July 2014 Devotional

Biblical LiteracyMay 1

Bible Reading: Psalms 119:9-16Key Verse: Verse 11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.Key Words: Thy word have I hid in mine heartA pastor asked a Sunday School class of junior-aged young people, Who broke down the wall of Jericho?

A boy answered, Not me, sir!

The pastor was noticeably upset and turned to the Sunday School teacher, Is this typical?

She replied, Pastor, the boy is a trusted and honest child, and I really dont think he did it.

Such a response sent the pastor straight to the Sunday School Superintendent. After hearing the pastors grievance, the superintendent attempted to console him by saying, Ive known the boy and his Sunday School teacher for a number of years, and I just cant picture either one of them doing such a terrible thing.

In disbelief, the pastor sought out the chairman of the deacons. The wise deacon tried to smooth things over with his conventional wisdom, Pastor, lets not make a big issue of this. Lets just pay for the damages and charge it to our maintenance account.

I would think there is some Biblical illiteracy in that church, wouldnt you?

The Library of Congress recently conducted a survey that asked, What book has most influenced your life? The Bible finished first. Yet during a typical week only 45% of Americans who claim to be Christian, say that they read their Bible at all. Of that 45%, just 12% claim to read Gods Word daily. With stats like these, the above story may be true.

I trust you are daily reading, studying, and applying Gods Word to your life. What to do:Hide Gods Word in your heart. Memorize at least one verse a week. (We should use memorizing a lot more.)

As you read the Word of God, ask the Lord to reveal how you can apply it to your life.

Be faithful to the house of God when the Word of God is being taught.********************A Peaceful HeartMay 2

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Key Words: thou shalt meditate thereinOne of the best illustrations of what meditating in Gods Word can do is taken from the German Christian, George Mueller. Mr. Mueller, who developed highly successful ministries to homeless children in the nineteenth century, wrote this in his diary on May 9, 1841.

It has pleased the Lord to teach me a truth, the benefit of which I have not lost for more than fourteen years. The point is this: I saw more clearly than ever that the first great primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not how much I might serve the Lord, or how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul in a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.

Before this time my practice had been, at least for ten years previously, as a habitual thing, to give myself to prayer after having dressed myself in the morning. Now, I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the eading of the Word of God, and to meditation on it, that thus my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, instructed.

The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lords blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to meditate on the Word of God, searching as it were into every verse to get a blessing out of it; not for the sake of public ministry of the Word, not for the sake of preaching on what I had meditated upon, but for the sake of obtaining food for my soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this, that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to supplication; so that, though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer. When thus I have been for a while making confession or intercession or supplication, or have given thanks, I go on to the next words or verse, turning all, as I go, into praying for myself or others, as the Word may lead to it.

By breakfast time, with rare exceptions, I am in a peaceful if not happy state of heart.

What to do:

Spend the first of each morning in Gods Word.

Pray for our educational system which is blinding the minds of our youth.Pray for our country to turn back to GodPray for the righteous to stand and do right.********************

The Bible and The Other Guy

May 3

Bible Reading: James 1:22-27Key Verse: Verse 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Key Words: be ye doersSometimes the hardest thing to do with the Scripture is apply it to your life. For many of us, it is easier to make the application for others, rather than for ourselves. A pastor I know became acutely aware of this when a church member consistently met him after each service and said, You sure preached to them today. The pastor dreamed of someday hearing this woman take the message personally. He thought he had finally gotten his chance when one Sunday a severe storm prevented all but the pastor and this woman (who lived directly across from the church) from showing up. After the message, he knew she could not quote her standard remarks. She didnt. She said, Too bad they werent all here today because you sure preached to them today.

The first priority of Bible study is personal application!!

One of the reasons we fail to apply the Scripture is because we fail to understand the power of Gods Word on us and our world.

Mahatma Gandi once said, You Christians have in your keeping a document with enough power in it to blow the whole of civilization to bits, to turn a society upside down, to bring peace to this war-torn world. But you read it as if it were just good literature, and nothing else.

The Bible is more than just a good book. It is the very Word of God, not just to be read but to be applied! My prayer is that you will apply it, not so much to others as to yourself.

What to do:

Apply Gods Word personally.Have a planned time when you study Gods Word, and write down ways you can personally apply the Scripture, and then apply it!As you hear a message, write down what the Spirit of God lays on your heart, go out and apply those things.Make a commitment to be a doer, not just a hearer of Gods Word.

Search The Scriptures

May 4

Bible Reading: Acts 17:1-15Key Verse: Verse 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.Key Words: searched the scripturesPaul and Silas had to flee from Thessalonica because the unbelieving Jews wanted to have them put to death. So Paul and Silas fled to Berea. We are told that Berea was a more noble place, partly because they searched the Scriptures daily.

The answer for lifes problems can be found inside the Word of God. I heard the following some time back, and it illustrates this point so well.

A young man from a wealthy family was about to graduate from high school. The custom of this affluent neighborhood was the bestowal of a car once the student graduated. The young graduate fully expected the norm would hold true for him as well. He had spent months talking about cars and looking at them with his father. Just a week before graduation the young man found what appeared to be the perfect car. The young man was certain that in just a few days he would see the car in his driveway. Yet when he opened the fathers graduation gift, it was a Bible. He was so mad that he stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible behind. The young man spent years angry with his father, and his fathers death was the only thing that brought him back home. As he was going through his fathers belongings, he came across the Bible his father had given him at graduation. Brushing the dust from the cover, he opened up the Bible. To his surprise and horror, he found a check inside dated the day of his graduation. The check was made out for the exact amount of the car he had wanted.

Gods greatest gifts are sure to be found in the pages of the Scriptures. So it is important that we search the Scriptures, for in them we do find all we desire.

What to do:

Daily search the Scriptures for answers to your questions.

Remember: either sin will keep you from the Bible, or the Bible will keep you from sin!!

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The Bible Made A DifferenceMay 5

Bible Reading: Psalm 107:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

Key Words: and he saved themWhen it comes down to it, there is really only one book in our library that makes a difference in the lives of men and women, boys and girls. This book is the Bible.

Alexander Duff, missionary to India, got off to a rough start. He was young-only twenty-three. He was also bright and innovative. When traveling to India, his ship, the Lady Holland, was within just a few miles of India. It was ten oclock at night, Duff was half-undressed when a shock and shudder ran through the vessel. He rushed to the deck when the Captain met him with terrifying words, Oh, shes gone shes gone! The ship had split apart, but a portion clung precariously to a reef. Through the night, the passengers huddled in terror in the surviving portion of the ship, expecting any moment to be swept away. To their amazement though, a rescue ship appeared and they were saved; but all their possessions were lost, including Duffs entire library of eight hundred volumes.

Later, standing on shore and looking sadly toward the reef, Duff saw a small package bobbing atop the water. He watched and waited as it floated close enough for him to wade out and retrieve the package. Amazingly, it was his Bible. Of all the precious books, it alone had survived. His heart soared, for he knew this book alone was the one book that could make a difference in the lives of those to whom he had come to minister.

He quickly assembled his fellow survivors and read Psalm 107. Duff began to reach thousands for Christ and trained a generation of leaders for the nation of India and for the cause of Christ. But he could not have done it without the Bible. It was, indeed, the book that made a difference.What to do:

Does the Bible make a difference in your life?

Do you use your Bible to make a difference in the lives of others?

Do you spend more time in your Bible than you do other books?

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Experience TheologyMay 6

Bible Reading: II Timothy 2

Key Verse: Verse 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Key Words: rightly dividingLet me begin by giving a definition. Experience theology is when my religious experiences in life give direction to my life rather than the Word of God. It is said that the experience theology movement has brought back the fire and enthusiasm that has been missing in the churches for years. Gordon Fee says, While the Pentecostals and charismatics have brought back the fire and enthusiasm in the church, it has been at a high cost, for their theology is based upon experience rather than proper Biblical interpretation. Now, before you get upset at Mr. Fee, he is a charismatic Pentecostal pastor; but his observation is absolutely correct. Let me explain the problem with this illustration.

I was watching an experience theology television program, and the guest was explaining that his ministry was based on his life verse, Matthew 19:26, With God all things are possible. God gave me that verse, he said.

How? asked the host.

Well, said the man, I was born in 1926 and God said to me, Use the first book of the New Testament and your year of birth and that is my promise to you.

So the host quickly grabbed hold of the idea and said, I was born in 1934, my lifes verse will be Luke 19:34! and read, The Lord hath need of him.

Everyone began to shout, Amen! Glory to God! Praise the Lord! The Lord hath need of him.

Now, there is only one problem. Have you ever read Luke 19:34 in context? Read it! It is talking about a donkey not a man, but a donkey.

Please read carefully. Misinterpreting the Bible is very dangerous. Misinterpreting the Scriptures leads to error, heresy, and apostasy. Keep the Scripture in context. Make sure you are a member of a church that rightly divides the Word of God; and you will be not only better off spiritually but also spiritually safe.

What to do:

Stay away from experience theology churches and televangelists.

Be faithful to all services, including Sunday School and prayer meeting. Much of the basic teaching is done in these services.If you use commentaries or study helps, use the old commentaries by Matthew Henry, R. A. Torrey, etc.

The Open BibleMay 7

Bible Reading Psalm 119:41-48

Key Verse: Verse 46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

Key Words: and will not be ashamedMany hotels in countries around the world have a Bible in each room. Just open a drawer and you will find it.

David McCasland tells the following story:

During a recent hotel stay, I was surprised to see an open Bible placed prominently on the table in the lobby. When I reached my room, instead of the Bible being in a drawer, it was lying open on the desk. My guess is that the owner decided to draw peoples attention to the presence of God and His Word as they travel, often alone and sometimes in great need.

This caused me to ponder my own response to the Scriptures. Is the Bible open in my heart for people to see? Do my actions give evidence that I am continually meditating on Gods Word?

Psalm 119 is filled with praise for the wonders of Gods Word. The psalmist says, And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. (Psalm 119:45-47).

Since every life is an open book, let us seek to demonstrate the love and power of Gods Word, the Bible, for everyone to see.

What to do: Through your demeanor and attitude, let others see Gods Word working through you.

It is important that we live the Word.

Always ask: If I am the only book people read today, will they learn the love of God?

Guided By Pizza HutMay 8

Bible Reading: Psalm 48

Key Verse: Verse 14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

Key Words: he will be our guideIn 1991, Pizza Hut unknowingly offered some divine guidance through their Atlanta billboard. It seems as though an Atlanta, Georgia, fashion designer claimed to have received an answer to her prayers in the middle of a forkful of Pizza Hut spaghetti. She had prayed for a divine sign to help her decide on whether to stay in the church choir or begin a professional singing career. While driving past the billboard, she claims to have seen the face of Michelangelos version of Christs face in the strands of spaghetti hanging from the fork. She took that to mean that the Lord wanted her to stay in the choir.

Now, you do know, I hope, that God does not guide us through billboards, visions, or dreams. God guides us through His Word.

God guided Noah through His Word.

(Genesis 6:14ff)

God guided Abraham through His Word.

(Genesis 12:1ff)

God guided Moses through His Word.

(Exodus 3:1ff)

God guided Joshua through His Word.

(Joshua 1:1ff)

Remember, it was God who told Elijah to go to Cherith, then to Zarephath, and then on to face Ahab. Elijah was guided by the Word of God.

When we act independently of Gods Word, we always end up in turmoil and strife. We should all dedicate ourselves to heed the advice of the psalmist: he will be our guide.

What to do: Never use human logic to justify your actions.

God will always use His Word to guide, so stay in the Word.

Always ask three basic questions when making a decision.

1. Will it build up or tear down my testimony for Christ?

2. Will it glorify God or simply make me happy?

3. Will it build others up in the faith?

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Arent You Glad?May 9

Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Key Words: quick, and powerfulThe Word of God has been used by the Holy Spirit to bring men under conviction and change their lives.

It changed Paul from a persecutor to a preacher.

It changed the Samaritan woman from worldliness to being a witness.

It changed Peter from being a fisherman to being a follower of Christ.

Arent you glad that God, through His Word, is able to change us?

James Calvert (1813-1892) was a zealous missionary to the cannibals on the Fiji Islands. His faithful work bore fruit in the lives of those who were accustomed to taking the lives of others.

A leader of the English government visited the Fiji Islands and was critical of the Islands chief for converting to Christianity. The English leader is said to have told the chief, You are a great leader, but its a pity that you have been taken in by Calvert and his gospel. Chief, no one believes the Bible anymore. People are weary of the threadbare story of Christ dying on the cross for the sins of mankind. They know better now.

The chief then responded, See that great rock over there? On it we once smashed the heads of our victims. Notice the furnace next to it. In that furnace we roasted the bodies of our enemies. If it had not been for Calvert bringing in the gospel of Jesus Christ which changed us, we would be feasting on you right now. Arent you glad we have changed?

So I say to all those who get upset with others who are sold

out to God: arent you glad they have changed?

What to do:

Daily let Gods Word change you.

Be teachable. Unteachable people never change they just rust and corrode.

Take advantage of every opportunity to be under the Word of God.

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The Bible and MoralityMay 10

Bible Reading: Exodus 20:1-17

Key Verse: Verse 7 - Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Key Words: Thou shalt notThere are four primary types of law found inside the Word of God. There is the royal law, Love thy neighbor as thyself. There is the law of liberty found in James 1:25. There is the ceremonial law found primarily in Leviticus and Deuteronomy; and then there is the moral law, which we call the Ten Commandments.

But no matter which one of the four forms of law you read, they are all very clear.

Gods Word separates truth from error, right from wrong; and it does so very clearly, very explicitly.

I read the following and found it quite appalling.

Few would argue with Gene Kasmars belief that sex, child abuse, incest, and prostitution are unfit for children. The problem lies in his petition to the Brooklyn Center Independent School District in Minnesota. It seems Mr. Kasmar feels the dangerous medium by which these vices are foisted on children is none other than the Bible. The lewd, indecent and violent contents of that book are hardly suitable for young students. The Bible quickly reveals its unsuitability in a school and learning environment, wrote Kasmar. Are you surprised he is an avowed atheist? A battle cry of late is, You cant legislate morality. Actually, we can and do. Phrased more accurately, the question is, Whose morality will be legislated? Ours or theirs?

What to do: Remember, it is not the Ten Suggestions, its the Ten Commandments.Do you, as parents, enforce the moral law in your home? You should.

Have each family member write out a list of things which are moral and a list of things which are immoral. Compare and discuss each list.

The Power of The WordMay 11

Bible Reading: Romans 10:1-17

Key Verse: Verse 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Key Words: hearing by the word of God SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1We are told in Romans 10:17, So faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

In the book How To Obtain Fullness of Power, R. A. Torrey states, If we are to obtain fullness of power in our life and service for God, we must feed continually on Gods Word. There is no other food for strengthening the believer. If we will not take time to study the Bible, we will never have power. Just as we receive our physical strength from the food we eat, so it is with our spiritual strength it comes directly from Gods Word.

Let me give you some suggestions that will help make you a strong, mature believer.

1. Study Gods Word thoroughly. Never begin a day without learning a verse from Gods Word.

2. Pray Gods Word in. Never lay it aside until it becomes a part of you for that day.

3. Put it down. Write down the thought that God gives you for the day.

4. Work it out. Daily live the truth you learn from Gods Word.

5. Pass it on. Tell others what you have learned.

We will never have fullness of power until Gods Word becomes a part of us. I read the following and found it applicable. The new minister called at the home of one of his members. Wanting to impress the new pastor, the mother said to her daughter, Dear, go get the book that your mommy loves so much. The little girl dashed away. Shortly she returned with the Penneys catalog in her arms. Oops!!

We are spiritually dwarfed if we neglect Gods Word. In closing, let me leave you with this thought one person may read the Bible, but one hundred people may read you and me.

What to do: Apply the five principles found in the devotion.

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Spiritual MaturityMay 12

Bible Reading: II Timothy 2:1-15

Key Verse: Verse 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.Key Words: StudyHave you ever studied the word study found in II Timothy 2:15? The word means to speed, but that can be misleading. When we think of speed, we think of running fast, driving over the speed limit; but the word does not mean make haste. It carries the idea of being thorough so that we can and will rightly divide the Word of truth.

The problem (as I see it) when it comes to rightly dividing Gods Word is two-fold. First of all, many who say they are saved are not; and the natural man (or the lost person) cannot rightly divide Gods Word. Secondly, of those who are saved, many are spiritually immature.

In a recent survey, pollster George Gallup found that 53% of all the general public say that religion is very important to them. He found that only 13% actually live the faith they profess. Gallup goes on to say that there is spiritual chaos in our country because of spiritual immaturity! According to his research, Americans need instruction badly in Bible study, prayer techniques, and in how to share the gospel. People are trying to be a Christian apart from the Bible, which is impossible.

Gallup says that Christians have become consumer-oriented and are practicing what he calls a la carte religion.I have found that people want the fruit of faith that comes from spiritual maturity, but they shun the obligation required to mature. Spiritually speaking, we do need to grow up.

What to do: Understand that faith comes from hearing Gods Word (Romans 10:17) but maturity comes from living Gods Word.

Share the gospel with others. Remember, it may seem awkward to begin with.

It is only through maturity that we become productive Christians.

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The Bible StandsMay 13

Bible Reading: Matthew 24:29-35

Key Verse: Verse 35 - Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Key Words: my words shall not pass awayIn all of my thirty-four years in the ministry, I have never had anyone ask me to read to them the works of an atheist such as Kant, Hume, or Voltaire. The only book people ask for when they are hurting is Gods Word. It is the only book that will last through the annals of time.

Voltaire, the French philosopher, did not accept the tenets of Christianity. He rejected the Word of God, and Voltaire predicted Christianity would be swept from existence and pass into history within one hundred years of his lifetime. Voltaire died in 1778. At the time of his death, he had written ninety-two volumes against the Bible. At an auction after his death, all ninety-two volumes of his work sold for a mere $4.00 in American currency. Fifty years after his death, the Geneva Bible Society moved into his house and used his printing press to produce thousands of Bibles that were distributed worldwide.

Indeed, we can say with assurance, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35).The Bible does stand!!What to do: Read and heed the only book that can genuinely change your life.

As parents, apply Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

List all the titles of the books you have read from 6th grade on. (Couldnt name many, could you?)

Name one book that has helped you more than the Bible.

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What Do You See?May 14

Bible Reading: James 1:17-25

Key Verse: Verse 23 - For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

Key Words: Beholding his natural face in a glassI am convinced that one reason we do not read and apply the Word of God is that Gods Word reveals us as we really are; and in reality, we do not like what we see.

The following story from Good News Publishers illustrates this point.

Years ago before civilization had penetrated the remote regions of Africa, a white man presented a mirror to the chief of a tribe. He did not know what it was. He looked into it and saw a frightfully ugly face: then sensing that he was seeing the image of himself, he dashed it to the ground and broke it into fragments. Someone might say of him, He was only a savage; an educated person wouldnt be so foolish. Wait a moment! In the city of Boston, at a society of artists, was mentioned one who painted beyond the skin-deep beauty and expression of his subjects, and where the character warranted it had brought out the latent traits and portrayed almost the very soul of the person. Among his patrons was a Boston lady. When she received her portrait from him, she studied it awhile. Then she recognized the fact that the artist had laid bare her true character on the canvas. Furiously she seized a knife and cut the face from the painting and destroyed it. Why should an African slave and a cultured Bostonian both act in this extraordinary manner? Is it not that men and women of all sorts cannot bear to be told the truth about themselves?

What to do: Let Gods Word reveal you to you and be willing to change when and where necessary.

Understand that our beauty is only skin-deep; inward beauty reaches the soul. Work on the inward beauty more than the outward beauty by Bible study and prayer.

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Live By The WordMay 15

Bible Reading: Luke 4:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 4 - And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Key Words: And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.Have you ever read what others have said about the Word of God and how it impacts life?

Note the following:

George Washington said, It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.

Abraham Lincoln said, I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this book and balance it with faith; and you will live and die a better man.

Woodrow Wilson said, I have a very simple thing to ask of you. I ask every man and woman to realize that Americas destiny lies in their daily perusal of this blessed book.

Captain Eddie Rickenbacker stated, The Bible is one book for one world. Today I realize that I would not be here had it not been for the spiritual light and the moral power learned from this book, which have carried me through the many crises of my life.

Douglas McArthur said, Believe me, never a night goes by, be I ever so tired, but I read the Word of God before I go to bed.

Herbert Hoover said, The whole of the inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ. To read the Bible is a necessity for America to live.

Dwight D. Eisenhower said, To read the Bible is to take a trip to a fair land where the spirit is strengthened and faith renewed.

Surely we must understand that we do not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

What to do: Ask God to reveal to you the real importance of Gods Word for your family and for our nation.

Commit yourself each day, not just to feed the body, but to also feed the soul.

The TruthMay 16

Bible Reading: John 17:1-17Key Verse: Verse 17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Key Words: Thy word is truthTruth is truth - whether we like it or not; and Gods Word is truth. It will always point out our strengths and weaknesses. It separates that which is right from that which is wrong. It separates truth from fiction. Im reminded of a story told by Harry Ironside that I read sometime back.

An elderly gentleman, who was very nearsighted, prided himself on his ability as an art critic. While accompanying some friends through a large gallery, he sought to display his real or fancied knowledge of pictures to his friends. He had left his glasses at home and was not able to see things very clearly. Standing before a large frame, he began to point out the inartistic features of the picture before them. The frame, he said, is altogether out of keeping with the subject; and as for the subject itself (it was a picture of a man), it is altogether too homely, in fact, too ugly, ever to make a good picture. It is a great mistake for any artist to choose so homely a subject for a picture if he expects it to be a masterpiece. The old gentleman was going on like this when his wife managed to get near enough to interrupt. She exclaimed, My dear, you are looking into a mirror. Needless to say, he was quite taken back to realize that he had been criticizing his own face.

Sometimes the truth hurts. But like the old gentleman learned: truth can hurt; and Gods Word is truth, whether we like it or not.

What to do: Read Gods Word personally. Application is extremely important.

Understand that only through truth can we see ourselves as we really are.

Understand that the Bible is not just a good book, it is the very Word of God. We should live by it continually.

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Snakebite RemedyMay 17

Bible Reading: Hebrews 2:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 2 - For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

Key Words: For if the word spoken by angels was stedfastIsnt it great to know that Gods Word is steadfast, and that it is an antidote for what ails you? The following story, taken from the Gospel Herald, illustrates this point.

A black snake slithered out of a cave, and the old timer in the Tennessee hills watched it pause a short distance from the mouth of the cave. The reptile took a few bites of a certain plant and wended its way back into the cave. Mr. Old Timer watched the snake repeat this performance two or three times, each time biting on the plant and returning to the cave.

Ill venture the black snake is fighting with a deadly rattler in there, he thought to himself. He comes out here and bites this plant to offset the poison of those fangs, I believe. Just to make sure, Ill make a test. Waiting until the black snake returned to the cave again, he slipped from behind his bush of observation, uprooted the plant and removed it, and returned to watch the results. He regretted his deed, but his suspicions were confirmed when he saw the heroic snake search in vain for the plant, and then curl up and die.

A specific remedy has been provided for the bite of that old serpent...the Devil the Eternal Word of God. Let him come with his poisonous: Go ahead and do it thou shalt not surely die, and the Christian may run to the Word of Life and find the antidote.

What to do: Gods Word is the remedy for fixing snakebites.

Stay in the Word.

A simple test: Have you had your personal devotion each day this month, so far?

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A Biblical World ViewMay 18

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:105-112

Key Verse: Verse 105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Key Words: Thy word is a lamp SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Do you remember the old Brylcreem commercial? For those who may not know, Brylcreem was what I referred to as hair grease. The guys would use it to slick down their hair. Anyway, the Brylcreem commercial had a slogan, A little dabll do ya. Well, I am afraid that many Christians have adopted the Brylcreem slogan when it comes to their study of Gods Word, A little dabll do ya. As a result, Christians do not have a Biblical world view. For example, did you know these facts taken from a survey by the Nehemiah Institute, who gives the Biblical world view test:

60% of all Baptist pastors are humanistic in their view of the world;

75% of Bible college graduates from our circle of colleges are humanistic in their thinking and view of the world;

over 85% of all graduates from Christian schools are humanistic in their world view - many of these graduates started in Christian school as early as K4;

98% of all government schools (public schools) graduates have a humanistic world view;

fewer than 33% of the teachers who teach in Christian schools have a biblical world view; and

it is estimated that in our Baptist churches fewer than 5% have a biblical world view. Many of these individuals are socialistic in their view of the world.

Now, I ask you...how can we change the world when we are in agreement with it; and secondly, how can we truly impact our children and the ones we love when we fail to see things as God sees them? It is time to begin the painful task of changing our view of the world and how we think. This can only be done as we renew our minds.

Our view of this world must be Biblical if we are to make a difference for Gods glory.

What to do: Go online to The Nehemiah Institute (nehemiahinstitute.com) and take the Biblical World View test (PEERS test) and see how you do. (It will not take long.)

Have your children take the world view test.

Discuss the results as a family.

Change in areas where you are wrong, Biblically.

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Word CaloriesMay 19

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 15:15-21

Key Verse: Verse 16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.Key Words: Thy words were found, and I did eat themAccording to findings of two German physiologists who studied the relationship of food to the Ruhr coal miners during World War II, it took three slices of bread for every ton of coal cut by a miner. Each man, they found, required an intake of between 155 and 200 calories per ton of coal they produced. These calories represented what became known as work calories. They discovered that each man required between 1600 to 1800 calories per twenty-four hours, just to stay alive. When the proper work calories were not supplied, the study revealed that eventually the workers would starve to death.

There are some important analogies to be drawn from this. The Word of God is the food of the Christian. Every Christian needs a minimum of food from the Word of God to live his life for God from day to day. If, in addition, the believer has special work to do for the Lord, he will need special additional calories from Gods Word. The greater the output, the more the believer must feed upon the Word. The Word of God is milk for the soul (I Peter 2:2), strong meat (Hebrews 5:12, 14), and honey (Psalm 119:103). Those who are going to survive in the labor of God must, like the prophet, find Gods Words and eat them: Thy words were found, and I did eat them;What to do: Make sure you get plenty of calorie intake from Gods Word.Make sure your spiritual food is diverse: milk, meat, and honey are all required.

1. Milk produces calcium for a strong spiritual back bone.

2. Meat produces muscle for labor and work.

3. Honey fights off germs and disease.

Stay in the Word.

The BibleMay 20

Bible Reading: Exodus 5:1-19

Key Verse: Verse 1 - And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

Key Words: Thus saith the LORD God of IsraelI read recently that some years ago the King of Prussia had a discussion with his chaplain on the veracity of the Bible. The king said to the chaplain, Tell me in a word the proof that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.

The chaplain replied, Your Majesty, I can prove to you in a single word that the Bible is the Word of God.

The king looked at him in amazement and said, What is the magic word that would carry such weight of proof with it?

The chaplain replied, Your Majesty, that word is Israel.

And, of course, he was right. There are other single words that also prove the Bible words such as sin, salvation, and Christ; but the history of the people of Israel is sufficient to show that a divine breath came down upon men who held the pens that wrote the Word of God.

God promises to bless the nation that blesses Israel. America has done that, and America is blessed. On the other hand, Iraq has cursed Israel, and look at their history of heartache and pain.

God told us that Israel would be the focal point of prophecy, and it is. Study Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation chapter 12. We are told that Israel would be scattered but would return to their homeland (Jeremiah 12:15).

The word Israel alone proves that Gods Word, the Bible, is true.

What to do: Start your Bible study as a young Christian in John, I, II, and III John.

As a mature believer, increase your Bible study to such topics as Israel, the Church, the blood of Jesus, etc.

Pray for wisdom as you study; and as always, be a doer of the Word, not a hearer only.********************The TripperMay 21

Bible Reading: Acts 8:26-40

Key Verse: Verse 30 - And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

Key Words: Understandest thou what thou readest?Edward Hutton, English author of The Finest Travel Books on Italy, was awarded the highest civilian honor of the Italian government: Commendatore of the Order of Merit of the Republic. In an interview, he described the difference between the Italy of his first studies and the Italy of the present time. Italy then, he said, was the land of the traveler. Today it is the land of the tripper, the tourist. They dont understand what they see. It is possible for a person with no classical background to look upon the amazing relics of the past and be unaware of their meaning.

Huttons remark is a perfect illustration of the way in which many Christians read their Bibles. Instead of being travelers who journey slowly, absorbing the spiritual blessings and plunging into the spiritual depths, they are tourists who rush along at high speed, not knowing what they have read. One girl who traveled in Italy said she remembered Rome as the place where shoe polish spilled on her best dress, and Venice as the place where the hairdresser burned her hair with a curling iron. She was a tripper.

When you open your Bible to read, always ask yourself the question that Philip posed to the eunuch, Understandest thou what thou readest? Be a traveler, not a tripper.

What to do: Do not just read the Bible; study it.

Meditate on Gods Word. Think about what you are reading.

Take notes as you go through your morning Scripture reading, writing down things of interest and questions you may have.

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Let It Say What It SaysMay 22

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:33-40

Key Verse: Verse 33 - Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

Key Words: Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutesWhile we are to read and study Gods Word, we are not to read things into Gods Word. Let the Bible say what it says. Do not make it say what you want it to say. As we read Gods Word, we need to apply the three principles found in our text. The psalmist says in verse 33- teach me, in verse 34- give me, and in verse 35- make me.

If one is not careful, it is very easy to read things into Gods Word -- things that really are not there. Let me give you an illustration.

Statistics can be made to say just about anything you want. For instance, research demonstrates that pickles cause cancer, Communism, airline tragedies, auto accidents, and death. About 99.9 percent of cancer victims have eaten pickles some time in their lives. One hundred percent of soldiers have eaten them, along with 96.8 percent of Communist sympathizers. In auto and air accidents, 99.7 percent of those involved downed a pickle at some point in their lives. Moreover, those born in 1839 who ate pickles have suffered a 100 percent mortality rate. Statistics and Scripture share one particular similarity. You can twist them to your way of thinking, but it is not wise or safe to do so.

What to do: Let the Scripture say what it says, not what you want it to say.

Ask the Holy Spirit to both guide and teach you as you study.

Have one of the church staff or your Sunday School teacher explain Scripture you do not understand.

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The Biblical BangMay 23Bible Reading: Colossians 1:1-17

Key Verse: Verse 17 - And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Key Words: By him all things consistDid you know that NASAs Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite provided scientists with a wealth of information? On April 23, 1992, scientists reported on the satellites $400 million mission to study the universes origin. After more than 300 million measurements by COBE, the research scientists noted how closely their new discoveries of the universes creation compared with the Biblical account. Harvard astronomer Owen Gingerish said, Both the contemporary scientific account and the age-old Biblical account assume a beginning and its essential framework, of everything springing forth from that blinding flash bears a striking resonance with those succinct words of Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: .

Frederic Burnham, science historian and Director of Trinity Institute of New York City, said many scientists would, at this time more than any time in the last one hundred years, consider the idea that God created the universe a respectable hypothesis. This discovery also supports the findings that 90% of the universe is made up of cohesive, invisible, dark matter that scientists havent been able to identify. Again, the answer is in the Bible in Colossians 1:15-17: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.What to do: Take God at His Word by faith.

Remember faith is taking God at His Word, in spite of my feelings, circumstances, or consequences, whether real or apparent.

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Keep It In ContextMay 24

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 9:1-22

Key Verse: Verse 22 - To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Key Words: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.Now, if I have said it once, I have said it a hundred times, Keep the Scripture in context. I often hear people use I Corinthians 9:22b to justify their lack of standards. For example, I have heard some say, If I need to dress like the world to reach the world, I will so that I might by all means save some. Still others say, I act the way I act and go to the places I go so I can witness to them. You see, I want to be like Paul that I might by all means save some.

But notice with me what Paul is really saying in I Corinthians 9. Notice verse 12 when Paul says that if he needs to suffer all things, he will, so that he might by all means save some. Notice also verse 15 when Paul says he is even willing to die so that he might by all means save some. What about verses 16-18? Paul says that he places himself under the gospel to live by the gospel so that he might by all means save some. Then there is verse 19 when Paul says he is willing to become a servant so that he might by all means save some. In verses 20-21 Paul says that he is willing to place himself under the strictness of the Jewish law that he might by all means save some. As if that is not enough, Paul then says in verse 22a, To the weak [sickly] became I as weak [sickly]. Paul is saying that he is willing to lose his health so that he might by all means save some.

But Paul is not saying, If I need to go to the movies to reach others, I will; nor is he saying If I need to go to worldly activities and parties to reach my friends, I will. Why, Paul is not saying, If I need to let my dress standards go to reach others, I will. What Paul is saying is, If I need to

1. suffer,

2. die,

3. live by the gospel,

4. be a servant,

5. live under the law, or

6. lose my health

to reach others, I will gladly do so. You see, it is important to keep the Word in context. If not, you will convince yourself to do a wrong thing thinking it is for a good cause. Always remember, it is never right to do wrong.

What to do:Keep Gods Word in context. Some suggestions how this can be done:

Ask these questions

1. (To whom is the writer writing?) *

2. Why is he writing to them?**

3. How does he go about proving his point?***

*In I Corinthians chapter 9, Paul is writing to the church at Corinth.

**He is writing to them because they question his apostleship (verse 1) and his authority (verses 4-5). They question his receiving pay for his work (verses 9-13), and they question his methods for reaching others (verses 20-22).

***He says I will suffer, die, live by the gospel, be a servant, etc.

Asking and answering these three questions will help you keep the Word in context.

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Good For What Ails YouMay 25

Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:14-27

Key Verse: Verse 22 - For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Key Words: health to all their fleshI do not know what ails you, but Gods Word is certainly a good medicine. I read the following story which illustrates this point.

A lady, who tells the story herself, went to consult a famous physician about her health. She was a woman of nervous temperament, whose troubles she had many had worried and excited her to such a pitch that the strain threatened her physical strength and even her reason. She gave the doctor a summary of her symptoms, and answered his questions, only to be astonished at this brief prescription at the end of his diagnosis: Madam, what you need is to read your Bible more.

But, doctor, began the bewildered patient.

Go home, and read your Bible an hour a day, the great man reiterated, with kindly authority. Then come back to me a month from today. And he bowed her out without a possibility of further protest.

At first this patient was inclined to be angry. Then she reflected that, at least the prescription was not an expensive one. Besides, it certainly had been a long time since she had read the Bible regularly, she reflected with a pang of conscience. Worldly cares had crowded out prayer and Bible study for years; and, though she would have resented being called an irreligious woman, she had undoubtedly become a most careless Christian. She went home and set herself consciously to try the physicians remedy. In one month she went back to his office.

Well, the doctor said, smiling as he looked into her face, I see you are an obedient patient, and have taken my prescription faithfully. Do you feel as if you need any other medicine now?

No, doctor, I dont, she said honestly. I feel like a different person. But how did you know that was just what I needed?

For answer, the physician turned to his desk. There, worn and marked, lay an open Bible.

Madam, he said with deep earnestness, if I were to omit my daily reading of this Book, I should lose my greatest source of strength and skill. I never go to an operation without finding help in its pages. Your case called not for medicine, but for sources of peace and strength outside your own mind, and I showed you my own prescription, and I knew it would cure.

Yet I confess, doctor, said his patient, that I came very near not taking it.

Very few are willing to try it, I find, said the physician, smiling again. But there are many cases in my practice where it would work wonders if they only could take it.

What to do: When you are bruised spiritually, when you are wounded emotionally, when you are ill physically, try Gods Word as a medicine.

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Do I Get the Job?May 26

Bible Reading: Proverbs 8:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 10 - Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Key Words: Receive my instructionProverbs, chapter eight, deals with the wisdom of Gods Word. In verses one through nine, we see the plea of Gods Word; in verses ten through twenty-one, we see the riches of Gods Word; and in verses twenty-two through thirty-six, we see the influence of Gods Word.

Some time back I read a story of the importance of Gods Word. The story went like this:

I would like a job as tutor, teacher, and advisor to your family. I will never take a vacation. I will never be out of humor. I dont smoke or drink. I will not borrow your clothes or raid your refrigerator.

I will be up in the morning as early as anyone in the house, and I will stay up as late as anyone wishes. I will help solve any problems your children might have. I will give you the satisfaction of knowing that no question your children ask will go unanswered. For that matter, I will answer any of your questions or subjects that range from, How did I get here? to Where am I headed?

I will help settle any difference of opinion anyone or you may have. I will give you information that will help you with your job, your family, and all other interests.

In short, I will give you the knowledge that will ensure the continued success of your family.

I AM YOUR BIBLE!!

DO I GET THE JOB?

What to do: Consult the Bible before you consult with others about the problem you are facing.

Employ the Bible as your boss.

Always remember, Gods Word is your final authority.

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No EffectMay 27

Bible Reading: Mark 7:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 13 - Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.Key Words: Making the word of God of none effectIn our text, Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees for adding to and taking away from the Word of God to benefit their own personal lifestyle and beliefs. I have found that to be a common practice, not just among the Pharisees of Jesus day, but among the believers of today as well. I read the following story some time back that illustrates this point.

A pastor was talking with a woman who appeared to be somewhat knowledgeable of Gods Word. The pastor mentioned capital punishment. Oh, she said, Im against capital punishment. I cant imagine anyone being a man of God who believes in capital punishment. Why on earth, she asked, would you believe such a thing? Very simple, said the pastor, it is a basic teaching of Gods Word.

Genesis 9:5-6, And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every mans brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth mans blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Exodus 21:12, He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

Revelation 13:10, He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.After hearing all the verses of what God said in regard to capital punishment, the lady looked at the pastor and said, Ill go and pray and see how God guides me in the matter.

Now, at the risk of sounding crude, I say, It doesnt matter what she does, Gods Word makes it clear on the matter. So it should be in our lives not what we think, but what Gods Word says.

What to do:Let the Word of God be your final authority.

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Handling The WordMay 28

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:13-24

Key Verse: Verse 17- And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Key Words: the sword of the SpiritThe Word of God is compared to any number of things, a mirror, a hammer, a fire; but in our text, it is compared to a sword. I came across this little gem of a story which illustrates the importance of knowing how to handle the Word of God. It is taken from Present-Day Parables as told by D. L. Moody.

I came up to Boston from the country and went into a Bible class where there were a few Harvard students. They handed me a Bible and told me the lesson was in John. I hunted all through the Old Testament for John, but couldnt find it. I saw the fellows hunching one another, Ah, greenie from the country. Now, you know that is just the time when you dont want to be considered green. The teacher saw my embarrassment and handed me his Bible, and I put my thumb in the place and held on. I didnt lose my place. I said then that if I ever got out of that scrape, I would never be caught there again. Why is it that so many young men from eighteen to twenty cannot be brought into a Bible class? Because they dont want to show their ignorance. There is no place in the world that is so fascinating as a live Bible class. I believe that we are to blame that they have been brought up in the Sunday School without Bibles and brought up with quarterlies. The result is, the boys are growing up without knowing how to handle the Bible.

What to do: Know the Word so you can handle the Sword effectively.Learn at least one new Bible precept everyday.

Pray for Gods wisdom.

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A Valuable TruthMay 29

Bible Reading: II Timothy 2:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 9 - Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Key Words: but the word of God is not bound Have you ever considered how valuable Gods Word is? It is valuable because it convicts (Hebrews 4:12); it converts (Romans 10:17); it corrects (II Timothy 3:16); it cleanses (Psalm 119:9); it conquers (Ephesians 6:17); and it comforts (I Thessalonians 4:18).

Gods Word is valuable.

An ancient fable tells of three merchants crossing the Arabian Desert. Traveling in darkness to avoid the intense heat, they came across a dry creek bed, when suddenly a voice cried out from the dark night and commanded them to stop. They were then ordered to pick up pebbles from the bed and put them in their pockets. They obeyed the strange command, and were then told to leave that area, which they did immediately. As they were leaving the voice told them that in the morning they would be both happy and sad. Shaken and confused, they journeyed on.

When morning came, the men anxiously looked inside their pockets; and rather than finding pebbles as expected, they found precious jewels. They, indeed, were both happy and sad. They were happy in that they had gathered precious jewels; they were sad because they could have gathered much more.

The fable illustrates to us a valuable truth. We are thrilled with what we have learned from Gods Word, but are sad because we could have learned so much more.

What to do:Take in Gods Word like a sponge.

Dig for gold nuggets from Gods Word that can help you in life.

Understand that Gods Word is not just a good book; it is a gold mine of great value.

The Bible StandsMay 30

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:89-96

Key Verse: Verse 89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Key Words: thy word is settled

Charles Spurgeon is said to have written the following in regard to the Word of God.

We went to a machine shop arriving a little early and, as we were looking around, we saw a pile of old, worn, battered, discarded hammers lying in one corner of the shop. We counted forty-seven hammers. We also saw a bright, unscarred anvil which looked as if it had never had a blow. I said to the man in charge, How many anvils have you used to wear out that pile of hammers? Oh, he replied, just this one, pointing with pride to the anvil. You know, said he, the anvil wears out the hammers. The blows on the anvil only make it shine brighter. As I stood there and looked at that pile of discarded hammers, I thought of the Word of God and its enemies and critics. I thought of Rosseau, Tom Paine, Bob Ingersoll, Darrow and a host of others who have ridiculed the Word of God and passed on. When the last infidel and higher critic has taken his last sarcastic fling at the Word of God and gone to the scrap heap of hell, Gods Word will still be here. It is the Bible that wears out the skeptics. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

All I could possibly say is Amen and Amen!!

What to do:Believe Gods Word. That will protect you.

Share Gods Word. That will convict others.

Learn Gods Word. That will aid you.

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Spiritual DeafnessMay 31

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 2

Key Verse: Verse 14 - But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Key Words: receiveth notI once heard the story about a little fellow who spent his summers with his sister on his grandparents farm. They would go to the farm in the summertime and spend the summer riding horses, playing with the cows, and running in the woods. They just had a real big time.

One day the little boy decided he would make a slingshot. He got to where he was quite an expert at hitting things with it. So, he looked out and there was his grandmothers prize goose.

Sure enough he hit that goose right on the head and he killed it and he knew he was in trouble. So he said to himself, Id better dig a hole and bury it before anyone finds out.

So he dug a hole and put the goose into it and he was covering the goose over when he heard his sister say, I caught you, I caught you, I caught you! I saw what you did. I saw you kill grandmothers goose and Im going to tell on you!

She really had him. I mean she really had that poor fellow and she made life miserable for him. When it was her turn to get the water, he had to go get it because he was being blackmailed. When it was her time to bring in some wood for the stove, he had to do it because he feared she would tell on him.

She just made life miserable for him. He was guilty and he knew he was guilty. He was under condemnation and the guilt of what he had done. It began to eat away at him and finally he just couldnt stand it anymore. It was just eating him alive and tearing his little heart up.

Finally, one day he went running into grandmas room. He threw himself into her arms and said, Oh, grandmother. I killed your goose. I did it. I didnt think the rock would kill it. I buried the goose and I have been so afraid that sister was going to tell you that I just cant stand it! Would you please forgive me for killing your goose?

His grandmother said, Why son, I was looking out the window and I saw you kill that goose. I have known you did it all this time. I just wanted you to come and ask me to forgive you for it.

It is true God is watching!!

What to do:Understand that the key to understanding the written Word is knowing the Living Word.Do you love Gods Word? The key to loving Gods Word is knowing the Author.

If you are not saved, accept Christ today. We would be glad to assist you in this area.

I deeply appreciate the help ofMary Parsons

Glenda Myrick

And my lovely wife, LindaWithout God using these people to help, this devotional would not have been possible.Dr. Mike Rouse

is a ministry of SHAPE

Refreshing Daily

in Gods Word

Emphasis on

The Bible

May 2015

Let us see Je

Quotes about the Bible from D.L. Moody

I never saw a fruit-bearing Christian who was not a student of the Bible.

The Bible will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Bible.

Merely reading the Bible is no use at all without we study it thoroughly, and hunt it through, as it were, for some great truth.

I know the Bible is inspired because it inspires me.

I prayed for Faith, and thought someday faith would come down and strike me like lightning. I now open my Bible and began to study, and Faith has been growing ever since.

The best law for Bible study is perserverance.

REMEMBER:

The Bible is Gods side of the conversation.

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