The Perfectionist...

"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." -Hebrews 2:10


I (Will) am still reading the book of Hebrews over and over, and this verse stuck out in particular this morning. I've always focused on the last part - where Christ is called the Captain of our salvation. This time, however, my heart dwelt on the beginning of the passage. "...for whom are all things, and by whom are all things..." This is Jesus Christ we're reading about here, God Himself incarnate as a man sent to rescue Mankind as only He could. Everything ever is His and continues because He wills it - and it pleased Him to taste death so His children could be spared it's sting. This was His plan all along. I can barely imagine Him before Creation, His thoughts dwelling on what it will mean to have a people all His own, and knowing the loss and pain and sorrow it will involve. In order to be an intimate God, not a distant and cold one, He purposed to die before life as we know it ever began. But like the Perfect Captain He is, He shines that beaming, radiant, loving smile and starts speaking it all into being anyway.

I am increasingly convicted of the inadequacy of the phrase "God is good!" Every time I type it as a Facebook status I wish I could use a font the size of Jupiter.

~~JBH

The Future's So Bright I Won't Need Shades...

"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it." -Revelation 21:23,24

Throughout scripture God makes mention of His ultimate desire of having a people uniquely His (Ezekiel 37:27, for instance, is fulfilled in Revelation 21:3) and it's so beautiful and comforting to know He's able to make that happen. In fact, it's what He's up to right now! Imagine living on an Earth where the sun's light is dwarfed by our King's presence. A worship service where there's no temple or church because God is present and approachable. The worship band is all of us, joined with the angels, singing praises to Him as we gaze upon His countenance! This is all just so amazing, so absolutely astounding - and so completely like Jesus!

~~JBH

Eternal Positioning System...

"For here have we no continuing city, but we seek on to come." -Hebrews 13:14


Praise God that He's got a better plan than the one we come up with ourselves! There likely won't be any Christian bookstores on the new Earth, but we're okay with that!

~~JBH

Most Awesome Book Ever...

"But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." -Hebrews 9:7-25

Lately I (Will) have been uninspired for keeping the blog up to date. It's not so much about discouragement or laziness, although there are days with a healthy portion of both. I just can't seem to come up with something better than what God has already written! I read scripture often - as we all should - and sometimes I just want to post page after page of His Word to edify all the readers and magnify His name and His glory. There's some definite function to our blog, and I know folks have found is useful. Today, however, just be encouraged that it will never be as awesome to read as God's Holy Word. Amen to that!

~~JBH

P.S. I do most of my reading from the King James Version, but if that turns you off then I encourage you to find the reference elsewhere and read it on your own. God is awesome in every language!

A Sparrow Takes Flight...

Just a quick update: Jaffrey Bible House is now on Twitter! For those of you wishing to follow us, our username is @jbiblehouse. God is good!

~JBH

Happily Ever After...

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace we are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."                  -Ephesians 2:4-9


We're looking forward to visitors from the Rejuvenate retreat at Monadnock Bible Conference today, but just wanted to share a little something to kick off the weekend. Isn't God awesome?

~JBH

What He's Been Up To...

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." -Galatians 5:2,3

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." -Galatians 5:9

Let's be clear about one thing: Jaffrey Bible House belongs to God. It was started by His prompting on our hearts and it continues because of His blessing and provision. It has nothing to do with our knowledge or funds or skills - it's totally His. It's important to get this straight because things really are starting to take off with the store, and we're starting to hear kudos aimed in our direction. Let us respond as the angel does to John: "See thou do it not...worship God!" (Revelation 22:9, emphasis added).

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That having been said, here's a few of the latest developments that Jesus has going on here:

1) We (Lisha and Will) are now Independent Consultants with Usborne books. This means a number of things, but the most important is that we'll be hosting at least a couple book parties each month at JBH! We're very excited at all the opportunities that this opens up for us (and you!), and will have a link up shortly to our Usborne page.

2) We have received some funding from Team Jaffrey for our store sign, so be on the lookout for that. We've had more and more visitors as the weather warms up, and having an actual sign is a good thing - and hopefully it will help the folks who get lost trying to find us!

3) Our weekly prayer times have been awesome, and we can all agree that God is up to something big. This shouldn't come as a surprise - He's all about that sort of thing! If you're in the area and have time to stop in and join us, we meet on Tuesday nights 6pm-7pm and Fridays 12pm-1pm, we'd love to worship Jesus with you!

4) Speaking of prayer, we're working on getting a Prayer Wall up on the site. A spot where you can post praise and petitions that we can join with you in lifting to our Heavenly Father - because He's always listening!

There's lots more and God continues to make this adventure an exciting one, so check back often! A special mention to the ladies attending the Rejuvenate conference - feel free to stop by during your free time!

~~JBH