Did Jesus Have a Favorite Bible?.....By Dr. John Barnett

Did Jesus Have a Favorite Bible?
By Dr. John Barnett

If you were put on the spot and hundreds of eyes and ears were on you and you were asked to give THE reason why you know the Bible is true—what would you say? That question is best answered by remembering what Jesus said in the same situation.

At that huge gathering, called the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus confidently told all the thousands who heard Him speak—that Heaven and Earth would pass away before any word of His Bible failed. Wow, He sure knew He had a Bible He could trust. Jesus didn't fear that there were any historical, moral, theological, and scientific inaccuracies in His Bible. He had a copy of the Book anyone can trust! 

But as we read Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus summed it up as simply this, HE believed God's Word and so should we:

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Have you ever looked down and wondered if you really held the same Bible Jesus had, the one God breathed out supernaturally by inspiration? And further, have you ever wondered if this one is okay, because it is a translation, and not the actual Hebrew or Greek words that God gave to those 40 plus men, who He used to write the Bible?

This is the Bible Jesus Used

The Septuagint was the first translation of the Hebrew Bible; and was made in the third century B.C. by Jewish scribes, who were direct descendants of those trained in Ezra's Great Synagogue of Jerusalem. They were complete experts in the text, being very well versed in Hebrew and Greek.

This translation became very popular among Jews in the first two centuries before Christ because many Jews in those days did not understand Hebrew. Their ancestors had left Israel centuries before, and generation after generation gradually lost the ability to read the Scriptures in Hebrew.

Many of the Jews in Jesus' day used the Septuagint as their Bible. Quite naturally, the early Christians also used the Septuagint in their meetings and for personal reading; and many of the New Testament apostles quoted it when they wrote the Gospels and Epistles in Greek. What is most fascinating is that the order of the books in the Septuagint is the same order in our Bibles today, and not like the Hebrew scrolls. So this means that:

Jesus Primarily Used a Translation

Jesus and the Apostles: studied, memorized, used, quoted, and read most often from the Bible of their day, the Septuagint. Since Matthew wrote primarily to convince the Jews that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed their promised Messiah, it follows as a matter of course that his Gospel is saturated with the Hebrew Scriptures. Yet, when Jesus quotes the Old Testament in Matthew, He uses the Hebrew text only 10% of the time, but the Greek LXX translation—90% of the time!

Amazingly, Jesus and Paul used the LXX as their primary Bible. It was just like the Bible each of us holds in our hands, not the original Hebrew Old Testament, but a translation of the Hebrew into Greek. But it was based on exactly the same original and inspired words, and reads just like the Bible we hold in our hands today.

An Open Heart.....Denison Ministries

 An Open Heart

Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

So often we view God as an enforcer of religious rules. We see the commands of Scripture as a list of to-dos rather than a path leading to abundant life. But those perceptions aren’t the truth of Scripture. Those beliefs are founded on misguided notions of God’s character. God is after the heart. More than he wants us to do right, he wants us to see him rightly. He wants going to church, reading the Bible, worshipping, serving the poor, and living righteously to come from a heart filled with a true revelation of his loving-kindness. May your heart be wholly God’s this week.

Scripture:

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Devotional:    

In order to experience all the fullness of life God has in store for us we must live with an open heart. Oftentimes, whether it be from wounds or simply bad teaching, we live closed off and self-focused. We go throughout our days with walls up around our hearts and rarely allow ourselves to receive the reality of God’s nearness moment to moment. But God is calling us deeper. He’s calling us to a lifestyle of encountering him. He’s calling us to tear down the walls we’ve built up and trust that living openly and receptively will bear life, peace, and joy.

John 15:4 says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” God longs to be with you. He longs to speak to you, guide you, pour out his love on you, and remain with you throughout your day. He’s not just a God of Sundays. His presence isn’t only available at conferences, worship services, or monasteries. He is God of every moment. He is Lord of all eternity. And he longs to give you good gifts all the time. He longs to bear wonderful, life-giving fruit in you. But you must be willing to abide in him. You must receive all he has to give.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Life comes from the heart both physically and spiritually. Just as the heart pumps blood out to the rest of your body, your heart pumps out spiritual life. Your heart is the place where God is constantly speaking. Your heart is what he cares about. It’s not enough to just give him your mind for understanding or your hands for good works; he wants you at your core. He wants your life to be wrapped up in his.

Take time today to open your heart to your loving heavenly Father. Look for any walls you’ve built up around your heart. Stop believing any lies or misconceptions that would keep you from experiencing God’s love moment to moment. May your time in guided prayer be filled with new life as your heart is open and receptive to the freedom of God’s presence.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of having an open and receptive heart to God.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

2. Do you have any walls up between you and God? Are you living at times as if he isn’t with you? Are you fully open and receptive to the things of God throughout your day?

3. Cast down any walls you’ve built up at the feet of Jesus and open your heart to him. Receive a revelation of his nearness and spend some time simply resting in his presence. Ask him to give you eyes to see all the good gifts he has given you today.

God is constantly blessing us. He constantly has good gifts to give us. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God longs to demonstrate his love to you by giving you good and perfect gifts. Cultivate a lifestyle of noticing and receiving God’s blessings. Look for all the ways he is providing for you and give thanks to him. Live your whole life in light of the reality of his nearness and experience all his goodness throughout your day. May you be filled with abundant blessings as you seek to live with an open heart.

Extended Reading: Matthew 12

The Opposite of Burnout Is Jesus.....NAOMI VACARO

 The Opposite of Burnout Is Jesus

NAOMI VACARO 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV) 

“Rest.”

The word fell out of my mouth like a sigh I’d been holding in for days. It had been another busy week, filled with work, household chores, social gatherings and the constant demands of mothering. One evening I burst into tears over dinner, expressing to my husband just how burned out I felt.

“You should try to get some rest tomorrow,” he responded.

Longing washed over me as my eyes welled up with tears. Oh, how I ached to rest! But as a wife, mother, homemaker, business owner and writer, I wasn’t sure I even knew how to rest anymore.

When I was growing up as a homeschooled missionary kid overseas, I used to be able to rest effortlessly. My childhood was slow-paced and peaceful, filled with days of reading, playing games with my siblings, running around outside and sitting by a fire at night. But seasons passed, and things changed all too quickly.

I graduated high school, moved internationally, went to college, got married, started a business and had a baby. All of a sudden, the margin was gone from my life, and every moment had to be accounted for. As my schedule filled with the responsibilities of adulthood, my ability to rest dissolved.

In an attempt to feel rejuvenated, I started bingeing TV shows, scrolling through social media and heading to thrift stores. Instead of providing refreshment, however, these activities made my fidgeting heart even more restless. Burnout was inevitable.

Does this picture sound familiar to you?

If you are a woman living in the 21st century, then you probably understand exactly what I’m talking about. After all, we live in an era of productivity. Our culture has taught us that our value is found primarily in what we produce, which results in a lifestyle of unhealthy “hustle.” This problem has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the surging self-care trend. A quick search on Instagram under the hashtag #selfcare reveals a myriad of “solutions” to our problem of overproductivity.

“Take a deep breath, and do your own thing,” one cutely drawn illustration advises. “Trust what you feel, not what you hear,” says another.

One man poses in front of a sauna with a list of all its benefits. Another post suggests face masks and salt baths as a great way to relax. A yoga instructor claims to have the answer to stress while a clean-eating influencer is convinced that all our problems would be solved by cutting out sugar.

Massages, pedicures, vacations, lattes, spa days, loungewear, sleeping pills, teas, oils, customized mattresses — no one works harder to rest than these people do.

But what if rest isn’t just sleep or self-pampering? What if rest is more than a vacation or a prescription? What if real rest goes far beyond the world’s definition of self-care?

What if rest is a person?

There is someone who has claimed to be our ultimate provider of rest. Jesus told the crowds, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV).

The truth is that our problem of sin, death and brokenness can’t be solved by a spa day or a sweet latte. Real rest must begin at a soul-deep level because that’s where our deepest weariness abides. In order to refresh our souls, we need the Maker of rest Himself, which means that a self-care regimen that omits Christ will always fall short.

Personally, I am learning every day how to rest in the presence of Jesus. I’m learning to watch TV less and pray more. I’m learning to take my eyes off my phone and point them toward God’s glory-filled sky, and I’m learning to find refreshment in the pages of Scripture instead of down the aisles of a thrift store.

I’m learning a little more every day that rest is a person and that the refreshment He provides isn’t dependent on my circumstances or my schedule but on my obedience to come running into His arms.

If you are weary and burdened, then Jesus is saying, “Come to me.” If you’re tired of keeping up with the “rat race” or drained from having to constantly perform, then turn to the One who has already done the most important work for you. His command is simply to come and rest.

Heavenly Father, I pray that we would be irresistibly drawn to the rest You give. I pray that we would submit the busyness of our lives into Your gentle hands and find refreshment in Your presence. Continue to teach each of us what it means to really rest, and help us to prioritize spending time with You, starting today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Wisdom’s Benefit Package.....Dr. Charles Stanley

 Wisdom’s Benefit Package

Dr. Charles Stanley

Proverbs 2

When someone applies for a job, a common question is: “What does the benefit package include?” Since the world’s advice about how to have a good life is in sharp contrast to what the Bible recommends, we might want to consider asking a similar question about the value of living according to God’s wisdom: What are the benefits? In other words, Why should we seek to live in obedience to the instructions given in the Scriptures?

First of all, in seeking God’s wisdom, we will acquire a deeper understanding and knowledge of the Lord (Prov. 22:4-6). Our perception of life is greatly enhanced when we know Him intimately. He’ll give us the ability to see ourselves, others, and situations from His perspective. As biblical principles permeate our minds, they will shape our thinking and responses to all of life’s situations and challenges.

Second, God promises divine guidance and protection if we walk wisely (vv. 7-10). Nothing outside His will can penetrate the shield of protection around those who seek to obey Him. When we let His wisdom enter our hearts, discretion watches over our desires and emotions, preventing us from entering into foolish or sinful relationships that would draw us away from Him (vv. 11-20).

Godly understanding and protection don’t become ours simply because we want them. Such benefits come to people who diligently seek divine wisdom. If you receive the wordsof Scripture and let them fill your heart and mind, the Lord will reveal Himself to you and give you His discernment.

Being Approachable.....By Debbie Holloway

 Being Approachable

By Debbie Holloway

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!” - Philippians 2:5

It is nigh impossible to be wholly truthful and also be universally liked. It is very difficult to believe strange things and be popular. It is unlikely that one who lives as a servant will draw fame and admiration from people in high places.

Thankfully, Jesus calls us neither to be universally liked, popular, famous, or admirable in the eyes of wealthy men.

But hold it – we can’t just stop there. Beware, lest we swagger with pride in the knowledge that being disliked, unpopular, and obscure will place us in high standing with our Lord. God has a distinct mission for us: to reach the world with the Gospel (that is, John 3:16). He has also set a distinct example for us to follow as we live and try to proclaim that gospel through our words and actions. All too often, however, we fall short of his example and become entirely unapproachable to the exact people we should be loving and reaching with God’s truth and love.

Was Jesus unapproachable? Did his firm stances on God’s truth leave others afraid to challenge him, ask questions, or be imperfect in his presence? Let’s look to Scripture.

1. People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Luke 18:15).

Not only does this infer that children were at ease in the presence of Christ, but that parents were comfortable handing their infants to this man to hold and bless! If you are a parent, you understand the implications of these verses. If not, then know: it’s a big deal to give someone your kid. Jesus lived in such a way that not only did children trust him, but parents trusted him with their children.

2. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:15).

In this passage Jesus attracts both the wicked and the righteous – neither group seems afraid to approach him. But while the Pharisees consistently attack Jesus with purposes of trapping or confounding him, the sinners and tax collectors love to walk with him, eat with him, drink with him, listen to his words. His sermons don’t scare them away; his words aren’t laced with shame and guilt-trips. Rather, he speaks of how to please God, how to love one another, and he fascinates them by turning old notions of righteousness upside down – all in a way that makes people want to listen to him and follow him. He patiently administers to sinners as a doctor gently aids a sick man.

3. Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth (Matthew 19:21).

It’s true, people did leave Jesus. People rejected him and turned away from what he had to say. But notice in this passage of the rich young ruler, Jesus did not reject him. Jesus did not turn him away – rather the man "sadly" left Jesus because his heart did not truly seek perfection by God’s standards.

Are you regarded with suspicion in the eyes of others? Do sinners keep their distance, knowing you are not a safe place for them to live imperfectly? Do you turn people away because of their reluctance to follow Kingdom standards? If so, you may need to revisit the Jesus of the Gospels.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Think of one area in your life that needs a good dose of humility and servitude, and inject some Jesus into it!

Further Reading

Matthew
mark
luke
john

A Prayer to Listen Only to God.....By: Victoria Riollano

 A Prayer to Listen Only to God

By: Victoria Riollano

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. - Proverbs 29:25

I’ve always cared about what other people think. From wondering how people would judge my appearance or age to being afraid to say “no,” there has always been this nagging feeling of impending rejection. As much as I would try to fight it, I would constantly find myself in situations I didn’t want to be in. The fear of not wanting to upset anyone or be looked down upon caused me to lack sound judgment. 

No matter how exhausted or irritated I may have been, I was the first to volunteer to help, to be present at functions, and to say “yes.” Although on the outside this appeared to be an act of love towards others, it was truly nothing more than my desire to be accepted. My fear of what other people thought robbed me of many years of joy and peace. I had become a slave to the sum of others’ opinions. I was willing to deny who God had called me to be in order to live up to other people’s perceptions. This is a deadly trap that left me suicidal, depressed, and miserable. 

I am convinced that I am not the only one in this predicament. Yet, I am comforted to know that Jesus spent his life on Earth navigating the opinions of others as well. Many doubted He was who He said He was. Many wondered how a “carpenter’s son” could possibly perform miracles, bless people, or stand up to the religious leaders of His day. We see throughout the Gospels those who were bold about their opinions concerning Jesus. To them, He was merely a good person and couldn’t possibly be the Son of God that had been prophesied about for generations. We even find a story tucked in Mark 3 that shows us even Jesus’s family was a bit confused about how Jesus chose to do ministry:

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” - Mark 3:20-21 NIV

You see, Jesus was not exempt from criticism. However, this was never a deterrent. He spoke what the Father in Heaven instructed Him to say, and He was present where He felt He needed to be. He knew that the fear of people and their thoughts would be a distraction from the great call on His life. Instead of giving in and quitting His mission on earth, He made a choice to complete every great work the Father in heaven had implored Him to do. This meant that He was willing to move forward despite what anyone had to say about it. He stood firm in His convictions and faith and all times.

Today, I believe the Lord wants us to do the same. For far too long, we have allowed ourselves to be swayed to not cause a scene or even be outcasted. Yet, this is a trap from the enemy. The Lord desires that we would follow Him and trust Him above all else. May we be, speak, and do only what He has called us to do. When we place other people’s opinions over God’s voice, we make them our personal idols. We can be assured that we will miss out on God’s best for our lives when we allow this. May we be in constant prayer to know His voice clearly and follow His lead in every decision.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 NIV

Let’s pray.

Lord, 

I ask that you forgive me for every time I have exalted another voice before yours. Help me to be sensitive to your plans for me. God, I only want to say and do what you have called me to do. Open my eyes to see the areas of my life where I’m just going along with the crowd. Show me how to stand in faith and in truth, even when it is difficult. Help me to be confident in your words over my life. 

Guard my heart against rejection and fear of man. I trust you Lord in all things. You alone are my rock, shield and firm foundation. May your words ring clearly in my life. 

In Jesus' name. Amen!

Finished!.....Greg Laurie

 Finished!

Greg Laurie

When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. —John 19:30 

The cross was the goal of Jesus from the very beginning. His birth was so there would be His death. The incarnation was for our atonement. He was born to die so that we might live. And when He had accomplished the purpose He had come to fulfill, He summed it up with a single word: “finished.”

In the original Greek, it was a common word. Jesus probably used it after He finished a project that He and Joseph might have been working on together in the carpentry shop. Jesus might have turned to Joseph and said, “Finished. Now let’s go have lunch.” It is finished. Mission accomplished. It is done. It is made an end of.

So what was finished? Finished and completed were the horrendous sufferings of Christ. Never again would He experience pain at the hand of wicked men. Never again would He have to bear the sins of the world. Never again would He, even for a moment, be forsaken of God. That was completed. That was taken care of.

Also finished was Satan’s stronghold on humanity. Jesus came to deal a decisive blow against the devil and his demons at the cross of Calvary. Hebrews 2:14 says, “Only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who hadthe power of death.” This means that you no longer have to be under the power of sin. Because of Jesus’ accomplishment at the cross, finished was the stronghold of Satan on humanity.

And lastly, finished was our salvation. It is completed. It is done. All of our sins were transferred to Jesus when He hung on the cross. His righteousness was transferred to our account.

So Jesus cried out the words, “It is finished!” It was God’s deliberate and well-thought-out plan. It is finished—so rejoice!