Nothin' But Good

Matthew Henry wrote, The scriptures, or writings of the several inspired penmen, from Moses down to St. John, in which divine light, like that of the morning, shone gradually (the sacred canon being now completed), are all put together in this blessed Bible, which, thanks be to God, we have in our hands, and they make as perfect a day as we are to expect on this side of heaven. Every part was good, but all together very good.

You want my opinion? It is the best book ever written.

One of the men that wrote the book of Psalms said, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. By studying this book you find direction for your life. You will also find the ability to overcome sin through it. How shall a young man cleanse his ways? By taking heed according to Thy word. Christian Johnson said, A Bible that's falling apart probably belongs to someone who isn't.

And it is relevant for you today for it speaks to you today. Hebrews tells us that… the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. AW Tozer said, A new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is… a book which is now speaking.

It is a book about people and for people. J. Vernon McGee said, It is a very human Book, written by men from all walks of life, prince and pauper, the highly intellectual and the very simple. At the same time it is a book about God and how to know God. McGee further said, It is a God-Book. In the Bible God says twenty-five hundred times, "God said . . . the Lord has said . . . thus saith the Lord," and so on. God has made it very clear that He is speaking through this Book.

When  you read the Bible, you are doing way more than just passing the time. You are finding direction, working through struggles, experiencing a life changing encounter with God.

The Bible. It aint nothin’ but good.

If this has been helpful for you, please post a link on your Facebook for you friends to read.

A Few Q’s for You

What is your favorite book of the Bible?

What is you favorite verse of the Bible?

How has God used the Bible to change your life?

Write you answers in a comment. If it is too personal, then keep it anonymous.

Don't Worry

Saint Francis of Sales had a great understanding in trusting God with his future. He said, “Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father; who cares for you today, will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it.”

This thought was not original to Saint Francis; fact is, he learned it from Jesus.

I say to you, do not worry about your life… Matthew 6:25

Jesus gave us this simple little guide for our life- Don’t worry. Yes, there are many things that can call to us saying that all is not well, that we may not make it. Perhaps it could be financial. There just seems to be more bills than ink in the pen. Our worry may be relational. Does he or she really care about me? And the list may go on and on from titanic proportions to the trivial. But they call all the same, making us worry.

But there is that still small voice calling through the centuries to us today- “Don’t worry.”

But why? Why would Jesus give us this guide? Is it because He was an idealist? Was he a motivational guru? Was He simple minded? Or was there something more?

The answer is plain. There was more to it than just having a good attitude. There was a great reality that God would and will take care of His own. When you read the verses that follow Matthew 6:25, you find that Jesus goes into detail on how God provides for the birds of the air. He even points to the common flowers and declares that God takes care of them as well. Then He points out the obvious,

Are you not of more value than they? …will He not much more cloth you…? Therefore do not worry… Matthew 6:26-31

And there is the reason we can be free of worry. Not because I am great and can take care of myself; not because I have friends in high places; not because of anything other than the great fact of God’s unending care for us. Put you trust in Him today and don’t worry.

A Couple Q's for You

What kind of things make you worry?

How has God helped you in the past?

What is something that is hard today that God is helping you get though it?

Write your answers in a “comment”. Keep it anonymous if it is too personal. I’ll pray for you.

Making You Glorious

That He might sanctify and cleanse (the church) with the washing of the water of the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 6:26&27

When I was single and without thought of impressing the gentler gender, I never gave thought about how I looked, other than the desire to look “cool”. Looking cool could mean a scruffy face, wrinkled and faded cloths, and the like. I had many peculiar ways of dressing, you can be sure.

My wife likes to tell stories of the clothing I would wear when venturing into public. One outfit in particular was a pair of yellow jeans and a yellow shirt. She said I looked like a big banana walking down the road.

After meeting Jennifer, I had to go through a “reprogram”. Through her kind words, I learned the fine details of how not to look like an assortment of tropical fruit, or a jr. high school fashion statement. She introduced me to an iron. And, though I am still in training, I have come a long way, Baby.

In a similar way our Lord uses His word to “reprogram” our way of thinking. With His Word, the Bible, He cleanses us by washing out the old way of thought and giving us a new way of thinking. He has a goal in mind that is far beyond just having a clean “church”. He desires to present us as “glorious”.

Did you know that when you are reading the Bible, God does a cleansing work in your life? Did you know that He is setting you apart for Himself? Did you know that he is making you holy? You see, God helping you to be glorious!

How can God’s word have that kind of effect upon you? Because His word is not dead.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the divisions of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12


A Couple Q's for You
Have you ever needed to go through a "reprogram"? If so, How?

In what way do you need to get a "reprogram" now?

Do you ever struggle knowing that God is not done with you yet?

Lighting the Path

Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

All of us have had the experience of trying to navigate through a room with no light whatsoever. Perhaps the electricity went out, or it is the middle of the night and you don’t want to wake your spouse or, worse yet, your parents. So there you go across the room in total darkness – your hands extended just in front of you, your back is a bit arched, your eyes are wide open, you shuffle your feet a half step at a time…

I know of a man who was doing that very thing in the middle of the night. He needed a drink of water, but he didn’t want to wake his wife. So he slipped out of bed, and, knowing the lay of their bedroom very well, he strode across the room with his arms extended in front of himself, walking confidently to where he knew the doorway was. What he didn’t see was that the door was only half opened. As he walked towards the doorway the half-opened door went right between his two extended arms… He flattened his nose.

It is at times like that in which I wish I had a small flash light to light the way. At times I have actually gone so far as to use my Timex Indiglo watch to help me see my way.

God’s word is just like that. According to the author of this Psalm, God’s word can be as a light for us as we walk through the darkness of this life. The Hebrew word for lamp does not give the impression that God’s word is a flood light, but rather a small hand held lantern with enough light to light our immediate next few steps on the path. God loves to give us direction for our life through His word. Not directions for the whole of our lives, but directions of what to do next.

If you have issues you are seeking answers for, then go to His word. Spend time searching the scriptures for answers. God desires to speak to you through His word.

Happy walking.

A Few Q's for You
Do you ever feel like you are in the dark?

What issue are you dealing with right now that could use a little "light"?

Write your answers in a “comment”. Keep it anonymous if it is too personal. I’ll pray for you.