Wisdom from Heaven

Listen along here:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/24666e10/wisdom-from-he...

Happy Fall Y'All!

Today was a gorgeous, breezy day in North Carolina!

On navigating Scripture, we learned that the Bible is not one single book; it is 66 unique books, written by 40 different authors and not ordered chronologically.

Yesterday I had another conversation with my young friend who said, 'Your last Morning Briefing with the overview of the Bible was really good. It helped me understand more...'

But, between you and me, that does not get to his original question about starting in the book of John and being confused right out of the gate. Let's take a look at why that might be. The first two verses of John chapter one: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God."

Whatever does that mean? Word...capitalized and then referred to as 'he'? And once again, why bother to take the time to figure out the meaning?

Because the Bible is true, it is trustworthy and has the ability to impact and change our lives; it is God speaking to us the things he wants us to know--important truths like

->Who he is

->how we got here

->how he feels about us

The Bible tells us

->God wants to have a relationship with us

->his Son, Jesus Christ, made relationship with God possible

->God's purpose for our lives

->the best way to live, how to treat people, what's right and what is wrong

->Jesus Christ is coming again

->the destiny of those who have relationship with him

->the fate of those who reject him. . . and that's for starters.

Today, I would like to outfit you with suggestions for a plan of attack when reading the Bible, and resources to understand the scripture's meaning(s).

Before you read a passage of Scripture in the Bible, pray--ask God to help you understand what you are reading. And then you might consider these key elements:

-who was the author?

-his purpose for writing?

-was he writing to a particular audience? (key thought for Paul's letters)

This information can be gathered easily and quickly before the first reading of a passage of Scripture.

By way of illustration, let's go back to the opening verses of the Gospel of John.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. 

>'The Word'? What did the writer mean? John, the writer was talking about Jesus, but calling him 'the Word' here. How to get some easy explanation... Here are three free, easily accessed resources to supply understanding and meaning:

1. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John 1.1-3&version...

When you click the link, I have selected two different Bible translations to compare. On the right, you can see commentaries to access background information for the book of John and then specific word explanations for each verse. Remember, the New Testament was written in Greek, so sometimes the commentary will show you the Greek word that was used in the scripture.

"Young man, hey, you who are reading John's gospel--when John writes "In the beginning was the Word, he was doing at least two things: linking his writing to Genesis 1.1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And John is making it clear that Jesus was with God from the beginning. Jesus did not come to be when he was born of Mary in Bethlehem, like the Father, Jesus was/is eternal.

'But John, why use the word Logos here?' I wonder. Hmmm, what is the definition of logos? The Lexham Bible Dictionary defines logos (λόγος) as “a concept word in the Bible symbolic of the nature and function of Jesus Christ. It is also used to refer to the revelation of God in the world.” 1

2. Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-1/ David Guzik's commentary is just one of many I access. There are also video teachings on his website. He is well studied, current and solid--excellent too for the new student of the Bible.

3. And has there ever been another like Chuck Swindoll? His work is a treasure trove of deep study, a lifetime of walking with God--preaching the Word and winsomely leading people into God's presence. From Swindoll's Insight for Living, here is the introduction for John's gospel, available in audio too: https://insight.org/resources/bible/the-gospels/john

I can hear my attorney friend Nick in New York saying, 'Come on Christine, I'm not into this study stuff, just give me something to stoke my mind today, let me know God is there.' Ha, ha - got it, Nick, but had to set the table for a few who want to feed themselves, for those who want answers to things they do not readily understand.

But, I got you--here it is, Nick...

Early this morning, also from John's gospel I read these words of Jesus:

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.2

And then, while looking out my window, I remembered something else Jesus said,

'My Father is always working and so am I.'3

And there it is. I endeavor to know this God of mine who is always at work. When I pray, He hears and He goes to work; even when I give up on something I have prayed, he neither forgets nor gives up. I know that because he tells me so in His Word--the very reason the Bible is worth spending the time to mine its vast treasures.

Wisdom from Heaven song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4yKHEIVfUs&list=RDR4yKHEIVfUs&a...

Wisdom from Heaven is Life-giving,

Christine

PastorWoman.net

1 - https://www.logos.com/grow/greek-word-logos-meaning/

2 - John 14.1

3 - John 5.17