The B-I-B-L-E, That's the Book For Me

I read recently of a sports commentator that is noted for the many hours spent watching videos of the teams he will be covering next, interviewing players and coaches, looking for insights about each team.  It is stated, "Over 90 percent of all the information he gathers doesn't get used."  However, when he commentates a game he feel most comfortable and prepared because of the wealth of knowledge he had gathered the week prior to the game.

Our daily devotion is similar.  What you read this morning from God’s Word may not directly apply to your situation today but sometimes it is preparing you for tomorrow.   Maybe it is preparing you for the situation you will face next week or the question you will be asked next month. Reading from God’s Word will give you confidence in the God that you serve and help you to feel comfortable with the message that you share with others.  "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."  

This morning I reflect on the many hours that I spent in church as a child being taught the Bible and am thankful for the workers that devoted hours of their time to gather information to teach me  each week.  I am grateful for my parents that encourage me to read the bible.  Most of all I am thankful for the love that God has placed in my heart for His Word.  My prayer is that I will always be diligent in gathering information from God's Word, preparing my heart for today, tomorrow, and for eternity.

The Psalmist David said, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You" (Psalms 119:11 NKJV).

The Apostle Paul said, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart”  (Galatians 6:9 NKJV).       

WALKING IS NOT AN OPTION

I learned early in life that "walking is not an option".  My high school days taught me this lesson when the wrestling coach (during training) said to "run" four miles he meant run and not walk.  It was truly a lesson on endurance.  I had a goal I wanted to achieve and was determine to run and not to walk.

Still today in doing hospital visits as a pastor I find myself sometimes almost running down the halls, or at least walking at a fast pace, as if I was running a marathon.  When I "run into someone" in the hallway, you can take that literal.  

Hebrews 12 speaks of a different kind of race.  A race that Jesus ran here on earth, a race that Jesus did not stop short of the finish line.  Gordon MacDonald writes, "He powered His way through the crisis of the cross, through death, and experienced this grand resurrection, which Christian celebrate every year."

In a few weeks here in America we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Again I am reminded that while he was on the cross I was on his mind".  Jesus once stated, "...my nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work."

It is my prayer today that you will not stop short of the finish line.  That you will look to Jesus, the one who endured the cross, experience death and resurrection and made it possible that you may finish this race well!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up."   (Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT)