TRUST

I had the privilege to preach today (3-17). It always humbles me to stand before the church and to think that they are looking to me for spiritual leadership. God has truly blessed me and I never take it lightly. How did I get here?! Of all the people God could use; why me? 

You probably find yourself in similar situations. Maybe not preaching a sermon, but God places you in a situation that you become His spokesperson. Maybe a co-worker ask a question about church or the Bible. Maybe a friend or neighbor wants to have coffee to discuss their hard times. How do you respond? Do you prayerfully respond to glorify God? To do so you need to have some knowledge of Scripture. God's Word tells us in Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Later, in the New Testament in the book of 1 Peter 3:15 we are instructed to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 

I challenge you to read God's Word (the Bible) everyday!

Question #1. Do you speak on His behalf? (Or do you keep quiet.)

Question #2. Do you do justice to His Word when you speak? (Have you hidden His Word in your heart?)

I pray that you have many opportunities to share His Word and I pray that you respond boldly to glorify Him. Remember that God has a way of using unlikely people to do BIG things! 

• Adam & Eve did exactly what they were told not to do. 
• Moses had a speech impediment. 
• David was just a kid when he killed Goliath. 
• Jonah didn't go the right way the first time. 
• Mary was a teenager when Jesus was born.
• Peter denied Jesus. (3 times!)

There is no excuse to not speak up on His  behalf. Ask God to place the words in your mouth. 

I challenge you to TRUST God to use you!

The Bible

The History Channel aired the first installment of The Bible last night. I had been excited to see how they would do with accuracy to Scripture. I have already heard some critics speak of the fact that they skipped a few memorable moments. Think about the Bible; it would take forever to do the whole thing! At any rate, I was impressed they stayed pretty accurate to what God's Word has to say. OK, the angels "slaying" the offenders  in Sodom was a little theatrical, but I don't know that that is NOT how it happened. I'm old, but I was not there personally; how about you? 

What I do know, is that it opens the door for us tho have conversations about what we watched on TV without blushing. When you find yourself in conversation with co-workers, talk about the Bible. What a concept. Another thing that this mini-series does is open our eyes that the life these people lived was hard. Did you see the wind blowing when Moses was in that tent? WOW! That is real life for someone in the dessert wilderness. Oftentimes we minimalize the reality of the people in the Bible. Put yourself in their shoes (sandals). Life was hard and dirty. They were hungry and thirsty. It was a real time with real people that suffered the strains of living a life without the comforts of modern luxuries. Most of what we consider basic necessities were not even invented or thought of in those days. 

God provided for them (and He provides for us). When we look at these images that come to us from Hollywood, it should be a spark of interest, but we still need to look at Scripture for our theology. I plan to watch the series as much as possible, but return to God's Word for my real answers. I urge you to scrutinize the film; not to be critical or condescending, but to be a springboard for your curiosity into the Scripture. Be a student of His Word. Read the Bible and investigate your questions. Read the Scriptures to compare with the film. See if they get it right. There are many resources available online, at your local library, your church library, etc.  Just be careful that your resource is a respectable source. (Remember, the commercial on TV that says, "You can't put it on the internet if it's not true." is stated facetiously.) 

Have conversations with your friends and be willing to say "I don't know."  The fact that you are talking about the Bible is a good thing. It beats most water cooler talk. 

The Bible, as in God's Word, is correct. It is without error. It is God inspired. Read it. Study it. Live it!

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 

1 Peter 3:15