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As we embed the Bible on our hearts, we discover that the Bible is one big story. It is the story of how God wants to walk in the hearts of people and to live in relationship with each one of us. But there is a problem. Sin. We live in a fallen world and are affected by the sin that inhabits our world. God has provided the remedy so that we can walk a path that has been cleared by Jesus. That path leads to intimacy with God. Each part of the grand story of the Bible shows us how God invites us to live with Him. In Job 9:33, Job struggles with the indictments made by his friends. They accuse Job of needing a different relationship with God then the one he lives. Job maintains that he is repentant and faithful. In the midst of his struggle, he declares the need for an arbiter. Someone to stand between him and God who helps Job understand what is going on. He needs someone to provide a path to God. Job’s pain points us to Jesus. He is the One who creates the path to God. The message is clear. When we are confused and hurting…Jesus is the answer.

When looking at the Bible, we notice that it contains different types of literature. Whether it is the parables of Jesus , the narratives (stories) of Genesis, the letters to first century churches, or the history books, each brings something important to the story of the Bible. This year we will be reading through the Old Testament Wisdom Literature. The Books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon are all “Wisdom Literature.” They are books written to help us see how God’s will and His presence are lived out in “real” life. Job will deal with loss, questions about faith, and perseverance through adversity. The Psalms help us understand praise, devotion, repentance, and worship. The Proverbs give us insight into life and godliness. Ecclesiastes asks and answers hard questions about surrender. The Song of Solomon teaches us about intimacy. Yet each was written so that we could connect to God. In Job 5:8, Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, is rebuking Job, but, in the process, he makes a wonderful proclamation. He says, “As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause…” He encourages Job to seek the will of God. That is what embedding the Bible is about. Seeking God and committing to His wisdom.

The New Year is always an exciting time. It is a time of new beginnings, a time for “starting over,” a time for new habits and changes in old ways. A time to recommit to what is important, things like family, friendship, church life, and discipleship. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, the author talks about a time for everything. As we look ahead at 2013 and ask what needs to be a central part of our lives, we understand that we have a need to be connected to God, to be intimately involved with Jesus, and to experience the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In order to be open to these connections, in order to be deliberate about discipleship, we must be a people who listen to what God has to say. We must hear over and over the voice of Jesus. We must be reminded and encouraged about the work of the Holy Spirit. God knows our need, and so He gives us a timeless treasure. The Bible. He also gives us a promise to embed His words in our hearts as we seek His face. So this year as we begin reading together, remember that it is time to embed the word of God in our hearts so that we can look like Jesus!

We have come to the end. Over the past year, we have read the entire New Testament through together. We have watched God entering the world and the lives of men in an amazing way. Jesus, the One who will save His people from their sins, became a man and walked among us. He impacted the world through His life and continues to impact the world through His people. As we have watched Jesus and the spread of the church, we have embedded the love, standard, grace, and desire of God within our hearts. Embed means to fix or retain in the mind and heart. God has chosen a very special way to embed Jesus within us. The Bible is God’s perfect revelation to man. Within its pages, we see the nature and character of God, hear the story of salvation and redemption, and experience the call to walk closely with God and be transformed in the image of Jesus. Everything we do with regard to spiritual growth and health is fueled by what we find in the Bible. This year, as we read through the New Testament together, our goal was to embed the Bible in our lives and imprint Immanuel on our hearts. I hope that you have experienced the transformation that God so desires for you. And remember…tomorrow is another chance to Embed Jesus!

Victory!
The Revelation is about victory. Victory through the power of God. Victory of life over death, forgiveness over sin, grace over condemnation, and love over hate. In Revelation 21, John shows us a picture of victory. The New Jerusalem descends, and God makes His permanent dwelling among men. It is the fulfillment of long promises and paints the completion of God’s call to man. Throughout the pages of the Bible this year, we have seen how God opens the door to a relationship with Him. How God wants to live in our lives and our hearts. How God wants His story to be our story. In moving to overcome the sin with which we struggle, God continually enters the life of men. The Garden of Eden tells us that God wants to walk with us. The pillar of cloud and of fire, the Temple and the Tabernacle, even the prophets are all moments when God enters and intersects the lives of men in order to share His love. As the New Jerusalem descends, we see another picture of “God with us.” It is the picture of Immanuel, Jesus who came to earth in order to conquer sin. He walked this earth to show us what victory is all about.

As we embed the Bible this week, we will finish reading the letters from Jesus to the seven churches of Asia. It is always remarkable to me to think of Jesus writing a personal letter to these churches. Among all that will happen in the Revelation, in the midst of a world that is seeking to make Christianity an outdated notion or a foolish endeavor, Jesus takes the time to write to His people. He shares the message that victory is at hand and that the battle is won. He calls His people to stand firm and to live out the relationship that they have with Him. Personal words from a loving God. In Revelation 3:7-13, Jesus writes to the church in Philadelphia. He encourages His people to continue in their faithfulness, following the words of God that have shaped their lives. Holding on to God’s word brings a new name and a solid faith. These words shed some light on our lives in our times. The people of God have the words of God to hang on to. God is writing His name on our hearts and in our lives. Embedding the Bible grows faith and perseverance.

Second John is an amazing letter. The aging apostle and elder of the church in Ephesus writes a touching note to people he loves. He expresses his joy at hearing about lives lived with Jesus. John encourages us to see the importance of truth, the need for obedience, and the power of love. John warns that the world has not given up on pulling people away from Jesus. In fact, John warns that lies and deceptions still abound. He cautions his friends and loved ones to examine closely anything that they are taught. He wants them to examine the teaching of Jesus, and compare everything we hear to the standard that Christ sets. In a world that still lures people away from Christ, it is important to remember the words of John. He writes to us as we daily live in a fallen world. He warns us to be aware of the lure of the world and tender to the call of Jesus. John reminds us that truth still reigns, obedience still shapes, and love still conquers.

As you read through 2 Peter this week, be on the lookout for the grand story that Peter tells. It is the story of God throughout history, making a way for man to live in relationship with Him. Peter talks about the story of Scripture. How it is not a tale of flights and fancy, imagination and myth, but how the Holy Spirit has moved among men to bring us the message of God’s love and grace. Peter talks about the baptism of Jesus, Balaam and his donkey, the Psalmist, and even the apostle Paul. As he follows the story of redemption through history, he encourages us to know that God has called us and redeemed us. Peter wants us to see how God moves to bring us to Himself. Peter wants us to walk in confidence, to live in purity, and to shun evil. Peter wants us to know that God’s story is the only story worth living. It is a story worth telling. And it is a story that grows our faith. As we have read through the New Testament this year, we have seen a powerful story of God working in the lives of men. That story continues today in changed hearts and lives.

“Be holy, because I am holy.” In 1 Peter 1:16, the apostle Peter uses these words to sum up the salvation that Jesus offers to all mankind. It is a call that stretches back through history. The Book of Leviticus gives us the call. The pages of Deuteronomy teach us that God’s people are made holy because of their relationship with the Lord. Fifty-four of the Bible’s sixty-six books say something about holiness. It is central to faith. Peter writes that you and I are people who have received salvation, the restoration of our relationship with God. It is something so amazing that the angels long to look into how that relationship works. It is a gift that changes us and makes us new. In order to encourage his readers, Peter calls them to be holy because God is holy. He calls all those that will listen to surrender their lives to the nature and character of God. To live each day in the way that God would live it. To treat others the way that Jesus would treat them. To look like Jesus. As we embed the Bible this year, we are learning to look like Jesus. In the process, our holy God continues to make us holy.

Seventeen times in five chapters. That is how many times James uses the word “brother” as he writes to those who will read his letter. It is a significant word when we think of the author of the Book of James. Imagine being raised in the same house as Jesus. Imagine being the “little” brother of Immanuel. I think we imagine a childhood that is hard. A childhood that is overshadowed. But I think that in the Book of James we see a different picture. James is the brother of Jesus, and he teaches us something about being in the family of God. We see a man who has learned to look at those around him through the eyes of a brother. James encourages his “brothers” to be joyful, honest, and fair. He teaches his brothers to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” He wants his brothers to be conscious of their language, aware of the needs or the people around them, and compassionate. He urges truth, patience, and faith. James shows us that walking with Jesus changes our lives. Walking with Jesus gives us new eyes, an open heart, and willing hands. Being related to Jesus is not a burden, but a blessing. We are changed when we live in the family of God.