The Gospel Alphabet by Timothy Keller
J is for Jealousy
We learn and teach the Gospel because we are called to be jealous for those we serve. The apostle Paul declared to the Corinthian believers, “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him” (2 Cor. 11:2). If we think jealousy is unbecoming in the apostle, we should remember that God himself is a jealous God (Exod. 20:5). True love that is covenant based is properly jealous concerning the parties in that covenant. We must keep the true Gospel before the eyes of those whom we teach and serve so that they will avoid what Paul feared for the Corinthians–that is, that they should “be deceived by the serpent’s cunning” and “somehow be led astray from [a] sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3). Deeper acquaintance with the true Gospel will help believers recognize and reject the preaching of “another Jesus” and “a different Gospel” (2 Cor. 11:4).
J is for Jealousy
We learn and teach the Gospel because we are called to be jealous for those we serve. The apostle Paul declared to the Corinthian believers, “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him” (2 Cor. 11:2). If we think jealousy is unbecoming in the apostle, we should remember that God himself is a jealous God (Exod. 20:5). True love that is covenant based is properly jealous concerning the parties in that covenant. We must keep the true Gospel before the eyes of those whom we teach and serve so that they will avoid what Paul feared for the Corinthians–that is, that they should “be deceived by the serpent’s cunning” and “somehow be led astray from [a] sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3). Deeper acquaintance with the true Gospel will help believers recognize and reject the preaching of “another Jesus” and “a different Gospel” (2 Cor. 11:4).
MEN WILL FEEL MY PAIN
(Maybe this really happened)
Deb was sick in bed with a case of the flu last week. Being a dutiful and loving husband, I offered to fix her some of her favorite herbal tea. When I went to get the tea, I could not find it anywhere. I went back to the living room where she was stretched out on the couch to ask her where it was. She said, "I don't know how it could be any easier to see. It's in the pantry, third shelf down, in a cocoa tin marked "matches."
THE SECRET FOR EFFECTIVE PARENTING
By Marty Machowski
Parents long for the secret to successful parenting much like Ponce DeLeon searched for the fountain of youth. If there was such a secret tonic, and a person discovered a way to bottle it, they would make a million. Still parents flock to the latest book, technique, or philosophy hoping against hope their kids will “turn out right.”
While we should look to improve our parenting, the secret to good parenting isn’t that elusive. I was reminded of it last week when a fellow pastor told me a story about his four-year-old son. Ashley (his wife) found their son Will sitting by himself reading The Gospel Story Bible, which I thought was really cool! She asked, “Whatcha doing bud?”
Will looked up and said with all the seriousness of a four-year-old, “Pretending to be Daddy.”
“What does Daddy do?” Mom followed up.
“He reads the Bible.”
Now don’t you know Dad warmed a few degrees when his wife shared the report of their son’s afternoon! When he shared the story with me, blessed that his son was reading The Gospel Story Bible (See below for Pastor George’s comment) recently authored, I remembered how important our example as Dads is for the growth of our sons.
Before Moses gave Israel God’s instructions for training their children (Deuteronomy 6:7-9) he commanded the parents to first follow those instructions themselves (Deuteronomy 6: 1-6). Why? Because their children were watching their example. Will didn’t need to be told to get out his Bible and have a time of devotions. He did what he saw his father doing.
Jesus himself followed this principle. He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise” (John 5:19). Jesus set his life up as an example for his disciples. After washing their feet at the last supper he said, “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:15).
Peter and Paul exhorted the believers to both follow their example and be an example to others (1 Peter 2:21, 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:9). Paul summed it up succinctly when he said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Is it any surprise then that the core principle for passing on instruction in the whole New Testament is the same for us as parents?
The most exciting part of parenting by example is that you don’t have to remember to do it. If you are living for God’s glory in all that you do, your children will learn from you every minute of every day they are around you. If you are like me, it is easy to forget to make the time to teach your kids. But when you live your life for Christ, even when you forget to lead them in instruction, they are still getting an education. That is as close to a secret tonic for parenting as I’ve got.
My (George's) Comment: The Gospel Story Bible by Marty Machowski is a great family resource. Here is the publisher’s review, and I also have a copy of this Bible and I affirm and encourage you to consider buying this for your family. For those who have used the “Jesus Storybook Bible,” this one is a great follow-up. You can purchase it for 50% off (along with other books you might want to consider) until January 12 at Westminster Bookstore by following this link. http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/8098/nm/Gospel+Story+Bible%3A+Discovering+Jesus+in+the+Old+and+New+Testaments+%28Hardcover%29+%5BBest-Seller+2011%5D
Publisher’s Description: Can a Bedtime Story Actually Change Your Life?
It is easy to forget Jesus in the midst of frantic schedules, family squabbles, and conflicting priorities. But the truth is that he is the hero of every story, including these ordinary ones. This is why Marty Machowski puts God's plan of salvation in Christ on continuous display in The Gospel Story Bible. The easy-to-read storybook introduces your family to many captivating people, places, and events from the Bible's Old and New Testaments, showing how each one ultimately points to Jesus.
As you share these Bible stories together, you and your family will meet Jesus and learn a new, life-changing way of recognizing Christ as the hero of every story. Vibrant illustrations by A. E. Macha, child-friendly discussion questions, and Scripture references accompany each narrative to help you lead your family in exploring the Bible. You will be delighted to discover how easily even a young child can understand the original text of a story that he or she has already come to love. Ideal as a storybook for your preschooler, a devotional for your grade school student, a refresher for the adult believer, or an introduction for the new one.
Parents long for the secret to successful parenting much like Ponce DeLeon searched for the fountain of youth. If there was such a secret tonic, and a person discovered a way to bottle it, they would make a million. Still parents flock to the latest book, technique, or philosophy hoping against hope their kids will “turn out right.”
While we should look to improve our parenting, the secret to good parenting isn’t that elusive. I was reminded of it last week when a fellow pastor told me a story about his four-year-old son. Ashley (his wife) found their son Will sitting by himself reading The Gospel Story Bible, which I thought was really cool! She asked, “Whatcha doing bud?”
Will looked up and said with all the seriousness of a four-year-old, “Pretending to be Daddy.”
“What does Daddy do?” Mom followed up.
“He reads the Bible.”
Now don’t you know Dad warmed a few degrees when his wife shared the report of their son’s afternoon! When he shared the story with me, blessed that his son was reading The Gospel Story Bible (See below for Pastor George’s comment) recently authored, I remembered how important our example as Dads is for the growth of our sons.
Before Moses gave Israel God’s instructions for training their children (Deuteronomy 6:7-9) he commanded the parents to first follow those instructions themselves (Deuteronomy 6: 1-6). Why? Because their children were watching their example. Will didn’t need to be told to get out his Bible and have a time of devotions. He did what he saw his father doing.
Jesus himself followed this principle. He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise” (John 5:19). Jesus set his life up as an example for his disciples. After washing their feet at the last supper he said, “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:15).
Peter and Paul exhorted the believers to both follow their example and be an example to others (1 Peter 2:21, 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:9). Paul summed it up succinctly when he said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Is it any surprise then that the core principle for passing on instruction in the whole New Testament is the same for us as parents?
The most exciting part of parenting by example is that you don’t have to remember to do it. If you are living for God’s glory in all that you do, your children will learn from you every minute of every day they are around you. If you are like me, it is easy to forget to make the time to teach your kids. But when you live your life for Christ, even when you forget to lead them in instruction, they are still getting an education. That is as close to a secret tonic for parenting as I’ve got.
My (George's) Comment: The Gospel Story Bible by Marty Machowski is a great family resource. Here is the publisher’s review, and I also have a copy of this Bible and I affirm and encourage you to consider buying this for your family. For those who have used the “Jesus Storybook Bible,” this one is a great follow-up. You can purchase it for 50% off (along with other books you might want to consider) until January 12 at Westminster Bookstore by following this link. http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/8098/nm/Gospel+Story+Bible%3A+Discovering+Jesus+in+the+Old+and+New+Testaments+%28Hardcover%29+%5BBest-Seller+2011%5D
Publisher’s Description: Can a Bedtime Story Actually Change Your Life?
It is easy to forget Jesus in the midst of frantic schedules, family squabbles, and conflicting priorities. But the truth is that he is the hero of every story, including these ordinary ones. This is why Marty Machowski puts God's plan of salvation in Christ on continuous display in The Gospel Story Bible. The easy-to-read storybook introduces your family to many captivating people, places, and events from the Bible's Old and New Testaments, showing how each one ultimately points to Jesus.
As you share these Bible stories together, you and your family will meet Jesus and learn a new, life-changing way of recognizing Christ as the hero of every story. Vibrant illustrations by A. E. Macha, child-friendly discussion questions, and Scripture references accompany each narrative to help you lead your family in exploring the Bible. You will be delighted to discover how easily even a young child can understand the original text of a story that he or she has already come to love. Ideal as a storybook for your preschooler, a devotional for your grade school student, a refresher for the adult believer, or an introduction for the new one.
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