Image: the famous “Earthrise” photo captured by the crew of Apollo 8 on Christmas Eve, 1968. Part One: a Challenge to Put Some Effort into Your Bible Reading. Most of us believe we ought to read the Bible. Many of us start. But finishing is a real challenge and a significant accomplishment. The Good Book,Continue reading “The Fear of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 28:15.”
Category Archives: Bible is your OWNER’S MANUAL
The Bible is the OWNER’S MANUAL for Life. Proverbs 1-4.
When you have car problems, the answers are in the owner’s manual, right? Everything is there: how to change a tire, battery maintenance, oil changes, weather issues, repairs, everything. The Bible is the OWNER’S MANUAL for life. Consider Proverbs: That is so much good advice! I read all of that this morning in the firstContinue reading “The Bible is the OWNER’S MANUAL for Life. Proverbs 1-4.”
A Gift from the Ancient of Days. Revelation 6-7.
God often allows things we do not understand: poverty, illnesses, suffering, death. He welcomes your questions. Questions are allowed. But we are not called to ask questions. We are called to worship God, to fall on our faces in awe and reverence and fear. And such fear is not crippling, it is empowering. The FearContinue reading “A Gift from the Ancient of Days. Revelation 6-7.”
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH. Philippians 1:27.
Some say the word BIBLE stands for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” The Bible has lots of instructions for those ready to hear them–“for those who have ears to hear.” And although some Old Testament rules (such as dietary restrictions) may not apply to our daily lives, that is not true for the instructions inContinue reading “BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH. Philippians 1:27.”
INCENTIVE. 1 Corinthians 9:7-10.
Satan is the father of lies; one of the worst is COMMUNISM. Communism KILLS. Karl Marx blamed the world’s problems on class warfare: the rich have the capital (money) and keep the poor impoverished, jealous, and resentful. Marx invented COMMUNISM: everyone works, the government takes everything, and then hands out money in a way thatContinue reading “INCENTIVE. 1 Corinthians 9:7-10.”
BE ALERT! Do You Want Your Mind Dull or Sharp? Luke 21:34-36.
Jesus warns us to be alert. He says don’t be caught unprepared. Don’t be caught in the dark with no oil for your lamp (charge up that flashlight!). Don’t be like a homeowner who did not know when burglars would come. If you are the manager of the house, don’t be asleep when the OwnerContinue reading “BE ALERT! Do You Want Your Mind Dull or Sharp? Luke 21:34-36.”
WORDS MATTER. Matthew 19:4.
I wrote a book of study tips. One tip encourages visual learners to make the content from their classes visual if possible. But visual media have their limits: “IF YOU DON’T KNOW ANY OTHER WAY TO STUDY, THEN CONVERT YOUR NOTES TO DRAWINGS AND DIAGRAMS. If you’re a ‘visual person’ (everyone says they’re a visualContinue reading “WORDS MATTER. Matthew 19:4.”
COULD YOU WALK AWAY FROM JESUS? John 6:68.
Jesus called twelve to become His disciples. But multitudes followed Him, listening to His teaching, being healed of diseases, eating 5,000 fish sandwiches that He created with a simple prayer of thanks. People love a leader who says poetic things and gives away food. Everyone was drawn to Him; Jesus was the biggest thing toContinue reading “COULD YOU WALK AWAY FROM JESUS? John 6:68.”
Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only: the Bible is Your Owner’s Manual. Luke 6:46-49
We all hear the Word. But do we obey it, or just nod and say, “Oh, that’s a nice thought, very inspirational.” Poetry, speeches, even songs can inspire and delight. But God’s Word demands more—actual obedience. We are supposed to change, not just get goose bumps or tears over a moving bit of language. HeContinue reading “Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only: the Bible is Your Owner’s Manual. Luke 6:46-49”
Household Words: 