The Bible Is God Speaking to You

The Bible Is God Speaking to You

'...The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.' John 6:63 KJV

Did you know that the longest telegraphic message ever dispatched was in May, 1881? It carried 118,000 words. It was printed in full that day in the Chicago Times. One of the nation's leading newspapers gave space for four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistle to the Romans. 'A triumph of publicity' was the verdict of the nation's press. All this was done because the Revised Version of the New Testament in English was on sale that day. In New York City, 33,000 copies were sold within 24 hours, setting a new sales record for any book.

Why does the Bible remain the world's most widely read book?

For one simple reason: you read every other book - the Bible reads you!

You say, 'But I don't get a lot out of the Bible when I read it.' You are not alone; many people say the same thing.

 But it doesn't have to be that way. FB Meyer, one of history's great Bible teachers, writes, 'Read the Bible not as a newspaper, but as a love letter. If a cluster of heavenly fruit hangs within your reach, gather it. If a promise lies upon the page as a blank cheque, cash it. If a prayer is recorded, launch it as a feathered arrow from the bow of your desire.'

Why do we keep going back to the Bible?

Because in a world where trust is in short supply, '...Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave...' (1 Kings 8:56 NIV)

'...I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.' Job 23:12 NIV

Psychologists are agreed on this point: people only keep doing what rewards them! So when Bible reading becomes unrewarding, we quit. As a result we feel guilty, and become spiritually weak and discouraged. Your soul can no more thrive without God's Word than your body can thrive without a daily intake of food.

The Bible says, 'He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.' (Deut8:3 NIV)

One of the dangers of our always-connected technological age is that you begin to live on 'hits' of information and short messages limited to 160 characters or less. This creates spiritual ADD (attention deficit disorder).

God cannot be reduced to a limited word count or a few hurried moments in your day. To prosper, you must meditate day and night on the Scriptures (Psalm 1:1-3).

You say, 'But I don't have time to read the Bible.' How much time do you spend each day watching television? Hours? If you find television to be rewarding, but not God's Word, your soul is in need of intensive care!

If you want to change your life, change your habits and start reading the Bible. Job, who had more trouble than any of us will ever see, said, 'I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.'Job 23:12 NIV

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that...you may grow...' 1 Peter 2:2 NIV

Henry J. Heinz, founder of the Heinz food company, introduced the marketing slogan '57 Varieties' in 1896, depicting the range of their products. Well, most of us have at least that many excuses for not reading our Bible every day.

You say, 'But I have a very busy life.' Edgar G. Watts of California, aged 84, read the Bible from cover to cover 161 times. And here's something you probably don't know: he had the use of only one eye for 55 years. Can you imagine telling a physical trainer you'd really like to be fit, but you don't have the time to come to the gym? He'd say that you're not serious!

Jeremiah said, 'When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight...' (Jeremiah 15:16 NIV)

Developing a love for the Scriptures requires three things:

(1) Decision. You must establish Bible reading as one of your daily priorities or it'll never happen.

(2) Duty.You may not feel like going to work each day or caring for your family, but you know it's your duty so you do it. What about your soul? Don't you have a duty to feed yourself spiritually and stay strong?

(3) Delight. When you reach this phase, the battle over Bible reading is won. When business leaders are about to make an important decision, they say, 'It's time to pull the trigger.' Stop 'dabbling'! It's time to pull the trigger and give God's Word its rightful place in your life. 'Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up.'

'...You received His message... And this word continues to work in you who believe.' 1 Thess 2:13 NLT

In the Bible you will find a solution for just about every problem you face in life. How often have you gone for help to a pastor or counsellor or friend, only to have them direct you back to the Scriptures? When you get sick enough, you won't argue with the doctor, you'll just take the medicine! Paul writes, 'When you received His message from us, you didn't think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very Word of God - which, of course, it is. And this Word continues to work in you who believe.'

God's Word works - when you work it! But it only 'continues to work in you who believe.' So don't read it and then go out and say something different; get into agreement with God. Let His Word on the issue be word on it too!

The Amplified Bible says, '...The Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].' (1 Thessalonians 2:13 AMP)

One day an atheist said to a believer that it was quite impossible to believe in any book whose author was unknown. The believer asked him if the compiler of the multiplication table was known. 'No,' he answered. 'Then, of course, you don't accept it?' the believer asked. The skeptic replied, 'Oh, yes, I believe in it because it works well.' The believer replied, 'So does the Bible.'

The greatest investment you can make in yourself is reading your Bible.
'Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and Your servant loves them.' Psalm 119:140 NIV

Can you imagine how honoured you'd feel to have a personal audience with a president or prime minister? What are the chances you'd say, 'Sorry, I'm too busy. I can't come'? No, you'd approach them with profound respect, observe every protocol and hang on every word. Well, you can have a personal audience each day with the King of Kings and He will speak to you personally through His Word.

When you're in love with someone, you want to spend every possible moment with them, delighting in what they have to say and responding to them from your heart. David said, 'The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.' (Psalm 119:72 NIV) Again he said, 'Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and Your servant loves them.' (Psalm 119:140 NIV)

An unknown poet wrote:

'Though the cover is worn and the pages are torn, and though places bear traces of tears, yet more precious than gold is this book worn and old, that can shatter and scatter my fears. When I prayerfully look in this precious old book, as my eyes scan the pages I see; many tokens of love from the Father above, Who is nearest and dearest to me. This old book is my guide, 'tis a friend by my side, it will lighten and brighten my way. And each promise I find soothes and gladdens my mind, as I read it and heed it today.'

Whatever you have to sacrifice, whatever priorities you have to rearrange, Please read your Bible every day.

Source with permission: UCB: The Word for Today 12 -16 March 2014 http://www.thewordfortoday.com.au/ Authored by Bob and Debby Gass 

WHO I AM IN CHRIST

WHO I AM IN CHRIST 

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, this doesn't just mean that you are the same person but have just "accepted Jesus and going to Heaven". 

 

No, it means that you are a whole new creation - NOW and for all eternity. 

You are "born again" spiritually and have become a new creation in Christ (Read John 3). Even as believers for years, we often fail to see all that we are in Christ and/or just plain need some reminders. So here are some reminders straight from God's word - He tells us just who we are (whether we FEEL like it or not!) Let's all soak in these truths today and remind ourselves of them often. 

I am a Child of God!
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12)

I am not the Great 'I AM' but, I am what I am!
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." (1 Cor 15:10)

I am the Salt of the Earth whereby others see Jesus!
"You are the salt of the earth." (Mat 5:13)
I am the light of the World whereby others see Jesus! "You are the light of the world." (Mat 5:14)

I am a branch in Christ! I will bear much Fruit!
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

I am Christ's Friend!
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)

I am Chosen by Christ! I will bear much Fruit!
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last." (John 15:16)

I am free from Sin! I am a slave to Righteousness!
"You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." (Rom 6:18)

I am a Slave to God! I have Eternal Life!
"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." (Rom 6:22)

I am a Son ( Daughter ) of God! God is MY Father!!!
"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" (Rom 8:15)

I am an Heir of GOD and a Co-Heir with Christ!
"Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Rom 8:17)
I am the Temple of God! God's Spirit live in ME!
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" (1 Cor 3:16)

I am part of the Body of Christ!
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Cor 12:27)

I am a NEW Creation - the Old has gone the New has come!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17)

I am Christ's Ambassador!
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf:" (2 Cor 5:20)
I AM A SAINT! ( i.e. Forgiven Sinner ) "To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:" (Phil 1:1)

I am God's workmanship! I have work to do that he planned!
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph 2:10)
I am a Member of God's household! I BELONG! "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household," (Eph 2:19)

I am Created to be Like God in Righteousness and Holiness!
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph 4:22-24)
I am a Citizen of Heaven! "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ," (Phil 3:20)

I am Hidden in GOD!
"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." (Col 3:3)

I will be with Christ in Glory!
"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Col 3:4)

I am Chosen, Holy and Dearly LOVED!
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Col 3:12)

I am of the Light!
"You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." (1 Th. 5:5)

I have a Heavenly Calling!
"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess." (Heb 3:1)

I am Chosen, Royal, a Priest, part of a Holy Nation and belong to GOD!
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Pet 2:9)

I am an Alien to this World!
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." (1 Pet 2:11)
I will be like Christ when He appears!
"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2)

I am SAFE in CHRIST! Nothing happens to me that doesn't pass through Christ!
"We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him." (1 John 5:18)

I am able to do ANYTHING if it is Christ's will! I am totally dependent on Christ!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philipians 4:13)
"...Apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

I am being changed each day to be more of who God intends for me to be!
"...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

Used with permission: Taken from Chris Long Laugh and Lift Daily Issue for March 25, 2010 Newsletter - (Source Vince DeMartino) http://www.laughandlift.com


Please note you may find helpful "Prayers to pray using Scripture' in 2009 archive. Other Affirmations/scriptures to speak out can be found in my other Blogg 'Prayer Reflections"you will find link for this at top of page then go to May Archive 2007

Garments of Grace

"The Story: Garments of Grace"

Nearly all of us have been here at one time or another embarrassed, humiliated, and heartbroken.

Some of these moments involve simple pride and embarrassment.

After over 35 years of speaking around the world, I still feel the embarrassment of my first public speech. Cub Scouts... explaining our project... making a little boat... and I remember exactly what I said that night. "My name is Phil Ware and..." There was nothing said after the "and"! I stood there with my face turning red, my insides quivering, and wanting to be swallowed by a large hole in the floor. I couldn't say a word. In front of my friends and family, I shut down, then ran out... humiliated and embarrassed, vowing to never speak again. While the sting remains, my vow didn't hold... thankfully! 

 Some of these moments, however, involve unspeakably deep wounds that came from someone very close to us betraying us, abandoning us in our time of need, or seeking to do us harm. What makes it even harder is that at one time, they had been committed to us as a friend, business partner, or a spouse and have now used that closeness to rip our guts out.  

Sometimes, our humiliation is actually brought on by our own failure that brought deep wounds to others and destroyed something precious between us.   These unspeakably deep wounds can take forever to heal.  

They can be re-opened by a thought, a memory, a song, a poem, a smell, a place... or a jillion other things. Yes, these are unspeakably deep wounds of humiliation and hurt and failure and live with us, just under the surface of our facades.  

This week, many of us have remembered Jesus on the way to the cross. He had been journeying toward the cross for quite some time. He has been warning his closest friends and followers that he must go to Jerusalem and die (Mark 8:31-32; Mark 9:30-32; Mark 10:32-34).  

But now, this awful and certain future is near the plans are underway and the dark forces behind this awful set of events are already in motion. And nearly everyone close to Jesus whether friend or foe is about to fail him through betrayal, denial, abandonment, mockery, and murder.  

Jesus' band of friends and followers sleeps in the garden, unable to stay awake and pray with Jesus as he wrestles with his dark destiny, and as he submits himself to the will of God above his own desires and fears. Even his closest friends, Peter and James and John, cannot stay awake with him!  

Judas arrives with his retinue of cowardly co-conspirators the soldiers from the Temple and the priests there to do in the night with swords and torches what they would not dare do in the daylight. Judas betrays his Teacher, his Lord, with a kiss!   He will later hang himself for betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver so deep is Judas' despair with his own failure and self-humiliation.  

As Jesus steps forward and offers himself to the arresting soldiers, his closest friends abandon him, desert him, and run for their lives as the Gospel of Mark says so hauntingly, "Then everyone deserted him and ran away" (Mark 14:50).  

They will eventually hole up in the upper room to hide in confusion, disarray, and despair, not once remembering his promise to rise from the dead  clueless of how or where to regain their lives from the dark night they had entered. 

Peter, who had emphatically proclaimed that he would be loyal no matter what the others in their little group would do, is now about to deny his Lord for the third time. His eyes meet Jesus' eyes from across the courtyard after Peter's final betrayal. Jesus' "Rock" then hears the rooster crow. His soul is torn apart by the shearing forces of shame, confusion, and grief as he watches Jesus handed over to be crucified.  

Peter then breaks down and weeps uncontrollably. 

There is one verse, one simple and mysterious reference in the Gospel of Mark, that speaks to all of us and to all of this this spineless, visionless, abandonment of the Son of God. They leave him alone, abandoned to face the hosts of hell and their human partners in the Sanhedrin, the High Priest's household, Herod's rule as King of the Jews, and Pilate's procuratorship as the enforcing power behind the Roman boot of oppression.  

When all Jesus' men have turned and run away from the Lord during his arrest, there is one young man who still follows. Just one. All the rest are gone. Presumably referring to himself, John Mark, the author of the Gospel, writes:  

And a young man, with nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving the garment behind (Mark 14:51-52). 

These are intriguing verses.Two haunting verses that serve as powerful reminders of the dangers of the night for Jesus' friends and followers.  

They are also reminders of the absolute "aloneness" that Jesus faces as he goes through the barbaric hours ahead. And for Mark, they become a way to say, "We were all exposed and naked, failures and disappointments to ourselves and to Jesus. Revealed for what we were pretenders and not protectors, fearful instead of faithful, and forsakers instead of friends. Seen for what we were, there was nothing left to do but hide in fear!" 

 Jesus' closest friends are exposed in the naked light of truth! Embarrassed. Humiliated. Hiding. Jesus goes to face his own naked light of truth on Golgotha. He will be stripped of clothes three times before the ordeal is done.

1. He is first stripped of his clothes so they can put a purple robe on him, strike him with rods, spit upon him, and mock him (Mark 15:17-19).
2. He is then stripped of his purple robe and his clothes placed back on him (Mark 15:20).
3. He is stripped a third time, this time given nothing to wear so he would hang naked and exposed, humiliated and battered, as he died before a hostile, morbidly gleeful crowd of onlookers while the soldiers cast lots to see who would win his clothes (Mark 15:24).

Jesus dies alone... humiliated... brutalized... and exposed for all the world to see. No secrets. No hidden wounds just gaping, horrid, fully exposed wounds. No privacy. No modesty. Inhumanity proudly displaying its latest victim, writhing in the throes of death, alone, on a barbaric tree, for all of us and in front of all of us.  

And the connection of grace that transforms these moments of humiliation? The redeeming virtue in all of this brutality, inhumanity, and barbarism?  

Two truths, both powerfully symbolized by the garments left behind.   First come the garments of humiliation... the dark night of humiliation... now shared humiliation... seen in the garments left behind by John Mark and Jesus' garments gambled over by unnamed soldiers. 

 For all of us who have had those moments of embarrassment, humiliation, abandonment, and failure, we find Jesus meeting us in the darkness of our worst moments, when we are fully exposed, naked before the world in our own failure. Jesus hangs there, letting us know that he knows what it is like to be there exposed, humiliated, and alone to face those who mock us. 

 For every John Mark that has run away, naked in the night, afraid of tomorrow, fully humiliated and embarrassed, Jesus speaks softly, with arms outstretched, and says:  "See, look at my scars. I received them before the eyes of every gawker and every mocker. I know how it feels, but I am here to let you know how it heals!" 

Next come the garments of grace... of hope and life and new days with bright dawns.

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed... (John 20:1-8 NLT).

Jesus left behind his garments of death! The grave clothes, the linen cloth that Jesus was wrapped in just like the linen cloth John Mark had stripped off him are left behind. The cloth for his head is neatly folded. There is no rush, no fear, no worry for the risen Son of Man. He neatly folds this head piece as testimony for those who find it. "I am risen," it says, "and I am alive for you!"

What powerful symbol! What powerful truth! What powerful hope!

Our task is to leave behind the garments of humiliation, failure, and death as we look in the empty tomb of Jesus and see the garments the risen Lord left behind to leave those behind and believe!  Humiliation has faded into gray, and fresh hope has dawned, bringing the promise of new life, clothed in Christ and his righteousness! No wonder the apostle Paul tells us:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).

Resurrection happens, not just for Jesus, but for all of us who need fresh hope after our own failures and humiliations! But how can this be so? How can this be true? It is because we've left the garments of sin and death behind, and by faith we have clothed ourselves in the garments of resurrection!

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27 NIV).

Do you know what it is like to be humiliated, exposed as a failure, and an embarrassment to yourself and to all who know you?  

Do you know what it is like to disappoint yourself or others in how you've handled a painful and difficult time?  

Do you wrestle with doubts about your value or worthiness and feel that everyone sees you as less than what you want to be?  

Do you struggle with the painful loss of someone you love and crave one last word, one last moment to say what was left unsaid or to fix one last thing that was left unfinished between you?  

None of us not you, not me none of us has to keep wearing our garments of loss, shame, failure, and disappointment anymore.  

The angels invite us, just as they did Peter and the beloved disciple, to look into the empty tomb, to see garments of death left neatly behind, and believe a new day has dawned!

Our Jesus is risen. Death has been defeated. And grace has brought life to what once held us captive!

Source: Used with permission from Phil Ware 'Daily Heartlight' 03/31/2013 http://www.heartlight.org

Easter Reflection

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him." Romans 5:8

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17
 

Do you know Jesus? If you do not know Jesus and would like to know more - when you have time to spare go to this site and browse reflectively - there is a small booklet, videos and many testimonies. go to:  http://www.whosjesus.com/

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To Those Who Do: What would you say if someone asked you "Who is Jesus?" Are you prepared to give an answer?

It is important to know our own testimony of what Jesus has done so be able share the basics of the path to salvation.

How do we do that? We start by reading our Bible and meditating upon God's word - spending time waiting upon Him and listening. May you truly be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11 NIV

God is able

Reflective Prayer: Ephesians 3:16-21 NIV

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -

"that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Get into the Bible habit

I believe someone right now needs this message below - Change your life today and be refreshed. To be able to read a bible is a blessing many take for granted:

To view a video to encourage you to read the word daily visit: https://vimeo.com/49360338

The aim of the 'Live Light in 25 Words' campaign is to encourage Australian Christians to read the Bible every day for the month of October and turn that into the habit of a lifetime," said Bible Society's Chris Melville. The campaign seeks to address the main reason why people say they don't read the Bible -  they just don't have the time, their lives are getting busier, their stresses heavier and  attention span shorter.

"This Australia-wide campaign is an invitation to Christians to make a fresh start on their Bible reading habit with just 25 words a day. It can grow from there," Mr Melville said. The Bible Society has produced a range of resources on their "25 Words" web site to help churches and individuals engage with the Bible. So far there have been over 22,000 downloads from the site. Everyone who registers will receive a daily Bible reading of around 25 words, together with a short comment and a question. "We hope that families will use these together or that others will read the verse and discuss the questions with a friend," Mr Melville said.

Resources include videos for churches and children, Bible reading guides from leading Christians, theologians and preachers plus Bible study resources for individuals, churches and small groups. A full list of details http://www.25words.biblesociety.org.au/ 

Source: Bible Society
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Get into the Bible habit in October 

 THERE it was, in the drawer of the bedside table, as expected. Navy cover, crisp untouched pages and the Gideon logo embossed in gold. A copy of the Bible was found in many of the hotels we stayed in during our recent New Zealand holiday. Not Harry Potter, Fifty Shades of Grey or even Pride and Prejudice. But this book that has been in print since the 1400s, circulated as an oral tradition prior, and continues to trump all other literature in the volume of books sold each year.

It is widely acknowledged as the best-selling book of all time. The Guinness Book of World Records names the Bible as the best- selling book of non-fiction with more than 17 million copies sold of the Good News version to 1995 alone. It has been translated into 349 languages and 2123 languages have at least one book in their tongue.

Many are sold, but few read it, so it seems. Sadly, statistics reveal that Bible reading among churchgoers is abysmal at best. The latest National Church Life Survey reveals that 19 per cent of church attendees actually read their bible daily or "most days". The survey of 500,000 people also concluded that 12 per cent read the bible a few times a week, 5 per cent once a week, 27 per cent occasionally and 37 per cent hardly ever, or never.

Another study by the Centre for Bible Engagement says that there is a prevailing perception that the Bible is not important to everyday life. Hmm. I hear that often enough and I beg to differ. I couldn't tell you how many times I have opened my Bible, read a few lines and felt like God was speaking directly to me, in my unique situation.

Irrelevant, they say. Verses have told me to be bold, throw off fear, focus on good, demonstrate love.

A book of folklore and fairytales, they say. Jesus' words from thousands of years past have acted like a balm on old wounds.

Nothing but stuffy rules and traditions, they say. The Bible is perhaps more misunderstood than ever.

Today marks day one of The Bible Society's campaign to encourage people to give the good book a second (or third or 10th or 186th) chance.  Live Light in 25 Words gives people tools to delve into the Word, to rediscover truths of freedom, hope, love and peace in its pages. The idea is to build a habit over October's 31 days by reading the bible with some familiar faces - Masterchef 2011 winner Kate Bracks, Olympic swimmer Elka Whalan, popular blogger Erica Bartle to name a few (and, er, maybe my face is in the mix too).

Just 25 words each day from the Bible and I guarantee your life will be altered. Head to 25words.biblesociety .org.au  to sign up to receive daily motivation via your choice of a range of different formats.

In John 6:63, Jesus says this: "It is not the flesh that gives a person life. It is the spirit that gives life. The words I told you are spirit, and so they give life" (ICB version).

We pay ample attention to the needs of our flesh, what of our spirit?

Source: Claire van Ryn's musings  faithlikeamushroom. wordpress.com 

FULL ARMOUR OF GOD

FULL ARMOUR OF GOD

"Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

In the valley stood a ten-foot-tall giant, bellowing out threats against God's people and mocking their God. "Send one man out to fight me," he roared. "If I win, you will serve us. If he wins, we will be your slaves."

If the physical presence of Goliath wasn't daunting enough, the stakes for Israel were. It would be an all-or-nothing fight for the future of the people. On top of that, he mocked God. The fight would be a showdown between the giant's pagan gods and the God of Israel. Courageous David decided to face the monster. King Saul, looking at David's physical disadvantage, insisted the young man take his armour.

But David knew the spiritual battle was more crucial than the physical battle. Faith in God, not superior weaponry, would be his salvation. David stepped out in the name of God, and the giant fell.

Most of us are so focused on our physical circumstances that we fail to see the basic spiritual challenges before us. We spend our energies trying to make ends meet. We exhaust ourselves by constant activity. We are so distracted and frightened by what we see that we miss our chance to slay the giant. Instead, we find his foot on our neck.

Christian attempts to live victoriously in Christ when in a hostile environment could become frightening if we did not believe that God provides for us in every trial. The sovereign God of eternity knew every kind of attack the enemy would use before time began.

And He has provided His spiritual armour:  His Word, Prayer and the Holy Spirit 
so that we might be victorious when these attacks come against us. God has equipped you as a servant-soldier of Jesus Christ with these spiritual weapons, the resources you need to defeat the enemy and gain great victories for His kingdom.

Paul instructed Christian converts to put on the impenetrable armour of God coverings God provides so that we can stand victorious in every situation we face as we move forward confidently in the work God has called us to do. He also understood it to be a protective covering for the mind and spirit, ensuring that injuries to the body will not embitter or destroy the soul.

Response: Today I will take advantage of all the spiritual armour God provides for me to stand strong.

Prayer: Help me Lord to not try and fight spiritual battles in my own strength but with the resources You freely provide.
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THE WARRIOR'S PRAYER

"Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:11

The Bible clearly says to use the full armour. We usually feel we are doing okay if we have most of the pieces of armor in place. Yet, if even one piece is missing, we have a weak spot where Satan can injure us, causing us to lose ground rather than standing firm. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

The New Living Translation in Ephesians 6:11 puts it this way;

"Put on all of God's armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil."

It further says in verse 13, "Use every piece of God's armour to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm."

Response: Today I will put on the full armour of God to stand strong against Satan's darts of doubt, denial and deceit.
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"The Warrior's Prayer"

Heavenly Father, Your warrior prepares for battle.

Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armour of God!

I put on the Belt of Truth. May I stand firm in the truth of your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies.

I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness. May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.

I put on the Sandals of Peace. May I go out and proclaim the good news of the Gospel so your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.

I take the Shield of Faith. May I be ready to deflect Satan's fiery darts of doubt, denial and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.

I put on the Helmet of Salvation. May I keep my mind focused on you so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.

I take the Sword of the Spirit. May the two-edged sword of your Word be ready in my hands so I can use it to take authority over the Enemy.

By faith, your warrior has put on the whole armour of God. I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory. Amen.

"When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever." Proverbs 10:25

Source: STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM (SSTS) A daily devotional message by Paul Estabrooks © 2010 Open Doors International. http://www.opendoorsusa.org/