When it comes to studying the Bible, there are many times that the kind of resources available to us are significantly limited due to several factors such as cost, availability, and physical space.  While I will never lose my love for holding a physical copy of a book in my hands, there are some significant benefits to using digital study tools.  So, what kind of digital tools are available to help with Bible study?

Many of you will be familiar with the ESV (English Standard Version) Bible translation.  They also have a web-based and app-based platform with excellent - free - study tools.  Included with the Biblical text is the "cross-reference tool" that shows you other Bible passages where a similar word, phrase, or topic, is found.  You can also do a traditional search of the Biblical text - just as you would use a concordance.  In addition to the Biblical text, you can view the ESV Global Study Bible, along with the Hebrew Old Testament text and Greek New Testament text (in an interlinear format).  A free Audio Bible is included.  You also have the ability to take notes, and follow predefined reading plans.

At the time of writing, by subscribing to the "Basic" plan, you can expand your access to ESV resources to include some 13 additional study Bibles.  By subscribing to the "Basic + Commentaries" plan, you can gain access to the two commentary series "Preach the Word" and "The ESV Expository Commentary" (both of which are conservative, scholarly, accessible series).

Certainly the free edition of this resource is worth exploring.  I use the app on my phone regularly when I do not need the full capabilities that Logos Bible Software provides.

I got my first digital library with Logos Bible Software in 2007 while attending Bible college.  Over the years I have added quite a bit to that library.  Some of the key features of Logos are:

• Original language tools (you don't have to learn Hebrew or Greek to dig into the meaning of words)
• Bible Translations (you can easily compare translations side-by-side)
• Study Bibles (you can have multiple study Bibles open at one time)
• Commentaries (you can quickly research what Bible scholars have commented on the particular passage you are studying
• Bible Dictionaries (these provide key insights into major biblical topics or portions of the Bible)
• The Factbook (this is a "one-stop-shop" for a quick summary on whatever you are research - e.g. if you search "King David" - you will find articles from your resources, key Scriptures, related media, etc)
• Theology Books (you can study the major sweeping doctrines of the Scripture with tools such as Systematic Theologies) 
• And much more!

Not only are these tools available on your computer, but you can also access these resources through an app on your phone or tablet.

The biggest downside to Logos Bible Software is the cost.  If you do not intend to utilize the tools, it is not worth the investment.  However, if you enjoy using digital resources, and if you plan to dig deep into the studying the Scriptures - you may want to consider looking into Logos Bible Software.  I personally use it nearly every day.

Similar to ESV.org, "Bible Hub" provides free resources on both web and app-based platforms.  While the design and navigation of Bible Hub are not nearly as user-friendly as Logos or ESV.org -- they do provide a significant amount of material.  Some of the resources they provide include:

• Various Bible Translations
• Greek & Hebrew texts
• Commentaries
• Concordance
• Dictionaries
• Study Bibles
• And more

While some of the resources provided through Bible Hub are rather "dated" they can still be useful  for the study of the Word. 

These three digital study aids are a quick start to the tools available on the market. If you have questions about these tools, please do not hesitate to ask!  You can contact us by using the button below! 

Throughout our Christian lives, we have at many times found ourselves asking, "what does that verse mean?!"  While Study Bibles do not always provide us with all the desired answers, they do provide an incredible amount of help to the reader.  Whether you are just starting your Christian journey or you are a seasoned pastor, Study Bibles can be a tremendous tool helping you understand the Bible.  Having said that, it must be clearly understood that the commentary and extra tools included in a study Bible are just that -- commentary and tools -- not the Word of God. Here are few Study Bibles that we recommend: 

This is perhaps the most comprehensive Study Bible that I have ever used.  It covers key aspects of commentary on the text, key doctrines (from a conservative evangelical perspective), essential historical and cultural background insights, among an impressive collection of articles.  The downside is that it is MASSIVE.  This is not a "throw it in your purse" kind of Bible. 

As the title suggests, the Systematic Theology Study Bible provides readers with an engagement of the text which has an eye out for how it contributes to the bigger picture of key Christian doctrines.  This tool can be helpful for understanding the larger sweeping topics addressed by the Scriptures.

The Reformation Study Bible is a wonderful blend of useful notes and not overwhelming you with notes.  Some readers may find the commentary lacking - others will find it just right.  The particular perspective from which the editors come is from a Protestant, Reformed, Presbyterian perspective.  So, as Baptists, there are several articles with which we would strongly disagree.  However, it has been proven a useful tool for years.

This Study Bible provides readers with the fascinating look into Archeological evidence which demonstrates the historical and cultural veracity of the biblical text.  There are many times this book has served to encourage people when they wrestle with the question, "Can I trust the Bible?"

Over and above the other recommended study Bibles, the NIV Study Bible provides readers with a greater eye to the application of the text.  It provides readers with manageable levels of background information without being too simplistic.  The editors come from a slightly wider theological persuasion while remaining conservative and evangelical.

If I were to have only one copy of the Bible, and I had the opportunity to choose one, I would go with the ESV Study Bible.

Jesus, quoting from the Scriptures, responds to the temptations of the devil by saying, "Man shall not live by bread alone."  Certainly these words are tremendously amplified when we consider the context.  Jesus had been engaging in a supernatural fast of 40 days and nights (Matt. 4:2).  This is when the devil approached Jesus.

  "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread" (4:3).

I want to notice several elements of this temptation:

1. The devil calls into question the identity of Jesus.  The temptation is for Jesus to defend His Sonship by acting upon the "dare." This is tantamount to the playground banter, or manipulation tactics, "You aren't the Son of God... if you are, prove it!"
   • In our own lives, do we ever act out of our own insecurity around our identity?  If you belong to God, and are His child, a follower of Christ, servant of the Most High -- you can rest in your identity on the basis of what God has said in His Word.  The devil's temptation to draw you into doubt can be squarely laid to rest at the foot of the cross. 
2. The devil entices Jesus to use His power to satisfy His own desires.  Whether or not Jesus would have turned stones in bread, we do know that He is capable of tremendous miracles involving food (consider the feeding of the 5,000 - Matt. 14:13-21).  Notice in the miracle accounts, none of them were performed to satisfy any personal desire.  Rather each one was to (1) serve those around Him, and (2) display His fulfillment of all God's redemptive purposes coming to fruition in Christ.
   • Friend, how many times are you drawn to use your resources for selfish purposes?  Do your desires - even needs - lead you into some form of compromise in your spiritual commitments?  How then can you be sustained?  More on that in a moment.
3. The devil used an occasion of physical weakness to exploit potential spiritual weakness. In Jesus' full humanity, He experienced hunger and weariness.  In this case, after not eating for 40 days, "he was hungry" (4:2).  At this moment, Jesus' weakened body could have become the determining factor in His decision making.
   •  In our lives, do we allow physical weakness to be the devil's strength?  Where we are weakest is where we need the most careful awareness against temptation.  Where we may feel depleted, we must find a true and significant means of sustenance.

 
Jesus' response to the devil's temptation is simply, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."'

I want to notice several elements of this response:

1.  Jesus indefinites Himself with all humanity.  How encouraging to know that the intercessor for our souls before God the Father has known hunger, has known temptation, has known hardship.  And just as His people were called to "live by every word that comes from the mouth of God" - so too He points to this.  Would you have victory over temptation?  Follow Jesus' example. 
2. The words that comes from the mouth of God are "life sustaining."  As you read, and meditate upon, and study the Scriptures, are you being nourished by them?  This does not mean that you will never have to eat physical food again.  But just as the nature of man is more than physical, so too are the nourishments that must sustain them.  All humanity is searching for meaning; we hold a witness to its source in our hands every time we open the Bible!
3. The Word is from "the mouth of God." The pages of the Scriptures are not merely a collection of some dead men's writings.  They are "from His mouth."  Consider the words of Job, "I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food" (23:12).  Also 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is God-breathed..."  Dear friend, in the Scriptures, you hold in your hands, the very breath of God; likewise in your lungs. 

If you are looking for ways to dig deeper in this community of believers, reach out!  We would love to hear from you and see you!

Blessings,
Pastor Phil