Stay Awake!

This is the weekend many look forward to every year, even more than Christmas.  We all get one extra hour of sleep!  You can’t go out and buy time, so I think “Fall Back” is one of my best friends every year.  I hear parents of young children and college students cheering as they realize the extra hour they are about to receive.  That is cheering until I read the words of Jesus.

“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”  Matthew 24:42

Come on!  Stay awake?  Please, no Lord!  I have small children; one wakes up every couple hours and the other loves to wake up before the sun comes out.  This is the only thing I am asking for – one extra hour of sleep!

Do I think Jesus is coming back during daylight savings time this year?  Probably not…could he?  Yes!  Is Jesus asking us to stay awake and refrain from that glorious extra hour of sleep?  Thankfully, no, I think He is just fine with me getting some rest this weekend.  What is He saying: His followers should stay alert and remain aware that He is coming back to earth.  Jesus is coming, and it could be soon.  It could be years, decades or centuries away too.  We just don’t know (Mark 13:32), but that doesn’t change our attitude or posture towards the second coming of Jesus.

A verse I have been dwelling on recently is found in Hebrews 9:28, and it says, “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” 

That is awesome – Jesus is coming back for those who are eagerly waiting for him.  What does that look like?  It looks like a lot of things.  It means we have a relationship with Jesus now, we follow Him now, we make disciples now, we love others now, we serve God now, we participate in church (the body of Christ) now!

Thankfully for me, it doesn’t mean I must wait up this Saturday night – I’m going to bed.

Tools

                                 
I am not a handy man, but I understand that tools are important.  Owning and organizing tools in my garage gives me pleasure, even if I use them rarely.  I can only imagine how many tools I would want if I actually used them often!

As a student of God's Word, I hope to use and open the Bible with more frequency than I use my socket set.  Either way, there are many tools at our disposal for digging into God's Word, and they are at our fingertips -- FOR FREE!

Confession: I have a habit of acquiring Bibles and Bible study tools because there are so many!  Those are not all free :)

It doesn't matter how much you know about the Bible, as everyone has to start somewhere.  Here are some of the most helpful tools I can recommend to anyone who is interested in learning more about the Bible - from scholars to beginners:


Bible Apps (for smartphones & tablets):

ESV Bible APP

This is my favorite translation of Scripture and my favorite Bible app.  It is very user friendly and adaptable (font size, color, headings and verse numbers can also be turned on or off - which is very helpful when reading more than a few verses).  It also have many Bible reading plans

The ESV study Bible (available for purchase) works seamlessly, and is super helpful for quick questions or reference in this app.

YouVersion APP

   The YouVersion Bible app is the most popular Bible app.  It enables you to read Scripture in any translation (or language!).

   The best feature to this app is the friend feature.  It allows you to encourage one another and see what each other are reading or taking notes on.  Reading Scripture together is a wonderful way to get even more from the Bible.

Logos APP

YouVersion - for kids!

Logos has powerful programs for sale, but they make their app free for anyone.  It is possible to explore the software, but it is possible to read the Bible, access their reading plans and other good resources from this app alone.

                 

This is such a great resource for kids and families.  Each story is available for download individually and is interactive.  The summaries are great for young kids, and it is even a great way for adults to get to know the broad story of Scripture in a brief manner.

Bible Study Websites:

• Biblegateway.com

                  Search by passage or by keyword.  I use this regularly to find passages I "half-remember".  What is the one where Jesus talks about seeking the kingdom of God?  Search: seek kingdom....boom, Matt. 6:33.

• Blueletterbible.com

                  This has more tools for study than bible gateway, but is not as user friendly to find passages or keyword searches.  This site has original language tools, commentaries and devotionals.

• Esvbible.org

                   This can link with your ESV Bible app.  If you purchase the ESV study Bible (or own the print copy!) you have access to it here.  Any highlights or notes you make online or in the app will appear on the other if you are signed in.  Great tool!

• Bible.org

                   Bible.org has articles, resources by many conservative, evangelical scholars.  This is home to the NET Bible.  It is best known for its translation note, which 

Listen to God's Word:

• ESV  &  YouVersion Apps - each one allows you to listen or read any passage

• ESV M'Cheyene podcast (on iTunes)

                   Listen to the OT once, the NT and Psalms twice in a year (4 different readings every day)!  This is a reading plan sent directly to a podcast with the daily reading for you.

• Bible Experience (CD or mp3)

                  Purchase ($35) on Amazon and listen to professional actors/actresses read through Scripture (TNIV).  This is probably the most engaging audio Bible.

Other Helpful Websites and Blogs:

• Gotquestions.org
• Ask any theological question - this is a very solid resource in my experience

• The Gospel Coalition
• Articles and blogs on current issues in ministry and the Christian life

• Reasonable Faith
• William Lane Craig, apologist has articles, videos, debates and other materials about defending the Christian faith.

• Monergism
• This site contains a wealth of sermons, articles and topics to check out.

• Google Books
• There are thousands of books available for free at Google Books.  Try a simple search for any Bible resource and you might find what you need.  Many commentaries are available (search: commentary on Mark - for example).

• Desiring God
• This ministry was founded by John Piper and has his sermon archive along with many helpful articles, videos and resources.  They have contemporary issues and updated blogs regularly.

Blessings as you dig into Scripture with whatever tools fit you best!  There are many more books, tools, resources, plans that I could recommend as well, but this is a start.  Don't let the depth of Scripture scare you - just get started!

             "Blessed is the man
                 who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night."

Psalm 1:1-2