I can hardly believe it but my very first term in the School of Biblical Studies (SBS), here in Taiwan, is over. This has definitely been one of the most life changing experiences I have ever had. We have thrown ourselves into many of the New Testament books and God has been using them to convict me, challenge me and to teach me more about his character. Some of my favorite books so far have been: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Mark, Romans, James, and Acts. Ok… so it’s really hard to choose.
While I was studying the book of Romans I was blown away by God’s grace and mercy in my life. The book deals so much with the fallen nature of man and the righteousness of God. I could see how God has been intensely pursuing and lavishing his love on me my entire life. I was humbled more than ever by the fact that I am a sinner and I don’t deserve anything but God’s wrath and judgment. In spite of all my sin, God in his love sent his son to die, so that I could be reconciled with him. Amazing!
Ephesians… loved the book! Apostle Paul was writing to the saints in Ephesus. This is a people group who were surrounded by pagan worship, mystery cults, and different astrology beliefs. One of the things that the Ephesians believed is that the alignment of the starts, when they were born, determined which god had control over their life. One of my favorite things about the book of Ephesians is when Paul says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus” (Ephesians 1:3-5). The Ephesians had been told their entire life that fate decided that they belonged to this or that god. A god whom they feared and who they believed would cause more harm in their lives than good. Then Paul blows the Ephesians away by telling them that God loves them and chose them before he even created the world. The same is true for you and I. I am a believer because God loves me. He chose to love and call me out as his own before he even created the world!!! What a mighty God we serve!
The book of Mark was so much fun to study! I think I laughed until I cried at some of the apostle’s funny comments. Then I was intensely convicted in all of the ways I too manage to doubt God’s provision after he has miraculously provided one time after another. After finishing the book I felt like I had just spent days hanging out with Jesus and the apostles. Laughing, witnessing the miracles and love of Jesus, and even mourning the death of Jesus. What a wonderful book!
The Bible has come alive to me during the past 3 months. Please continue to pray for me and that I’ll continue to read the word for transformation. I praise God for this blessing of being in his word and can’t wait to share with others all that God has been doing!
