Attributes of God

Today I am recommending to you a DVD teaching series called ATTRIBUTES OF GOD. Steven J. Lawson covers this huge topic in sixteen twenty-three minute lectures. He does a GREAT job. His sermons are anything but boring, the topic couldn't be more fascinating--the study of God himself.

Introduction
The Aseity of God
The Spirituality of God
The Sovereignty of God
The Holiness of God
The Omnipresence of God
The Omniscience of God
The Omnipotence of God
The Immutability of God
The Truthfulness of God
The Wisdom of God
The Goodness of God
The Grace of God
The Love of God
The Foreknowledge of God
The Wrath of God

All the sermons are really good and worth your time. But I have to say that the last five sermons are outstanding. There are some sermons that are absolute musts in my opinion.



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Week in Review: April 9-15

NIV-Tozer

• Deuteronomy
• 2 Samuel
• 1 Kings
• 2 Kings
• Jeremiah
• Lamentations
• Ezekiel
• John
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John
• Revelation

KJV Reformation Bible

• Genesis 1-15
• Joshua 1-4
• Matthew 1-4
• Jude

KJV

• Matthew 19-28

RSV

• Matthew 19-28

NIV-1984

• Matthew 19-28

NIV-UK Audio

• Matthew 19-28
• Mark

NKJV

• Matthew 19-28

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Bible Review: NIV Tozer Bible

Pursuit of God Bible -- NIV. 2013. 1587 pages. [Source: Gift]

I have spent the last six or so weeks reading what I call the NIV TOZER BIBLE. This Bible is the NIV (2011) translation of the Bible. It features excerpts from the works of A.W. Tozer. Some excerpts are half-page articles. Other excerpts are much shorter. But whether large or small, these quotes provide readers--believers--of all ages food for thought. Whether you agree with Tozer 100% or 10%, his passion--his zeal--will get you THINKING deeply about spiritual matters.

I love that this Bible is black letter--not red letter. I love that it's in paragraph format--instead of verse, verse, verse. I love that the pages are actually much thicker than your average Bible. The quality of the paper is one of the BEST things about this Bible. The font is a tiny bit small--for me--but it is still readable. Overall, the design is reader-friendly.

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Tozer quotes. I do. I am loving all three features:

• "On Scripture" Over 365 selections add depth and insight to a particular verse's application for the believer.
• "Reflections" More than 100 excerpts that apply the deep meaning of the Christian faith to everyday life.
• "Challenges" Nearly 100 entries that exhort the reader to resist complacency in particular areas of one's "living out" in the world.

If you would follow on to know the Lord, come at once to the open Bible expecting it to speak to you. Do not come with the notion that it is a thing which you may push around at your convenience. It is more than a thing, it is a voice, a word, the very Word of the living God. ~ A.W. Tozer

God's words are not for me to edit and tinker with, but to believe and obey. ~ A.W. Tozer

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Here I Stand

Here I Stand. A Life of Martin Luther. Roland H. Bainton. 1950. 336 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: On a sultry day in July of the year 1505 a lonely traveler was trudging over a parched road on the outskirts of the Saxon village of Stotterheim. He was a young man, short but sturdy, and wore the dress of a university student. As he approached the village, the sky became overcast. Suddenly there was a shower, then a crashing storm. A bolt of lightning rived the gloom and knocked the man to the ground. Struggling to rise, he cried out in terror, "St. Anne help me! I will become a monk."

Premise/plot: Here I Stand is a classic biography of the reformer Martin Luther. It was first published in 1950, and a well-written biography can be timeless. This book covers a little bit of everything: his life, the controversies and climaxes of his life, his theology, his writing and preaching, his marriage, his politics, etc.

My thoughts: I definitely liked this one. I absolutely loved, loved, loved some chapters of this one. My favorite chapters were chapter 10, "Here I Stand," chapter 17, "The School for Character," chapter 19, "The Church Tutorial," and chapter 20, "The Church Ministerial." I found some chapters harder to follow, harder to enjoy, than others. But when it was good, it was EXCELLENT. I also appreciated the fact that Bainton often quoted Luther.

I am so glad I finally read this one!

Favorite quote: Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason--I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other--my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen. (144)
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

My Year with Henry #15

This year I will be reading Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary alongside the American Standard Version (1901). I will share quotes a few times a month.

Matthew 16

• Without doubt Christ himself is the Rock, the tried foundation of the church; and woe to him that attempts to lay any other!
• We are apt to think we could bear another’s cross better than our own; but that is best which is appointed us, and we ought to make the best of it. We must not by our rashness and folly pull crosses down upon our own heads, but must take them up when they are in our way.
• Whatever is the object for which men forsake Christ, that is the price at which Satan buys their souls. Yet one soul is worth more than all the world. This is Christ’s judgment upon the matter; he knew the price of souls, for he redeemed them; nor would he underrate the world, for he made it. The dying transgressor cannot purchase one hour’s respite to seek mercy for his perishing soul. Let us then learn rightly to value our souls, and Christ as the only Savior of them.

Nehemiah 6

• Nehemiah lifted up his heart to Heaven in a short prayer. When, in our Christian work and warfare, we enter upon any service or conflict, this is a good prayer, I have such a duty to do, such a temptation to grapple with; now, therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. Every temptation to draw us from duty, should quicken us the more to duty.
• Every man should study to be consistent.

Acts 16

• Pride, prejudice, and sin shut out the truths of God, till his grace makes way for them into the understanding and affections; and the Lord alone can open the heart to receive and believe his word. We must believe in Jesus Christ; there is no coming to God as a Father, but by the Son as Mediator.
• No place, no time is amiss for prayer, if the heart be lifted up to God. No trouble, however grievous, should hinder us from praise. Christianity proves itself to be of God, in that it obliges us to be just to our own lives.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Joni

Joni: An Unforgettable Story. Joni Eareckson Tada. 1976. 205 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: The hot July sun was setting low in the west and gave the waters of Chesapeake Bay a warm red glow. The water was murky, and as my body broke the surface in a dive, its cold cleanness doused my skin. In a jumble of actions and feelings, many things happened simultaneously. I felt my head strike something hard and unyielding. At the same time, clumsily and crazily, my body sprawled out of control. I heard or felt a loud electric buzzing, an unexplainable inner sensation. It was something like an electrical shock, combined with a vibration—like a heavy metal spring being suddenly and sharply uncoiled, its “sprong” perhaps muffled by the water. Yet it wasn’t really a sound or even a feeling—just a sensation. I felt no pain. I heard the underwater sound of crunching, grinding sand. I was lying face down on the bottom. Where? How did I get here? Why are my arms tied to my chest? My thoughts screamed. Hey! I’m caught! I felt a small tidal undercurrent lift me slightly and let me settle once more on the bottom. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw light above me. Some of the confusion left. I remembered diving into the bay. Then what? Am I caught in a fishnet or something? I need to get out! I tried to kick. My feet must be tied or caught too! Panic seized me. With all my willpower and strength, I tried to break free. Nothing happened.

Premise/plot: In 1967, Joni Eareckson had a diving accident that left her paralyzed from the shoulders down. Her body may have been broken, but, her faith was not. But it was to be severely tempted, tested, and tried. This autobiography is honest and bold. It is an emotional roller coaster of a book. It is a spiritual autobiography just as much as it is a physical one. Readers learn not just about Joni, but, about God. There is also an opportunity to learn about yourself as well. Fear, depression, disappointment, anger. We've all dealt with these difficult emotions. So in some ways
we can all relate to Joni. Her story is authentic and inspiring. But above all else it makes you think.

My thoughts: I have been wanting to read this one for years. I am so glad I finally did. I have LOVED, LOVED, LOVED reading the Beyond Suffering Bible which is edited by Tada, which features devotions from her. This book is a must read, in my opinion.

Favorite quotes:

It seemed the further I opened my mind to these philosophies that denied God, the further I went away from Him. Finally, I became convinced there was little to be learned or understood from these confusing writings. My search had led me back to the Bible. I began to sense that God was real and that He was dealing with me. “My thoughts are not your thoughts. My ways are not your ways,” He reminded me from His Word. I needed to understand this—that I could not comprehend my own purpose or meaning without taking God’s deity into consideration. “What do you mean?” asked Diana when we were discussing this subject one day. “Well, I’ve been trying to have the world make sense by having things to relate to me. I want to see my life have meaning and purpose. But the Bible says our purpose is to glorify God. My life has meaning when I glorify God,” I explained. “Yes, I understand,” said Diana. “But how do you get that concept to work?” “I’m not sure. But I know until now I’ve been looking for a way to make the world revolve around me. Now I’m convinced that I need to plug in some other way.”

I told Diana of my thoughts. “Nothing is really making any sense yet, Diana. I don’t know what God is doing—but I believe He is real and that somehow He knows—and understands. There’s a positive aspect to my thoughts now. I’m still confused, but before, my confusion leaned toward doubt. Now it leans toward trust.” “Maybe it has something to do with your prayer before the accident,” Diana suggested. “What prayer?” “Remember? You told me that shortly before your accident, you prayed, ‘Lord, do something in my life to change me and turn me around.’ Maybe this is God’s way of answering that prayer.” “I’ve wondered about that myself. It could be. But it’s sure not what I expected. And He certainly has His own timetable!” I said, adding, “I don’t know His purpose in this. I probably won’t ever walk again. And I don’t see how I can ever be happy again. I guess that’s what really bothers me.” “Not being happy?” “Yeah. I mean, if there’s one thing I learned from those existentialist writers, it’s ‘man cannot live with despair.’ Do you think I can ever be happy, Diana?” “I don’t know, Joni—I don’t know.” My studies in the Scriptures began in earnest now, along with other Christian literature. Writings by Francis Schaeffer and C. S. Lewis seemed like a breath of fresh air compared with Marx, Hesse, and the non-Christian books I’d read. I began to sense a direct application of and appreciation for the Word of God in my life. For the first time, I saw meaning for me in the Bible. My own “fiery trials” were now a little easier to cope with as I saw how I fit in with God’s scheme of things, especially through reading the Psalms. “The Lord will sustain him (me) upon his (my) sickbed” (Ps. 41:3 NAS).

Before my accident, I didn’t “need” Christ. Now I needed Him desperately. When I had been on my feet, it never seemed important that He be part of my decision-making—what party to go to, whether to go to a friend’s house or a football game, etc. It didn’t seem that He would even be interested in such insignificant things. But, now that my life was reduced to the basic life routines, He was a part of it because He cared for me. He was, in fact, my only dependable reality. These new and reassuring concepts had a quieting effect on my spirit, and I think they were even helpful as I shared them with Jay during her personal troubles.

True spirituality is putting God’s Word into practice—making His truth valid by actually doing what He says and not just pointing to it as a nice standard.

What was God’s will for my life? To find out, I had to believe that all that had happened to me was an important part of that plan. I read, “In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you.” God’s will was for me to be thankful in everything? Okay. I blindly trusted that this was truth. I thanked God for what He did and what He was going to do. As I concentrated on His positive instruction from the Bible, it was no longer necessary to retreat from reality.

It is important to remember that the promise “God causes all things to work together for good” only applies to those who love God, those who have been born into His family. However, due to our sin and rebellion we are alienated from God and subject to His judgment. Praise God, though, that He sent His Son, Jesus, to be judged on the cross—paying the death penalty for my sin and your sin! If we truly trust that our punishment was borne by Christ and obey Him as our Lord, we can be assured of eternal life and the promise of Romans 8:28. It is my hope that in the course of reading this book, the Holy Spirit has enlightened your heart and mind to these truths. Jesus is alive and His power is available to you…He proves Himself daily in my life, and what more couldn’t He do in your life! Are you a part of God’s heavenly family? For indeed, I hope one day we shall meet in glory.

We aren’t always responsible for the circumstances in which we find ourselves. However, we are responsible for the way we respond to them. We can give up in depression and suicidal despair. Or, we can look to a sovereign God who has everything under control, who can use the experiences for our ultimate good by transforming us to the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).

“We always lose when we evaluate ourselves according to someone else’s ideas or standards. And there are as many standards as there are people. A jock measures you by your athletic ability; a student by your brains; a steady by your looks. It’s a losing battle,” he said, striking a sour piano chord for added emphasis. “We have to forget about what people say or think, and recognize that God’s values are the only important ones.”

I believed that if God took something away from me, He would always replace it with something better. My experience had taught me this as I relied on the sovereignty of God. “Delight thyself in God,” the psalmist said, “trust in His way.” As I did so, it became easier to express true gratitude for what He brought into my life—good as well as suffering.

Only God is capable of telling us what our rights and needs are. You have to surrender that right to Him. 

The only thing we can take to heaven with us is our character. Our character is all we have to determine what kind of a being we will be for all eternity. It’s what we are that will be tested by fire. Only the qualities of Christ in our character will remain.”

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

My Year with Owen #15

I will be sharing some John Owen quotes this year. The first book I'll be reading is Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers (1656).

• By faith fill your soul with a due consideration of that provision which is laid up in Jesus Christ for this end and purpose, that all your lusts, this very lust wherewith you are entangled, may be mortified. ~ John Owen
• By faith ponder on this, that though you are no way able in or by yourself to get the conquest over your distemper, though you are even weary of contending, and are utterly ready to faint, yet that there is enough in Jesus Christ to yield you relief (Phil. 4:13). ~ John Owen
• In your greatest distress and anguish, consider that fullness of grace, those riches, those treasures of strength, might, and help [Isa. 40: 28-31], that are laid up in him for our support (John 1: 16; Col. 1: 19). Let them come into and abide in your mind. Consider that he is “exalted and made a Prince and a Savior to give repentance unto Israel” (Acts 5: 31); and if to give repentance, to give mortification, without which the other is not, nor can be. Christ tells us that we obtain purging grace by abiding in him (John 15: 3). To act faith upon the fullness that is in Christ for our supply is an eminent way of abiding in Christ, for both our insition2 and abode is by faith (Rom. 11: 19-20). ~ John Owen
• Raise up your heart by faith to an expectation of relief from Christ. ~ John Owen
• Consider his mercifulness, tenderness, and kindness, as he is our great High Priest at the right hand of God. ~ John Owen
• Consider his faithfulness who has promised; which may raise you up and confirm you in this waiting in an expectation of relief. ~ John Owen

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible