Tag Archives: Bible

Scripture

Kingdom Building

October 17, 2019

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. –2 Timothy 3:14-17

I do not think we do a very good job of ferreting out examples from scripture of things we should not be doing. Much of the Hebrew Bible consists of someone or some groups retelling of the events of Israel’s history from the beginning of time through the good times and the bad times the exile and the return to start over again chastened and humbled. Read in the context of history, both cultural and theological; we can gain from the wisdom of the experiences of our ancestors in faith. We tend to cherry-pick what fits our predetermined ideas to solidify our beliefs rather than dig deeper and see ourselves in both the bad and the good, the behaviors that separate us from God and the actions that bring us closer to God.

Introduced to the scriptures in childhood, I read the golden picture books about Moses and the burning bush, David and Goliath, and Daniel in the lion’s den. I memorized verses from the King James Version, graduated in grade school to the Revised Standard Version, and now read from several translations. I remember the great finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls and how they helped further our understanding. I think all of this was good. But does that knowledge translate into who I am today and who I am becoming as a part of the Kingdom of God?

Since the Bible records the broad spectrum of human experience, it is possible to justify just about anything with a few dissected quotes. The real test of what we learn from scriptures is, does it meet the test of Jesus’ overriding commandments to love God and to love one another? If it does not meet that test, then what aspects of what we discovered are reflected in our lives today, and how are we working to rid ourselves of those unloving actions?

Prayer: Lord, help us discern your truth through our study of the scriptures. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

The Word of God

Light-ShinesLiving in the Spirit
July 12, 2016

Scripture Reading: Amos 8:1-12

The time is surely coming, says the Lord God,
   when I will send a famine on the land;
not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water,
   but of hearing the words of the Lord.
They shall wander from sea to sea,
   and from north to east;
they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
   but they shall not find it. –Amos 8:11-12

 Many associate the “words of God” with the Bible. Statistics tell us we’ve got plenty of Bibles.

 More than three-quarters of Americans (77 percent) think the nation’s morality is headed downhill, according to a new survey from American Bible Society.

 The survey showed the Bible is still firmly rooted in American soil: 88 percent of respondents said they own a Bible, 80 percent think the Bible is sacred, 61 percent wish they read the Bible more, and the average household has 4.4 Bibles*.

The book of John takes the “Word” of God a step further: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

When Amos is talking about hearing the words of God, he is talking about being in full communion with the God of love. Of course, we find God in the Bible, and that is a lifelong pursuit for all. Bibles are not table decorations nor are they offensive weapons with which we can force our understandings on others. Indeed, the Bible is a great source of discernment through dialogue when we can grow together in communities of faith. The Word of God as represented in Jesus, the Christ, requires a deeper commitment to understanding and in sharing with God and with one another. My sense is that Amos is observing that the people of his day turned their backs on this level of communion. Are we mirroring that same behavior today?

Prayer: Lord, darkness lurks just outside our windows. Let your light shine before us marking your path for us to follow. Amen.

*http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/04/americans-love-the-bible-but-dont-read-it-much_n_3018425.html

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Word of God

adding-to-Gods-Word-hearingLiving in the Spirit
October 8, 2015

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. –Hebrews 4:12-13

The “word” of God is getting a lot of play in the USA today, often quoted in political context. In Oklahoma a family donated and erected on the state capitol grounds a monument with the Ten Commandments engraved on it. I never saw it so I do not know which version of the Ten Commandments was included, probably the protestant one. A recent Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling ordered it to be removed because it did not meet the Oklahoma Constitutional requirements for separation of church and state. It was moved in the dark of night to the headquarters of a political think tank group, which rather gave credence to the court ruling, I thought.

The Bible is the story of God in the world over time and thus is the word of God to that extent. As John eloquently stated the Bible is not the whole story: But there are also many other things that Jesus did, if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. (John 21:25) Our living and being the Body of Christ in the world today is still creating the story.

John also described the Word of God as more than the written word. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2) I cherish the Biblical records of the people of God, read and study it regularly, and am constantly amazed at the new insights I see at each reading. It brings me closer to true communion with God, which I believe is its purpose. We are to live what we glean from it as we answer the call to faithful witness of the Word of God who came to us and dwelt among us full of truth and grace. (See John 1:14)

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the many avenues of communion with you which you provide, for the prophets and poets and for your Son Christ Jesus who all attested to your

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.