Again this year, 2016, I will commence a through-the-Bible-in-a-year reading plan in addition to my weekly study in the Word of God to share messages with our church. Some might say, “Come on, you have read the Bible already. Why do you keep rereading it anyway? Isn’t it a redundant exercise?” Well, there is one very good reason to renew yourself in a commitment to read, study and meditate on scripture throughout the New Year. It is found in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The Bible is not like any other book on the planet. Clearly, it is Divinely authored. What other book has 40 authors writing over 1600 years in different epochs, different cultures, different circumstances, different locations… all supplementing and complementing one another… all testifying with one voice to God’s singular redemptive plan… all together telling us that Someone is coming [Genesis-Malachi], Someone came [Matthew-John] and Someone is coming again [Acts-Revelation]. The Bible is not a book you read through once and then you have gotten it. You need only to thoughtfully read it once to know it is not like any other book in the world. It is alive and active. It penetrates. It judges the heart.
It is the Word of Truth/Life. And personally, I can tell you I don’t have all the answers. I need to know from the Ultimate Authority what is true and what is false. I want to know how to think, how to speak, how to act and react. Some people buy self-help books, and they can be helpful as a supplement, because all truth is God’s truth; but the Bible is special and foundational to personal growth. It is the Sourcebook. You will get spiritual conviction and practical instruction from the Bible. Join me and see the difference. Your attitudes and actions will change in 2016! Life will be deeper and sweeter!
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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