GOD’S WORD
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction inn righteousness.
2 Tim. 3:16 (NKJV)
Here in the South, we like our tea sweet, and there are many sugar substitutes we can use. However, when it comes to God’s Word – the Bible – there is no substitute. The Bible is the only work that is inspired by God or “God breathed”. Writers, like me, can be led by God, but our work is not inspired by Him.
Scripture contains all the doctrine or instruction that Christians need for life and godliness. Reproof refers to Scriptures rebuke of wrong beliefs and conduct. Scripture also corrects those wrong areas of our lives, and IT instructs us in how we should believe, think and act. Basically, it is our go-to book for everything in life.
The Bible tells us to be honest in business. It tells us to honor our parents. It is God’s love letter to us, and it is full of His promises and comfort. However, we cannot know what God is speaking through the pages of Scripture if we do not spend time there. Like the Bereans, we need to “search the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11).
We are blessed in the U.S. because we can own a Bible. In certain countries, a Bible means death. A North Korean woman was given a Bible by some missionaries several years ago. She told them that she had been holding on to one page of a Bible for 60 years. She was sharing that page with others. Can you imagine if you only had one page of Scripture?
Most of us have several Bibles, and they are available online and in apps. Let’s appreciate God’s blessed Word, Carve out a specific time for God, and begin reading today.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the Bible and the freedom we have to own it. Please keep Christians safe in countries where they risk their lives for being believers. Help us find the right Bible study, and guard the time we set to do it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Psalm 19:7-11. What do these verses tell us about God’s Word?
HIKING THE TRAIL
Daily Bible reading is vital. Devotions and other Christian books are good, but they cannot be a substitute for Bible study. Below are a few ideas about Bible study:
• Online Bible studies
• Pick a topic (i.e. Prayer, fasting…) using a concordance to look up the passages on it.
• Read through the Bible in a year, but spend time digging into specific areas. Otherwise, you may overlook something. Quality is better than Quantity.
• This is usually my method. Pick a NT book of the Bible, and divide it into sections (2-5 chapters) each month. I read the same section every day for 30 days. You would be amazed at what pops out at you on day 28. This helps you remember where these verses are located in the future.
• Use a study Bible or a commentary to expand on Scripture.
Copyright 2014 Carolyn Dale Newell.
A Mountain of Faith 