Bible League: Living His Word And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible. Isaiah wrote the book of Isaiah. Jeremiah wrote the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations. Ezekiel wrote the book of Ezekiel. Luke wrote the books of Luke and Acts. There were approximately 40 men who wrote the various books of the Bible over the course of approximately 1600 years. Although there is a diversity of authors, a diversity of writing styles, a diversity of historical contexts, a diversity of perspectives and concerns, God lies behind it all as the ultimate author of the Bible. II Timothy 3:16 says that "All Scripture is breathed out by God." God worked through every author and used their talents, writing styles, and personalities to say what He wanted to be said. Given the human dimensions of the Bible with all its diversity and individuality, one can see why some might chalk up the Bible as being nothing more than a creation of human beings and human traditions. That's why the Apostle Paul thanks God in our verse for today that the Thessalonians received Paul's message as the Word of God, rather than the word of Paul. You can't appreciate the Word for what it is apart from the grace of God. It is by faith that the hearers and readers of the Word accept it as being the Word of God, rather than the words of men. And faith is a gift from God: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). The next time you hear the Word or read the Word ask God to give you the grace necessary to receive it in faith as a Word from God for you. Ask that, like the Thessalonians, the Word would go to work in you forming you into everything God wants you to be. And be sure that, like Paul, you thank God for all of this. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingLeviticus 15, 16, 17 Leviticus 15 -- Cleansing Unhealthy Discharges NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Leviticus 16 -- The Day of Atonement NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Leviticus 17 -- Blood Designated for Atonement, Forbidden as Food NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 27:1-31 Matthew 27 -- Judas Hangs Himself; Jesus' Trial, Crucifixion and Burial NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. Insight God's protection of his people is limitless and can take many forms. David characterized God's care with five military symbols. God is like (1) a rock that can't be moved by any who would harm us, (2) a fortress or place of safety where the enemy can't follow, (3) a shield that comes between us and harm, (4) a horn of salvation—a symbol of might and power, and (5) a stronghold high above our enemies. Challenge If you need protection, look to God. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation.Come, my soul, think thou of this. Believing in Jesus, thou art actually and effectually cleared from guilt; thou art led out of thy prison. Thou art no more in fetters as a bond-slave; thou art delivered now from the bondage of the law; thou art freed from sin, and canst walk at large as a freeman; thy Saviour's blood has procured thy full discharge. Thou hast a right now to approach thy Father's throne. No flames of vengeance are there to scare thee now; no fiery sword; justice cannot smite the innocent. Thy disabilities are taken away: thou wast once unable to see thy Father's face: thou canst see it now. Thou couldst not speak with him: but now thou hast access with boldness. Once there was a fear of hell upon thee; but thou hast no fear of it now, for how can there be punishment for the guiltless? He who believeth is not condemned, and cannot be punished. And more than all, the privileges thou mightst have enjoyed, if thou hadst never sinned, are thine now that thou art justified. All the blessings which thou wouldst have had if thou hadst kept the law, and more, are thine, because Christ has kept it for thee. All the love and the acceptance which perfect obedience could have obtained of God, belong to thee, because Christ was perfectly obedient on thy behalf, and hath imputed all his merits to thy account, that thou mightst be exceeding rich through him, who for thy sake became exceeding poor. Oh! how great the debt of love and gratitude thou owest to thy Saviour! "A debtor to mercy alone, Of covenant mercy I sing; Nor fear with thy righteousness on, My person and offerings to bring: The terrors of law and of God, With me can have nothing to do; My Saviour's obedience and blood Hide all my transgressions from view." Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.1 Corinthians 15:45 So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. John 5:26 "For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; John 11:25,26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, • and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 1:4,12,13 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. • But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, • who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
Click for Video Devotionals     |