The Front of a Bible

The Front of a Bible

If you were asked to describe the Bible, what words would you use?

In the front of a Bible given to me when I graduate high school, the words below are found. Let them stir your mind on how you will describe the Bible when someone asks.

This book reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is a traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here, too, heaven is opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.

It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgement, and be remembered forever. It involves highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

Owned, it is riches; studied, it is wisdom; trusted, it is salvation; loved, it is character; and obeyed, it is power.

Just thought,

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Nine Promises to Keep You Motivated

Nine Promises to Keep You Motivated

Promises!

We all love them. We really loved kept promises.

Have you ever experienced a broken promise?

A broken promise hurts. A broken promise can cut very deep, wounding our soul, spirit and outlook.

However, a kept promise gets us motivated to continue forward. Even knowing that a promise made by a caring, honest and promise-keeping person pushes us in the direction we need to go. It is motivation. It is a fuel to continue.

Below are Nine Bible Promises to give you some motivation to keep going forward.

Enjoy.

Nine Promises to Keep You Motivated

  1. The Promise of a Gift— “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4.7; ESV)
  2. The Promise of the Son — “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2.29-32; ESV)
  3. The Promise of the Spirit — “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8.26; ESV)
  4. The Promise of God — “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13.5; ESV)
  5. The Promise of a Rainbow — “When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” (Genesis 9.16; ESV)
  6. The Promise of a Crown — “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4.8; ESV)
  7. The Promise of Cleansing — “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1.7; ESV)
  8. The Promise of Forgiveness — “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you…” (Matthew 6.14; ESV)
  9. The Promise of Heaven — “And this is the promise that he made to us–eternal life.” (1 John 2.25; ESV)

What other promises from the Bible can you remember?

What other promises from the Bible keep you motivated to press toward the prize each day?

Just some thoughts,

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Four Things About Christianity Everyone Should Know

Four Things About Christianity Everyone Should Know

#1 - Spiritual retirement is not an option

Retirement is defined as “the action or fact of leaving one’s job and ceasing to work.” (Oxford Dictionary) Our country has an emphasis on retirement from physical work, but that should not roll over into spiritual work.

Remember, Moses led the people of Israel at 80 years of age. Caleb was still vigorous at 85 (Joshua 14.10). Also, remember Paul’s words to Titus in Titus 2.1-10. 2.

#2 - One does not need a sophisticated education to follow Jesus

Some believe one must know everything in the Bible to follow Jesus. However, the closest followers to Jesus were ordinary men.

Remember the words regarding Peter and John in Acts 4.13? Their example was not in their education, but in their influence.

#3 - Hell is optional

One of the best parts about life is the choices we can make.

Did you know that you can make a choice not to go to Hell? You can make the choice but will you follow up on your choice? Jesus is the only way to Heaven (John 14.6). One must be in Jesus and the way to get into Jesus is through baptism (Galatians 3.27).

#5 - Everyone can do something

Following Christ is not a time to sit back and relax, but it is a time to work. Paul says we are created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2.10). At other times, Paul speaks of the abilities given to each Christian (Romans 12.3-8; Ephesians 4.11-16).

Just some thoughts,

10 Interesting Things About the Bible

10 Interesting Things About the Bible

10 –  Old people should not retire; young folks need you! – Remember Moses led the people of Israel at the age of 80; Caleb was still vigorous at 85 (Joshua 14.10) and remember Paul’s words to the Titus (Titus 2.1-10).

9 – Sophisticated education is not needed to follow Jesus (Acts 4.13).

8 – Bald men, well at least one, have power (2 Kings 2.23-25)

7 – You can read the Bible every day.

6 – Everyone has a gift to use; given to them by God. (Romans 12.3-8; Ephesians 4.11-16; 1 Peter 4.10-11; Matthew 25.14-30)

5 – The Bible even has a book about sex. Apparently there is something God wants us to know. (Song of Solomon)

4 – It allows me to eat bacon. (Acts 10.15)

3 – The Bible proves itself. (Science does not prove the Bible, the Bible proves science.) – The more people search, study and investigate nature, they find themselves staring at a Creator.

2 – Hell is optional. – You do not have to go; there is a better place called heaven and the Bible tells you how to get there.

1 – It can save your soul!

Just my thoughts,

What Some Have Said About Bible Study?

What Some Have Said About Bible Study?

I am sure each of us know the importance of Bible Study, but what have others said about Bible Study?

“If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, he will be in the last place the remainder of the day.”—E. M. Bounds

“Wind up thy heart towards heaven in the beginning of the day, and it will go the better all the day after. He that loseth his heart in the morning in the world, will hardly find it again all the day. O! Christians, let God have your morning meditations.”—Thomas Watson

“The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.”—Henry Ward Beecher

“If I have had any success in life, I attribute it to the habit of giving the first two hours of each day to Bible study and prayer.”—Lord Earl Cairns, Lord Chancellor of England

How will your words be remembered regarding Bible Study?

Just a thought,