Reading It Yourself

Where in the Bible will you find the following words?

“God helps those who help themselves."
“God works in mysterious ways.”

“Honesty is the best policy.”

“This too shall pass.”

“Hate the sin, love the sinner.”

“Money is the root of all evil.”

“Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop”

“Beggars should not be choosers.”

We’ve heard many of these time and time again.  We quote them (as God’s words) to others when they ask.  Some have them hanging in their homes or scribbled down in the margin of a notebook.  We know we’ve seen them before... but where can we find them in scripture?

Nowhere.  They aren’t quotes directly from the Bible.  

But many believe they are.

Why do so many not know what’s actually in the Bible?  The answer is simple. 

They don’t read it.  

In an article “People of The Book”, John Ortberg writes:  “It’s a strange thing: the book has never been so accessible. According to Guinness Book of Records, L. Ron Hubbard’s writings of scientology have been translated into 65 languages; the Koran is supposed to be read in Arabic so it hasn’t been translated as much; the Book of Mormon is in about 100 languages. But 2,656 languages have all or some of the Bible. Some 65 million copies of the Bible are brought or distributed in the U.S. every year--nothing else is a close second. The average house has at least three. People cheer the Bible, buy the Bible, give the Bible, own the Bible-they just don’t actually read the Bible. According to George Gallup: One Third of those surveyed know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Fewer than half can name the first book of the Bible; 80 percent of born-again Christians believe the phrase God helps those who help themselves is in the Bible (it’s Ben Franklin, if you’re curious). So I’m thinking a lot these days about how to help the people that God brings my way to know and love the book" 

I want to issue a challenge.  Be different.  Read the scriptures... Don’t let this devotional be your only touch with God for the day.  Spend time with the Bible... it’s useful for so many things:

“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 corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

Find a translation that you understand... Memorize key verses... keep God’s word in your heart... and live out what they ask you to do.  Many ask me what they should read... I always encourage starting with the books of John, Romans, Acts, and James.  Move through the Psalms and Proverbs too.  Don’t worry about covering ground and “getting through” them.  Read until God reveals something to you and then stop.  Write the verse down.  Meditate on it.  Let God explain to you what it means and how it applies.  Far too many try to stick to a reading regimen and get frustrated when they get behind.  If you miss a day, simply get back to it as quickly as you can.  Not only will you grow spiritually,  you will have God’s word in your heart to help you handle life’s issues.  

Truth

It’s half way through the week … I thought you might want to be reminded...

God is there -- “I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.” (Heb. 13:5)

God will protect you -- [to Abram] "I will protect you, and your reward will be great." (Gen. 15:1)

God walks with you -- "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God." (Isa. 41:10)

God is there to help -- "I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." (Isa. 41:10)

God knows the way -- "After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice." (John 10:4) 

God has a purpose for your life -- "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jer. 29:11) 

God provides rest -- "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) 

God forgives -- "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9) 

God gives grace to the undeserving -- "For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory.  The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right." (Psalm 84:11) 

God is faithful -- "The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people." (1 Sam. 12:22) 

God’s ways are the right ways -- "He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way." (Psalm 25:9)

God’s has a plan -- "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Rom. 8:28) *

When the world is whispering to you... to give up... to quit... 

When they say that you don’t have enough talent.

That you aren’t beautiful.

That you’ll never rise above it.

When they say that winning is an impossibility...

If you ever hear any word that makes you feel like less than the masterpiece that God created you to be.  

Never forget... if you are a Christ-follower... you have God.

And He is enough.

His promises are true.  

His character is consistent. 

His grace and mercy are renewed each day.

He created you with a purpose.  You may have stumbled.  You may have faced setbacks... to the point where you even wonder where He is.  He hasn’t left your side and He still hears your prayers and counts your tears.  

Life can be hard

God is good.

You are loved.

Lived Out

Do you remember the “Peanuts” cartoon strip?   One of the recurring scenes had a determined Charlie Brown trying to kick a football held by Lucy.  Time after time he’d run at the ball... and at the very last minute Lucy would snatch it away and Charlie would go flying past.  Lucy would apologize and Charlie would accept... draw back.. and run at the ball again only to find the same outcome.  

Flat on his back.  No football.  Only air.  

Why did Charlie Brown stay at it so long?  Why repeat the same behavior again and again with the same outcome?  He knew it was never going to change if he kept on doing it the same way... why didn’t he adjust?  Why didn’t he change his ways?  Why didn’t he do something to make things different?  Young Mr. Brown forgot a simple truth that so many of us do...

It’s one thing to know something’s not working... it a whole other thing to actually do something about it and make a change.   Knowing isn’t enough.  

The Bible addresses this.  Let’s look at what James says about this in Chapter 1 and verses 22-25.

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:22-25)

We read so much in scripture that guides us toward our God-potential...

Love God first

Love your neighbors

Control your anger

Give to those that need

Don’t worry

Trust when you don’t see it

Serve others with your talents...

We know what we need to do... but is it happening?  Are we living it out?  

The Bible is a life-changing book.  But knowing what the Bible says is only half of what’s necessary.   We’ve got to apply it.  Ever feel like Charlie Brown?  Ever wonder why things aren’t changing?  Why the scenario isn’t playing out like you hoped it would?   

In many cases it’s simply a matter of living out what we read... adjusting our lives to God’s plan rather than asking Him to approve our own.   

We can quote scripture... have highlighted key passages in our Bibles... take pages of notes during the weekend teaching... but if we fail to apply it, make some changes, and actually live out God’s word... we find ourselves flat on our back.   Again.  

The Bible’s not just informative... it’s transformative.   It gives us hope, strength, the power to endure, wisdom, creativity, changes our perspective, teaches us right and wrong, and is the textbook on how to love God and others.  

In printed form it’s powerful.  When it’s lived out by those that read it... it’s world changing.   

It’s time to stop seeing the Bible as an ancient book of advice meant for others to follow.  It’s God’s love letter to us... His directions... His plan for success... His reminder that we are His masterpiece and He wants what’s best for our lives.  It is as relevant today as it has ever been.

 God has huge blessings for those that are committed enough to read, internalize, and actually do what He tells them to.  Are you ready to change the world?   We have God’s plan... let’s make the adjustments... live out every word... and go for it!   

Healthy Living

It has been said, “Being well is more than eliminating the negative. Rather, it requires the addition of the positive.” 

When I read that statement I thought of our walk with God. Many times we are tempted to read the Bible as a book of “don’t”s. I need to stop doing this... quit that... get rid of this habit or that behavior. And while there are many things God asks us not to include in our lives... only subtracting the bad leads to a life that is one-sided and lacking. Scripture tells us that alongside the “no”s, we have to have some God-honoring “yesses”. Colossians 3:10 says to “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.” Want to grow more like Christ? Be more spiritually healthy? Get rid of what is holding you back.. and in turn.. fill your heart with things like love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and patience. Out with what’s bad and in with what’s good. And before long both mind and heart will be healthier (and more Godly) than ever.