Don't just bring it - read it

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

It’s easy to bring a Bible to school or work. But we should also use this event to challenge ourselves personally about whether we are making a daily habit of studying God’s Word. Many students and families have very busy schedules. But are we making time for the Bible between all our activities?  Here is an email that’s been making the rounds and cuts to the core of the issue:

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?

What if we gave it to friends as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go….hmm…where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don’t have to worry about our Bible being

disconnected, because Jesus already paid the bill. Makes you stop and think, “Where are my priorities?”.

Have there been times when you’ve panicked over your missing cell phone? By comparison, do we have the same reaction when we lose our Bible? What do you think is meant by the statement, “we don’t have to worry about our Bible being disconnected, because Jesus already paid the bill”?

Dear Lord, we pray that we would make our Bible important in our life. Help us always take the time to study it and apply it to our life. In the Name Jesus, Amen.

Creating Change

James 1:5 (ESV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

The best day to start creating the life you want is today!

So how do you get there? How do you move from where you are to where you want to go? These two steps are a great place to start:

1. Seek God’s advice about your situation.

In addition to reading God’s Word, you can pray for mentors, knowledge, and divine strategy on how to live your best life. Matthew 7:7 (NIV) says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Sometimes getting the answers we’re looking for simply starts with asking the questions!

2. Implement daily practical steps.

If you keep doing what you did yesterday, you’re going to keep getting yesterday’s results. Seize the moment and commit to the changes you need to make to thrive! It takes time and effort, but you’ll thank yourself three months from now.

Dear Lord, help us to create the life that You have for each of us. Help us to not live in the past put look to the future You have for us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Bible our compass

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

Your word is a lamp to my feet

    and a light to my path.

During World War II, small compasses saved the lives of 27 sailors 300 miles off the coast of North Carolina. Waldemar Semenov, a retired merchant seaman, was serving as a junior engineer aboard the SS Alcoa Guide when a German submarine surfaced and opened fire on the ship. The ship was hit, caught fire, and began to sink. Semenov and his crew lowered compass-equipped lifeboats into the water and used the compasses to guide them toward the shipping lanes closer to shore. After three days, the men were rescued.

The psalmist reminded God’s people that His Word was a trustworthy “compass.” He likened it to a lamp. In that day, the flickering light cast by an olive oil lamp was only bright enough to show a traveler his next step. To the psalmist, God’s Word was such a lamp, providing enough light to illuminate the path for those pursuing God. When the psalmist was wandering in the dark on a chaotic path of life, he believed that God, through the guidance of His Word, would provide direction.

When we lose our bearings in life, we can trust our God who gives His trustworthy Word as our compass, using it to lead us into deeper fellowship with Him.

Dear Lord, it is difficult to navigate life. At times we drift, but we will trust in You. Lead us and guide us by the faithfulness and reliability of Your Word. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Time for an upgrade

Psalm 1:2 (ESV)

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Have you ever had to upgrade an operating system or app on your iPod or maybe your phone? When you are asked to upgrade, it’s usually because there have been changes made to the phone or iPod to make it better. Often new features have been added or a bug has been fixed on the app. Upgrading your phone or iPod is an important thing to do to make it work better and for you to enjoy it more.

Just like it’s important to upgrade your phone or iPod, it’s important to upgrade your time spent hanging out with God. It’s easy sometimes to not know where to begin when spending time reading your Bible or praying. Or maybe you already spend time with God, but you’d just like to upgrade what you’re already doing.

Here are our tips for upgrading your quiet time with God.

Just do it. Some times when you read the Bible, it will feel like God is really speaking to you and you’ll have goosebumps and get really excited. Other times your time with God will feel dull and you’d rather be talking to others on Facebook. The key here is not to worry about whether your quiet time with God feels inspired or not. What’s important is that you make a habit out of getting to know God and talking to Him. Just set aside some time each day to spend with God. As you make it a habit, you’ll find that you really get more out of your quiet times.

Read books other than the Bible. Sometimes picking up a book about Jesus or a Bible topic that interests you is a great way to upgrade your quiet time. There are lots of devotional books out there. Find one that looks interesting to you and start reading. You can learn a lot about God and upgrade your quiet time by reading a book geared to a topic that interests you.

Use a commentary. The word commentary might sound like a foreign word to you, but finding a good commentary will help you upgrade your devotion time with God. Commentaries will help you understand the verses you’re reading in the Bible better and help you see things you might have missed. There are several apps for your phone or iPod that come with commentaries, or you can try to find one online.

These are just a few tips to help you upgrade your time with God. Spending time with God is one of the best things you can do. Start today making your time with God a priority in your life and you’ll come to know God in a fresh and new way!

Dear Lord, help us to upgrade our quite time with You. Give us the drive to keep going even when it seems like we aren’t learning anything. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Bible is full of hidden treasures

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I went to the Goodwill the other day and bought a pair of long walking pants.

As I tried them on I noticed that there was this cool hidden pocket in the pants. I thought this hidden pocket would be a great place to hide my keys while I walk in the cool weather.

These pants reminded me of reading the Bible and how there are sometimes really cool hidden truths in God’s word for our lives. As we take a closer look at Gods word and get involved in reading the Bible we can find truths to help us everyday.

Today I encourage you to take a deeper look at Gods word as you read it. Don’t just take a surface glance but dig into it. You’ll find awesome truths that can change your life!

Dear Lord, we pray that our eyes would be open to the hidden truths that are in Your Word. Help us be diligent as we study Your Word. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Brushing your teeth and God's Word.

Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Brushing your teeth isn’t usually the highlight of your day, in fact, you might even sometime not want to brush them in order to get out the door earlier in the morning or to get to bed quicker at night. Even though brushing your teeth can feel like a chore sometimes, teeth brushing can teach us about reading the Bible. And hopefully, make reading the Bible seem a little less boring.

Brushing should be a habit. Imagine if you only brushed your teeth once and never touched your toothbrush again. My guess is that you’d have some pretty gross teeth and stinky breath. Well, just like you shouldn’t brush your teeth only once, you shouldn’t read your Bible only once. The Bible is a book that you need to get into. You’re not going to get it all by reading it once.

Brushing keeps you fresh. Your breath gets just plain nasty if you don’t brush your teeth. That’s a lot like reading the Bible. Reading the Bible helps to keep us fresh. The Bible is filled with instruction, wisdom and guidance to keep us going strong through life. Getting into the Bible is a great way to encourage yourself and stay fresh in your walk with God.

Brushing makes you feel better. Don’t you love that awesome clean feeling that you get after you brush your teeth? The same feeling is available to us when we read the Bible. The Bible will encourage us and make us feel better. Whether you’re going through a problem, need some healing, or just plain want to be encouraged, reading the Bible is your answer.

The Bible is a powerful book. It has the power to change the way you look at life and the way you feel. If you haven’t already, choose to make reading the Bible a habit. You’ll be glad you did.

Dear Lord, help us to make it a habit to read and studying Your Word. Thank You for all we can learn from studying the Bible. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The light of your path.

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

Your word is a lamp to my feet

    and a light to my path.

Many times people say the Bible isn’t relevant and doesn’t help us make decisions in today’s world. However, if you simply read it with an open heart, you’ll be surprised to find that it’s very relevant.

When you read God’s word you get the chance to learn things that help you with your everyday life. Whether you need advice on dealing with others or some wisdom for your finances God’s Word has what you need.

God’s Word (the Bible) is ready and available to give you light to the decisions you need to make. God cares about the path you’re on. He has wisdom for you today. Read God’s Word today and let it speak truth to you and light your path.

Dear Lord, help us to stay in Your Word so that we will know the path that You have for us to follow. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

What we are called from and called to

2 Thessalonians 2:14 (ESV)

To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As Christians God has called each of us to live a life in a manner that pleases Him and brings honor to Him.  Here are some things we have been called from and called to.

I. Called from labor to rest (Matt. 11:28)

II. Called from death to life (1 John 3:14)

III. Called from bondage to liberty (Gal 5:13)

IV. Called out of darkness into light (1 Pet. 2:9)

V. Called from bondage to peace (1 Cor. 7:15

VI. Called to the fellowship of His Son (1 Cor. 1:9)

Dear Lord, we thank You for Your Word and the guidelines that it give to each of us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The price for God's Word.

Amos 8:11-12  (ESV)

11 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God,

    “when I will send a famine on the land—

not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,

    but of hearing the words of the Lord.

12 They shall wander from sea to sea,

    and from north to east;

they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord,

    but they shall not find it.

Today I want to think about a time when a heavy price was paid for a translation of our Bible.

William Tyndale, a 16th century Englishman, translated the Bible into English while living in Germany. Finally, in 1525, he was able to publish a New Testament in English. But the church authorities at the time were not pleased and they angrily sought to destroy Tyndale and his translation. Finally, he was caught and brought back to England where he was burned at the stake.

As he was dying, he uttered these words: "Lord open the eyes of the King of England." His prayer became a prophecy, as it was the King of England, King James, who finally did publish the entire Bible in English about a hundred years later.

Our English Bible translations became a reality through William Tyndale's heroic sacrifice and bravery, ultimately at the price of his lifeblood. This Independence day, don't let your Bible sit on the shelf gathering dust. Considering the cost that was paid so you could read it in your native tongue, let's all take full advantage of this precious gift.

The freedom that we so enjoy on this day is only a taste of the real freedom we have in Messiah; the promise of eternal forgiveness and freedom from sin. The cost of that freedom was the precious blood of the savior Jesus. William Tyndale offered his life so we could read about this spiritual freedom in our own language. As we celebrate our earthly freedoms let's not forget to also give thanks for our eternal liberty that we find in our Lord.

Dear Lord, we thank You for Your word and the availability of it so we can read it and learn what You have for each of us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

An ax... and two 38's

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

An elderly woman returned to her home from an evening of Church services when she was startled by an intruder. She had caught a man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables. "Stop!" she yelled, "Acts 2:38!" (Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven).

The burglar stopped dead in his tracks and froze while the woman calmly called the police and explained the situation. As the officer was cuffing him, he asked the burglar, "Just out of curiosity, why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture at you." "Scripture?!" gasped the burglar. "She said she had an ax... and two 38's!!"

I hope it made you laugh, but on a serious note -- I think we often underestimate the power of the Word of God! We have the source so very close -- its right at our fingertips and should be right on our lips! Yet, we neglect to declare it over our circumstances, that we may see the victory!

Let's make it a point to start spending regular time in the Word, learning it and speaking it over our lives again and again! We need to be a walking testimony of His power and victory.

Dear Lord, help us to get in Your Word everyday so we can be ready for what the world throws at us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Don't take anyone's word but God's

Matthew 10:16 (ESV)

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Nature provides us with an illustration that closely parallels the insidious tactics employed by our adversary. According to scientists, Arctic polar bears feed almost entirely on seals. To enjoy such a meal, they sometimes resort to a cunning bit of trickery. If the hole through which the seal gets his food is near the edge of the ice, the polar bear will take a deep breath and swim under water to its exact location. Remaining below the surface, he will then make a tiny scratching sound, imitating a fish. When the charmed seal hears this, he dives in for a quick supper, only to find himself suddenly entrapped in the huge, hungry embrace of his predator.

God has sent us forth as sheep among the wolves. There are so many theories disguising themselves as Godly. We're hungry for that meal -- but we must be wise enough to make sure it's not a trap! Keep reading and studying the Word of God! Pray and ask Him to reveal His truth.

The enemy loves to tempt us with a 'treat' so he can devour us! Don't take anyone's word but God's!

Dear Lord thank You for Your word. Help us to have a hunger for it so that we may be prepared for all that comes before us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

What part of the Bible do you like best?

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

A candidate for church membership was asked, “What part of the Bible do you like best?” He said: “I like the New Testament best. Then he was asked, “What Book in the New Testament is your favorite?” He answered, the Book of the Parables, Sir.” Hmmm. Do you realize how many of us are guilty of such little knowledge of God's word?

The Lord has really been convicting my heart of how much we need to know the Bible in this day and age. The Lord has given it to us as a gift! That we might have wisdom and knowledge and understanding beyond our years!

Let's strive to study and learn His Word.

Dear Lord, help us to study Your word so we will know the things You would have for us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Are your roots deep?

Jeremiah 42:10-12 (ESV)

10 If you will remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down; I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I relent of the disaster that I did to you. 11 Do not fear the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid. Do not fear him, declares the Lord, for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand. 12 I will grant you mercy that he may have mercy on you and let you remain in your own land.

As we read Scripture sometimes it can hit us pretty hard.  I believe there are words for all of us here.

God has called each of us to something specific and He wants to plant us in a way that our roots can grow deep in Him and in that particular calling. He wants us to become solely dependent on His nourishment there, that we might grow to be strong, solid leaders with the capacity to serve and guide those around us who are in need where He's called us.

The Lord warns us about being double-minded. We're double-minded when become too busy to seek God's will for lives and the empowerment to fulfill it. We're double-minded when we allow our fear and anxiety to get in the way of us getting to and staying in that place to which He's called us.

Let's not run from the Lord. He has so many blessings for those who seek Him and follow after Him whole-heartedly. Let's give our all to Him today and strive to be single minded in His calling upon our lives!

Dear Lord, we thank You that You are always there to lead us and guide us. Help us be stead fast as we read Your word so that we may be the people You have for us to be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Harpoon or Bible?

Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Bishop Stringer and his companion were facing starvation that late October morning. They had been returning home from the Mackenzie region of the Yukon when they were overtaken by winter. Even though it was early in the season, the amount of snow that fell during that first storm was enough to make them lose their way in the mountains.

They didn't despair, however. Instead, they looked at their sealskin boots and wondered if they could be edible. The notes left in Stringer's diary are quite revealing: "Thursday, October 21: Breakfast of sealskin boot, soles and tops boiled and toasted. Soles better than uppers. Soup of small scraps and bacon…the last we had; hands sore; took a long time to pack up…"

Isaac Stringer, one of the first to arrive in the Yukon, was aghast at the influence the whalers were having on the native population. Whalers supplied the First Nations people with alcohol and then took their women as their "mistresses". The consequences were devastating: alcoholism and disease, both sexually transmitted as well as common ones that the Inuvialuit had no immunity to, abounded. Very early on, Isaac succeeded in securing an agreement with the whalers that closed down the alcohol trade with the Inuit. Eventually he provided church services and literacy classes for both the Inuit and the whalers.

His task was not an easy one, however. He often had to travel long distances in harsh conditions, and his eyes eventually contracted snowblindness, a condition that is quite agonizing and incapacitating.

And his story isn't unique. Another bishop in the Yukon by the name of Bombas decided to live like the natives. He slept on the floor rather than in a comfortable bed, he dressed poorly and he gave away all of his possessions and money. He was well-liked, and as a result, he was quite successful in his ministry.

Were all these sacrifices worthwhile?

Ask the Inuit. They will say, "Yes!"

We generally prefer to avoid unnecessary sacrifices. However some of our sacrifices are unavoidable and still others are commendable. God's view on these is quite remarkable: "Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

In fact the apostle Paul goes one step further and urges us to offer our "bodies as living sacrifices": "I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship." (Rom 12:1)

What does Paul mean by this? He explains it in the next verse: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Rom 12:2a) The rewards are astonishing, friends: "Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Rom 12:2b)

What attitude are we portraying in front of society? Are we more like the whalers described here, tending to promote our own interests? Or are we more like these missionaries, willing to be selfless while undergoing sacrifices, having taken to heart the eternal destination of those around us?

Harpoon or Bible. What is your choice?

Dear Lord, help us to have loving hearts as we see those around us. Help us share Your love through our love for others. IN the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Bible: This is your life

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

JANUARY: A busy time for me. Most of the family decided to read me through this year. They kept me busy for the first two weeks, but they have forgotten me now.

FEBRUARY: Clean-up time. I was dusted yesterday and put in my place. My owner did use me for a few minutes last week. He had been in an argument and was looking up some references to prove he was right.

MARCH: Had a busy day first of the month. My owner was elected president of the PTA & used me to prepare a speech.

APRIL: Grandpa visited us this month. He kept me on his lap for an hour reading I Cor 13. He seems to think more of me than do some people in my own household.

MAY: I have a few green stains on my pages. Some spring flowers were pressed in my pages.

JUNE: I look like a scrapbook. They have stuffed me full of newspaper clippings - one of the girls was married.

JULY: They put me in a suitcase today. I guess we are off on vacation. I wish I could stay home; I know I'll be closed up in this thing for at least two weeks.

AUGUST: Still in the suitcase.

SEPTEMBER: Back home at last and in my old familiar place. I have a lot of company. Two women's magazines and four comic books are stacked on top of me. I wish I could be read as much as they are.

OCTOBER: They read me a little bit today. One of them is very sick. Right now I am sitting in the center of the coffee table. I think the Pastor is coming by for a visit.

NOVEMBER: Back in my old place. Somebody asked today if I were a scrapbook.

DECEMBER: The family is busy getting ready for the holidays. I guess I'll be covered up under wrapping paper & packages again ... just as I am every Christmas.


Dear Lord we thank You for giving us the Bible. Help us to stay in Your word on a daily basis.  Help our hearts yearn after for You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

To Spit or Not to Spit?

2 Timothy 1:8 (NIV)

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

The Communist soldiers had discovered their illegal Bible study.

As the pastor was reading from the Bible, men with guns suddenly broke into the home, terrorizing the believers who had gathered there to worship. The Communists shouted insults and threatened to kill the Christians. The leading officer painted his gun at the pastor's head. "Hand me your Bible," he demanded.

Reluctantly, the pastor handed over his Bible, his prized possession. With a sneer on his face, the guard threw the Word of God on the floor at his feet.

He glared at the small congregation: "We will let you go," he growled, "but first, you must spit on this book of lies. Anyone who refuses will be shot." The believers had no choice but to obey the officer's order.

A soldier pointed his gun at one of the men. "You first." The man slowly got up and knelt down by the Bible. Reluctantly, he spit on it, praying, "Father, please forgive me." He stood up and walked to the door. The soldiers stood back and allowed him to leave.

"Okay, you!" The soldier said, nudging a woman forward. In tears, she could barely do what the soldier demanded. She spat only a little, but it was enough. She too was allowed to leave.

Quietly, a young girl came forward. Overcome with love for her Lord, she knelt down and picked up the Bible. She wiped off the spit with her dress. "What have they done to Your Word? Please forgive them," she prayed.

The Communist soldier put his pistol to her head. Then he pulled the trigger.

Most of those facing persecution today could have escaped if they had denied their faith. The question is not whether we are persecuted, but whether we are willing to lay down our life for our faith in Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, we pray that when we are persecuted that we would stand strong and not deny You. Help our faith be strong today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Do Your Desires Block God's Blessings?

Matthew 7:11 (NIV)

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold.

Angry, he rose his voice to his father and said "with all your money, you give me a Bible?" And stormed out of the house.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still gift-wrapped Bible, just as he had left it years ago.

With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt.7:11, "And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?" As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words

"PAID IN FULL".

How many times do we miss God's blessings because we can't see past our own desires???????

Dear Lord, thank You for all You do for us. Help u snot let our own desires get in the way of what You have for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Bible isn't Like a Cafeteria

James 2:10-12 (NIV)

10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.

The following is reported to be a true story someone found regarding exams at Cambridge University. It seems that during an examination one day a bright young student popped up and asked the proctor to bring him Cakes and Ale. The following dialog ensued:

Proctor: I beg your pardon?

Student: Sir, I request that you bring me Cakes and Ale.

Proctor: Sorry, no.

Student: Sir, I really must insist. I request and require that you bring me Cakes and Ale.

At this point, the student produced a copy of the four-hundred-year old laws of Cambridge, written in Latin and still nominally in effect, and pointed to the section which read (roughly translated): "Gentlemen sitting examinations may request and require Cakes and Ale." Pepsi and hamburgers were judged the modern equivalent, and the student sat there, writing his examination and happily slurping away.

Three weeks later, the student was fined five pounds for not wearing a sword to the examination.

When we study the law, we sometimes are careful to find those things which may benefit us, while trying to ignore the rest. It happens with the Bible all the time. Ever know anybody who only quoted the Bible when it was convenient for them ("Judge not that ye be not judged")? They want to get their "cakes and ale" but ignore the part about "wearing a sword"? God's Word isn't like a cafeteria. We don't get to go through and pick out which parts we want and which parts we don't like.

Dear Lord, help us to read and take the Bible as a whole and not just the parts that we think will meet our needs. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Harpoon or Bible?

Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Bishop Stringer and his companion were facing starvation that late October morning. They had been returning home from the Mackenzie region of the Yukon when they were overtaken by winter. Even though it was early in the season, the amount of snow that fell during that first storm was enough to make them lose their way in the mountains.

They didn't despair, however. Instead, they looked at their sealskin boots and wondered if they could be edible. The notes left in Stringer's diary are quite revealing: "Thursday, October 21: Breakfast of sealskin boot, soles and tops boiled and toasted. Soles better than uppers. Soup of small scraps and bacon…the last we had; hands sore; took a long time to pack up…"

Isaac Stringer, one of the first to arrive in the Yukon, was aghast at the influence the whalers were having on the native population. Whalers supplied the First Nations people with alcohol and then took their women as their "mistresses". The consequences were devastating: alcoholism and disease, both sexually transmitted as well as common ones that the Inuvialuit had no immunity to, abounded. Very early on, Isaac succeeded in securing an agreement with the whalers that closed down the alcohol trade with the Inuit. Eventually he provided church services and literacy classes for both the Inuit and the whalers.

His task was not an easy one, however. He often had to travel long distances in harsh conditions, and his eyes eventually contracted snow blindness, a condition that is quite agonizing and incapacitating.

And his story isn't unique. Another bishop in the Yukon by the name of Bombas decided to live like the natives. He slept on the floor rather than in a comfortable bed, he dressed poorly and he gave away all of his possessions and money. He was well-liked, and as a result, he was quite successful in his ministry.

Were all these sacrifices worthwhile?

Ask the Inuit. They will say, "Yes!"

We generally prefer to avoid unnecessary sacrifices. However some of our sacrifices are unavoidable and still others are commendable. God's view on these is quite remarkable.

In fact the apostle Paul goes one step further and urges us to offer our "bodies as living sacrifices": "I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship." (Rom 12:1 NIV))

What does Paul mean by this? He explains it in the next verse: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Rom 12:2a) The rewards are astonishing, friends: "Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Rom 12:2b NIV)

This New Year's Eve my question to all of us is this: What attitude are we portraying in front of society? Are we more like the whalers described here, tending to promote our own interests? Or are we more like these missionaries, willing to be selfless while undergoing sacrifices, having taken to heart the eternal destination of those around us?

Harpoon or Bible. What is your choice?

May we make the right choice as the New Year begins.

Dear Lord, we look forward to the New Year You are giving to us. We pray that in all that we do we would do it to bring honor to You. Help our eyes be open so that we don’t miss the opportunities that are brought before us from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God's Word and a Hammer.

Jeremiah 23:29 (King James Version)

Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Simile	Parallel
A Hammer is a fit instrument to break rocks, and beat stones in pieces	The Word of God is prepared by the Almighty, a fit means to break in pieces the stony, and rocky hearts of sinners.
A Hammer can do nothing of itself without the hand that uses it.	The Word of God cannot of itself break in pieces the sinner’s heart:  God must use it by the hand of the Spirit, if ever it accomplish that for which he sent it.
According to the strength, design, and wisdom of the workman, a Hammer does effect this or that.	So according to the design, wisdom, and strength the Holy Ghost is pleased to put forth upon the heart of a sinner, is the nature of the work that is effected or accomplished thereby.
A Hammer is not only a fit instrument to break things in pieces withal; but also to drive home nails, and to clench and fasten them also.	So the Word of God in the hand of the Spirit is very useful to drive home and fasten (1.) the nails of conviction:  (2.) To drive home and fasten precepts; (3.) To drive home and fasten promises.  God is the great Master of assemblies, who fastens the words of the wise as goads and nails.  (Ecclesiastes 12:11)

Let us have the word of God break our hard and rocky hearts.

Let us each consider the truth of the word, the power of the word and authority of the word.

Today let us decide to read it daily, and consider the sufferings of Christ. Cry to God that he would be pleased to take the hammer of the word into the hand of the Spirit, and break our rocky hearts.

Dear Lord we pray that today would be the day the we would read Your word daily. We pray that we would let it mold our hearts to be what You would have of them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.