Category: Devotion

Bible Study Life Hack

Who doesn’t want another life hack? Not everything comes easy in life which makes us appreciate anything that makes life a little bit easier. Let me introduce a simple one that has helped me in the realm of personal Bible study.

The idea is to add additional reading to your Bible reading time. This could be a concise commentary to help you understand what you just read from the scriptures or a small book that outlines the book you are currently reading in the Scriptures. I once did a deep read of the book of Joshua aided by another book written by Rhett Dodson entitled Every Promise of Your Word published by The Banner of Truth Trust. It opened up the book to me like never before.

Perhaps you are wanting to getting a little more theological knowledge under your belt, but the thought of taking on a thousand page systematic theology book seems a little much. I suggest J. I. Packers little systematic entitled A Concise Theology. In this work, Packer gives each core doctrine one chapter consisting of two to four pages. An easy addition to your daily Bible reading.

Make the most of your Bible study by taking the extra time to add some helpful reading post Bible reading. Not only will you gain personal depth from the word of God, but you get to peek inside the minds of many others who have spent time in the word as well. SDG!

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Everyone a Theologian

I found an old book by John Gerstner in my library. The first chapter was the author’s appeal for everyone to be a theologian. The book is titled Theology for Everyman. So far, after two chapters, I feel it is a wonderful read.

The appeal from Dr. Gerstner in the first chapter sets the stage for the entire book. To know about God is to be a theologian. Not a full-time professional theologian like that of Dr. Gerstner, now deceased; but to be a good lay theologian. You need not go to seminary to gain a post secondary degree to be a theologian, but you do need a Bible and a humble heart ready to learn. Theology is not for pastors or Bible scholars only. It is for all men and women. All can be a theologian.

Dr. Gerstner lays the groundwork for the argument by stating the lack of knowledge of God is basically a sin along with reality of such it is detrimental to your soul. He makes sure we do not confuse simply having a knowledge of God as being salvific because one can have a knowledge of God and still be lost in sin. The idea rather is: to be a Christian is to have a true knowledge of God.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17). There is something to be known about God, Jesus, ourselves, and God’s redemptive grace before we can believe it. One must know about God to believe the gospel of God. Likewise, one can know all these things and still be lost. The devils know God and tremble (James 2:19). Yet, reserved for these demons is only destruction (Jude 6). But for the Christian, you know something and this informs your decision to follow Christ in your life.

This knowledge trickles down to an informed life throughout. Since we know God and know things about God, we know how he would have us live. I enjoyed how Dr. Gerstner made this appeal to the reader. This is something that is to be pursued joyfully as it brings much joy. I believe it was RC Sproul, who was mentored by Dr. Gerstner, who furthered this thought by saying everyone is a (already) theologian, the question is weather you are a good one or not? That is to say, all have a knowledge of God (as we see in Romans 1) but do use it as we ought? Be a theologian, a good one. SDG.

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Find a Dead Guy to Follow

I know what you’re thinking, “This is pure clickbait.” Hear me out, I beseech thee brethren. Before I dive right into this thought, I feel for the sake of snow and flake I must make disclosures. We follow Christ alone in faith as our hope in life and in death. Obviously. I’m not trying to contradict Paul here friends (1 Cor. 3:4-5). I’m making a very easy practical point. Also, if you don’t find a good dead male to follow, find a good dead female. My point will make more sense in the following passages.

I’ve heard it often from more learned men that they had at one particular point in their lives made a decision that altered their reading habits as well as studies upon points of certain biblical intrest. This decision was to follow a dead theologian, missionary, pastor, or what-have-you who had an impact for the Kingdom of God. Upon first hearing this, I was set aback. I knew the benefit of a living mentor, but a dead one?

Although this was novel to me it certainly was not for many a mature or budding Christian. Many gravitate towards a particular teacher or pastor who has long been dead. These Christians learn much from these saints and realize although the saint be dead, they still speak (Heb. 11:4). These dear ones resolve to read all they can of the the books, articles, sermons, and now even watch the videos in which their favorite theologian produced over their life time. The readers notice the growth of these wise sages and are encouraged by their lives lived well for the sake of the Gospel.

This has set me on a course I hope to complete along my life’s journey. I’ll be open to say I have not yet settled on one who speaks to my soul so deep but I intend to stay on the search. The conference room that is my library is filled with so many who would have me come under their tutelage, but I cannot decide.

Spurgeon blasts from his Metropolitan pulpit and Whitefield from the field. Sproul’s chalk board scratches my curiosity while Ryle delivers the elementary doctrines anew. Lewis bids me through the wardrobe and Edwards to the study. Others reach out from their shelves looking to council. It is all too rich to settle on just one, so for now I will read widely.

What I can say for now is I hope you find your dead man to follow. I am searching still for mine. These things are important. We should not think we have to reinvent the wheel. It is amazing how many questions we have today were answered many years ago by these dear saints. Many a man and woman have walked the narrow road of faith in which we all could benefit from something they knew and now know better. Look to the past for help for it is there you will better set your focus on the future we hope for. SDG!

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Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 033

“Break Glass in Case of An Emergency”

We all have seen such instruction placard on many a fire hose, fire alarm, or axe hanging the corridors or stair wells of various building we often frequent. It reminds us there are dangers, real dangers, but also there are solutions. We can see from these objects there is an objective truth we can appreciate in two ways. One is to react when the fire starts or be proactive to prevent fires in the first place.

The same could be said of our spiritual life. We can either react when things happen or be proactive since we know things do indeed happen. Let’s face it, life is full of trials and tribulations. Why not equip your heart and fill it with the truths of God before crisis arrives? You don’t put oil in the car after the engine ceases up, you put oil in so it doesn’t and furthermore, you maintenance the engine to keep it lasting a long time. So it is with our lives. Being filled with God’s word helps us navigate our times of difficulty.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV): 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The verses above are helpful to consider the reality we have spoken of briefly. We can pull many good truths from these two verses Paul writes here to young Timothy, but a couple are important for our benefit today.

First, All scripture is breathed out by God, which means all is from him. Literally breathed out by him and all is profitable. That means every chapter, paragraph, line, word, and punctuation are profitable! We can certainly say we may benefit more from certain passages than others just as you would profit from an extinguisher or a fire alarm in the midst of a fire. One to apply and the other to warn respectfully. So with the breathed out Word of God. We can benefit from its warnings and apply its truths.

Second, we see all scripture is for the Christian to be complete and ready for every good work. The Bible is not a step by step “How To” but a first principles volume that reveals who God is and our need for him. That simply means we can know the creator who created us and in turn give him the praise he deserves. He is worthy of worship no matter the situation we find ourself within our respective lives. We can have confidence in the midst of life when we realize our Bibles placards among its pages “Break, eat, and live”. SDG.

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Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 032

Galatians 1:11–17 (ESV): 11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Paul is a fascinating character in the Bible. A man who was a scholar of the Old Testament and at the beginnings of Christianity, a persecutor of Jesus Christ (Acts 9). Paul was met by Christ on the road to Damascus, radically converted, and then commissioned to go preach the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. But not immediately.

The Gospel of Christ did not come to Paul by the mouths of men, but of a revelation of Jesus Christ Himself. Paul went on to Arabia and seemed tarry there for three years learning from Christ as the previous apostles had done. Yet, Paul was sent to the Gentiles.

After this period of spiritual learning and solitude, Paul goes on to Jerusalem to find the Gospel he was entrusted with was the same Gospel Peter and James were given.

Jesus’ Gospel is the true Gospel. It is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Jesus saves sinners like that of Paul, who called himself chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul went on to say here in Galatians that many rejoiced in the conversion of such a man who once persecuted the church (Gal. 1:23). A true testimony of the saving power of Christ.

Christ’s Gospel is powerful. It changes lives. It saves sinners. It is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Have you been changed? If so, go to your place of solitude and be taught by Christ through His word. Seek godly council, teachers, and preachers who will pour their lives into you and teach you the truths of Christ. Then go tell the world of Jesus!

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Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 031

Genesis 2:15 (ESV) The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Work, work, work. This is not a curse as some would suggested. The work of man was instituted before the fall, not after. God placed Adam in the garden of Eden to work and to keep it. To tend to His garden, to have dominion over it, the plants, the trees, and the animals.

Work is good. It is created for us as image bearers to work. Here, Adam’s work would be to ‘serve’ the garden or to cultivate it to its supreme beauty. The other verb to ‘keep’ would carry the connotation of shepherding or guarding the garden. To be the representative of very God tending and protecting the dwelling of very God. A blessed vocation!

Adam did fail in his keeping and in his tending. We see this in chapter 3. The struggle with work and the banishment from the garden were results of this. However, God is merciful. We see the same type of language used in the tending to the tabernacle and the temple later on in the Old Testament. Both of these being like Eden, the dwelling place of God. We see this for New Testament believers as well. We are to guard (keep) our hearts and renew (cultivate, work) our minds (Proverbs 4:23; Romans 12:1-2). For the very Spirit of God dwells within us as we are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16).

God wants to be with His people and He intends for said people to work. Whatever we do, we should do it as unto the Lord because we are ultimately serving the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:23-24). Not only should we be about our business of vocation, but also the work of the Gospel. God’s people are not idle people. We work. We do it for His glory!

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Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 030

Romans 1:16–17 (ESV): For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

On this day, October 31st 502 years ago, an Augustinian Monk named Martin Luther hammered his 95 Theses to the castle church door in his home town of Wittenberg. This was not an act of rebellion, but rather an act of soul searching discussion concerning some terrifying issues with the Roman Catholic Church.

Indulgences were rampant and used to fund building extravagance at the expense of the common church goer. Luther’s sparks of debate unknowingly fanned the flame we celebrate today. The Protestant Reformation was birthed leading to the excommunication of Luther by Pope Leo X. But the sacrifice was all worth it as Luther saw the need for a reform of the Church of Rome and an elevation of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As the verses above make mention, the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Not the Church of Rome, it’s Pope, or indulgences. But by grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone is our hope for salvation. Luther understood this and our verse above led to his own conversion as he saw that the righteous shall live by faith. Out of the darkness came light and this light shines to this very day. May we take the time to celebrate this Reformation day and continue to reform according to the Scriptures! SDG!

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Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 029

Hebrews 10:22–25 (ESV): 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Let us consider the assembly of Christians in worship. Why is it important? Why can’t we just be Christian and worship God on our own?

The writer of Hebrews (for we know not the author) explains the expectation of gathering together. Throughout the New Testament, we see that gathering to be on the Lord’s day or the first day of the week (Rev. 1:10; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2). Here in Hebrews we can assume the Church of the first century was under heavy persecution. So much so, many were neglecting the assembly of public worship.

The author here tells them to encourage one another during this time of tribulation. The encouragement is met with a expectation of the Day drawing near. What Day? The Day. The Day Jesus returns. That is encouraging!

Being under the shepherding of Jesus means to be in the fold with the other sheep. To assemble with other brothers and sisters who also follow and profess Christ as Savior is the duty of the Christian. We must gather together for we need one another. To uplift and to be uplifted. Do not be the lone deer in the midst of the lions, but be stronger together with your family who were also bought by the blood of Christ.

The world is cruel no doubt, and it hates our Lord. It also hates His people. Persecution is a real thing and will reveal its ugly head at any moment. Take heart that you have others who love you and love Christ who you serve. Do not forsake being with them because your walk with Christ will suffer if you do. Other Christians are here to support and encourage. To love and befriend. Stir one another up. Love and do good works. Don’t be a Lone Ranger Christian. Your heart will fail and you resolve will dwindle. You need to be with your family. You need to be with them who are in Christ. Go to church.

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Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 028

Luke 9:23–26 (ESV): And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

To take up your cross and follow Jesus is to say you are willing to go die as He died. To be mocked and ridiculed for the message you carry. A message of sin, repentance, and faith in Christ the Messiah. It means to sit down to consider what it is to follow Jesus. What it means to lose your life to gain life is to say, “I am willing to follow Christ and His commands even if it costs me everything, even my life.” To follow Jesus is to die to our wants and live for His! Such a sobering realization.

You may gain a great deal in this life as far as material gain is concerned. But you will never gain the whole world. Jesus says what would it profit you if you did and yet, still lost your life? To keep your life for this worlds gains means to lose your life ultimately.

This passage also deals with staying faithful to the Word of Christ. The message He taught. The very Scripture itself. If we are ashamed of Christ’s words, He will be ashamed of us when He come into glory before the Father and the holy angels. Could you imagine being ashamed before all the host of Heaven? Be faithful to God’s word and willing to lose your life each day for Christ sake if necessary.

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Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 027

Romans 2:4 (ESV) Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

God extends his mercies each and everyday. Forgiveness is lavished upon those who come to Him. All who are thirsty should come. Those who do come find His love and kindness to be refreshing to the soul and a help in life’s trouble.

There are those however, who would hold back and wait for the right moment to come to Christ. They presume that they have their whole lives to live and tomorrow is just as sure as today. By the end of their lives the assumption is they are pretty good. Good enough for God to favor them. He is love after all…

O how they have it all wrong! The mercy of they day is for their repentance. Not to give them solace, but help them see their sin! God withholds His wrath and His coming to grant sinners time to repent and believe the Gospel. We should not presume but fall prostrate before Holy God and ask for the forgiveness He so wishes to give those who would come.

But you must come. Do not wait. Today is the day of salvation. And if you be saved already, be glad He tarries for those who have not yet come. Pray for them that God would grant them repentance and faith to place in Christ alone. Don’t presume upon the kindness and the forebarence of God, but be sure of it! Run to Him!

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