April 8 – It’s There In the Word

 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” – John 5:39-40 (NASB)

When think about it, the Bible we have in our home has an important purpose. It is more important than what many realize. Our verse for today records the words of Jesus as He was challenging the “experts” of the time. They fancied themselves as proficient in the Holy Scriptures, the Law and the Prophets. The Jewish religious leaders studied the Old Testament with great diligence. They believed that by comprehending the words of the text, one would gain a share in the world to come. Knowing the Law was knowing eternal life with God. Jesus says, not so much if you reject what the Scriptures say about Me. Many people today also think Bible study is an end in itself rather than a way to understand the knowledge of God. Today, much like in that time, a veil is over the minds of those who presume to be Biblical scholars and experts in theology. Preferring their own way by means of their “reasoning” they fail to understand what God’s Word says. Our promise today is: Our Bible lacks nothing as it contains all God wants us to know about Him, His will, and His eternal plan for us. 

199

April 17 – Walking With Jesus

“They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”” Luke 24:32  (NIV)

Today’s verse comes from the recording of two of his disciples as they were walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus which was about 7-8 miles away. The time is the afternoon on Resurrection Sunday and as they walked Jesus is suddenly walking with them. What a great opportunity for these two to have Jesus, although they did not immediately recognize him, explain all about what had just happened and why. Afterwards Jesus disappears from their sight but they know they had just experienced something very special. We trust that you, my friend, have had experiences like that with your heart warmed as the Holy Spirit has lead you and opened the meaning of the Bible’s words to you. God has much to teach us every day from his Holy Word, Our hearts can not only be warmed but really burn within us as we spend time in the Bible. 

August 9

“How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts!” Psalm 92:5 (NIV)

This is, of course, an expression of praise to God for His great works and His profound thoughts. People might observe what God does, but how can they know His thoughts? The subtitle of Psalm 92 indicates that it is a song to be sun on the Sabbath. When it was sung, then, it was at a time when the Scriptures were read. That would be how they became aware of how great God’s thoughts were. That’s how God has revealed to us what His thoughts are – through the Scriptures – God’s Word. So when we hear God’s Word, let us pay attention so as to know His thoughts. 

March 28

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”  Luke 24:32 (NIV)

The day of resurrection was an important day for His followers. It has been difficult for them to understand what had happened. Jesus knew how His disciples needed help to understand what the scriptures taught about Him. He opened the scriptures for them and their hearts were stirred. That same evening He appeared to a group of disciples. 
Luke 24:45 (NIV) says: “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” He will do that for us, too. Let us allow Him to open our minds.