Links & Quotes

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Some great reading from today.

Why do we take a railway guide and arrange for a particular journey? … Well, one has confidence in the reliability of these official publications. As a rule we are not put to shame! Now, just as we use a railway guide we must use our Bible. We must depend on God’s Word just as we depend on man’s word, only remembering that though man may not be able to carry out his promise, God will always fulfill what He has said.” —Hudson Taylor

More archeological finds in Israel confirm the historicity of the Bible: Canaanite Fortress Discovered.

Explain to me again how this is legal (or humane!): Nurse tells grisly tale of partial-birth abortions.

The New York Post finds that tanning salons are inspected more than abortion clinics.

Medical science shows stress in the home adversely effects chromosomes in kids.

“Distractions must be conquered or they will conquer us. So let us cultivate simplicity; let us want fewer things; let us walk in the Spirit; let us fill our minds with the Word of God and our hearts with praise. In that way we can live in peace even in such a distraught world as this.” —A.W. Tozer

“If indeed the name of the eternal God is named upon us, we are secure; for, as of old, a Roman had but to say Romanus sum, I am a Roman, and he could claim the protection of all the legions of the vast empire; so everyone who is a man of God has omnipotence as his guardian, and God will sooner empty heaven of angels then leave a saint without defense. Be braver than lions for the right, for God is with you.” —Charles Spurgeon

“How one learns to be thankful for each day on which one can still do something.” —Karl Barth

Links & Quotes

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Some links to some interesting reading and quotes I found this weekend.

Eric Metaxas shares some interesting archeological finds: Make No Camel Bones About It.

“No man has any moral right to go before the people who has not first been long before the Lord. No man has any right to speak to men about God who has not first spoken to God about men. And the prophet of God should spend more time in the secret place praying than he spends in the public place preaching.” —A.W. Tozer

A couple of family men (not!): Sports radio hosts blast player for taking paternity leave. UPDATE: I was glad to see that one of these guys, Boomer Esiason, apologized for these remarks. Good job, Boomer!

Helpful post for parents: How To Notice Changes In Our Kids.

“How many have we in our churches of crab tree Christians, who have mixed such a vast amount of vinegar, and such a tremendous quantity of gall in their constitutions, that they can scarcely speak one good word to you; they imagine it impossible to defend religion except by passionate ebullitions; they cannot speak for their dishonored Master without being angry with their opponent; God if anything is away, whether it be in the house, the church, or anywhere else, they conceive it to be their duty to set their faces like a flint, and to defy everybody. They are like isolated icebergs; no one cares to go near them. They float about on the sea of forgetfulness, until at last they are melted and gone; and though, good souls, we shall be happy enough to meet them in heaven, we are heartily glad to get rid of them from the earth. They were always so unamiable in disposition, that we would rather live an eternity with them in heaven, than five minutes on earth. Be ye not thus, my brethren. Imitate Christ in your loving spirits; speak kindly, act kindly, and do kindly, that men may say of you, ‘He has been with Jesus.’” —Charles Spurgeon

Rush Limbaugh’s take on the resignation of Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich.

“To be a Christian it is necessary that he serve his generation as well as his God.” —A.W. Tozer

“God’s presence is not the same as the feeling of God’s presence and He may be doing most for us when we think He is doing least.” —C.S. Lewis

Links & Quotes

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These are links to articles and quotes I found interesting today.

This is really cool! 50 People In The Bible Confirmed Archaeologically

Please pray: 33 North Koreans To Be Executed For Contact With Christian Missionary

“Better have God and no other friend then all the patrons on the earth and no God.” —Charles Spurgeon

Thought-provoking questions: “Dear Christian, are you still on fire for Jesus? Are you in love with Him as passionately as when you first got saved? Or have you lost interest in His concerns, forsaking all ministry? Do you have too much else going on in your life? If so, the Lord says to you, ‘I have something against you—you have left your first love!’” —David Wilkerson

Great historical perspective on our current issues: John Wesley And Religious Freedom

Archeological Study Bible (book review)

Archeological Study BibleNormally I post book reviews after I have completely read a book. But since I’m going to be working my way through The Archeological Study Bible for quite some time, I thought now was as good a time as any to share my thoughts.

I have never been able to read through the Bible in a year. I find too many fascinating subjects that keep me locked into a passage, and so it ends up putting me hopelessly behind such a rigorous reading schedule. In this study Bible, I’m finding even more fascinating reading that is making God’s Word come alive (and consequently causing me to pause even longer on certain passages)!

Since archeology and anthropology put human history in order, I am reading through the Scripture in its chronological order (i.e. not in the order the books appear in the Bible, but in the order the historical events occurred. There is a helpful chronological list on BibleGateway.com). The Archeological Study Bible is adding such a richness to the places and people and customs that are chronicled in Scripture. With each commentary, map, chart, graph, or in-depth article, I am learning about the cultures in which the people of the Bible lived, and the prevailing thoughts and customs in which biblical writers wrote the Spirit-inspired Scriptures. It is quite fascinating!

If you would like to add a new level of richness to your Bible study, this study Bible should definitely be a part of your library.

Yahweh Vs. Polytheism

I have been reading through the Bible chronologically for awhile now using The Archeology Study Bible, and I am really enjoying the new insights into Scripture that I am gaining.

A couple of weeks ago I saw this chart (on page 408) contrasting the monotheistic characteristics of the one true God (Yahweh) with the polytheistic characteristics which the nations surrounding Israel adhered to. It’s quite a fascinating contrast!

Theological difference between Israel and others

(Click the image to see a larger view, or download a PDF version here → Theological difference between Israel and others. Or better yet, purchase a copy of this amazing study Bible for your own use.)

The monotheistic worldview presented in the Bible is the only worldview which makes the most sense of the universe in which we live. Therefore, the Bible is the filter through which I process all of the other books I read.

March!

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on AppleSpotify, or Audible.

I’m convinced that many of us have missed answers to prayer because the answers seemed “too practical” or required “too much work” from us. Consider the well-known example of the defeat of the city of Jericho as recorded in the Bible.

Jericho was a massive fortress. Archeologists tell us that the city encompassed over eight acres, and was surrounded by walls which were 30-feet tall and 20-feet wide. Joshua was a brilliant military strategist who up to this point had never suffered a defeat. He asks God for help in defeating this fortress, and God tells him, “March!”

That’s it. Not pray, pray, and pray some more. Not go on a 40-day fast. Make no mistake, the Israelites had been in a period of renewed passion and prayer. As they entered Canaan, they sought God, renewed their vow to serve Him alone, and celebrated the Passover just days before encountering Jericho.

Sometimes our prayers have to have feet. 

Sort of like abolitionist Frederick Douglass who said, “Praying for freedom never did me any good til I started praying with my feet.”

  • We need to pray for the salvation of our loved ones, and talk to them about Christ.
  • We need to pray for God to open the door for employment, and mail the resume.
  • We need to pray for God’s help on a test, and study hard.
  • We need to pray, and we need to march.

Jericho delieveredI love the verb tense in this story! God told Joshua, “I have delivered Jericho into your hands” (Joshua 6:2). Later on, after the Israelites completed their 13th hike around Jericho, Joshua said, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city” (v. 16).

If you are praying for something that is in alignment with God’s Word, then God has given you your Jericho. But you may not see the walls come tumbling down until you march. Keep praying, keep marching, keep circling it in prayer, and watch those walls crumble!

To check out the others messages in this series on prayer called Praying Circles, please click here.

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