The Bible is Just Another Book – Part 2
(See last week’s blog for Part 1)
Oh, I had very little faith that it could really make a difference – I had no life changing experience or revelation that called me to pick it up. I was just so desperate that I was willing to try anything. My years of church attendance had taught me that living the Christian life is not complicated – an aerospace degree was not necessary to figure this out. Three simple actions that needed to be taken on a regular basis: #1 pray, #2 read the Bible and #3 fellowship with other believers. That was it. Doing these three things with your whole heart for an extended period of time is the definition of a Christian walk. But really, could something so simple take the mess of my life and turn it into anything good? Since I had nothing else to lose I might as well try it and being an all or nothing kind of girl I went all out.
It is interesting now to look back at those early years – 1992, 1993 – and read my journal entries. Every time – and I mean 100% of the time – God revealed something to me in His Word. It was not necessarily some profound theological concept but it was a slow realization that this book – this Bible – was something special. Here is an entry from November 24, 1992:
II Peter 2: v. 9 The Lord can and does do what is right and what He wants to do. He has the power to do all things. v. 19 No matter what, all people are slaves to that which masters them – it could be God, money, sex, people, satan, etc. but they are all slaves.
Or February 13, 1993: Luke 10: v. 37 Jesus Christ had mercy on him – not giving others what they deserve – the homeless person may have brought his troubles on himself but we cannot throw him in the “ditch.” We must give mercy unto him. v. 18-19 Jesus saw satan fall from heaven like a lightening bolt; He has been with the Father since the very beginning. Thank you, Jesus!
Despite the fact that I had been to church hundreds of times and was even on the cradle roll at First Baptist Church, St. Petersburg, Florida, I was clueless to actually were the books of the Bible were located. I was so thankful for the Table of Contents in my Bible and used it without shame and regularly. Since I am a bit challenged, phonetically, the first few times I had to turn to Psalms was a bit of a struggle because I kept looking for the book of Salms. What a relief when I looked on the person Bible next to me and I realized the “p” was silent!
It was at a Metro Bible study that I learned a truth that today still rocks my world. II Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” What this verse is saying is that the Bible is able to answer these four questions:
What is right? (useful for teaching)
What is wrong? (useful for rebuking)
How to get right? (useful for correcting)
How to stay right? (useful for training in righteousness)
If we add in verse 17, “So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,” the Bible even shows me what I am equipped to do – every good work!!
I don’t know where you are – is your life a wreck or are you just coasting along nicely. Either way, the Bible is a book that is able to guide you in all areas of your life. Will you just take a risk and try it out for yourself?
Or maybe the Bible is a big part of your daily life, would you please share with me some of the cool things you have learned or experienced as a result of being in the Word?
Luke 2:48 “When they saw Him, they were astonished; and (A)His mother said to Him, “[a]Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, (B)Your father and I [b]have been anxiously looking for You.”
This happened when Jesus was 12 years old. He was found in the temple. I am Catholic, so my meditation on this may not meet with yours, but what was revealed to me was this:
My presence, during prayer and worship, are sought. When I am absent, my Father is looking for me. He is the Alpha and Omega, so He knows where I am, but he is looking for me to be with Him. My presence is missed when I do not spend time with Him. Like a lover waiting for his beloved, so my Father is with me. He anxiously waits for our time together, looking for me to be there with him. Regardless of whether or not anyone else knows me at church, or misses me, He looks forward to our time together and looks for me when I am not there.
For sure, Tiffany! The Lover of our soul misses us when we are not there. Blessings on you and Chris!