Understanding The Bible's Powerful Message

It seems a long time since I last posted a meditation here. Not because I haven't been active - far from it. My efforts are evident across a wide range of weblogs and websites. But, I felt it was an appropriate time to add something new here.

First of all though - which Bible verse to you sums up the whole of the Bible's message, the passage that clearly explains the purpose of life and the ultimate destiny of the universe?

I've played this game before. I call it, guess what the preacher is thinking of...

Imagine the scene. You are in a large hall and the preacher asks for volunteers to tell him which Bible verse sums up most perfectly the message of the Bible. The first one says, "John ch.3 v.16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..." Although everyone else would agree with that in the hall - after all, the verse has everything, it focuses on God, but clearly points out our need for redemption, the purpose of Jesus' incarnation and the high price paid to execute this plan, along with spelling out the alternative outcome for those who resist in stubborn unbelief. This wasn't the verse the preacher was thinking of.

Habakkuk ch.2 v.14 was mentioned - the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea...

Daniel ch.2 was touched upon - but these, along with others were rejected as insufficient.

They were all good Bible verses, clearly expressing different aspects of God's pan for us all from a variety of perspectives - but not from the point of view that this preacher wanted to emphasise.

He had certainly piqued our interest. Instead of passivity, there was now an atmosphere of challenge. What could he be looking for that wasn't in any of those other verses?

Finally, he opened his Bible at Ephesians ch.1 v.9-10 God's will is for all things to come under one head, Christ's. This is our destiny, our purpose - to see these words become a reality around the world.

Success is inevitable - that is the power behind those words, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, spoke the universe into being and turned our lives around. The assurance of the Holy Spirit in our lives to guarantee the third of these equally miraculous events convinces us of the reality ofthis promise. We will see Him, enthroned in glory, above all other 'gods' and 'lords'. It is our honour to be able to participate in this process now.



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Bible verses on inspiration

2 Peter ch.1 v.21 puts it succinctly. The authors of the Bible were not relying on their own imagination to come up with the words that inspire us even now. Neither were they obediently scribbling do words dictated to them by an angel or writing automatically with blank minds while appearing to be possessed.

Instead, the authorship was a partnership - in the same way that the wind blows the sails of a boat whose captain chooses to steer it through a straight course. They were in full possession of all their faculties, but were empowered by the Holy Spirit, to allow His inspiration to speak through their thoughts and words - their languge, energised by Him to speak timeless truths for our benefit.

They could see by faith that there was more to what they were saying. They could only grasp imperfectly at an idea of the impact of those words, bt it gave them strength to ensure that they fulfilled the responsibilities of their sacred calling. And now, we reap the benefits of their diligence.

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Inspiration through preparation - know your Bible!

After the resurrection, Jesus' followers met together. It is interesting to note that He chided them for their lack of faith. Did they not know the scriptures well enough? These same scriptures also revealed the next phase they would enter in.

This is the key to sucessful Christian living. Know your Bible. It will lift your faith - revealing both the ultimate destiny for the human race as well as individual guidance for the future for yourself.

The Bible catalogues the full spectrum of human experience of the divine. There is no experience outside of these bounds. Therefore to be prepared for the next phase of our own spiritual journey, we need look no further than its pages to inform ourselves of the nature of what to expect.

Our faith is shaped by our experience, which matches the revelation we have received in the page of the Bible.

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Easter Greetings!

Now that Easter is past, the chocolate eggs and bunnies consumed. It is time to reflect on what it all means.

Good Friday is not a pleasant occasion for many. The reality of blood, nails, thorns and suffering is too much to bear. However, the stark reality of sin is far worse. A deadly sickness of the soul requires a radical solution. This is what crucifixion is about.

To me though - there is more to Good Friday than sacrifice. It speaks of victory - at the darkest point when all seems to be lost, this is in fact the finest hour.

The curtain rips, God's home is now with men - there is no barrier to impede communication through the work of Jesus in reconciling the two.

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Bible verses for Lent: #1 the wilderness

Jesus went into the wilderness. Why?

To be tempted - it seems strange. We pray, "lead us not into temptation" but Jesus knew that that his experience in the wilderness would result in a powerful encounter with the accuser. This is an important point that cannot be ignored. We need to prepare to face and be victorious over whatever would beset us at the end of our own time in the wilderness. Our weapons should be the same as those of our Lord: the Word of God, handled correctly.

To meet with the Father - there were far fewer distractions in the wilderness. It may be worth thinking about this the next time you find yourself metaphorically in the wilerness, stripped of distracting opportunities to minister, you can focus on what really matters.

To prepare for power - without the first two, there would be no point to this final entry. It is after Jesus' baptism and wilderness experience that we see Him exercising real power to turn the world around Him upside-down.

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Inspirational Verses from the Sermon on the Mount: the Lord's Prayer

More properly, this is the Disciples' Prayer - it's the one He taught US. It's position in the Sermon on the Mount is important. Jesus had just finished warning the disciples against meaningless repetition. The prayer is not some sort of magic mantra that will bring us blessings and keep us safe from curses - as if we were a cargo cult.

Instead, it's a pattern - a patchwor of themes that our own prayers should focus on if we are to develop an intimate relationship with our true Heavenly Father.

Our purpose is not to develop a mental checklist of spiritual topics, but to present ourselves in a way that acnowledges firstly who God is - then focuses on ourselves - our need of Him if we are to meet the needs of those around us.

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Inspirational Bible Verses from the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew ch6. v.4 is the first of a short series of verses that make an important point.

As the song says:

It aint what you do, it's the way that you do it.

Our motivation in doing good - whether praying, giving, fasting - whatever - is not to impress other people. Otherwise we're no better than anyone else who just wants to show off. It isn't even to impress God - He knows what's going on inside us anyway.

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