Sunday, July 29, 2012

July 2012 Bible-Reading Records

Written by Moses

1. Genesis
2. Exodus
3. Leviticus
4. Numbers
5. Deuteronomy

OT Narratives

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

Wisdom Literature

18. Job
19. Psalms (TMB)
20. Proverbs (TMB)
21. Ecclesiastes (HCSB)
22. Song of Songs

Major Prophets

23. Isaiah
24. Jeremiah
25. Lamentations
26. Ezekiel
27. Daniel

Minor Prophets

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

NT Narratives

40. Matthew (NASB) 
41. Mark (NASB)
42. Luke (ESV)
43. John (NASB)
44. Acts (NASB) 

Epistles by Paul

45. Romans (NASB)
46. 1 Corinthians (NASB)
47. 2 Corinthians (NASB)
48. Galatians (NASB, NASB) 
49. Ephesians (NASB, NASB)
50. Philippians (NASB, NASB, TMB)
51. Colossians (NASB)
52. 1 Thessalonians (NASB, ESV, TMB)
53. 2 Thessalonians (NASB, ESV, TMB)
54. 1 Timothy (NASB, ESV, TMB, ESV)
55. 2 Timothy (NASB, ESV, TMB, ESV)
56. Titus (NASB, NASB, TMB, ESV)
57. Philemon (NASB, NASB, TMB, ESV)

General Epistles

58. Hebrews (ESV, TMB)
59. James (ESV, ESV, TMB)
60. 1 Peter (ESV, NASB, ESV, TMB)
61. 2 Peter (ESV, NASB, ESV, TMB)
62. 1 John (ESV, NASB, ESV)
63. 2 John (ESV, NASB, ESV)
64. 3 John (ESV, NASB, ESV)
65. Jude (ESV, NASB, NASB)

Apocalyptic Epistle by John

66. Revelation (ESV)

Readings from July 1 through July 28th.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Week in Review: July 22-28

This week I read

TMB

  • Psalms 107-150
  • Proverbs 24-31
  • Philippians
  • 1 Thessalonians
  • 2 Thessalonians
  • 1 Timothy
  • 2 Timothy
  • Titus
  • Philemon
  • Hebrews
  • James
  • 1 Peter
  • 2 Peter

ESV

  • 1 Timothy
  • 2 Timothy
  • Titus
  • Philemon
  • 1 John
  • 2 John
  • 3 John


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Monday, July 23, 2012

Book Review: Joy in Christ's Presence

Joy in Christ's Presence. Charles Spurgeon. Whitaker House. 208 pages.

I loved this one. I loved the second half a little bit more than the first half, but overall I did love it. Joy in Christ's Presence is a collection of Spurgeon's sermons or teachings.

Mysterious Visits (Psalm 17:3)
Under His Shadow (Psalm 91:1)
Under the Apple Tree (Song of Solomon 2:3)
Over the Mountains (Song of Solomon 2:16-17)
Christ's Delight in His Church (Song of Solomon 4:7)
The Beauty of the Church (Song of Solomon 4:1)
Sweet Fellowship with Christ (John 1:16)
Redeemed Souls Freed from Fear (Isaiah 43:1)
Bonds of Unity (Hosea 11:4)
"I Will Give You Rest" (Matthew 11:28)
Jesus Asleep on a Pillow (Mark 4:38-39)
Real Contact with Jesus (Luke 8:46)
A Word from the Beloved's Mouth (John 13:10)
Comfort and Consolation (John 14:18)
The Sin-Bearer (1 Peter 2:24-25)

I love Spurgeon's passion and vivid imagery. I love how he's able to walk readers through verses and unpack a verse's meaning, making it personal and relevant. I love how direct he is with readers, how he encourages and challenges readers. Joy in Christ's Presence is about having a relationship with God--abiding in Christ, growing in Christ. It is about putting your faith in Christ, coming to know and love Him. It warns against relying on the wrong things. (Just because you go to church doesn't mean you're saved; just because your mother and grandmother were Christians it doesn't mean that you're saved. Saving faith comes not from the company you keep or the money and/or time you donate to good causes.)

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Christian Messages in Country Music

Do you listen to the words of the songs you listen to? Do you ever pay attention to what they're saying or not saying about living life? I've listened to country music off and on most of my life. This summer, I've "found" some great songs--with a message worth listening to.

One song that I just LOVE is George Strait's Three Nails and a Cross. This is a powerful song that says so very much. It is a song about broken people DISCOVERING the grace and love of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. It is a song about redemption, grace, and hope. There are many reasons I love this one, appreciate this one. But one reason is that I love that it shows you don't have to be perfect before you go to Jesus. You go in your brokenness.

Compare this song with Tim McGraw's "Better Than I Used To Be" and there is no question which song has the better message. There are way too many "I's" in Better Than I Used To Be. There's no room for God. People might assume that Christianity is about self-improvement, about working your way to heaven, about trying to do your best and be your best and working and striving to change your life so it's acceptable to God. But. The truth is far different. Self-righteousness is not the answer. All the resolutions to "do better" and "be better" will never make you right with God.

George Strait's "I Found Jesus On the Jailhouse Floor" has also grown on me quite a bit! I think sometimes people might want to keep Jesus locked up inside the church, the sanctuary not wanting to think about Jesus being just as present, just as available in the "low" places--the jails, the prisons, the streets, the bars, etc. But people can find Jesus anywhere, anytime. He can be found by those that seek him. No person is too broken, too lost, too dirty or too guilty. For every need, there is grace--God's grace. "Now, if you’re in trouble friend, let me tell you what to do. I’ll tell you what he’s done for me. And I know what he’ll do for you. It makes no difference what you’ve done. You’ve a friend in the One that I adore. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords. I found Jesus on the jailhouse floor."

One song with troublesome lyrics/message is Kenny Chesney's "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven." Yes, I know it's just a song. But it's more of a party song, party anthem, way too relaxed about matters of the soul. Yes, I know it's just a song. But the philosophy that you can put off "getting right with God" until you've had all your fun, until you've lived this life to the fullest, that you can put off accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior until your death bed, is dangerous. This not now, not now, not now, not now, I couldn't possibly want Jesus in my life now--I want to have fun, I need to have fun, bring on the fun attitude is dangerous. Yes, I know it's just a song. But it's also bad theology. For one gets the impression again and again that GOOD WORKS get you into heaven, that the way into heaven isn't by way of the cross of Christ, but by people deciding to live right, to do the best they can. That by giving up the "women and whiskey and carrying on all night" that you can make amends with God, that heaven's gates will open wide and welcome you right on in. Here's what I mean,
I said, "Preacher maybe you didn't see me throw an extra twenty in the plate. There's one for everything I did last night and one to get me through today. Here's a ten to help you remember next time you got the good Lord's ear. Say I'm comin' but there ain't no hurry I'm having fun down here." 
Tell me does that not sound like he's trying to PAY his way into God's good graces. He's not lost, broken praying for God's mercy and grace. He's not seeking a relationship with the Savior at all. Beyond all that, it adds to the myth that being a Christian means never ever ever ever ever being happy, having fun, taking pleasure in this life. That to be a Christian is to be utterly miserable, because God never ever ever wants us to take delight in anything. But that's not true--not true at all. But here's the thing. This life does matter, and our relationship with Christ matters more than anything. The more we love Christ, the more we treasure Christ, the more we will WANT to experience the fullness of the presence. The more we'll remember that we're not home yet.
Most men hope to go to Heaven when they die; but few, it may be feared, take the trouble to consider whether they would enjoy Heaven if they got there. Heaven is essentially a holy place; its inhabitants are all holy; its occupations are all holy. To be really happy in Heaven, it is clear and plain that we must be somewhat trained and made ready for Heaven while we are on earth. ~ J.C. Ryle, HOLINESS
But alas, how little fit for Heaven are many who talk of going to Heaven when they die — while they manifestly have no saving faith and no real acquaintance with Christ. You give Christ no honor here. You have no communion with Him. You do not love Him. Alas, what could you do in Heaven? It would be no place for you. Its joys would be no joys for you. Its happiness would be a happiness into which you could not enter. Its employments would be a weariness and a burden to your heart. Oh, repent and change before it be too late! ~ J.C. Ryle, HOLINESS 
We must come in the name of Jesus, standing on no other ground, pleading no other plea than this: "Christ died on the cross for the ungodly, and I trust in Him. Christ died for me, and I believe on Him." The garment of our Elder Brother, the righteousness of Christ, this is the only robe which can cover us, and enable us to stand in the light of Heaven without shame. The name of Jesus is the only name by which we shall obtain an entrance through the gate of eternal glory. If we come to that gate in our own names, we are lost, we shall not be admitted, we shall knock in vain. If we come in the name of Jesus, it is a passport and shibboleth, and we shall enter and live. The mark of the blood of Christ is the only mark that can save us from destruction. When the angels are separating the children of Adam in the last day, if we are not found marked with that atoning blood — we had better never have been born. Oh, let us never forget that Christ must be all to that soul who would be justified! We must be content to go to Heaven as beggars, saved by free grace, simply as believers in Jesus, or we shall never be saved at all. ~ J.C. Ryle, HOLINESS
Yes, it's just a song. But as the song concludes, "I think I speak for the crowd." That is what is so worrisome! The thought that this sums up what real people really, truly believe.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Week in Review: July 15-21


Here's what I was able to read this week!

TMB (Third Millennium Bible)

  • Psalms 1-106
  • Proverbs 1-23

NASB

  • 1 Peter
  • 2 Peter
  • 1 John
  • 2 John
  • 3 John
  • Jude

ESV

  • 1 Peter
  • 2 Peter
  • Luke
  • Revelation


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Book Review: Holiness

Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots. J.C. Ryle. (1816-1900). 280 pages.


Holiness by J.C. Ryle may just be one of the BEST, BEST, BEST books ever in terms of Christian living, in terms of examining what it means to be a Christian, to live as Christ would have us to live. It is a timeless book in my opinion. The truths found in this one are just as true now as they were when they were first taught, and they'll be just as true in another century's time. Is it always easy to accept the truth that is right in front of us? Perhaps not. But we would be wise to accept Ryle's challenge to consider, to reflect, to study ourselves to see if we are in the faith, if we do indeed believe on Christ and are trusting in Him to save us. Each chapter of this one offers challenges to readers. Each chapter asks hard questions of readers, asking readers to examine themselves, to test their beliefs, to reflect on their lives and choices. But each chapter also offers hope and compassion. Each chapter invites readers to choose this day Christ, to commit to Christ, to follow Christ, to come to saving faith, to repent and believe. 


The bookends of this collection of sermons or teachings are man's deficiency (sin) and Christ's sufficiency (Christ truly being our ALL in ALL). While the book is mainly about sanctification--what it means to live a holy life, to grow in holiness, to do good works for God's kingdom, to outwardly reflect the inner transformation of the soul, it also discusses justification highlighting how these two truths complement one another. Since these two terms are so easily misunderstood, I would definitely recommend this book for that reason alone! This one is also EXCELLENT at providing portraits of Christ! In other words, many chapters detail and describe Jesus. 


Other subjects covered include grace, love, assurance, prayer, Bible-reading, church life, spiritual warfare, Christ's Lordship, repentance, faith, truth, heaven, hell, the trinity, etc. 


My favorite short quotes from Holiness:
In justification, the word to address to man is believe — only believe. In sanctification, the word must be "watch, pray, and fight!" What God has divided — let us not mingle and confuse.
We will do well to remember that, when we make our own miserably imperfect knowledge and consciousness, the measure of our sinfulness — we are on very dangerous ground.
Sin rarely seems sin at its first beginnings. Let us then watch and pray, lest we fall into temptation. We may give wickednesssmooth names — but we cannot alter its nature and character in the sight of God.
Men will never come to Jesus, and stay with Jesus, and live for Jesus — unless they really know why they are to come, and what is their need. Those whom the Spirit draws to Jesus — are those whom the Spirit has convinced of sin. 
Most men hope to go to Heaven when they die; but few, it may be feared, take the trouble to consider whether they would enjoy Heaven if they got there. Heaven is essentially a holy place; its inhabitants are all holy; its occupations are all holy. To be really happy in Heaven, it is clear and plain that we must be somewhat trained and made ready for Heaven while we are on earth. 
Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture.It is the habit of agreeing in God's judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and  measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.
We must not merely have a Christian name and Christian knowledge — we must have a Christian character also.
No man will ever be anything or do anything in religion — unless he sincerely believes something.
True Christianity will cost one his SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. True Christianity will cost a man his SINS. Also, Christianity will cost a man his love of EASE. Lastly, true Christianity will cost a man the favor of the WORLD. 
A religion which costs nothing — is worth nothing! A cheap, easy Christianity, without a cross — will prove in the end a useless Christianity, without a crown!
A single day in Hell — will be worse than a whole life spent in carrying the cross.
In walking with God, a man will go just as far as he believes, and no further. His life will always be proportioned to his faith. His peace, his patience, his courage, his zeal, his works — all will be according to his faith.
I have often heard of "narrow-minded views," and "old-fashioned notions," and "fire-and-brimstone theology," and the like. I have often been told that "broad" views are needed in the present day. I wish to be as broad as the Bible — neither less nor more. I say that he is the narrow-minded theologian who pares down such parts of the Bible as the natural heart dislikes, and rejects any portion of the counsel of God.
Let us be quick to see grace — and more slow to see imperfections! Let us know that, if we cannot allow that there is grace where there is corruption — we shall find no grace in the world. 
You never did an action, however private — but Jesus saw it. You never spoke a word, no, not even in a whisper — but Jesus heard it. You never wrote a letter, even to your dearest friend — but Jesus read it. You never thought a thought, however secret — but Jesus was familiar with it.     
If a man has no love to Christ — you may be sure he has no saving faith.
An unknown Christ is no Savior.
Ignorance of Scripture is the root of all error, and makes a man helpless in the hand of the devil.
The God of Heaven has sealed and appointed Christ as the one only Savior and way of life, and all who would be saved must be content to be saved by Him, or they will never be saved at all.
My favorite portraits of Christ:
No proof of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, after all, is so overwhelming and unanswerable — as the sufferings and crossof our Lord Jesus Christ, and the whole doctrine of His substitution and atonement. Terribly black must that guilt be, for which nothing but the blood of the Son of God could make satisfaction. Heavy must that weight of human sin be, which made Jesus groan and sweat drops of blood in agony at Gethsemane and cry at Golgotha, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me!" (Matthew 27:46). Nothing, I am convinced, will astonish us so much, when we awake in the resurrection day, as the view we will have of sin, and the retrospect we will take of our own countless shortcomings and defects. Never until the hour when Christ comes the second time, will we fully realize the "sinfulness of sin." Well might George Whitefield say, "The anthem in Heaven will be: What has God wrought!"
There is a remedy revealed for man's need — as wide and broad and deep as man's disease! We need not be afraid to look at sin and study its natureoriginpowerextent and vileness — if we only look at the same time at the almighty medicine provided for us in the salvation that is in Jesus Christ. Though sin has abounded — grace has much more abounded in the everlasting covenant of redemption, to which Father, Son and Holy Spirit are parties; in the Mediator of that covenant, Jesus Christ the righteous, perfect God and perfect Man in one Person; in the work that He did by dying for our sins and rising again for our justification; in the offices that He fills as our Priest, Substitute, Physician, Shepherd and Advocate; in the precious blood He shed which can cleanse from all sin; in the everlasting righteousness that He brought in; in the perpetual intercession that He carries on as our Representative at God's right hand; in His power to save to the uttermost the chief of sinners, His willingness to receive and pardon the vilest, His readiness to bear with the weakest; in the grace of the Holy Spirit which He plants in the hearts of all His people, renewing, sanctifying and causing old things to pass away and all things to become new —in all this (and oh, what a brief sketch it is!) — in all this, I say, there is a full, perfect and complete medicine for the hideous disease of sin!     
The Lord Jesus has undertaken everything that His people's souls require: not only to deliver them from the guilt of their sins, by His atoning death; but from the dominion of their sins, by placing in their hearts the Holy Spirit; not only to justify them — but also to sanctify them. 
Keep before your mind, as an ever-present truth, that the Lord Jesus is an actual living Person, and deal with Him as such. I am afraid that many who profess Christ in our day have lost sight of our Lord's person. They talk more about salvation — than about their only Savior, and more about redemption — than the one true Redeemer, and more about Christ's work — than Christ Himself. This is a great fault — one that accounts for the dry and shriveled spirit that infuses the religious lives of many who profess faith.As ever you would grow in grace, and have joy and peace in believing — beware of falling into this error. Cease to regard the Gospel as a mere collection of dry doctrines. Look at it rather as the revelation of a mighty living Being in whose sight you are daily to live. Cease to regard it as a mere set of abstract propositions and abstruse principles and rules. Look at it as the introduction to a glorious personal Friend. This is the kind of Gospel that the apostles preached. They did not go about the world telling men of love and mercy and pardon in the abstract. The leading subject of all their sermons, was the loving heart of an actual living Christ. This is the kind of Gospel which is most calculated to promote sanctification and fitness for glory. Nothing, surely, is so likely to prepare us for that Heaven where Christ's personal presence will be all, and that glory where we shall meet Christ face to face, as to realize communion with Christ, as an actual living Person here on earth. There is all the difference in the world, between an ideaand a person.
The foundation of the true Church was laid at a mighty cost. It was necessary that the Son of God should take our nature upon Him, and in that nature live, suffer and die, not for His own sins — but for ours. It was necessary that in that nature Christ should go to the grave, and rise again. It was necessary that in that nature Christ should go up to Heaven, to sit at the right hand of God, having obtained eternal redemption for all His people. No other foundation could have met the necessities of lost, guilty, corrupt, weak, helpless sinners. That foundation, once obtained, is very strong. It can bear the weight of the sins of all the world. It has borne the weight of all the sins of all thebelievers who have built on it.  
Infinite power and infinite sympathy are met together and combined in our Savior. If He had been only Man, He could not have saved us. If He had been only God (I speak with reverence), He could not have been "touched with the feeling of our infirmities," nor "suffered Himself being tempted." (Hebrews 4:152:18). As God, He is mighty to save; as Man, He is exactly suited to be our Head, Representative and Friend. Let those who never think deeply, taunt us, if they will, with squabbling about creeds and dogmatic theology. But let thoughtful Christians never be ashamed to believe and hold fast the neglected doctrine of the Incarnation, and the union of two natures in our Savior. It is a rich and precious truth that our Lord Jesus Christ is both "God and Man."
There came a day when sin entered the world. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, and fell. They lost that holy nature in which they were first formed. They forfeited the friendship and favor of God — and became guilty, corrupt, helpless, hopeless sinners. Sin came as a barrier between themselves and their holy Father in Heaven. Had He dealt with them according to their deserts, there would have been been nothing before them but death, Hell and everlasting ruin. And where was Christ then? In that very day He was revealed to our trembling parents as the only hope of salvation. The very day they fell, they were told that the seed of the woman would yet bruise the serpent's head, that a Savior born of a woman would overcome the devil, and win for sinful man, an entrance to eternal life (Genesis 3:15). Christ was held up as the true light of the world, in the very day of the Fall; and never has any name been made known from that day by which souls could be saved, excepting His. By Him, all saved souls have entered Heaven, from Adam downwards; and without Him, none have ever escaped Hell.
There came a time when the world seemed sunk and buried in ignorance of God. After four thousand years, the nations of the earth appeared to have clean forgotten the God who made them. Egyptian, Assyrian, Persian, Grecian and Roman empires had done nothing but spread superstition and idolatry. Poets, historians, philosophers had proved that, with all their intellectual powers, they had no right knowledge of God, and that man, left to himself, was utterly corrupt. "The world, by wisdom, knew not God" (1 Corinthians 1:21). Excepting a few despised Jews in a corner of the earth, the whole world was dead in ignorance and sin. And what did Christ do then? He left the glory He had had from all eternity with the Father, and came down into the world to provide a salvation. He took our nature upon Him, and was born as a man. As a man He did the will of God perfectly, which we all had left undone; as a man He suffered on the cross the wrath of God which we ought to have suffered. He brought in everlasting righteousness for us. He redeemed us from the curse of a broken law. He opened a fountain for all sin and uncleanness. He died for our sins. He rose again for our justification. He ascended to God's right hand, and there sat down, waiting until His enemies would be made His footstool. And there He sits now, offering salvation to all who will come to Him, interceding for all who believe in Him, and managing by God's appointment, all that concerns the salvation of souls.
The Father is merciful, the Son is merciful, the Holy Spirit is merciful. The same Three who said at the beginning, "Let us create," said also, "Let us redeem and save." I hold that everyone who reaches Heaven will ascribe all the glory of his salvation to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three Persons in one God. But, at the same time, I see clear proof in Scripture, that it is the mind of the blessed Trinity that Christ should be prominently and distinctly exalted, in the matter of saving souls. Christ is set forth as the Word, through whom God's love to sinners is made known. Christ's incarnation and atoning death on the cross are the great corner-stone on which the whole plan of salvation rests. Christ is the way and door, by which alone approaches to God are to be made. Christ is the root into which all elect sinners must be grafted. Christ is the only meeting-place between God and man, between Heaven and earth, between the Holy Trinity and the poor sinful child of Adam. It is Christ whom God the Father has sealed and appointed to convey life to a dead world (John 6:27). It is Christ to whom the Father has given a people to be brought to glory. It is Christ of whom the Spirit testifies, and to whom He always leads a soul for pardon and peace. In short, it has "pleased the Father than in Christ all fullness should dwell" (Colossians 1:19). What the sun is in the skies of Heaven — that Christ is in true Christianity.
We must come in the name of Jesus, standing on no other ground, pleading no other plea than this: "Christ died on the cross for the ungodly, and I trust in Him. Christ died for me, and I believe on Him." The garment of our Elder Brother, the righteousness of Christ, this is the only robe which can cover us, and enable us to stand in the light of Heaven without shame. The name of Jesus is the only name by which we shall obtain an entrance through the gate of eternal glory. If we come to that gate in our own names, we are lost, we shall not be admitted, we shall knock in vain. If we come in the name of Jesus, it is a passport and shibboleth, and we shall enter and live. The mark of the blood of Christ is the only mark that can save us from destruction. When the angels are separating the children of Adam in the last day, if we are not found marked with that atoning blood — we had better never have been born. Oh, let us never forget that Christ must be all to that soul who would be justified! We must be content to go to Heaven as beggars, saved by free grace, simply as believers in Jesus, or we shall never be saved at all.
I would definitely recommend this one!!! It is a true must-read, an essential!!! 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Journaling Holiness #3

Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots. J.C. Ryle. (1816-1900). 

This is my third and final 'journal entry' for J.C. Ryle's incredible collection of sermons on Holiness. The first entry. The second entry.

Since July 4th, I've read these chapters: "The Church Which Christ Builds," "Visible Churches Warned," "Do You Love Me?", "Without Christ," "Thirst Relieved," "Unsearchable Riches!", "Needs of the Times," and "Christ is All!".

From "The Church Which Christ Builds"
The true Church of Christ is tenderly cared for by all the three Persons of the blessed Trinity. In the plan of salvation revealed in the Bible God the Father chooses, God the Son redeems and God the Holy Spirit sanctifies every member of Christ's mystical body. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, three Persons and one God, cooperate for the salvation of every saved soul. This is truth, which ought never to be forgotten.

The foundation of the true Church was laid at a mighty cost. It was necessary that the Son of God should take our nature upon Him, and in that nature live, suffer and die, not for His own sins — but for ours. It was necessary that in that nature Christ should go to the grave, and rise again. It was necessary that in that nature Christ should go up to Heaven, to sit at the right hand of God, having obtained eternal redemption for all His people. No other foundation could have met the necessities of lost, guilty, corrupt, weak, helpless sinners. That foundation, once obtained, is very strong. It can bear the weight of the sins of all the world. It has borne the weight of all the sins of all the believers who have built on it.  
So long as the world is the world, and the devil the devil — so long there must be warfare, and believers in Christ must be soldiers. The world hated Christ — and the world will hate true Christians, as long as the earth stands.
From "Visible Churches Warned"
You never did an action, however private — but Jesus saw it. You never spoke a word, no, not even in a whisper — but Jesus heard it. You never wrote a letter, even to your dearest friend — but Jesus read it. You never thought a thought, however secret — but Jesus was familiar with it.       
Of all sights in the church of Christ, I know none more painful to my own eyes, than a Christian contented and satisfied with a little grace, a little repentance, a little faith, a little knowledge, a little charity and a little holiness. I do beseech and entreat every believing soul that reads this tract — not to be that kind of man. If you have any desires after usefulness, if you have any wishes to promote your Lord's glory, if you have any longings after much inward peace — be not content with a little religion.
Let us rather seek, every year we live to make more spiritual progress than we have done; to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus; to grow in humility and self-acquaintance; to grow in spirituality and heavenly-mindedness; to grow in conformity to the image of our Lord.

From "Do You Love Me?"

The true Christian is one whose religion is in his heart and life. It is felt by himself in his heart. It is seen by others in his conduct and life. He feels his sinfulness, guilt and badness — and repents. He sees Jesus Christ to be that divine Savior whom his soul needs — and commits himself to Him. He puts off the old man with his corrupt and carnal habits — and puts on the new man. He lives a new and holy life — fighting habitually against the world, the flesh and the devil. Christ Himself is the cornerstone of his Christianity. Ask him in what he trusts for the forgiveness of his many sins, and he will tell you — in the death of Christ. Ask him in what righteousness he hopes to stand innocent at the judgment day, and he will tell you it is the righteousness of Christ. Ask him by what pattern he tries to frame his life, and he will tell you that it is the example of Christ. But, beside all this, there is one thing in a true Christian which is eminently peculiar to him. That thing is love to Christ. Knowledge, faith, hope, reverence, obedience — are all marked features in a true Christian's character. But his picture would be very imperfect, if you omitted his "love" to his divine Master. He not only knows, trusts and obeys. He goes further than this — he loves.
If a man has no love to Christ — you may be sure he has no saving faith.
The true Christian does not need to be reminded that he has a crucified Master. He often thinks of Him. He never forgets that He has a cause and a people. Affection is the real secret of a good memory in religion. No worldly man can think much about Christ, unless Christ is pressed upon his notice, because he has no affection for Him. The true Christian has thoughts about Christ every day that he lives, for this one simple reason — that he loves Him.
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 comfort of 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.
The heart of a true Christian longs for that blessed day when he will see his Master face to face, and go out no more. He longs to be done with sinning and repenting and believing — and to begin that endless life when he shall see as he has been seen, and sin no more. He has found it sweet to live by faith — and he feels it will be sweeter still to live by sight. He has found it pleasant to hear of Christ and talk of Christ and read of Christ. How much more pleasant will it be to see Christ with his own eyes, and never to leave him any more!
May we never think that we can love Christ too well, live to Him too thoroughly, confess Him too boldly, lay ourselves out for Him too heartily! 


From "Without Christ"
An unknown Christ is no Savior.

There must be a mediator between God and man, and there is but one that can fill the office. That One is Christ. Who are you to talk of God's mercy and God's love — separate from and independent of Christ? There is no such love and mercy recorded in Scripture. Know this day that God out of Christ is "a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29). Merciful He is, beyond all question rich in mercy, plenteous in mercy. But His mercy is inseparably connected with the mediation of His beloved Son Jesus Christ. It must flow through Him as the appointed channel, or it cannot flow at all. It is written "He who honors not the Son, honors not the Father who has sent Him." "I am the way, the truth and the life no man comes unto the Father — but by Me" (John 5:23; 14:6). "Without Christ" we are without God.
There is only one thing can give peace to the conscience, and that is the blood of Jesus Christ sprinkled on it. A clear understanding that Christ's death was an actual payment of our debt to God, and that the merit of that death is made over to man when he believes — is the grand secret of inward peace. It meets every craving of conscience. It answers every accusation. It calms every fear.

From "Thirst Relieved"
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God; but that heart must indeed be cold and dull, which does not feel that some verses are peculiarly rich and full.
From "Unsearchable Riches!"
The more real grace men have in their hearts — the deeper is their sense of sin. The more light the Holy Spirit pours into their souls — the more they discern their own infirmities, defilements and darkness. The dead soul feels and sees nothing; with spiritual life comes clear vision, a tender conscience and spiritual sensibility.
Infinite power and infinite sympathy are met together and combined in our Savior. If He had been only Man, He could not have saved us. If He had been only God (I speak with reverence), He could not have been "touched with the feeling of our infirmities," nor "suffered Himself being tempted." (Hebrews 4:15; 2:18). As God, He is mighty to save; as Man, He is exactly suited to be our Head, Representative and Friend. Let those who never think deeply, taunt us, if they will, with squabbling about creeds and dogmatic theology. But let thoughtful Christians never be ashamed to believe and hold fast the neglected doctrine of the Incarnation, and the union of two natures in our Savior. It is a rich and precious truth that our Lord Jesus Christ is both "God and Man."

From "Needs of the Times!"
The explanation of this boneless, nerveless, jellyfish condition of soul is not difficult to find. To begin with, the heart of man is naturally in the dark about religion, has no intuitive sense of truth — and really needs instruction and illumination. Beside this, the natural heart in most men hates exertion in religion, and cordially dislikes patient painstaking inquiry. Above all, the natural heart generally likes the praise of others, shrinks from collision, and loves to be thought charitable and liberal. The whole result is that a kind of broad religious "agnosticism" just suits an immense number of people, and specially suits young people.
It is a lazy, idle frame of soul which, doubtless, saves men the trouble of thought and investigation; but it is a frame of soul for which there is no warrant in the Bible. For your own soul's sake, dare to make up your mind what you believe, and dare to have positive distinct views of truth and error. Never, never be afraid to hold decided doctrinal opinions; and let no fear of man and no morbid dread of being thought party-spirited, narrow or controversial — make you rest contented with a bloodless, boneless, tasteless, colorless, lukewarm, undogmatic Christianity.
Ignorance of Scripture is the root of all error, and makes a man helpless in the hand of the devil.

From "Christ is All!"

Christ is the mainspring both of doctrinal and practical Christianity. A right knowledge of Christ is essential to a right knowledge of sanctification as well as justification. He who follows after holiness will make no progress unless he gives to Christ His rightful place. I began the volume with a plain statement about sin. Let me end it with an equally plain statement about Christ.
Can we wonder that the Lord Jesus, in His preaching, should continually draw lessons from the book of nature? When He spoke of the sheep, the fish, the ravens, the corn, the lilies, the fig tree, the vine, He spoke of things which He Himself had made.
There came a day when sin entered the world. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, and fell. They lost that holy nature in which they were first formed. They forfeited the friendship and favor of God — and became guilty, corrupt, helpless, hopeless sinners. Sin came as a barrier between themselves and their holy Father in Heaven. Had He dealt with them according to their deserts, there would have been been nothing before them but death, Hell and everlasting ruin. And where was Christ then? In that very day He was revealed to our trembling parents as the only hope of salvation. The very day they fell, they were told that the seed of the woman would yet bruise the serpent's head, that a Savior born of a woman would overcome the devil, and win for sinful man, an entrance to eternal life (Genesis 3:15). Christ was held up as the true light of the world, in the very day of the Fall; and never has any name been made known from that day by which souls could be saved, excepting His. By Him, all saved souls have entered Heaven, from Adam downwards; and without Him, none have ever escaped Hell.
There came a time when the world seemed sunk and buried in ignorance of God. After four thousand years, the nations of the earth appeared to have clean forgotten the God who made them. Egyptian, Assyrian, Persian, Grecian and Roman empires had done nothing but spread superstition and idolatry. Poets, historians, philosophers had proved that, with all their intellectual powers, they had no right knowledge of God, and that man, left to himself, was utterly corrupt. "The world, by wisdom, knew not God" (1 Corinthians 1:21). Excepting a few despised Jews in a corner of the earth, the whole world was dead in ignorance and sin. And what did Christ do then? He left the glory He had had from all eternity with the Father, and came down into the world to provide a salvation. He took our nature upon Him, and was born as a man. As a man He did the will of God perfectly, which we all had left undone; as a man He suffered on the cross the wrath of God which we ought to have suffered. He brought in everlasting righteousness for us. He redeemed us from the curse of a broken law. He opened a fountain for all sin and uncleanness. He died for our sins. He rose again for our justification. He ascended to God's right hand, and there sat down, waiting until His enemies would be made His footstool. And there He sits now, offering salvation to all who will come to Him, interceding for all who believe in Him, and managing by God's appointment, all that concerns the salvation of souls.
In every part of both Testaments Christ is to be found — dimly and indistinctly at the beginning, more clearly and plainly in the middle, fully and completely at the end — but really and substantially everywhere. Christ's sacrifice and death for sinners, and Christ's kingdom and future glory, are the light we must bring to bear on any book of Scripture we read. Christ's cross and Christ's crown are the clue we must hold fast — if we would find our way through Scripture difficulties. Christ is the only key which will unlock many of the dark places of the Word. Some people complain that they do not understand the Bible. And the reason is very simple. They do not use the key. To them the Bible is like the hieroglyphics in Egypt. It is a mystery, just because they do not know and employ the key.
The Father is merciful, the Son is merciful, the Holy Spirit is merciful. The same Three who said at the beginning, "Let us create," said also, "Let us redeem and save." I hold that everyone who reaches Heaven will ascribe all the glory of his salvation to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three Persons in one God. But, at the same time, I see clear proof in Scripture, that it is the mind of the blessed Trinity that Christ should be prominently and distinctly exalted, in the matter of saving souls. Christ is set forth as the Word, through whom God's love to sinners is made known. Christ's incarnation and atoning death on the cross are the great corner-stone on which the whole plan of salvation rests. Christ is the way and door, by which alone approaches to God are to be made. Christ is the root into which all elect sinners must be grafted. Christ is the only meeting-place between God and man, between Heaven and earth, between the Holy Trinity and the poor sinful child of Adam. It is Christ whom God the Father has sealed and appointed to convey life to a dead world (John 6:27). It is Christ to whom the Father has given a people to be brought to glory. It is Christ of whom the Spirit testifies, and to whom He always leads a soul for pardon and peace. In short, it has "pleased the Father than in Christ all fullness should dwell" (Colossians 1:19). What the sun is in the skies of Heaven — that Christ is in true Christianity.
We must come in the name of Jesus, standing on no other ground, pleading no other plea than this: "Christ died on the cross for the ungodly, and I trust in Him. Christ died for me, and I believe on Him." The garment of our Elder Brother, the righteousness of Christ, this is the only robe which can cover us, and enable us to stand in the light of Heaven without shame. The name of Jesus is the only name by which we shall obtain an entrance through the gate of eternal glory. If we come to that gate in our own names, we are lost, we shall not be admitted, we shall knock in vain. If we come in the name of Jesus, it is a passport and shibboleth, and we shall enter and live. The mark of the blood of Christ is the only mark that can save us from destruction. When the angels are separating the children of Adam in the last day, if we are not found marked with that atoning blood — we had better never have been born. Oh, let us never forget that Christ must be all to that soul who would be justified! We must be content to go to Heaven as beggars, saved by free grace, simply as believers in Jesus, or we shall never be saved at all.
The true way to be strong — is to realize our weakness, and to feel that Christ must be all. The true way to grow in grace — is to make use of Christ as a fountain for every minute's necessities. We ought to employ Him as the prophet's wife employed the oil — not only to pay our debts — but to live on also. We should strive to be able to say, "The life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (2 Kings 4:7; Galatians 2:20).
But alas, how little fit for Heaven are many who talk of going to Heaven when they die — while they manifestly have no saving faith and no real acquaintance with Christ. You give Christ no honor here. You have no communion with Him. You do not love Him. Alas, what could you do in Heaven? It would be no place for you. Its joys would be no joys for you. Its happiness would be a happiness into which you could not enter. Its employments would be a weariness and a burden to your heart. Oh, repent and change before it be too late!
The God of Heaven has sealed and appointed Christ as the one only Savior and way of life, and all who would be saved must be content to be saved by Him, or they will never be saved at all.
Learn, I entreat you, to look more and more at the great object of faith, Jesus Christ, and to keep your mind dwelling on Him. So doing you would find faith and all the other graces grow, though the growth at the time might be imperceptible to yourself.







© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Book Review: The Kingdom

The Kingdom. Bryan Litfin. 2012. Crossway. 448 pages.

From the prologue: The rulers of the earth took counsel together, and the Pact they made defined the centuries to come. 

The Kingdom concludes the Chiveis Trilogy by Bryan Litfin. The first two novels in the series are The Sword and The Gift. The trilogy has an interesting premise. It explores a post-apocalyptic Europe beginning several centuries after "the end of the world as we know it." In this world, Christianity has both fallen into decay (just naturally--slowly but surely--been forgotten with the passing of each generation) and been outlawed. In the first novel, Ana and Teo discovered--by chance--a copy of the Old Testament. This presumably being the only known copy in existence. The two learn that it is only the first half of the Sacred Writings. And, of course, they WANT to find the second half, the second testament. But they hardly know where to begin. But just because their knowledge is incomplete, doesn't mean that they aren't eager--very, very eager--to share what they do know. For this is the first they've heard of a Creator God--Deu or Deus, as they call Him. And they're drawn to Him, trusting in Him, in His goodness, in his justice, in his righteousness. Teo in addition to being an incredibly brave, strong, oh-so-handsome soldier, is, of course an extremely brilliant scholar who speaks two or three languages, at least--including some of the ancient languages. Chiveis is the country (nation) where they both live. But it is immoral and corrupt. And the 'state religion' is idolatrous. The High Priestess, let's say, LOVES power, and loves the control she has over others. She's definitely into cruelty and torture. So when Teo and Ana begin spreading the good news--what they know of it--she is most displeased. The two end up being exiled. The second novel follows the two after their exile. Their true mission (which they sometimes forget about) is to find the New Testament, the Second Testament. This second novel introduces readers to two or three other countries or regions. It introduces at least one or two new villains to the general story, and, essentially has hundreds of pages worth of torture for the reader to endure alongside the characters. The bad news? They find the New Testament only to lose it to their enemy. The good news? The message and content of the New Testament is NOT lost after all. The book concludes with Teo hard at work translating this one into several different languages so they can spread the good news to all countries and nations. Which brings us to the third novel....

...Ana and Teo have finally, finally admitted they have feelings for one another. And they've finally found a community of believers who are eager to share in their work in evangelism. Actually, Ana and Teo fit into their already-present community. Teo may have many qualities to be a leader--of sorts--in the Christian community, since he's so brilliant and can translate the New Testament in just a few short months into several different languages, but he's not trying to take the role of the Papa in Roma. This novel begins with the couple preparing to be separated for many months--Teo seeking to travel to another country in search of Knights of the Cross, to see if they still remember what "the cross" means, to see if they are still loyal to the Papa. What Teo learns in his journeys--and what Ana learns as well--is that WAR is coming, that there are powers that be coming together united in hatred for the Christian faith.

How do I feel about The Kingdom? How do I feel about the trilogy? Well, I'm not sure there's an easy answer. It does have an interesting premise, in a way. And the books do give me something to think about. But. The characters annoy me just as often as they satisfy me. And essentially all three books are high on torture and "intense" situations that seem like desperate this-is-it close calls. Perhaps because of the high-frequency of these dramatic moments, perhaps because the characters always seem to come away safe, I never truly worried. I was also annoyed with the "romance" in this one. I felt Ana's love for Teo strained her common sense at times, and the same with Teo. Because Teo was so in love with Ana, he had his stupid moments.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: The Last Hunger Season

The Last Hunger Season. Roger Thurow. 2012. PublicAffairs. 304 pages.

The Last Hunger Season: A Year in an African Farm Community on the Brink of Change by Roger Thurow is an interesting nonfiction book focusing on the work of the One Acre Fund in several villages in Kenya. One Acre Fund works with small-holder farmers. (While some farm one acre; many of the farmers chronicled in this book, farm half an acre.) Farmers purchase seeds and fertilizer from One Acre Fund, and they are taught and trained to farm efficiently. For example, they are taught to plant in straight lines, to put one seed per hole, to plant each seed a set distance apart. The seeds provided are of 'better' quality and yield higher harvests.

While it's true much of this one focuses on agriculture, on farming, it is equally true that it is about poverty in general, about the cycle of poverty. It is about families having to make difficult choices on how to spend what money they do have. Is it more important to buy food for the family, or to pay for your child's education, or to pay for medicine and medical treatment for your family? Is it more important to invest in the future or in the present? What is the wisest use of your money? Do you spend your money on cows, goats, sheep, chickens, hoping that you'll be able to get your money back with eggs, milk, selling offspring? When do you sell your harvest? Do you sell at harvest time when the price is lowest but the need for money is greatest? Or do you hold out and try to wait for higher prices?

The Last Hunger Season is about politics and economics and the philosophies behind foreign aid. I was slightly confused at times by this one. Though it could be me misunderstanding what the book actually says. But at times I thought the book was wanting to challenge people to change the way they think about "helping" Africa. Advocating organizations that teach and instruct and enable people to take care of themselves, to become independent and able to provide for themselves and their families, to break the cycle of poverty, to NOT be so dependent on foreign aid or foreign charity. That it was "better" that  the participants think of this as a true loan--something that they will be responsible for paying back, that the money they borrow to farm the land is a debt to be repaid. That it would be better to teach Kenyans how to feed Kenyans than to rely on foreign countries providing food--importing food. That it would be better for the future, better for everyone, if small-holders in Africa were enabled to really, truly farm. But at the same time, the book let its politics be known. (Let's just say that Republicans aren't treated kindly.)

This one was way too political for me. I did not care for some aspects of it.

I did find one aspect of it very fascinating, however. Education. The fundamental importance of education. How people view education as being the one thing that can save the future, the one thing they can put their hope in. Displaying the sacrificial love required to invest in the education of children.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible