This is an absolutely beautiful Bible. The cardboard book sleeve does an excellent job of protecting the Bible itself from shelfware, as evidence by the fact that in shipping, the front of the book sleeve did get slightly dented, but the Bible itself was entirely undamaged.
This Bible contains 53,000 (!!!!!!!!) center-column references! 53,000!? What a valuable resource for any Christian!
Thomas Nelson Publishing company never disappoints. The Bibles that they print are always high in quality and eye-catching.
This Bible is large print, meaning that the font size is a readable 10.5-point. This Bible includes Bible book introductions, a concordance, a 365-day reading plan, and a matching satin ribbon bookmarker. It is a Red Letter Edition, which is also a definite bonus because the reader can quickly identify the words of our Savior Jesus.
I absolutely LOVE the pink color on this Bible. I’ve always been pretty traditional in my book collecting; most of my copies of the Bible are black, a few brown, and a maroon one here and there. The soft pink offered as an option for this Bible makes this a beautiful and thoughtful gift for any female pastors in your life, mothers, grandmothers, and young women.
Thomas Nelson Bibles are renowned for their beautiful color maps included in so many editions of the Bibles they print. The KJV Large Print Center-Column Reference Bible is no exception:
With all that is currently going on in the Middle East, being able to quickly turn to maps that express God’s story in His dealings with humanity is truly a blessing. I find that Bible history comes so much more alive with the use of colorful maps such as those included in this KJV Large Print Center-Column Reference Bible.
Readability
This lovely Bible is readable, not only because of the 10.5-point Comfort Print (TM), but also because the layout is so well-crafted. The introduction does not draw attention to itself and likewise the center-column references do not cause confusion to the following of the actual Biblical text.
The King James Version Large Print Center-Column Reference Bible lays flat, which also aids in its readability because it won’t fold in on itself when the reader is trying to read it. Here is an example of this Bible laying flat, open to the book of Ecclesiastes:
Rev. Jennifer Mieliulis Fuentes, M.Div., Duke University
Book details
Title: KJV Large Print Center-Column Reference Bible Author: Publisher: Thomas Nelson Bibles Release Date: March 2024 Genre: BIBLES/King James Version/Reference
Review: Amplified Journal the Word Bible from Zondervan
As part of the Zondervan bloggerprogram, I have received a copy of the Zondervan Amplified “Journal the Word” Biblepublished by Zondervan Bibles/Harper Collins Publishers at no cost to mein exchange for an honest reviewhere on the Adonai Shalom USA blog.#zondervanpartner
The Zondervan Amplified Journal the Word Bible uses the popular Amplified translation of the Biblical text. This particular edition allows ample space so that those who enjoy taking notes in the margins or even drawing and doodling can have room to truly personalize their copy of the Holy Scriptures.
The Amplified version is nice because this translation inserts notes to help define key words and phrases in Scripture that are otherwise misunderstood or overlooked due to difficulties in transition from the original Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew. The brackets and parentheses help to ensure that none of these notes are mistaken as actual Scripture, which is critical because Revelation 22:18 sternly warns us to never add to the actual Scriptures. The purpose of the Amplified Bible is to add understanding, not to add erroneous text, and I believe it fulfills its mission in a helpful way for those wanting to delve deeper into the original meaning of the text.
From the back cover book jacket: “The Amplified Bible translation delivers enhanced understanding of the rich nuances and shades of meaning of the original Greek and Hebrew words in Scripture. Using a unique system of brackets, parentheses, and italics, the Amplified Bible defines and expands key words and phrases within the text of Scripture. In this way, the fuller meaning of God’s Word unfolds, verse by verse, as you read.”
I immediately noticed the beautiful Leathersoft (TM) cover. The size of this Bible is perfect for personal devotionals.
It features two satin ribbon bookmarks and it lays flat when open, which is ideal for serious notetakers!
The Zondervan Amplified Journal the Word Bible is excellent for personal study. It is not; however, a “study Bible” in that this Bible does not contain notes, commentary, concordances, nor maps. The Amplified translation intends for the reader to gather insights from the amplified text which does contain elements that could be considered commentary. Immediately following the ending of the New Testament in Revelation, there are additional pages for personal notes.
The Zondervan Amplified Journal the Word Bible does contain an “Explanation of General Format” to help those unfamiliar with the Amplified version to understand how the features work within the text:
I personally enjoy anything that helps to further explain the original meanings, so I like the Amplified Version. The only thing I could suggest to make this particular Journal the Word Bible even better would be if there were further textual commentary included on each page.
This high-quality Amplified version of the Bible is suitable for anyone who enjoys writing notes or drawing in the margins of their personal devotional Bible. It would make a wonderful gift for the artists and creative people in your life who love God’s Word!
Rev. Jennifer Mieliulis Fuentes, M.Div., Duke University
Book details
Title: Amplified Journal the Word Bible Publisher: Zondervan Release Date: February 2024 Genre: BIBLES/The Amplified Bible/Journaling
ISBN-13: 978-0-310-46362-7
Review: The NKJV Breathe Life Bible
As part of the Thomas Nelson Bibles bloggerprogram, I have received a copy of theNKJV Breath Life Bible published by Thomas Nelson Bibles/Harper Collins Publishers at no cost to mein exchange for an honest reviewhere on the Adonai Shalom USA blog.
The NKJV Breathe Life Bible is a Christian response to the social unrest in Minneapolis and around the country following the tragic death of George Floyd in 2020.
This edition of the Bible contains the full text of the reliable NKJV translation with articles throughout that relate to racial reconciliation and social justice.
The contributors have come up with an acronym: BREATHE: Believe, Reconcile, Exalt, Act, Trust, Hope, and Elevate to help the reader find peace in God’s Word in a broken world.
I received a paperback edition of this Bible. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the softcover edition contains the same high-quality, colorful maps that are found in so many Thomas Nelson Bibles such as the NKJV Ultra Thinline Bible.
The maps included feature the “World of the Patriarchs,” “Exodus and Conquest of Canaan,” “Land of the Twelve Tribes,” “Kingdom of David and Solomon,” “Jesus’ Ministry,” “Paul’s Missionary Journeys,” and “Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus.”
The binding showed a bit of wear from shipping, but all in all it is a high quality, economical edition of the Bible.
Here is an excerpt from the overview page on the Gospel According to Mark:
This Bible features articles focusing on “faith in action:”
This NKJV Bible uses a very readable “Comfort Print” font exclusive to Thomas Nelson Bibles.
Review: The Thomas Nelson NKJV VALUE Ultra Thinline Bible (And what is the difference between the Ultra Thinline and the VALUE Ultra Thinline?)
As part of the Thomas Nelson Bibles bloggerprogram, I have received a copy of the Thomas Nelson NKJV Value Ultra Thinline Bible published by Thomas Nelson Bibles/Harper Collins Publishers at no cost to mein exchange for an honest reviewhere on the Adonai Shalom USA blog.
This would be a perfect Bible for an evangelist or missionary: someone who knows the Word and does not want to carry extra weight around when traveling. This Bible does not contain commentary or even cross-references. This Bible would also be a perfect Bible for any new Christian wanting to read the Bible for him or herself without the distractions of footnotes, cross-references, or commentary.
Each of these Bibles have a presentation page that can be used if you are gifting this to someone special in your life.
A difference between the Thomas Nelson NKJV Value Ultra Thinline Bible and the Thomas Nelson NKJV Ultra Thinline Bible is that the value edition does not have the gilded golden edging on the pages. The edges are simple white paper.
I personally love the golden edging that is on most Bibles. It reminds me how special God’s Word is. But, if you are simply looking for an economical Bible or one that does not draw attention to itself, this will work for you.
The Bible does include an integrated red satin bookmark.
The NKJV Value Ultra Thinline Bibles use an 8-point font, called “Comfort Print” by Thomas Nelson Bibles. The text in both the ultra and value ultra looks identical to me.
The greige cover is beautiful and simple. The color is tasteful, too. I found it matches my kitchen table quite well!
Both the ultra and value ultra editions contain the beautiful full color maps that Thomas Nelson is known for. These Bibles are made with quality and longevity in mind.
The NKJV Value Ultra Thinline Bible contains only the simple Biblical text, keeping it lightweight and easy to carry with you anywhere. It does have the words of Christ in red. It would not be considered a “study Bible” because it does not have concordances or commentary.
The NKJV Value Ultra Thinline Bible comes with a lifetime guarantee which proves that Thomas Nelson stands by the quality of their Bibles. In order to get the lifetime guarantee, be sure to register your purchase using this link on the Thomas Nelson website.
This economical edition of God’s Holy Word in the New King James Version will last for years! It is easy to transport, making this a particularly useful Bible for evangelists and missionaries!
Rev. Jennifer Mieliulis Fuentes, M.Div., Duke University
Book details
Title: NKJV Value Ultra Thinline Bible Author: Publisher: Thomas Nelson Bibles Release Date: 2024 Genre: BIBLES/New King James Version/Text
Review: The Thomas Nelson NKJV Ultra Thinline Bible
As part of the Thomas Nelson Bibles bloggerprogram, I have received a copy of the Thomas Nelson NKJV Ultra Thinline Bible published by Thomas Nelson Bibles/Harper Collins Publishers at no cost to mein exchange for an honest reviewhere on the Adonai Shalom USA blog.
The NKJV Ultra Thinline Bible features the thinnest edition of the Biblical text available from Thomas Nelson. Pictured is the Thomas Nelson NKJV Bonded Leather edition, available in Burgundy with gold gilded page edging. This Bible utilizes Smyth-sewn binding, making it a Bible that will last for a long time. In fact, I found out that Thomas Nelson has a lifetime guarantee on this Bible, so if you do invest in one, be sure to register your purchase using this link on the Thomas Nelson website!
I love the fact that this NKJV Bible is very lightweight. I often carry a Bible with me because there is just something special about having a printed copy of the Scriptures in hand rather than only relying on Bible apps. This Bible would be useful in any ministry setting.
This Bible provides the simple Bible text (in this case, the New King James Version) without the weight that would be added with study guides, commentaries, or concordances. The Thomas Nelson NKJV Ultra Thinline Bible includes a satin ribbon marker, a presentation page, and the words of Christ are in red.
This NKJV Bible uses an 8-point font, called “Comfort Print” by Thomas Nelson Bibles. It is clear and readable as advertised, but for those of us over 40 who have worn glasses since childhood . . . this Thomas Nelson NKJV Bible might remind a few of us that it is time to update that prescription! If you have excellent vision, you will love the font size because it enables this Bible to be as thin as it is.
There is ample margin space for a Bible of this size if you do enjoy adding short notes during a Bible study or sermon. The paper quality is exceptional – what one would expect with a high quality Bible.
The back of the Thomas Nelson NKJV Ultra Thinline Bible contains beautiful full-color maps of sites in ancient Israel:
as well as maps of the time of Jesus and the apostles:
This is a Bible that would make a beautiful gift for anyone in your life.
Coming up:
Stay tuned! Next week, I will be reviewing the value edition of the Thomas Nelson Ultra Thinline Bibles. I will share with you the unique differences between these editions. It can be so much easier to choose when you can see some pictures and read a description about them!
This beautifully constructed leather edition of God’s Holy Word in the New King James Version will last for years. If you are looking for a simple, no frills, lightweight, high-quality edition of the Bible, look no further! This Bible will bless anyone, of all ages.
Rev. Jennifer Mieliulis Fuentes, M.Div., Duke University
Book details
Title: NKJV Ultra Thinline Bible Author: Publisher: Thomas Nelson Bibles Release Date: 2024 Genre: BIBLES/New King James Version/Text
16 Fundamental Truths for Understanding the Bible and reaching the world with the Gospel
The Assemblies of God: 85 Million adherents strong
I love being a part of a movement of God that is so large and diverse.
The Assemblies of God (AG) has over 85 million (yes, MILLION) adherents worldwide and continues to grow and flourish because of the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit through Jesus’ servants all over the world. 85 million is a glorious testimony of the wonderful work pastors and missionaries are doing to reach the lost for the sake of the Gospel.
The Assemblies of God operates under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and a firm understanding of 16 Fundamental Truths that are entirely Biblical based.
These 16 Fundamental Truths unite believers all around the world.
More on that in a moment. First, let me tell you a funny story.
The Assemblies of God and church planting (a humorous story!)
I had a humorous conversation the other day when I took my sons to their swimming lessons.
A fellow homeschool mom found out that I had graduated from Divinity School and eagerly asked me to consider planting a church in her area. She said there was only one evangelical church near her rural home and felt another was needed.
The humorous part of this occurred when she went on to describe that evangelical church:
“It’s Assembly of God.”
I chucked. “Oh, you’re not into the Assemblies of God?”
She looked at me with wide eyes and shook her head, vehemently, “no.”
“They are the crazy ones, right?”
She started to backpedal. “Well, um, yeah, kinda. Well, I don’t mean they are that bad…”
I smiled and told her very matter-of-factly, “I’m an Assembly of God pastor! Nice to meet you!”
I went on to gently tell her that not all of us are crazy:
Pentecostal churches can get a bad rap. So much so that even Pentecostals tend to describe themselves as simply, “Spirit-filled” to distance themselves from 1) the true crazies and 2) oneness sects. I am adamant that we need to reclaim the term because there is absolutely nothing wrong with being 100% Trinitarian Pentecostal.
There are healthy Pentecostal churches just as there are unhealthy ones.
I know plenty about it because I just spent a full year in a declining church that refuses to acknowledge its pending demise. It is like a hospice for churches, and that is just plain sad. Churches should be full of life, intergenerational, and reaching the community. Churches should be teaching sound doctrine (such as these 16 Fundamental Truths) and reminding people of why they believe as they do so that they will be encouraged and equipped to reach more people in the community with the Good News.
I encouraged this mom to try another AG church sometime. I also invited her to our church plant which is launching soon.
The Assemblies of God is very intentional about church planting because it is a Biblical model that works. People get excited about being part of something new.
16 Fundamental Truths based entirely on Biblical Principles
Many many years ago, the Spirit of the LORD inspired our forefathers and foremothers to write down 16 Fundamental Truths – quite nearly non-negotiables about the Scriptures. There are 4 Cardinal Doctrines which are absolutely non-negotiable. Those include Salvation, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Christ because they are essential to the core of the Gospel and the church’s mission.
Anyone who learns these basic 16 fundamental principles will acquire at least a basic understanding of the overall picture of God’s plan for the salvation of humanity for those who will believe and trust in His Son Jesus (Messiah Yeshua).
The AG’s 16 Fundamental Truths are considered non-negotiable because each of them are completely and firmly rooted in Scriptural evidence, and Scriptural verses are provided with each one.
I caution seekers to always check an organization’s list of doctrine and ensure that it is entirely Scriptural because otherwise it is very easy for people to be taught incorrectly and led astray by the winds of false doctrine and heresy.
If a church (even an AG one!) falls into the “crazy” category, they may need to be reminded of the Biblical Fundamental Truths because the Bible will not lead us astray, but man’s emotions sure can. We must pray for all Christian churches (both AG and non-AG), that they will follow sound Biblical doctrine.
I invite you to read the Assemblies of God Statement of 16 Fundamental Truths for yourself.
Then you will see, we are not so crazy after all! 😉
And if you really love them, there’s even a song! (Hint: its extremely useful if you are studying for AG credential exams!)
The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of 16 Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing, 1 Corinthians 1:10 [KJV/NIV]; Acts 2:42 [KJV/NIV]). The phraseology employed in this Statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it covers all Biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines.
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
a. Terms Defined The terms “Trinity” and “persons” as related to the Godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from “gods many and lords many.” We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God who is One Lord, as a trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely scriptural.
b. Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained.
c. Unity of the One Being of Father, Son and Holy Spirit Accordingly, therefore, there is that in the Father which constitutes him the Father and not the Son; there is that in the Son which constitutes Him the Son and not the Father; and there is that in the Holy Spirit which constitutes Him the Holy Spirit and not either the Father or the Son. Wherefore the Father is the Begetter, the Son is the Begotten, and the Holy Spirit is the one proceeding from the Father and the Son. Therefore, because these three persons in the Godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty and His name one.
d. Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are never identical as to Person; nor confused as to relation; nor divided in respect to the Godhead; nor opposed as to cooperation.
The Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son as to relationship.
The Son is with the Father and the Father is with the Son, as to fellowship. The Father is not from the Son, but the Son is from the Father, as to authority.
The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son proceeding, as to nature, relationship, cooperation and authority. Hence, neither Person in the Godhead either exists or works separately or independently of the others.
e. The Title, Lord Jesus Christ The appellation, “Lord Jesus Christ,” is a proper name. It is never applied in the New Testament, either to the Father or to the Holy Spirit. It therefore belongs exclusively to the Son of God.
f. The Lord Jesus Christ, God with Us The Lord Jesus Christ, as to His divine and eternal nature, is the proper and only Begotten of the Father, but as to His human nature, He is the proper Son of Man. He is therefore, acknowledged to be both God and man; who because He is God and man is “Immanuel,” God with us.
g. The Title, Son of God Since the name “Immanuel” embraces both God and man in the one Person, our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that the title, Son of God, describes His proper deity, and the title, Son of Man, His proper humanity. Therefore, the title Son of God, belongs to the order of eternity, and the title, Son of Man, to the order of time.
h. Transgression of the Doctrine of Christ Wherefore, it is a transgression of the Doctrine of Christ to say that Jesus Christ derived the title, Son of God, solely from the fact of the incarnation, or because of His relation to the economy of redemption.
Therefore, to deny that the Father is a real and eternal Father, and that the Son is a real and eternal Son, is a denial of the distinction and relationship in the Being of God; a denial of the Father, and the Son; and a displacement of the truth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.
i. Exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, having by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; angels and principalities and powers having been made subject unto Him.
And having been made both Lord and Christ, He sent the Holy Spirit that we, in the name of Jesus, might bow our knees and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father until the end, when the Son shall become subject to the Father that God may be all in all.
j. Equal Honor to the Father and to the Son Wherefore, since the Father has delivered all judgment unto the Son,
it is not only the express duty of all in heaven and on earth to bow the knee,
but it is an unspeakable joy in the Holy Spirit to ascribe unto the Son all the attributes of Deity, and to give Him all honor and the glory contained in all the names and titles of the Godhead except those which express relationship
(see Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead, Unity of the One Being of Father, Son and Holy Spirit , and Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead) and thus honor the Son even as we honor the Father.
Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness.” However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God.
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Conditions to Salvation
Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life.
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements –bread and the fruit of the vine– is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4 [KJV/NIV]), a memorial of his suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26 [KJV/NIV]), and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26 [KJV/NIV]), and is enjoined on all believers “till He come!”
#16 Fundamental Truths
7. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry.
With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as:
an overflowing fullness of the Spirit, John 7:37-39 [KJV/NIV], Acts 4:8 [KJV/NIV]
a deepened reverence for God, Acts 2:43 [KJV/NIV], Hebrews 12:28 [KJV/NIV]
an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work, Acts 2:42 [KJV/NIV]
and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost, Mark 16:20 [KJV/NIV]
#16 Fundamental Truths
8. THE INITIAL PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance.
Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by the faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit.
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven.
Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshipped by man, to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, and to demonstrate His love and compassion for all the world, the priority reason for being of the Assemblies of God as part of the Church is:
To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world.
To be a corporate body in which man may worship God.
To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.
To be a people who demonstrate God’s love and compassion for all the world.
The Assemblies of God exists expressly to give continuing emphasis to this reason for being in the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching and encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This experience:
Enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs.
Adds a necessary dimension to worshipful relationship with God.
Enables them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruit and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the body of Christ and care for the poor and needy of the world.
#16 Fundamental Truths
11. THE MINISTRY
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the fourfold purpose of leading the Church in:
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church.
The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years.
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Praying for a continued outpouring of the Holy Spirit as missionaries and pastors reach people around the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
If you are a follower of Jesus, we pray for you and ask that you would pray for us and the continued work that God is doing. We must pray with urgency in these last days, that many more would come into a saving relationship with our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ (Yeshua haMashiach), the King of Israel and the King of the Universe.
The 16 Fundamental Truths are one way that God has united the Pentecostal movement of the Assemblies of God fellowship. We are excited about the future and all God will continue to do using men and women who are willing to step out in faith and preach the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you will join us in this effort, to pray continually, please leave a comment!
We love to hear from you and pray for you!
The 5 R’s of Church Revitalization
20 Tevet 5784, B”H
The Need for Church Revitalization & Revival
Many churches today are in great need of spiritual revitalization.
Extensive programming, elegant building layouts, and cinematic lighting will never bring revival to the church.
Some churches have become like the Church at Sardis, spoken of in the book of Revelation:
Can a church that believes it is alive, but is actually dead, experience spiritual renewal, revival, and revitalization?
The answer is: yes!
There is always hope in Jesus our Messiah!
Let’s examine some ways that established assemblies of believers can experience true church revitalization.
1. Revival Requires Repentance
Revival requires repentance – hungering hearts who long for a true, personal, and meaningful relationship with the Creator – with our Father who loves us and gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins.
I like the translation found in the NIV version of Habakkuk 3:2. Here, the Prophet Habakkuk expresses a longing for revival:
If a church genuinely wants to experience growth and a spiritual (and often, numerical!) turnaround, that entire congregation needs to get on its knees.
Remember all that God has done in the past! Give thanks for the history of that church!
I always remind church leaders that they must be cautious to entrust the future of their church to God’s Almighty plan, not to their own personal plans.
If we are sincere in our prayers that God will repeat in our day His awesome deeds, we must be willing to do things the way He leads us, not our own ways. When we are willing to obey Him and follow His leadership, we can experience a dramatic turnaround leading to noticeable church revitalization.
2. Revitalization is Restorative
Consider the etymology of the term, “revitalization.”
See the “vital” in there.
Have you checked your spiritual vitals? How is your spiritual pulse doing? Is your church or spiritual life’s heartbeat strong and life-giving?
To “re-vitalize” is “to give new life to” something again. Revitalization is life-giving.
Too many churches have settled in with their routine or their membership numbers. They are content because they make their budget every week, but is there truly “life?”
Life reproduces life. A healthy, life-giving church is full of people who have hearts for evangelism – reaching out to others in their community with the Gospel. Church revitalization occurs when a healthy church begins to see visitor numbers increase and overall enthusiasm increases among the church membership. This is very restorative and provides new hope across generations.
3. Recognition of what remains
Some churches will be beyond repair, in a sense.
Sometimes years of poor leadership, bad financial decisions, or a local crisis can cause a church to make the difficult decision to close its doors.
It can be quite the challenge to experience true church revitalization in a church that has become overly comfortable or unwilling to accept change. Nonetheless, restoration should always be the initial goal, with the acknowledgement/recognition that churches are imperfect human institutions that are not always ultimately viable despite our best efforts.
There are times when planting a new church altogether is a much better option.
The freshness of a new, exciting work led by the Holy Spirit can draw many new souls into a saving relationship with the LORD. Church planting can revitalize a community. If your church leadership is unsure whether or not to work toward church revitalization or scrap it and support the planting of a new church instead, there are church consultants who can help you discern some next steps.
Sometimes it seems we give up too soon on some of the established congregations. Seeking revival and revitalization in an already established church can also bring greater vitality to the surrounding community. However, this requires a great deal of patience and prayer so that the leadership as a whole will be open to the changes necessary to get back on track with outreach and ministry.
Sometimes the first step is to simply observe what is going on in a congregation that needs revival. What has caused the lackluster feeling that seems to abound? Did the congregation abandon key components of a healthy doctrine? Did a tragedy occur that damaged the health of the church or community?
The Word of God doesn’t say, “abandon the things which remain” nor does it say “quit now.”
But the Word of God does acknowledge the life-cycle. That certain things are “ready to die.”
Maybe a devotion to certain carpet colors needs to die.
Maybe an obsession with certain music styles needs to die.
Maybe an overall mindset within the church that is hindering the work also needs to die.
Strengthening what remains
Strengthen what remains – make sure there is sound doctrine being preached and love being demonstrated. Make sure that what remains is so very strengthened that it has the capacity to receive newcomers and reach out to the community to invite them into the church.
In order for a ministry to feel refreshed and truly become resurrected, that ministry needs to be standing on the firm foundation of the Word of God. Any deviation from that, and it will fall (and, in that case, probably should because any disinterest in sound doctrine is disinterest in remaining a truly Biblical work). Slick marketing campaigns can’t save a church, but God’s Word sure can.
Doctrinal soundness and purpose
Remember therefore, how you have received and heard. The congregation must be reminded of all that is their legacy. They have received the inheritance of the Gospel and must once again find purpose in that. Intentional church revitalization is not only possible, but it is something that should be sought.
See, there it is. Repentance really is key. In a declining church, something happened at some point that caused the downward turn. Without repentance and a renewed vision, the work cannot be restored. But with repentance and obedience to God’s will and way, church revitalization is absolutely possible.
There often remains a remnant of faithful believers who find themselves attending a struggling church. These brothers and sisters in the LORD are charged with praying for church revitalization and remaining faithful wherever God has them.
God’s Word is ever filled with comforting reassurances for those who are truly a part of the remnant:
We shall walk with Jesus! Wearing white – blameless, for those who love the LORD have been declared worthy (Rev.3:4). Jesus (Yeshua) says that those who have been deemed faithful will not be blotted out from the Book of Life and He will confess our names before His Father and His angels (Rev.3:5).
Church leaders responsible to help an assembly in need of church revitalization should identify the true remnant in that place who have persisted faithfully. Establish consistent prayer meetings and pursue God for help in increasing the spiritual vitality of that local church body.
Signs of church revitalization
A church that is beginning to experience church revitalization will begin to reflect greater love toward one another and neighbors. It is important to pray against the spirit of spiritual apathy. A church that is making a positive turnaround will begin to truly love the community around them. You will notice greater warmth among the believers and heightened enthusiasm.
A healthy church is also multigenerational. If a church has become stagnant, this is often related to a lack of age diversity among the regular attendees. A sign that a church is experiencing revival or revitalization is the presence of many generations, worshipping together in unity. A vibrant church experiencing revival will naturally reach out to the wider community around them.
Churches experiencing revitalization will naturally grow. People will be attracted to the presence of the Spirit of the LORD among the people.
If your church is in need of restoration and revitalization, please let us know so we can be praying for you! Pray for the leaders involved with plans to revitalize ministries – for steadfastness and wisdom! It is exciting to walk with the LORD, and so rewarding as we see churches revitalized and restored!
But always remember – it is not we ourselves who can make these changes – we need the LORD who touches hearts and brings about the healing and restoration our churches need!
Review: The New Testament for Everyone by N.T. Wright
I am a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG2). As a #BibleGatewayPartner, I have received a copy of the The New Testament for Everyone published by Zondervan Bibles at no cost to mein exchange for an honest reviewhere on the Adonai Shalom USA blog.#BG2 #BGBG
Professor N.T. Wright has earned a solid reputation as one of the foremost Biblical scholars of our day. He serves on the faculty of theology and religion at Oxford University and has also taught at Cambridge.
I have long respected N.T. Wright’s ability to defend the historicity of Jesus against some of the popular resurrection deniers like Marcus Borg and John Spong. I was raised indoctrinated in the Borg/Jesus Seminar camp, but I was moved by Wright’s conviction that Jesus did indeed live, die, and rise again in power. I read many books by N.T. Wright before converting to Bible-believing Christianity.
The evangelical church as a whole has been blessed by N.T. Wright’s scholarship because he has been willing to engage in respectful debate concerning the Historical Jesus and provide a wealth of commentary and study materials on various New Testament topics. Wright’s dedication to searching the riches of Scripture proves that it is absolutely possible to remain a person of faith in the academy. Because of people like N.T. Wright, Bible-believing Christians need not become disproportionately distrustful of or shun academic pursuit. We may not agree on everything, but N.T. Wright definitely brings thoughtfulness and a wealth of knowledge to theological study and discussion.
N.T. Wright has chosen to work to help ordinary people understand deep theological concepts and he doesn’t just hide away in an ivory tower, but rather uses his scholastic aptitude for the sake of the Gospel.
Knowing that N.T. Wright values the Bible as the Word of God and is not a deconstructionist theologian trying to disprove or devalue the Word of God makes the New Testament for Everyone all the more appealing.
I never thought of this before, but Wright’s given name is Nicholas Thomas – he goes by his initials N.T. And he is a New Testament (N.T.) scholar! How providential! :). Next time you need a commentary on the New Testament, check out a book by Professor N.T.!
The title and tagline immediately grasped my attention: a New Testament translation completed by an eminent theologian who wants “everyone” to be able to understand it. Amazing!
I spent enough time in Divinity School to know that not every professor/theologian cared if the general public could understand their posturing and pontificating.
In contrast, Professor N.T. Wright is using his God-given intellectual abilities to share the Gospel in a way that modern readers can truly understand. This is a gift!
From the back of the book jacket: “If the Bible cannot be understood by everyone, then it is not good news. From the very first days of the church at Pentecost, the good news of Jesus was translated into languages of everyday people through the power of the Holy Spirit, spreading like wildfire to the ends of the earth.”
The Pentecostal minister in me says, “Amen!”
Also, “The language used in this translation seeks to convey the meaning of the original Greek while also being accessible to the modern reader, making it a valuable resources for scholars, pastors, and . . . everyone!”
I believe the New Testament for Everyone translation will become very useful for church Bible studies and pastoral sermon preparation.
Deity Pronouns
“Religious” words such as the “Holy Spirit” and deity pronouns such as “He” when referring to Jesus are traditionally capitalized in Bible translations. It is becoming more common for these words to be printed in lowercase, with academics citing no distinction in the original languages. The New Testament for Everyone follows this custom and I noticed it fairly quickly when I began reading through some of the first pages of the Gospel of Matthew.
This editorial practice concerns me; however, because we live in a day and age in which respect is lacking. The utilization of lowercase text for the third Person of the Trinity simply makes me uncomfortable, but that is just my personal preference.
But speaking of pronoun debates, at least we can all agree here that Jesus was a man. 😂😇
Translation, Updated Language, and the Power of Pentecost
The English language is malleable and has changed over time. Certainly, as a British scholar, N.T. Wright knows this because even his Canadian and American colleagues do not use the queen’s (now king’s!) English.
John tried to stop him. “I ought to be baptized by you,” he said, “and are you going to come to me?” This is how it’s got to be right now,” said Jesus, “This is the right way for us to complete God’s whole saving plan.”
Upon reflection, it is so very true that this is the way most of us talk nowadays. It is quite different from the New King James Version’s:
And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
I really like how N.T. Wright communicates that “fulfilling all righteousness” is “completing God’s whole saving plan.” My only concern would be if this translation is veering far from a literal understanding/translation of the original Greek, but it seems that Wright (accomplished in Greek) is doing his best to express the original in terms we understand today. Indeed, in the preface, Wright shares that he does not intend to paraphrase, but instead to translate as closely as possible while recognizing that there are certain words or phrases that are virtually untranslatable from one language to another. He writes, “all translation is risky, but it’s a risk we have to take.” (Wright, vii).
Returning to the example of Pentecost, N.T. Wright, powerfully points out, “The first thing that happened in the life of the church was translation. On the Day of Pentecost, God’s powerful wind swept through Jesus’ followers, filling them, like the sails of a great ocean-going sailing ship, so that they could take God’s good news to the ends of the earth. And they found themselves speaking other languages, so that everyone in the crowd could understand.” (Wright, vii).
Wright continues his preface in a highly accessible, attention-grabbing writing style. I am looking forward to reading through this entire translation this winter, snuggled under a blanket by the fireplace.
Book Contents
As promoted by the title, this book contains all of the writings of the New Testament Scriptures translated in a way that makes sense to English-speakers today. In the New Testament for Everyone, each of the books is named using the traditional names except for the letter of Jude: N.T. Wright helps readers understand that this letter was written by “Judah,” important for contextualizing the Hebraic nature of much of the writings even of the New Testament.
If you know me well, you will notice that I often prefer to write Jesus the Messiah as opposed to Jesus Christ. This is because I feel that “Christ” has become a title almost like a last name but one that, due again to our language, does not carry the original meaning of Messiah/Anointed One that Middle Eastern Jews would have recognized in their language. Using the terminology of “Christ” repeatedly cements the Greek mindset primordially into a text that was intended to reach the Jew first and then the Greek.
Jesus came to be our Messiah and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that linguistically N.T. Wright agrees with me! He has favored the term “Messiah” throughout the New Testament for Everyone which is fairly groundbreaking since this translation is intended for a wide audience!
A sample to give you the idea:
The well known verses from the New King James translation of Philippians 2:9-11:
Notice how N.T. Wright has translated these same verses:
“And so God has greatly exalted him, and to him in his favor has given the name which is over all names: That now at the name of Jesus every knee within heaven shall bow – on earth, too, and under the earth; and every tongue shall confess that Jesus, Messiah, is Lord, to the glory of God, the father.” Philippians 2:9-11, New Testament for Everyone by N.T. Wright, emphasis added
This discovery has really convinced me that I am going to greatly enjoy this new resource and I believe you will, too!
N.T. Wright exhibits remarkable humility and dedication to the furtherance of the Gospel mission in his New Testament for Everyone. His lifetime of study and teaching has inspired him to translate the New Testament in a fresh manner that will bless laity, students, scholars, pastors, and teachers all over the English-speaking world. I highly recommend this resource to everyone who loves the Word of God.
Rev. Jennifer Mieliulis Fuentes, M.Div., Duke University
Book details
Title: The New Testament for Everyone Author: N.T. Wright Publisher: Zondervan Bibles Release Date: 2023 Genre: BIBLES/Other English Translations/Text
A young Israelite slave girl’s great faith and love + check out my Guest Post at A Child Shall Lead Them blog
5784 B”H
About two weeks ago, I was so blessed to be invited to Guest Post for the A Child Shall Lead Them blog about the Israelite slave girl mentioned in 2 Kings 5. You can find that post at this link.
It was a neat challenge for me because I am not typically very involved in “children’s ministry” per se.
But I do have children, so I do know that sometimes we need to break the Scriptures down into manageable segments for the youngest among us!
And sometimes, even we adults need the same.
Analyzing small segments of Scripture
Breaking down a passage into manageable segments does not have to mean missing out on the incredible depth and richness of Scripture!
In fact, analyzing small segments of the Scriptures is actually a marker of careful study, and provides such impactful results in the life of any follower of our Savior and Messiah Jesus.
If your schedule is super busy and you feel frazzled, this is great news for you! You don’t have to read pages and pages of the Bible to learn and to study (although I will never discourage anyone from doing so!). Often, one single verse is enough to meditate on for days, even weeks when you invite the Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh) to illumine your mind and heart to the multifaceted meaning of the Word of God.
It is a privilege to be able to access the Scriptures in so many translations, so we should respond in great gratitude by studying and learning every day so we can continually grow in our relationship with God.
Like I said in that guest post, I love to learn about some of the lesser-known figures in the Bible. Though mentioned only in a single verse or two, their story and legacy is important enough they still made it into the pages of the sacred Scriptures!
One such individual is the young Israelite slave girl mentioned in 2 Kings 5:2-4. She only gets two verses! But two are at least two!
Don’t ever think you are insignificant.
You might think you are making a very small difference, either in the life of your family or in your community, but if you are a person who seeks the LORD with all your heart and desire to serve Him each and every day, you are much more significant than you realize.
As I wrote in my guest post, Naaman the Syrian was a decorated soldier who served as the commander of the Syrian king’s army.
We see in the Scripture passage that the king of Syria revered him, calling him “great and honorable” and the LORD even gave Naaman’s country victory in battle.
I also pointed out that even the bravest and strongest of men can endure the greatest of difficulties: in this case, Naaman was suffering from leprosy.
At that time, leprosy was truly an isolating and painful condition, a disease seen as without remedy.
Yet the Bible shows us that when find ourselves quarantined and isolated, fearful and rejected, we are never without hope.
I imagine that Naaman was going through a dark time in his life. He was a conqueror, but now he probably felt like the disease was conquering him. It was something that would have damaged his reputation and his future goals. It was something that would have damaged his marital life. Perhaps Naaman had had to move out.
The Syrians had captured and enslaved the young Israelite girl mentioned in the passage, but surprisingly this sweet girl does not demonstrate any resentment. Instead, she chooses to be a witness in faith – she shows genuine concern for her master, Naaman!
“If” is such a short word, but it can change an entire outcome and outlook.
“If” is a word for people who know how to dream, to look beyond what our natural eyes can see. “If only” there could be a change. “If only” I believe! “If only” our God will work on our behalf!
He will!
He absolutely will!
“If” becomes “Yes and Amen” when we believe.
“If” we dare to seek God’s vision in our lives, we will see results of our faith – we will being to see healings and miracles and walk in victory.
The Israelite slave girl knew that if a true prophet of God were around, surely Naaman could be healed. She didn’t doubt – and did you notice? There’s no “maybe” in that verse. It is a verse of faith. This young captive girl knew there existed hope for her master.
She was able to find love in her heart to care enough that her master receive a healing miracle.
Elisha the Prophet and Miracle-Worker
I mentioned in my post for the children’s blog that the Bible indicates that Elijah’s successor, Elisha, was gaining quite a reputation in Israel – both as a prophet and miracle-worker. This Israelite slave girl had somehow either heard about or seen firsthand the wonders occurring in Israel through Elisha’s ministry prior to becoming enslaved.
The sons of the prophets had witnessed Elisha’s early miracle-working power.
Well, many of those sons would have had wives and children and so word would have quickly gotten around. Israel wasn’t a huge place, after all. You know how fast rumors spread, and this rumor just happened to be true!
Israel has always been such a unique place. Miracles were occurring, people were talking, and even a child like this slave girl had seen or witnessed the power of God.
It amazes me . . . no, more like “dismays me”! that there are many people who do not believe God is still working miracles today.
If He was willing to work in Israel in a miraculous way before the redemption won on the cross of Calvary by our Lord Jesus (Yeshua haMashiach), surely He is willing to work in miraculous ways today!
The slave girl may or may not have seen a miracle first hand, but she absolutely believed in miracles.
She knew a miracle could be waiting, even for her foreign master.
Do you have confident faith?
I love how this passage, short as it is, proves that the Israelite slave girl had confident faith.
It may be redundant to say “confident faith” because true faith must be confident!
But I urge you: be confident in the One in whom you have placed your trust!
Have great confidence in all of the promises that He has given you!
Trust and be confident – have a righteous certainty that the LORD God Almighty absolutely can and will work in your life and use you for His glory!
Be confident that even if you find yourself feeling bound or enslaved, He has the power to set you free and help you to love even those who have persecuted you.
What a mighty God we serve!
When you learn to love others, your own faith will grow, and like the servant girl, you will see the hand of God work in your life.
Love others today!
The Israelite slave girl concerned herself for the need of her master rather than her own predicament.
If I can give you one challenge today it is: love others. Be intentional. When someone crosses your path … and maybe it’s on the highway and you’re upset about it, pray for them.
There may be someone who you would never expect to follow God or love Him, but maybe, just maybe, they will see the love of God in you, and want to follow after Him, too.
Sweetness amid the sounding shofar: the prophetic significance of Rosh HaShanah
Elul 5783, B”H
Rosh HaShanah/Yom Teruah
Rosh HaShanah will begin at sundown on Friday, September 15 this year. This Biblical holiday lasts through sundown on Sunday, September 17. Rosh HaShanah is also known as “Yom Teruah,” literally the “Day of the Shout.”Yom Teruah is a more correct name, Biblically, for this feast. Many refer to it in English as the Day of Trumpets, or the Day of the Shofar.
Scriptural precedence for the Biblical feast can be found in Numbers as well as in the Psalms which we will look at in a moment.
There is a solemnity, calling all hearers to humble themselves before the King of all kings. There is also joy, for we know that one day the shofar will sound and the dead in Messiah will rise and those who are still alive will meet the LORD in the air:
Inherent and Inerrant Cohesiveness of the Biblical Narrative
Our Savior and Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) fulfilled the prophetic meaning of each Biblical feast found within the pages of Scripture.
I view so much of this as a “lost history” because so many believers have not been taught about our collective history as the people of God: native and grafted in members of the house of Israel.
The Biblical holidays (particularly the Fall Feasts) are eschatologically significant, pointing us to the end of days and affirming the inherent and inerrant cohesiveness of the Biblical narrative.
The Hebrew Scriptures form the foundation for the New Testament and all of the Scriptures are without error. The entirety of the Word of God is valuable and we must treat it as such!
Yom Teruah/Rosh HaShanah provides occasion for such shouting, though we should not limit our praise to just one time of year. If we look to the Scriptures, we will see that every aspect of the Feast days points to Jesus (Yeshua).
During the Hebrew month of Elul, spiritual preparation is made because it is known that soon the Bridegroom will come. You may be interested in my recent post explaining a bit about the month of Elul and preparations for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (the High Holidays).
When the shofar is sounded on Rosh HaShanah, we are reminded of the coronation of our King. He has sought us in the field, we are beloved and betrothed, and we await the Marriage supper of the Lamb.
Each Rosh Hashanah is sort of like a divine dress rehearsal. Some believe that the final shofar will indeed sound on Rosh Hashanah, but I am cognizant of the Word of God which says no one knows the day nor hour.
That said, Yeshua (Jesus) may have been alluding to Rosh HaShanah when He said this because “no one knows the day nor hour” had connotations as a wedding idiom at that time. “No one knows the day or hour, but we know those two are getting married!” Also, the Jewish community did not know the exact date or time for Yom Teruah, and it had become commonplace to describe Rosh HaShanah as the feast of which “no one knows the day nor hour!”
Word to the wise: always be ready.
The King is coming.
The Sweetness of a New Year
In Hebrew, Rosh HaShanah means “Head of the year.” It is the start of the Biblical new year and is a time of repentance as well as rejoicing.
I love how Rosh HaShanah occurs always just after the start of the school year. My children are homeschooled and we enjoy incorporating aspects of the Biblical Feasts into our studies of history and Biblical studies. It is customary on Rosh HaShanah to eat apples and honey and to pray for a sweet new year.
In our household, this means praying we will each demonstrate sweetness of character and be kind to one another.
Sweet and Sour: Sweetness amid the Sound of the Shofar
For those of us who are counted among the saved, sanctified, and sealed in the Book of Life, the New Year is very sweet.
But we must also be cognizant of the dichotomy between that which is sweet and that which is not-so-sweet.
If we are honest, Yom Teruah (Rosh HaShanah) reminds us of the sour reality that not everyone will be saved.
Not everyone will heed the warning blast.
Not everyone will repent.
We will find perfect relief of our burden to preach at the end of days, but until then, we must continue to introduce our loving and merciful Savior to a lost and dying world.
To me, it is a bittersweet reality.
We truly must do more to reach the unreached.
So great is ADONAI’s mercy, so sweet and so generous.
We have been commissioned to share that Good News, and we must. Before it is too late.
Wake up sleeper, open your eyes!
Have you heard the song by Austin French, “Wake up Sleeper, Open your eyes”?
“Wake up sleeper Open your eyes Oh sinner, arise Leave your past at the door Wake up sleeper Come to the light Christ is alive Death don’t live here anymore Death don’t live here anymore”
These lyrics are so appropriate for Rosh HaShanah/Yom Teruah because the sounding of the shofar is intended to wake up sinners out of their slumber so there will be repentance before it is too late!
As followers of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ), we, too, need to be awakened once again. There is so much apathy in the church today and we must repent of our complacency. We must awake from our slumber! Like the Prophet Joel said, we must sound the alarm on God’s holy mountain!
Looking forward to things yet to come
This Rosh HaShanah/Yom Teruah, let us look forward to all that the LORD has in store for those who love Him:
Brooke Fraser’s recent song, “Honey in the Rock” also has such beautiful lyrics and it brought me some inspiration today.
“Sweetness at the mercy seat Now I’ve tasted, it’s not hard to see Only You can satisfy“
This Rosh HaShanah, may you experience the sweetness of salvation at the mercy seat of the LORD Most High. Once you have tasted and seen, you will know that our God is so very good and His love endures forever.
