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Context is King

I know I’ve written about The Story quite a bit recently.  This is an ongoing opportunity to connect with God’s Word in a daily and intentional way.  Nearly 500 people from The Springs are encountering God’s Word via The Story.  From the reports I’ve heard, God is honoring their time, opening their eyes and changing their hearts.  You can read some of these responses by visiting thestoryblog.net.

One of the most helpful aspects of The Story is that it is organized in chronological order.  That is, the stories of the Bible are placed in the order that they occurred, not the categorical order found in traditional Bibles.

The Old Testament in traditional bibles is organized into four categories: Law (Genesis-Deuteronomy), History (Joshua-Esther), Poetry (Job-Song of Solomon) and Prophets (Isaiah-Malachi).  The New Testament is also divided into four categories: Gospels (Matthew-John), History (Acts), Letters (Romans-Jude) and Prophecy (Revelation).  But The Story, and other chronological Bibles, is different.

Reading the Bible in chronological order can help you see the big picture and understand the overall message of God’s Word.  And when it comes to God’s Word, or any other work for that matter, context is king.  Without context, you are left filling in the gaps and drawing conclusions never intended.  In fact, the best question to ask when considering meaning is, “What did the original author intend for the original audience to understand?”  Not, “what does this mean to me?”  For this to happen, you need to know the context of a passage.

One part of context is answered by asking the basic questions you learned in middle school English class.  That is, you find out more about context by finding out the who, what, where, when, why and how of a passage.  A good study Bible will have some of this information in the introduction to each book.

The other part of context is answered by seeing where this passage, this chapter, even this book fits into God’s overall plan.  This is where a resource like The Story becomes so valuable.  By reading the Bible in the order that events occurred, you have the opportunity to better connect the dots of God’s Word.

The Story is only a tool, but it can help you encounter God’s Word in a daily and intentional way.  If you are already doing this, great.  If not, it’s not too late to start your journey through The Story.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

A Gentle Rain

If you are journeying through The Story at the pace set up from the beginning, you should be about one-third of the way through the entire book or about half-way through the Old Testament.  In fact, right now you should be reading about King David.

I understand that you may be ahead or behind this target, but that is not what is most important.  What IS important is to be consistent in spending time in God’s Word.  That is why we talk about DAILY spending time in the Bible.  Being in God’s Word is not a speed reading project.  The goal is not to read as much as you can in a short amount of time.  Nor was the Bible intended to be only a reference book that is consulted from time to time.  We have the privilege of gradually and deliberately reading across the pages of the Bible allowing God to teach us more and more about Himself.

As Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he shared with them the nature of the relationship between husbands and wives.  He talked about this in terms of the relationship between Christ and the church.  In the midst of this passage, Paul speaks of Christ cleansing the church, “by the washing with water through the word.” (see Ephesians 5:25-27)

What I picture here is God’s Word as a gentle rain deeply nourishing our hearts.  Not a flood, not a deluge, just a soft shower.  It’s the difference between a Florida afternoon thunderstorm and the gentle rains I remember in Illinois.  The idea here is a consistent flow from God rather than a flood from time to time.

Reading through The Story is a tool to help you connect with God.  I pray that you will be willing to invest the time needed to meet with Him daily.

Simple Things

I consider myself a rather simple guy.  Sure, I have a PhD in Educational Administration, but I don’t consider myself to be an intellectual.  I understand life in simple, basic terms.

When I was a high school principal, I challenged my teachers to have high expectations for their students.  I believe that more times than not, students will rise up to the level of expectation we have for them.

When it comes to finances, my Dad taught me a lesson years ago that still serves me well.  When dealing with your money, spend less than you earn.  Sounds simple, but it works.

Concerning Chicago baseball, Cubs fans will still have to wait until next year.  Simple, but true.

How about our relationship with God?  Can this be seen in simple terms?  I believe so.  In fact, I believe God has only two simple things on His agenda for your life.

The first one is for you to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.  This is the basic statement of the gospel.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

This is the desire of God’s heart.  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

This is the great pursuit that God is on.  “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.”  Exodus 6:7

The second thing on God’s agenda for your life is for you to become like His Son.  “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son.”  Romans 8:29

The incredible thing to realize is that because He is God, He has the resources of the universe at His disposal to bring these two simple things about in your life.  He will passionately pursue you to draw you into a relationship with Him.  Since you are the object of His affection, there is nothing He will withhold to reach out to you.  We see this clearly proven at the cross.

And then, once you have committed to join Him in relationship, He will guide, mold, form and shape you to become like His Son.  He will use heartache and joy, victory and defeat, pain and peace to bring this about.

Don’t make following God complicated.  It’s really rather simple.

Semper Fidelis

Recently I had the opportunity to be in Parris Island, SC.  I was there attending a graduation ceremony at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot.  Over 600 men and women had completed their recruit training and were now being recognized as the newest United States Marines.

For the past 12 weeks, this group had endured difficulties, faced challenges and accomplished tasks that most of us will never deal with.  They had learned to give their all.  And when they thought they were empty, they dug down deeper and found hidden strength.

They were taught the history and values of the Marines, including the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis.  Latin for "always faithful," this motto guides Marines to remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps and to country, no matter what.

While Semper Fidelis has been the Marine Corps motto since 1883, it has been God’s motto from before the beginning of time.  “Always faithful” is one of the many characteristics that God demonstrates to us.

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.  Psalm 33:4

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.  1 Corinthians 1:8-9

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.  2 Thessalonians 3:3

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  Hebrews 10:23

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

My respect, admiration, and gratitude for those serving our country have never been greater.  Personally knowing just a little more about those that are committed to give their all for a cause greater than themselves is very humbling.

But, I’ve also learned an incredible lesson about God.  He has been and will continue to be faithful to me.  He gave His all for the cause of ransoming me.  How will I live my life in return knowing what He has done?

Father, I pray you will find me always faithful.

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23