I posted this a year or two ago….but it is still near the top of my things I’m thankful for list.
As I closed my Bible after reading this morning, I just pressed it to my chest and said "Lord, I'm so thankful for Your Word!"
Everyday I'm so anxious to open it. When I close it, I just feel different. I'm more at peace, more settled. I feel full and satisfied yet more hungry, looking forward to the next time I read it all at the same time! I'm so thankful for men, inspired by the Holy Spirit who took time to write it, for those who copied it and re-copied it all through history so that it would be preserved. I'm humbled when I think that it cost people their lives to guard it, to keep it and to hide it as well as to publish it in a language that I could understand! How could I ever treat it as common? I'm thankful that Paul didn't waste his days languishing away in a Roman jail, but he used that time to write. If he hadn't we'd be without a majority of the New Testament! I'm thankful for the Jews that recorded and wrote down all the acts of God throughout history, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the acts of the Holy Spirit.
The Word is my truly my source. When I am hungry Jesus beckons me to go there and a table is already spread just waiting for me to come and eat until I'm full. When I'm frightened there are admonitions telling me "do not fear", at least enough for one every day of the year. They call out to me and comfort my soul by reminding me that the one who said it is well able to handle anything that concerns me that day. When I am hurting, His words soothe my soul, pouring out the oil, the balm that soothes, heals and restores. When I feel deserted, His Words surround me and that cloud of witnesses calls from it's pages to remind me that I am not alone. When I've allowed unbelief to cloud my way and my strength to persevere is gone, His Word comes running to me and picks me up and runs the race right beside me reminding me to be strong and courageous for He is with me.
His Words are like cool water after a long, hard day in the hot sun. It quenches the spiritual thirst in me. And just as water strengthens and rejuvenates from the blistering heat, so His Word reaches and soaks into every fiber of my being and fills me up giving me strength and energy to continue on. The promises on those pages are sure. They are a rock beneath my feet, a sure foundation. They are guardrails to keep me on the straight and narrow path away from harm that awaits me if I wander. They are the lamp that shines on the road I am to take and they are the light at the end of the tunnel, my destination, my great reward!
I'm so thankful that I don't have to wait til the next Sunday meeting, the next Bible study, the next chance meeting with another believer to receive all that I need at any given moment. It's there sitting on my nightstand always working, always powerful, always true! It's hidden in my heart by the Holy Spirit who brings it to my remembrance so that my mind is stayed and in peace. It never ceases to amaze me at it's accuracy, it's pertinence, it's ability to pinpoint whatever is going on in my life and to give instruction, encouragement, and revelation.
Jesus said that "I and the Word are one." What an incredible thought! When I pick up that book, with it's worn cover, smudged pages and colorful markings, smelling of glue and tape that has put it back together so many times, I am conversing with Jesus Himself. I'm hearing "power words" that are active and working in my life.
My Bible, the Word of God-truly the pearl of great price, truly a treasure worth selling all to have.
Thank you God for writing it all down for me but for not leaving me alone when I read it. Of how many other books that we own can we say that "every time we read it, the author is sitting right there with us"?
Lord, I'M SO THANKFUL FOR MY BIBLE!
As I closed my Bible after reading this morning, I just pressed it to my chest and said "Lord, I'm so thankful for Your Word!"
Everyday I'm so anxious to open it. When I close it, I just feel different. I'm more at peace, more settled. I feel full and satisfied yet more hungry, looking forward to the next time I read it all at the same time! I'm so thankful for men, inspired by the Holy Spirit who took time to write it, for those who copied it and re-copied it all through history so that it would be preserved. I'm humbled when I think that it cost people their lives to guard it, to keep it and to hide it as well as to publish it in a language that I could understand! How could I ever treat it as common? I'm thankful that Paul didn't waste his days languishing away in a Roman jail, but he used that time to write. If he hadn't we'd be without a majority of the New Testament! I'm thankful for the Jews that recorded and wrote down all the acts of God throughout history, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the acts of the Holy Spirit.
The Word is my truly my source. When I am hungry Jesus beckons me to go there and a table is already spread just waiting for me to come and eat until I'm full. When I'm frightened there are admonitions telling me "do not fear", at least enough for one every day of the year. They call out to me and comfort my soul by reminding me that the one who said it is well able to handle anything that concerns me that day. When I am hurting, His words soothe my soul, pouring out the oil, the balm that soothes, heals and restores. When I feel deserted, His Words surround me and that cloud of witnesses calls from it's pages to remind me that I am not alone. When I've allowed unbelief to cloud my way and my strength to persevere is gone, His Word comes running to me and picks me up and runs the race right beside me reminding me to be strong and courageous for He is with me.
His Words are like cool water after a long, hard day in the hot sun. It quenches the spiritual thirst in me. And just as water strengthens and rejuvenates from the blistering heat, so His Word reaches and soaks into every fiber of my being and fills me up giving me strength and energy to continue on. The promises on those pages are sure. They are a rock beneath my feet, a sure foundation. They are guardrails to keep me on the straight and narrow path away from harm that awaits me if I wander. They are the lamp that shines on the road I am to take and they are the light at the end of the tunnel, my destination, my great reward!
I'm so thankful that I don't have to wait til the next Sunday meeting, the next Bible study, the next chance meeting with another believer to receive all that I need at any given moment. It's there sitting on my nightstand always working, always powerful, always true! It's hidden in my heart by the Holy Spirit who brings it to my remembrance so that my mind is stayed and in peace. It never ceases to amaze me at it's accuracy, it's pertinence, it's ability to pinpoint whatever is going on in my life and to give instruction, encouragement, and revelation.
Jesus said that "I and the Word are one." What an incredible thought! When I pick up that book, with it's worn cover, smudged pages and colorful markings, smelling of glue and tape that has put it back together so many times, I am conversing with Jesus Himself. I'm hearing "power words" that are active and working in my life.
My Bible, the Word of God-truly the pearl of great price, truly a treasure worth selling all to have.
Thank you God for writing it all down for me but for not leaving me alone when I read it. Of how many other books that we own can we say that "every time we read it, the author is sitting right there with us"?
Lord, I'M SO THANKFUL FOR MY BIBLE!
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