A new year is in progress whether we are ready or not. Time
waits for no one. I have heard it said, "Time is too slow for
those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for
those who grieve, and too short for those who rejoice". We
never know what will unfold for us throughout this New Year.
Life has uncertainties, but one thing is sure, time goes on.
The One who made time Himself, is the only one who knows
what your 2005 will bring. The year 2004 is gone, and never
to return. We all can look back and recollect in our minds
and our hearts, but literally going back can never be. The
joys we had, and the victories we took hold of can inspire
us in 2005. The mistakes we made, and the sorrows we experienced
can be tools for us, (stepping stones) if you will, for our
success in this New Year.
Every year many people start out with New Year resolutions
and goals they would like to achieve for a better life (Proper
nutrition, weight loss, physical exercise, hobbies we have
always wanted to pursue, and money management strategies).
Every New Year some will start out again to read The Word of
God through, from Genesis to Revelation. Some will fizzle out
and not follow through with this Godly discipline. Yet, it is
truly a lamp unto our feet, and a light for our path. No other
book is alive, but this One. The whole Bible was given to us
by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true
and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens
us out and helps us do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:16 TLB).
"The grass withers, the flowers fade, but The Word of
God shall stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8)
Uncertain about what lies ahead? Fearful about the future
and the times in which we are living in? Made some mistakes
and took some wrong detours in your past? Need some disciplines
in your life? God's Word is pure, eternal, and just. God's
Word is more desirable than gold. God's Word is sweeter than
honey dripping from a honeycomb. The Word of God warns us
away from harm and gives success to those who obey them,
(Psalm 19: 9-ll TLB) "Heaven and earth will pass away,
but His Words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35 NIV).
In a world of artificial this and that, (just read the labels
on food items). It is difficult to really get what is genuine.
The Words of the LORD are flawless; like silver refined in a
furnace of clay, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6) You get
the Real Thing with The Word of God, no maybes or hope so's,
or artificial additives.
I asked a friend what he wanted for Christmas, his reply
was a Bible. He had several, but really wanted another
particular study Bible. What a request, and what a gift.
Nobody ever outgrows scripture; this Book widens and deepens
with our years. Ronald Reagan is quoted saying, "Within
the covers of this single Book are all the answers to all the
problems that face us today, if we would only look there.""
George Washington said, "It is impossible to rightly
govern the world without God and the Bible." John Quincy
Adams said, "The first and almost the only Book deserving
of universal attention is The Bible."" The Bible is the
Book that people want around when they are dying, yet it is
the Book that should be studied while we are living. The Bible
is the Book that will keep you from sin, or "sin will keep
you from this Book"". This Book is greater than an atomic
weapon.
The Bible is God speaking to us. The Bible is God's love
letter to humanity. The Bible is the #1 tranquilizer (which
by the way has no side effects) The Bible gives us direction
and calms our fears. The Bible will reveal our heart to us
according to Hebrews 4:12; "For the word of God is
living and powerful, and sharper thun any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heaut And there is no creature hidden from His
sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him
to whom we must give account." The Bible when it is
truly studied is worth more than a college education. The Bible
cannot be exhausted. The Bible is a book of action. The Bible
is a romance novel. The Bible is hope for the hopeless. The
Bible is bread to sustain our spiritual bodies. It is
foolishness to those who are perishing ("For the
message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God"
1Cor. 1:18). The Bible reveals the character and nature of God
Himself through Jesus Christ His Son. The Bible shows us the
way home.
Many families in the U.S.A. have several Bibles in their
homes, so many of them are never opened; maybe on occasion.
They are merely dust collectors on a shelf, as we reach for
the remote to the TV. Many Christians in other nations are
willing to die for The Word of God. In 1996, and 1997, I had
the privilege of smuggling suitcases full of Bibles into the
nation of Cuba. The Pastor who received them was so grateful
to have these Bibles written in Spanish, his native language.
His life could have easily been threatened for receiving this
recious gift, yet he was willing to take the risk, because he
had passion for the Word of God, and he desired his people to
have it as well. Many of us in the U.S.A. take for granted the
greatest book and best selling book, ever to be printed.
I thank God for Pastors and for Teachers of the Word of God,
but that alone is not enough to sustain us. We each need daily
our spiritual prescription of meditating on The Word of God,
then we will be "prosperous and successful "
according to Joshua 1:8. However, it is not enough to just read
it, we must meditate upon it. We must (selah) "pause and
think" about it. If your Bible or Bibles were taken from
you, do you have enough of The Word of God inside you to sustain
you? God is speaking today. He speaks through His Word. Have you
heard from Him Lately? Lost your passion for it? Pick it up, ask
God to give you a love for it. It is truly the best discipline
you can formulate this year.
Debbie Fondren
