take life one day at a time.

The Christian Atheist reminded me a good deal of Erwin Lutzer's Ten Lies About God and How You Might Already Be Deceived. Except it might be about the lies you're telling yourself about your life or faith. Stephen Charnock said several centuries ago, "A God forgotten is as good as no God to us." That definition is almost as good as Groeschel's own.

The twelve chapters:

  • When You Believe in God But Don't Really Know Him
  • When You Believe in God But Are Ashamed Of Your Past
  • When You Believe in God But Aren't Sure He Loves You
  • When You Believe in God But Not in Prayer
  • When You Believe in God But Don't Think He's Fair
  • When You Believe in God But Won't Forgive
  • When You Believe in God But Don't Think You Can Change
  • When You Believe in God But Still Worry All the Time
  • When You Believe in God But Pursue Happiness at Any Cost
  • When You Believe in God But Trust More in Money
  • When You Believe in God But Don't Share Your Faith
  • When You Believe in God But Not In His Church

The book's greatest strength is its casualness, its openness; this nonfiction book is very reader-friendly. The book deals with a variety of subjects. Every single reader will be in a different place in his/her life, and the book, I believe, will minister accordingly. I think this book will meet the needs of readers. I think some chapters will definitely speak to readers. It just won't be the same chapter(s) for every reader. I think this can be a good thing. It is hard to outgrow a book like that.

I suppose one could argue that the book is so simple, so basic, that it shares nothing new with readers. But that isn't taking into account that sometimes people need someone to tell them OBVIOUS truths. Sometimes the person in need is the last to see what is "obvious" to others.

I felt the author came across as friendly--concerned, certainly, but friendly and not judgmental or condescending. The book is more a conversation, of sorts, than being talked at or preached at.

Perhaps the book's biggest weakness is its reliance more on stories and testimonies than on sharing Scriptures. Many of the theological books I read are saturated in Scripture--rich in God's Word. They speak truth, proclaim truth, teach truth--from the Word itself. The focus is perhaps more on God and less on our lives, our experiences, our trials and temptations. This book is focused on humanity, in a way. It places great value on human testimonies of their experiences with God. The theme of some chapters seem to be that you do God the greatest service when you share your stories about God, your testimonies, your answered prayers, your miracles with others. Tell of what God has done for you. People may be equally moved by seeing God working in your life than in hearing the gospel itself.

Favorite quotes:
Belief isn't the same as personal knowledge. For many people, the very idea that you could know God on a relational level seems unlikely, unrealistic, unattainable. (33)
When we let shame control our actions, we cannot know God, because we cannot live our lives for him. Christian Atheists may live as if God doesn't exist because, in their cycle of shame, it doesn't seem as if he does. (51)
We Christian Atheists can easily believe that God loves other people; we just can't comprehend how or why he'd love us. We hide our real selves from other people to ensure they won't reject us. How much more we hide from God! (60)
Christian Atheists believe in God and even believe that God loves people, but always other people, who are less sinful or more important. (65)
As a parent, I'd much prefer my young children to climb up into my lap and speak honestly. "Daddy, I'm afraid of the dark. Would you help me?" Imagine the same child standing before me, addressing me thus: "Grand Omnipotent Father of the Household, I beseech your presence. Great provider of all I have, grant me thy presence through the long watches of the night, for lingering fears beset me--verily, until dawn's first rays at last light my heart with hope." Odd picture. But that's exactly how many of us pray to our heavenly Father--or think we have to pray. (81-2)
When we're told to pray for those who've hurt us, I'm convinced our prayers are as much for ourselves as they are for the offender...my prayers for others may or may not change them. But my prayers always change me. (119)
Many Christian Atheists live year after year under the illusion that we simply can't change. Once we've forgiven ourselves for past mistakes, some surrender to present problems, never even hoping to overcome them. We may openly, even proudly, believe in God, but we honestly don't believe he can change us. (126)
The challenge is that many believe heaven is the default destination when, in fact, the opposite is true....if we embraced the reality that many are traveling toward an eternal hell and few are on the road to eternal life, don't you think we'd overcome some of our Christian Atheism and reach out to those who are walking on the broad path? (202)
God is not calling us to go to church; he is calling us to be his church, the hope of the world. (221)

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Mount TBR June Checkpoint


I've read fourteen books out of twenty-four.

I think Tozer has been my favorite author read for this challenge. Though I adore J.C. Ryle as well. The two books that have been on my shelves the longest are: The Radical Cross and Desiring God.

What I Read:
1. Preparing for Jesus' Return. A.W. Tozer
2. How You Can Be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity with God. Erwin Lutzer. 
3. One Minute After You Die. Erwin Lutzer. 
4. Your Eternal Reward. Erwin Lutzer. 
5. Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Tullian Tchividjian. 2011. Crossway. 220 pages.
6. Desiring God. John Piper. 
7. All of Grace. Charles Spurgeon.
8. The Holy Spirit by R.A. Torrey
9. The Gospel of Matthew by J.C. Ryle
10. The Gospel of Mark by J.C. Ryle
11. The Radical Cross by A.W. Tozer
12. Christ the Eternal Son by A.W. Tozer
13. Everlasting Righteousness by Horatius Bonar
14. Words to the Winners of Souls by Horatius Bonar

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Awesome Bible Verses Every Kid Should Know (2013)

Awesome Bible Verses Every Kid Should Know...And What They Mean. Rebecca Lutzer. 2013. Harvest House. 111 pages.

Hi, kids!
The Bible is like a huge treasure chest, full of wonderful truths that help us in many ways. The Bible tells us about God, how we began, the world, how we should behave, and how we can please God. It teaches us what is wrong and what is right, corrects us when we are wrong, encourages us to do the right thing, comforts us when we're sad, and tells us about Jesus and how much He loves us. God gave us the Bible because He loves us and wants us to know Him. 

Awesome Bible Verses Every Kid Should Know would be a great resource for parents willing to memorize verses alongside their children. There are thirty-four entries in the book. But each entry features more than one memory verse. Parents may or may not want to have their children trying to memorize more than one verse at a time, so parents could choose to break down each entry so that it lasts for two weeks. Or they could choose just one of the listed memory verses for a particular subject.
The subjects covered include:

  • God
  • Creation
  • Jesus
  • The Holy Spirit
  • The Bible
  • The Devil and the Armor of God
  • Angels
  • The Ten Commandments
  • Sin
  • The Savior (John 3:16,17; Acts 2:23-24; Romans 5:8-9)
  • Forgiveness
  • Redemption (Job 19:25; Ephesians 1:7-8; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
  • Salvation
  • Justification (Romans 5:1-2; Romans 8:33-34)
  • Obedience
  • Discipline
  • Conscience
  • Temptation
  • Guarding Your Mind
  • Anger
  • Discernment
  • Friendship
  • Character and Courage
  • The Fear of the Lord
  • Worry
  • Grace
  • Giving Thanks
  • Death and Grief
  • Heaven
  • Honesty
  • Prayer and Peace
  • Accepting Ourselves
  • Getting Along With Others
  • Jesus's Return

Some entries have multiple verses. For example, "God," has four verses: Psalm 77:13, Psalm 90:2, Isaiah 40:25, 28, John 1:18. Sin, on the other hand, only has two verses: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:12, 23. Each subject/entry is introduced in a short paragraph. Each entry features a "what do I think," a "what God wants me to know," and a "look at it this way." The "what do I think" section is essentially imagining ways kids might relate to in a verse, how they might react to a verse, questions they might have. The "what God wants me to know" sections, on the other hand, focus on listing [absolute] truths that can be drawn from reading and understanding a particular passage. These are doctrinal truths or positions. "Look at it this way" is a section with a story. Each entry ends in a prayer you can read aloud with a child.

The book is simple, easy to understand. The "what God wants me to know" sections can be really great at making theological concepts understandable--very reader-friendly. The entries are concise. The book doesn't list every single verse in the Bible about any given subject!

I think this book will be most successful when parents and kids do the lessons together and both memorize.
What God Wants Me to Know...[about Redemption, p. 44]
1. Everyone is born into the slave market of sin. As sinners, we cannot pay for our own sin. God requires a payment that is impossible for us to make.
2. God could not accept money for our redemption. Jesus paid the complete price of redemption by dying on the cross and shedding His blood.
3. Jesus could pay our price and die in our place because He was part of the human family. God the Father could accept the payment Jesus made for us. The high price Jesus paid for us is proof that He loves us very much.
4. The blood of Jesus Christ is much more valuable than gold and silver. It is so precious and costly that God the Father accepted Jesus' death on the cross as a full payment for our sins. While He was dying on the cross, Jesus said, "Paid in full." [Note: he really said, It is finished, John 19:30]
5. This is called redemption. It is the free gift of salvation from our sins. We don't have to work hard to earn it. All we have to do is accept it.
6. We have been bought by Jesus, so now we belong to Him. Being redeemed does not mean that we don't sin anymore, but it does mean that we do not have to give in to temptation. Now we are free to obey and serve Jesus Christ.
Look At It This Way....[Redemption, p. 45]
A young boy once built a toy boat to float on a small lake near his house. He spent a lot of time putting it together, painting it, and testing it to make sure it could float. One day a breeze blew the boat to the far side of the lake. He searched for it carefully but couldn't find it, and soon it became dark. A week later he was walking along the street of his small town when he noticed his boat for sale in the window of a thrift shop. He went inside the shop and explained that the boat was his and that he had made it. But the store owner insisted that he had bought the boat from a man who had brought it to the store. The boy wanted it back so badly that he paid for it himself. Later he said, "The boat is mine twice--once because I made it, and a second time because I bought it." We belong to God because He created us. But now we also belong to God in a special way because He redeemed us. 


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Thirty Years of Legacy


Legacy, which was originally released in 1983, has some of Card's best songs on it:

  • Love Crucified Arose (inspired by John 20:1-22)
  • Now That I've Held Him In My Arms (inspired by Luke 2:25-35)
  • The Voice of the Child (inspired by Luke 2:41-52)
  • This Must Be the Lamb (inspired by Matthew 27:32-56)
  • Dragonslayer (inspired by Genesis 3:15)
  • Abba Father (inspired by Romans 8:15)
  • El Shaddai (inspired by Genesis 22:1-19; Exodus 14:13-31; Genesis 16:7-13; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25)
  • God Will Provide a Lamb (inspired by Genesis 22:1-19)
  • Livin' We Must Die  
  • Tell the World That Jesus Loves You

It was later released on CD. It is also available as an mp3 album. I love how God-centered, cross-centered the songs are! These songs are doctrinally rich! If I had to narrow it down to a handful of favorites, I'd say, "Tell The World That Jesus Loves You," "El Shaddai," and "Love Crucified Arose."

From Livin' We Die:

They sell you a thousand creeds
But you know they're as worthless
As the withered weeds
And as their preaching all of the while
The devil is standing with his backward smile
Cause there's just one Truth
And there's just one Way
And He's a person not a plan
He's not a cold denomination
He's a livin' breathin' man

From Love Crucified Arose:

 Long ago, He blessed the earth
Born older than the years
And in the stall the cross He saw
Through the first of many tears

A life of homeless wandering
Cast out in sorrow's way
The Shepherd seeking for the lost
His life, the price He paid

Love crucified arose
The risen One in splendor
Jehovah's sole defender
Has won the victory

Love crucified arose
And the grave became a place of hope
For the heart that sin and sorrow broke
Is beating once again


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Favorites So Far


  1. Preparing for Jesus' Return. A.W. Tozer, James Snyder, ed. 2012. Regal. 211 pages.
  2. One Perfect Life. John MacArthur. 2013. Thomas Nelson. 520 pages. 
  3. The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor's Journey Into Christian Faith. Rosaria Champagne Butterfield. 2012. (September 2012). Crown and Covenant. 150 pages. 
  4. The Gospel Focus of Charles Spurgeon. Steven J. Lawson. 2012. Reformation Publishers. 145 pages.  
  5. The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected. Nik Ripken. 2013. B&H. 384 pages. 
  6. Crucifying Morality: The Gospel of the Beatitudes. R.W. Glenn. 2013. Shepherd Press. 128 pages.
  7. God's Power For Your Life: How the Holy Spirit Transforms You Through God's Word. A.W. Tozer. Edited by James L. Snyder. 2013. 224 pages. 
  8. Gospel: Recovering the Power That Made Christianity Revolutionary. J.D. Greear. Foreword by Timothy Keller. B&H Books. 266 pages.  
  9. Name Above All Names. Alistair Begg and Sinclair B. Ferguson. 2013. Crossway. 192 pages. 
  10. The Glory of Heaven: The Truth About Heaven, Angels, and Eternal Life. John MacArthur. 1996/2013. Crossway. 224 pages.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

My Year with Spurgeon: Week 25

There is a potency in harmony; there is a magic power in melody, which either melts the soul to pity, or lifts it up to joy unspeakable. I do not know how it may be with some minds; they possibly may resist the influence of singing; but I cannot. ~ Charles Spurgeon, "The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints"
They who stand before the throne sing of the Lamb—the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who took the book and broke the seals thereof—“ Thou hast made us kings and priests unto our God.” In heaven they do not sing “Glory, honor, praise, and power Be unto ourselves for ever; We have been our own Redeemers;—Hallelujah!” They never sing praise to themselves; they glorify not their own strength; they do not talk of their own free-will and their own might; but they ascribe their salvation, from beginning to end, to God. Ask them how they were saved, and they reply, “The Lamb hath made us what we are.” ~ Charles Spurgeon, The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
Some persons on earth do not know where to put the crown; but those in heaven do. They place the diadem on the right head; and they ever sing—“ And he hath made us what we are.” ~ Charles Spurgeon, The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
There is not a sin against me in God’s book they have all been for ever obliterated by the blood of Christ. and cancelled by his own right hand. ~ Charles Spurgeon, The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
The cross of Jesus is the foundation of the glory of the saints; Calvary is the birth-place of heaven; heaven was born in Bethlehem’s manger; had it not been for the sufferings and agonies of Golgotha we should have had no blessing. ~ Charles Spurgeon, The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
Let every mercy come to you as a blood-bought treasure; value it because it comes from him; and ever more say, “Thou hast made us what we are.” ~ Charles Spurgeon, The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
Believe all the Bible says of a glorious future, but I cannot pretend to be a maker of charts for all time. Only this I gather as a positive fact, that the saints will one day reign on the earth. ~ Charles Spurgeon, The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Monday, June 24, 2013

Taking Off


This post will focus on Colossians 3:12-17. (ESV is in use throughout)

Before you can put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience...
Before you can bear with one another and be forgiving...
Before you can stop complaining and start loving, there is something you need to do...

Read Colossians 3:8-10 which speaks of "putting away" or taking off the old...

You've got to take off your anger, take off your wrath, take off your malice, take off your slander, take off your obscene talk, take off your lying nature.

It's not "good enough" to try to put compassion on top of anger, or, kindness on top of wrath, etc. Trying to put on "new clothes" on top of the old just doesn't work. The idea is silly. But do we try to do this spiritually? Do we try to do this again and again? Do we find the idea of stripping down our old selves, shedding our old familiar sins, ways, and habits so scary that we fail to address the issue? Do we try to fool ourselves and others by dressing up?

I'm reminded of the scene in Voyage of the Dawn Treader where Aslan is stripping away the dragon skin of Eustace. Before he can be a boy again, the dragon has got to go. And I imagine it's scary and a painful. But does that mean Eustace would choose to stay a dragon forever so he can avoid that pain? Isn't the God-implanted new-self always better, always worth it?

But HOW is this accomplished? How is it done? How do you go from one to the other? I believe the answer is given to us in Colossians 3:16-17: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY. Have you thought about that? About what that means? It means perhaps, KNOWING, as well as "believing." It means to be filled with the Spirit. It means knowing the Book and the Author of the Book. It means living life purposefully, intentionally, with God at the center. To live like you know he is there, right there with you. To take joy in his nearness.

Psalm 73:23-28

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works. 

Other verses: Psalm 119:9-11; Psalm 119:15-16; Psalm 119:27-28; Psalm 119:37; Psalm 119:89-90; Psalm 119:103; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:111;  Psalm 119:130; Psalm 119:151; Psalm 119:160;

Open yourself to God; surrender to Him; seek Him; REJOICE in Him.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Book Review: Done

Done: What Most Religions Don't Tell You About the Bible. Cary Schmidt. 2005. Striving Together Publications. 114 pages.

I'll start with the good news. The main premise of this book is that salvation is by grace alone. That the Christian life is not DO. The true Christian life is DONE. Yes, done. All done by Christ. There is not one thing to be added to his work. Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ascension has DONE it all. Everything that needed doing was done by another--by Christ--on our behalf. His work has been credited to us, unworthy though we may be.

The book is seeker-friendly, intentionally designed to speak to a non-Christian audience.

While I agreed with the main premise, I found the rest of this one to be theologically hit and miss. Sometimes I agreed. Sometimes I strongly disagreed.

What annoyed me most with this one is the overuse of the word "most." The author was making plenty of generic claims--or proclamations--using the word MOST; statements that aren't qualified, aren't proven, aren't backed up by anything. "Most preachers" or "Most churches" or "Most Christians" or "Most religions." They were using these "most" claims to argue that the concept of a grace-based salvation is new; that this truth has been lost, misplaced, buried, suppressed, withheld, etc. That "most churches" don't preach this truth because they don't want you to know about grace because they thrive on works. If the author were to be more specific, if he were perhaps to pick a label--a denomination--to go with these statements I'd be less skeptical. The truth is that GRACE--while sometimes misunderstood by some individuals--has been taught and proclaimed--often passionately, often with great zeal--for centuries. The true gospel--Salvation BY GRACE ALONE--can be found plenty of places; found in plenty of books, plenty of sermons, plenty of tracts, plenty of songs, plenty of personal testimonies.

I think his statements about how "most" churches don't want you to know what is in the Bible bothered me the greatest.

Quotes:
The true message of the Bible is DONE. In other words, everything necessary to restore you to God and bring you into eternal life with Him has already been DONE.
Would you like to know where you are headed after you die? If there were a way to know for sure where you would spend eternity, wouldn’t you want to know?
These are weighty questions, but the Bible answers them all very clearly. The message isn’t so much hidden, as ignored or rewritten to fit the religious agendas of men. When you take the Bible at face value, the way God intended it to be taken, it all adds up!
It’s not about jumping high enough, it’s about admitting that we can’t jump high enough, and then trusting in someone more powerful than ourselves to lift us high enough!
Even religions that claim to “believe in Jesus” seem to teach that He only paid for part of our sin. Many teach that there is still much that you must DO to make atonement for your sin—as though Jesus made partial payment and you have to make the rest. This simply isn’t the message of the Bible. Jesus paid it all! DONE.
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Week in Review: June 16-22

NKJV

  • Colossians (2)
  • Revelation

ESV

  • Colossians
  • Revelation

NASB

  • Psalm 73-89
  • Colossians

NIV

  • Luke 1-2
  • Colossians
  • Revelation

KJV

  • Colossians
  • Revelation

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Friday, June 21, 2013

Book Review: The Pilgrim's Progress (1678)

The Pilgrim's Progress. John Bunyan. 1678. 185 pages?


I've read Pilgrim's Progress a few times now. There are scenes that I absolutely love in this classic allegory. However, there are plenty of scenes in between those scenes that I love.

Christian, our hero, is on a faith journey; when we first meet him, he is burdened down with a pack on his back, a pack of sin and shame, a true burden. But having read the Bible and listening to Evangelist, he repents, believes, and starts on his way to Celestial City. He travels via the Wicket Gate, there being just one way of course. He's given specific instructions on what to do, where to go, warned of special dangers, given certain promises. One of the things he is given is a key--the promises of God--a key that will open any door he needs. 

Along the way, he meets other people. Each person has a special significant name much like his own. For example: Obstinate, Pliable, Formalist, Hypocrisy, Lord Hate-good, Ignorance, Atheist,  etc. (You would think that he would after learning the name of the individual be a little more careful or discerning?) Each place has a name as well: City of Destruction, Slough of Despond, Valley of Humiliation, Vanity Fair, By-Path Meadow, Doubting Castle, The Celestial City, etc.

If there is one thing that Pilgrim's Progress is rich in, it is instruction. Yes, it is a dream-allegory. We're reminded time and time again that Christian is dreaming. But it is a very instructional often didactic dream. I have a few favorite scenes in this one. I love seeing Christian and Hopeful in Doubting Castle, I do. The reason? Well, I love how they "solve" this problem. I also love it near the end when Christian finally takes the time to hear Hopeful's testimony. True, Christian's questions to his friend sound a bit like a catechism, but, I love reading Hopeful's responses.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Book Review: Expository Thoughts on Mark

Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark. J.C. Ryle. 384 pages.

I shared quotes in two previous posts about J.C. Ryle's commentary on the gospel of Mark. One post covering Mark 1-8; a second post covering Mark 9-16. I would love it if readers would take the time to read through the quotes. I feel this book to so rich in gospel truth. A truly amazing read!!! I love, love, love Ryle's writing. He's so readable, so passionate, so bold. He says what needs to be said, yet, he says it with grace and compassion. I think everyone should give Ryle a try! And Mark is the shortest gospel, so this commentary which is broken down into daily-sized portions would be PERFECT. 

Here are SIXTEEN REASONS to give J.C. Ryle a try. 

Mark 1
All of us are by nature born in sin and children of wrath, and all need to repent, be converted, and born again, if we would see the kingdom of God. All of us are by nature guilty and condemned before God, and all must flee to the hope set before us in the Gospel, and believe in it, if we would be saved. All of us, once penitent, need daily stirring up to deeper repentance. All of us, though believing, need constant exhortation to increased faith.
Mark 2
Our grand reason for our faith, and practice, should always be, "Thus it is written in the Bible." "What says the Scripture?" We should endeavor to have the word of God on our side in all debatable questions... Let us however remember, that if we are to use the Bible as our Lord did, we must know it well, and be acquainted with its contents. We must read it diligently, humbly, perseveringly, prayerfully, or we shall never find its texts coming to our aid in the time of need. To use the sword of the Spirit effectually, we must be familiar with it, and have it often in our hands. There is no royal road to the knowledge of the Bible. It does not come to man by intuition. The book must be studied, pondered, prayed over, searched into, and not left always lying on a shelf, or carelessly looked at now and then. It is the students of the Bible, and they alone, who will find it a weapon ready in hand in the day of battle.
Mark 3
Nothing justifies separation from a church but the separation of that church from the Gospel.
Mark 4
Religious light is not given to a man for himself alone, but for the benefit of others. We are to try to spread and diffuse our knowledge. We are to display to others the precious treasure that we have found; and persuade them to seek it for themselves. We are to tell them of the good news that we have heard, and endeavor to make them believe and value it themselves.
Mark 5
How incredible it is that we do not hate sin more than we do! Sin is the cause of all the pain and disease in the world. God did not create man to be an ailing and suffering creature. It was sin, and nothing but sin, which brought in all the ills that flesh is heir to. It was sin to which we owe every racking pain, and every loathsome infirmity, and every humbling weakness to which our poor bodies are liable. Let us keep this ever in mind. Let us hate sin with a godly hatred.
Mark 6
We cannot work miracles as He did; in this He stands alone. But we can walk in His steps, in the matter of private devotion. If we have the Spirit of adoption, we can pray. Let us resolve to pray more than we have done hitherto. Let us strive to make time, and place, and opportunity for being alone with God. Above all, let us not only pray BEFORE we attempt to work for God, but pray also AFTER our work is done.
Mark 7
Let us name all whom we love before God continually. Let us pray for all — the worst, the hardest, and the most unbelieving. Let us continue praying for them year after year, in spite of their continued unbelief. God's time of mercy may be a distant one. Our eyes may not see an answer to our intercession. The answer may not come for ten, fifteen, or twenty years. It may not come until we have exchanged prayer for praise, and are far away from this world. But while we live, let us pray for others. It is the greatest kindness we can do to any one, to speak for him to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 8
There are few surer marks of an unconverted heart, than carelessness and indifference about the souls of others.
Mark 9
It is not possible to say too much about Christ. But it is quite possible to say too little about hell.
Mark 10
We must never forget that Jesus feels love and compassion for the souls of the ungodly. Without controversy He feels a distinguishing love for those who hear His voice and follow Him. They are His sheep, given to Him by the Father, and watched with a special care. They are His bride, joined to Him in an everlasting covenant, and dear to Him as part of Himself. But the heart of Jesus is a wide heart. He has abundance of pity, compassion, and tender concern even for those who are following sin and the world.
Mark 11
But never let us forget that the crowning fact in all we know of Jesus Christ, is His death upon the cross. From that death flow all our hopes. Without that death we would have nothing solid beneath our feet. May we prize that death more and more every year we live; and in all our thoughts about Christ, rejoice in nothing so much as the great fact that He died for us!
Mark 12
Not least, let us teach our children to value the Bible. The very best portion we can give them, is a knowledge of the Scriptures.
Mark 13
The second coming of Christ shall be utterly unlike the first. He came the first time in weakness, a tender infant, born of a poor woman in the manger at Bethlehem, unnoticed, unhonored, and scarcely known. He shall come the second time in royal dignity, with the armies of heaven around Him, to be known, recognized, and feared by all the tribes of the earth. He came the first time to suffer — to bear our sins — to be reckoned a curse — to be despised, rejected, unjustly condemned, and slain. He shall come the second time to reign — to put down every enemy beneath His feet — to take the kingdoms of this world for His inheritance — to rule them with righteousness — to judge all men, and to live for evermore.
Mark 14
Let us live in the daily recollection that our Savior is one day coming back to this world. Let the Christ in whom we believe, be not only the Christ who died for us and rose again — the Christ who lives for us and intercedes — but the Christ who will one day return in glory, to gather together and reward His people, and to punish fearfully all His enemies.
Mark 15
May we never rest until we can say by faith, "Christ is mine. I deserve hell. But Christ has died for me, and believing in Him I have a hope of heaven."
Mark 16
Finally, let us never forget, that Christ's believing Church in the world is of itself a standing miracle. The conversion and perseverance in grace of every member of that Church, is a sign and wonder, as great as the raising of Lazarus from the dead. The renewal of every saint is as great a marvel as the casting out of a devil, or the healing of a sick man, or the speaking with a new tongue. Let us thank God for this and take courage. The age of spiritual miracles is not yet past. Happy are they who have learned this by experience, and can say, "I was dead, but am alive again — I was blind, but I see."

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible