Week 10: CHERISHING THE BIBLE
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
I have a copy of The Living Bible, which my parents gave me for Christmas as a child. It's the book where I first learned clearly about Jesus. It happened each night when I was supposed to be sleeping (sorry, Mom!). As a bookworm, I couldn't resist it.
I started at Genesis-not a good place, given all the genealogies and laws! It took me a year to get through Psalms because I had no appreciation for poetry. Three years later I finished the whole thing. But somehow, before I left the Old Testament, I became a believer. When I got to the Gospels, I was well prepared to welcome Jesus; the prophets had already clued me in. A couple of years later I was baptized. Some people don't buy this. "A book could never do all that;' they say, scoffing. "You're making it up:' Well, no. The Word of God is alive, God-breathed, even contagious, if you will. Spend time with it, and you won’t come back unchanged. Go to the Bible with a questioning heart, and see what happens.
Keep in mind that the Bible is a collection of books, with history, biography, romance, suspense, poetry, advice, letters, and so forth. Start anywhere you like. If something's confusing, ask someone for help (at church perhaps), or skip that bit and try a different book. Things will start coming together. And the Holy Spirit will definitely help you. Ask Him!
Jesus says," If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word" (John 14:23a). The word for "keep" can be translated as "cherish, treasure, hold close to your heart:' God gave us His Word to know Him and so the Holy Spirit could use it to draw us close to Jesus our Savior. This gift is ours to cherish because it is the Word of the God we love.
PRAY
Dear Lord, thank You for giving us Your Word so that we may know and love You. Amen.
REFLECT
-Do you know anyone who keeps old love letters? Why do they keep them?
-What letters, poetry, songs, or books do you cherish, and why?
-How has God used the Bible to help you know him better?
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Taken from 30 Days of Household Prayers by Lutheran Hour Ministries
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