If, Then

If our preference is God, then our ambition will be to please Him (2 Cor. 5:8-9).

'To Mark Or Not To Mark?' That Is The Question

For those with biblomarkaphobia, I'd like to recommend having a bible that you make a habit of marking, even if it's not your "main" bible. I'd suggest marking at least the Bible you use devotionally. I think you will find it to be a useful means of capturing your devotional insights in a concise, yet memorable, way.

If you are already a Bible marker, perhaps you could benefit from the caution not to over-mark? You know the type, right? The can't-have-an-unmarked-page-or-else-someone-will-think-I'm-unspiritual-and-haven't-read-that-page-before marker guy/gal. We're crafty people when it comes to pride, and the dry fountain pen could be a sure sign of it.

So, how do you decide what to mark? How do you decide how to mark what you mark? How are we to remember what our marks mean when we are reviewing, or expounding upon, our most-insightful mark(s)?

For years, my favorite Bible has been the Thompson Chain Reference Bible (TCR) that my mom bought for me as a college student. The TCR Bible is built upon the premise that Scripture is the best interpreter of Scripture, and is replete with cross-references, study aids, and the like. It truly is a wonderful resource.

This post begins yet another brief series of posts that are found in the appendix of my TCR Bible. Page 2009 has the following advice about Bible Marking:

Its Value

Those who love God's Word will benefit from a simple system of Bible marking. A well-marked Bible becomes even more valuable to its owner over time because:

1. It preserves the result of years of study
2. It keeps new discoveries fresh in one's mind
   

What to Mark

This will largely depend upon personal taste and training. Generally speaking, it is better to select great themes and mark them consecutively through the Bible rather than mark many single verses on a wide variety of subjects.

Various Systems

Whatever system is adopted or developed should be used sparingly and with careful thought. If the book is marked impulsively the pages may soon become a mass of confusing notations that will hinder rather than help study.

1. Underlining or circling with a pencil the passages to be remembered or emphasized is the simplest method of marking verses.
2. The Color Scheme. Colored pencils may be used to good advantage to emphasize great themes. Selecting the Colors. Choose colors purposefully rather than arbitrarily. For example: Red (the color of blood) may be used to mark passages referring to such subjects as the blood of Christ. Blue (sky color) is appropriate for marking heavenly themes. Purple (the royal color) for subjects related to kingship (or the Majesty of God). Green (evergreen) for subjects referring to future hopes. Yellow for marking golden promises.
3. Marking with Symbols. Those who have some drawing skills and prefer a more detailed system may want to use symbols and letters. Selecting the symbols. Scriptural symbols should be chosen whenever possible and drawn in simple, outline form in the margin of the Bible opposite the appropriate passages. Whenever possible let the symbol represent an important theme and use letters above the symbol to represent the different aspects of the subject. For example:
   

A drawing of an altar would represent sacrifice or consecration. Place the drawing on the margin opposite passages such as Abraham's sacrifice, Ge 22:6-14, or Paul's appeal for consecration, Ro 12:1.

The Holy Spirit could be represented by wings of a dove. Mark a letter D over the wings by passages referring to the descent of the Spirit, such as Mt 3:16 and Ac 10:38. Mark an I over the wings where the Spirit is mentioned as indwelling. Mark a T over the wings where the Holy Spirit is teaching; and L where the Spirit is spoken of as leader.

A drawing of a book would represent the Word of God. Suggestions of appropriate letters to write over the drawing of the book are: E for the enduring Word; I for the inspired Word; L for the Word loved; P for the power of the Word; S for the study of the Word.

A cross can symbolize Jesus' sacrifice, and it may be marked with different letters to represent various aspects of the subject.

A picture of a yoke opposite Mt 11:29 and similar passages would represent service.

A heart by a passage would indicate the idea of love

A sword would indicate warfare.

A censer with incense rising would represent prayer. This symbol could be marked with different letters as follows: P for prayer prescribed; A for answered prayer; U for united prayer; S for secret prayer; I for intercessory prayer.

A harp would represent praise.

This brief list of symbols could be extended indefinitely.

The value of symbols lies in the fact that they express important thoughts more strikingly and in much less space than words. This makes them especially appropriate for use on Bible margins.

Anyone have a pencil that I may borrow?

Names, Titles, & Descriptions of God

Grace's Grace Groups are currently looking at God's Self-Descriptions. The following list of Names, Titles, & Descriptions of God comes from the last pages of the Experiencing God workbook. (As found in the NIV)

Perhaps you would want to print this list and slowly chip away at finding the Scripture references to each one? Most importantly, meditate on the Triune Person of God as He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures. Enjoy!

FATHER

1. A faithful God who does no wrong
2. A forgiving God
3. A fortress of salvation
4. A glorious crown
5. A jealous and avenging God
6. A Master in heaven
7. A refuge for His people
8. A refuge for the needy in distress
9. A refuge for the oppressed
10. A refuge for the poor
11. A sanctuary
12. A shade from the heat
13. A shelter from the storm
14. A source of strength
15. A stronghold in times of trouble
16. An ever present help in trouble
17. Architect and Builder
18. Builder of everything
19. Commander of the Lord's army
20. Creator of heaven and earth
21. Defender of widows
22. Eternal King
23. Father
24. Father of compassion
25. Father of our spirits
26. Father of heavenly lights
27. Father to the fatherless
28. God
29. God Almighty (El Sabaoth)
30. God Almighty (El Shaddai)
31. God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
32. God Most High
33. God my Maker
34. God my Rock
35. God my Savior
36. God my stronghold
37. God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
38. God of all comfort
39. God of all mankind
40. God of glory
41. God of gods
42. God of grace
43. God of hope
44. God of love and peace
45. God of peace
46. God of retribution
47. God of the living
48. God of the spirits of all mankind
49. God of truth
50. God our Father
51. God our strength
52. God over all the kingdoms of the earth
53. God the Father
54. God who avenges me
55. God who gives endurance and encouragement
56. God who relents from sending calamity
57. Great and awesome God
58. Great and powerful God
59. Great, mighty and awesome God
60. He who blots out your transgressions
61. He who comforts you
62. He who forms the hearts of all
63. He who raised Christ from the dead
64. He who reveals His thoughts to man
65. Helper of the fatherless
66. Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine
67. Him who is able to keep you from falling
68. Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead
69. Holy Father
70. Holy One
71. Holy One among you
72. I AM
73. I AM WHO I AM
74. Jealous
75. Judge of all the earth
76. King of glory
77. King of heaven
78. Living and true God
79. Lord (Adonai)
80. Lord Almighty
81. Lord God Almighty
82. Lord is Peace
83. Lord (Jehovah)
84. Lord Most High
85. Lord my Banner
86. Lord my Rock
87. Lord of all the earth
88. Lord of kings
89. Lord our God
90. Lord our Maker
91. Lord our shield
92. Lord who heals you
93. Lord who is there
94. Lord who make you holy
95. Lord who strikes the blow
96. Lord will provide (Jehovah Jireh)
97. Love
98. Maker of all things
99. Maker of heaven and earth
100. Most High
101. My advocate
102. My Comforter in sorrow
103. My confidence
104. My help
105. My helper
106. My hiding place
107. My hope
108. My light
109. My mighty rock
110. My refuge in the day of disaster
111. My refuge in times of trouble
112. My song
113. My strong deliverer
114. My support
115. One to be feared
116. Only wise God
117. Our dwelling place
118. Our judge
119. Our lawgiver
120. Our leader
121. Our Mighty One
122. Our Redeemer
123. Our refuge and strength
124. Righteous Father
125. Righteous Judge
126. Rock of our salvation
127. Shepherd
128. Sovereign Lord
129. The Almighty
130. The compassionate and gracious God
131. The eternal God
132. The consuming fire
133. The everlasting God
134. The exalted God
135. The faithful God
136. The gardener (husbandman)
137. The glorious Father
138. The Glory of Israel
139. The God who saves me
140. The God who sees me
141. The great King above all gods
142. The just and mighty One
143. The living Father
144. The Majestic Glory
145. The Majesty in heaven
146. The One who sustains me
147. The only God
148. The potter
149. The rock in whom I take refuge
150. The spring of living water
151. The strength of my heart
152. The true God
153. You who hear prayer
154. You who judge righteously and test the heart and mind
155. You who keep your covenant of love with your servants
156. You who love the people
157. Your glory
158. Your praise
159. Your very great reward
     

JESUS

1. A banner for the peoples
2. A Nazarene
3. All
4. Alpha and Omega
5. Ancient of Days
6. Anointed One
7. Apostle and high priest
8. Author and perfecter of our faith
9. Author of life
10. Author of their salvation
11. Blessed and only Ruler
12. Branch of the Lord
13. Bread of God
14. Bread of life
15. Bridegroom
16. Chief cornerstone
17. Chief Shepherd
18. Chosen and precious cornerstone
19. Christ Jesus my Lord
20. Christ Jesus our hope
21. Christ of God
22. Consolation of Israel
23. Covenant for the people
24. Crown of splendor
25. Eternal life
26. Faithful and True
27. Faithful and true witness
28. First to rise from the dead
29. Firstborn from among the dead
30. Firstborn over all creation
31. Firstfruits of those that have fallen asleep
32. Fragrant offering and sacrifice to God
33. Friend of tax collectors and "sinners"
34. God of all the earth
35. God over all
36. God's Son
37. Great high priest
38. Great light
39. Great Shepherd of the sheep
40. Guarantee of a better covenant
41. He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world
42. He who searches the hearts and minds
43. Head of every man
44. Head of the body, the church
45. Head of the church
46. Head over every power and authority
47. Heir of all things
48. Him who died and came to life again
49. Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins
50. His one and only Son
51. Holy and Righteous One
52. Holy One of God
53. Holy servant Jesus
54. Hope of Israel
55. Horn of salvation
56. Image of the invisible God
57. Immanuel (God with us)
58. Indescribable gift
59. Jesus
60. Jesus Christ
61. Jesus Christ our Lord
62. Jesus Christ our Savior
63. Jesus of Nazareth
64. Judge of the living and the dead
65. KING OF KINGS
66. King of the ages
67. Lamb of God
68. Light for revelation to the Gentiles
69. Light of life
70. Light of men
71. Light of the world
72. Living bread that came down from heaven
73. Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
74. Lord (Kurios)
75. Lord of glory
76. LORD OF LORDS
77. Lord of peace
78. Lord of the harvest
79. Lord of the Sabbath
80. Lord (Rabboni)
81. Man accredited by God
82. Man of sorrows
83. Master
84. Mediator of a new covenant
85. Messiah
86. Morning star
87. My friend
88. My intercessor
89. One who makes men holy
90. One who speaks to the Father in our defense
91. One who will rise to rule over the nations
92. Our glorious Lord Jesus Christ
93. Our God and Savior Jesus Christ
94. Our only Sovereign and Lord
95. Our Passover Lamb
96. Our peace
97. Our righteousness, holiness, and redemption
98. Physician
99. Prince and Savior
100. Prince of Peace
101. Prince of princes
102. Prince of the hosts
103. Ransom for all men
104. Refiner and purifier
105. Resurrection and the life
106. Righteous Judge
107. Righteous man
108. Righteous One
109. Rock eternal (Rock of ages)
110. Ruler of God's creation
111. Ruler of the kings of the earth
112. Savior of the world
113. Second man
114. Shepherd and Overseer of your souls
115. Son of Man
116. Son of the Blessed One
117. Son of the Living God
118. Son of the Most High God
119. Source of eternal salvation
120. Sure foundation
121. Teacher
122. The Amen
123. The atoning sacrifice for our sins
124. The Beginning and the End
125. The bright and Morning Star
126. The exact representation of His being
127. The First and the Last
128. The gate (door)
129. The good shepherd
130. The Head
131. The last Adam
132. The life
133. The Living One
134. The living Stone
135. The Lord Our Righteousness
136. The man from heaven
137. The man Jesus Christ
138. The most holy
139. The One and Only
140. The only God our Savior
141. The radiance of God's glory
142. The rising of the sun (Dayspring)
143. The stone the builders rejected
144. The testimony given in its proper time
145. The true light
146. The true vine
147. the truth
148. the way
149. the Word (logos)
150. True bread from heaven
151. Wisdom from God
152. Witness to the peoples
153. Wonderful Counselor
154. Word of God
155. Word of life
156. Your life
157. Your salvation
     

HOLY SPIRIT

1. A deposit (earnest)
2. Another Counselor
3. Breath of the Almighty
4. Holy One
5. Holy Spirit
6. Holy Spirit of God
7. Seal
8. Spirit of Christ
9. Spirit of counsel and of power
10. Spirit of faith
11. Spirit of fire
12. Spirit of glory
13. Spirit of God
14. Spirit of grace and supplication
15. Spirit of his Son
16. Spirit of holiness
17. Spirit of Jesus Christ
18. Spirit of judgment
19. Spirit of justice
20. Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord
21. Spirit of life
22. Spirit of our God
23. Spirit of sonship (adoption)
24. Spirit of the living God
25. Spirit of the Lord
26. Spirit of the Sovereign Lord
27. Spirit of truth
28. Spirit of wisdom and of understanding
29. Spirit of wisdom and revelation
30. The gift
31. The promised Holy Spirit
32. The same gift
33. Voice of the Almighty
34. Voice of the Lord

Wow!

"And Enlarge My Coast"

Where's Jordan been lately? I'd like to think I've been "enlarging my coast." More on that momentarily.

Although I can think of few joys more enjoyable than the joy of expository exultation, these first two weeks of my current five-week stint out of the pulpit at Grace have, on several fronts, proven good for my soul. During these weeks I've intentionally limited my output, but I've managed to stay busy enough.

I've often wondered how pastors did it all without being drained? Or worse, doing it all while being drained. And how much more effective they might be if they didn't have to wait until they were drained to take a much-needed sabbatical in order to seek the Lord's face? Not to take a break from the people, but for the people.

To state the obvious, pastors (and all believers) should always be following the Lord and leading His people to nourishing pastures. But when a pastor is afforded a special season to feast upon the Lord apart from his weekly responsibility to feed the flock from the pulpit it is a double-good; first for his soul, and secondarily, for the people he leads. As he is refreshed, he is more usable in the Master's hand to feed and lead the people. I can only hope more pastors and congregations will enjoy this double-good.

Of course, I'm delighted to be in the midst of just such a season. If you're not at Grace, maybe you will consider the blessing that both he and you might receive by arranging for him to take some much-needed time to repent and be refreshed by the presence of the Lord? (And if you do, let us know. We'd like to join you in serving him by giving him some books (e.g. 1, 2, 3) from old dead guys which may encourage him as he seeks the Lord's face :)

One significant blessing during this season has been hearing (and heeding) both of Nathan's sermons. May God heighten our knowledge of, and love for, our Good Shepherd, as well as our gladness to be built upon the foundation of Christ "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Another massive blessing, and certainly the greatest so far, has been 1 Chronicles. Pow. That's what the punch feels like when I read of the laborious preparations that were made by David for the building of the Lord's temple...even though the preparer never saw it happen! The prayer has become, "May God make GC willing to prepare - even for a lifetime - for the manifest nearness of God among His people in the Mid-South...even if we never experience it!" But, by all means, let us long to experience it during our lifetime, and pray expectantly.

You don't need me to remind you that Jabez's prayer has gotten some serious mileage in recent years. You may have recognized my reference to it in the title to this post?

1 Chronicles 4:10-Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested.

The name-it-claim-it folk have claimed a nice mint on their exploitation of this verse. For that they will give an account before the Righteous Judge, and it will not be a fair meeting. I'm not happy with what prosperity preachers have done to make our efforts in downtown more difficult by duping the poor to believe their lack of faith is the root cause for their poverty. Its simply not true. The Son of Man was at times homeless. Well, back to Jabez.

During this five-week quest to seek the Lord's face apart from my part of the pulpit responsibilities at Grace I've enjoyed being discipled by J.C. Philpot. After his death, his daughters complied some of his selected writings and combined them into a daily devotional book (which I've found no better) called Through Baca's Vale. It is literally worth its weight in gold. Just the other day, I was reading the entry for February 28 which happens to be taken from Jabez's prayer, and have been praying accordingly ever since. Suffice it to say that Philpot was not milking the verse to his financial advantage. Here's a snippet:

A coast means a boundary line such as divides one territory from another, or terminates a country, as the sea coast is the boundary of our island. Every quickened soul has a coast; that is, a territory of inward experience, which is limited and bounded by the line that the Holy Spirit has drawn in his conscience... But the living soul cannot but earnestly desire to have his coast enlarged. He wants more light, more life, more liberty, more knowledge of God in Christ, more faith, more hope, and love, and to have his narrow, contracted, shut-up heart enlarged in prayer, in meditation, in communion, in affection to the people of God. He is not satisfied with the scanty pasture alloted him, but wants a larger measure of heavenly teaching, to be indulged with the more filial confidence in, and access unto God, and be more delivered from that fear which hath torment...

A marked difference wouldn't you say from contemporary applications of the same text? Perhaps SC will hear from me again before this five weeks is past. Either way, Lord, enlarge my coast!

GG#2 Group(s) Interaction

This past week we focused primarily on God's attributes. We looked at 25 attributes of God, as described in His Word.

This post is designed for groups to interact with other groups. So, post away with scripture, and application of scripture pertaining to what God is saying about Himself that is (currently) making deep impacts on your view of Him.

It thrills me to know that this week there were 5; little, insignificant groups gathering across the mid-south to talk about and worship a gloriously infinite God!

Father, may it be Your good pleasure to give us much grace in pursuing You!

GG#2 guidance in seeking the God of the Bible

Guidance in Seeking the Lord this week

1. Read each of the passages on the attributes of God journaling thoughts and notes of how God is God.
   
2. Repent of any views of God less than how He has described Himself in His Word.
3. Spend some time in prayer that praises God for who He is and how He has described Himself in His Word
   
4. With Christ-like humility, worship the God of the Bible in every aspect of your life.
   

Memory Work
Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy,"I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.


Corresponding Works

• Bible
  
• Systematic Theology Wayne Grudem (section on God’s Incommunicable and Communicable attributes)
  
• Knowledge of the Holy A.W Tozer
  
• Attributes of God A.W Pink
  
• Legacy of a Legend Edward Payson
  
• Existence and Attributes of God Stephen Charnock

Grace Groups

We just finished our first GG tonight and here were some of the suggestions given for the upcoming week to help us strive to have a high view of God.

Questions to consider:

1. How important or necessary is a high view of God?

2. How might my view of God be vastly different than what God says about Himself in His Word?

3. Am I guilty of domesticating God so that He looks more and more like me?

Guidance in Seeking the Lord this week

1. Ask Him to radically change your view of Him that it would be more biblical and pleasing to Him resulting in worship that both glorifies Him and gives you greatest joy.
2. Read Isaiah 40-66 this week writing and meditating on some of God’s self-descriptions.

Memory Work

Isaiah 45:5-8 "I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; [6] That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun. That there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, [7] The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these.[8] "Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds pour down righteousness; Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, and righteousness spring up with it. I, the Lord, have created it.

What Good?

"What good is it to have a God with whom you have nothing to do?"
- John Calvin, Institutes, Book 1

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good... Psalm 73:28