Category Archives: God’s Word: The Bible

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February 4, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Word: The Bible, Love & Works

Be an Example

Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. [1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)]

One of my Bible translations is called The Living Bible. The real living Bibles, however, are you and I. After all, we may be the only Bible some people ever read! When we’re opened up, what do they see? How does our faith translate in our daily actions? Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we always live in such a way that people will be able to see Christ within us.

Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words. [St. Francis of Assisi]

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January 23, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Word: The Bible

How Fit Are You?

You will be made strong by the words of the faith and the good teaching which you have been following. … Training your body helps you in some ways, but serving God helps you in every way by bringing you blessings in this life and in the future life, too. [1 Timothy 4:6b,8 (NCV)]

A few weeks ago, we probably made some resolutions about our health. We listened to the fitness gurus, so we’re working out in the gym to get physically fit. We followed the advice of the neuroscientists, so we’re doing brain games like Sudoku and crosswords to get mentally fit. What are we doing to get spiritually fit? We all want healthy minds and bodies but tend to neglect the health of our soul. Let’s never forget that our minds and bodies are temporary; it is the fitness of the soul that matters in the end!

Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. [1 Timothy 4:6b-8 (MSG)]

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December 9, 2013

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God's Word: The Bible, Wisdom & Guidance

Teach Me

For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. [Proverbs 2:6-8 (NLT)]

There is so much I don’t know and so little that I truly understand. Teach me, Lord, please teach me.

 

 

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November 9, 2013

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God's Word: The Bible, Wisdom & Guidance

Blueprint for Life

2013-11-9These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on. If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss. [Luke 6:47-49 (MSG)]

God’s words are not mere suggestions; they are orders. They are the blueprints for our existence. If the carpenter changes the blueprint without the architect’s permission, the integrity of the structure is in jeopardy. It’s not just our integrity but our souls that are in jeopardy when we don’t follow God’s plan. God’s words are the foundation on which we must build our lives.

Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. [Proverbs 4:13 (NLT)]

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said – to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
[Attributed to John Keith, 1787]

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November 3, 2013

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God's Word: The Bible, Wisdom & Guidance

In Six Words or Less

But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language. [1 Corinthians 14:19 (NLT)]

Sometimes expressing our faith can be difficult and we get tied in knots trying to figure out, let alone explain, theological concepts like original sin, predestination and free will, the Holy Trinity, Judgment Day, grace or the Book of Revelation. I recently read of a professor who had his students write about difficult subjects by boiling them down to no more than six words. Perhaps we could try to do the same thing when putting our faith into words. It may help us focus on the essence of God’s message.

“God created. Man sinned. Jesus saves.”

“Jesus died so I can live.”

“The Holy Spirit lives in me.”

“God’s grace is love undeserved.”

A truly wise person uses few words. [Proverbs 17:27a (NLT)]