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A Book Review: The New Testament for Everyone by N.T. Wright

A Book Review by Patti Greene

Publication

Wright, N.T. The New Testament for Everyone: A Fresh Translation. 3rd  ed., Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2023.

Disclaimer

I received a hardcover copy of the 3rd edition of The New Testament for Everyone: A Fresh Translation as a gift because, as a Bible Gateway blogger grid member, I agreed to review this updated edition by Zondervan honestly.

Initially published in 2011, The New Testament for Everyone by N.T. Wright is now in its third edition, and this third version is being reviewed.

Content

In this 526-page hardback book, the New Testament books are printed in full. On the “Contents” page, you can easily find the page number to access a List of Maps quickly, a Preface to the First and Second Editions, a Preface to the Third Edition, an Introduction, and a List of the 27 books of the New Testament. It is beneficial to read the prefaces and introduction to understand how the book came about and why there is a third edition, mainly because it notifies the reader that this edition now comes in an audiobook. The author notes that all four Gospels are “emphatically Jewish” in nature.

Format

The book’s format is enjoyable. It arrived with a nice slide-in book box, which showed the same front cover as the one on the book. Due to the book’s approximate 6×9″ size, it is suitable for sticking in a medium-sized purse, backpack, or briefcase. Inside the text, the subheadings within the Bible chapters are distinguished in a subtle and attractive green print. In addition, the page numbers and title of the Bible chapter include the same beautiful green print, creating a distinguishing feature from the easy-to-read and nicely spaced black print on crisp white pages. While I reviewed the hardcover book, one may choose a leather soft or an e-book version.

Pros and Cons

There are multiple pros and cons in this New Testament.

Pros

First, a description identifying important information about the Gospels, Acts, Letters, and Revelation occurs before each of the four sections mentioned. In this description, central themes are noted. Second, the maps are scattered within the book, mostly in Acts. Third, Bible teachers and readers gain needed knowledge with the glossary of words behind the text.

Cons

First, there was not an index of the chapter headings and subheadings. This would have helped a teacher and novice reader when looking for Biblical stories or topics. Second, the words of Jesus are in the same black print as the Bible’s content. Having Jesus’ words in red would have been a nice touch to include since many readers like the words of Jesus more pronounced.

Particulars

Per the author/translator, N.T. Wright states that this Bible is not a paraphrase but a translation. He admits he “tried to stick closely to the original language.” He also explains why this 3rd edition was needed. This author/translator informs the readers that this book is suitable for those who will probably never look at a commentary. That is why, he states, he gives background information necessary to those needing background knowledge. Wright says he “tried to use gender-neutral language throughout the Bible. He mentioned that when he refers to human beings, he may say “they” rather than “he or she.” Because of this last admission, I am rating this Bible a four-star.

Before Purchasing

As with all books, the reader should research the author/translator N.T. Wright to learn and discern for themselves his theological bent. Everyone can decide what Bible to read, so their choice might differ from this publication.

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A Book Review: Timeless Truths Bible, 2023 by Thomas Nelson

A Book Review by Patti Greene

Capps, Matthew Z., ed. Timeless Truths Bible: One Faith Handed Down. For All the Saints. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2023.

I received a hardcover copy of the 2023 Timeless Truths Bible as a free gift because, as a Bible Gateway blogger grid member, I agreed to give an honest review of this New English Translation (NET) by Thomas Nelson Bibles.

First Impression

My first impression when I opened the Bible was that the print was too small. Upon further investigation, I learned that the Bible is printed in 9-point NET Comfort Print. In addition, the Bible is not set up like most Bibles, with two columns of Biblical content, which I usually like. However, there is a blank space on the side of each page for Bible art journaling or notes. This Bible is quite heavy, making it undesirable for people experiencing low muscle mass.

Different Bents

This Bible has different bents than most Bibles I have seen. First, it includes prominent Christian historians and their biographies and commentaries throughout the Bible. This input contains Irenaeus, Augustine, Wesley, Luther, Spurgeon, and more. Second, it also places a high emphasis on artwork. Scattered throughout the book are color photos of artwork. Third, random items are scattered throughout the Bible, such as critical creeds and confessions, Gregory of Nyssa, the Apostles Creed, and more. These additions allow those with a more profound interest in history and art to have a Bible, which might meet their intellectual longings.

Valuable Information

Although this Bible may not meet the needs of those who want a plain Bible to read, it contains valuable information that may help many in their Biblical research.

At the beginning of the Timeless Truths Bible, there is a list of abbreviations, a Bible books register, explanatory notes, an introduction to the New English translation, and a how-to-use Bible section.

In addition, there is an introduction to each book of the Bible for each sixty-six books. And as a bonus, this Bible has two silk bookmarks!

At the back of this 1682-page Bible, there is a bibliography, index, a descriptive list of the sacred artwork, and seven colored maps starting with the World of the Patriarchs through Jerusalem in the time of Jesus.

Consider before Purchasing

As I perused the Bible, I noticed no topic or verse index, which many Bible readers use and value immensely.

Overall, one should evaluate this Bible carefully before purchasing it to see if it meets their needs. For some, it might be a fantastic addition to their library. For others, they may be looking for a smaller content, larger print Bible.

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Sacred Snippet: Why do believers know so little about the Bible?

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____________________

Have you ever been challenged to ponder a spiritual question?

I have!  The question was, “Why do believers know so little about the Bible?” My semi-short answer and thoughts follow.

I have been a Bible teacher in church, homes, and outside venues, and I have been astonished (sort of) encountering people, even long-time believers, who know so little about the Bible.

When this occurs, I silently ask myself questions like…

– Does the Word go in one ear and out the other?

– Do they not ever look at their Bible outside of Sundays?

– Do they have selective memories?

– Does Satan wipe out what they have heard or learned?

– Does a person have medical memory problems?

– Is some sin blocking them from being involved in the Bible?

– Why don’t they take the Bible seriously?

– Are they really believers?

It baffles me that “so many know so little about the Bible” because since I accepted Jesus Christ 50 years ago, I have taken the Bible seriously from the get-go. I say that with as much humility as I can muster because I do not want it to come out prideful. “Lord, please forgive me if it is.” That is not my intent. I am not perfect—far from it, believe me. But what happened that was different?

To be effective in ministry, we should have a good handle on God’s Word. We should desire to read the Bible and learn what God wants us to do and what His will is. If we are disciples of Christ, we should not neglect the Word, and I mean the entire Word, including the Old and the New Testaments.

I believe the church should be used to lead people to Christ and then see them being transformed into Christ-like individuals.

While the church should be an instrument in one’s transformation, people make choices. They choose not to open their Bible. They choose not to read or study their Bible. And they choose not to attend church, Bible studies, or discipleship classes.

People must make the Bible a priority in their lives.

For a solid Bible believer, one act of kindness is to pray fervently for those who do not take the Bible seriously. Find out if they have a personal relationship with the Lord, encourage them to grow, and then stand by their side as they start the exciting life of knowing God through His Word and His Spirit.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2 NASB).

God Bless.

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Voices: Choose to follow God’s path of life

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Reprinted from The Baptist Standard

Voices: Choose to follow God’s path of life

God has a path of life for believers in Jesus. Are you on that path of following Jesus or heading down a different one?

8-28-2023 – By Patti Greene

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Do you feel you are on the right path of life, following your Lord as closely as you know how? Or are you slipping slowly down the wrong path?

God has a path for believers in Jesus Christ. The Bible calls it the path of life.

As a child, I used to grab 10 to 15 Little Golden Books at a time and read one after another. One that always attracted me is Scuffy the Tugboat by Gertrude Crampton.

Scuffy was an adventurous little tugboat who believed he was meant for bigger things. He leaves his home, the man with the polka-dot tie, and the little boy who cared for him and sets off to explore the world. After his daring and treacherous adventure down a brook and then a raging river, Scuffy realizes home is where he’d rather be.

Twice during his adventure, Scuffy said, “This is the life for me.” The first time, he was leaving the reasonable, sensible path of his prior life to seek adventure. The second time was when he realized he already had been right where he needed to be all along—at home, safe in the arms of the man and boy who loved him.

Our goal should be to reach the point where we say right where we are, “This is the life for me.”

God wants us to understand we can know our path. Hopefully, it is the one he has set apart for us, but we must choose it.

Choices

In Psalms 16, King David declares he wants refuge in the Lord. In his communion with the Lord, he writes:

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy: at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11 ESV).

What path does God want us to be on for him?

In his Tyndale Old Testament Commentary on Psalms 1–72, Derek Kidner defines a person on the right path of life asone whose affections are centered on God. This person finds satisfaction in God’s ways and does not pursue other gods. God’s protection and instruction bless him.

We have two choices we can make in life: (1) accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and (2) follow God’s path for us leading to total joy in his presence.

We know we have eternal life, but sometimes we experience spiritual struggles. David trusted the Lord would show him the righteous path of life.

Righteousness and unrighteousness

As believers, we continually must choose between righteousness and unrighteousness. We want to walk in victory, but sometimes we find ourselves desiring things God has proclaimed unsuitable for us. We have that struggle between our flesh and the spirit, so we must ponder the path our feet are on.

We cannot experience God’s true purpose for life when we travel the destructive path. We may find ourselves in a continuous cycle of repeatedly sinning and confessing. To break that cycle, we must deny ourselves, take up Jesus’ cross and follow him.

“And he was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me’” (Luke 9:23 NASB95).

“In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway, there is no death …” (Proverbs 10:28 Amplified Bible).

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, so that he will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NASB).

Reroute and redirect

A navigation system is an instrument that determines the position of a vehicle and the route to a particular place. The car’s navigation system tells the driver to turn left or right at a specific junction. The navigation system uses GPS signals to determine the vehicle’s location and direction.

It is a valuable tool with many benefits, such as helping people reach their destination, guiding drivers through congested areas, tracking packages, locating vehicles and more.

It is similar to the way God directs us in our lives. He shows us which way to turn, signals us on which way to proceed, helps us reach the destination and call of our lives, and guides us continually through the rough times in our lives.

Our navigation system must take its orders from the Lord. He will reroute and redirect our thoughts or actions if we genuinely want to follow his path.

‘This is the life for me’

Scuffy’s path of life allowed him to travel in a way that was not good for him. In the process, he enjoyed some of life’s simple pleasures, but as he kept traveling along the river, he was jammed with logs and became scared of the river moving faster and faster. Then the flood waters came, and the little tugboat desired the warmth and safety of home.

God can do the same for us as we travel our path of life.

Just like the man with the polka-dot tie who scooped Scuffy out of the water after his journey away and brought him home, God will do the same for us when we choose to live for him, decide against following unrighteous living, and allow him to reroute us when we stumble.

Let’s live victoriously in his presence along the path he has prepared for us.

Patti Greene is a graduate of Baylor University and Dallas Baptist University, a member of Second Baptist Church in Houston, and the author of seven books. The views are those of the author.

 
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A Book Review: NIV Student Bible, Updated 2023 by Zondervan

If you receive this blog through an email subscription, you can click on the title to see the full version of this review.

I received Zondervan’s updated 2023 NIV Student Bible with notes by Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford as a free gift as a Bible Gateway Blogger Grid member. I was tasked to give an honest review of this Bible. This beautiful 1,600-page Bible comes in hardcover with a jacket cover, a teal leather soft cover, and a brown leather soft cover—to meet personal tastes.

Advantages

When I offered to review the book, I thought it might be a Bible like many others, with a few notes and illustrations slapped haphazardly in the Bible. However, I was pleasantly surprised as I perused this excellent Bible.

I first noticed the number of devotionals and applications that were well-written, easy to understand, and relatable to both students ages 14-18 AND ADULTS. For a serious Bible student, the extra resources treated teenagers as adults, with topics that dwell on higher-level Bible stories and explanations.

As I like to learn some of the more profound thoughts of the Bible, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the doctrinal and study notes included throughout the Bible.

I am a certified librarian, so  I look for location ease in non-fiction books I read and recommend. This Bible did not disappoint. It included various sections, which are listed below.

  1. An introduction to each book of the Bible,
  2. 100 people you should know,
  3. A glossary of people and places,
  4. Well-known Biblical events,
  5. An outline of the Testaments,
  6. A lineup of rulers,
  7. Notable Psalms,
  8. Life Questions, and
  9. An excellent subject guide.

What also impressed me was the inclusion of three different reading plans. This saves so much time for those looking for a quick resource in finding a plan to follow, thus, allowing more people to get right into reading the Bible without having to research multiple places and plans to find one.

There were also two different listings of the Books of the Bible, one alphabetical and one in the traditional order based on the Old and New Testament locations. The first listing is so much easier for someone just starting to read the Bible to locate the books of the Bible. No more do they have to scroll through both the Old Testament and New Testament in a mixed order to find Books of the Bible and page numbers.

The grand finale at the back of the Bible included eight maps starting with the Old Testament Patriarchs through Jerusalem in the time of Jesus. These two significant events are the Exodus and Conquest of Canaan, the Land of the Twelve Tribes, the Kingdom of David and Solomon, Jesus’ Ministry, and Paul’s Missionary Journeys.

One of my pet peeves in reading anything is looking up the definition when I don’t understand a term. While Bible dictionaries are great resources, I love how this NIV Student Bible defines many words along the way, i.e., plumb line, Golden rule.

Entire pages are dedicated to topics such as “Like an Angry Letter from Home” or “Who were the Gnostics?” These types of extras give such a valuable understanding of the Word of God.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of this Bible were two-fold. First, Jesus’ words were not noted in red letters. While it may not bother some, it is one of the essentials I always look for when purchasing a new Bible. Second is that this Bible is titled the NIV Student Bible. I believe this Bible should be classified as a Bible for all age groups. The title NIV Student Bible makes one think it is only for teenagers. However, because of all the extras included, this Bible could be used and valued by all age groups.

Excellence is my word for this Bible. I highly recommend it.

God bless.

This Bible can be purchased at

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Voices: Four things help us find God’s call in our lives

Reprinted from The Baptist Standard

 

I hesitated for a few weeks about posting an article I wrote for The Baptist Standard on my blog, mainly because I didn’t want to draw attention to myself. However, today in my quiet time, the Lord impressed me to post it because it might just be what someone needs to read. My prayer is that it will touch someone’s heart today. God bless you.

 
APRIL 11, 2023
Patti Greene

The Baptist Standard

After many years of working outside the home, I “retired.” With time to serve God more fully, I appealed to my heavenly Father and cried: “Lord, how can you use me? I don’t play the piano, and I don’t like hanging out at the gym.”

God said: “Patti, I have been preparing you all these years. I allowed you to grow up in a family that loved books. I surrounded you with books all the time. You have created your own library of prayer journals during 40-plus years. Now is the time to write a book and share with others what I have let you experience. This is your destiny.”

So, I penned my first prayer journal, and a new call in my life evolved, that of writing.

People all over the world ask the question, “Lord, how can you use me?”

Once we genuinely believe Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, we can ask God confidently what his will for our lives might be. Through our obedience in doing the small things, he will show us more ways we can serve him.

Four things help us find God’s call in our lives: (1) preparation, (2) practice, (3) prayer and (4) Bible reading.

Preparation

I wanted to prepare myself for ministry. I needed God to direct my path and mold me to be used for his purpose. A series of books on spiritual maturity helped establish the foundation of my Christian beliefs. I also deepened my obedience to whatever God had in store.

All the while, I wondered how God could use someone like me—someone who failed my first English essay in college, was terrified of being called on in Bible study classes and was still learning sin had consequences. But God cared for me and was preparing me to be used for his glory, and I knew it.

The foundations of my faith grew through Christian books and my first two churches in the Baptist faith. God led me to University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, where I was baptized, and First Baptist Church in Houston, where my faith deepened beyond measure.

To know where God wants to use you, experiment in different gift areas, listen to what others think you do well, take a spiritual gifts inventory survey, read books that address the topic, and pray for God to show you where you fit in the body of Christ. Then practice what you have learned.

Everyone has at least one spiritual gift. Romans 12:6-8 gives us a partial list of spiritual gifts—prophecy (explaining Scripture), service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading and mercy. You might consider these.

I read the Bible continually during my time of discernment, wanting to know more about God and how he could use me. I began to serve in little ways, such as writing notes, putting short Bible studies together and organizing biblical materials.

Reading materials written by solid Bible-believing authors opened the door to a deeper dependence on the Holy Spirit through prayer. The Bible and these books confirmed God loved me, and in his infinite wisdom, he had a spiritual plan for my life. God does for you, as well.

Prayer

While I have read many books on prayer, it differs from carving out time daily to give praise and worship to our heavenly Father. God loves us as no one else can. He wants us to pay attention to him. Prayer gives a person time to think, meditate, confess sins and share burdens.

Sometimes we limit our call, believing only pastors and those in ministry can be used by God, but God wants everyone to seek his kingdom and to engage intimately in prayer with him.

Bible reading

The primary way God speaks to us occurs by reading the Bible. Through God’s word, we recognize what is right and wrong, what is honorable and what is not, and what he wants us to do or not do.

A new life of salvation, hope and trust opens for us when we continually read the word of God. God desires to show us his will and direction, and we can find that in his holy word.

Get Ready to be used by God

We are on a journey, and God has a purpose for us. Don’t allow fear, laziness or perfectionism to stop you from seeking God’s will.

While my passion for reading is what God uses to show me how he can use me, it may be different for you. God has given us all diverse backgrounds, passions, personalities, talents and quirks. Look at your experiences, hone your skills, prepare yourself, practice ministry, pray and read God’s word. Don’t expect to be good at everything at once. Wait for God’s timing.

When God revealed to me it was time to write a book, it occurred in my messy bedroom closet. Not only did he show me what to do, but he also confirmed it by prompting me to look at the top shelf to see my prayer journals.

That’s when he said: “Now is the time to write a book and share with others what I have let you experience. This is your destiny.”

What is your God-given destiny?

Patti Greene is a graduate of Baylor University and Dallas Baptist University, a member of Second Baptist Church in Houston, and the author of seven books. The views expressed are those of the author.
 
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Spiritual Gifts, Part 3

Welcome back.

To read Spiritual Gifts,  Part 1, click here.

To read Spiritual Gifts, Part 2, click here.

Distribution of Gifts

           In the Old Testament, God’s children would receive a direct revelation of God through the agency of God’s Spirit. When this revelatory facet occurred, it became a central feature of the late Second Temple Jewish understanding of God’s Spirit. In the New Testament, God’s Spirit is seen in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Then proceeds when the Holy Spirit is sent to the disciples at Pentecost. While this Spirit helps in conversion, it is also this same Spirit that helps to discern what spiritual gifts the Lord has given to individuals. The Lord is the one who distributes the gifts. Often it takes some experimentation with various ministries to find the fit that the Lord has called a person to do. Not knowing one’s gift should not excuse a lack of ministry involvement. People can recognize their gifts by trying out assorted opportunities, receiving input from others, or taking spiritual gift inventory and survey tests, which can be found online, in churches, or multiple books. Contrarily, DeVries does not like spiritual gift inventory assessments as much as he uses the Bible to discover your spiritual gifts. He believes the Bible gives two testing criteria for discovering one’s spiritual gifts: The fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and the spiritual qualities of godliness noted in 2 Peter 1. Either way, one should take responsibility and pursue one’s spiritual gifts, leaving the results in the Holy Spirit’s direction.

The Lord is the one who distributes the gifts.
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           Confusion, conflicts, and questions arise when evaluating spiritual gifts. The primary topic causing the most confusion involves charismatic gifts, including the gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. Charismatic gifts (sign gifts) include tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing, miracles, and prophecy. Some charismatic groups also consider laying on hands, fasting, faith, and prayer in this category. 

      The Book of Acts deals with the custom of speaking in and interpreting tongues in three places. When the disciples were baptized in the Spirit at Pentecost, they began to speak in tongues. In Acts 10, Simon was preaching. When the Spirit fell upon the assembly, the Gentiles spoke in tongues showing the Jews that they had received the Holy Spirit. Lastly, when Paul encountered some disciples of John, they began to speak in other languages and to prophesy. Scholars use the word glossolalia when referring to tongues. In each of these instances, tongues are introduced to a different group of people: Jews, Samaritans (possibly), and Gentiles. Brand says, “[Paul] also noted that unless tongues speech is interpreted, it ought not to be employed in public worship since the purpose of spiritual gifts is the edification of the body” (1 Cor. 14:3, 6).

     The question is whether the sign gifts (including tongues) were delegated to the early church or does it continue today. The terms coined are cessationists and continuationist. Most cessationists believe that God can heal and do miracles, but they reject the idea that Christians can heal, prophesy, and speak in tongues. Cessationist Thomas R. Schreiner says, “As a cessationist, I believe God still heals and does miracles today, though I think such events are relatively rare. Still, I pray for the healing of the sick and believe God can do so miraculously. My argument is not that miracles and healings never occur. Instead, I claim that believers today [do not] have the gifts of doing miracles and healing.” Conrsely, a continuationist believes all the sign gifts are valid and operable today. As one can see, sign gifts can cause confusion, misunderstanding, and divisiveness in a church. C. Douglas Weaver says, “A growing number [of] Baptists are also continuationists. . . But plenty of Baptists also contend that some or all of the miraculous gifts [sign] are invalid for today, or they differ considerably from continuationists’ understanding of those gifts.” There has also been plenty of Baptist-continuationist rivalries since the first wave of Pentecostals began speaking in tongues and prophesying in the opening years of the twentieth century.

     Conflicts also occur when discussing the Holy Spirit and its role in our lives, including the holiness movement, gender, and racial egalitarianism. There is difficulty separating other issues from one another when speaking of the Holy Spirit, including how spiritual gifts are used.

While this Spirit helps in conversion, it is also this same Spirit that helps to discern what spiritual gifts the Lord has given to individuals.
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Reasons for Personal Perspective

           God’s Holy Spirit has been functioning in lives for over six thousand years—through the Old Testament and New Testament times and even today. The Holy Spirit guided Jesus’s ministry and likewise in our ministry.

     First, God designed us to be used for Him. Psalm 139:13-16 states, “For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to Thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance and in Thy book they were all written, all the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. God ordained our days. Moreover, He wants to equip us to use us for His service.”

      Second, John 16:13 mentions that the Spirit of truth will guide us into all the truth, and when He does, he wants to equip us for His service as mentioned in 1 Peter 4:10-11, which says, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies. so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to who belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

     Third, the Lord wants us to meet the needs of others. One of the ways He accomplishes this purpose is by providing believers with spiritual gifts to be used powerfully for His intentions. Christians possess gifts to be used locally and universally within the body of Christ to serve others. In other words, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus (1 Cor. 12).

     Ephesians 4:11-14  speaks of our privilege to build up the body of Christ—for unity and to grow to become more Christlike. We should strive for the whole body to fit together, where every person is involved in the building up the church in love.

Conclusion

           Charles Stanley sums it up best when he says, “Time is a gift from God, and He has allotted each of us a measure in which to live and accomplish His purposes. We have only two options—to spend it temporally on our own interests or invest it eternally. Since time can never be retrieved or reversed, it’s critical that we make the most of every opportunity the Lord provides.” Just like the fudge cake mentioned earlier, where all the ingredients combine for the best results, we need all members of the body of Christ to employ their best selves. This can occur when one uses their spiritual gifts, in the supernatural power of Christ, within the body of Christ in love and unity.

God bless.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, I love you and desire to know and use the gifts you have given me. Confirm what they are in my mind. May others see them in me. Lord, you are my God, and I give my entire life to you and desire Your presence every moment. Keep me from temptation and deliver me from evil. In Your blessed name, Amen,

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This article may not be reproduced except for written permission from the author. 

Sources not included.

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Books by Patti

3 PRAYER JOURNALS – 3 BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLES, AND  A BOOK ON CHRISTIAN CAREGIVING.

BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLE SERIES

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Spiritual Gifts, Part 2

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Welcome back. To read Spiritual Gifts,  Part 1, click here.

Categories of Spiritual Gifts and Definitions

           Brandon Deibert defines the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as “unique skills and abilities given by the Holy Spirit to faithful followers of Christ to serve God for the common benefit of his people, the church.” The Bible lists multiple spiritual gifts. The Apostle Paul states that we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. We are to use them proportionately to our faith (Romans 12:6). Gifts are often categorized into groups depending on how God gives them to individuals. Below, three categories will be defined, while the fourth category, the “sign gifts,” will be explored in the Debated Issues section.

           Many scholars label gifts with various headings containing God-given abilities to help the Kingdom of God. While many gifts overlap, each believer possesses at least one gift, but many gain more as they mature in faith. Dr. Ryan Denison lists three gift categories, along with a brief explanation of what each gift represents. A suggested typical example follows each gift in the category by Denison.

The Public Gifts

Administration—Organizing people and ministries effectively. [Organizing a mission trip]

Apostleship—Adapting to a different culture to share the gospel or do ministry. [Being a missionary or having involvement with people from other cultures]

Leadership—Motivating and inspiriting others to serve Jesus fully.[People, including pastors, sharing their faith and encouraging others to live their life for Jesus]

Music—Sharing God’s truth and love through music with unusual effectiveness. [A worship leader teaching music to children or youth]

Prophecy—Proclaiming the word of God with personal passion and effectiveness. [Pastors and other spiritual leaders, Evangelist]

Teaching—Explaining God’s Word and truth with unusual effectiveness. [Bible study teacher, mentor]

The Personal Gifts

Discernment—Distinguishing truth from error or heresy. [Understand beyond what others see as a danger in the church]

Exhortation—Encouraging, comforting, and challenging others as they follow Jesus. [Encouraging someone to use their gifts and live up to their true calling for the Lord]

Knowledge—Understanding and sharing the deep truths of God’s word and will (understanding). [Bible study teachers, pastors, scholars, religion or seminary professors, writers]

Shepherding—Helping others grow spiritually. [Pastors and individuals in the church body who guide others and help them]

Wisdom—Relating biblical truth to practical life effectively (insights/applications). [Counselors, teachers, pastors, one-on-one friendships]

Paradigm Gifts

Sharing the gospel effectively and passionately. [Missionaries, sharing a testimony, writing notes to people, authoring books]

Faith—Seeing God’s plan and following it with a passion and commitment that inspires others to do the same. [a communicator, a writer, a creative person sharing Christ]

Giving—Investing with unusual sacrifice and joy in God’s kingdom. [Usually monetary giving, but also includes giving of oneself, giving of oneself.]

Hospitality [Hosting a Christian event in your home, letting someone stay with you if needed]

Mercy—Showing God’s grace to hurting people with unusual passion. [Visiting the sick at their home, hospital, or wherever they are; writing notes; 

Service [Serving at a church banquet, cutting the lawn at church, babysitting the pastor’s kids]

       As one can see, the examples can overlap, and there are many different ways to use one’s personality in coordination with one’s gifts. The numerous ways gifts can be used are incredibly vast. Sometimes people confuse their talents with their gifts. They are often separate entities, but God often uses one’s talents by combining the two, i.e., If you are gifted in teaching music, your talent of playing the piano helps utilize your gift. Billy Graham says, “It appears that God can take a talent and transform it by the power of the Holy Spirit and use it as a spiritual gift. In fact, the difference between a spiritual gift and a natural talent is frequently a cause for speculation by many people. I am not sure we can always draw a sharp line between spiritual gifts and natural abilities—both of which, remember, come ultimately from God.”

The Nature and Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit

           To understand the gifts of the Spirit, one must know how the Holy Spirit functions and who He is. The Holy Spirit is a person. When one speaks of the Holy Spirit, they are referring to the same Holy Spirit who led Jesus into His wilderness experience (Luke 4: 1, 13) and who fell upon Jesus at His baptism (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32). Drawing people to salvation, teaching about Jesus and giving us confidence that one is a child of God happen to be some of the functions of the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16, Jesus says He will give his disciples another comforter to abide with them forever. That same comforter (the Spirit of truth) abides with those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Brand states that the Holy Spirit “grants spiritual gifts to the churches so that all persons within the body of Christ are spiritually gifted.” When people accept Christ through confessing their sins and accepting Jesus Christ in their life, the Holy Spirit comes to reside in them, giving them the power and desire to use their spiritual gifts. It is through this process that one is filled with the Holy Spirit. 

           However, the gifts of the Spirit must not be separated from the giver of the gifts—God. This combination makes us understand that the Trinity (three-in-one identity of God) participates in our spiritual giftedness. Brian DeVries says, “All three Persons of the Trinity are actively involved in spiritually gifting each believer for ministry in the church.” He continues to say that God the Father is the one who makes each gift effectual, and God the Son distributes gifts in the church by His Spirit. God the Spirit emboldens all believers with various abilities by working within and through them mightily. It is not in one’s strength or courage that gifts are given and used but through the three-fold work of the Trinity.

           The age-old question is, “What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?” An answer can be found in 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 when it says, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Our gifts are to be used for the common good—that is, the common good for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). People should use their gifts genuinely for unity within the body. 

           Two terms frequently used in connection with spiritual gifts or listings of the gifts are charisma and pneuma. Regarding charisma, 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. Thus, charisma refers to the gift itself. While there are multip definitions of pneuma, it is often defined as the Holy Spirit — the vital principle by which the body is animated and the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides; the soul.”

The Body of Christ (Church)

         Brand says “spiritually gifted” Christians use their gifts for the common good so that all church members receive the ministries from one another that enable the church to mature (1 Cor. 12:7, Eph 4:11, 16).  Some scholars, including Brian DeVries believe God always produces the fruit of the Spirit and gifts of the Spirit simultaneously. The fruit of the Spirit consists of the qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Combining these two aspects of the Spirit makes for sweet unity and maturity in the body of Christ.

           All believers, especially those in spiritual offices in the church and congregants, should use their spiritual gifts to strengthen the body of Christ. Pastors need humility and trust in the people in their church to allow them to use their giftedness. DeVries says, “church leaders are responsible for developing the spiritual giftedness of all members under their care so that these believers will be used by the Spirit to develop the church.”

Many Christians leave one church to attend another where their gifts can be utilized.
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         Many Christians leave one church to attend another where their gifts can be utilized. When the gifts of believers are not appreciated or used in the body, the body suffers. Churches vary in programs, spirituality, and growth because gifts are underutilized, causing a lack of church care and unity. In many instances, this underutilization can cause pastor burnout by leaving all that others could do in the church staff’s hands. DeVries states, “the Spirit has gifted each member of the body in different ways so that the holistic use of these gifts will function in unity to provide mutual care to all members.” An example would be if a member has the gift of teaching and is told repeatedly that there are no positions for them to teach. That member may go where there are positions—to another church, to a ministry outside their church, or they could become frustrated and not recover from a lack of the church’s attention to their giftedness and give up on the body. Both ministry staff and congregants must understand that the purpose of the gifts is primarily to build up the church. Hence, the pastoral staff and the congregants are responsible for building ministry.

To be continued. . .Part 3:  Distribution of Gifts; / To read Spiritual Gifts,  Part 1, click here.

Sources not included.

God bless.

Spiritual Gifts, Part 3 – Coming Next: 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I learn more about spiritual gifts, please open my eyes to see what you have given me to be used for your glory. I want to honor and serve you.  Thank you. Me

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This article may not be reproduced except for written permission from the author. .

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Spiritual Gifts, Part 1

To make a fabulous fudge cake, one needs shortening, unsweetened chocolate, water, sugar, vanilla, cake flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, eggs, and buttermilk in the prescribed measurements. If one ingredient is missing or mismeasured, the cake loses some scrumptiousness. When one blends the nature of God with an understanding of the gifts of the Spirit, one can experience supernatural unity and love in serving Christ through the opportunities He provides.

About the Apostle Paul

To understand spiritual gifts, one must look to the person primarily responsible for laying out the various gifts to humanity through his letters and preaching. Paul, formerly called Saul, was born into a Jewish family raised in Tarsus. He was a Roman citizen trained under rabbis. His education took place in Jerusalem. The Mishnah’s structure held that one was ready to learn the Scripture at five years old. (The Mishnah is a collection embodying the oral tradition of Jewish law.) They were ready for the Mishnah at ten years old, and one could study the Talmud at thirteen.  (The Talmud is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law and theology.) Acts 22 mentions that Rabbi Gamaliel I, a high-ranking Sanhedrin, trained Paul. Paul was steeped in the Jewish culture. However, Saul mentions in Galatians 1:14 that he advanced beyond his contemporaries in Judaism and became zealous for the traditions held by his ancestors. This zealousness led him to persecute Christians until, in 35 A.D., on the Damascus Road, Christ appeared to him, resulting in a salvation experience. He was baptized into the Christian faith and followed God’s call to preach the gospel and travel from area to area, which became known as his three missionary journeys. During these journeys, Paul traveled from city to city, prison to prison. It was during this period that Paul wrote multiple letters to the churches. It is through these letters or visits that he shared about spiritual gifts. Paul’s single status is debated in many scholarly writings due to 1 Corinthians 7:7, where Paul states, “Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.” 

Paul wrote to the Christian congregation in Corinth during the first century after receiving some unwelcome news of division and sin in their congregation. The best source to answer the following questions comes directly from some of the most famous Bible verses on Spiritual Gifts.

What are Spiritual Gifts?

Ministry Tools Resource Center defines a spiritual gift as “a special divine empowerment bestowed on each believer by the Holy Spirit to accomplish a given ministry God’s way according to His grace and discernment to be used within the context of the Body of Christ,” i.e., teaching,

Moreover, we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us. Let each exercise them according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith, if service, in his service, or he who teaches in his teaching: or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness (Rom. 12:6-8).

There are various gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of ministries and the same Lord. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and other gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and another the distinguishing of spirits, to other various kinds of tongues, and another the interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12:4-10).

And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, and third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues (1 Cor. 12:28).

Who Gives Spiritual Gifts?

But none and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills (1 Cor. 12:11).

And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons (1 Cor. 12:6).

And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons (1 Cor. 12:6).
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Why are Spiritual Gifts Given?

For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:12-13).

How are Spiritual Gifts to be Used?

If I speak with the tongues of men and angels but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I have nothing . . . 

But now abide faith, hope, and love but the greatest of these is love (1 Cor. 13: 1-13).

Love

1 Corinthians 13 is commonly known as the love chapter; it makes a claim to fame in many wedding ceremonies. Separating it from 1 Corinthians 12:31 would be unfortunate since it sets the context that love is a pivotal point and the “greatest” attribute connecting with one’s spiritual gifts. 

This love chapter contains three major sections. First, Vv. 1-3 declares that if one speaks but does not have love, it sounds like a “clanging symbol,” which refers to the famous bronze products made in Corinth. Second, Vv. 4-7 describes an agape love, the self-sacrificing love God desires from His children. Third, Vv. 8-13, Paul stresses love in relationship to spiritual gifts and concludes by stating in the last verse in the chapter—”But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

American theologian and author Richard L. Pratt said, “If there is any similarity between the modern church and the ancient church, it lies in our failure to love. In fact, by most accounts, we are often worse than the Corinthians. At least the Corinthians had managed to remain united as a single church. They had not split their fellowship, even though they had abused it. Most Christians today tend to be self-centered. They do not place others first, and they certainly do not commit themselves to living the love of which Paul spoke.”

To be continued. . .

God bless.

Spiritual Gifts, Part 2 – Coming Next: Categories of Spiritual Gifts and Definitions

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I learn more about spiritual gifts, please open my eyes to see what you have given me to be used for your glory. I want to honor and serve you.  Thank you. Me

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This article may not be reproduced except for written permission from the author. For the full annotated paper and bibliography, please get in touch with me through the comment section of this article.

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Are You Thinking about Starting a Bible Reading Plan in 2023?

I want to wish all of you a pleasant and eventful New Year.

A New Year is Approaching

With the new year, we are faced with many choices and priorities. Please, let me encourage you to choose a Bible reading plan and read the Bible through in 2023. You will never regret soaking up the Word of God. The principles and applications can become part of who you are, making you more like the person God wants you to be. You will find insights, wow’s, support, and inspiration as you bask in both the Old and New Testaments.

There are many Bible Reading Plans

There are many Bible Reading plans. Maybe one of them will spark an interest in you. I hope so. While many sites with different Bible reading plans exist (printable, audible, online), I am not including links for you to look at. However, to find one perfect for you, type in “Bible Reading Plans” and the plan you would be interested in. Find a plan that fits you perfectly or make up your own plan in an excel document and cross it off as you complete each reading. Be sure to choose a version you enjoy reading from. [Avoid the Jehovah’s Witness New World Translation and other questionable versions.] Now, let’s look at a few of the various types of plans–there is one just for you.

  1. A read-through-the entire Bible plan—reading straight through from Genesis to Revelation,
  2. An Old Testament plan,
  3. A New Testament plan,
  4. A Bible chronological plan,
  5. A Bible historical plan,
  6. A Gospel plan,
  7. A 90-day challenge plan; a 180-day reading plan; a 365-day reading plan,
  8. A thematic Bible plan,
  9. A “Bible book at a time” plan,
  10. A blended plan—reading some Old Testament and some New Testament simultaneously,
  11. A Jesus’ Words plan (red print in many Bibles),
  12. A short-term commitment plan,
  13. A personalized plan, and more.

Suggestions from Patti

  1. Skip over the Bible genealogy you can’t pronounce—Knowing there is a genealogy should be enough, especially if this is your first read-through.
  2. Read with a pen, highlighter, and notebook to write down verses, questions, or things you want to look up later.
  3. It is okay to read ahead. There will be days you will miss.
  4. If possible, find a friend to read along with you on the same plan—This way, you will have a comrade to share with.
  5. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t keep up. Keep at it. It is commendable if it takes you 1 1/2 or 2+ years to finish.
  6. If you are reading a book for your Bible study class or group, count it. When you get to that book, you will be happy to skip that book or portion of the book to have some catch-up time.
  7. If you are in a plan where you are reading the entire Old Testament at once, give yourself permission to stop and read something in the New Testament.
  8. Share meaningful verses with your friends and family.
  9. Look for God’s sense of humor as you read, and 
  10. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in each reading.

Enjoy, and best wishes in 2023! And please share this article with your friends and family!

God Bless,

Bible Verses:

Old Testament prophet Joshua said, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it . . .” Joshua 1:8.

New Testament prophet John said, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3.

Prayer:

My Heavenly Father, Is this the year You want me to get serious about reading the Bible? I want to, but I am scared I will fail. I want to try, Lord. I do. Give me the confidence to know You are right there beside me as I try it this year. I love You and want to learn more about You and Your holy Word. Amen.

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