Can you trust your Bible?

“Risikili” – Part 4 – Can you trust your Bible?

We continue with RiSiKiLi−

                       You know-- Read it, study it, know it, live it.

 

 

 

In my last post we looked at ways to know God’s plan and the importance of verifying that the plan lines up with God’s written word, the Bible. Now let’s look at some reasons why we can trust the Word of God. 

I appreciate the words of Bible scholar and pastor Jack Hayford, extolling the truth and value of the Scriptures. He said: 

 

“God’s Word has been unscrolled in both the Scriptures and in His incarnate Son− Jesus Christ. Jesus, in describing the importance of the eternal Scriptures said, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ (Matt. 4:4). He also commended the steadfast inquiry into the Word of God: ‘Search the Scriptures … they … testify of Me.’ There is no such thing as health or growth in Christian living apart from a clear priority on the place of the Bible in the life of the individual or the group.  

 

Psalm 119:9-10

 The Scriptures are the conclusive standard for our faith, morals, and practical living and are the nourishment for our rising to strength in faith, holiness in living, and effectiveness in service. The Holy Spirit who comes to fill us is the same Person who has given us the Book to guide and sustain us. The writer of this study has demonstrated the balance the Bible brings to living in his life, in his teaching ministry, and in his leadership.”*

 

Here are the first five of fourteen attributes of the Bible, given by Pastor Hayford:

 

“THE SOURCE AND NATURE OF GOD’S WORD”

1.  The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

The Bible is ‘God-breathed’ and the words planned by God’s creative design.*

2 Tim. 3:16 > “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

 

2.  The Complete Trustworthiness of the Bible   

The Word of God is ‘perfect’ in its accuracy and ‘sure’ in its dependability.* Ps. 19:7 > “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;”

3.  The Content of God’s Word is Complete  

The Bible is complete, completely trustworthy, and sufficient to completely answer anything we need to know about eternal salvation or practical wisdom concerning relationships, morality, character, and conduct.*

Prov. 30:5-6 > “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. ⁶ Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”

4.  Jesus and the Holy Scriptures

Jesus confirms that every word of Scripture is given by God, every truth is to be held inviolable, that the Scriptures are indissoluble and credible.*

Luke 16:17 > And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

 

 

 

 

5.  The Way God’s Word Is to Be

The Word of God is to be ministered literally and life-givingly in the Spirit of Truth and Spirit of Life.*

2 Cor. 3:5-8 > “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, ⁶ who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. ⁷ But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, ⁸ how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?”

 

So according to Pastor Hayford, God’s Word is divinely inspired, totally trustworthy, complete, confirmed by Jesus Himself, and is to be ministered literally. Let’s meditate on these truths and their accompanying passages. 

 

Thank you for reading this post. I hope it strengthens your own admiration and love for the Word of God. In my next post I plan to give the rest of Pastor Hayford’s fourteen Bible adulations.

 

I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Psalm 119:16

*Spirit Filled Life Bible, Kingdom Dynamics, Thomas Nelson, Page xii 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How can I know it's God?

“Risikili” – Part 3 – How can I know it's God?

We continue with RiSiKiLi−

                       You know, Read it, study it, know it, live it.

 

In my last post we established that God knew His plan for each of us before we were born and that our enemy/God’s enemy will try to derail the plan if we’re not vigilant. Also we spoke of abundant life and God’s desire that we attain His idea of abundant life, which is far beyond anything we could dream up. 

     

Photo by Margot Pandone

So let’s continue looking at how God’s Word plays a role in this. We need to examine our personal desires in every aspect of life. In order to line up our highest desires with His highest desires for us, we must get to know Him and His nature. By prayerfully reading and studying His Word we get to know God. In reading the four gospels− Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John− we learn about Jesus. In knowing Jesus, we know  God. 

As we know Him better, we begin to recognize His unfailing love for us. As we comprehend this matchless love, we will trust Him more. As we trust Him more, we begin to step out in faith more boldly into the path He designed for us. 

The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 3:18-19).

If we’re listening, God will speak to us through His Word. Yes, He speaks to us in other ways as well− such through another Christian or by His Own Spirit speaking to our own spirit. But the only way to prove we’ve heard a Word from God and be certain that it really came from God is to see that it lines up with His written Word.  Many people take action on what they thought was a Word from God, to simply later find themselves disillusioned and confused.  

Just today, I heard someone say that he knows a man who says he doesn’t need to read his Bible. He just listens to the Holy Spirit. Whoa! That sounds scary! When we think God is telling us something, we need to prove it against His Word. The Holy Spirit will never tell us anything that does not line us with God’s Word—the Bible.    

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

And another thing− if we want to hear from God, it’s imperative that we pray. We need to talk to Him and listen for Him to talk back to us. 

And remember, as we said last time, Satan does indeed have a plan for each of us and one of the best ways to begin to walk out Satan’s plan is to walk in our own plan.  The road of my own plan will eventually merge right into his.  So many blindly choose this route and then wonder how their life turned out so disappointing. Often they will attribute it to “bad luck.”  Well, luck has nothing to do with it and the word “luck” is not in my Bible.  Bad luck is a commonly used excuse for consequences resulting from not walking in God’s Truth.

 

So how can one know this “Truth,” in order to walk in it?  Since “Truth” and God’s Word are synonymous, the answers are waiting in the pages of His Scriptures.  

“There is no such thing as health or growth in Christian living apart from a clear priority on the place of the Bible in the life of the individual or the group.” Jack Hayford 

Let’s pray these psalms > Lord, I ask that You “Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul” (Psalm 143:8).  “Guide me in Your truth and teach me” (Psalm 25:5). In Jesus name--- AMEN. 

Photo by Joshua Sortino

“Risikili” – Part 2 – Your eyes saw my substance, yet unformed.

“Risikili” – Part 2 – Your eyes saw my substance, yet unformed. 

(Read it, study it, know it, live it.) 

In my “Risikili” - Part 1 post, we considered questions dealing with God having a divine plan for each of us. We looked at Jeremiah 1:5, citing God’s plan for Jeremiah to be a prophet, when he was yet unborn.

We indicated that our own plan is shabby when compared to that of our Creator. We noted that even Satan has a plan− and we’re in it. We looked back at Eve, falling for the deceptive plan Satan devised for her. Then Adam followed suit. In falling for Satan’s plan, Adam and Eve forfeited the divine destiny God had planned for them. Mankind and the earth itself still suffer consequences resulting from their disobedience.   

Let’s look, for a moment, at the reality that Satan exists and is capable of wreaking havoc in our lives, capsizing God’s plan for us. Please know, it’s not my habit to talk much about or dwell on the devil. But when discussing God’s plan for an individual and in seeking to not miss it, he must be exposed, “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices,” stated Jesus Himself (2 Corinthians 2:11). 

Satan is deceptive and is the father of lies (John 8:44). In John 10:10 Jesus talked about a thief wanting to deceive God’s people. Satan does much the same thing. Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  Satan is a thief and the enemy of God. He hates and wants to destroy anything that God loves. Anyone who is the enemy of God is also the enemy of God’s sons and daughters. Satan hates God, therefore he hates those of us who are Christians. We can rest assured that he wants to steal us, if he can. If he can’t do that, then he wants to kill us. If that doesn’t work for him, he wants to destroy us.

When a person is born-again, he or she moves from Satan’s kingdom into God’s Kingdom and becomes a child of God rather than a child of the devil. If Satan cannot have a person’s soul, he then alters his plan from taking their soul to taking their life− that is to literally kill him/her or to rob him/her of the abundant life their Heavenly Father wants to give each of His children.

Satan also loves to rob a person of his or her testimony. That is to tempt and/or influence believers, hoping they’ll fail to walk in God’s ways, fall into sin, and consequently lose their godly influence on others. Their testimony is hindered or even destroyed and they're no longer an effective witness for Christ. We all know that it is much harder to regain a good reputation that has been damaged than it is to damage a clean reputation. A tarnished image can render an ineffective testimony.   

Before going further, let’s look at the definition of abundant, in Greek.  Strong’s #4053, “peissos,” means “Superabundant, excessive, over flowing, surplus.” Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament adds to Strong’s definition, “super added,” “beyond measure,” “exceedingly abundantly.”  WOW!  These are words that God plans and wants us to be able to use to describe our lives! The recipe for this life of abundance is to give our hearts and lives to Christ Jesus and then to know His Word and to do it− you know Risikili! God’s Word is given to us to light our way to and through the abundant life.   

I am not saying that being a believer immunizes one from problems and trials.  Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33). In other words, we're all guaranteed trials, but we believers have the hope and confidence that Christ, who dwells in us, has overcome them all. Therefore we have the means within to overcome all negatives that come our way. 

Remember, before we were born, God designed a plan for each of us. He gave His Word to show us the way and illuminate the path. As long as we do things His way that plan will unfold before our eyes and walk us right up to the gates of Heaven. At that moment, all trials, illnesses, hardships will be forgotten. For we will see Jesus face to face and unimaginable glory will be our reality for all eternity.   

Let’s pray together: Heavenly Father, please help me realize You really do have a plan for me− And it is for my good. As I spend time getting to know You, I’m confident You’ll reveal it to me and help me accomplish it. As I get to know You better, through prayer and reading and studying Your Word, I’ll trust You more and more. As I walk with Jesus, Your Son, my Savior, it will come to pass in my life. With a grateful heart, I pray in Jesus name − Amen. 

 

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!  Psalm 139:13-17 

Click on the link below to view Michael W. Smith recite Psalm 139

in one of his concerts. He then sings Thy Word.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncsgcvRiUBU

Special Announcement

For my blog post today, I’m making a special announcement. [We’ll resume “My plan for you – Your heart’s desire” next time.]  

I’M VERY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF

 MY NEW BOOK 

He Is The ONE

This completes my trilogy, telling about the three things the Bible tells us that happened to Jesus as an infant. Most people know the story of His birth, but many folks don’t know the other two. I wanted my grandchildren to know these other stories and felt that others might want the same for the children in their lives.

Book Description:   Keeping with tradition and the instructions of God, at the age of 40 days little Jesus is taken, by His parents, to the Temple to be dedicated to Yahweh. It’s there an amazing thing happens. The elderly man, Simeon, and the widow, Anna, recognize the infant, in Mary’s arms, as their long awaited Messiah− the Promised One of Israel!   

In He Is The ONE the reader can share the surprise and wonder with Joseph, Mary, and bystanders when strangers recognize Jesus as the Messiah.  What would you have thought if you’d been there to witness this event, as recorded in Gospel of Luke? 

Their faithful donkey, Gil (whose name means Hope), accompanies the Holy Family to Jerusalem.  While Gil waits outside the temple, her thoughts turn to her own little one, Elpis (pronounced el-peese’ which means Joy), who is back in Nazareth.  On this eventful day, Elpis’ jolly fun with her buddy, Buzi, turns into a painful tumble.  Join in to see how the little donkey deals with her ordeal with her Mama so far away.    

Though a stand-alone book, He Is The ONE is the third book in the series about little Jesus and the donkeys, following Joy Comes to Bethlehem (1) and His Name is Jesus (2).

So join in with these wonderful characters of the Bible and continue learning about the young life of Jesus.  Young and old alike take pleasure in gaining insight into these very early days of the King of kings, so artfully captured in the story and carried along through charming illustrations by artist, Molly Keller. 

 

The cost is $10.50 per book + sales tax (if you’re in Virginia) + $3.00 shipping. Free shipping on 4 or more books anywhere in the lower 48 U.S. states. You may contact me through email or Facebook message if you want to order or have questions. author@conniewohlford.com   https://www.facebook.com/ConnieWohlfordAuthor

Here’s a peek at some of the beautiful illustrations done by artist, Molly Keller, for He Is The ONE. Each is an original watercolor done especially for this book.

           

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My other children’s books include:

 

Joy Comes to Bethlehem  > $16.00 ~Meet Gil, the donkey whose name, in Hebrew, means "Joy" & her foal named Elpis (pronounced el-peese’), which means "Hope", in Greek. Joy Comes to Bethlehem takes the reader along on the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Joseph, Mary and Gil.  Experience the sad goodbye of Gil & Elpis as well as the danger and the drama along the way.  See the faithfulness of God and the amazing birth of His Son, Jesus. Again read the wonderful story of the birth of The Savior. Enjoy the setting & the perspective of these adorable & faithful beasts of burden. Join with these characters in the joy and hope that is found in God the Father & Jesus the Son. Though this is a children's book, the story & the extraordinary art will be enjoyed by young & old alike.

His Name is Jesus  > $10.50  At the young age of eight days, Jewish boys experience the custom called “Bris Milah”, at which time their names are officially recorded in the Hebrew records.  In “His Name is Jesus”, travel with Joseph and Mary as they take Jesus to the home of a rabbi for His own ceremony. While walking along the dusty road, Mary & Joseph each recall the most unusual way in which they came to name their baby son. Their faithful donkey, Gil, is of course with them as well. In fact Gil alerts them to an alarming danger as they visit in the Rabbi Jonathan’s courtyard. Meanwhile, back in Nazareth, the young donkey, Elpis, is still missing her mama, Gil, who is traveling on an amazing adventure with Joseph and Mary. But Elpis continues to be comforted in a very special way. Enjoy this event artfully captured in story & illustrations.
 

 You’re A What?!  >$10.50 Every once in a while, a story and/or character comes along that is different-- really different from anything else you will find on the shelf of children’s books. Gerald, the star character in You’re A What?!  is just that--- really different.  He is a captivating creature who has been dealt a ruthless blow. He experienced a collision with life that changes everything. He suddenly finds that he has become a “rhinokaroarus” (pronounced “ry-‘nock-a-roar-us”.  “A What?!@#?!”, you might ask.  Well, that’s a new word we can all add to our vocabularies.  The author, herself, did not invent the word, “rhinokaroarus”.  It was made up by her father, who would use that exact word to name any animal or bird when he could not immediately recall its title or he would use it just for fun. See more about this in the author bio and dedication. Thankfully our dear Gerald does not have to face his dilemma alone.  He is befriended by a funny badger named, Banjo, who every reader or listener will come to adore. So come along with these unique characters and experience this most unusual adventure. If you or someone you know, young or grown-up, has ever experienced a collision with life that has “changed everything” in a negative way, this little book might even be good for them-- “therapeutic”, one might say. No matter the reason you read You’re A What?!, enjoy the story, the characters and the delightful art that helps to carry it along. 

Make It A Happy Day  > $10.50 ~Here we have another rhinokaroarus story (pronounced “ry-‘nock-a-roar-us”). That, one of a kind, creature, Gerald, sets out on an adventure with his new friend Banjo, the badger. We learned in You’re A What?! how the rhinokaroarus came to be. Now in Make It A Happy Day, we see that Gerald is adapting to the life-altering crash that he experienced. With his buddy, Banjo, at his side, & through a bit of conflict, they really do find a way to make it a happy day. Just ask the fish! The 6 friendly fish get to experience the good & the bad when they encounter the very odd looking Gerald and the clash with Banjo. So come along with these unique characters &experience a most unusual adventure. As Gerald continues to face his dilemma with his pal, Banjo, you will come to know the adorable pair. Life has its ups and downs for us & the creatures in this story face trials of their own. Plus artist Ken Henderson’s captivating illustrations help to carry the story along.     

I’m delighted to sign & personalize books for you or someone special in your life.

And here’s the rest of the scoop:

5.3% Sales Tax is added for Virginia residents.  $3.00 for shipping 1 – 4 books.  Free shipping on 5 or more books anywhere in the lower 48 U.S. states

Payment can be made with Cash, Check, or Credit Card.

We could even do a transaction through E-bay if you’d like.

 

My Plan for You − Your Heart’s Desire

“Risikili” – Part 1 - My Plan for You − Your Heart’s Desire

 (Read it, study it, know it, live it.) 

Have you discovered God’s plan for your life? Do you even believe He has a special plan just for you? 

Consider these passages of Scripture: 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”  (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s plan for each of us is good. We can count on that. That’s not to say, it’s easy. But it’s guaranteed to be good. 

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9) How can we find the right path among so many? 

 

 

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  (Psalm 119:105)

 

God’s Word, the Bible, can light the way and show us the right path to take. 

 

 

 

 

 The Word of God is quick (living) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

We can hid nothing from God. We may as well do things His way. Dare we think we know better than He what’s best for us? 

 

Knowledge of the above scriptures should be enough to compel us to faithfully and diligently read, study, know, and live the Word of God. After all, this Word of God, your/my Bible, is the representation of Jesus that we can literally hold in our hands, press to our hearts, and see with our earthly eyes.  

In its pages, we come to know our Creator. The better we know Him, the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him, the greater our desire to do things His way and walk the path He designed for us. Yes, He has a plan! 

God told Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5) 

Knowledge of Scripture is not enough. If it were, more followers of Christ would be spiritually mature and walking in great faith and a joy-filled abundant life. If most Christians are familiar with these words and have even memorized them, but are still not hungry enough to be diligent to truly study God’s Word, then what is the problem?  What is lacking?   

I believe that a missing link is the fact that many believers seem to be apathetic toward God’s Word and the things of God in general. Often we are just more concerned with the things of this world.  

Another missing link is revelation.  People need revelation knowledge− that is revelation understanding− of the fact that God’s wonderful Word is life to our bones− that it holds the keys to finding and living the abundant life that Jesus told us is there for us when He said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10b   

Revelation understanding comes when we allow the Holy Spirit, Who indwells every born-again follower of Christ, to help us and teach us. We must acknowledge His presence and ask Him to be our guide. We do this through prayer. We should periodically ask ourselves, “What’s going on in my prayer life?” 

Would you agree that many Christians are not living out abundant life? On the other hand, take a close look at those who are, even those who live amongst serious trials. By the way, this has nothing to do with money or social standing. 

The abundant life that Christ wants to give us is a life lived to its maximum. I want to “max out” my life here on earth.  Do you?  I want to fulfill my greatest potential and to have my greatest success in all aspects of my life that is possible for me to have. Bet you do too. I believe my desire is not unique.

 

I know that I’ve often lived in mediocrity and have fallen short of my best, which is God’s best for me. Because of that, I am sure that I’ve missed out on blessings and accomplishments that God had planned for me. The following is a poem I wrote several years ago on this thought: 

Beyond Myself 

Beyond myself  --  God's Word is true.

He teaches me my whole life through.

Though life brings trials, toils, and snares,

Beyond myself, I cast my cares. 

I say, "But human's all I am"

He says, "You're more than just a man."

I have excuses for my short comings.

He says, "With Me, you quit your slummings!" 

Mediocrity has been my ride.

"Just get by." has been my pride.

But Jesus said to come up higher.

My plan for you  --  your heart's desire. 

"But, Jesus, how can I do so?

I'm only human, that you know.

My weaknesses, my faults, my doubts!

Go figure, Lord, what I'm about!" 

"Am I a man that I should lie?

My Word is Truth, so don't be shy.

I shed my blood that you could be

Beyond yourself and be set free!"

© Connie Wohlford - June 22, 2000 

We need to repent of not living life to its fullest− which, by the way, is living out God’s plan and not our own puny plan or even someone else’s plan for me or you. Speaking of which, that someone else includes Satan. He has a plan for me and for you as well. And it’s not good and it’s not abundant. His plan is for our destruction and for each of us to adversely affect others on our way down.    

We’ll continue this thought next post. For now, it’s time to pray. Is it time to repent of trying to push through our own agenda? Maybe it’s time to ask God His opinion− better yet, His plan. After a few minutes of prayer, I suggest we each read some verses or chapters of Scripture. If you don’t know where to begin, start with those mentioned above and see what comes before & after in your Bible. We will likely find a hint or two regarding His special plan. God bless you as you seek God’s path. 

My readers and I would be blessed to learn of some ways God’s Word has been a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. Comment if you’d like to share. Thanks.