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Andy Rau
March 2, 2012

GOD’S WORD Translation Verse of the Day Now Available!

The Verse of the Day is now available in the GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)!

The Verse of the Day is—you guessed it—a daily Bible verse sent out via email each morning. You can sign up to receive the Verse of the Day in several different Bible versions, now including the GOD’S WORD Translation. (It’s on the right side of the signup page, listed with the other Verses of the Day.)

The GOD’S WORD Translation combines translation accuracy with modern, readable English, making it an extremely accessible Bible. As we noted when it was first added to our Bible library, the GOD’S WORD Translation strikes a balance between the “formal equivalence” and “functional equivalence” translation philosophies. (See the GOD’S WORD Translation website for more information about its guiding translation philosophy.)

We’re pleased to add the GOD’S WORD Translation Verse of the Day to our library of free email resources, and we’re grateful to its publisher for making it available on Bible Gateway. Sign up today!

Note: If you are already subscribed to one or more Verse of the Day emails, you can add the GW Verse of the Day (or switch your subscription from an existing Verse of the Day to the GW edition) by clicking on the Manage Subscriptions link at the very bottom of any Verse of the Day email. That will take you to a page where you can update your subscriptions.

Andy Rau
February 29, 2012

Questions About Easter: What Is Significant About the Lamb’s Bones Not Being Broken?

This is the first in a series of posts during Lent that answer common questions about Easter. These Q&A’s are drawn from our library of devotionals and other partner content. Today’s is from the “Investigating the Bible” devotional, which you can read online or sign up to receive via email.

What Is Significant About the Lamb’s Bones Not Being Broken?

When God gave Moses and Aaron the rules for the Passover, some might have sounded unconventional—for example, the clear prohibition against breaking any bones of the lamb that was sacrificed and eaten by each household. Why did God insist on this?

This command—that the Passover lamb not have its legs broken—carries symbolic weight. When Jesus, whom John the Baptist proclaimed to be “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), was crucified, not one of his bones was broken. John 19:31–34 tells us that when the soldiers came to Jesus to break his legs to hasten his death, they found that he was already dead, so they pierced his side with a spear but did not break his legs. As John testifies, “These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken’” (John 19:36). The Exodus 12:46 rule is also echoed prophetically in Psalm 34:20: “He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.” To the last detail of his death, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Messiah, verifying that he was, as John the Baptist claimed, the sacrificial Lamb of God.

Andy Rau
February 27, 2012

Monday Morning Scripture: 1 John 3

What does it mean to be loved by God? To be called a “child of God”? How would such a person behave, and how would we recognize them?

Here’s the complete text of 1 John 3, which provides a thorough look at what it means to be loved by God—and what that love looks like when it’s put into action in our lives.

“Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children. And we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him. Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure.

“Everyone who commits sin also breaks the law; sin is the breaking of law. You know that He was revealed so that He might take away sins, and there is no sin in Him. Everyone who remains in Him does not sin; everyone who sins has not seen Him or known Him.

“Little children, let no one deceive you! The one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. The one who commits sin is of the Devil, for the Devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil’s works. Everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because His seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God. This is how God’s children—and the Devil’s children—are made evident.

“Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother. For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another, unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need—how can God’s love reside in him?

“Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. This is how we will know we belong to the truth and will convince our conscience in His presence, even if our conscience condemns us, that God is greater than our conscience, and He knows all things.

“Dear friends, if our conscience doesn’t condemn us, we have confidence before God and can receive whatever we ask from Him because we keep His commands and do what is pleasing in His sight. Now this is His command: that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commands remains in Him, and He in him. And the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He has given us.” — 1 John 3 (HCSB)

Questions to Consider

  1. Is it obvious by your actions—not just your words—that you’re a follower of Jesus Christ?
  2. How do you understand the contrast this passage describes between our consciences and God? What do you think it means to be “condemned” by your conscience?
  3. Who is somebody in your life who has demonstrated Christlike love to you by their actions?
Andy Rau
February 24, 2012

Link Roundup (Lent Edition)

Jesus and Mary Magdalene, depicted by Antonio da Correggio (1489-1534).

Looking for articles and other resources related to Lent? Here are a few Lent- and Easter-related links we’ve come across recently.

That should be enough Lent-themed reading material to keep you busy for a few days. See you next week!

Andy Rau
February 22, 2012

How Can You Meditate on God’s Word?

Psalm 119:15 instructs believers to “meditate on [God’s] precepts and consider [God’s] ways.” On Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Lenten season of reflection and meditation, it seems appropriate to ask what exactly it means to “meditate on God’s Word.” Here’s how the Questions Answered newsletter answers that question.

Meditation is a combination of reviewing, repeating, reflecting, thinking, analyzing, feeling and even enjoying. It is a physical, intellectual and emotional activity—it involves our whole being.

In some ways, meditation doesn’t easily fit into Western culture. We value action and busyness more than stopping and considering. The author of this psalm was from another time and culture, one with a tradition that valued meditation. As a result, meditation came more naturally for him and others with his Middle Eastern background. We have to overcome some cultural obstacles to learn to meditate.

There are many ways to meditate on God’s Word. Some possibilities include:

  1. Take time to read a verse or passage over and over.
  2. Begin to memorize all or part of it.
  3. Listen—quiet your heart to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you through God’s Word.
  4. Consider how it fits with the rest of the Bible and life in general.
  5. Become emotionally involved—allow yourself to feel what God feels, his desires expressed through his words.
  6. Move from meditation to application—connect your thoughts to action. Consider how the truth and power of the Word of God should affect your behavior.

From the NIV Quest Study Bible, as presented in the Questions Answered newsletter.

Andy Rau
February 21, 2012

Stories About Scripture: The Story of a Scribe

What does it mean to have a sense of reverence about Scripture? Pastor Mel Lawrenz of The Brook Network has written a series of short essays called “Stories About Scripture” to explore this question. His first was essay was “When the Bible Was Illegal.” Here’s the next.

Monk at work

A scriptorium monk at work, depicted in William Blades' 'Pentateuch of Printing with a Chapter on Judges' (1891). Image is in the public domain.

The early morning light filtered through the small windows of the scriptorium–the manuscript coping room–where a scribe was hunched over a table on which lay the parchment he was inscribing. His back ached from curling his body day after day over the tilted table, sitting on a backless stool, holding his writing arm out across the parchment, leaning close for lack of light at this time of year in the far north in Ireland. His hand moved in a slow rhythm from ink pot to writing surface where he traced the open end of his quill in the shape of the letters he had perfected over the years. This part was mindless. Tedious. Dreary. But he was always mentally alert and focussed for fear of misspelling a word or his eye skipping over a phrase. Making a mistake meant using a small knife to slice away at the errant letter or word.

The previous day he had misspelled one word, and, as usual, he had blamed it on the pesky Titvillus, the imaginary demon invented by the scribes who was said to be intent on causing them to make mistakes in their scribal duties. The joke about Titvillus served to have someone to blame for mistakes, and as a reminder that the duty of copying revered documents–especially Holy Scripture–was a mission to be taken seriously. Though slow and tedious, the copying of Scripture was a mission.

The copy of the Bible this monk was working on was finally nearing completion–five years after he began.

The room was cold because no fire was allowed in the scriptorium. The risk to the fragile and flammable parchments was too great. Theft of a manuscript was a crime. One monk wrote a warning on the first page: “If anyone steal this book, let him die the death; let him be fried in the pan; let the falling sickness and fever seize him; let him be broken on the wheel and hanged. Amen.” He did not want to lose his work.

Vikings raided monasteries whenever they could, ruthlessly stealing, destroying, and killing. To protect the precious manuscripts the scriptorium was located in a fortified tower. Each morning the scribes had to climb a ladder twenty feet and pull the ladder up after them into the isolated and protected room.

But for all the tedium and pain, fear and tension, the scribes did experience the truth of the texts they were copying. Every day they read some of the Psalms–slowly, prayerfully, out loud. Over the course of months and years all the words and all of the images formed the imagination of these men. Their whole way of thinking of reality was through the prism of Scripture. And while later generations would not know these people, they would benefit from this fact: the mission that these scribes in northern Europe took on during the Dark Ages when literacy was practically extinct was the way the text of Scripture survived and was carried through the centuries.

Here is a personal word from Mel on “spiritual influence” today. You can read more of Mel’s devotional and other writing at The Brook Network.

Andy Rau
February 20, 2012

What is Lent?


The cross, symbol of LentEach year when we start talking about Lent and Easter, we hear a familiar question from some Bible Gateway visitors: What is Lent? Is it an official Christian holiday? Was it instituted in the Bible? What does it mean to observe Lent, and are Christians “required” to do so? For the interested, we’ll try to answer those questions here.

Lent is the span of time in the church calendar that starts with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday commemorates the beginning of Jesus’ 40-day fasting and temptation in the desert, and Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus’ resurrection from the grave after his crucifixion.

Lent, then, is generally observed as a time for Christians to reflect, repent, and pray as a way of preparing their hearts for Easter. It is commonly observed by many Christian denominations—Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and others—although not every Christian church or denomination does so. Because Lent is not officially instituted in Scripture, observing it isn’t in any way a “requirement” of Christianity. However, Christians from many different theological persuasions choose to observe it as a way of focusing their thoughts on Jesus Christ during the Easter season.

How Do You Observe Lent?

It differs from person to person and church to church, but some of the things Christians opt to do to observe Lent include:

  • On the first day of Lent (Ash Wednesday), some Christians mark their foreheads with ash as a symbol of sorrow and mourning over their sin. (See Job 42 for an example of ash used as a symbol of repentance.)
  • Special worship services, or additions to regular worship services, that focus in various ways on man’s need for repentance. This often takes the form of extra Scripture readings and prayer.
  • Some Christians choose to give up a habit or behavior during Lent as an exercise in prayerful self-denial. This might range from something as simple as not drinking soda during Lent to a full-blown program of fasting.
  • Some Christians commit to a special devotional activity during Lent—for example, daily Scripture reading, regular prayer for a specific person or topic throughout Lent, or volunteer work in their community.

The choice to observe Lent is a personal one—the whole point is to focus your heart and mind on Jesus during the journey to Easter. There’s no requirement to observe it, nor should you feel guilted into participating. However, millions of Christians around the world do observe Lent each year; if you’ve never done so, why not give it a try? Whether you observe Lent in a small or major way, you’ll be amazed at what happens when you devote a part of each day to reflecting on Jesus Christ and God’s Word.

We invite you to take a look at our own Lent resources, and to consider other ways that you can deepen your relationship with Jesus over the coming weeks. Whether you call it “Lent observance” or “daily devotions” or anything else, time spent reflecting on Jesus Christ is time well spent!

Andy Rau
February 20, 2012

Monday Morning Scripture: Isaiah 46

It’s important to get your week started on the right foot—and there’s no better way to do that than to spend a few minutes reading Scripture! Today, we’re kicking off a new blog post series called Monday Morning Scripture—each Monday morning, we’ll post a thought-provoking Bible passage to help you keep focused on God as you begin your busy week. We’ll keep a special eye out for lesser-known Scripture passages you may not be familiar with.

This morning’s passage is Isaiah 46:3-13, a beautiful assurance both of God’s authority and his faithful support of his children:

Isaiah 46:3-13

Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
      the few people left of the nation of Israel.
          I’ve carried you since your birth.
           I’ve taken care of you from the time you were born.
             Even when you’re old, I’ll take care of you.
             Even when your hair turns gray, I’ll support you.
           I made you and will continue to care for you.
           I’ll support you and save you.

To whom will you compare me and make me equal?
To whom will you compare me so that we can be alike?

      People pour gold out of their bags and weigh silver on scales.
         They hire a goldsmith. He makes it into a god.
         They bow down and worship it.
      They lift it on their shoulders and carry it.
         They set the idol in its place, and it stands there.
           It doesn’t move from its place.
           If they cry to it for help, it can’t answer.
           It can’t rescue them from their distress.

Remember this, and take courage.
      Recall your rebellious acts.
Remember the first events,
      because I am God, and there is no other.
           I am God, and there’s no one like me.
From the beginning I revealed the end.
      From long ago I told you things that had not yet happened, saying,
           “My plan will stand, and I’ll do everything I intended to do.”
I will call a bird of prey from the east.
           I will call someone for my plan from a faraway land.
      I have spoken, and I will bring it about.
      I have planned it, and I will do it.
Listen to me, you stubborn people who are far from being righteous.
I’ll bring my righteousness near; it isn’t far away.
      My salvation will not be delayed.
         I’ll provide salvation for Zion
           and bring my glory to Israel. — Isaiah 46:3-13 (GW)

Questions to Consider

  1. What actions or attitudes do you think might have prompted this message from God? Does it speak to you today?
  2. The middle section of this passage talks about blacksmiths fashioning useless idols. What are the modern-day equivalents of these idols, which “can’t rescue from distress”?
  3. Why should we trust God, according to this passage?
Andy Rau
February 16, 2012

Journey to Easter With Our Lent Reading Plans and Devotionals

Easter is coming! Looking outside at a gray Midwestern sky and dirty piles of snow, it’s hard to imagine that spring and the promise of Easter are right around the corner. But on Ash Wednesday next week, we begin the official countdown to the most important day in the Christian calendar.

Lent—the season of reflection leading up to Easter—provides an excellent opportunity to embark on your own devotional journey. We think there’s no better time to renew your focus on Jesus Christ, and so Bible Gateway has put together several free devotional tools for Lent:

  • Read through the Gospels during Lent: Have you ever read through the entire story of Jesus’ life, ministry, and resurrection? This daily email Bible reading plan walks you through each of the four Gospel accounts. Whether you’ve read the Gospels a hundred times or have never experienced the story, this is a great way to get to know the Savior we celebrate at Easter.
  • Lent Devotions: Scripture readings, devotionals insights, and Easter prayers, sent several times a week to your inbox. These Easter devotional emails will keep you focused on Jesus throughout each week.
  • The Story of Jesus: Who was Jesus Christ, and what did he do? These daily Scripture readings will take you through every major event in Christ’s ministry, from his birth to his death and resurrection. By the time Easter Sunday arrives, you’ll have a complete picture of the person and significance of Jesus Christ.

Two of these newsletters—the Gospel reading plan and Lent Devotions—are returning from last year. The Story of Jesus is brand new for 2012. We’re excited to include it in our Lent resources because it reminds us that Jesus’ entire life and ministry, from the day of his birth in the famous Bethlehem stable, was pointed toward the miracle of Easter.

Each of these email newsletters is free and runs from Ash Wednesday [February 22] through Easter [April 8]. Take advantage of these devotional tools to help you keep your eyes on Easter—visit our Newsletter page to sign up now!

Andy Rau
February 9, 2012

Connect with Bible Gateway on Google+

Bible Gateway is now on Google+! If you’ve got a Google+ account, stop by and say hi at our Google+ page. We’ll post Bible verses, interesting links, discussion questions, Bible Gateway-related news, and other goodies there. And of course, we welcome your feedback and suggestions about what you’d like to see us do with our Google+ page.

You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

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