Articles for November 2017

II Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Listen up! Pay attention!  This is important!   O.K.  —  What’s so-o-o-o-o-o important?  EVERYTHING – well everything in the Bible.

I was reading the book of John and came to the last verse, John 21:25. “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.”

After reading this verse, it hit me that there is so much more God could have written concerning not only Christ but also every other truth that is taught in the Bible. It occurred to me that if there are so many things left unwritten – those things which are written must REALLY be important.  God put in the Scriptures exactly what He wanted us to know – SO-o-o-o… I believe that He is saying – listen up, pay attention, if it’s in the Bible it is important. It’s all in there for a reason.  It is important information and instruction for living that God wants us to know.

When you read the Bible, think about the fact that what you are reading is from God Himself.

God is so gracious, He does not leave us to fend for ourselves. He has provided the Holy Spirit to teach us and open up truths as we read and study.  John 16:13a “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…”  Think about it – the Holy Spirit was there inspiring the writers of the Scriptures to write the things that God wanted us to know.  Now He is available to help us to understand and learn from what we are reading.

The Bible is a living book. We can receive something different and new every time we read it  – this is what makes Bible reading so exciting.

As you read the Scriptures, think about what God is teaching. Meditate on the meaning of what God is saying.  Concentrate on what you are reading.  There are great treasurers within its pages and great blessings to be found if we are looking for them!

(This is an excerpt from the book, “I Want to Be a Better Me for God,” Chapter 7)

Galatians 4:4-7, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.   Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” 

Wow, Amazing, Wonderful, Awesome – there is no one word that can take in the scope of the truth conveyed in these verses.

“When the time was right, God sent forth His Son from heaven. We who were dead in our trespasses and sins, were redeemed by God’s grace.  We were transported from being a servant into becoming a son and an heir of God through Christ.”

I often think we ignore or don’t focus on the wonderful truths that God reveals to us in His Word. We who were lost and without hope, have been changed forever by God’s love.  We did not deserve or earn this transformation.  Ephesians 2:8,9 says it best,  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

God’s mercy – God’s love – has reached down from Heaven to each one of us who have accepted Jesus as our Saviour. This is an overwhelming truth that seems too incredible for us to comprehend but God desires for us to accept this love.  We are definitely unworthy and undeserving — BUT God says that through the gift of His love we are now His sons and heirs.

Wow, Amazing, Wonderful, Awesome – appreciate what God has done for you and step out in the newness of life that God has offered to you. Don’t sit in the background of accomplishing very little.  God desires for you to live in a manner that will be a testimony of His love and He desires for your life to shine for Him!

Ephesians 5:15, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,”

Circumspectly means – cautiously with watchfulness, to be on guard. (1828 Dictionary)

As we walk through this life, God is telling us (actually, warning us) to be on the alert. He is saying that we need to pay attention and be cautious so that we will not fall into the snares of the devil.

God has given us clear instructions in His Word on how to live . He understands that we have a powerful foe that desires to trip us up in our Christian walk if we let our guard down.

Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

God has forewarned us. He has not left us clueless concerning the tactics of the devil.  Verses such as:  I John 4:4b,  “…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”  James 4:7,  “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  These verses should definitely be an encouragement to us.

It’s all in the Scriptures – the directions are there, the warning are there, the promises for strength are there, but it really is up to us if we are to follow these directives . We need to choose to walk circumspectly.  I love the fact that although the choice is ours, God never expects us to walk through this life on our own.  Read the Word, meditate on the Word, follow the Word and the strength to meet the demands of life and avoid the traps of the devil will yours!