Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.
--Matthew 2:2
Astronomers are big advocates of the “dark sky.” Their goal is to get all city lights directed downwards. City lights aimed upwards severely diminish visibility. This is why research planetariums are far from city lights and high up on mountaintops. Remote locations maximize the visibility of each orb, be it planet, star, or cluster, in the universe.
When the Eastern kings came to Herod in search of the new King, Herod read the star as a threat. He made plans to misuse the light that so clearly guided these sojourners. He wanted a different kind of darkness. Through lies, deceit, and treachery, Herod attempted to turn the blazing star into a mere twinkle.
But the light of Jesus could not be extinguished. Jesus was light throughout his walk on earth (see John 1:4-5). He called people out of their self-deception, self-pity, and deepest of sin, and into his presence. His light is still as strong and life changing today as it was two thousand years ago. How can this be? Is the memory of the life of Jesus that powerful? The answer to that question lives in every believer today.
Jesus clearly stated that we are light in a dark world (Matt. 5:14). Paul said that we were once darkness, but are now light (Eph. 5:8). Thankfully, Jesus did not leave us on our own to figure out how to be his light in a dark world. Jesus placed his own Spirit within us to guide us. We need only allow his Spirit to work freely in us, and we will reflect the character of Jesus to others.
Just as the moon reflects the sun’s light, we reflect the character of Jesus through goodness, righteousness, and truth (Eph. 5:9). What about when we fail? Do we defeat God’s will when we sin? We are assured that God’s will is always accomplished and no sin has any power over God’s will. No matter how frail or vulnerable we may be, the Holy Spirit chooses to work through us. We can be assured that God will always provide a blazing light for the world to find him. We are left in humble awe that he continues to use his followers to fulfill his plan.
The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! --Isaiah 9:7
We read in Isaiah that a king will come who will establish a rule of justice, peace, righteousness—all sorts of good things that we need desperately. Yet throughout history we observe that the evil and the powerful continue to rule with cruelty and greed over the meek and the righteous. Has the king come? Where is his perfect kingdom? How does the zeal, the passionate commitment of the Lord accomplish it?
The zeal of the Lord is beautifully strange. The zeal of the Lord defied the natural order of life and placed the baby Jesus in Mary’s womb. Her frail, human baby was also an eternal King. God’s zeal produced the good and the unexpected. It was perfect. A baby born in complete innocence turned out to be our only hope of escape from the slavery of our sinful nature.
But the zeal of the Lord is also fearsomely strange. The zeal of the Lord also translates into Jesus wrapped not in swaddling cloths anymore, but a bloodied purple robe awaiting vicious execution. No longer visited by kings, but ridiculed and mocked by sadistic soldiers. This, also, demonstrated God’s zeal: love abused by hatred, compassion spat upon. The zeal of the Lord brought his only beloved Son before the dark hearts of man and the evil of Satan to be brutalized and murdered. Yet it was good, for by the zeal of God’s love for us, we are given a way out of darkness and into the light of God’s love.
The zeal of the Lord is astoundingly strange. A battered and bruised dead man rose from the grave making a mockery of all greed, power, and evil. An eternal kingdom of peace, justice, righteousness, and love was secured for all who would open their heart.
The truth is that the zeal of the Lord does accomplish a new kingdom for all those who believe. How will we allow God’s zeal to build his kingdom through us?
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I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. --Luke 7:47
In the movie Splash! the main character meets an adorable but strange woman who eventually turns out to be a mermaid. One of the telling signs of her true identity is that she has very little experience with everyday events and reacts inappropriately. When she is taken out to a fine restaurant and served lobster, her etiquette (though very mermaid-like) becomes a source of embarrassment, humiliation, and a wake-up call to her newfound friend. She is not what she appears.
Etiquette refers to sets of man-made customs used to distinguish people from one another. Some of these practices are practical and polite, like washing one’s hands before eating or wiping muddy feet at the door. But many rules of etiquette mask pretense and prestige. Etiquette is something that can be used to honor another person or to point out someone’s inadequacies. Jesus wisely uses this man-made custom to teach a spiritual lesson in Luke 7.
When a woman entered a dinner uninvited, poured perfume on the feet of Jesus, wept over him, and used her hair as a towel, Jesus saw only a deeply grateful and loving heart. This woman recognized immediately that Jesus was the only one who had the authority to judge her. She knew the consequences of making a spectacle of herself, yet she risked all to express her gratitude to Jesus for his mercy. She treated Jesus as a king. Jesus honored her humility and praised her actions. Jesus used the contrast between his host and this woman to teach a lesson about the way actions reveal the heart. While the host had neglected all proper etiquette for a regular guest, indeed having treated Jesus as no one special at all, this woman had honored Jesus as royalty (vv. 44-46). Why the difference in attitude? Those who know the depth of their sin are deeply grateful when they are shown mercy.
How much was this woman forgiven? All her sins were forgiven, known and unknown. How much have we been forgiven? Of all our sins, regardless of their severity. Will we show our gratitude to one who has loved us so generously by treating him like no one special or by treating him like a king?
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Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” --John 6:68
We entered the haunted house with great anticipation. As we stepped into the gloomy, dark elevator, a foreboding voice boomed, “There’s no turning back!” Suddenly, our five-year-old cried out, “I want to turn back! I want to turn back!” He was petrified. Having no understanding of the fun to come, he panicked. All he knew was that he would rather be waiting in the tediously long line we had just left than trapped in that room with no way out.
When facing the unknown, we may be tempted to retreat, quit, or refuse to move forward. We may be tempted to panic and doubt God’s wisdom. The disciples had many of the same feelings when Jesus began to explain the depth of commitment required to follow him in John 6. Many simply dropped away. Jesus asked his closest friends if they, too, were going to leave. Peter made an amazing statement. Knowing that Jesus was God incarnate and that leaving him would mean living a life of lies and pretense, Peter said that there was no other option but to continue following Jesus. Peter may have been unsettled or frightened by the words of Jesus, but he knew the truth when he encountered it, and he chose to stick it out. His choice proved difficult, but brought the ultimate rewards of abundant life on earth and eternal life with Jesus.
One woman who had been a Christian for five years stated with frustration, “Things were a lot less complicated before I became a believer.” These words are undeniably true. Believing in Jesus is challenging. It calls us to make hard choices and can cause relationship conflicts. Following Jesus requires that we discipline our thoughts and our words. We must struggle with our sin everyday. This can be very difficult alone, but together we can encourage each other and assure one another that our God is faithful and true. Peter wisely said, “To whom would we go?” When we meet Jesus we’re in the company of many others. Once we have met Jesus, we know for certain that there is no turning back.
Jesus demands that we choose him over every other enticing option because he loves us. He knows that everything else is just entertainment, not life to its fullest. Following Jesus is no ride at an entertainment park. This is real life with a real God who really loves us.
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Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” --John 4:39
Marketing is a tricky business. There is a fine line between motivational advertising and uninspiring tedium. The secret to a successful advertisement is its ability to connect with its audience. Once in a while there is an ad that is unforgettable. Can you remember, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing?” Or the famous hot dog song, “Oh, I wish I were…?”
The woman Jesus met at the well was no saint. Several obviously painful life experiences led her to be an outcast in her hometown. She hauled water all alone in the heat of the day because no one would have anything to do with her. Perhaps she simply wanted to avoid confrontations and humiliation. Because of her reputation, she possessed no influence or authority with her townspeople.
One day, she returned to the community so excited that she couldn’t contain her enthusiasm. She was so persuasive that the entire community went out to meet Jesus. Did she have to exaggerate to get their attention? Did she have to dress up in an outrageous costume? Did she offer coupons or a discount on laundry to get the community to listen? No. All she did was tell her story of how Jesus knew her, cared about her, and told her everything she needed to hear. Jesus changed her life with his words. This woman became the instigator of revolutionary change in her entire community through her story. Once her town met Jesus, they were captivated and changed forever by his words.
What if the woman at the well had kept her joy to herself? What if she had been too embarrassed to confess that Jesus had told her about her many husbands? If she had decided that her story was too unseemly, no one would have witnessed the miraculous change in this woman’s life. And no one else would have been changed by Jesus. Yet, “Many Samaritans from the village town believed in Jesus because . . .” Her transparency helped them see him. No longer ashamed, she became an effective witness.
Our stories of how Jesus loves us are miracle stories. Every single testimony relays how God interacts with his children in amazing ways. Our stories can bring people out to meet Jesus where they, too, can be changed forever.
Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. -- Philippians 2:16
Most people aren’t looking for ways to make their life as pointless as possible. Everyone wants to have a life with meaning. We all want to feel like we are worth something. Some of us find worth in what we do and how we look, but we all long to be found worthy.
I have found plenty of ways to do useless things. Instead of preparing for a Bible study, I watch reruns of my favorite TV shows. Instead of praying, I mindlessly surf the Internet. Not all of it is necessarily bad. For example, instead of helping my parents, I go for a run outside—it’s important for my physical health, but not my spiritual health. A big part of this is that I don’t always hold firmly to God’s Word. I compromise my standards in order to look good and make people accept me. I get priorities out of order. My desire to be physically fit sometimes outweighs my desire to serve God. But, all these acts are futile if I am pursuing them for the wrong reasons. My life is not based on what people think of me, but on my faith and service to God.
Why is it that the ideals of this world seem to have such a hold on us? How do we make sure that our life is not worthless? In this race of life, how do we finish strong? We hold onto the Word of God. We step outside of ourselves and serve those around us.
Instead of looking for ways to make yourself look better today, look for someone in need around you. Spend your time ministering to that person. Then you will find that your work is not in vain or useless. If you are following Jesus Christ, your central purpose each day is to live for him. “Hold firmly” to him—he’s the word of life.
Find help to grow in your Christian life with the Life Application Study Bible, Leather when you click HERE.
Learn about modern Bible text comparison and the NLT when you click HERE.
Find out about a new devotional Bible from the New Living Translation HERE.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. --Hebrews 12:1
There are times when we feel completely alone. We feel as if no one has ever experienced what we’ve gone through. No one could possibly know the agony of watching your child suffer from leukemia. No one could possibly know the pain of having your husband walk out on you. No one could possibly know the fear of being diagnosed with breast cancer. But, you know what—there are women that have experienced the same thing. They have run the same race.
We are surrounded by women who have struggled through situations and spent countless nights crying to God for strength. They are witnesses to God’s love and grace. They are witnesses to the life of faith. How did they manage to survive?
They didn’t try to do it alone. We aren’t made to live this life alone. God has given us people in our lives to run the race of life with us. This race isn’t a sprint, but a marathon. For anyone who has ever run a marathon, there are moments of highs and even more moments of lows. Everyone finds a point where he or she is ready to give up. Weighed down by the insecurities and doubts that slow us down in this life, you begin to feel that you can’t go any further. But, you’re not alone. You are surrounded by others who are in this same race and struggling with the same fears and pain. They come alongside you to encourage you and help you finish the race.
Praise God that he hasn’t left us alone. As women, we have a natural affinity for relationships. Don’t be afraid to ask someone for help. Allow God to direct you toward women who will care for you. Try finding an older female to mentor you. Allow stories of her struggles and faith to comfort you. Then, look for ways that you can mentor to someone else. Women of faith, we need each other. Come alongside other women and run the race of faith together.
To learn about modern Bible comparison, and to see how the NLT compares with other translations, click HERE.
For great information from the New Living Bible Translation that will help you with your spiritual journey, click HERE.
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself. --1 Corinthians 6:19
Tiny tops. Short skirts. Low-cut shirts. No, I’m not describing what you can find in the sleazy part of town; look in any junior high classroom. In fact, look almost anywhere these days and that’s the type of clothing you will find. Everywhere you turn, there is underwear and skin showing—not enough covering. We find the burqas worn by Middle Eastern women inconceivable, but are our wardrobe alternatives all that acceptable? Women, what have we done to ourselves? Since when did our worth become based on our visual sex appeal?
The world tells us that we should be able to do whatever we want with our bodies. If you’ve got, flaunt it. We use it to control and manipulate men. We know their weakness, and we taunt them. What is Christlike about that? How does our wardrobe declare who owns us?
You see, our bodies aren’t our own—they are from God and are for him. We shouldn’t be flaunting it, but respecting it. We shouldn’t be taunting men, but helping them. The problem isn’t thinking about our body as a temple; it’s that we forget whose temple it is. We are a temple of the Holy Spirit. We should be focusing on how our body furthers God’s kingdom, rather than our popularity.
I try to dress respectfully, but there are tops that my brother has had to tell me are too low or revealing—as a woman, I am often blind to the extent of it. Take a close look at your wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to ask a husband, father, or brother what they think about your clothing. And when you are tempted to think otherwise, remember that your worth comes from God and not your outwardly appearance. Our looks will change, but God never will.
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Learn more about how you can learn to know God with the New Living Translation when you click HERE.
Learn how scholars work to develop your modern Bible when you click HERE.
Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. --Luke 8:3
Fortunately, faith is no respecter of status or position. We, on the other hand, give fame and popularity entirely too much attention. Do the angels rejoice more when a celebrity repents than when an average person welcomes their Savior in spite of their average-ness? How could we imagine the angels celebrating in any way other than in a larger-than-life exultation?
The Bible treats celebrities with wonderful indifference. It practices what it preaches: The humble are raised, while the proud are humbled. Those who expect their political or social status to carry weight in the kingdom of God find themselves treated lightly. Those who seek to be servants find themselves honored. In Luke 14:7-14, Jesus set his parabolic approach aside for a moment and gave a scathing lesson in kingdom manners. Those who assume the honored seat may find the chair removed when it’s too late to keep from being humiliated. His lesson receives repeated biblical illustrations.
Joanna could have ranked as a celebrity among the early followers of Jesus. She had access to Herod’s house. She might have been a person of some influence. Yet, her place of significance was far from the palace. She and other women helped meet the needs of Jesus and his traveling band. Luke mentions her with restraint. But what an honor merely to be mentioned in the company of Jesus!
And yet there is more. Joanna is referred to by name only twice in the New Testament. Luke mentions her here in her supporting role with other women. But later (Luke 24:10), she is among those who heard and saw firsthand that Jesus was risen from the dead! Her persistent servanthood was rewarded with honor.
How could the basic intention of your life today best be summarized: a pursuit of service to God or self-service? Are you keeping company with those who will recognize you with celebrity status, or are you keeping company with those with whom you can serve Jesus Christ?
Read an excellent New Living Translation article about the blessings of our modern Bible HERE.
Learn how to get practical help from a NLT Life Application Bible HERE.
Bible study boils down to the following B.A.S.I.C. points:
Bible—It may seem obvious, but it’s still crucial to have a Bible open when you study. It’s helpful to have at least two different Bible versions opened to the same passage. Speakers and readers of the English language have a priceless gift of multiple translations of the Scriptures. These can often help you gain new insight from the way that specific terms are handled in different texts.
For example, you can read Ephesians 3:17a in one version as, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (New International Version), and then turn to the New Living Translation and read, “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.” Comparing the versions allows you to sense the depth of Paul’s prayer.
Attitude—Receptivity and attention are crucial for those who want to benefit from their study of the Bible. This means that you open the Bible expecting God’s Word to speak to you, and that you are willing to put into practice what you learn. Those who read the Bible with a ho-hum attitude, expecting to learn nothing, are rarely disappointed. But God rewards curiosity, hunger, questions, and an openness to him.
One of the best ways to manage your attitude involves praying before you study the Bible. Ask God to open your eyes, mind, and heart as you read and think about his Word. Ask God to point out any barriers that might keep you from learning and then wait for a moment in silence to allow him to answer your prayer. Open your Bible with anticipation.
System—Over the centuries, followers of Jesus have developed many approaches to reading and studying the Bible. The discipline of studying is more systematic than the very beneficial practice of simply reading the Bible for devotional reasons. Bible study is methodical, deliberate, and time-consuming. Devotional Bible reading is much like eating nutritious fast food, whereas Bible study parallels a full course meal. Both kinds of spiritual nourishment have their place.
One system may involve using a notebook or journal for taking notes. Another system may involve using a prepared study guide or workbook. Bible study should involve multiple readings of the passage, and maybe underlining important texts. Have in mind a list of the things you want to observe as you read: verbs (where commands hide), people (where life-lessons hide), character traits (where examples hide), and odd items that might provoke a good question. Familiar passages require even more attention, not less. (For example: 1 Corinthians 13:13 lists “faith, hope and love” and informs us that “the greatest of these is love.” Why is love the greatest of these?) Then look for answers in the whole context of the verse or passage.
Choose a system or approach to Bible study to follow and use it for a while. Develop the skill to approach various passages in the same way, training yourself to be observant and thoughtful.
There are many tools available (see the article “Study Tools” on this website) to help you answer common questions and avoid errors caused by lack of knowledge of what the rest of the Bible teaches. There are many pre-outlined study guides (such as the Life Application Bible Studies from Tyndale Publishers) that you can use to facilitate your study. Other tools such as Bible dictionaries, concordances, and commentaries will help to give needed background information and broaden your understanding.
Involvement—The Bible is “alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). God’s Word will speak into your life. Get involved with it. Be ready to obey. If you find yourself primarily thinking about how passages apply to other people’s lives, you are probably not paying careful enough attention.
Confidence—The Bible is God’s Word, so you can be confident that it is true and right. It will be your guide and companion for life. Don’t expect to understand all of it at first. You can grow into it. Don’t worry, because those parts that you do understand will be plenty to keep you busy doing Bible study for a long time.
Click HERE for Bible Comparison, looking at the NLT and other translations used today.
Click HERE for Bible Comparison, looking at several Study Bibles available to you today.
Click HERE to learn about Modern Bible translation and the New Living Translation.
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