Thank you once again so much for all of your prayers! Below are the links to our latest prayer update.

Summer 2010 E-zine

We often take knowledge, specifically Biblical knowledge for granted. The lack of a passion to learn Biblical truth is an all too often common trait among Christendom. I know we’ve probably all heard this plea before, but I am bringing this up again because it is so very critical. God’s people must get back to a thirst for learning Biblical truth. I’m talking about a deeper level of seeking truth than just your “15 minutes” of Bible reading or even the weekly church sermon.
Far too many Christians, myself included, treat their Christian life as if salvation’s granting of eternal life is the only work of the Gospel. Salvation involves far more than just a ticket to heaven! We get to live an abundant life in Jesus now! The Gospel has tangible implications for our lives in the here and now. We are all on a process of redemption, whereby God orchestrates all things for His redemptive purposes. So often I find myself living life as if the Gospel has no tangible implications for today. I mean, if we really grasped this meaningful truth, we would have an unquenchable thirst for growing in our understanding of Biblical truth. We would passionately approach our reading, our study, and our church attendance.

This desire for learning is a relatively new work that God is doing in my heart throughout the past few years. It is far too easy for us to sit through church and do our daily Bible reading in a form of legalism without actually growing in our passion for learning Biblical truth. As Paul addressed Timothy, are we truly studying to show ourselves diligent students of God’s Word?

So what does this look like? Am I saying that we all need to quit our jobs and retreat to a monk-like lifestyle where all we do is read and study? Of course not. What I am saying is that there are likely some of us that could develop a deeper desire to learn Biblical truth that may manifest itself in an increased level of reading or some other means of growing in truth. I’m sure some people reading this already have a good discipline or hobby of reading. But how many of us need to develop a passion for this kind of learning? Do you fully appreciate the glorious doctrines of Scripture? Do you even know the various doctrines of the Bible? You may be able to share your salvation testimony with another, but are you able to answer the skeptic’s intellectual questions regarding truth? Do you really know what you believe and why you believe it? Or, do you just believe what you believe based on tradition and the preacher’s word?

Please understand me. I am not advocating these things as a legalistic aspect of the believer’s life. I am admonishing these things because I feel that there are so many Christians who live with a very shallow understanding of Biblical truth and how it actually relates to them. Beyond the actual level of truth caught, there are scores of people today in our churches that approach learning (whether devotional, personal reading, or church) in a way that is often void of any passion.

In response to all of these important truths, I am excited to introduce to you an ongoing project started many months ago. As God continues growing my passion for truth, I decided to share my study and various thoughts with others. From one regular redeemed child of the King to another, I pray that these resources and recommendations can be of some mutual edification to you! Follow the link provided below to view our new site designed to promote a passion for growing in Biblical truth. At the new Believer’s Bookshelf website, we endeavor to share our learnings along the way as we continue our ongoing life of redemption together. It is still just a small sampling of all of the Biblical resources available today, but be sure to check back often as we continue adding resources and reviews. Please also understand that we attempt to bring a wide and often random selection of materials available today and that we must (as always) exercise Biblical discernment in our reading/study.

Enter: www.thebelieversbookshelf.com

Derek