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Refreshing

Daily
in Gods Word
Emphasis on

The Bible

Let us see JE

Quotes about the Bible from D.L.


Moody

I never saw a fruit-bearing Christian who was


not a student of the Bible.

The Bible will keep you from sin or sin will keep
you from the Bible.

Merely reading the Bible is no use at all


without we study it thoroughly, and hunt it
through, as it were, for some great truth.

I know the Bible is inspired because it inspires


me.

I prayed for Faith, and thought someday faith


would come down and strike me like lightning.
I now open my Bible and began to study, and
Faith has been growing ever since.

The best law for Bible study is perserverance.

REMEMBER:
The Bible is Gods side of the conversation.

Biblical Literacy
May 1
Bible Reading: Psalms 119:9-16
Key Verse: Verse 11 - Thy word have I hid in mine
heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Key Words: Thy word have I hid in mine heart
A pastor asked a Sunday School class of junior-aged young
people, Who broke down the wall of Jericho?
A boy answered, Not me, sir!
The pastor was noticeably upset and turned to the Sunday
School teacher, Is this typical?
She replied, Pastor, the boy is a trusted and honest child,
and I really dont think he did it.
Such a response sent the pastor straight to the Sunday
School Superintendent. After hearing the pastors grievance,
the superintendent attempted to console him by saying, Ive
known the boy and his Sunday School teacher for a number of
years, and I just cant picture either one of them doing such a
terrible thing.
In disbelief, the pastor sought out the chairman of the
deacons. The wise deacon tried to smooth things over with
his conventional wisdom, Pastor, lets not make a big issue of
this. Lets just pay for the damages and charge it to our
maintenance account.
I would think there is some Biblical illiteracy in that
church, wouldnt you?
The Library of Congress recently conducted a survey that
asked, What book has most influenced your life? The Bible
finished first. Yet during a typical week only 45% of
Americans who claim to be Christian, say that they read their
Bible at all. Of that 45%, just 12% claim to read Gods Word
daily. With stats like these, the above story may be true.
I trust you are daily reading, studying, and applying Gods
Word to your life.
What to do:
Hide Gods Word in your heart. Memorize at least one

verse a week. (We should use memorizing a lot more.)


As you read the Word of God, ask the Lord to reveal how
you can apply it to your life.
Be faithful to the house of God when the Word of God is
being taught.
********************

A Peaceful Heart

May 2

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-9


Key Verse: Verse 8 This book of the law shall not
depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate
therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all that is written therein: for then thou
shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt
have good success.
Key Words: thou shalt meditate therein
One of the best illustrations of what meditating in Gods
Word can do is taken from the German Christian, George
Mueller. Mr. Mueller, who developed highly successful
ministries to homeless children in the nineteenth century,
wrote this in his diary on May 9, 1841.
It has pleased the Lord to teach me a truth, the benefit of
which I have not lost for more than fourteen years. The point
is this: I saw more clearly than ever that the first great
primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to
have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be
concerned about was not how much I might serve the Lord, or
how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul in a
happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.
Before this time my practice had been, at least for ten
years previously, as a habitual thing, to give myself to prayer
after having dressed myself in the morning. Now, I saw that
the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the
eading of the Word of God, and to meditation on it, that thus
my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved,

instructed.
The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the
Lords blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to
meditate on the Word of God, searching as it were into every
verse to get a blessing out of it; not for the sake of public
ministry of the Word, not for the sake of preaching on what I
had meditated upon, but for the sake of obtaining food for my
soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this, that
after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or
to thanksgiving, or to supplication; so that, though I did not,
as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it
turned almost immediately more or less into prayer. When
thus I have been for a while making confession or intercession
or supplication, or have given thanks, I go on to the next
words or verse, turning all, as I go, into praying for myself or
others, as the Word may lead to it.
By breakfast time, with rare exceptions, I am in a peaceful
if not happy state of heart.

What to do:
Spend the first of each morning in Gods Word.
Pray for our educational system which is blinding the
minds of our youth.
Pray for our country to turn back to God
Pray for the righteous to stand and do right.
********************

The Bible and The Other Guy

May 3

Bible Reading: James 1:22-27

Key Verse: Verse 22 But be ye doers of the word,


and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Key Words: be ye doers

Sometimes the hardest thing to do with the Scripture is

apply it to your life. For many of us, it is easier to make the


application for others, rather than for ourselves. A pastor I
know became acutely aware of this when a church member
consistently met him after each service and said, You sure
preached to them today. The pastor dreamed of someday
hearing this woman take the message personally. He thought
he had finally gotten his chance when one Sunday a severe
storm prevented all but the pastor and this woman (who lived
directly across from the church) from showing up. After the
message, he knew she could not quote her standard remarks.
She didnt. She said, Too bad they werent all here today
because you sure preached to them today.
The first priority of Bible study is personal application!!
One of the reasons we fail to apply the Scripture is because
we fail to understand the power of Gods Word on us and our
world.
Mahatma Gandi once said, You Christians have in your
keeping a document with enough power in it to blow the
whole of civilization to bits, to turn a society upside down, to
bring peace to this war-torn world. But you read it as if it
were just good literature, and nothing else.
The Bible is more than just a good book. It is the very
Word of God, not just to be read but to be applied! My prayer
is that you will apply it, not so much to others as to yourself.

What to do:
Apply Gods Word personally.
Have a planned time when you study Gods Word, and
write down ways you can personally apply the Scripture,
and then apply it!
As you hear a message, write down what the Spirit of
God lays on your heart, go out and apply those things.
Make a commitment to be a doer, not just a hearer of
Gods Word.

Search The Scriptures


May 4

Bible Reading: Acts 17:1-15


Key Verse: Verse 11 These were more noble than
those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word
with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Key Words: searched the scriptures
Paul and Silas had to flee from Thessalonica because the
unbelieving Jews wanted to have them put to death. So Paul
and Silas fled to Berea. We are told that Berea was a more
noble place, partly because they searched the Scriptures
daily.
The answer for lifes problems can be found inside the
Word of God. I heard the following some time back, and it
illustrates this point so well.
A young man from a wealthy family was about to graduate
from high school. The custom of this affluent neighborhood
was the bestowal of a car once the student graduated. The
young graduate fully expected the norm would hold true for
him as well. He had spent months talking about cars and
looking at them with his father. Just a week before
graduation the young man found what appeared to be the
perfect car. The young man was certain that in just a few days
he would see the car in his driveway. Yet when he opened the
fathers graduation gift, it was a Bible. He was so mad that he
stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible behind. The
young man spent years angry with his father, and his fathers
death was the only thing that brought him back home. As he
was going through his fathers belongings, he came across the
Bible his father had given him at graduation. Brushing the
dust from the cover, he opened up the Bible. To his surprise
and horror, he found a check inside dated the day of his
graduation. The check was made out for the exact amount of
the car he had wanted.
Gods greatest gifts are sure to be found in the pages of the
Scriptures. So it is important that we search the Scriptures,
for in them we do find all we desire.
What to do:
Daily search the Scriptures for

answers to your questions.


Remember: either sin will keep you from the Bible, or
the Bible will keep you from sin!!
********************

The Bible Made A Difference

May 5

Bible Reading: Psalm 107:1-13


Key Verse: Verse 13 Then they cried unto the LORD
in their trouble, and he saved them out of their
distresses.
Key Words: and he saved them
When it comes down to it, there is really only one book in
our library that makes a difference in the lives of men and
women, boys and girls. This book is the Bible.
Alexander Duff, missionary to India, got off to a rough
start. He was young-only twenty-three. He was also bright
and innovative. When traveling to India, his ship, the Lady
Holland, was within just a few miles of India. It was ten
oclock at night, Duff was half-undressed when a shock and
shudder ran through the vessel. He rushed to the deck when
the Captain met him with terrifying words, Oh, shes gone
shes gone! The ship had split apart, but a portion clung
precariously to a reef. Through the night, the passengers
huddled in terror in the surviving portion of the ship,
expecting any moment to be swept away. To their amazement
though, a rescue ship appeared and they were saved; but all
their possessions were lost, including Duffs entire library of
eight hundred volumes.
Later, standing on shore and looking sadly toward the
reef, Duff saw a small package bobbing atop the water. He
watched and waited as it floated close enough for him to wade
out and retrieve the package. Amazingly, it was his Bible. Of
all the precious books, it alone had survived. His heart
soared, for he knew this book alone was the one book that
could make a difference in the lives of those to whom he had

come to minister.
He quickly assembled his fellow survivors and read Psalm
107. Duff began to reach thousands for Christ and trained a
generation of leaders for the nation of India and for the cause
of Christ. But he could not have done it without the Bible. It
was, indeed, the book that made a difference.

What to do:
Does the Bible make a difference in your life?
Do you use your Bible to make a difference in the lives of
others?
Do you spend more time in your Bible than you do other
books?
********************

Experience Theology
May 6
Bible Reading: II Timothy 2
Key Verse: Verse 15 Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Key Words: rightly dividing
Let me begin by giving a definition. Experience theology
is when my religious experiences in life give direction to my
life rather than the Word of God. It is said that the
experience theology movement has brought back the fire and
enthusiasm that has been missing in the churches for years.
Gordon Fee says, While the Pentecostals and charismatics
have brought back the fire and enthusiasm in the church, it
has been at a high cost, for their theology is based upon
experience rather than proper Biblical interpretation. Now,
before you get upset at Mr. Fee, he is a charismatic
Pentecostal pastor; but his observation is absolutely correct.
Let me explain the problem with this illustration.
I was watching an experience theology television program,

and the guest was explaining that his ministry was based on
his life verse, Matthew 19:26, With God all things are
possible. God gave me that verse, he said.
How? asked the host.
Well, said the man, I was born in 1926 and God said to
me, Use the first book of the New Testament and your year of
birth and that is my promise to you.
So the host quickly grabbed hold of the idea and said, I
was born in 1934, my lifes verse will be Luke 19:34! and
read, The Lord hath need of him.
Everyone began to shout, Amen! Glory to God! Praise
the Lord! The Lord hath need of him.
Now, there is only one problem. Have you ever read Luke
19:34 in context? Read it! It is talking about a donkey not a
man, but a donkey.
Please read carefully. Misinterpreting the Bible is very
dangerous. Misinterpreting the Scriptures leads to error,
heresy, and apostasy. Keep the Scripture in context. Make
sure you are a member of a church that rightly divides the
Word of God; and you will be not only better off spiritually
but also spiritually safe.

What to do:
Stay away from experience theology churches and
televangelists.
Be faithful to all services, including Sunday School and
prayer meeting. Much of the basic teaching is done in
these services.
If you use commentaries or study helps, use the old
commentaries by Matthew Henry, R. A. Torrey, etc.

The Open Bible

May 7

Bible Reading Psalm 119:41-48

Key Verse: Verse 46 I will speak of thy testimonies


also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Key Words: and will not be ashamed

Many hotels in countries around the world have a Bible in


each room. Just open a drawer and you will find it.
David McCasland tells the following story:
During a recent hotel stay, I was surprised to see an open
Bible placed prominently on the table in the lobby. When I
reached my room, instead of the Bible being in a drawer, it
was lying open on the desk. My guess is that the owner
decided to draw peoples attention to the presence of God and
His Word as they travel, often alone and sometimes in great
need.
This caused me to ponder my own response to the
Scriptures. Is the Bible open in my heart for people to see?
Do my actions give evidence that I am continually meditating
on Gods Word?
Psalm 119 is filled with praise for the wonders of Gods
Word. The psalmist says, And I will walk at liberty: for I
seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before
kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in
thy commandments, which I have loved. (Psalm 119:45-47).
Since every life is an open book, let us seek to demonstrate
the love and power of Gods Word, the Bible, for everyone to
see.
What to do:
Through your demeanor and attitude, let others see
Gods Word working through you.
It is important that we live the Word.
Always ask: If I am the only book people read today,
will they learn the love of God?

Guided By Pizza Hut


May 8

Bible Reading: Psalm 48


Key Verse: Verse 14 For this God is our God for
ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Key Words: he will be our guide
In 1991, Pizza Hut unknowingly offered some divine
guidance through their Atlanta billboard. It seems as though
an Atlanta, Georgia, fashion designer claimed to have received
an answer to her prayers in the middle of a forkful of Pizza
Hut spaghetti. She had prayed for a divine sign to help her
decide on whether to stay in the church choir or begin a
professional singing career. While driving past the billboard,
she claims to have seen the face of Michelangelos version of
Christs face in the strands of spaghetti hanging from the fork.
She took that to mean that the Lord wanted her to stay in the
choir.
Now, you do know, I hope, that God does not guide us
through billboards, visions, or dreams. God guides us
through His Word.
God guided Noah through His Word.
(Genesis 6:14ff)
God guided Abraham through His Word.
(Genesis 12:1ff)
God guided Moses through His Word.
(Exodus 3:1ff)
God guided Joshua through His Word.
(Joshua 1:1ff)
Remember, it was God who told Elijah to go to Cherith,
then to Zarephath, and then on to face Ahab. Elijah was
guided by the Word of God.
When we act independently of Gods Word, we always end
up in turmoil and strife. We should all dedicate ourselves to
heed the advice of the psalmist: he will be our guide.

What to do:
Never use human logic to justify your actions.
God will always use His Word to guide, so stay in the

Word.
Always ask three basic questions when making a
decision.
1. Will it build up or tear down my testimony
for Christ?
2. Will it glorify God or simply make me
happy?
3. Will it build others up in the faith?
********************

Arent You Glad?


May 9

Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 12 For the word of God is quick,


and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul
and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Key Words: quick, and powerful

The Word of God has been used by the Holy Spirit to bring
men under conviction and change their lives.

It changed Paul from a persecutor to a preacher.

It changed the Samaritan woman from worldliness


to being a witness.

It changed Peter from being a fisherman to being a


follower of Christ.
Arent you glad that God, through His Word, is able to
change us?
James Calvert (1813-1892) was a zealous missionary to the
cannibals on the Fiji Islands. His faithful work bore fruit in
the lives of those who were accustomed to taking the lives of
others.
A leader of the English government visited the Fiji Islands
and was critical of the Islands chief for converting to

Christianity. The English leader is said to have told the chief,


You are a great leader, but its a pity that you have been taken
in by Calvert and his gospel. Chief, no one believes the Bible
anymore. People are weary of the threadbare story of Christ
dying on the cross for the sins of mankind. They know better
now.
The chief then responded, See that great rock over there?
On it we once smashed the heads of our victims. Notice the
furnace next to it. In that furnace we roasted the bodies of our
enemies. If it had not been for Calvert bringing in the gospel
of Jesus Christ which changed us, we would be feasting on you
right now. Arent you glad we have changed?
So I say to all those who get upset with others who are sold
out to God: arent you glad they have changed?
What to do:
Daily let Gods Word change you.
Be teachable. Unteachable people never change
they just rust and corrode.
Take advantage of every opportunity to be under the
Word of God.
********************

The Bible and Morality


May 10

Bible Reading: Exodus 20:1-17

Key Verse: Verse 7 - Thou shalt not take the name of


the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold
him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Key Words: Thou shalt not

There are four primary types of law found inside the Word
of God. There is the royal law, Love thy neighbor as thyself.
There is the law of liberty found in James 1:25. There is the
ceremonial law found primarily in Leviticus and
Deuteronomy; and then there is the moral law, which we call

the Ten Commandments.


But no matter which one of the four forms of law you read,
they are all very clear.
Gods Word separates truth from error, right from wrong;
and it does so very clearly, very explicitly.
I read the following and found it quite appalling.
Few would argue with Gene Kasmars belief that sex,
child abuse, incest, and prostitution are unfit for children.
The problem lies in his petition to the Brooklyn Center
Independent School District in Minnesota. It seems Mr.
Kasmar feels the dangerous medium by which these vices are
foisted on children is none other than the Bible. The lewd,
indecent and violent contents of that book are hardly suitable
for young students. The Bible quickly reveals its unsuitability
in a school and learning environment, wrote Kasmar. Are
you surprised he is an avowed atheist? A battle cry of late is,
You cant legislate morality. Actually, we can and do.
Phrased more accurately, the question is, Whose morality will
be legislated? Ours or theirs?

What to do:
Remember, it is not the Ten Suggestions, its the Ten
Commandments.
Do you, as parents, enforce the moral law in your
home? You should.
Have each family member write out a list of things
which are moral and a list of things which are
immoral. Compare and discuss each list.

The Power of The Word


May 11

Bible Reading: Romans 10:1-17

Key Verse: Verse 17 So then faith cometh by

hearing, and hearing by the word of God.


Key Words: hearing by the word of God
We are told in Romans 10:17, So faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
In the book How To Obtain Fullness of Power, R. A.
Torrey states, If we are to obtain fullness of power in our life
and service for God, we must feed continually on Gods Word.
There is no other food for strengthening the believer. If we
will not take time to study the Bible, we will never have power.
Just as we receive our physical strength from the food we eat,
so it is with our spiritual strength it comes directly from
Gods Word.
Let me give you some suggestions that will help make you
a strong, mature believer.
1.
Study Gods Word thoroughly. Never begin a day
without learning a verse from Gods Word.
2.
Pray Gods Word in. Never lay it aside until it
becomes a part of you for that day.
3.
Put it down. Write down the thought that God gives
you for the day.
4.
Work it out. Daily live the truth you learn from
Gods Word.
5.
Pass it on. Tell others what you have learned.
We will never have fullness of power until Gods Word
becomes a part of us. I read the following and found it
applicable. The new minister called at the home of one of his
members. Wanting to impress the new pastor, the mother
said to her daughter, Dear, go get the book that your mommy
loves so much. The little girl dashed away. Shortly she
returned with the Penneys catalog in her arms. Oops!!
We are spiritually dwarfed if we neglect Gods Word. In
closing, let me leave you with this thought one person may
read the Bible, but one hundred people may read you and me.
What to do:
Apply the five principles found in
the devotion.

*******************

Spiritual Maturity

May 12

Bible Reading: II Timothy 2:1-15


Key Verse: Verse 15 Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Key Words: Study
Have you ever studied the word study found in II Timothy
2:15? The word means to speed, but that can be misleading.
When we think of speed, we think of running fast, driving over
the speed limit; but the word does not mean make haste. It
carries the idea of being thorough so that we can and will
rightly divide the Word of truth.
The problem (as I see it) when it comes to rightly dividing
Gods Word is two-fold. First of all, many who say they are
saved are not; and the natural man (or the lost person) cannot
rightly divide Gods Word. Secondly, of those who are saved,
many are spiritually immature.
In a recent survey, pollster George Gallup found that 53%
of all the general public say that religion is very important to
them. He found that only 13% actually live the faith they
profess. Gallup goes on to say that there is spiritual chaos in
our country because of spiritual immaturity! According to
his research, Americans need instruction badly in Bible
study, prayer techniques, and in how to share the gospel.
People are trying to be a Christian apart from the Bible, which
is impossible.
Gallup says that Christians have become consumeroriented and are practicing what he calls a la carte religion.
I have found that people want the fruit of faith that comes
from spiritual maturity, but they shun the obligation required
to mature. Spiritually speaking, we do need to grow up.

What to do:
Understand that faith comes from hearing Gods
Word (Romans 10:17) but maturity comes from living
Gods Word.
Share the gospel with others. Remember, it may
seem awkward to begin with.
It is only through maturity that we become
productive Christians.
*******************

The Bible Stands

May 13

Bible Reading: Matthew 24:29-35

Key Verse: Verse 35 - Heaven and earth shall pass


away, but my words shall not pass away.
Key Words: my words shall not pass away

In all of my thirty-four years in the ministry, I have never


had anyone ask me to read to them the works of an atheist
such as Kant, Hume, or Voltaire. The only book people ask
for when they are hurting is Gods Word. It is the only book
that will last through the annals of time.
Voltaire, the French philosopher, did not accept the tenets
of Christianity. He rejected the Word of God, and Voltaire
predicted Christianity would be swept from existence and
pass into history within one hundred years of his lifetime.
Voltaire died in 1778. At the time of his death, he had written
ninety-two volumes against the Bible. At an auction after his
death, all ninety-two volumes of his work sold for a mere
$4.00 in American currency. Fifty years after his death, the
Geneva Bible Society moved into his house and used his
printing press to produce thousands of Bibles that were
distributed worldwide.
Indeed, we can say with assurance, Heaven and earth
shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
(Matthew 24:35).

The Bible does stand!!


What to do:
Read and heed the only book that can genuinely
change your life.
As parents, apply Deuteronomy 6:5-7.
List all the titles of the books you have read from 6th
grade on. (Couldnt name many, could you?)
Name one book that has helped you more than the
Bible.
********************

What Do You See?

May 14

Bible Reading: James 1:17-25


Key Verse: Verse 23 - For if any be a hearer of the
word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding
his natural face in a glass:
Key Words: Beholding his natural face in a glass
I am convinced that one reason we do not read and apply
the Word of God is that Gods Word reveals us as we really
are; and in reality, we do not like what we see.
The following story from Good News Publishers
illustrates this point.
Years ago before civilization had penetrated the remote
regions of Africa, a white man presented a mirror to the chief
of a tribe. He did not know what it was. He looked into it and
saw a frightfully ugly face: then sensing that he was seeing the
image of himself, he dashed it to the ground and broke it into
fragments. Someone might say of him, He was only a savage;
an educated person wouldnt be so foolish. Wait a moment!
In the city of Boston, at a society of artists, was mentioned one
who painted beyond the skin-deep beauty and expression of
his subjects, and where the character warranted it had
brought out the latent traits and portrayed almost the very

soul of the person. Among his patrons was a Boston lady.


When she received her portrait from him, she studied it
awhile. Then she recognized the fact that the artist had laid
bare her true character on the canvas. Furiously she seized a
knife and cut the face from the painting and destroyed it.
Why should an African slave and a cultured Bostonian both
act in this extraordinary manner? Is it not that men and
women of all sorts cannot bear to be told the truth about
themselves?

What to do:
Let Gods Word reveal you to you and be willing to
change when and where necessary.
Understand that our beauty is only skin-deep;
inward beauty reaches the soul. Work on the inward
beauty more than the outward beauty by Bible study
and prayer.
********************

Live By The Word


May 15

Bible Reading: Luke 4:1-13


Key Verse: Verse 4 - And Jesus answered him,
saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word of God.
Key Words: And Jesus answered him, saying, It is

written, That man shall not live by bread alone,


but by every word of God.

Have you ever read what others have said about the Word
of God and how it impacts life?
Note the following:
George Washington said, It is impossible to rightly
govern the world without God and the Bible.
Abraham Lincoln said, I am profitably engaged in

reading the Bible. Take all of this book and balance it with
faith; and you will live and die a better man.
Woodrow Wilson said, I have a very simple thing to ask
of you. I ask every man and woman to realize that Americas
destiny lies in their daily perusal of this blessed book.
Captain Eddie Rickenbacker stated, The Bible is one book
for one world. Today I realize that I would not be here had it
not been for the spiritual light and the moral power learned
from this book, which have carried me through the many
crises of my life.
Douglas McArthur said, Believe me, never a night goes
by, be I ever so tired, but I read the Word of God before I go to
bed.
Herbert Hoover said, The whole of the inspiration of our
civilization springs from the teachings of Christ. To read the
Bible is a necessity for America to live.
Dwight D. Eisenhower said, To read the Bible is to take a
trip to a fair land where the spirit is strengthened and faith
renewed.
Surely we must understand that we do not live by bread
alone, but by every word of God.

What to do:
Ask God to reveal to you the real importance of
Gods Word for your family and for our nation.
Commit yourself each day, not just to feed the body,
but to also feed the soul.

The Truth
May 16

Bible Reading: John 17:1-17

Key Verse: Verse 17 - Sanctify them through thy


truth: thy word is truth.
Key Words: Thy word is truth
Truth is truth - whether we like it or not; and Gods Word
is truth.
It will always point out our strengths and
weaknesses. It separates that which is right from that which
is wrong. It separates truth from fiction. Im reminded of a
story told by Harry Ironside that I read sometime back.
An elderly gentleman, who was very nearsighted, prided
himself on his ability as an art critic. While accompanying
some friends through a large gallery, he sought to display his
real or fancied knowledge of pictures to his friends. He had
left his glasses at home and was not able to see things very
clearly. Standing before a large frame, he began to point out
the inartistic features of the picture before them. The frame,
he said, is altogether out of keeping with the subject; and as
for the subject itself (it was a picture of a man), it is altogether
too homely, in fact, too ugly, ever to make a good picture. It is
a great mistake for any artist to choose so homely a subject for
a picture if he expects it to be a masterpiece. The old
gentleman was going on like this when his wife managed to
get near enough to interrupt. She exclaimed, My dear, you
are looking into a mirror. Needless to say, he was quite taken
back to realize that he had been criticizing his own face.
Sometimes the truth hurts. But like the old gentleman
learned: truth can hurt; and Gods Word is truth, whether we
like it or not.
What to do:
Read Gods Word personally.
Application is
extremely important.
Understand that only through truth can we see
ourselves as we really are.
Understand that the Bible is not just a good book, it
is the very Word of God. We should live by it
continually.
********************

Snakebite Remedy
May 17

Bible Reading: Hebrews 2:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 2 - For if the word spoken by angels


was stedfast, and every transgression and
disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
Key Words: For if the word spoken by angels was

stedfast

Isnt it great to know that Gods Word is steadfast, and


that it is an antidote for what ails you? The following story,
taken from the Gospel Herald, illustrates this point.
A black snake slithered out of a cave, and the old timer in
the Tennessee hills watched it pause a short distance from the
mouth of the cave. The reptile took a few bites of a certain
plant and wended its way back into the cave. Mr. Old Timer
watched the snake repeat this performance two or three times,
each time biting on the plant and returning to the cave.
Ill venture the black snake is fighting with a deadly rattler
in there, he thought to himself. He comes out here and bites
this plant to offset the poison of those fangs, I believe. Just to
make sure, Ill make a test. Waiting until the black snake
returned to the cave again, he slipped from behind his bush of
observation, uprooted the plant and removed it, and returned
to watch the results. He regretted his deed, but his suspicions
were confirmed when he saw the heroic snake search in vain
for the plant, and then curl up and die.
A specific remedy has been provided for the bite of that
old serpent...the Devil the Eternal Word of God. Let him
come with his poisonous: Go ahead and do it thou shalt not
surely die, and the Christian may run to the Word of Life and
find the antidote.
What to do:
Gods Word is the remedy for
fixing snakebites.
Stay in the Word.
A simple test: Have you had your personal devotion

each day this month, so far?


********************

A Biblical World View


May 18

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:105-112


Key Verse: Verse 105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my
feet, and a light unto my path.
Key Words: Thy word is a lamp
Do you remember the old Brylcreem commercial? For
those who may not know, Brylcreem was what I referred to as
hair grease. The guys would use it to slick down their hair.
Anyway, the Brylcreem commercial had a slogan, A little
dabll do ya. Well, I am afraid that many Christians have
adopted the Brylcreem slogan when it comes to their study of
Gods Word, A little dabll do ya. As a result, Christians do
not have a Biblical world view. For example, did you know
these facts taken from a survey by the Nehemiah Institute,
who gives the Biblical world view test:
60% of all Baptist pastors are humanistic in their
view of the world;
75% of Bible college graduates from our circle of
colleges are humanistic in their thinking and view
of the world;
over 85% of all graduates from Christian schools
are humanistic in their world view - many of these
graduates started in Christian school as early as K4;
98% of all government schools (public schools)
graduates have a humanistic world view;
fewer than 33% of the teachers who teach in
Christian schools have a biblical world view; and
it is estimated that in our Baptist churches fewer

than 5% have a biblical world view. Many of these


individuals are socialistic in their view of the world.
Now, I ask you...how can we change the world when we
are in agreement with it; and secondly, how can we truly
impact our children and the ones we love when we fail to see
things as God sees them? It is time to begin the painful task
of changing our view of the world and how we think. This can
only be done as we renew our minds.
Our view of this world must be Biblical if we are to make a
difference for Gods glory.
What to do:
Go
online
to
The
Nehemiah
Institute
(nehemiahinstitute.com) and take the Biblical World
View test (PEERS test) and see how you do. (It will
not take long.)
Have your children take the world view test.
Discuss the results as a family.
Change in areas where you are wrong, Biblically.
********************

Word Calories

May 19

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 15:15-21

Key Verse: Verse 16 - Thy words were found, and I


did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and
rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name,
O LORD God of hosts.
Key Words: Thy words were found, and I did eat

them
According to findings of two German physiologists who
studied the relationship of food to the Ruhr coal miners
during World War II, it took three slices of bread for every ton

of coal cut by a miner. Each man, they found, required an


intake of between 155 and 200 calories per ton of coal they
produced. These calories represented what became known as
work calories. They discovered that each man required
between 1600 to 1800 calories per twenty-four hours, just to
stay alive. When the proper work calories were not
supplied, the study revealed that eventually the workers
would starve to death.
There are some important analogies to be drawn from
this. The Word of God is the food of the Christian. Every
Christian needs a minimum of food from the Word of God to
live his life for God from day to day. If, in addition, the
believer has special work to do for the Lord, he will need
special additional calories from Gods Word. The greater the
output, the more the believer must feed upon the Word. The
Word of God is milk for the soul (I Peter 2:2), strong meat
(Hebrews 5:12, 14), and honey (Psalm 119:103). Those who
are going to survive in the labor of God must, like the prophet,
find Gods Words and eat them: Thy words were found, and
I did eat them;
What to do:
Make sure you get plenty of calorie intake from
Gods Word.
Make sure your spiritual food is diverse: milk, meat,
and honey are all required.
1. Milk produces calcium for a strong spiritual
back bone.
2. Meat produces muscle for labor and work.
3. Honey fights off germs and disease.
Stay in the Word.

The Bible
May 20

Bible Reading: Exodus 5:1-19

Key Verse: Verse 1 - And afterward Moses and Aaron


went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God
of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast

unto me in the wilderness.


Key Words: Thus saith the LORD God of Israel
I read recently that some years ago the King of Prussia had
a discussion with his chaplain on the veracity of the Bible.
The king said to the chaplain, Tell me in a word the proof
that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.
The chaplain replied, Your Majesty, I can prove to you in
a single word that the Bible is the Word of God.
The king looked at him in amazement and said, What is
the magic word that would carry such weight of proof with it?
The chaplain replied, Your Majesty, that word is Israel.
And, of course, he was right. There are other single words
that also prove the Bible words such as sin, salvation, and
Christ; but the history of the people of Israel is sufficient to
show that a divine breath came down upon men who held the
pens that wrote the Word of God.
God promises to bless the nation that blesses Israel.
America has done that, and America is blessed. On the other
hand, Iraq has cursed Israel, and look at their history of
heartache and pain.
God told us that Israel would be the focal point of
prophecy, and it is. Study Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and
Revelation chapter 12. We are told that Israel would be
scattered but would return to their homeland (Jeremiah
12:15).
The word Israel alone proves that Gods Word, the Bible,
is true.
What to do:
Start your Bible study as a young Christian in John,
I, II, and III John.
As a mature believer, increase your Bible study to
such topics as Israel, the Church, the blood of Jesus,
etc.
Pray for wisdom as you study; and as always, be a
doer of the Word, not a hearer only.
********************

The Tripper
May 21

Bible Reading: Acts 8:26-40


Key Verse: Verse 30 - And Philip ran thither to him,
and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said,
Understandest thou what thou readest?
Key Words: Understandest thou what thou

readest?

Edward Hutton, English author of The Finest Travel


Books on Italy, was awarded the highest civilian honor of the
Italian government: Commendatore of the Order of Merit of
the Republic. In an interview, he described the difference
between the Italy of his first studies and the Italy of the
present time. Italy then, he said, was the land of the
traveler. Today it is the land of the tripper, the tourist. They
dont understand what they see. It is possible for a person
with no classical background to look upon the amazing relics
of the past and be unaware of their meaning.
Huttons remark is a perfect illustration of the way in
which many Christians read their Bibles. Instead of being
travelers who journey slowly, absorbing the spiritual blessings
and plunging into the spiritual depths, they are tourists who
rush along at high speed, not knowing what they have read.
One girl who traveled in Italy said she remembered Rome as
the place where shoe polish spilled on her best dress, and
Venice as the place where the hairdresser burned her hair
with a curling iron. She was a tripper.
When you open your Bible to read, always ask yourself the
question that Philip posed to the eunuch, Understandest
thou what thou readest? Be a traveler, not a tripper.

What to do:
Do not just read the Bible; study it.
Meditate on Gods Word. Think about what you are
reading.

Take notes as you go through your morning


Scripture reading, writing down things of interest and
questions you may have.
********************

Let It Say What It Says

May 22

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:33-40


Key Verse: Verse 33 - Teach me, O LORD, the way of
thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
Key Words: Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy

statutes
While we are to read and study Gods Word, we are not to
read things into Gods Word. Let the Bible say what it says.
Do not make it say what you want it to say. As we read Gods
Word, we need to apply the three principles found in our text.
The psalmist says in verse 33- teach me, in verse 34- give
me, and in verse 35- make me.
If one is not careful, it is very easy to read things into
Gods Word -- things that really are not there. Let me give
you an illustration.
Statistics can be made to say just about anything you
want. For instance, research demonstrates that pickles cause
cancer, Communism, airline tragedies, auto accidents, and
death. About 99.9 percent of cancer victims have eaten
pickles some time in their lives. One hundred percent of
soldiers have eaten them, along with 96.8 percent of
Communist sympathizers. In auto and air accidents, 99.7
percent of those involved downed a pickle at some point in
their lives. Moreover, those born in 1839 who ate pickles have
suffered a 100 percent mortality rate. Statistics and Scripture
share one particular similarity. You can twist them to your
way of thinking, but it is not wise or safe to do so.

What to do:
Let the Scripture say what it says, not what you want
it to say.
Ask the Holy Spirit to both guide and teach you as
you study.
Have one of the church staff or your Sunday School
teacher explain Scripture you do not understand.
********************

The Biblical Bang

May 23

Bible Reading: Colossians 1:1-17

Key Verse: Verse 17 - And he is before all things, and


by him all things consist.
Key Words: By him all things consist

Did you know that NASAs Cosmic Background Explorer


(COBE) satellite provided scientists with a wealth of
information? On April 23, 1992, scientists reported on the
satellites $400 million mission to study the universes origin.
After more than 300 million measurements by COBE, the
research scientists noted how closely their new discoveries of
the universes creation compared with the Biblical account.
Harvard astronomer Owen Gingerish said, Both the
contemporary scientific account and the age-old Biblical
account assume a beginning and its essential framework, of
everything springing forth from that blinding flash bears a
striking resonance with those succinct words of Genesis 1:3
And God said, Let there be light: .
Frederic Burnham, science historian and Director of
Trinity Institute of New York City, said many scientists would,
at this time more than any time in the last one hundred years,

consider the idea that God created the universe a respectable


hypothesis. This discovery also supports the findings that
90% of the universe is made up of cohesive, invisible, dark
matter that scientists havent been able to identify. Again, the
answer is in the Bible in Colossians 1:15-17: Who is the
image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and
that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all
things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all
things, and by him all things consist.
What to do:
Take God at His Word by faith.
Remember faith is taking God at His Word, in spite
of my feelings, circumstances, or consequences,
whether real or apparent.
********************

Keep It In Context

May 24

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 9:1-22

Key Verse: Verse 22 - To the weak became I as weak,


that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to
all men, that I might by all means save some.
Key Words: I am made all things to all men, that I

might by all means save some.

Now, if I have said it once, I have said it a hundred times,


Keep the Scripture in context. I often hear people use I
Corinthians 9:22b to justify their lack of standards. For
example, I have heard some say, If I need to dress like the
world to reach the world, I will so that I might by all means
save some. Still others say, I act the way I act and go to the
places I go so I can witness to them. You see, I want to be like
Paul that I might by all means save some.
But notice with me what Paul is really saying in I
Corinthians 9. Notice verse 12 when Paul says that if he needs

to suffer all things, he will, so that he might by all means save


some. Notice also verse 15 when Paul says he is even willing
to die so that he might by all means save some. What about
verses 16-18? Paul says that he places himself under the
gospel to live by the gospel so that he might by all means save
some. Then there is verse 19 when Paul says he is willing to
become a servant so that he might by all means save some. In
verses 20-21 Paul says that he is willing to place himself under
the strictness of the Jewish law that he might by all means
save some. As if that is not enough, Paul then says in verse
22a, To the weak [sickly] became I as weak [sickly]. Paul is
saying that he is willing to lose his health so that he might by
all means save some.
But Paul is not saying, If I need to go to the movies to
reach others, I will; nor is he saying If I need to go to
worldly activities and parties to reach my friends, I will.
Why, Paul is not saying, If I need to let my dress standards go
to reach others, I will. What Paul is saying is, If I need to
1. suffer,
2. die,
3. live by the gospel,
4. be a servant,
5. live under the law, or
6. lose my health
to reach others, I will gladly do so. You see, it is important to
keep the Word in context. If not, you will convince yourself to
do a wrong thing thinking it is for a good cause. Always
remember, it is never right to do wrong.

What to do:
Keep Gods Word in context. Some suggestions how
this can be done:
Ask these questions
1. (To whom is the writer writing?) *
2. Why is he writing to them?**
3. How does he go about proving his point?***
*In I Corinthians chapter 9, Paul is writing to the church at Corinth.
**He is writing to them because they question his apostleship (verse
1) and his authority (verses 4-5). They question his receiving pay for

his work (verses 9-13), and they question his methods for reaching
others (verses 20-22).
***He says I will suffer, die, live by the gospel, be a servant, etc.

Asking and answering these three questions will help you


keep the Word in context.
********************

Good For What Ails You

May 25

Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:14-27

Key Verse: Verse 22 - For they are life unto those that
find them, and health to all their flesh.
Key Words: health to all their flesh

I do not know what ails you, but Gods Word is certainly a


good medicine. I read the following story which illustrates
this point.
A lady, who tells the story herself, went to consult a
famous physician about her health. She was a woman of
nervous temperament, whose troubles she had many had
worried and excited her to such a pitch that the strain
threatened her physical strength and even her reason. She
gave the doctor a summary of her symptoms, and answered
his questions, only to be astonished at this brief prescription
at the end of his diagnosis: Madam, what you need is to read
your Bible more.
But, doctor, began the bewildered patient.
Go home, and read your Bible an hour a day, the great
man reiterated, with kindly authority. Then come back to me
a month from today. And he bowed her out without a
possibility of further protest.
At first this patient was inclined to be angry. Then she
reflected that, at least the prescription was not an expensive
one. Besides, it certainly had been a long time since she had
read the Bible regularly, she reflected with a pang of
conscience. Worldly cares had crowded out prayer and Bible

study for years; and, though she would have resented being
called an irreligious woman, she had undoubtedly become a
most careless Christian. She went home and set herself
consciously to try the physicians remedy. In one month she
went back to his office.
Well, the doctor said, smiling as he looked into her face,
I see you are an obedient patient, and have taken my
prescription faithfully. Do you feel as if you need any other
medicine now?
No, doctor, I dont, she said honestly. I feel like a
different person. But how did you know that was just what I
needed?
For answer, the physician turned to his desk. There, worn
and marked, lay an open Bible.
Madam, he said with deep earnestness, if I were to omit
my daily reading of this Book, I should lose my greatest source
of strength and skill. I never go to an operation without
finding help in its pages. Your case called not for medicine,
but for sources of peace and strength outside your own mind,
and I showed you my own prescription, and I knew it would
cure.
Yet I confess, doctor, said his patient, that I came very
near not taking it.
Very few are willing to try it, I find, said the physician,
smiling again. But there are many cases in my practice
where it would work wonders if they only could take it.
What to do:
When you are bruised spiritually, when you are
wounded emotionally, when you are ill physically, try
Gods Word as a medicine.
********************

Do I Get the Job?


Bible Reading: Proverbs 8:1-10

May 26

Key Verse: Verse 10 - Receive my instruction, and


not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Key Words: Receive my instruction
Proverbs, chapter eight, deals with the wisdom of Gods
Word. In verses one through nine, we see the plea of Gods
Word; in verses ten through twenty-one, we see the riches of
Gods Word; and in verses twenty-two through thirty-six, we
see the influence of Gods Word.
Some time back I read a story of the importance of Gods
Word. The story went like this:
I would like a job as tutor, teacher, and advisor to your
family. I will never take a vacation. I will never be out of
humor. I dont smoke or drink. I will not borrow your clothes
or raid your refrigerator.
I will be up in the morning as early as anyone in the house,
and I will stay up as late as anyone wishes. I will help solve
any problems your children might have. I will give you the
satisfaction of knowing that no question your children ask will
go unanswered. For that matter, I will answer any of your
questions or subjects that range from, How did I get here?
to Where am I headed?
I will help settle any difference of opinion anyone or you
may have. I will give you information that will help you with
your job, your family, and all other interests.
In short, I will give you the knowledge that will ensure the
continued success of your family.
I AM YOUR BIBLE!!
DO I GET THE JOB?
What to do:
Consult the Bible before you consult with others
about the problem you are facing.
Employ the Bible as your boss.
Always remember, Gods Word is your final
authority.
********************

No Effect

May 27

Bible Reading: Mark 7:1-13


Key Verse: Verse 13 - Making the word of God of
none effect through your tradition, which ye have
delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Key Words: Making the word of God of none effect
In our text, Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees for adding to
and taking away from the Word of God to benefit their own
personal lifestyle and beliefs. I have found that to be a
common practice, not just among the Pharisees of Jesus day,
but among the believers of today as well. I read the following
story some time back that illustrates this point.
A pastor was talking with a woman who appeared to be
somewhat knowledgeable of Gods Word.
The pastor
mentioned capital punishment. Oh, she said, Im against
capital punishment. I cant imagine anyone being a man of
God who believes in capital punishment. Why on earth, she
asked, would you believe such a thing? Very simple, said
the pastor, it is a basic teaching of Gods Word.
Genesis 9:5-6, And surely your blood of your
lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require
it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every mans
brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth mans
blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of
God made he man.
Exodus 21:12, He that smiteth a man, so that
he die, shall be surely put to death.
Revelation 13:10, He that leadeth into
captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the
sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience
and the faith of the saints.
After hearing all the verses of what God said in regard to
capital punishment, the lady looked at the pastor and said,
Ill go and pray and see how God guides me in the matter.
Now, at the risk of sounding crude, I say, It doesnt

matter what she does, Gods Word makes it clear on the


matter. So it should be in our lives not what we think, but
what Gods Word says.

What to do:
Let the Word of God be your final authority.
********************

Handling The Word


May 28

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:13-24

Key Verse: Verse 17- And take the helmet of


salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God:

Key Words: the sword of the Spirit

The Word of God is compared to any number of things, a


mirror, a hammer, a fire; but in our text, it is compared to a
sword. I came across this little gem of a story which
illustrates the importance of knowing how to handle the Word
of God. It is taken from Present-Day Parables as told by D. L.
Moody.
I came up to Boston from the country and went into a
Bible class where there were a few Harvard students. They
handed me a Bible and told me the lesson was in John. I
hunted all through the Old Testament for John, but couldnt
find it. I saw the fellows hunching one another, Ah, greenie
from the country. Now, you know that is just the time when
you dont want to be considered green. The teacher saw my
embarrassment and handed me his Bible, and I put my thumb
in the place and held on. I didnt lose my place. I said then
that if I ever got out of that scrape, I would never be caught
there again. Why is it that so many young men from eighteen
to twenty cannot be brought into a Bible class? Because they
dont want to show their ignorance. There is no place in the
world that is so fascinating as a live Bible class. I believe that

we are to blame that they have been brought up in the Sunday


School without Bibles and brought up with quarterlies. The
result is, the boys are growing up without knowing how to
handle the Bible.
What to do:
Know the Word so you can handle the Sword
effectively.
Learn at least one new Bible precept everyday.
Pray for Gods wisdom.
********************

A Valuable Truth

May 29

Bible Reading: II Timothy 2:1-9


Key Verse: Verse 9 - Wherein I suffer trouble, as an
evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not
bound.
Key Words: but the word of God is not bound
Have you ever considered how valuable Gods Word is? It
is valuable because it convicts (Hebrews 4:12); it converts
(Romans 10:17); it corrects (II Timothy 3:16); it cleanses
(Psalm 119:9); it conquers (Ephesians 6:17); and it comforts
(I Thessalonians 4:18).
Gods Word is valuable.
An ancient fable tells of three merchants crossing the
Arabian Desert. Traveling in darkness to avoid the intense
heat, they came across a dry creek bed, when suddenly a voice
cried out from the dark night and commanded them to stop.
They were then ordered to pick up pebbles from the bed and
put them in their pockets.
They obeyed the strange
command, and were then told to leave that area, which they
did immediately. As they were leaving the voice told them that
in the morning they would be both happy and sad. Shaken
and confused, they journeyed on.

When morning came, the men anxiously looked inside


their pockets; and rather than finding pebbles as expected,
they found precious jewels. They, indeed, were both happy
and sad. They were happy in that they had gathered precious
jewels; they were sad because they could have gathered much
more.
The fable illustrates to us a valuable truth. We are thrilled
with what we have learned from Gods Word, but are sad
because we could have learned so much more.
What to do:
Take in Gods Word like a sponge.
Dig for gold nuggets from Gods Word that can help
you in life.
Understand that Gods Word is not just a good book;
it is a gold mine of great value.

The Bible Stands


May 30

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:89-96


Key Verse: Verse 89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is
settled in heaven.
Key Words: thy word is settled
Charles Spurgeon is said to have written the following in
regard to the Word of God.
We went to a machine shop arriving a little early and, as
we were looking around, we saw a pile of old, worn, battered,
discarded hammers lying in one corner of the shop. We
counted forty-seven hammers.
We also saw a bright,
unscarred anvil which looked as if it had never had a blow. I
said to the man in charge, How many anvils have you used to
wear out that pile of hammers? Oh, he replied, just this
one, pointing with pride to the anvil. You know, said he, the
anvil wears out the hammers. The blows on the anvil only
make it shine brighter. As I stood there and looked at that

pile of discarded hammers, I thought of the Word of God and


its enemies and critics. I thought of Rosseau, Tom Paine, Bob
Ingersoll, Darrow and a host of others who have ridiculed the
Word of God and passed on. When the last infidel and higher
critic has taken his last sarcastic fling at the Word of God and
gone to the scrap heap of hell, Gods Word will still be here. It
is the Bible that wears out the skeptics. For ever, O LORD,
thy word is settled in heaven.
All I could possibly say is Amen and Amen!!

What to do:
Believe Gods Word. That will protect you.
Share Gods Word. That will convict others.
Learn Gods Word. That will aid you.
********************

Spiritual Deafness
May 31

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 2


Key Verse: Verse 14 - But the natural man receiveth
not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned.
Key Words: receiveth not
I once heard the story about a little fellow who spent his
summers with his sister on his grandparents farm. They
would go to the farm in the summertime and spend the
summer riding horses, playing with the cows, and running in
the woods. They just had a real big time.
One day the little boy decided he would make a slingshot.
He got to where he was quite an expert at hitting things with
it. So, he looked out and there was his grandmothers prize
goose.

Sure enough he hit that goose right on the head and he


killed it and he knew he was in trouble. So he said to himself,
Id better dig a hole and bury it before anyone finds out.
So he dug a hole and put the goose into it and he was
covering the goose over when he heard his sister say, I caught
you, I caught you, I caught you! I saw what you did. I saw you
kill grandmothers goose and Im going to tell on you!
She really had him. I mean she really had that poor fellow
and she made life miserable for him. When it was her turn to
get the water, he had to go get it because he was being
blackmailed. When it was her time to bring in some wood for
the stove, he had to do it because he feared she would tell on
him.
She just made life miserable for him. He was guilty and he
knew he was guilty. He was under condemnation and the
guilt of what he had done. It began to eat away at him and
finally he just couldnt stand it anymore. It was just eating
him alive and tearing his little heart up.
Finally, one day he went running into grandmas room.
He threw himself into her arms and said, Oh, grandmother.
I killed your goose. I did it. I didnt think the rock would kill
it. I buried the goose and I have been so afraid that sister was
going to tell you that I just cant stand it! Would you please
forgive me for killing your goose?
His grandmother said, Why son, I was looking out the
window and I saw you kill that goose. I have known you did it
all this time. I just wanted you to come and ask me to forgive
you for it.
It is true God is watching!!
What to do:
Understand that the key to understanding the
written Word is knowing the Living Word.
Do you love Gods Word? The key to loving Gods
Word is knowing the Author.
If you are not saved, accept Christ today. We would
be glad to assist you in this area.

I deeply appreciate the


help of

Mary Parsons
Glenda Myrick
And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these


people to help, this
devotional would not
have been possible.
Dr. Mike Rouse

is a ministry of

5568 Chalkville Mountain Road


Birmingham, AL. 35235
(205) 854-2741
www.mountainviewbaptist.org

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