If you are looking for a great resource for the New Year, I would recommend The Apologetics Study Bible. This Bible has some really great articles and commentary for someone looking for an in-depth view of how to defend their faith through Scripture. Although I was unfamiliar with the Holman Christian Standard Translation, it is easy to read and solid.

The downside: there is so much information that you will have to spend extra time reading the articles. They are so well done and thought provoking that it will take you some time to get through them.

Try it out and let me know what you think.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Jesus was always compassionate, but He did not heal every person in every area that He traveled. Although that thought gets very complex very quickly, it opened my eyes (maybe I’m slow) to something. Jesus places His heart of compassion for different things into the hearts of different people. The struggle is that we want to force the heart that He has given us on to everyone else. So, if I have a heart of compassion for children in Thailand, everyone should have a heart for them or they are not as spiritual as I am. But, Jesus has placed that within me for me to pursue His purpose and plan for those people. As I meet others who have that same heart, I should partner with them. As I meet others with a different heart, I should encourage them to pursue all that God is asking of them.

What are your thoughts?

But I have noticed more and more that volunteers are often trained to perform a task while we neglect to teach them some of the basics. So, I hope this acrostic helps as you train volunteers.

• G-et there early. If you are scheduled to serve, get there early. Always running late affects the team (and if you can always run late, you should be able to figure out how to get there earlier).
• R-ecruit others into the ministry. Leverage your influence from the beginning to get others involved who share your heart and passion. Talk about your ministry in your small group and find out if others are serving.
• E-valuate the fit. If the ministry is not a fit for you, let the leader know and try something else. Don’t be miserable serving Him!
• A-lign with the ministry vision. Serve and gain credibility before presenting your “Top 10 Things to Change in the Ministry” list. Let the leader know your heart and commitment first.
• T-rain those around you who are new to the ministry. Everyone one can teach someone else something. If you have been serving for a while, offer to train others. It will be a huge help to the ministry leader.

Serving is a huge part of our walk with Christ. I love what Paul told Timothy:

And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! 2 Timothy 1:6, The Message

You have received a special gift to serve Him with – keep it on fire! Be the greatest volunteer that you can be through serving and honoring Him. It will make a difference for eternity!

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

The thought rang through my empty head: It depends on you. You can’t control others actions. You can’t control others reactions. You can’t make people like you. You can’t make people live in peace. But, as much as it depends on you and as is possible, you can be a peace with everyone.

However, most of us live like it depends on everyone else. Other people are supposed to bring peace into my life. But, I hold the keys to my life. I have to say the things that need to be said and listen to the things that others say. Then, it depends on me. It depends on me to forgive. It depends on me to let it go. It depends on me to move on.

So often, we chain ourselves to the people that we do not want to be around, and we do it emotionally. Remember – it depends on you. You cannot change them but you can change you! Who have you been trying to change and where do you need to change?

Christians today often desire biblical knowledge without spiritual transformation.

If you can study God’s Word and never change, you are not “studying” God’s word. You may be reading it. You may be gaining knowledge. BUT, you ARE NOT studying His word. Interaction with the Bible produces life change! God will convict you in areas you never thought were even issues (it’s a killer but it’s awesome)!

So, what are some tools to study God’s Word on another level?

• Commentaries. For some that are easier to read, check out R. Kent Hughes or James Montgomery Boice. If you want more critical (difficult to read), check out the NICNT or MacArthur Bible Commentaries. If you want a commentary set for the whole Bible that is inexpensive, check out The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.
• Bible Atlas. Check out the Holman Bible Atlas by Brisco. It will help you look at maps and geography related to Scripture.
• Systematic Theology. Check out Boice’s Foundation of the Christian Faith, Christian Theology by Erickson or Grudem’s Systematic Theology.
  

Resources today are numerous and you can often find some online. If you missed the resources mentioned in my earlier post, you can find them HERE.

Now it’s up to you. When it comes to spiritual growth, Home Depot says it best: You can do it, we can help. Your church can provide the tools but you have to put them to practice. Build the discipline of studying the Bible into your life. If will revolutionize your walk with Christ!

The Leadership Bible provides leadership insight throughout the pages of Scripture. It looks at leadership in three different areas: Personal Development, Skills and Relationships. With each topic, it provides a five-day study to help you improve your leadership. I have personally drawn lessons for meetings directly from this Bible. If you are a leader, try to find a copy!

Now the bad news: it’s out of print. Anyone out there have connections with Zondervan? Let’s get this Bible back in print. And, if you find them somewhere, let me know! I’m giving my last extra copy away today!

(By the way, Maxwell published The Maxwell Leadership Bible, but I don’t like it as well. You may try it out also.)