by Staff | Dec 28, 2014 | Updates
by Staff | Dec 27, 2014 | Updates
BibleGateway.com – the world’s most visited Bible translation site – has published the top ten verses for which people searched on their site during 2014. The results were based on no fewer than 1.5 billion pageviews by 150 million visitors.
1. John 3:16
2. Jeremiah 29:11
3. Philippians 4:13
4. Romans 8:28
5. Psalm 23:4
6. Philippians 4:6
7. 1 Corinthians 13:4
8. Proverbs 3:5
9. 1 Corinthians 13:7
10. Romans 12:2
Noticeable is the fact that seven of the top ten scriptures are from the New Testament, and in an article titled “150 Million Bible Readers Were Searching for Love Most in 2014,” Christianity Today points out that the most popular scriptures are all encouraging ones, and that BibleGateway visitors searched for love more than any other term. The report shows which books, chapters and verses of the Bible are most viewed and many other interesting facts about BibleGateway use. You can read their report here.
by R. Herbert | Dec 24, 2014 | Discipleship
The star that appeared to the wise men in the East announcing the birth of Christ and which led them to Him (Matthew 2:1-9) shone brightly till its purpose was fulfilled, then it disappeared from view. In a similar manner, John the Baptist, who was called the “greatest of those born of women” (Matthew 11:11), accomplished a short intense ministry aimed also at announcing and pointing to the Christ, then likewise faded from view.
The star that heralded Jesus’ birth, bright as it appeared, was to be obscured by the One to whom it pointed – the Messiah himself. Here we also see a parallel with John the Baptist. As Christ affirmed, “He was a burning and shining lamp” (John 5:35), but John nevertheless came only as a witness because “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:8-9). Once Jesus’ ministry began, John’s “light”was dimmed by the rising of his successor. As John himself said using this very analogy, “He must wax, but I must wane” (John 3:30). But like the heavenly star that also preceded the Messiah’s birth, John the Baptist’s job was fully accomplished in the short but intense work which God intended for him. Both were powerful witnesses to the coming of the Messiah.
How does this apply to us? Although we may not live in the age which saw a heavenly light or a great prophetic “light” like John the Baptist pointing to Christ, the apostle Peter reminds us that “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). That “morning star” is Christ himself (Revelation 22:16); and the “prophetic message” is not so much all of prophecy as it is the prophetic message regarding the meaning and purpose of the coming of Christ.
The star of the nativity, the “lamp” of John the Baptist, and the “light shining in a dark place” were different announcements made available to different groups of people: the first to only a select few, the second to all who heard John, the third to all who come in contact with the word of God throughout the whole world. The three forms of announcement also increased in the level of understanding they provided those to whom they were given. Bright as the heavenly star may have appeared, and powerful as John’s testimony may have been, we can be thankful that the announcement that has come to us is the fullest, clearest and most profound of all.
by R. Herbert | Dec 21, 2014 | Knowledge & Wisdom
“When [the shepherds] had seen [the infant Jesus], they spread the word concerning what had been told them [by the angels] about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen …” (Luke 2:17-20).
Have you ever contrasted, while reading these verses, the reaction of Mary – compared to that of the shepherds – regarding the birth of Jesus? Luke makes it clear that the shepherds were “sharing their testimony,” as we might call it, with everyone. On the other hand, Mary, even as the mother of Jesus, and as someone who had also been told things by an angel (Luke 1:26-38), and who had earlier shared this experience with her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56), remained silent on what had happened.
So why when the shepherds seem to have gone all out in sharing what they knew of the good news, did Mary stay silent? Some have said that as a woman her testimony would not have been accepted in that ancient culture, but there are plenty of instances in the New Testament of that not being the case (for example, John 20:18). It seems far more likely that given the situation regarding her son’s mysterious conception, it might appear that she was simply telling a story to cover what people humanly presumed had happened. In other words, the situation was different for Mary – the same event, the same knowledge of the truth, but different circumstances. Had Mary shared her testimony under those circumstances, it might well have led to the truth being doubted and defamed.
This story has obvious implications for our lives today. We fully understand that we should never fear to confess our faith or to share the gospel, but Mary’s example shows that this fact should be tempered by wisdom according to the circumstances. This spiritual reality is in harmony with the physical reality stressed numerous times, in different ways, in the Book of Proverbs. For example, “A prudent man conceals knowledge…” (Proverbs 12:23); and we see the principle at its most basic level, of course, in the reminder that there is indeed “… a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).
When we look at the ministry of Jesus himself, we see that sometimes he spoke out regarding the truth, but sometimes he did not (for example, Matthew 21:23-27). He also instructed his followers “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6). This statement was allegorical, of course; but Jesus also instructed his disciples to move on when it was clear that people were antagonistic and had no interest in the truth of God (Matthew 10:11-14). “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves;” he said, “therefore, be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16); “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light” (Luke 16:8).
All these scriptures show a clear pattern of the use of wisdom in situations where the truth of God might be shared. In Mary’s situation, it would clearly have been problematic if she had spoken what she knew and, rather than God being glorified, her audience actually had been less likely to accept the truth. The truth of God is a wonderful gift to share, but it is one that should always be shared at an appropriate time and with wisdom.
by R. Herbert | Dec 15, 2014 | Prayer
The New Testament records that one day a disciple asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus replied: “When you pray, say …” and then he proceeded to give what is called “The Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9–13, and Luke 11:2–4).
We see that this prayer was probably intended as a model, which could be used as an outline and expanded in our own words, by the fact that the wording is different in the two gospels in which it occurs – so reciting its exact words is clearly not as important as following its points.
Today we have uploaded a guide showing how the points included in the Lord’s Prayer can be expanded in our own words for regular formal prayer which effectively covers all aspects of our relationship with God. This “how-to” article is “Using the Lord’s Prayer as a Guide” on our Tactical Living page. If you would like to see how you can use the Lord’s Prayer for fuller and more meaningful prayer, you can read it here.
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