Bible Gateway Blog

CRW 20110921 web We were saddened this week to learn of the death of Charles Welty, who helped to develop the International Standard Version (ISV) of the Bible. His passion for the Bible in general and for the ISV in particular always shone through brightly in all his interactions with Bible Gateway, and we salute his contributions to the great work of Bible translation.

The ISV is a fascinating English Bible translation. It was born as a new response to the age-old question of Bible translation: when translating Scripture, should you translate the original texts as literally as possible (the formal equivalence translation philosophy), or should you focus instead on conveying meaning without worrying about replicating the original’s exact wording (the functional equivalence philosophy)? All translated Bibles sit at different points on the wide spectrum between these two approaches, and most employ both approaches but emphasize one over the other to some degree. The ISV’s translators aimed to avoid the extremes of both tendencies, balancing both approaches in a Bible that is both accurate and readable—they describe the ISV as a “moderately literal” Bible that works equally well for serious study, public reading, and personal devotions.

If you haven’t read the ISV, you’ll find its translation style intriguing and unique. Here’s how it presents the famous passage John 3:16:

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his uniquely existing Son so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. — John 3:16

If you want to compare this to other approaches, click here to see the ISV’s translation side-by-side with several other English Bibles.

Taking a few minutes this week to try the ISV Bible is a good way to honor the work of Welty and the many others who produced this translation. And if you want more information about the ISV’s approach, and about the work that Welty was a part of, the ISV website (@isvbible) or the Davidson Press (publisher of the ISV) website are good places to start.

Have you stopped believing in the healing power of God? Do you read in the Bible about the healing miracles of Jesus and wonder if those stories are relevant today? What does it mean that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever?

Bible Gateway interviewed Mary J. Nelson (@maryjnelson1) about her book, Jehovah-Rapha: The God Who Heals (Shiloh Run Press, 2016).

What is the meaning of your book’s title?

Mary J. Nelson: In Bible times, names were not only used for identification but to reveal someone’s purpose, nature, and authority. Jehovah is the Hebrew name for “I AM,” the unchanging, eternal God as revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. By adding a second part to his name as he often did throughout Scripture, God revealed additional facts about his character and his care and concern for his children. In Exodus 15:26, he called himself Jehovah-Rapha in Hebrew meaning, “I am the God who heals you.” In naming the book, Jehovah-Rapha: The God Who Heals, I wanted to capture the heart of a loving God whose nature is to heal and restore as revealed through the biblical and modern day stories in the book. In essence, he is saying, healing isn’t just something I do. Healing is who I am!

How do you intend your book to be used by readers?

Mary J. Nelson: For readers seeking healing and restoration, this book offers 72 biblical and modern healing meditations and stories that will guide them on a journey of prayer and devotion, and lead them to Jehovah-Rapha, the ultimate healer. On their journey toward wellness, my hope is to correct any misunderstandings they may have about the nature and character of God. I want them to know that he is a good and faithful Father who loves them and wants the best for them, not a cruel and vindictive Father who makes people sick (John 10:10). As readers engage in each biblical teaching, each true story, and each guided prayer for healing, they’ll draw closer to the heart of Jesus and discover he’s all they will ever need.

You write that God always heals those who seek him? Always? Please explain.

Mary J. Nelson: God can heal by physicians, surgeons, climate, renewed mindsets, common sense, a direct touch of the Holy Spirit, and more. Sometimes he heals instantly, sometimes gradually, and always eternally. While His methods and timing are not always predictable, he is the one who heals all our diseases (Exodus 15:26; Psalm 103:3).

He provides physicians to prescribe medications to destroy mutated cells, kill harmful organisms, and regulate body systems. He uses surgeons to remove unwanted tissues and repair defective organs. He provides sunny dry weather to bring health to the bones of the stiff and crippled. He uses counselors and ministers of inner healing to help us heal from wrong mindsets and the wounds of our past that can impact our physical health. Through forgiveness and releasing bitterness, God can rewire old toxic thought processes, causing the body, soul, and spirit to be healed and restored.

He also gives us common sense and a sound mind to make good choices. God has established natural laws for health and wellness. Our health can improve greatly when we avoid harmful addictive behaviors and take care of our bodies. Sometimes he bypasses all of his natural methods and heals instantly through a direct touch from the Holy Spirit. Being healed miraculously is not “more spiritual” than being healed medically. God is sovereign over all healing, whether supernatural or natural, and the coming of his kingdom made healing in the most impossible situations possible today (Matthew 19:26).

For followers of Jesus, eternal life is always the final cure in a world where physical death is a fact. Through his resurrection, we have the promise of immortality where there is no more death or sorrow or crying or pain and evil is gone forever (Revelation 21:4).

Briefly share one or two of the compelling stories in your book.

Mary J. Nelson: Ryan was a senior in college when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He went through grueling chemotherapy treatment and received a good prognosis. He was just getting his life back in order when he relapsed. Defeated and hopeless, he gave up. He would not face more treatment. And then some people of faith gathered around him to pray. God lifted him out of the pit and he could hope again. A bone marrow transplant was an answer to prayer and his brother was a perfect match. Once again, he was ready to get on with his life, when God had a different plan. Ryan felt the sacred call to ministry, attended seminary, and he is now a lead pastor. God took what the enemy had intended for evil and turned it into something good for his glory (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28).

Zach was 7-months old when he was diagnosed with a rare from of lung cancer. His parents sought help from Pray for the Cure, our cancer healing and discipleship ministry. After the initial surgery, doctors wanted to watch and wait. The prayer team walked closely with the family, praying with them and encouraging them, as they tried to live as normally as possible from check up to check up. Finally, when Zach turned 4, doctors thought it was time to remove the tumor. Covered in prayer, his parents had just settled in for a long wait when the puzzled surgeon burst into the waiting room. When he opened up Zach, all he found was pink healthy lung tissue.

What do you say to someone who does not receive physical healing no matter how much she prays?

Mary J. Nelson: In my ministry to the sick, I pray in faith and expect God to heal (James 5:14-15). Then, I leave the rest up to him. When healing doesn’t come in the way we had hoped, I don’t pretend to have an answer. I don’t tell them they just need more faith, believe more, or read their Bible more. I listen, love, and don’t judge. It makes a huge difference when we pray, regardless of the outcome. People connect with Jesus often for first time in their life, they may get physically healed, they feel his peace, and they always feel loved.

I encourage everyone who’s waiting on God for healing to pray persistently (Matthew 7:7), surround themselves with praying friends, worship and praise him often, find comfort in Scripture, find reasons to be grateful, bless others, and forgive. I always encourage them not to base their beliefs on experience.

Jesus is standard for all truth. God is who he is, regardless of our perspective. My heart is to help them navigate this tension so what they see and experience doesn’t shake their faith in God and his truth (Hebrews 11:1). I want them to know God, the one who heals; to chase after the healer, rather than the healing.

What do you say to someone who doubts God’s healing power?

Mary J. Nelson: When someone doubts God’s healing power, I’m reminded of the blind man who Jesus healed on the Sabbath. After several attempts by the religious leaders to discredit his story, he simply said, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:15).

All I can do if someone doubts is share my own story of how I experienced his healing power and how I’ve personally witnessed him heal others through some of the stories I’ve shared in this book. I’ve seen him miraculously heal a woman with Stage 4 cancer after she gave up years of hate and bitterness. I’ve witnessed blind eyes and ears open on prayer lines in India. I’ve walked hundreds of people through cancer treatment and watched him work through doctors and medicine to heal and restore their lives. I’ve been there when people received their eternal healing, the greatest miracle of all, and watched entire families find Jesus through the journey of their loved one.

What role does the Bible play in helping a person see God’s healing nature?

Mary J. Nelson: We can know God’s healing nature, because Jesus said if you have seen me, you have seen the Father (John 14:9). He is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). When he walked on this earth, he had deep compassion for the sick and the lost (Matthew 9:36; Luke 5:12-13). He both proclaimed and demonstrated the kingdom of God by healing and delivering people (Mark 1:15; Acts 10:37-38). He healed everyone who came to him, and his healings made up 25 percent of the Gospels (Matthew 4:23).

Then, as part of his disciples’ preparation, he gave them the power and authority to do the same in his name. He sent the 12 (Luke 9:1-2), he sent the 72 (Luke 10:8-9), and then he sent us all into the world to preach the good news. He said we would be able to place our hands on the sick and heal them (Mark 16:15-18). The ministry of Peter and Paul further demonstrated that healing was a central and vital part of God’s message to the world (Acts 4:29-30; Romans 15:15-18-19). Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:5). He is still Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals.

What are your thoughts about Bible Gateway and the Bible Gateway App?

Mary J. Nelson: Bible Gateway is absolutely essential to my writing, teaching, and my own personal Bible study. I love the passage lookup, the key word search, and having all the translations instantly available, as well as the commentaries for reference as needed.

Bio: Mary J. Nelson is a full time author, speaker, and pastor of prayer (non-staff) at Hosanna! (@hosannalc), a church of 7000+ members in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Formerly, she was the founder and President of Soterion, a communications company dedicated to the healthcare industry. Mary has a passion for helping people encounter God and his goodness in the midst of trials, and be empowered and set free to live out their destiny. She emerged from a breast cancer diagnosis in 1999 eager to share how God restored and transformed her life. Her deepest desire is to give away what she’s freely received.

Mary is the author of Grace for Each Hour: Through the Breast Cancer Journey (Bethany House 2005), Hope for Tough Times (Revell 2009), and Peace for Each Hour (Comfort Publishing 2013). Her 2016 releases by Barbour Publishing include Jehovah-Rapha: The God Who Heals, the first in a series of names of God books, and Praying for the Cure: A Powerful Prayer Guide for Comfort and Healing from Cancer. Her books inspire those suffering from physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual brokenness by helping them draw close to the heart of God. She founded and leads the Pray for the Cure cancer healing and discipleship ministry at Hosanna! where she also serves as a leader in the Sozo inner healing ministry and healing prayer ministry. She and her husband, Howie, have two adult children and two grandchildren, and have been married for 39 years. They enjoy spending time with family, traveling, motorcycling, reading, and serving together as prayer leaders in their local church.

This lesson is part of Mel Lawrenz’ “How to Study the Bible” series. If you know someone or a group who would like to follow along on this journey through Scripture, they can get more info and sign up to receive these essays via email here.

Many people today have heard that faith is not possible anymore, that we know better than that now. To say that you absolutely believe in something or someone is to be certain where there is no certainty. It is to risk being a social pariah because to say you absolutely know something will prove antisocial to at least somebody along the way. One thing is certain, these people say, be suspicious of certainty. And they are quite certain about this uncertainty.

But belief is not about us. The true believer doesn’t focus on himself, saying, I believe this. Rather, he or she says, I believe this. The more focus there is on the experience of believing, the greater the risk that we can believe something just for the sake of believing.

praying-man

Belief is not just about knowing; it is about trusting. True faith in God is one of the most intimate personal states a person can find himself or herself in. It is not just about gathering and processing information, otherwise a computer would be a “believer” of sorts. Because there is so much information to process, so many voices to listen to, so many topics that get thrown in our faces everyday, we use up most of our “belief energy” just sorting it all out. In the contemporary world, believing becomes calculating, and drawing a sum. We forget that the most important belief in life is a decision not about what, but about whom. Faith says, this God I can trust.

When we believe, when we trust, we are the most human we ever are, because we are actively connecting with our Creator, anchoring ourselves in his unchangeable nature. Knowing and trusting a friend or a spouse projects us into a world larger than ourselves—and how much more when we know and trust the God who made us and loves us with an irrepressible love.

But whom should we believe? And why? Which God? Which religion? Which doctrine? What about the Bible?

Time and again people responded to Jesus’ words with speechless astonishment. Perhaps as they listened to Jesus’ teaching, they occasionally found themselves turning a corner and stunned by a vista of reality that was bigger and grander than they had imagined. Not everyone who heard Jesus became believers because we all have personal agendas that can hold us in disbelief. But everyone who did hear had to grapple with the power of what he said, and they had to decide what to do with the authoritative voice with which he spoke—an authority that did not come from a booming microphone or spotlights or banners, but from the ring of truth in the words themselves, backed up by every action he performed.

The gospel writers make it clear that one of the outstanding features of Jesus’ ministry was that he freely and naturally exercised this authority. People sensed that they were under the immediate influence of God. Jesus’ words struck at the heart; they were clear, strong, unequivocal, simple, and mysterious. They both wounded and healed, and when they did wound, they offered immediate healing as well. His words still stick in people’s minds and keep moving across the landscape of history like a cyclone. That’s why almost everybody, including even proponents of other religions, show respect for the thunder and lightning of Jesus’ teaching.

But showing respect is one thing; responding is another. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus talked about one man who built a house on a rock foundation and another whose house rested on a bed of unstable sand. The house-on-sand person hears Jesus’ words only, whereas the house-on-rock person hears and practices. Respect plus response. It was right after this tale of two builders that Matthew mentions the people’s astonishment at Jesus’ authority. The people were not saying, “Did you hear what this fellow is trying to assert?” They were swept up in the power of the Word himself. His authority carried them, and it carries us still. It summons us not just to listen, but to act.

House building is a metaphor for life. Christ does not assert authority so that he can push his weight around. God doesn’t impose commands so that he can have a bevy of mindless followers. His is an act of grace. These authoritative words come to us because God knows there is so much we need to learn about life. Ignorance may not be a sin, but it is an extraordinarily dangerous way to live.

When someone asks, “Why should I believe what the Bible teaches?” or, “Why should I believe the specific things taught about personal ethics, and life after death, and God’s providence in history, and angels, and failure?” the answer he or she deserves is that followers of Jesus Christ believe such things (knowing and trusting) because they believe they have heard an authoritative voice on the matters. Christ summons, and the oracles of prophets and the writings of apostles are Holy Scripture—the exhalation of God’s own Spirit.

Mel Lawrenz trains an international network of Christian leaders, ministry pioneers, and thought-leaders. He served as senior pastor of Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, for ten years and now serves as Elmbrook’s minister at large. He has a Ph.D. in the history of Christian thought and is on the adjunct faculty of Trinity International University. Mel is the author of 18 books, the latest, How to Understand the Bible—A Simple Guide and Spiritual Influence: the Hidden Power Behind Leadership (Zondervan, 2012). See more of Mel’s writing at WordWay.

Believers in Jesus Christ want to know how they can hear God’s voice. Does God speak? Is it like a radio host broadcasting his voice into the airwaves? Perhaps the question is, are we tuned into the right frequency?

Bible Gateway interviewed Robert Morris (@PsRobertMorris) about his book, Frequency: Tune In. Hear God. (Thomas Nelson, 2016).

What idea are you trying to convey with the title of your book?

Robert Morris: As believers in Jesus Christ, we naturally want to know how we can hear God’s voice. Does God speak? Is he speaking to me? The good news is yes; he is speaking. And like a radio host broadcasting his voice into the airwaves, God speaks all the time. The question is, “Are you tuned in to the right frequency?”

In my new book, Frequency, I share about how God communicates with us in multiple ways—through the Bible, circumstances, and even a whisper. He demonstrates how we can mature from hearing his voice as sheep to hearing it as his friend to conveying his voice to others. When we begin to understand the general and specific ways God speaks to us, we cultivate a life of deeper connection with our creator.

What do you mean when you write that hearing the voice of God is about “who you are”?

Robert Morris: Hearing God’s voice is a question of identity. Who are you at your core? The answer is this: you are a sheep. Hearing God’s voice is not about something we do. Rather, hearing God is about someone we are. Hearing God is not primarily a behavior. It’s a reflection of our identity. We hear God because of who we are, and because of whose we are.

In John 10, Jesus explains this idea in depth. Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd, and he contrasts the work he does with the work of Satan, a thief and a robber. Satan comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus the Good Shepherd comes that people might have life, and have it abundantly (vv. 8, 10-11).

The whole idea of us being sheep is that our identities are rooted in a shepherd-to-sheep model. Being a sheep is what a human being was designed to be. Sheep, by nature of being sheep, need a guide. It’s not that we hear God because of some action we take. Rather, we hear God because we were designed to hear God.

What does the Bible say about God’s voice?

Robert Morris: God has always been a speaking God, and God still speaks to us today. Fifteen times in the New Testament alone, Jesus says, “He who has ears, let him hear.” In John 8:47, Jesus says, “He who is of God hears God’s word.” And in John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

How do you respond to people when they say they fervently pray but God is silent?

Robert Morris: That’s why I wrote Frequency. I want to help provide a fuller answer to this question, because the explanation as to how to hear God’s voice can’t be given in a quick formula. Rather, it arises intrinsically as part of a genuine and ongoing relationship with God. If you want to get to hear God’s voice, then you must get to know God as a person—and this takes time and intention; much the same as it takes to know any friend.

How is God’s voice distinguishable from our own subconscious thinking?

Robert Morris: Both the old and new testaments clearly describe God as a speaking God. The real task—and wonderful opportunity—is for us to learn to hear His voice.

If you want to get to hear God’s voice, then you must get to know God as a person—and this takes time and intention, much the same as it takes to know any friend. John 10:4 says, “When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” Jesus calls us to a close relationship with him where we instantly recognize his voice. The God of the universe invites us to enjoy a familiar relationship with him, a relationship where we pray to him, and he listens to us, and where he speaks and we listen to him. A true dialogue.

When God speaks to you today, chances are that he won’t speak to you in a big booming voice. Instead, God will speak to you by the moving of the Holy Spirit in your life (John 16:12-13). He’ll speak to you by his still small voice. And what you do after he speaks to you will require faith.

What do you mean by the general voice of God and the specific voice of God?

Robert Morris: When talking about God’s will, there’s a general will and a specific will of God. When we have a job change or we’re buying a new home or we have an important decision to make concerning our marriage or family or future, we want a specific word from the Lord. And we need one from him too. And he will give us one. But my concern is that we sometimes try to hear a specific word from God without first developing the habit of hearing a general word from God every day. That’s an important part of the process of learning to value God’s voice.

If we’re just checking with God every six months or so whenever a big decision comes up, then we will not only miss out on knowing God’s general will, we will also miss out on a close, everyday friendship with God. So we must learn to value his voice, his general voice, on a regular basis if we want to hear his specific voice from time to time. If we’re not in the habit of meeting with him and hearing from him on a regular basis, then it will be much more difficult to hear a specific word from God.

There are four practical steps to do this, and are listed in much greater detail in my book:

Set an appointment with God.
Be still and worship.
Pray and read.
Listen and write.

It’s important for us to set regular appointments with God in order to learn from his Word and to hear his voice. To develop a regular time with the Lord, set an appointment, be still and worship him, pray, and read the Bible. Write down your prayers. Listen for his response.

How should people read the Bible to best hear the voice of God for themselves?

Robert Morris: There are so many time in life when I need wisdom, and I wonder where to go or what to do. The imagery of brightness and guidance is found in Daniel 12:3: “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” That verse along with James 1:5 are two of my favorite verses: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” That answer is so straightforward: ask God, and wisdom will be given to you.

Your invitation is to read God’s Word consistently, diligently, prayerfully, and fervently. Read the Bible with your heart wide open in prayer and in communion with God. Read and pray at the same time: “Lord Jesus, what are you saying in your Word about yourself? How does this passage teach me to love you and to love others more? How does this passage apply to me?”

Go to the Bible. Begin by worshipping him and seeking his face. Listen for his voice. You can have confidence knowing that the Lord will speak.

What do you mean that people should be stewards of God’s voice?

Robert Morris: Stewardship means we manage well someone else’s property or resources. As believers, our lives are not our own. We belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 3:23). That means our time, treasure, talents, and even our futures are not our own. So it’s important that we live as good stewards of what belongs to God. First Peter 4:10 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

Stewardship relates to hearing the voice of God too. Think of it this way. God blesses faithful stewards (Proverbs 28:20; Luke 12:42-46). If God gives us time, treasure, and talents, and we’re faithful with those, then he gives us more. If we’re not faithful, then God doesn’t give us more. The same is true of hearing God’s voice. When God speaks to us, if we’re faithful with the word he gives us, then why would he give us more? Mark 4:24 says, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measure to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.”

Did you catch the last bit of that verse? “To you who hear, more will be given.” That’s the result of good stewardship. We must be good stewards of what we hear from the Lord.

Here are three ways we can be careful stewards of God’s spoken words:

We are careful stewards of God’s voice when we truly listen to Him.
When we respond in humility.
When we heed his words.

God is speaking all the time, but the only ones who hear are those who tune in to the right frequency through humility and obedience.

What are your thoughts about Bible Gateway and the Bible Gateway App?

Robert Morris: Bible Gateway is such an important free resource. It allows people all over the word to have access to the Word of God at any time. It’s a great resource for training and teaching as well as personal study.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Robert Morris: I want every believer to have an intimate, ongoing, and passionate relationship with Jesus Christ so that we will all love and serve and follow His voice.

Bio: Robert Morris is the founding senior pastor of Gateway Church (@GatewayPeople), a multicampus church in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with more than 36,000 active members. Morris is featured on the weekly television program The Blessed Life and serves as chairman of the board of The King’s University. He’s the bestselling author of 13 books, including The God I Never Knew: How Real Friendship with the Holy Spirit Can Change Your Life and Truly Free: Breaking the Snares That So Easily Entangle. He and his wife, Debbie, have been married 36 years and are blessed with one married daughter, two married sons, and six grandchildren.

Did you know that most of the books that comprise the New Testament are actually letters? These letters (also known as “epistles”) contain both general Christian teaching and specific instructions for the congregation to which they were addressed. As part of our Letters to the Church series, we’re taking a brief look at each epistle in the New Testament. This week, we look at the follow-up to Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian church.

[See commentaries on 2 Thessalonians in the Bible Gateway Store]

[See other Blog posts in the Letters to the Church series]

Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians

Start reading it here: 2 Thessalonians 1

When was it written? Around A.D. 51, not long after Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians.

To whom was it written? Like 1 Thessalonians, this letter was written to the new Christian community in Thessalonica, a major trade city in Greece.

Why was it written? This short letter expands on one of the subjects Paul addressed in his first letter to this community. The Thessalonians may have responded to his first letter with questions that needed further answers; Paul also mentions hearing reports of problematic behavior by some in the church, which he felt obligated to correct.

What does it say? It’s clear from this letter that the Thessalonians were very concerned with the question of Christ’s promised return to Earth. In Paul’s first letter, he assured them that the death of Christ-followers did not cast doubt on Christ’s promise. This letter suggests that the regular persecution they faced was adding a great urgency to the question “When will Christ return and usher in his kingdom?”

In addressing these fears and concerns, Paul does not lay out an exact timeline or set of dates for Christ’s return. Instead, he assures the Thessalonians that the frightening things they’re seeing and experiencing should not surprise them—and that they could expect more trials in the future. Paul urges them not to panic in the face of alarming claims and prophecies about the “end times,” but to endure in the knowledge that Jesus Christ’s victory is already assured.

Noteworthy passages:

2 Thessalonians 1:4: Paul boasts of the Thessalonians’ perseverance in the face of persecution.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-6: Christians aren’t to obsess or panic about the “end times,” but wait patiently for God’s plan to unfold “at the proper time.”
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15: Straying brothers and sisters in Christ are to be rebuked, but still loved and encouraged to repent.

What can we learn from 2 Thessalonians? It’s natural that Christians have long wondered when to expect the return of Jesus Christ. We watch today for Christ’s return just as the Thessalonian believers did. But Paul’s words in this letter are an important reminder that a natural interest in the “end times” shouldn’t become an obsession, or a source of fear and panic. We can rest assured that no historical event or spate of persecution will stop God’s Kingdom from unfolding according to his perfect plan.

Consider these questions as you read 2 Thessalonians today:

Can you understand the Thessalonians’ panicky obsession with Christ’s return? Do you ever feel frustrated or upset at the thought of Christ’s return, or at the fact that he hasn’t yet returned?
What do you think Paul means when he mentions a “powerful delusion” that people will believe?
Imagine that you’ve received this letter from Paul. What might you write back to him in response?

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The 8-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring in the Hebrew month of Nissan. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. This fascinating story is found in the book of Exodus. The following video summarizes chapters 1-18. Take special note beginning at 2:54

Browse resources for Passover in the Bible Gateway Store.

[See the Bible Gateway Blog post, The Bible Project: An Interview with Tim Mackie and Jon Collins]

[Sign up to explore the Jewish roots of Scripture with the new “Holy Land Moments” limited-time free email devotional]

From Exodus 12

Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…[and] slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast….This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.

On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.

This epic story has been depicted by Hollywood in various ways. Here are two:

Read more about Passover and other feasts of the Old Testament in our Blog post, Unlocking the Secrets of the Old Testament Feasts: An Interview with Michael Norten.

What is it like to live in danger every day because of your Christian faith? What can be learned from these faith-filled brothers and sisters around the world? How can we pray for persecuted Christians? How can we help them? And what do their remarkable stories teach us about a God whose light shines in a dark world?

Bible Gateway interviewed Cole Richards, executive vice president of The Voice of the Martyrs (@VOM_USA) and Jason Peters, associate vice president of connection for VOM, about the book, I Am N: Inspiring Stories of Christians Facing Islamic Extremists (David C. Cook, 2016).

[See our Blog post, International Day(s) of Prayer for the Persecuted Church]

[Browse resources about the persecuted church in the Bible Gateway Store]

Explain the work of The Voice of the Martyrs.

Cole Richards: The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) was founded in 1967 by Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor who was imprisoned for 14 years in a Communist prison because of his active faith and witness. He wrote the international bestseller Tortured for Christ and later spoke widely as a voice for the persecuted, even removing his shirt during testimony before the US Senate to reveal scars caused by severe torture. Today, VOM provides spiritual and practical support to persecuted believers in 68 hostile and restricted nations. VOM also inspires fellowship between Christians in the US and their persecuted family members.

What does “I Am N” mean and how did it originate?

Jason Peters: When militants from the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) moved into northern Iraq, they began identifying Christian-owned homes and businesses. Families would find the Arabic letter “N” (ن) painted on their buildings. This single letter, the first letter of the word used in the Quran to identify Christians, conveyed the powerful accusation that the occupants were followers of Jesus.

After being tagged in this way, our Christian brothers and sisters were given the choice of converting to Islam or standing for Christ and losing everything they owned. In the Iraqi city of Mosul (Nineveh in the time of the Old Testament), more than 100,000 Christians were displaced, abducted, or killed in less than one week. That happened more than a year ago and none of the displaced believers have been able to return to their homes.

We’ve had the privilege of meeting with and hearing the incredible stories of many of these sisters and brothers during recent visits to Iraq and neighboring countries.

How do you want “I Am N” to become a movement?

Cole Richards: VOM is inviting American Christians to serve alongside their brothers and sisters, who remain joyful and blessed by their relationship with Christ despite having lost everything they own. The joy they have in Christ is something the extremists cannot take away from them. These Christians are our family members—part of the body of Christ. We will not let them suffer in silence. We will not let them serve alone.

Having seen firsthand the way these followers of Jesus live out their faith, we organized the I Am N book around six themes that capture the essence of their faith and inspire us to stand strong for Christ no matter where we live. The book explores the themes of sacrifice, courage, perseverance, faithfulness, and two other themes that many find surprising—forgiveness and joy. These last two are characteristics that we’ve witnessed repeatedly in hundreds of interviews with persecuted Christians. All of the themes are both universal and biblical.

The book I Am N tells the stories of 50 Christians who face persecution. Who are they and how did you find them?

Jason Peters: The subtitle of the book is “Inspiring Stories of Christians Facing Islamic Extremists.” VOM actively supports and serves alongside followers of Jesus in nine hotspots of Islamic extremism around the world, and VOM field workers have met these Christians face to face. We’ve prayed with them, wept with them, and listened to their incredible stories.

What will readers of the book gain from it?

Cole Richards: In a word: fellowship. Readers will get to know their brothers and sisters as they read this book and, more specifically, will learn how they can serve alongside them. Our prayer is that the book will inspire American Christians to stand with their persecuted family members. We also pray that this movement will help each of us develop more of an eternal perspective. Right now—today—we personally have close friends, our brothers and sisters, who are being imprisoned, tortured, and oppressed because of their faith. But they are never alone! Genesis 39:20–21 (ESV) reminds us that “Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” God is present with our persecuted family members, and we pray that we can also stand with them and their families during these incredibly difficult experiences.

Share an example of a story from the book.

Jason Peters: It’s difficult to select just one story to share, but one of our favorites is the story of Habila, from a chapter titled “Point Blank Forgiveness.” Habila was shot in the face by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria and left for dead. The extremists first gave him the choice of converting to Islam, but when Habila refused to deny Christ they shot him with an AK-47 in front of his wife and young son. When Habila told us his story, we were stunned by the supernatural ability that God has given him to forgive his attackers. Today, he says that if he met his attacker he would embrace him and tell this terrorist that he chooses to forgive him. It is a strong testimony of God’s grace in Habila’s life and a reflection of Christ’s words on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34 [ESV]).

Describe the state of Christian persecution, in general, worldwide.

Cole Richards: The rise of Islamic extremism has led to increased, severe persecution of Christians around the world. Followers of Jesus are persecuted by many other groups as well. We should not be surprised by this. In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20a [ESV]). VOM is busy helping victims of persecution in 68 hostile and restricted nations around the world, and we expect persecution to continue to increase as believers faithfully follow Christ.

Is it still difficult for persecuted Christians to access the Bible, even though it’s widely available on the Internet?

Jason Peters: Yes, many persecuted believers are unable to access God’s Word via the Internet or in any other way. On recent trips to places like Sudan, Cuba, and Nepal, we’ve witnessed firsthand how difficult it is to get Internet access. Additionally, in some countries access to the Bible is restricted by governmental controls. And, of course, if you’re a refugee you aren’t likely to have an Internet connection in your tent. Many of the people we serve have lived in these types of conditions for a long time. Last year, VOM distributed 1.5 million Bibles in some of the most difficult places on earth. In fact, we’ve provided more than 80,000 Bibles to ISIS victims alone; quite possibly more than ISIS has destroyed in their attempts to eradicate Christianity.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Cole Richards: In order to help, we all need to get to know our brothers and sisters. VOM offers a free monthly newsletter that tells the stories of persecuted Christians. Part of our mission is to be their voice in the US. Another part of our mission is to provide spiritual and practical support to those who are suffering. One example of the way we help is through something we call Family Med Packs.

Jason Peters: Believers in the US fill the packs with health and hygiene items (or sponsor packs that we fill for them), and VOM distributes them to displaced believers as a source of encouragement and practical aid. This is just one example of the many types or practical support we provide in these hostile places. We say, “We will not let them suffer in silence. We will not let them serve alone.” Every Christian benefits from hearing these stories and experiencing the perspective and eternal hope that they offer. People can make their commitment and find out how best to help at i-am-n.com.

Bio: Cole Richards is executive vice president of The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM). In this role, he leads VOM’s global ministry work, which includes significant outreach both in the US and abroad. VOM ministers internationally by serving, and serving with, Christians who are severely persecuted for their faith. This is accomplished through a multinational team of 51 missions leaders from 22 nationalities, based in 23 countries. VOM accomplishes more than 1,600 projects annually in 68 hostile and restricted nations by responding to persecution and advancing God’s eternal kingdom on the world’s most difficult missions frontiers.

Dr. Jason Peters is associate vice president of connection for VOM and executive editor of I Am N. Dr. Peters travels frequently to meet face-to-face with persecuted believers around the world and equips VOM to tell their stories. He leads VOM’s outreach initiatives, including media development, special events, public relations, and oversees hundreds of speakers and representatives.

The season of Passover is April 22-30, 2016.
Browse resources for Passover in the Bible Gateway Store.

In just a few days, we launch our newest devotional: Holy Land Moments, a devotional experience that explores the Jewish roots of Scripture and faith! There’s still time to sign up—click here to do so.

Holy Land Moments runs for two weeks, and offers a short reflection on Scripture with additional insight from Jewish teachers and thinkers. It’s written by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Each reading also includes a Hebrew Word of the Day (with an audio pronunciation). It’s written to bring a new historical and cultural perspective to familiar Bible texts. Sign up by clicking here to visit our Newsletters page.

The launch of Holy Land Moments coincides with the opening days of the Passover festival, which commemorates the rescue of God’s people from slavery in Egypt. Passover is an important historical and theological moment for both Jews and Christians, and we thought it appropriate to mark it with a devotional that explores the connecting points between Jewish history and Christianity.

Holy Land Moments starts on Sunday, April 24 and continues for two weeks. If you’re interested in the Jewish roots of Christianity or are just looking for a different devotional experience, click here to sign up!

We recently launched Bible Gateway Plus—an alternative membership service that removes banner ads from Bible Gateway and greatly expands the online study materials you can access while reading Scripture. From the beginning, the response from members has been overwhelming—they love the absence of banner advertising and the exclusive Bible study resources.

If you’re on the fence about trying it, here are five reasons to sign up for your free 30-day trial today:

5. You’ll focus better!

Without banner ads vying for your attention, you’ll be able to concentrate more fully on the biblical content you’ve searched for and are reading.

4. You’ll have more time to converse with your loved ones!

You won’t have to laboriously find and open multiple print Bible commentaries and search their pages for what they have to say pertaining to the Bible passages you’re currently reading on Bible Gateway (they’re already open and synchronized on your screen!).

3. You’ll go to bed smiling!

You’ll be content knowing that by joining this membership service you’re helping to make it possible for people in more than 200 countries to freely read, hear, search, study, compare, & share the Bible in—more than 200 versions and more than 70 languages—when they use Bible Gateway.

2. Your pastor will be amazed!

You’ll surprise even yourself with how you can summarize each book of the Bible in brief, single sentences (because you’ve read the “Leading Thought of Each Book” section in Halley’s Bible Handbook Notes, which is among the more than 40 Bible reference works included in your Bible Gateway Plus membership).

1. Your wallet will thank you!

There’s no risk or obligation in taking Bible Gateway Plus for a test drive—simply sign up for a 30-day free trial and you’ll get complete access to all Bible Gateway Plus features for a month’s worth of days.

Of course, all the Bible resources that have been freely available on Bible Gateway will remain free. But we encourage you to augment your online Scripture reading without the distraction of banner ads and with more Bible study content by trying Bible Gateway Plus FREE right now! And tell us what you think!

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5. You’ll focus better!

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3. You’ll go to bed smiling!

2. Your pastor will be amazed!

1. Your wallet will thank you!

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