2005-02-04 - The B-i-b-l-e

Foundations, Part 3

I'm a voracious reader. My idea of an ideal vacation is my family, nature and a little caseful of books and magazines. I enjoy realistic, high-quality literature (not trashy pulp fiction). God has used many authors - in both secular and "Christian" literature, to teach us and provide us enjoyment. He gifts some authors to the point that you don't want to put their books down. I consider good books to be one of God's best gifts to us (along with music).

But there is one book that we need to read every day. It's been called God's love letter to us, because throughout the quilt that is the Bible, is woven the continuous thread of God's love for us, as evidenced by the sacrifice of Christ. I work in the Criminal Justice system, so I'm not easily shocked. But the fact that 1/3 of Christians don't even read the Bible in a given WEEK - that astounds me. We need to soak in the word of God every single day.

The Bible is to be our ultimate authority. It is our authoritative theology textbook, our moral compass as we sojourn through life.

2 Timothy 3:17-18 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

And the Bible has everything a blockbuster-loving generation could want - from action / adventure (see Jonah or the history books), romance (See Jacob), to dysfunctional families worthy of "Dallas." (See Joseph).

I may be showing my age when I say this, but I remember the little Bible School song "The B-i-b-l-e, that's the book for me" etc. (PS if anyone knows the rest of the lyrics, I would love to have them.) And it IS for you and for me. God gave it to us -ensured that it was preserved for thousands of years - for a reason. Reading the Bible should be as much a part of our daily lives, as brushing our teeth. Every day should be bathed in prayer and God's word. When we have a decision to make, or are reacting to someone's words or actions, we should automatically pull up God's word from our mental database.

Psalm 119:97 Oh how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

I challenge you to pick a book that appeals to you, dig in and study God's word. In some countries, you could be jailed or even killed for reading God's word. Relish the fact you can do it freely. Take advantage of that glorious freedom.

Comments or Questions?
Jan

Rijan@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org