GOD’S WORD – HIS LOVE LETTER TO MANKIND
BIBLE PASSAGE:
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
(1 Timothy 3:16)
MEDITATION:
How do you feel about education and rules? When our forefathers decided
to establish their own nation of the United States, they knew they should
create a basic set of rules and guidelines for the citizens to follow. Many
had left England because they didn’t approve of the rules there, but they
realized the importance of establishing guidelines that would define this
new nation.
They wanted a nation where people could live free, with some established
laws to prevent one person’s freedom from infringing on another person’s
freedom. There had to be some well-defined guidelines for each person’s
rights, privileges and limitations.
With an established set of laws, each person would be treated equally and
fairly in the courts. Without these laws, there would be anarchy that would
result in the fall of this new nation. Fortunately, those men who assembled
together to write the Constitution were men who worshipped God and they
looked to Him for guidance.
We have an additional set of rules to guide us and it is called the Bible.
The Bible is where God has established His spiritual laws. Just as the
laws of the land prevent anarchy, the Bible guides us in suppressing
out selfish desires and seeking God’s will for our lives.
Without the laws of the land, how would we know our limitations?
It is the same with the Bible – it outlines the limitations of what we
should do. It should not be considered as just a book of rules and
guidelines, it is a book that can change our lives from confused to
controlled.
Most everyone likes to be in control (self-control) and the Bible
doesn’t take that from us; it gives us instructions for enjoying
life when we stay within the guidelines established by God.
Those who don’t know the Lord and fellowship with Him can have
wrong ideas about committing their lives to God. Some believe that
giving Him control of their lives will eliminate the fun in their lives
and cause them to become someone similar to a monk.
Nothing could be further from the truth. God teaches us how to enjoy
a full life as we obey His commands and enjoy His blessings. When we
give God control of our lives, we discover new opportunities for joy and
peace, new horizons, and an overall change in our inner self that we can
embrace (from self-centeredness to selflessness).
The Bible should not be considered as a list of what to do and not do;
it is a book designed to remold our attitudes and habits so we can enjoy
life much more. God loves us and wants us to fellowship with Him and
receive His blessings.
He also knows that if we are left to our own perceptions of right and wrong,
we will have what might be called a ‘personal anarchy’ where we live as if
there are no boundaries. With that in mind, God has given us His Word to
help us understand the right way to live. His Word is filled with promises
and His plan of redemption for humanity.
How can someone become an auto mechanic without a teacher and/or an
instruction manual? They need instructions so they can develop the skills
necessary to be successful in their work. It is the same for those who give
their lives to the Lord. How can we live a life that is pleasing to God if we
are without a teacher and/or an instruction manual?
God has ‘called’ some to be teachers, preachers and missionaries to help
us understand His messages to mankind. In addition, He has given us His
instruction manual – the Bible.
ACTION:
We should ask ourselves:
– How often do I read God’s Word?
– Am I settling for life’s ‘good’ and missing out on life’s ‘best’?
We should set aside a time every day for reading the Bible. When
we read God’s Word, we should consider it as a letter from God to
each of us personally.
If we received a letter from a friend, we wouldn’t spend time analyzing
it or checking the grammar, would we? No, we would be more concerned
about the content of the person’s message to us. We would also be excited
to know that a friend took the time to write us a letter. We would have a
keen curiosity about what our friend had to say and would be anxious to
read the letter.
When reading the Bible, we should consider it in the same way we would
a letter from a friend. God IS our friend! He loves us, He wants what is
best for us, and He wants us to fellowship with Him. Through His Word
we can gain wisdom and understanding. We should enjoy and look forward
to reading the Bible…every day. Why? So our best friend can speak to us.
(copied from a friend)
GOD LOVES YOU
You were not made for chains,
you were made for freedom.
You were not made for regret,
you were made for redemption.
You were not made to be forgotten,
you were made to be loved.
Let go of the lie that you have to earn your way back.
Let go of the shame that tells you you’re too far gone.
Let go of the voice that says you’re unworthy.
Because grace says otherwise.
Grace says you still belong.
Love says you’re still wanted.
Jesus says, “Come home”.
So hear this today,
not just with your ears, but with your heart:
You are still called.
You are still chosen.
You are still worth it.
And, you are not too late.
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, create in me a stronger desire to stay
in contact with You, to understand your instructions, and
to know the path You have created for me to follow. Teach
me about the spiritual gift You gave me when You saved me
and show me how to use Your special gift in the way You
want me to use it. Help me to understand the importance of
reading Your ‘letters’ to us and embrace how they can lead
me to the kind of life I should live as a follower of Jesus.
Protect me from the worldly influences which are detrimental
to my enjoying life as it could be when I live within the guidelines
You have established. I know that when I am obedient to Your
commands, I am choosing the ‘best’ life over what I might
consider to be the ‘good’ life. Thank You for Your love and
concern for me, and for wanting me to enjoy the best You
have to offer to those who love and obey You.”
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