Know the Word

Lately I have been challenged more and more to know God's word.  Not to just hear it or to glimpse over it in a daily devotional, but to explore it for myself 

One of he first things that I realized is that knowing God's word is a dangerous thing.  It teaches us, it guides and instructs us.  It literally has the power to change us. Seriously?  Read John 1 

So if we begin to read God's word daily, shouldn't we then be able to learn God's word and His word to our lives?  We should!  But many times we don't.

The problem is that we expect other people to tell us or show us what God is all about.  We trust preachers and teachers to instruct and inform.  We wait for a spiritual moment or an event that will enlighten us.  Too many times we do not take the time or make an effort to sit down to meditate and read through God's word for ourselves.  

Most Americans own a Bible. In fact, 92% of households in America own at least one copy.  Of those households that own a Bible, the average number of Bibles is three.  This includes not only the homes of practicing Christians but hundreds of thousands of atheists as well.  Although most Americans own a Bible, use of the Bible varies significantly.  In a poll taken by the Gallup Organization, 59% of Americans reported that they read the Bible at least occasionally.  The percentage of Americans who read the Bible at least once a week is 37%. Wow 37%! So do we really "know" God's word?

Ponder this; If you are a Christ follower, then people should be able to look for—and find—fruit in your life. Why? Because a disciple of Jesus Christ will produce spiritual fruit. Jesus said, " 'My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father'" (John 15:8 NLT). Jesus also said, "'By their fruits you will know them'" (Matthew 7:20 NKJV).

Love one another, create fruit.  It's in the good book.  It's God's word. 
dave

Be thankful

In my quiet time this morning I was reflecting on appreciation. Last night was a pretty late night for me. I left the church around 10:30 or so after we finished a rare, late, band practice. On my way home I got a text from my wife telling me that she had gotten sick and she was not feeling any better. Anyone who is married with children knows how important a stay-at-home mom is to the delicate structure of family life. So aside from the natural concern for her health and well being, I went into “What can I do” mode.

What can I do? I realized that the boys and I are totally are dependent on her. She fills so many gaps and holes in our household that we many times do nothing and magically things get done. Wow! Do we live our lives depending on someone or being co-dependent? There is a difference, look it up.

Our culture is such that it has provided a way for all of us to live our lives expecting other people to do everything for us. We are dependent on so many things. We depend on having gas dropped into the ground for us to pump into our cars, food stocked on store shelves. We even depend on news and entertainment being “on demand” and piped directly into our homes and cell phones.

So what? It’s the American way! I agree, it has certainly become the norm. I am not suggesting that we all move out into some far corner of a vast wilderness and learn how to hunt and kill our own food. And that we build our own houses and plant our own crops. I am simply offering up one simple thought…………be thankful.

While I looked at my wife resting this morning I was reminded of how wonderful she is to do all that she does for our family. She never complains, she never has a second thought. Why? If you asked her, she would tell you that she is thankful to have her boys in her life. Thankful.

So if you have not done it lately, take a moment and thank God for all of the people in your life that you are thankful for. Then go one step further and tell them how much they mean to you. Call them, text them, facebook them, or whatever it takes to let them know that you appreciate them.

thank•ful –adjective - feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative.

Blessings,

dave