Jim, the Chairman of the Deacons, had been ill for quite some time. His pastor had been very faithful in visiting him several times each week. Every time he visited him, he would read a passage of Scripture from his Bible and pray with him.

On this particular day he forgot his Bible and asked, “May I borrow your Bible, Jim?”

“Certainly. Son,” he shouted, “bring my favorite book. The Pastor wants to read something to me.”

Immediately his son appeared and handed the Pastor his “favorite book” - the TV Guide.

A Psalmist spoke of his favorite book with these words: “I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in Your Word...never take Your word of truth from my mouth for I have put my hope in Your laws...I will obey Your laws for ever and ever.”

Notice the significance of what the Psalmist read: When he sought the “ultimate” truth he turned to the Word of God. No matter who challenged his beliefs he would answer them with God’s truth. In God’s Word we find the best way to live and the most comfortable way to die. It answers all of our questions, contains a solution for every one of our problems and a cure for all of our ills.

It also provides the reason for being optimistic. “I will walk, in freedom!” No bondage. No worries. No fears. No doubts. Nothing in this world can take away the gracious gifts God gives us if we accept His Word.

Prayer: How thankful we are, Father, for Your Word that contains a solution for every problem in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.

Charlie Brown was having a serious conversation with Lucy in one of the “Peanuts” cartoons. Said Charlie, “I’ve made a giant step forward in unraveling the mysteries of the Old Testament, Lucy!”

“What’s that?” asked Lucy, bursting with interest.

“I started reading it,” he replied.

Many people view the Bible as a collection of fables, myths or tales and unintelligent stories about a god who hides himself in deep, unfathomable messages. Some claim it is a book beyond the ability of humans to understand its truth. True, it is a book written by humans but it is not a “human book.” It is the story of God making Himself known through Himself, through words and “The Word,” and His beloved Son. It is not beyond the ability of humans to understand its contents. God Himself will make its message clear when people ask Him to speak to them through His Holy Spirit.

Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed His Person and plan of redemption and reconciliation – the Gospel Message. The authors of the God’s revelation in Scripture were inspired by His Spirit to speak on His behalf. God wanted to make Himself known because He wants us to know Him, to love Him and to trust Him.

If we want to know and understand God we need, as Charlie Brown did, to “start reading” His Word.

Prayer: You have spoken to us, Lord, through Your Word. If we seek Your truth and want to know You and please You with our lives, Your Word will show us how. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Two men were having an intense discussion about the Bible. Said one, “So you think that you know a lot about the Bible. O.K. Here’s ten dollars that says you can’t repeat the Lord’s prayer without making a mistake.”

The other quickly replied, “Here’s twenty dollars that says I can.” With a brave smile and a voice filled with confidence he began: “Now, I lay me down to sleep…”

Interrupting him, his friend said, “You sure surprised me. I didn’t think you knew it. Here’s the money.”

What an insightful story. Over one hundred million Bibles are sold each year. How astounding! Dare we ask: What difference will they make in the lives of people who purchased them? Or, what difference has the Bible made in the lives of those of us who have owned one for years? With all of the Bibles in circulation, no one can estimate how many are opened, read, understood, believed and have brought about changes in the lives of the owners.

People, even Bible owners, seem to be losing their moral compass. There is a lack of direction, determination and diligence to live God-honoring lives. The Psalmist said that the only way a person can “stay pure” is to “obey Your Word and follow its rules.” No matter how corrupt our environment may be, or how strong the temptations, or how much the “evil one” may try us, we can “stay pure.”

Prayer: Help us, Father, to allow Your Word to make a difference in our lives as we accept and apply its truth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:9-16 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. (Click to read more…)

Thomas Mann was a well known and highly regarded novelist. His books were well written and on one occasion, he won the Nobel Prize. He was also recognized for the length of time it took him to write one of his books. On one occasion his publisher complained to him saying, "You have been working on this book for an eternity!"

"After all," he replied, “I am writing it for eternity." Even though his writing skills and insights were known around the world and had great influence, none of them could produce life. There is only one Book that has life-giving power: God's Word.

Jesus said, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." One Word, one Person, one purpose: Life through Christ.

The writer to Ecclesiastes said, "Of the writing of many books there is no end and much study wearies the body." We read and study, learn and think and come to some well thought-out conclusions. But in the final analysis, life does not come through knowledge - it only comes through Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father, may we know and believe that You are the Way, the Truth and the Life and trust only You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

A famous artist had an etching of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in his studio. It was one of his favorite works of art. Each morning when he began his day, he had to straighten it because it would be crooked.

One day he mentioned it to his housekeeper. In frustration she explained, “Each day I have to hang it crooked to make the tower hang straight.”

Many individuals do that with God's Word: they twist and turn its message to get it to say what they want it to say. But the Bible is clear when it claims to contain spiritual truth – truth that is absolute, consistent, irrefutable and unchanging.

The Bible is clear on this point. We do not determine God’s truth, we discover it. The Psalmist declared, “All your words are true, all your just laws will stand forever.” God’s Word is, in fact, an extension of His character – His truthfulness. And Jesus said, “I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” The beginning and end of truth are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

We cannot adjust the Bible to ourselves. We must accept the Bible as it is. The words of Paul sum it up: “It straightens us out and helps us do what is right.”

Prayer: Help us, Father, to accept Your Word as truth, and to love it and hide it in our hearts that we might not sin against You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV)

An attorney was chosen to serve as moderator of his church. He was uncomfortable with his new responsibility.

At his first church council meeting, a deacon read a portion of Scripture and then paused. The moderator stood and said, “If there are no corrections, the Bible will stand as read.”

He was right. The Bible must stand as read.

The Bible is not a random collection of myths, stories, fables or ideas about God. It did not originate with man, but with God. Although the Bible was written by people, what they wrote is what God wanted them to write. Scripture came to us from God Himself, and because it originated with God, it is completely trustworthy, and we can believe in it for our salvation.

Paul wrote in a letter to Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

Because the Bible is God’s Word, we can read it, believe it, and live it every day!

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your Word. May we read it daily, and look to it for guidance, salvation, discipline and direction. May Your Word come to life in our lives and give us nourishment and strength each day: in Your name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Some individuals teach and preach a “Dalmatian Theology.” They believe that the Word of God is only inspired in certain “spots.”

How dangerous. If we pick and choose what we like and pick and choose what we do not like, it is not God’s Word that we believe, but what we want to believe about God’s Word.

Paul wrote that “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.”

To pick and choose what we think is right or wrong in the Bible would leave gaps in the Gospel and steps in salvation. I would be living on my terms and not God’s terms. While this may be comfortable and convenient, it is not God honoring or Christ exalting. It would not lead me into
God’s likeness, but into my selfishness. It would be doing what I want to do, not what God expects me to do.

Prayer: Father, living on my terms comes naturally. I would much rather conform to my selfish standards than the demands of Scripture. Help me to surrender my life completely to You and Your Word, that I may glorify You in all that I do. In Your Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:16,17

Two prisoners in a county jail asked the sheriff for a Bible. “Maybe,” thought the sheriff, “it will help them.”

It did–to escape! Using the Bible’s pliable cover, they jimmied the lock, and walked out of jail. But they were captured the next day.

“Well,” said sheriff McKelvey, “the Bible is the key of all keys.” It’s the key to the best way of living, the noblest way of suffering, and the most comfortable way of dying.

As you use it you’ll find it to be a preservative from evil, a plan for direction, and the power for conflict.

Carrying it won’t take the place of using it. So study it through, pray it in, work it out and pass it on.

Prayer: Mold us, heavenly Father, after Thy Word and not the world. Grant that we may be more sensitive to Thy Spirit and more responsive to Thy voice calling us to be like Thy Son: through Christ. Amen.

Eight-year-old Luke was more interested in rummaging than reading and writing.

Searching under the steps of a mobile classroom, he found a bag filled with gems, gold and jewelry worth $75,000.

Luke returned the stolen merchandise and was given a generous reward.

But the Psalmist found something of far greater value. Not gems, but God’s word.

He testified, “God’s laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light. God’s laws are pure, eternal, just. They are more desirable than gold. They warn us away from harm and give success to those who obey them.”

Have you discovered the Bible?

Prayer: Help us, Father, to translate the Bible into our daily lives. Give us a vital and visible faith so that by lip and by life we will draw our loved ones to Thee. Make us wholly Thine that our homes might be heavenly: through Christ. Amen.