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Hebrews 6:10 (CEB) God isn’t unjust so that he forgets your efforts and the love you have shown for his name’s sake when you served and continue to serve God’s holy people.

God is not unjust (adikos) “one who deals fraudulently with others.” God does not do wrong. He will not forget or fall short to reward the deeds of His people. He will always promote His glory, and do that which is good and righteous. The meaning here in this passage, is that when you show kindness in ministering to the saints, God will not forget your actions – if He did forget that would be “unjust.”

Today’s verse is from the Common English Daily Companion Bible by Common English Bible Buy it now! See also these related resources:  Find more CEB Bibles Read the CEB on Bible Gateway

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Ephesians 1:11 (CEB) We have also received an inheritance in Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design.

There’s our word again: destined. Part of the overall purpose of God, the plan that Christ is working out in everything and everyone is our inheritance.

Verse 5 said, God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan.

The words adoption and inheritance are about family, inclusiveness, belonging, entitlement, reward, rest….

God chooses us, we are adopted children. Christ redeems us, we are his bride. Christ unites all things to him; and I think when you hear a fantastic love story like this, it can sound like a fairy tale. But we’ve been conditioned to believe that ‘happily ever after’ is a lie. So how do we know any of this is true? What assurances do we have?

12-14 We are called to be an honor to God’s glory because we were the first to hope in Christ.You too heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation. You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit because you believed in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance, which is applied toward our redemption as God’s own people, resulting in the honor of God’s glory.

Paul lays out our assurances right there:

“sealed with a promise” and the “Holy Spirit is the down payment.”

I have heard the Holy Spirit compared to a lot of things, but have you ever thought of him like an engagement ring? Our modern engagement ring came from (who else) the Greeks. A couple of interesting things about it, first the engagement ring didn’t use to be romantic and lovely… it was a symbol of property and ownership. It said, that this woman was under the ownership of the husband. Second, the ring also came with a small decorative key.

The key to her husband’s heart…awwwww…

No

It was the key to the bride’s future. Her promised inheritance, her wealth, her future was a promise. She wore the ring as a symbol that she belonged to the man, and he gave her a key that said one day everything I have… will be yours.

Paul says that the Holy Spirit seals the promise, he certifies it; and the ring is just the down payment.

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Romans 11:33 (CEB) God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep! They are as mysterious as his judgments, and they are as hard to track as his paths!

As Paul begins to wrap up his book to the Romans, he breaks out into praise. God’s wisdom and ways are far beyond our understanding and so he deserves all of the glory!

Here Paul says both God’s judgement (krima) and his ways (hodos) are unknowable. But that should not make God seem stand-of-ish or unfriendly. These are only elements of God’s character.  Yes, God is mysterious and much of how he rules is unknown to us, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still as close as a Father and as loving as a friend.

God knows us intimately and He desires that we know Him as well. Don’t let the mysteries of God push you away.

Today’s verse is from the Common English Daily Companion Bible by Common English Bible Buy it now! See also these related resources:  Find more CEB Bibles Read the CEB on Bible Gateway

This is from the Hear the Voice website; “The Voice is a dynamic equivalent translation that reads like a story with all of the truth and wisdom of God’s Word. Through compelling narratives, poetry, and teaching it invites readers to enter into the whole story of God with their heart, soul, and mind. This bold new translation engages readers like no other Bible.”

But I think what accurately describes this translation best is the tiny little shield on the Voice’s spine, “The Voice is a trustworthy Bible translation that reads like a novel.”

The Voice is a bible unlike any other, so to describe what it is “like” I would have to use examples outside of the field. The Voice bible is like reading a screen play. The Voice bible is like reading an annotated novel.

Yes, it is a bible and yes it is a bible translation, however I would not use it in a setting where I would need to “follow along” with a reader or a sermon; in that regard it’s like other dynamic equivalent translations. What is a dynamic equivalent translation?

This type of translation takes into account the context and apparent intent of the original. When providing a dynamic equivalent translation, the translator considers the culture of the original document, understands the nuances of the original language, and takes into account idiomatic expressions. The result is a finished product that comes alive to the reader with the actual intent of the original.  ~ Glenni Lorick

In my opinion the Voice bible is great for those who have difficulty reading standard translations and want something more familiar to pull them in to the text. It’s also great for people who are extremely familiar with the text and want to read the bible again with new eyes. I think it would also be great as a reading bible or for teachers who want to be able to examine a text in a different light.

Here is John 1:29-31 in the Voice

²⁹ The morning after this conversation, John sees Jesus coming toward him. In eager astonishment, he shouts out:

John the Baptist: Look! This man is more than He seems! He is the Lamb sent from God, the sacrifice to erase the sins of the world! ³⁰ He is the One I have been saying will come after me, who existed long before me and is much greater than I am. ³¹ No one recognized Him—myself included. But I came baptizing* with water so that He might be revealed to Israel.

Here is the same passage in the NIV

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ³¹ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Some of the translation points I liked were instead of  calling Jesus the “Christ” they call him the “anointed one,” which is more accurate to the text and the Hebrew understanding.  The Angels are called messengers, which I like. I think sometimes we picture “angels” as winged beings with halos and we really have no idea what these messengers looked like. The disciples are called emissaries, which is a very modern usage and works well I think.

Also unlike most other bibles, the Voice places the notes directly in the bible text, but to avoid confusion the notes are in a different color to differentiate scripture from editor.

Overall I am glad the Voice allowed me to give them a second chance. I think it’s a terrific translation and look forward to using it for years to come.

This review is for the hardback edition of the bible. The bible is bound well and on good paper stock. This is a quality Thomas Nelson product.

I received the hardback from Thomas Nelson for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank David Capes as well for thinking of me for this review. You can buy the Voice at Amazon or anywhere Bibles are sold.

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Ephesians 1:9-10 (CEB) …making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Paul says God has “made known the mystery of his will.” You know, I think it was Madonna who said, “life is a mystery.” And see when the Hebrews read the old testament, there was a mystery in it. It was the mystery of the Messiah, the Christ. Who would it be? What would he do? What would his ministry be like? The Old Testament is filled with signs and prophecies that point to this future savior.

And Paul says, “the mystery has been made known! It’s Jesus!” But not only that, Jesus has been his ultimate plan since “the fullness of time.” And what does he say was Jesus’ assignment? What is the goal and the plan of Jesus? “to unite all things to him.”

What does that mean? Well what does ‘all things’ mean? Well, it means ‘all things.’ Unite all of nature? Yes. All of humanity? Yes. Culture? Yes. Religion? Yes. Politics? Yes. All things means all things.

And I know to us, this doesn’t stand out as that interesting, but back when this was written it was revolutionary. The gods and goddess of this time, didn’t have a “plan” for the world. There was no such thing as being predestined.

The gods and goddess were merely powerful humans. They had emotions, played tricks, had sex, they ate and drank and some even died. The gods and goddess of this time were fickle, they could be bribed, controlled, lied to, they could be tricked… when you read their stories they sound like super powerful teenagers.

But Paul says, not Yahweh. He’s had a plan from the beginning; and you were a part of it.

God chooses us, Christ redeems us, Christ unites all things to him.

Moving on….

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Zephaniah 3:17 (CEB) The LORD your God is in your midst—a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.

In Sunday services we often sing to God, but have you ever pictured God singing over you? This passage speaks of God as a warrior who does not turn from danger or flee from foes, but as a Heavenly warrior who can save his people.  But what is even cooler than that? The author says that God will rejoice over you with singing.

When does that happen?

When God’s people seek him and follow him…

“But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord, those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” (Zeph 3:12-13)

And when God’s people rejoice and trust him…

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. (Zeph 3:14-16)

God’s sings over His people. He celebrates their faithfulness! What a sound that would be.

Today’s verse is from the Common English Daily Companion Bible by Common English Bible Buy it now! See also these related resources:  Find more CEB Bibles Read the CEB on Bible Gateway

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Ephesians 1:7-8 (CEB) We have been ransomed through his Son’s blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace,  which he poured over us with wisdom and understanding.

Paul says, ‘not only does God choose you because of nothing you have done, he also saves us and forgives us through his Son, based on what?

Our asking?

Our apology?

Our prayers?

Nope, all according to the riches of his grace.

Here is another bible mystery, “redemption.” But we do use redemption sometimes in our world, but we use the word “redeem.” Right? We redeem coupons. We have paper, we turn it in and the paper comes back to us as cash. It’s an exchange, one for the other. Leviticus 25 talks about how you can buy freedom for a slave, or how you can “redeem” your brother if he falls into hard times.

And Paul writes we have been redeemed from slavery, and the coupon, “the price” was the blood of Jesus.

Christ redeems us.

Now why blood? Why is THAT the currency? Well, because that was the tradition, that was the understanding.

Leviticus 7:11 (CEB) A creature’s life is in the blood. I have provided you the blood to make reconciliation for your lives on the altar, because the blood reconciles by means of the life.

Blood is a symbol for life, and so for life to be spared…life has to be given. It’s an exchange. God’s redeems his people, it’s one of the key themes of scripture.

You and I are slaves to sin and death, you might not like that metaphor, but it’s fitting, I didn’t choose it. If you don’t like the word “slave” then try this, you begin to live your life perfectly from now on; that means no sin, no failure, never lie, never let someone down, or hurt them. Live out your life perfectly from here on out.

And let me just say, if you can’t… and you know you can’t. That means you’re powerless, and you’re incapable. And so if “sin” always wins in the end – then you are its slave.

We are also slaves to death. In the battle of life and death, death always wins. Everything that is alive right now, will die. It’s not a possibility, it’s a fact. My Dad started to talk to me once and he said, “David, if I die…” and I stopped him and said, “IF?” is there a chance you might not die?

Romans 8:1-2 (CEB) So now there isn’t any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.

You and I are slaves to death and sin, they control us. We are incapable of escaping. And so Christ redeems us from death and sin. His blood pays the price for our freedom and we are no longer indebted to God for our failures.

God chooses us, and Christ redeems us

next verse…

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Ecclesiastes 11:5 (CEB) Just as you don’t understand what the life-breath does in the fetus inside a pregnant woman’s womb, so you can’t understand the work of God, who makes everything happen.

Earlier we had looked at Psalm 139 that talked about how we are chosen by God long before we are born.  That can be a concept that’s hard to grasp. How does that happen? Why does God choose some and not others? The idea of predestination is not a doctrine that is easily understood.

The writer of Ecclesiastes “gets that” and says, “look,  just like we don’t know how the miracle of human life happens within the belly of a Mother, so we don’t understand how God moves and makes decisions.”

It’s a mystery.

I think much of what God does is a mystery and we have to be OK with that. I think we go to church and seminary and read countless books to try to grasp the Christian faith, but with each answered question comes 7 more new ones.

Sure, it can be fun to attend End times seminars and to watch “Unlocking the Secrets of the Bible” on the History channel, but we should not let any of it distract us from our purpose here.

verse 4 (right before verse 5) says, “Those who watch the wind blow will never sow, and those who observe the clouds will never reap.”  There were people who looked up at the skies to discern cloud patterns, or who read the stars. Even today there are people who look upward for answers and purpose and completely ignore the world here.

And seeking knowledge is not a bad thing, and neither are questions. Of course we will always need dreamers and people who look to the future, but those things should never come at the expense of the present.

Some things will always remain a mystery.

When asked how he was able to regain his sight, the blind man testified. “How I came to see, I have no idea. But one thing I do know, I was blind and now I see.”

The story of Christ healing our lives, is more important than the “why” he does it.

Spend more of your life telling the story and less time trying to figure it out.

Today’s verse is from the Common English Daily Companion Bible by Common English Bible Buy it now! See also these related resources:  Find more CEB Bibles Read the CEB on Bible Gateway

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Ephesians 1:4-6 (CEB) God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in God’s presence before the creation of the world. God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan  and to honor his glorious grace that he has given to us freely through the Son whom he loves.

Have you ever heard someone say, “Shakespeare is boring?” Sure. Why? “Well, when I read it, I get lost… and it’s not interesting and my mind wanders.”

Well that’s because Shakespeare is difficult and hard to read…. we do get lost in the words. And when we get lost in concepts and phrases… our mind wanders… and when our mind wanders we’re no longer interested. But there are people who would say, “No, Shakespeare isn’t boring, it’s poetry! It’s beautiful! It’s exciting and multi-facetted, it’s counter cultural, it’s political, it’s erotic, it’s a social commentary on the human condition.”

Now, why would they say that? Well, because they understand it. They study it, they read it. They talk about it. Same is true for the bible. Have you ever heard, “the bible is boring?” Of course you have . So why are some people so weird that they love this boring book? Well, because they understand it. They study it, they read it. They talk about it.

And admittedly the bible is filled with words, concepts, and theology that sometimes need a little definition to help unlock. The bible does contain mysteries and the first mystery we’ve read is the word “destined.” Paul says, before we start talking about God, I want you to know that we were chosen before the foundation of the world; and he says ‘we were destined.’

Which means what? It means our being chosen had nothing to do with us. Well, no… my parents told me about God. Doesn’t matter. God chose you before the world was made. But I said the sinners prayer. Yea, but God chose you before you learned to talk.

As the bride of Christ, God chooses us.

If God chose you before the world was made, what did you do, could have done, to make that happen?

Nothing.

We’ll come back here...moving on…

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Psalm 139:13-14 (CEB) You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful—I know that very well.

God was present and active while you were an unformed substance. This passage gives an Old Testament support to the idea Paul talks about in Ephesians as being “chosen before the foundations of the world.” Here, instead of the “world” as the illustration, the Psalmist says, “before my Mother knew she was pregnant, you had selected me and had set me apart for great things.”

Our faith, our being chosen by God had nothing to do with our own greatness, or our own efforts. God didn’t look down the timeline and say, “well, it looks like they will turn out all right, so I will pick them for my team.”

The truth is, God picks everyone simply by His grace and because it pleases him. That knowledge alone should drive us to our knees in thanksgiving more often.

We, who do not deserve Salvation or a life with God, were chosen… handpicked by God simply because it was his will.

Amazing!

Today’s verse is from the Common English Daily Companion Bible by Common English Bible Buy it now! See also these related resources:  Find more CEB Bibles Read the CEB on Bible Gateway