NIV Study Bible

My greatest resource as a Christian is my Bible. It's the greatest tangible resource any Christian has. This summer I purchased an NIV study Bible, and it's by far one of the best purchases I have EVER made. The translation itself is my personal favorite but it's all the stuff past the Bible itself that I love. There are 4 different indexes that are incredible. It may sound silly but let me explain.

First there's an index of all the people and places and such, which, along with maps and timelines in the front of the Bible, help you understand the historical context of every character and chapter. Certainly, the Bible is just as relevant today as it was when it was written. That being said, understanding the context helps to clarify the ideas, expose important details, and help us understand how profound Jesus' teachings were. For me, it helps take the Bible from a collection of really important stories and teaching to something I can compare to my life. You will never truly understand the Bible unless you understand how, where, and under what circumstances all the stories happened. You're only getting a small part of the Bible if you read it without the context.

The next index has a list of every place certain key words occur. If you're wanting to know everywhere the word "peace" occurs all you have to do is flip to the back of the book.

Then, there's an index similar to the previous that has a short excerpt for each appearance of a word. This is convenient if you want to read each appearance of a word without the verses before and after it.

Finally, my favorite index outlines each key concept of the Bible. Under specific topics you can read how they are defined and explained in the Bible. For example, under perseverance there is the definition "remaining firm in out fairth" followed by points a)Chapters with perseverance as a theme, B) God perseverance us in our faith, C)We must persevere ourselves in our faith. Under A, B, and C there are multiple sub points with textual references for each point. Under C, for example, you'll find "the command to persevere" with 3 references, "the command to use spiritual armor" with 2 references, "the warning not to turn away from God" with 4 references, and "the possibility of rejecting the faith" with 4 references.

My NIV Study Bible is published by Zondervan Bible, which has tons of Bibles with different translations and themes (life application, one year, study bibles, etc). My version has historical and comprehensive introductions to each book, 75 maps and charts, over 20,000 notes to explain each verse and concept, and notes to reference where to find more information on characters and places. I can't even begin to explain the difference between reading "this is my body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me" in a purse size Bible and then having my NIV study Bible which explains at the bottom of the page "my body The broken bread as a symbol of Christ's body given for sinners (see Luke 22:19) in remembrance of me As, the Feast of Passover was a commemorative meal (see Exodus 12:14), so also the Lord's Supper is a memorial supper, recalling and portraying Christ's death for sinners." What a difference this makes! It allows me to transition from reading the Bible to understanding and learning the Bible. Believe me, there's a big difference.
My Bible was listed for $40 but I got it for $12 with free shipping on Amazon. However, if you can't find that good of a deal, just remember that a Bible is definitely one of the best investments you can make.What's your favorite style Bible? Have you ever learned a part of the Bible's history or context that surprised you or helped you understand a verse better? Please share!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

I pray each of you can further develop your knowledge of God's word by learning your Bible and understanding it's teachings. If your not in the market for a new Bible anytime soon, there are countless resources online that can help you understand the context of the Bible and explain individual verses. Challenge yourself to not just read your Bible but fully understand what it's teaching and why.

May God Bless You All,
Emily Gray

What Brad Paisley and John Wesley can Teach Us About Hell

A friend of mine recently posted a link to a really great article on her Facebook page.
The article and the song it refers to are truly inspiring. I thought I would simply share both with you, and I hope you enjoy. I certainly could write an entire post about each... but sometimes it's best if I just keep quiet and let you discover things like this on your own.

What Brad Paisley and John Wesley can Teach Us About Hell


Enjoy!

Keepin' It Mobile with YouVersion

I love my iPhone. Anytime someone has a random questions it takes me 2 seconds flat to pull out my iPhone and Google it. My boyfriend will tease me any chance he gets about it: "Oh here comes the Google girl...What'd ya find Google girl?" He can tease all he wants, but I really enjoy having the internet at my fingertips. I hate leaving questions unanswered or not being able to remember a detail. "What's the name of that actor?" or "What year did such-and-such happen?"... Those kinds of questions aren't unanswered for long because me and my phone work together like magic.  It's also pretty handy when I get bored and I have about a million apps to play with.

Recently, I've discovered a new app that I LOVE, and I want to share it with all of you. It's available for any smartphone, iPad, etc. YouVersion is a program that has an interactive Bible. You can browse through scripture in almost any translation. They also offer countless study plans, devotionals, and list live events in your area. When you're reading the Bible, you have the option to add bookmarks and notes to certain passages. They also have a website with even more resources. I try to take 10-15 minutes a day on my bus ride to school going through a couple reading plans. YouVersion has tons of topical plans, so you are sure to find something that can help you with anything going on in your life. From relationships to grief, there's a plan on just about any topic you can imagine. You can make a free account with YouVersion and access your notes, bookmarks, and reading plans from any computer or smart phone. Creating an account also allows you share any passage with your friends via email, Twitter, or Facebook.

So go to the iTunes App Store and find the FREE YouVersion Bible app. Or, go to YouVersion.Com and check out what they have to offer. I can say from experience that it's so handy to have a Bible on hand whenever you need it. No heavy book to carry around just your smart phone or iPad... or home computer.

Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

I pray that each of you makes time to read God's word. Hopefully, YouVersion will help you find this time wherever you may be. I encourage you to pray that God illuminates His word to you so that you can be moved by the power it has. The Bible is without a doubt the greatest text every created. It's such a gift to experience it, so take the time to listen to what God is speaking to you through scripture.


May God Bless You All,
Emily Gray

The Amish Aren't All Amiss

Does it say in the Bible that we should wear old fashioned clothes? Are we instructed to toil for hours on our farms while refusing to use modern machinery? Does scripture demand us to refuse perfectly good technology? No. So what's the deal with the Amish? They would argue that the Bible doesn't doesn't say that explicitly but that the way they interpret the Bible does. "How so?" you may ask. 

The Amish actually have a pretty decent idea. You won't see me giving up my car, iPhone, Facebook, etc anytime soon (though I should mentioned that some of the more progressive Amish have been spotted using all of the above). However, their basic concepts are something we could all incorporate into our lives. In fact, I will argue that we all should incorporate their ideas. 

The Amish come from Switzerland and split from the Mennonites in the 17th century when they wished to regain the strict discipline that the Mennonites had (in the opinion of the Amish) grown away from. They are generally considered Anabaptist (not to be confused with Baptist). In America, they are concentrated in Lancaster County, PA and Ohio. They tend to speak a combination of English, German, and European dialects. Their conviction to their beliefs is truly remarkable. They never take up arms and reject all military involvement and war. They are strong believers in the separation of church and state... which is something many modern Evangelicals and politicians have come to disregard even though it's a founding principle of America. They are patriarchal but consider women of equal importance in society. There is no record of any Amish engaging in slave trade or ownership despite how commonplace slavery was in early America. They have become officially exempted from paying into and receiving Social Security and Medicare. They still use earth-friendly energy sources like wind energy (which is notable since America is now trying to go back to how the Amish have created/used energy all along). They all attend their own schools, and they all attend church twice a week. But the three most notable values in my opinion are their (1) view of salvation, (2) focus on their Christian community and (3) practice of rumspringa (don't get excited... it's not a Swiss Oktoberfest despite the word's appearance).

1. I have taken the following explanation from ReligiousTolerance.org because it clearly explains the Amish view of salvation better than I could on my own. "Essentially all conservative Protestants, including Amish, look upon salvation as an unmerited gift from God. However, Evangelical Christians have traditionally looked upon the salvation experience as an intense emotional event which happens suddenly, as a convert repents of their sin and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior. The new Christian's subsequent ethical behavior and daily routine are of secondary importance to the experience of being saved. The Amish have always looked upon salvation as being experienced in everyday living. Salvation is "...realized as one's life was transformed day by day into the image of Christ." For Evangelicals and other conservative Protestants, salvation is an unmistakable experience which happens when one trusts Jesus. Amish are different. They don't believe that anyone is guaranteed salvation as a result of a conversion experience, baptism, joining the church, etc. "...they would consider it arrogant or prideful to claim certainty of salvation." The Amish believe that God carefully weighs the individual's total lifetime record of obedience to the church and then decides whether the person's eternal destiny will be the reward of Heaven or the punishment in Hell. If a person is baptized into the Amish church and later leaves the church or is excommunicated, they have no hope of attaining Heaven. As a result, an Amish believer lives their life and dies not knowing if they are saved and will attain Heaven. This lack of certainty has made the Amish church susceptible to raiding from other Christian evangelists at various times in its history."

2. I guess I still haven't explained what's up with the "vintage" apparel and lack of electricity. It all has to do with community. Amish reject current technology for a period of time in order to ensure their lifestyle and community is not weakened by turning their focus to making their daily lives easy. I'll explain further. Let's look at the tractor. For a while after its invention, Amish did not use tractors. Instead they used the same implements they had used for centuries. They would not jump at the chance to own a new piece of machinery because it (1) is materialistic and (2) would immediately change their way of life and simply make him a "slave" to technology and progress. Instead the Amish choose to focus on a slower pace of advancement... which they can consciously choose to control. Today, most Amish use modern tractors, while some still choose to use tractors with steel tires instead of rubber ones. Generally, the church as a whole decides what technology is acceptable (and when) and different churches have different rules. Nowadays many Amish use phones, electricity, etc, because they have learned to use the technology. They do this while still keeping their focus the Lord and on earning their livelihood on individual hard work. How many times have we wasted money on something thinking it's going to make our lives better? Don't we know that any challenges we face can be overcome through help from the Lord and simply personally coping with the problem? Material things cannot fix our problems... too often we are deceived by our society and markets. The ultimate problem solver is God. Most strict Evangelicals are politically/fiscally conservative. Most do not support government social programs that allow "handouts" for individuals who do not earn their keep. We understand the concept of earning our livelihood, but we forget that the money we earn is meant to pay our bills... not solve our problems. We should turn our eyes to God for support... not our wallets. Don't worry about getting the new pair of designer jeans or a bigger TV (especially if you already have a decent sized one anyway). Instead, challenge yourself to buy what you need and focus the rest of your energy on working hard... on family, on God, on improving your relationships. Use your time to improve yourself instead of your material possessions. 

3. Rumspringa is a time in every Amish teen's life (at age 16) when they are sent away from their home to experience the non-Amish lifestyle. They use this time to see what living outside their community is like and to decide if they want to come back to their home, get baptized, and join the church or if they want to leave and become permanently excommunicated from their community. In my opinion, we don't need to kick out our 16 year old kids and tell 'em to go check out the big bad world and come home if they want. They grew up in the world that the Amish focusing on sheltering the children from. However, I really like the idea of bringing your children up in a strong Christian home and then allowing them a time to see what other viewpoints and lifestyles offer so they can decide on their own what they want for their future. If raised right, I think most children would see the benefits of a home rooted in Christian values, love and support for one another, and moral behavior. Freedom and bad behavior may seem appealing at first, but children who understand what is really important in life long term will see how the wide, frequently traveled road is shallow and without direction. The straight and narrow path leads to eternal life, fulfillment through the Lord, and a life modeled after His own.

If you want to learn more, I highly recommend "The Amish: A People of Preservation." It's on instant Netflix, and it's very comprehensive. Plus, it's less than an hour long. They have withstood the test of time, so it's worth seeing what they're all about. It's also available for $1.99 on Amazon.

I pray each of you can find a way to see the benefits of some of the Amish beliefs and practices. Find a way to incorporate noble values into your own life. It doesn't mean you have to start sewing your own wardrobe, but it might help you better organize your priorities. They sacrifice a great deal for their faith, and all of us should too.

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

May God Bless You All,

Emily Gray

Give Me That Old Time Religion

The song says it all... old time religion can do so much for us. But how can it apply to us today?
How can it be good enough for me if I live in a different time than my mother, than Paul and Silas, than the first Hebrew children.

This week I'm going to focus on lessons we can learn from some of the oldest Christian groups in America. The Amish, Shakers, Puritans, and Quakers, etc all have great teachings. This doesn't mean we need to live like them to worship the Lord in a way that pleases Him, but I want to show some of their noteworthy practices we can benefit from.

On a quick side note, today is the 4th of July, a day to celebrate all of the freedoms this great country affords us. Praise the Lord that we can worship him freely. We live in such a wonderful country to be able to worship, praise, and pray to our Savior without being punished by law. It's a freedom so many live without. Tonight, thank the Lord for this freedom we have and pray that more will come to know that freedom every day.

Today, I will talk about the pilgrims (in Plymouth) who were Separatists and Puritans. Their ideas are those that helped to shape this great nation. Puritans wished to purify the Anglican church. They felt that the Anglican church still shared many beliefs of the Catholic church that should have been eliminated during the Protestant Reformation. The Puritans wished to make their worship, beliefs, and prayer pure by focusing on individual and group piety. They also, as Separatists, wishes to make church independent  from the Anglican Church. Not all Puritans in America were separatists, but those who settled in Plymouth, MA were Many also supported the idea of separation of church and state, which is a vital part of make-up as a nation.

Many believe that the Puritans were sexist and did not respect women as they did men. This is untrue; in fact, the woman's role was imperative in the Puritan community. Women were given the responsibility of raising godly, moral children and ensuring a harmonious marriage. The role of women was constantly in the spotlight and was an integral part of each community's success.

The original Puritan churches eventually led to some of the Unitarian and Presbyterian churches in American today. We can thank them for creating churches that allow a true, pure relationship with the Lord, churches whose doctrines are purely based on the Bible's teaching and are untainted by government or corrupt hierarchies. Their churches are focused on creating a community/family of faith, not of idolatry.

Tonight we should each thank the Lord for all the freedoms this country allows. We should also thank Him for all the freedoms He has given us. So often we focus on all the rules and regulations and restrictions... when in fact worshiping our Lord makes us free, not bound. We are given bountiful blessings and endless opportunities through him, all from simply choosing to live a life as He instructs. What an awesome God we worship! and God Bless America!

May God Bless You All,
Emily Gray