BIBLIBAL JOURNEY- MAPS

The “maps” for our journey are the resources we use in our travels. The Primary map in this journey is the Bible itself.

The Bible has many different translations. For the most part it does not matter which translation one uses. However, knowing the background of the map we use most – where it came from, who drew it, etc. - can give a little insight on how a verse or two should be read.

I have done some reading on how today’s Bible came to be and the story is a fascinating one.

I have also been made aware that there are some translations that do not stay as true to the original text as we would like. I will give you two examples.

The first is a translation that I only read about in my readings. I did not actually see it myself but apparently in this translation the word “darkness” was replaced with the word “night” because it was thought that “darkness” sounded too much like the offensive word “darkies”. This was an unfortunate decision as “night” and “darkness” have two different meanings. Let’s look at Psalm 107:14:

“He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away the chains.”

Now read,

“He brought them out of night and the deepest gloom and broke away the chains.”

The darkness in that verse has nothing to do with the night. It is the darkness of ones soul or situation. The meaning of that verse is changed when the word is changed.

The second example is when a translation is “tweaked” to fit the purposes of a particular group. The New World Translation used by the Jehovah Witnesses, who do not believe in the Trinity, has added one little word to John 1:1. See if you can spot it.

NIV translation – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

New World translation – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.”

Small word – big difference!

I have also heard of translations out there that do their best to be politically correct. Bible’s that say He/She when referring to God or man in general.
Again, never actually saw one personally but under those requirements I suppose Romans 11:32 might look like: “For God has bound all men and women over to disobedience so that he/she may have mercy on them all.

The primary “map” that I use is the New International Version (NIV) Student Bible. I have used this particular Bible for over 20 years. I am endeared to it because of the many side notes it contains giving me a glimpse into the context of the verses I am reading. Knowing the context of scripture; the who, what, when, where and especially the why has made a large impact on how they speak to me. Not only am I reading God’s own words but I am struggling to understand them with the likes of Moses, Joshua, Elisha, Peter and Paul. They all become more than just characters in a story. They become very much like me with fears, failures and doubts. Also, the times in which they lived were so unlike ours. The more I understand those times the easier it is to step outside of my 21^st century thinking long enough to see the world as they did. When I do this, the lessons that they teach become clearer.

It is always good to have two or three different translations to read and compare during Bible study. Many times that can give us a better insight as to what is meant in the text. I plan to use a variety of translations on this journey as well as other books and resources. But my primary map will be my NIV. That is the translation I will quote unless otherwise noted.

So grab your map and let’s take our first steps….

BIBLICAL JOURNEY

INTRODUCTION

This spring I added a new application to my phone—The Bible. I was excited about the idea of carrying God’s Word with me easily and at all times. As I was investigating all the options of this modern day Bible I discovered it had several reading plans from which one could choose. The one that caught my eye was, “The Bible in 90 days”. I felt myself being challenged. Summer was just beginning, could I really read the entire Bible in just 3 months? It was a challenge I was hesitant to take - but I took it all the same.

I was surprised to discover that the reading process seemed to go a lot faster when the words scrolled up a one and a half-inch screen. I believe it seemed easier because I was able to just focus on the cube of words in front of me and not be intimidated by the four columns of text that is found in a traditionally bound Bible.

Throughout this Biblical journey I found myself fascinated at how much I did not know. How entwined the Old Testament is with the New and visa-versa. It seemed that as I gained knowledge in one area I gained a deeper understanding in another. It is true that the more you know the more you want to know.

I had set a second goal for myself this past summer – to see the Dead Sea Scrolls while they were in Minneapolis. Before traveling on that pilgrimage I delved into all the information I could find about them. Toward the end of summer I finally saw them for myself. Well, five small pieces of them… but the exhibit was incredibly packed with information about the times and places of which these scrolls were written. I was thrilled when I came upon portions that were familiar to me because of what I read in the Bible and the historical and archeological information that was presented at the exhibit made what I had read explode with realism. No longer were they just stories of people in “Biblical times”. They were the stories of the woman who used that clay jar, the girl who wore that bracelet and the man who wore those sandals. Knowing how they thought, ate, drank and worshipped opened my eyes to many things in scripture I easily missed before. I was able to look beyond my limited 21^st century vision and see the Bible in the context of which it was written.

I finished the Bible in 89 days…. And quickly realized that was only the beginning.

Therefore, I am adding another portion to my blog… a sort of sub-blog if you will. It will be under the title, “BIBLICAL JOURNEY”.

My plan is to once again dive into this Holy book called The Bible. But this time there is no deadline. Instead of jotting down short notes, I hope to fully explore what I find intriguing, interesting or confusing.

I am inviting you to join me on this journey with the understanding that I am not a trained Bible scholar. My research is limited to the books, podcasts and discussions I have time to invest in. (Which I will document along the way). Prayer for God’s guidance is my first and foremost priority for nothing is of value unless it comes from God. The opening of my eyes and heart to His Truth is my desire and quest. I will move through this journey with the knowledge that I do not know the mind of God and have limited understanding and ask those who join me on this quest to keep that fully in mind. Please feel free to comment on any discoveries we make along the way. We were not meant to travel this road alone.

Shall we begin…..?

IN THIS WORLD -- NOT OF IT

1 Corinthians 5

“We are in this world not of it.” What does this mean?

Some might see it as a call for separation from all that does not fall under the ‘Christian’ banner. Those who see it this way may shop at bible book stores happily paying more for Veggie-tales than they would at the local Wal-mart; drink their mocha’s at the coffee shop where K-love has been known to be heard over the speakers and if a Christian school is not affordable, homeschooling is a must.

All of these things are well and good. Nothing at all wrong with supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ (after all, wouldn’t we shop first at a relative’s store before any other?) as well as making assurances that our children are taught the same values and morals that God demands from us.

The problem is not the fellowshipping and supporting of our Christian family, the problem comes when in doing so we shut out everyone else. When we find ourselves avoiding all unbelievers even as we attempt to convert them.

Paul wrote a letter to his church in Corinth addressing the problem of immoral acts committed by members of that church. I love what he says:

“I have written you in my letter not to associate with immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral…. in that case you would have to leave this world!”

Paul is trying to clarify that he did not intend for the church to remain secluded from the world and it’s unbelieving population. In order to do that, he quips, you would have to leave the world!

He continues with his clarification by saying:

“You must not associate with anyone who calls himself a BROTHER but is immoral.”

He goes on to say:

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.”

So what are we to think about the unbelievers who are living with their girl/boyfriends, following different religions – or no religion at all, use coarse language? Are we to judge them and hold them accountable to that which we believe? No – We are in this world with them and are commanded, in fact, to love them. Paul tells us it is God who will judge them and we certainly are not God!

It was the Pharisees who grumbled that Jesus welcomed the sinners and ate with them (Luke 15:2). Yet, Paul warns us that we are not to eat with fellow Christians who are immoral (1 Corinthians 5:11). Why? Because we who follow Christ are held to a higher standard. The reason we shun our brothers and sisters who are acting immorally is to hold them accountable to their calling as a follower of Christ as well as keeping ourselves from falling into the same discretions.

Some may think that as Christians we are to love our brother and judge the unbeliever but the opposite is more true – we are to love the unbeliever and judge our brother. By doing so, we show love by our concern for him/her to get back on track.

“We are in this world – not of it” then, is less about where we eat and with whom we hang out but more about how we act. We do not act like those who are of this world. We hold each other and ourselves accountable to the standards that were given to us by our God and Savior. We do so because our lives were deemed worthy enough to be salvaged by the death and resurrection of God Himself! So we hold our heads high -- not in arrogance – but in appreciation for the precious gift we were given. We should then immerse ourselves IN this world with hopes that those OF this world will see the love of God through us and also accept His gift offered to all.

WHEN I AM WEAK--PART 3

“Suffering is never wasted”

I heard that line today

Then a still small voice whispered

My ways are not your ways

My thoughts turned toward heaven

As I lifted you in prayer

What blessings are being poured out

That we are not aware?

The struggles of this battle

One you did not choose

May seem so overwhelming

As you fight so not to lose

But even in your suffering

God is standing by your side

He will show His glory

He will bless as well as guide

For when the trial is over

And the race has been run

You’ll have the chance to look back

And see all God has done

Our thoughts are not His thoughts

--oh, how I wish they were

To know the reason for the pain

And to know for sure…

…that suffering is not wasted

That good outweighs the bad

So even as we suffer

We can rejoice and be glad

When I AM WEAK

PART TWO

OPEN DOOR TO GRACE

In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul tells us that he has asked God to take away a “thorn in his flesh”. Three times Paul pleads for relief and three times God said no.

I do not know what that thorn was… a physical ailment, a hard to resist temptation? We know Paul was not married so it couldn’t have been in-laws! All we are told is that this thorn was a messenger from Satan given to torment him and keep him from becoming conceited. (Nope, still not in-laws)

God did not take away Paul’s thorn but He did give Paul a reason. God said to him, “My grace is sufficient to you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

As understanding on how God can use such thorns to display His Glory entered Paul’s thinking, he embraced the thorn and even rejoiced because of it.

It is hard to imagine suffering and rejoicing at the same time. We live in a world where the two do not, seemingly, belong together. Yet, I have noticed God’s thinking and the thinking of this world very often contradict each other…”First shall be last”(Luke 13:30)…”Those who are poor are rich…” (James 2:5). So, it seems, is the case here.

I have experienced the strength and peace of God during times of suffering. It is a sensation that cannot be described to someone who has not felt it. Feeling joy in the very heart of sorrow, peace among turmoil, it goes against all that is expected in this world.

The difference between God’s peace everyday and His Peace in times of pain is like the difference between the first signs of spring and the first signs of spring after a cold, miserable, hard winter.

It is the difference between a hug in a casual greeting and a hug after the death of a loved one.

It is the difference between friends bringing a hot meal to a gathering and friends bringing a hot meal while you and your family are dealing with cancer.

The spring, the hug, and the meal have not changed in their nature but in the middle of hardships they are so much more. More needed, more felt, more appreciated. They are hope personified.

So it is with God’s peace in troubling times. Do we need hardship to experience it? Of course not, but its presence feels stronger and is more welcomed.

If you have been thrust into difficult situations, have you noticed how often God reveals Himself during those times, to you as well as to others? If you listen I bet you will hear at least one amazing story connected to every tragedy…

…A swarm of butterflies surround a grieving daughter in a moment when reassurance is needed, only to fly away when a smile appears among the tears.

…A beloved cat taking a flower out of a kitchen vase and placing it on the vacant pillow of it’s owner who is now sleeping in a hospital battling cancer.

…A mother’s favorite flower growing in the middle of her son’s yard days after her death.

These are just some of the stories I have heard from friends and family. They are amazing stories that have brought comfort in times of grief.

But I have to wonder, in our time of need is God revealing Himself to us more or is it simply that we are looking toward Him more and therefore see Him? Either way, God uses our trials to show Himself to us and to others and in doing so brings us closer to Him.

And so, as Paul said:

“I will boast all the gladly about my weakness so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

--2 Corinthians 12:10

(If you would like to read more about Amazing miracles in the middle of great tragedy…read By Faith , by Laura Roberts)

WHEN I AM WEAK

PART ONE

REALITY CHECK

While talking to His disciples Jesus revealed to them that in Jerusalem He would be made to suffer. He told them that He would be put to death but on the third day He would rise again. Peter pulled Him to the side and rebuked Him. He said to Jesus ”Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!”

I find it amazing that Jesus JUST revealed He would rise again after three days of His death and Peter only focused on the suffering and death part. Maybe Peter thought ‘rising from the dead’ was some sort of metaphor or maybe he was so disturbed at the thought of Jesus dying that he didn’t quite catch that part.

In response, Jesus turns back to the other disciples and rebukes Peter in front of them all. “Get behind me, Satan!” He said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matt 16:21-23; Mark 8:31-33).

Can you imagine Peter’s confusion and embarrassment? His intention was to reassure Jesus, maybe even scold Him a little for having such negative thoughts and then Jesus, in front of all the other disciples, practically calls him Satan.

Eventually Peter realized that the suffering Jesus endured was all part of God’s plan. That without it salvation could not be offered to the world. Peter’s desire not to see Christ suffer and die would have been Satan’s desire also.

Jesus was not spared His suffering, not even when He asked His Father God if that would be a possibility (Luke 22:42). Instead, He suffered and He died. But that, of course, was not the end. He rose from the dead. The ultimate good--salvation for all came from the ultimate bad--the sacrifice of God’s Son.

Peter did not see, at first, any purpose in Jesus’ having to suffer. It wasn’t until the plan was completed that all the pieces fell into place and all that Jesus taught finally made sense.

That is the way it is for most things isn’t it? We don’t see any good in something until it is done. We don’t see the good in exercise or dieting until we have been doing it enough to feel more energetic and fit into our clothes again. Disciplining our children is no fun until we start seeing them become polite and responsible people. There are many things we suffer through hoping good will come of it.

But God has promised those who love Him that, “He will make all things work for good” (Romans 8:28). ALL THINGS—including suffering. We don’t have to just hope for something good to result from it, we can know there is a purpose for what we go through. We can know that God is working on something good.

Even with the knowledge that God is using our pain for something good we don’t always get the luxury of knowing what that good actually is. Sometimes we never find out. Yet how many times have we heard those who have endured hardship say things like

I realized what my priorities are;

I didn’t know how caring people were;

I’ve learned so much;

I wouldn’t change it;

I’ll never forget….

Sadly, Sometimes it takes a tragedy, large or small, to stop us in our tracks and force us to see who or what we are really putting our faith in.

If we put our faith in our jobs –and we lose it.

If we put our faith in our family- and they leave us.

If we put our faith in ourselves- and we get sick.

It is then that we might realize how small our faith is in God. It is when He holds us as we weep and works on our hearts as it lay broken that our faith grows.

Upon hearing Jesus speak of His impending suffering Peter totally missed the part of His resurrection. Peter focused on the suffering and in doing so felt the need to control the situation by taking Jesus aside and rebuking Him. Jesus had to remind him that he “did not have the mind of God”. It was a reminder that God was in control…as it should be. Even in the Garden when Jesus asked if His suffering was necessary He still acknowledged God’s control with the words, “not my will, but thine”.

It is difficult in the middle of our suffering to focus on what God might have in mind. Especially when the answer is not always revealed to us. But we don’t need to have all the answers. That is the luxury of not having to be in control. It can bring us comfort just to know that there is indeed a plan for us. A purpose for what we endure here on earth.

This is perhaps what Paul meant by, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). We, in our weakness, discover we can trust God. In our brokenness we give up control to Him and with God in control we are indeed strong.

Whom Shall I Fear?

Who are we more afraid of offending – God or man? The Creator or the created? If I had to answer that honestly, I would have to say that I am more afraid of offending my fellow human beings.

Although I may feel a tinge of guilt when I substitute prayer time for facebook time, I certainly am not afraid of doing so. Yet, put me in a position where my faith will be suddenly revealed in my opinions and my mind races for the right words that won’t offend.

If I say, “As a Christian I believe…” will I be labeled as a Jesus freak? If so, is that bad?

Should I allow my son to wear his vacation bible T-shirt to school? If not, what answer do I give to his question, “Why not?”

Will my cross necklace offend my co-workers?

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

It seems illogical to have more fear for my fellow man that the God who created us all. But let’s face it… man can be mean.

We glare, roll our eyes, argue and bring lawsuits.

God is loving, merciful and forgiving.

We belittle and accuse others of being ignorant or intolerant.

God is quiet, patient and compassionate.

Jeremiah was a prophet of God. It was his job to tell the people of Judah that because of all the years they defied God by worshipping man-made idols instead of the God who led them out of Egypt, He was going to allow Babylon to conquer them and take them captive. Needless to say, Jeremiah did not want the job! He did not want to be God’s spokesman in a time when people would literally kill the messenger.

God said to Jeremiah:

“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you.

Do not be terrified by them or I will terrify you before them.”

-Jeremiah 1:17

I know, I know, Jeremiah had an unfair advantage right? God spoke to him directly. There is no doubt in our minds that we would be bolder on behalf of God if He spoke directly to us!

Yet Jeremiah tells us…

“The Word of the Lord came to me saying…”

-Jeremiah 1:14

Wait! Don’t we also have the Word of the Lord? Can’t we indeed hold it in our hands? (Can’t you just hear Jeremiah saying, “If only I had your words in writing Lord, so I could be sure of what you said…”)

It is hard to imagine standing up and speaking the Word of God in the face of death when we have so much trouble speaking the Word of God in the face of… being politically incorrect.

Jesus said, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him.” (Luke 9:26)

These are the words that haunt me as I walk among my fellow man. Words that embolden me to say out loud, “As a Christian I believe…” even as my heart pounds in fear of the reaction I will get.

Because God is merciful and loving I know He is forgiving when I don’t have the courage to reveal proudly who I am through Christ. But the thought of this same merciful and forgiving God being ashamed of me for hiding my faith- cuts me to the core.

So I will strive to walk this perishable life in such a way that when it is finished I will hear the words “Well done good and faithful servant”. I will struggle to ‘set my mind on things above, not on earthly things’ (Col 3:2). I will fear God more than man but I will also take refuge in Him whom I fear. For what He said to Jeremiah He also says to me.

“Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.”

-Jeremiah 1:8