Book Review : ESV Seek and Find Bible

   Finally, a high-quality study Bible for kids! Think of the ESV Seek and Find Bible as the ESV Study Bible, kid version.

    In the ESV Seek and Find Bible, the well-regarded ESV text is combined with Bible stories, illustrations, and discussion questions that help children dig deeper into God’s Word. Over 130 Bible stories can be found throughout the book and, thankfully, are placed close to its original book chapter and verse so that they can be easily found. They were written with young readers in mind and they’re great for family devotions. Last Easter, my two sons took turns reading aloud the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That served as a springboard for priceless spiritual conversation with my children. They asked a lot of questions. What did the thieves do? How painful was it to be crucified? Why did Jesus die in the cross? Is he God? How did he rise again? Is Jesus really a king? A lot of theology was taught within that hour!


    Not only are the stories great for devotions, I was also pleasantly surprised that they are fully packed with solid Biblical theology. The writers made sure to connect the Old Testament stories to Jesus Christ. The story about Adam and Eve, for instance, ends with this explanation:

“Adam and Eve were the very first people to sin. They brought sin into the world. But God still loved them very much, and so He gave them the promise that one day a Savior would come. Many years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to earth. Satan came to Jesus too, and tempted Him to disobey God, but Jesus did not listen to Satan. Jesus lived His whole life without sin. Then He suffered and died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose from the dead to give us eternal life.”

    Nowadays, parents are challenged to explain the gospel to their children. The ESV Seek and Find Bible will help to explain it in a language that children will understand. They’re never too young to know that they are sinful, to know the grace of God, and that by faith believe in Jesus Christ who saves them and transforms their hearts! I definitely recommend this to be the Bible that your kids should own and read as they grow in their faith.

    For more information about this book and other Crossway titles, go to : www.crossway.org/blog.

Like Father, Like Son

By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

- 1 John 3:10 (ESV)

    True Christians are children of God. It is a relationship that has been made possible through the finished work of Jesus Christ (John 1:12-13). Now, being a child is more than just having a relationship with a father. Yes, to be able to call the almighty, everlasting God our Father is the greatest blessing we can ever receive. But the authenticity of sonship is evidenced by living a life that is led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14-16), by practicing righteousness, by loving others, and by sinning less over time (1 John 3:4-10). It means that the son takes on the nature of the father. Hence, a child of God takes on the nature of God the Father. Likewise, a man that is separated from or living independent of God, takes on the nature of his father who is the devil.

    This does not mean that Christians become omnipresent or omniscient like God. Rather, as children of God and having been made new, our lives will show imprints of God's character. This is how we are able to follow this command that, at first glance, seems impossible to follow:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

-Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)

So how do we become like our Father? How does having God's character show in our works?

In our loving:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  -John 13:34 (ESV)

In forgiving:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.-Colossians 3:13 (ESV)

In pursuing of holiness:

As obedient children,do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."-1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV)

In working for unity:

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. -John 17:22-23 (ESV)

In humility:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!     -Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV)

In being generous:

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."                                 - 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 (ESV)

So, whose your daddy?

Your Salvation Is Secure

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

-Jude 24 (ESV)

   If salvation can be lost, then Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross is not strong enough to sustain you to the end. It implies that the sinful desires of the heart can overcome the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. That makes God less glorious, less sovereign, and less powerful because other forces can turn His children's hearts against Himself.

   God's glory, majesty, and authority is demonstrated in his power to keep you from falling back into slavery to sin. No one, not even Satan, can snatch away His sheep (John 10:27-29). The gift of eternal life is secured to those who come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3-5). Christ finishes the regeneration that He starts in you so that He can present you blameless before God in the day of judgment. Now that is awesome!