Shaped by Wisdom

The man best known for his declaration -“Give me liberty or give me death!” left another quote that I found interesting.  Near the end of his life, while holding a Bible, Patrick Henry said - “Here is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed: yet it is my misfortune never to have found time to read it, with the proper attention and feeling, till lately. I trust in the mercy of heaven, that it is not yet too late.”  I suspect that he is not alone in his neglect of the Holy Scriptures. Even among Christians who may likely own several copies of the Bible, there is often a lack of attention given to reading it.  Many of us read books about the Bible, attend services where passages are read, and listen to sermons that reference the Bible - but we too often fail pick it up to read and learn.

If that describes you I urge you to adopt a new practice-  Read the Word! 

Yes, it can difficult to understand some parts of it without knowing the historical context of the writing. There are passages that collide head-on with our cultural ideals and rationalism that make our minds spin.  But, the Word is God revealing Himself, His ways, His wisdom to us.  The Psalm declares "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! … Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105, NIV)   That’s not just poetry, it is TRUTH. Those who would grow in grace and wisdom will take time to sit with others to learn and they will pick up their Bible every day to feed the soul.   

At the age of 68, with a life-time of Scripture study and sermonizing behind me, I still read it, finding myself informed, challenged, asking questions, convicted, and shaped by the Bible.  I pray for the Spirit to guide me so that my views, my speech, my values will be aligned to the will of God.

Most basically, the Bible teaches us that we are NOT gods but that there is a God to Whom we can entrust ourselve both in this life and for the life to come.

Regardless of what interpretative mode we use in our understanding of the book of Genesis, we learn from those stories that we are created, not accidential, that the world is formed at God’s word.  In the Gospels we are reminded that God does not stand aloof, but that He is engaged with us, walking with us, offering himself on the Cross for to save us.  The Bible convinces us that He is a loving personal Lord that cares for His people. He teaches us of the sacredness of life itself and directs us to keep a reverence the dignity and personal worth of all people. The Bible’s revelations preserve us, giving us the hope of eternity, teaching us that this present world is the prelude to the 'forever' life that is promised to all of God's children. Eternity, out there on time's horizon and growing closer each day, allows me to live at peace in the turbulence of life’s storms.

I don't have a lot of patience with those who twist the wonderful Word into strange doctrines, who use snippets of the Word to support their pet theories. Few things make me more disturbed than hearing someone 'interpret' the Scripture with little or no real skill or study. It is simply too precious to be misused by charlatans, misquoted by simpletons, or ignored by misguided sophisticates!  Paul encouraged Timothy, a younger pastor, to remember the importance of good teaching. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV) And James held this caution out to those who would take the podium to teach- "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." (James 3:1, NIV)

Are you a person of the Word? Don't make the mistake of just owning a Bible and thinking that makes you Biblical! Read it. That’s not a simple assignment. It demands discipline of the mind. But, when we are engaged to understand what God says we will find words of life.  The reward of knowing and doing what the Word teaches is beyond estimation.

There are dozens of guides for our daily readings. At this link (https://www.navigators.org/resource/bible-reading-plans/one ) you will find one that is good and trustworthy. Begin by trusting the Living Word (Jesus) in faith. Pray for the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart. Then go on a journey of discovery - mining the riches of the Scripture for yourself.

If you’re not a reader by nature, try reading along with an audio Bible. There are many that are free online. Here is a great resource. (https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/)

Here is a word from the Word. "You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." (2 Timothy 3:15-17, NLT)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Thy Word

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path

 

When I feel afraid

And I think I've lost my way

Still You're there right beside me

Nothing will I fear

As long as You are near

Please be near me to the end

 

I will not forget

Your love for me and yet

My heart forever is wandering

Jesus be my guide

And hold me to Your side

I will love You to the end

 

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path

 

Amy Grant | Michael W. Smith

© 1984 Meadowgreen Music Company; Curb Word Music

CCLI License # 810055

Celebrating NEW

Our worship gathering at Faith Discovery Church included baptisms, 6 people from ages 10 to 60 obeying the call of Christ Jesus. Tears flowed freely as ‘old’ life was left in the water and the ‘new’ began. The atmosphere was charged with joy and love. We practice “Believer’s Baptism” in our church, following the ancient pattern first set down by Jesus Himself Who commissions us to “Go, make disciples, and baptize!” 

Two young boys who were baptized yesterday, came to me on the Sunday after their orientation class, having processed the things we talked over and they asked me in all earnestness - “So when we are baptized does that mean we are then disciples of Jesus?”  I assured them that it did, for it is true!

Baptism is a rite that identifies us a Christian. We join Jesus in His death and Resurrection, as Paul said. "Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection." (Romans 6:3-5, NIV)  That is why we immerse those who have made a profession of faith.

Baptism of the faith-filled is a doorway into a whole new way of life, a moment when the Spirit is invited to live in us. Peter preached to the crowd who gathered in Jerusalem at the birth of the Church on Pentecost and urged them to  “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2)  The big word we use is regeneration - to be new - the opposite of sin’s degeneration to death.

Baptism also invites us into unity, a oneness of heart that grows out of a that new identity found in Jesus that is more important that any other label we may wear.  "For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28, NLT)  Whatever divided us in the past is set aside as we become ‘brothers and sisters’ in the family of God.

I pray that those 6 who took that step of faithful obedience will always remember that day when they said “yes” to Christ Jesus in a public and humble way - plunged into the water of baptism.  It is a moment of resolution that marks us for life.  My own baptism now more than a half century past is etched in my memory, a moment when I declared to God, to the world around me, and to myself - “Hey, I’m a Believer!”  Everything changed - life now and for eternity - when the amazing, irrevocable life of the Spirit took hold of me.

Remember the day of your baptism with joy, renewing your commitment to faith and discipleship.  Let me ask you - have you been baptized since you believed? If not, why not? Take the step of obedience to Christ, with full faith.  Invite the Spirit to turn that act of obedience into a moment of empowerment, filling you with the Resurrection Life of Christ.

Here is a word from the Word. “Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.   

If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.  For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” Romans 6:3-8, NIV

Oh Hallelujah, what a Savior!
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(Video of this blog at this link)

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Spirit of God, Descend upon my Heart

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart,
wean it from earth, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness mighty as Thou art,
and make me love Thee as I ought to love.

Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own --soul, heart, and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross --there teach my heart to cling,
O let me seek Thee and O let me find.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh,
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear ---
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh:
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
Only holy passion filling all my frame.
The baptism of the heave'n descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love - the flame.

 George Croly© Public Domain