February 7, 2008

The Bible: Its Value

Read the Bible through:
AM – Exodus 39-40 PM – Matthew 21:1-22

Warning of Sin
Psalm 119:9-11 24

11 "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!!"

An incredible medical breakthrough came with the invention of a device known as a pacemaker. Its purpose is to stimulate the heart muscle so that it will beat with a normal heart rhythm. One type of pacemaker functions according to a patient’s needs. Depending on the level of activity, respiration, or other factors.

God’s Word, hidden in our hearts, could be called a spiritual pacemaker. Many things can cause us to lose our ability to be effective witnesses for Christ. We all face discouragement. Health problems take their toll. Friends and loved ones disappoint us Satan confronts us with temptations. A ministry of the Holy Spirit within us is to make us sensitive to things that cause us to grieve our Lord. As we faithfully study God’s Word and commune with Him in prayer, we hide His Word in our hearts that we “might not sin against’ Him. The Spirit will bring God’s Word to our remembrance that provides us with a built-in resistance to sin.

Lord, may Your Word be established within me so I will be strong to resist temptations to sin against You.

February 6, 2008

The Bible: Its Value

Read the Bible through:
AM – Exodus 37-38 PM – Matthew 20:17-34

Blessing the Godly
Psalm 119:1-8

2 "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!"

One of the fondest memories our children have of their mother is seeing her with her Bible on the table ever morning. She loves God’s Word and enjoys sharing some truth she has found. Often when they were about to leave for school, she would say: “Come here a moment and listen to this.” Then she would read a verse and make a simple, down-to-earth application. Many times when they would encounter a problem during the day; the Scripture their mother had read to them would provide the courage they needed to meet that particular challenge.

She taught our children how to live using God’s Word. They discovered the joy that comes to those who strive to “keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” The path we trod is never completely straight and smooth. There are unexpected dips and sharp turns. God’s Word, hidden in our hearts, becomes the gyroscope that keeps us on balance and the compass that helps us “walk in his ways” (Psalm 119:3).

Prepare me, Lord, through the strength of Your Word, for whatever awaits me today.

February 5, 2007

The Bible: Its Origins

Read the Bible through:
AM – Exodus 35-36 PM – Matthew 20:1-16

In the Beginning
Matthew 24:34-35

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1)

A child’s first spoken word is a happening. It is recorded in memory books. Parents call grandparents. Grandparents tell everyone. Why is this so important? It is the beginning of communication. The ability to communicate is the ability to reveal thoughts. Thoughts communicate something about self.

God wanted to make Himself known. His self-revelation began in creation, a display of His almighty power. The crowning pint of His self-revelation was Jesus.

This Word of revelation was unique communication. The Word preceded the beginning, would succeed the end. The Word was not human interpretation about God. This was God Himself communicating about Himself. This Word was personal. God had something to say through a person, Jesus Christ, His Son.

With excitement, as a young parent talking about a child’s first word let those of us who have heard this eternal Word share the good news with others.

Lord, I listen personally to Your eternal Word so that I can know You better.

February 4, 2008

The Bible: Its Origins

Read the Bible through:
AM – Exodus 33-34 PM – Matthew 19:16-30

The Unchangeable Word
Matthew 24:34-35

35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away"

Change. It’s everywhere. We are born. We grow up, become stronger, and get older. Then we may decrease some in size. We get weaker. Death – the eternal change – comes.

Families change. A man and woman become husband and wife. They birth children. The children marry “outsiders” who then become family. The children move away. The husband and wife are alone again. A spouse dies.

Finances change. We work at entry levels. We earn promotions. We build lifestyles based on increasing incomes. Then we retire. Incomes become fixed.

Churches change. Some grow; others decline. Pastor come; pastors go. Old Friends move or die. New people bring new ideas. We tear down buildings to which we have become attached and build bigger ones.

So much change. We want something to stay the same. We find it. God’s Word is unchangeable. Hallelujah!

Lord, in the midst of a changing world, I need something stable. Thank You for Your unchanging Word.

February 3, 2008

The Bible: Its Origins

Read the Bible through:
AM – Exodus 31-32 PM – Matthew 19:1-15

The Lord’s Faithfulness
Psalm 119:89-96

90 “Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides."

We were struggling with a need for which we saw no answer. I didn’t know were to turn. I headed to the church that morning nearly overwhelmed with discouragement.

The song playing on the radio penetrated my disheartened spirit to give rise to a feeling of hope. “Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! … All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided.”

Shortly after arriving in my office, my wife phoned. She had received a call that would be an answer to our need. Whereas a couple of hours earlier, I wondered if my world was collapsing, that morning the Lord proved His faithfulness once again. Because of Him my world now stood firm.

Something similar has happened to you, hasn’t it? The Lord is faithful. Of that, you can be certain. For that, you can be grateful.

Thank You, Lord. I know I can count on You.

February 2, 2008

The Bible: Its Origins

Read the Bible through:
AM – Exodus 29-30 PM – Matthew 18:21-35

The Holy Spirit
2 Peter 1:20-21

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

A group of children gathered on the church parking lot and at the signal let go of the balloons they had in their hands. Each balloon contained a slip of paper with a greeting, a Bible verse, and the church’s name and phone number. The children watched as the wind swept up the balloons and carried them airborne. Several days later someone over one hundred miles away called to say she had found one of the balloons.

Those who first delivered the word from God were “moved” by the Holy Spirit. The word translated “moved” literally means “carried or borne away,” much like a balloon that was carried away by the wind on a spring day.

The Holy Spirit moved those who recorded the message and is the same Holy Spirit that indwells readers of the message and helps them understand it.

May Your Holy Spirit so move in my life that I may read Your Word with understanding.

February 1, 2008

The Bible: Its Origins

Read the Bible through:
AM – Exodus 27-28 PM – Matthew 18:1-20

Eyewitnesses of Christ

2 Peter 1:16-18

16 “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.."

Recently, the newspaper published stories about two criminal cases. One case had been solved because of the testimony of an eyewitness. The other case remained unsolved. Law enforcement officials repeated their appeal for someone to step forward who might have seen something unusual.

The stories served as reminders of the value of eyewitnesses. Eyewitness accounts move an occurrence from the real of speculation to reality. A credible eyewitness provides tangible evidence that reinforces the truth.

God reveals Himself through His Word. We accept the message as true because we believe the Lord is Truth. He also has revealed Himself through acts of power and glory. Men of faith, such as Peter, recorded what they had seen personally. Such experiences could not be withheld. The stories must be told. Aren’t you glad?

Lord, may I be faithful to declare what I have witnessed through eyes of faith, to Your honor and glory.