Partakers Christian Podcasts

Thought For The Day - Reading The Bible With Confidence

Reading The Bible With Confidence

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Aim: to discuss briefly the following things regarding the Bible.

1. What is the Bible?

• Bible can be used and abused
• Bible in history & society.
• Richard Dawkins & Dan Brown
• Other claims to be the Word of God - Koran, Book of Mormon

2. How did we get the Bible?

3. How did God give us the Bible?

• Revelation
• Inspiration
• Illumination

4. How to look up the Bible?

5. Why interact with the Bible?

• The Bible helps us know God more

6. How should we interact with the Bible? Keys to understanding the Bible ·

• Read it
• Inerrant
• No explicit contradictions
• Context matters

7. Some practical interactions with the Bible!

• Public & private reading.
• Memorizing
• Meditating or thinking about it
• Obeying it!
• Preaching & teaching.

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Bible Thought - Why I am a Christian

Why I am a Christian!

The Apostle John, writing:

"We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:9-12

 

Today I share the reasons I am a Christian, a follower of Christ. Come and hear my story!

 

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Christmas - Who is Jesus- 7. Messiah’s Leadership

Messiah's Leadership

10:1 Ask of Yahweh rain in the spring time, Yahweh who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field. 10:2 For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd. 10:3 My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats; For Yahweh of Armies has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle. 10:4 From him will come forth the cornerstone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together. 10:5 They shall be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because Yahweh is with them; and the riders on horses will be confounded. (Zechariah 10:1-5)

During the time of Zechariah, the Temple was being rebuilt.  The Temple was central to Jewish worship.  But who would help give advice and solve the multitude of problems they were facing? Who cared about them?  Well, Zechariah speaks into their situation with wise words.  He has already likened the nation of Israel as being like sheep, and that God is their shepherd (Zechariah 9:16) "Yahweh their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted on high over his land. ".  Throughout Chapter 10, it is repeated again and again, that God will care for and bless them.  But in order to receive the blessing and care, the nation of Israelites must seek, turn and follow.

Seek God

If the people need advice and help in times of trouble and need, the first place they should look, is to the Lord their God.  They must seek and ask of Him! (10:1)! God can provide all things! He can control the weather, but these people need to stop being so independent, self-sufficient and start to rely on God and His infinite wisdom and resources.

Turn to God

In 10:2, Zechariah reminds the people of Israel, that following idols and false gods is foolishness.  These idols are self-seeking, liars and deceivers.  Israel needed to turn back to the One True Almighty God! Instead of following the glory of the Almighty God, they were turning to idols for worship, advice and listening to superstitious nonsense. And of course idols and false gods are mute! They cannot speak or give advice because they are not Gods at all!!  The sin of idolatry particularly broke the second commandment!  The people were to turn away from false gods and return to worship the One True Almighty God. They were also to listen to the true prophets of God instead of the false prophets who deceived by speaking words they wanted to hear.

Follow Me

These sheep, the nation of Israel were to follow God.  Instead of wandering around aimlessly, they were to follow and obey God Almighty.  The Jewish leaders and teachers were supposed to be leading the nation in worship of Almighty God, but were not doing so.  Hence God in 10:3 being enraged at those who were in positions of trust who were deceivers, liars and only looking out for their own interests.  Ezekiel 34 expounds this out in much further detail! 

So who were the people of Israel to follow?  They were to follow the coming Messiah.  Not only was the Messiah a King, Prophet Servant and Disciple but He would also be a Shepherd: the Good Shepherd!  From the lowliest tribe of Judah, will come this Good Shepherd "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2)

Messiah Cares

This Good Shepherd will be utterly reliable, responsible, faithful and being the sure foundation that the people of Israel need, particularly in a time of crisis. In 10:4 God will send this Good Shepherd to also be a cornerstone, nail or tent peg, battle bow and a source of all ruling authority. Cornerstone:  all ancient buildings needed a chief cornerstone to ensure a sure foundation so that the building could not fall down easily.  It held two walls together.  The imagery fits in well with the building of the Temple.  If you want to continue worshipping God, then you must get the foundations right. 

The chief cornerstone of the building holds the building together.  Not only that, it gives the building shape, strength and all other stones are adjusted by it. Nail: Another translation is that of tent-peg. Just as the chief cornerstone holds the building together, so does a tent-peg ensure that the tent stays fastened down during storms!  This Good Shepherd would ensure that everything is held together if they stick to Him. Battle-bow:  Probably referring back to 9:13, Zechariah now likens this Shepherd Messiah to a battle-bow!  This Good Shepherd will fight to keep the wolves from harming His sheep.  He will battle for them.  This Good Shepherd will be brave, courageous and strong as he leads his people to victory!

How is Jesus this Messiah?

Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened."  In other words, ask of God your heavenly Father and your needs will be supplied!  That was how Jesus lived and obeyed, by being in constant communication with God the Father.  That is how he could live a life of utter obedience to God, because He always asked, sought and knocked.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, hence Him saying in John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Again in John 10:14-17 "I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again."

Jesus is the Good Shepherd only through the sacrifice he must make for His sheep. Here Jesus is looking ahead to the sacrifice He makes on the Cross. His love for all of humanity compels Him to make the ultimate sacrifice. Just as all shepherds will endanger themselves for the safety of their sheep, so too will Jesus endure the pain and suffering of the Cross, so that people can be led into safety of God's kingdom. It is in this role of the Good Shepherd, that Jesus exhibits true leadership, which is self-less and sacrificial. Ezekiel 34:11 tells of God searching out for his sheep among all nations, and this is fulfilled through Jesus.

Through His perfect, obedient and voluntary sacrifice on the Cross, not only will salvation be available to the Jews but also to those of other nations. And Jesus is willing to fight for His people! He gives spiritual armour for all those who follow Him to wear.  Christians are in a spiritual battle reminds Paul in Ephesians 6, and as the Good Shepherd, Jesus will fight and battle for us through His indwelling Holy Spirit!  For as the Bible says in 1 John 4:4 "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world."

Jesus Christ is, as Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 2:8, the Cornerstone of faith - referring back to Isaiah 8:14.  Jesus Christ is the dependable, sure foundation that all faith is to be ground upon.  All Christians are living stones, but should be living on the dependability of Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone alone!  It is only Him, who can give direction, assurance and be relied upon.  It is Him that calls all people everywhere to seek for, turn to and follow obediently. Jesus Christ, Servant King, Servant Prophet, Servant Disciple, Servant Shepherd.  Follow Him as the great leader He is and victory is assured!  Whatever you are struggling with today, turn it over to God and ask for His help!  He has promised to help! Remember that the battle belongs to the Lord!  Amen!  Just as Jesus said to Peter in John 21:19 "Follow Me!", so Jesus calls all those willing to follow Him, to follow Him for life.  Follow and be led by Him and Him alone, regardless of what and where that might be.

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Thursday - Testimony - John

John's Story

"Feeling on the path to nowhere but there is a light at the end."

Today our testimony is from John... John is 32 years old, lives in the UK with his wife Nicole and has learning difficulties and epilepsy due to Tuberous Sclerosis...

Play or download the mp3 file to hear how John came into a dynamic relationship with God because of Jesus Christ. John - a 21st century Christian because of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Why not make a comment below to encourage John?

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Psalm on Demand - Psalm 22

Psalm 22

(as read by Kathrine D)

For the Chief Musician; set to “The Doe of the Morning.” A Psalm by David.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer;
in the night season, and am not silent.
But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel.
  Our fathers trusted in you.
They trusted, and you delivered them.
They cried to you, and were delivered.
They trusted in you, and were not disappointed.

But I am a worm, and no man;
a reproach of men, and despised by the people.
All those who see me mock me.
They insult me with their lips.
They shake their heads, saying,
  “He trusts in Yahweh; let him deliver him.
Let him rescue him, since he delights in him.”

But you brought me out of the womb.
You made me trust at my mother’s breasts.
I was thrown on you from my mother’s womb.
You are my God since my mother bore me.
Don’t be far from me, for trouble is near.
For there is none to help.
Many bulls have surrounded me.
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.
They open their mouths wide against me, lions tearing prey and roaring.
I am poured out like water.
All my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax; it is melted within me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have brought me into the dust of death.

For dogs have surrounded me.
A company of evildoers have enclosed me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.
I can count all of my bones.
They look and stare at me.
They divide my garments among them.
They cast lots for my clothing.
But don’t be far off, Yahweh.
You are my help: hurry to help me.
Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog.
Save me from the lion’s mouth!

Yes, from the horns of the wild oxen, you have answered me.
  I will declare your name to my brothers.
In the midst of the assembly, I will praise you.
You who fear Yahweh, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him!
Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted,
Neither has he hidden his face from him;
but when he cried to him, he heard.

Of you comes my praise in the great assembly.
I will pay my vows before those who fear him.
The humble shall eat and be satisfied.
They shall praise Yahweh who seek after him.
Let your hearts live forever.
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to Yahweh.
All the relatives of the nations shall worship before you.

For the kingdom is Yahweh’s.
He is the ruler over the nations.
All the rich ones of the earth shall eat and worship.
All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him,
even he who can’t keep his soul alive.
Posterity shall serve him.
Future generations shall be told about the Lord.
They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a
people that shall be born, for he has done it.

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Bible Reading - Psalm 40

Psalm 40

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.

40:1 I waited patiently for Yahweh.
He turned to me, and heard my cry.
40:2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay.
He set my feet on a rock,
and gave me a firm place to stand.
40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth,
even praise to our God.
Many shall see it, and fear,
and shall trust in Yahweh.
40:4 Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his trust,
and doesn’t respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

40:5 Many, Yahweh, my God,
are the wonderful works which you have done,
and your thoughts which are toward us.
They can’t be declared back to you.
If I would declare and speak of them,
they are more than can be numbered.
40:6 Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire.
You have opened my ears.
You have not required burnt offering and sin offering.
40:7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come.
It is written about me in the book in the scroll.
40:8 I delight to do your will, my God.
Yes, your law is within my heart.”

40:9 I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly.
Behold, I will not seal my lips,
Yahweh, you know.
40:10 I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart.
I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation.
I have not concealed your loving kindness
and your truth from the great assembly.
40:11 Don’t withhold your tender mercies from me, Yahweh.
Let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me.
40:12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me.
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up.
They are more than the hairs of my head.
My heart has failed me.

40:13 Be pleased, Yahweh, to deliver me.
Hurry to help me, Yahweh.
40:14 Let them be disappointed and confounded together
who seek after my soul to destroy it.
Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt.
40:15 Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, “Aha! Aha!”
40:16 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.
Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let Yahweh be exalted!”
40:17 But I am poor and needy.
May the Lord think about me.
You are my help and my deliverer.
Don’t delay, my God.

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Bible Reading - Psalm 144

Psalm 144

A psalm of David.

¹ Praise the Lord, who is my rock.
He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.
² He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. He makes the nations submit to me.
³ O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them,
mere mortals that you should think about them?
⁴ For they are like a breath of air;
their days are like a passing shadow.
⁵ Open the heavens, Lord, and come down.
Touch the mountains so they billow smoke.
⁶ Hurl your lightning bolts and scatter your enemies!
Shoot your arrows and confuse them!
⁷ Reach down from heaven and rescue me;
rescue me from deep waters, from the power of my enemies.
⁸ Their mouths are full of lies;
they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead.
⁹ I will sing a new song to you, O God!
I will sing your praises with a ten-stringed harp.
¹⁰ For you grant victory to kings!
You rescued your servant David from the fatal sword.
¹¹ Save me! Rescue me from the power of my enemies.
Their mouths are full of lies; they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead.
¹² May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants.
May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace.
¹³ May our barns be filled with crops of every kind.
May the flocks in our fields multiply by the thousands, even tens of thousands,
¹⁴ and may our oxen be loaded down with produce.
May there be no enemy breaking through our walls,
no going into captivity, no cries of alarm in our town squares.
¹⁵ Yes, joyful are those who live like this!
Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord.

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Bible Reading - Psalm 108

Psalm 108

^1-2 I'm ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe.
Ready to sing, ready to raise a God-song:
"Wake, soul! Wake, lute! Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!"
^3-6 I'm thanking you, God, out in the streets,
singing your praises in town and country.
The deeper your love, the higher it goes;
every cloud's a flag to your faithfulness.
Soar high in the skies, O God!
Cover the whole earth with your glory!
And for the sake of the one you love so much,
reach down and help me-answer me!

^7-9 That's when God spoke in holy splendor:
 "Brimming over with joy, I make a present of Shechem,
I hand out Succoth Valley as a gift.
Gilead's in my pocket, to say nothing of Manasseh.
Ephraim's my hard hat, Judah my hammer.
Moab's a scrub bucket- I mop the floor with Moab, Spit on Edom,
rain fireworks all over Philistia."

^10-11 Who will take me to the thick of the fight?
Who'll show me the road to Edom?
You aren't giving up on us, are you, God? refusing to go out with our troops?
^12-13 Give us help for the hard task; human help is worthless.
In God we'll do our very best; he'll flatten the opposition for good.

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Bible Reading - Psalm 122

Psalm 122

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

¹ I was glad when they said to me,

"Let us go to the house of the Lord."

² And now here we are,

standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.

³ Jerusalem is a well-built city;

its seamless walls cannot be breached.

⁴ All the tribes of Israel-the Lord's people-

make their pilgrimage here.

They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,

as the law requires of Israel.

⁵ Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,

the thrones of the dynasty of David.

⁶ Pray for peace in Jerusalem.

May all who love this city prosper.

⁷ O Jerusalem, may there be peace

within your walls and prosperity in your palaces.

⁸ For the sake of my family and friends,

I will say, "May you have peace."

⁹ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

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Bible Reading - Psalm 102

Psalm 102

A prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble, pouring out problems before the LORD.

 

¹ Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you.

 ² Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress.

Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. 

³ For my days vanish like smoke;

my bones burn like glowing embers. 

⁴ My heart is blighted and withered like grass;

 I forget to eat my food.

 

⁵ Because of my loud groaning

I am reduced to skin and bones. 

⁶ I am like a desert owl,

 like an owl among the ruins.

 ⁷ I lie awake;

I have become like a bird alone on a roof. 

⁸ All day long my enemies taunt me;

those who rail against me use my name as a curse. 

 

 ⁹ For I eat ashes as my food

and mingle my drink with tears 

¹⁰ because of your great wrath,

 for you have taken me up and thrown me aside. 

¹¹ My days are like the evening shadow;

 I wither away like grass.

 ¹² But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever;

your renown endures through all generations.

 

¹³ You will arise and have compassion on Zion,

 for it is time to show favor to her;

the appointed time has come. 

¹⁴ For her stones are dear to your servants;

her very dust moves them to pity. 

¹⁵ The nations will fear the name of the LORD,

 all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. 

¹⁶ For the LORD will rebuild Zion

and appear in his glory.

 

¹⁷ He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;

he will not despise their plea.

 ¹⁸ Let this be written for a future generation,

that a people not yet created may praise the LORD : 

¹⁹ "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,

 from heaven he viewed the earth, 

²⁰ to hear the groans of the prisoners

and release those condemned to death."

 

²¹ So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion

and his praise in Jerusalem

²² when the peoples and the kingdoms

 assemble to worship the LORD. 

²³ In the course of my life he broke my strength;

 he cut short my days.

 ²⁴ So I said: "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days;

your years go on through all generations. 

 

 ²⁵ In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands. 

²⁶ They will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like a garment.

Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. 

²⁷ But you remain the same,

and your years will never end. 

²⁸ The children of your servants will live in your presence;

their descendants will be established before you."

 

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