WHY SCRIPTURE MUST GUIDE US AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST

SCRIPTURE. As a follower of Jesus, I can’t emphasis enough how important it is in one’s Life. We are living in a world that seems to look everywhere for Truth and Guidance…except to Scripture. It honestly baffles me at times how many people seem to rely on Mankind’s “wisdom and words” to set their course in decision making, discernment, path, and also Purpose. It happens in the secular world, and also in Religious circles. People are willing to believe media spin, political viewpoints, pastoral opinion, and sometimes outright Propaganda…as long as it ‘Feels Right !” In the Search For Truth, there are many roads we can follow, but Jesus points us always to GOD’S WORD ! In studying Paul’s letter to Timothy, it is interesting how Paul is explaining to Timothy the things that actually make LEADERS STRONG AND EFFECTIVE. There are many characteristics that matter, but perhaps none as important as an understanding and connection with God’s Truth, His Ways, His Commandments, and His Desires for us as His Children. SCRIPTURE CLEARLY DEFINES THOSE ESSENTIALS FOR US ! The Church serves as a key place to encounter Scripture, and yet, the Church over time has been both a springboard towards, and also a hindrance to Spiritual Growth for God’s People. In The Book Of Revelation, Jesus has written letters to the Seven Churches in an effort to show them and US what His True Desires Are For Our Lives. In these letters, Jesus defines Himself, Commends some attributes, lodges some complaints against them, and defines some rewards that they will receive. Interestingly, TWO of the churches received no complaints; The churches of Smyrna, and Philadelphia. This is important, because it allows us with eyes to see and ears to hear a template for our own lives in relationship with and to Him. To “Smyrna”, he acknowledges their afflictions, poverty, and upcoming suffering, while encouraging their Faithfulness. His promise to them is the Crown Of Life and Protection from the Second Death. To “Philadelphia”, Jesus commends their perseverance and in the “little” strength they have, Keeping His Word and Not Denying His Name ! Jesus promises an open door to relationship and Life, Protection From Trial, and making them a Pillar In God’s Temple. The entirety of the other “Churches” are all shown their faults, and their need for Change and Repentance. THESE CHURCHES SHOW US THE PATH GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO PURSUE ! Sadly, many of these “churches” exist in their same form today, and Jesus makes it very clear that the fate they await without Major Change will not be good at all. The POINT here is that “ If You, or Your Church is weak in sharing and teaching SCRIPTURE, you as a Follower Of Christ and a member of a Church Congregation Will Not understand your CALLING AND GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE ! Our society in America has become very comfortable with cruising along, feeling like a good person, and essentially being “stuck” in a low effort relationship with God. We are able to attend church openly and state our “opinions” freely. In many places in the world (China, Middle East, and others), Faith In Christ means Risking Everything ! Persecution Is REAL and Harsh ! am honestly “Humbled” by the FAITH of those who STAND STRONG WITH CHRIST ! It is GOD’S WORD and HIS POWER AND LOVE that provides Endurance and Grace ! Jesus not only WAS THE WORD, HE LIVED THE WORD:) From the beginning of the Creation, God’s Word has Guided and Freed His People.

FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND ACTIVE, SHARPER THAN ANY TWO EDGED SWORD, PIERCING TO THE DIVISION OF SOUL AND OF SPIRIT, OF JOINTS AND MARROW, AND DISCERNING THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTIONS OF THE HEART. Hebrews 4:12

YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO MY FEET AND A LIGHT TO MY PATH. Psalm 119:105

ALL SCRIPTURE IS BREATHED OUT BY GOD AND PROFITABLE FOR TEACHING, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, AND FOR TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE COMPLETE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. 2 Timothy 3: 16-17

THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD WILL STAND FOREVER. Isaiah 40:8

The Word Of God is an INVITATION TO A DEEP RELATIONSHIP ! In the Scripture, one will find “LIGHT” for Path and Purpose. In the Scripture, one will find wisdom and training in Righteousness as God Himself searches the depth of Our Hearts ! Understanding and Meditating on Scripture takes us DEEPER…that WE may know God and His Thoughts and Ways. If our lives are “defined” by culture or our “feelings”, we miss out on the gift of “Correcting Our Course” and making discerned adjustments that benefit US and all those around us. Jesus came to the earth and walked among us that WE MIGHT SEE AND HEAR GOD ! If one carefully reads the Gospels in the New Testament it is easy to see the IMPACT Jesus had on the crowds that clamored to hear His Voice. HIS MESSGAE WAS RADICALLY DIFFERENT. It was about Honoring God, and Serving those around you. IN A LOVING WAY. It was about embracing a PURE LIFE, not surrendering to the ranting of a mob mentality that celebrated Self, Self Importance, and SIN. Around the world today we see so many Governments and Cultural Icons reject God, and work so hard to quiet HIS WORD….they just don’t get it. They rely on their own “wisdom” and “intellect”; ignoring what History has shown us, and striving to repeat it, and repeat it, and repeat it. SO VERY SAD. Scripture shows us a succinct picture of a God who has moved through time continually working to bring His People back to Him and His Ways. Every other Religion works on “self improvement” to earn a way into God’s realm, or self illumination, or towards a fleshly accomplishment or pleasure….and they ALL FAIL TO REACH GOD ! Many “churches” today are teaching people to “Embrace and Celebrate” the very things that God Condemns…and they are So Off Track. They are LOST, and yet they strive to shake their fist and laugh in God’s Face. Nothing New….God has seen it since the Original Fall From Grace.

AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US, AND WE HAVE SEEN HIS GLORY, GLORY AS OF THE ONLY SON FROM THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. John 1:14

BUT BE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOURSELVES. James 1:22

FOR THE WORD OF THE LORD IS UPRIGHT, AND ALL HIS WORK IS DONE IN FAITHFULNESS. Psalm 33:4

It is up to each and every one of us to set our minds and hearts on a path to Immerse Ourselves in The Word Of God. It is about making time and effort. It is about Priorities versus excuses. Approach God and ask His Spirit to give you a hunger and resolve to SEEK HIM and HEAR HIS WORD. Read His Word with a Heart seeking Truth and Wisdom, not just an idle thumbing through of some ancient, dry text. BUILD YOUR LIFE ON HIS WORD. Seek the things that will truly make you not just a “better person”, but a holy and sanctified person whom God loves and embraces. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. WHY ? Because HE loves you and desires to have a deep relationship with you ! Dive into the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John, and SEE who Jesus is, and HEAR what He has to say TO YOU ! It is PERSONAL…not just some list of self improvement stepwork, or a way to make it to Heaven. IT IS A WAY OF LIFE. YOUR LIFE. MY LIFE. IT IS EVERYTHING !!!

EMBRACE HIS WORD/JAA

“SUPPOSE ONE OF YOU HAS A HUNDRED SHEEP AND LOSES ONE OF THEM. DOESN’T HE LEAVE THE NINETY-NINE IN THE OPEN COUNTRY AND GO AFTER THE LOST SHEEP UNTIL HE FINDS IT ? AND WHEN HE FINDS IT, HE JOYFULLY PUTS IT ON HIS SHOULDERS AND GOES HOME. THEN HE CALLS HIS NEIGHBORS TOGETHER AND SAYS, ‘REJOICE WITH ME; I HAVE FOUND MY LOST SHEEP.’ I TELL YOU THAT IN THE SAME WAY THERE WILL BE MORE REJOICING IN HEAVEN OVER ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS THAN OVER NINETY-NINE RIGHTEOUS PERSONS WHO DO NOT NEED TO REPENT.” Luke 15: 3-7