The Bible

 

Reading the Bible

Many, many people are afraid to read the Bible, and for many reasons.

For those who choose to read it, but find it a daunting project, let me give some advice.

It is a library of books, not one long narrative.

It is written in various forms – History, law, songs, prophecy, biography, instruction.

It is best to read from the Old section along with reading from the New Testament as the old is explained by the new.

The song/poetry books in the centre give helpful insight into the varying experience of life. They can lift the despondent soul to heights of praise.

Many of the prophecies seem irrelevant to us, but hidden in them are significant statements about Jesus (like Isaiah 53).

Those who read the Bible to understand everything will be frustrated. Those who read it to criticise it will miss the blessing. Those who read it to justify themselves and to teach others can be marred by conceit. But those who let the Bible speak for itself , then the Holy Spirit will bring blessings eternal.

 

If you are finding the Bible boring, I suggest you double check if you are really a child of God with the Holy Spirit leading you in knowing God. If you are unsure, seek the Lord God today. Turn away from sin, self and the world to find forgiveness, peace and eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord. His promises have been proven true:

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31)

“You heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, and you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit”  (Ephesians 1:13)

The Bible will become a joy to read (sometimes humiliating). A book of praise to cheer each day. The guide of life to walk with Christ. The hope for tomorrow derived from the great and precious promises. The assurance of peace with God for eternity.

 

If you do not have a Bible, I have spares to distribute.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

The greater need

 

Our lesson at school today comes from the Bible book of Matthew,

chapter 9.

The incident of a paralyzed man highlights the greater need – physical wellbeing or spiritual peace with God.  And then it identifies Jesus as having authority to cure both problems because He was and is the Son of God.

“I will prove that I the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins.”

Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said:

“Stand up, take up your mat and go home, because you are healed.”

Without medicine, Jesus could reverse the brokenness of the physical problem. Without reference to anyone else, Jesus could forgive the man’s spiritual problem – the problem of sin that disconnects people from God.

Indeed, who is this man who can still the storm, heal the sick, raise the dead and declare the guilty forgiven?”

“If you will confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord (the Lord from heaven),

And believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,

You will be saved.”   (Romans 10.9)

He can be trusted to keep His promise.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Jesus Christ as Lord

 

The words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 6 have humiliated me. Then to make the final point He says “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, when you won’t obey me?” (Luke 6:46).

He exposes the hypocrisy of hollow words and the final destruction of sham profession.

We may theorise, teach, explain away or ignore the teachings of the Lord, but He insists that in the final count down, it is obeying His word that will be as solid rock.

And those who build their lives on anything else will finally be a house in a heap of ruins.

How fitting that the Apostle Paul says : ”Let the words of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:16)

The Lord Jesus Christ calls for genuine commitment, for unfailing faith in Him and love that expressive of the love of God the Father.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

How precious

 

Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise.

Use His words to teach and counsel each other.

 Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Bible – Colossians 3:16

The helper - the Holy Spirit

 

The Holy Spirit

Some of my  readers may well be asking “What is this Holy Spirit?”  -  some invisible being?

God is great, majestic and infinite. How can we begin to understand such a being? Many have tried to represent God by images and idols. God is a spirit (invisible yet a real personality), and He reveals Himself by the Holy Spirit. God sometimes speaks with a voice, sometimes through people, sometimes through writing, but best of all through Jesus Christ.

The Bible is the Lord God writing through the pen of people, they being moved by the Holy Spirit to write.  It is a daunting book – so much history, law, songs, prophecy, directions, biographies, revelations! How can we understand it?  - By the help of the Holy Spirit. This is a major difference to most other religions where reciting their scriptures is more important than understanding them. The Bible invites research and understanding. It has been and still is the chief medium of God speaking to humans.

Are you open minded enough to let the Holy Spirit lead you into all truth? Take a Bible and ask the Lord to show Himself. He will interact with your spirit (mind). Take time to declutter your mind and concentrate. Most times He speaks in a still small voice.

Best if you can read the Bible in your heart language. If you don’t have one to read, please let me know.

johnmckee@internode.on...net

A Christian

 

What does it mean to be a Christian?

God, the creator is our interactive Father.

Jesus the Son of God is our Saviour, Redeemer, Intercessor and Lord.

The Holy Spirit is with us to give illumination, spiritual life and love.

 

The Christian renounces sin of every kind.

Forgiveness is accepted through our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sin.

The Christian commits heart and will to Jesus Christ. Instead of self centred ambition and worldly ways, Jesus through the Bible truth becomes Lord and King.

The Christian lives in hope of eternal life. This participation in the life (family) of the Lord God is enjoyed now and in the life to come. This hope is established by the promises of God.

The Christian seeks to live a life transformed  from the natural inclinations to do wrong, to a new life in Christ where the workmanship of God changes us to a new mind, to moral likeness of Jesus Christ, to heavenly aspirations, to the motive of divine love.

The Christian learns the true meaning of GRACE – the undeserved favour of God,, appreciates mercy and yields to the transformation of God’s love.

And so much more – my emphasis is : the Christian has a living relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ that makes life worth living and gives hope for Eternity.

It would be wise to take time out today  to ponder this question : "Am I really enjoying  this life from God?"

If not, ask God to speak to you and give Him time to do so.

Rejoicing in what God has done

 

My reading in the Bible book of Titus has filled my heart with worship. Let me outline what God has done:

Chapter 1 – “The truth gives confidence of eternal life”

This is good news given by the command of Jesus Christ our Saviour”

2: The undeserved favour of God gives us hope now and in the future.  “Jesus Christ gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us and make us his very own, totally committed to doing what is right.”

“He will appear in glory”

3: Once we were foolish, “But God our Saviour showed us His kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.  He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Saviour did. He declared us not guilty because of His great kindness. And now we know that we will inherit eternal life.”

Enough to make us worship with gratitude, motivation to live right, assurance that the next life will be better than this one for those trust in the Saviour – Jesus Christ.

Maybe you would like to share your joy in the Lord. I would like to receive your email

johnmckee@internode.on.net