Category Archives: God’s Word: The Bible

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September 8, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Word: The Bible, Wisdom & Guidance

THE BOOK OF LOVE

At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.” [Matthew 11:25 (NLT)]

“Who, who-oo-oh, who wrote the book of love?” we all sang while listening to the oldie station on the car radio. Then a small voice from the back seat piped up, “I know who wrote the Book of Love: Jesus!” I’m pretty sure The Monotones didn’t have this interpretation in mind when they sang the song back in 1958, but there was wisdom and understanding in the child’s simple statement. We all probably have the Book of Love sitting on our book shelves, although we call it the Bible. Best of all, we all know its author! Now, whenever I hear this song (and since my husband loves old rock ‘n’ roll, I hear it often), it has become a song of praise and thanksgiving for me. Why not pick up the Book of Love and read a bit today!

The Book of Love
[Warren Davis, George Malone and Charles Patrick]

I wonder, wonder who, who-oo-ooh, who
Who wrote the Book Of Love
Tell me, tell me, tell me
Oh, who wrote the Book Of Love
I’ve got to know the answer
Was it someone from above
(Oh, I wonder, wonder who, mmbadoo-ooh, who)
(Who wrote the Book Of Love)

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)]

 

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August 17, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Forgiveness, God's Word: The Bible, Peace of God

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU NEED?

Be like newborn babies, always thirsty for the pure spiritual milk, so that by drinking it you may grow up and be saved. [1 Peter 2:2 (GNT)]

If a baby is fussy or crying, my theory is that he is either hungry, tired or needs changing because he is soiled. That theory hold true of adults as well. When we find ourselves anxious or sad, we have a spiritual hunger. We need to feast on His word and drink in His spirit. When we’re short-tempered or tense, it’s time to rest in the peace of His presence and feel His love. When we’re irritable or oversensitive, there is usually something troubling our conscience: something that needs confessing and forgiving. Forgiveness (like a fresh diaper) gives us a clean start!

When you find yourself drained, replenish yourself with His word; when you’re weary, rest in His presence; and when you’re guilt-ridden, confess and be washed by His hand.

Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. [Matthew 11:28 (GNT)]

So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water. [Hebrews 10:22 (GNT)]

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August 2, 2014

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God's Word: The Bible, Love & Works, Obedience

WHOSE LAW IS IT?

Then he asked them, “Is it right to do good or to do evil on the day of worship, to give a person back his health or to let him die?” But they were silent. [Mark 3:4 (GW)]

“You’ll go to Hell if you do that,” was the judgmental pronouncement given to my friend because she would be the witness at her son’s wedding to an atheist. Whose law was that, God’s or man’s?

In Exodus 20, God commanded that the seventh day was supposed to be a day of worship and rest. By the time of Jesus, however, the religious leaders had made many additions to that law with complicated designations of what was considered “work” and what was “rest”. Except in an emergency, healing was considered “work” and unlawful on the Sabbath. Of course, there were more explanations of what defined an “emergency”.

Although Jesus knew the law, he healed on the Sabbath at least seven times. Which honored God more: giving sight to a blind man or ignoring his need? Which brought someone closer to God: healing a lame man or walking away from him?

Those two questions can continue to guide our behavior today. Which honors God more: being loving or judgmental? Which might bring someone closer to God: seeing His love in an accepting mother-in law or starting a marriage with discord, strife and disapproval? Demonstrating God’s love and grace is the best witnessing we can ever do. Jesus gave us the only two commandments we really need: love God and love our neighbor. They should always be our guide in every action; if we follow these two mandates, we can’t go wrong!

Jesus answered him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’” [Matthew 22:37-39 (GW)]

 

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July 3, 2014

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God's Plan, God's Word: The Bible, Sharing Our Faith

WHAT’S YOUR MISSION?

But I don’t place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I’m running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus—the mission of testifying to the Good News of God’s kindness. [Acts 20:24 (GW)]

“Mission: Impossible” was a television series that aired in the late 60s and early 70s. In the opening segment, we’d hear a recorded voice saying, “Good morning, Mr. Phelps. Your mission, Jim, should you choose to accept it is…” The assignment followed and then the voice said, “This tape will self-destruct in five seconds.” Mr. Phelps always accepted the assignment and, typical of television, the IMF team was always successful.

Jesus, John the Baptist, Paul, Timothy and the rest of the apostles all had missions: to seek God’s will and follow it. Like the IMF team, they had to travel and endure hardship and danger. For many, accepting their assignment meant suffering and death. Yet, they willing accepted it.

God didn’t stop assigning tasks to His people 2,000 years ago. In fact, God’s voice, unlike the recording heard by Mr. Phelps, hasn’t self-destructed. It remains in black and white in our Bibles. God has something great planned for us. Will we accept His assignment?

…We sent our brother Timothy to you. He serves God by spreading the Good News about Christ. His mission was to strengthen and encourage you in your faith [1 Thessalonians 3:2 (GW)]

 

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June 7, 2014

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God's Word: The Bible, Obedience, Salvation: A New You

LET’S NOT BLOW IT!

Teach me, O Lord, how to live by your laws, and I will obey them to the end. [Psalm 119:33 (GW)]

Just because I knew the rules at my boarding school doesn’t necessarily mean I obeyed them. After all, I was a rebellious teen in the 60s. Smoking was strictly forbidden and immediate expulsion was the punishment for that offense. In spite of knowing that, I’d stashed some cigarettes in my luggage when I returned to school one September. A friend and I snuck off to enjoy some furtive puffs and we narrowly escaped being caught. As we anxiously hid in a closet, all I could think of was the shame of being sent home before classes had even begun. Worse than my shame, however, would be my father’s disappointment in me. He’d made a financial sacrifice so I could attend this special school and, for a moment of rebellion, I nearly blew an amazing opportunity! Fortunately, we managed to escape detection. Once safe, I tossed the cigarettes and, from then on, was a model student (at least most of the time).

As an adult, I now think about the sacrifice our Father in Heaven made for our salvation. He gave His only Son to pay for our sins; that’s a heavy price to pay for his rebellious children. Think of His disappointment if we squander this gift. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity; I’m not about to blow it. How about you?

God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. [John 3:16-17 (GW]

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June 6, 2014

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God's Word: The Bible, Obedience

THE RIGHT WAY TO LIVE

The Lord’s laws are right. They make people happy. The Lord’s commands are good. They show the right way to live. [Psalm 19:8 (ERV)]

In my high school years, I attended a private boarding school. Co-ed and highly competitive, there were strict guidelines for student behavior. Knowing the school’s set of rules, however, actually made my life easier. A clear-cut code of conduct meant I always knew what was acceptable and what wasn’t and I understood the consequences of misconduct. Guesswork was taken out of my life; I always knew where I was expected to be, when I was to be there and what was required of me. I understood that excuses for failure to follow the rules or complete my assignments would not be tolerated. I knew that I was responsible for my behavior.

Like a school rulebook, God’s laws make our life simpler. He has given us a clear set of rules by which we should live our lives: worship only Him; when troubled, pray; when hurt, forgive; when there is a need, help; when in doubt, trust in God; offer praise and thanksgiving and above all, love.

Thank you, Lord, for the guidelines you’ve given us to get through each day.

Your rules are always right. Help me understand them so that I can live. [Psalm 133:144 (ERV)]