Day 12: What About The Relevance Of The Bible?

Day 12: What About The Relevance Of The Bible?

Read: 2 Timothy 3:10 - 17

What Do Christians Believe About the relevancy of the Bible? Let’s look at what the Bible says about itself. "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." (verses 16-17).This word "scripture" means "sacred writings." These sacred writings are said to be "God breathed." But this phrase means to 'breath out' rather than 'in', and that makes the focus of this word on God’s breath being the source or origin of the Bible.

What makes these writings sacred writings--is the fact that God breathed them out, that they have their ultimate origin with God himself. Now this characteristic of being God-breathed makes the Bible is "useful." This word useful means "practical," and "beneficial." I think the word "relevant" captures the meaning here, that because of the Bible’s source, it has vital practical relevance for our lives. This relevance is seen in four areas: Teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in our living righteously.

Teaching focuses on the Bible as giving us instruction to live life. Now this assumes that we come to the Bible as learners, because only learners can be taught. This instruction or teaching isn’t just about heavenly things, but it’s about practical things like being a good spouse, being a good parent, loaning out money, starting a family business, and so forth. Rebuking sounds kind of harsh to many, but really it is just a means of confronting our wrong ideas about life. For instance if I measure success in life by how much money a person has, but the Bible measures this success by a person’s faithfulness to God, then my criteria for success has been rebuked by God.

All of this results in being thoroughly equipped for a spiritually vital life with God. The Bible provides us with the equipment we need. It’s been said that when all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Well, the Bible provides us with a complete spiritual toolbox to live a full and rich spiritual life of devotion to Jesus Christ. So, however relevant being a good parent is, making wise decisions are, or boldly grabbing at an opportunity to grow and mature in our love for each other is however relevant we are likely to hold the Bible as God's Word in highest or lowest esteem.

Lord, How is the Bible relevant to me today? How can the Bible become relevant for my neighbor? Help me to live my life in such a way that my neighbors may see your relevance through me. Reveal to them through Your Holy Scripture Your relevance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwEdalrW1sw
LOVE WINS VICTORIOUS! new Christian worship music 2012 praise video release full song words lyrics
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BEAUTIFUL NEW CHRISTIAN PRAISE AND

LOVE WINS VICTORIOUS! new Christian worship music 2012 praise video release full song words lyrics

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BEAUTIFUL NEW CHRISTIAN PRAISE AND

Day 11: "Is that You God?"

Day 11: "Is that You God?"

Read: 1 Corinthians 2:9 - 13

My question for you this morning is; does God still speak to His children even today? and if so, how? .....and, just as importantly, how can we be sure that it is really God that we are “hearing”? One way that God “speaks” to us is through an array of biblical prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Jonah to name but a few. Today we hear him speak to us through the powerful words of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and Paul and Peter and James to name a few New Testament authors. We hear God speak through the Ministers and Pastors of churches and all sorts of Christian witnesses.

You know, when I read the Bible, I used to be jealous of the ways in which God would speak so directly with his children in biblical times; Adam and Eve in the Garden, Noah, Abraham bargaining one on one for Sodom and Gomorrah, Moses on the mountain top as he talked to a burning bush or conversed with the Lord in the Tent of Meeting. How about the time when Moses, interceding before a vengeful God placed himself between God and the rebellious people bargaining for their very lives?

Have you ever thought; if He would only speak directly to me, or even send His angel to deliver a special message..? That would no doubt be an awesome experience to say the least. When you pick up the Bible and read it, and seek to glean from it the revealed truth of God's word, Do you ask before you start: "Is this really You God?" Let's face it, people struggle for a truth they can believe. For words that speak into their day to day lives that they can fully trust one who is speaking to them. People desire their fair share of authenticity and integrity to believe then live confidently.

9 But, as it is written,
‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him’—

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 13 And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.

Lord, please forgive me for being so forward with You. For my heart is compelling me to ask you some questions this morning. I just have to ask You "Are you speaking to me now?" "Will You speak to me today?" "Are You still going to be speaking to me even though You know I wont always give you the very best of my attention to You?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uiz_jTpWy3o

Cardboard Testimonies - Word of Life Hendersonville, TN

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Desperation Band: "Overcome"

Day 10: Sharing With Family: Conversations About God

Day 10: Sharing With Family: Conversations About God

Read: John 3:31 - 36

Do you ever look for something so hard that you can’t find it? Maybe it’s just my age kicking in but sometimes I’ll lose something in the most obvious place possible. I think so hard about where I put it that I forget to look in the most likely place. I figure that I would have remembered easily if I’d put that thing where it belonged. So instead, I go searching around in drawers or under beds and cabinets-in places I haven’t opened or looked under in years. Finally I just stop. I kick myself in the pants

I stop looking and fretting and let my mind catch up a little and start over thinking more logically and less frantically. That’s when I find it-right where it should have been all along. My own mind had blinded me from seeing it because it was too easy! I bet those of you who are reading this now thought I was talking about my glasses, or my car keys or some other material object. Well, I do lose those things from time to time. However, this morning I am referring to an honest conversation with some one that you love and genuinely care about. Maybe your spouse maybe your children. Sharing with our families and our neighbors having serious conversations about God.

I'm talking about the rarity (at least in my own personal experience) of sharing a genuine conversation with God alongside the one's you love and genuinely care about and sometimes even with those you don't. Wow! I mean just stopping and dropping what it is you're doing and speak to them of the earthly things then the 'God' things. I can remember that while I was on vacation this past summer of sitting by the camp fire with my wife, step - son, daughter in law and we talked about great crab dinners, going fishing for the first time together. But there was nothing shared about our God.

We did not hesitate to talk about and share among ourselves all the truly wonderful moments and experiences of that which we had before us. Looking back upon those shared family moments that we were more naturally interested in sharing 'smores' than we were sharing God. Our testimony was of the earthly things we were so very blessed to have. I do not even remember thinking that much about God. As I sit here and convict myself of not taking full advantage of sharing an Immanuel 'God with us', moment with my family, I wonder if my testimony would have changed anything then.

Lord, I pray for more moments in my life when I will be more confident in recognizing moments when I may overcome my tongue. That I may grant it permission to be forever released from its lifelong bondage to earthly things to share with those I encounter the 'God things' that have transformed my life. Let my testimony be of You!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BenoeaN2dYk

New Life Worship - Overcome (Lyrics/Subtitles) (Best Worship Song for Jesus)

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New Life Worship - Overcome, from the bonus DVD

Day 9: God: "Search For Me Within You!"

Day 9: God: "Search For Me Within You!"

Read: Psalm 145

The Bible never argues for the existence of God. It simply states it quite clearly and decisively. Most of us need no assurance of His existence. We have experienced it. We have known the joy of answered prayer. We have looked into the eyes of our wives and families and seen relationship that comes together, growing and maturing through the best of times and the most challenging. We have experienced His love in our salvation. We have experienced His mercy and forgiveness and grace when we least deserved it. We have known His guidance and power in the trying times of life.

However, when it come right down to it, no one has ever seen God face to face. Even when Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments, he had to avert his eyes and only saw God's back. Only God's Son Jesus has seen the Father on High. But where does that leave us? Where did that leave David when in one of his most personal moments of purest joy wrote: 'Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. (verse 3)'? Where had David been looking for Him? He is not of flesh and blood as we are. Is it possible that David had a composite sketch?

David had quite a few 'cave moments' in his life as he was trying to elude his enemies and potential captors. He had so many, I do not personally believe that there was a single cave David was not intimately acquainted with. So, did David see the image of God in the vast darkness and depths of his hiding places? Had David seen God more clearly in the deepest darkness than anyone else in the brightness of a sunlight day? Could be possible. David was incredibly intuitive whether in the night or in the day. It is more likely that the God David saw in the darkness was illuminated by his heart.

And this is the God we ourselves are more likely to see and find before us and bear witness to. Somewhere, I do not know for sure where, it is written that the eyes of our heart can see what is beyond normal sight. Our hearts can search the greatest depths of what are the most unsearchable of places. Places where the human eye has no hope of journeying to. It can enter into the unsearchable and clearly envision the unseen places where only God is found. Do you desire to see God? Search within your heart!

9 But, as it is written,
‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him’—
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1Corinthians 2:9 - 10)

Lord, open my eyes that I may see, visions of truth you have for me. Open the eyes of my heart, illumine me, Reveal Yourself to me in Your truest glory, Spirit Divine!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2XTYQRw-0o

Christopher Duffley - 10 year old autistic blind boy - Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

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Christopher Duffley is one amazing, talanted child. He was adopted by his current parents but still he

Day 8: "On This Rock I Will Build My Church"

Day 8: "On This Rock I Will Build My Church"

Read: Matthew 16:13 - 18

Ask yourselves this question this morning? "Does anything I say whenever I say it really make that big a difference?" "Does anybody really listen to what I say? "Why should anything I say make the least bit of difference to anyone, anywhere?" "Why should my words make any more or less a difference than the next guys?" "When it comes right down to it why should I say anything at all about something no body else is going to care about anyway?" "Nobody ever listens to me anyway!" What you say and who you say it to along the course of an everyday conversation builds buildings!

Upon hearing Peter’s words, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”, Jesus made a most important declaration. A declaration that has changed the course of countless people and transformed world events ever since. He said to Simon now called Peter: “On this Rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it”. True to his word Jesus has been building his church and continues to do so to this very day. It started with a fairly simple question: "Who do you say I am?" It elicited a simple yet profound response from Peter and Christ's church began.

The word 'church' means "belongs to the Lord." The Greek word 'ekklesia' describes a group of people who God 'called out'. God called out to His people, the people, in this Scriptural passage represented by Simon now called Peter (meaning 'Rock') took the time to listen and then boldly dared to speak out. Though there were only a few present that day to listen to Peter, and for the last 2000 years Peter's words have reverberated across the entire known world transforming and shaping humanity. There are precious few words spoken in simple conversation that can say the same.

In God’s eyes a great church is one in which you and I become more and more like Jesus thus making Him known. Great churches strive to impact their families, friends, communities and their world with the reality of the risen Christ. The monotonous, humdrum and empty lives of people are transformed by the power of ordinary words from ordinary believers as the life and power of Christ works in and through their ordinary lives. It all began when an ordinary man spoke extraordinary words a whole world of ordinary people listened. That’s what makes Christ's church extraordinary.

Lord God, Let me never underestimate the power of my ordinary words to make an extraordinary difference to someone somewhere somehow and in some way. Amen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faKFcfytlxU

Celtic Woman - A New Journey - You Raise Me Up

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Purchase Info and Tour Dates: http://www.celticwoman.com/ Celtic Woman - A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle, Ireland 2006 Title: You Raise Me Up (not in TV ...

Day 7: Authentic Faith That Really Works

Day 7: Authentic Faith That Really Works

Read: James 2:14 - 26

100% Authentic, 100 % Real. It seems if you put these words in front of anything it sells more – 100% authentic American Cuisine, 100% “real Colombian coffee” or “real leather.” There’s a book out Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche. Coke used to be the "real thing". We’re interested in the genuine article. Is this the "real deal?" There is great value placed on anything that carries a label that says "100% Authentic". If we find out that this is not the case, the value drops significantly. There is Reality TV which sometimes struggles real hard to be real and authentic to real true life situations.

I want to talk to you today about what James has to say about how to have a real and authentic faith that really works. He talks about how you can have a real faith. Jesus verifies this saying that by a person’s fruits you can know them. This is one of the most controversial and misunderstood passage in the book of James. Many of us misunderstand it and try to use this passage to prove you have to work your way to heaven. The New Testament teaches that we are saved by faith alone. "By grace, through faith." James comes along and says, “It’s not just faith but faith and works.”

What is he talking about? James or Paul…which one is right? They are both right. They are both talking about different things. Paul was fighting the problem of: "I’ve really got to keep all the Jewish laws and regulations to be an authentic Christian." James is fighting those that say "It doesn’t really matter what you do as long as you believe." When Paul uses the word "works" he’s talking about Jewish laws like keeping food laws and things like that. When James uses it, he’s talking about the Christian lifestyle -- acts of love. It’s totally different. It is about living authentic lives.

Paul focuses on the root of salvation -- what happens to me internally. James then is focusing on the fruit of salvation -- what happens on the outside. Jesus said, "By their fruits you will know them." Paul is talking about, “How to know you’re a Christian.” James is talking about, “How to show you’re a Christian.” Paul is talking about how to become a believer. James talks about how to behave like a believer. Both writers are stressing authenticity and realism - both from one side of the candle moving inward. Both moving steadily centered toward the only true 100% Authentic Real Deal - Jesus.

Lord, show me authenticity, through thy Son Jesus, that I may see for myself then I may live my life more and more authentically for You. Help me to be 'more real' today than I was yesterday. Place me on the path of life that's wholly centered on Your Son. Draw me ever closer from without to within, toward the very core of Your greatness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIBtSt7YhEA

Rhythms of Grace - Hillsong United Miami Live New 2012 (Lyrics/Subtitles) (Worship Song for Jesus)

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Hillsong United Live in Miami 2012, Album:

Day 6: "To You I Will Lift Up My Voice"

Day 6: "To You I Will Lift Up My Voice"

Read: Psalm 123

I am expecting three young boys any time now. My wife and I host the children in our home from about 6:30 am until we walk them to the bus stop at 9 am. When these very young and rambunctious boys enter our home, the first order of business in their lives is to make noise dropping book bags, back packs on the floor, stomping their feet running into the kitchen and raising their not so tiny voices in a rousing chorus of "Good Morning Uncle Tom!" "Where is the dog?" "I'm hungry!" while the wife sleeps.

After much hushed conversation I have tried to communicate with these wonderful boys, the joy of quiet play, at least until I wake up my wife. In a hushed voice I have tried so many approaches to communicating this simple message: In our household there is one inescapable, much sought after desire at 6:30 am - and that is there will only be hushed and whispered tones of thunder. Play -- yes, quietly. Talk quietly -- I can only pray about. Sometimes I have found myself communicating this message in a more direct authoritative face to face manner. With varying rates of quiet success.

You can communicate with people of all age groups in many many ways. However the message is not always received in the same spirit in which it was delivered. You can try talking loudly above the noises of playing children. You can try shouting above the crashing din of pots and pans and Sunday afternoon football games fixing a meal. You can hammer the side of your fist against the wall and knock over someone's drink on their lap to get their attention to quiet down. All effective techniques when they are strategically used to maximum benefit. Still, the best way is by face to face.

The same goes when you are trying to communicate with God through a time of prayer. Though you cannot talk above a thunderstorm, though you cannot shout above the crashing din of the universe, though you have no wall upon which to slam the side of your fist, though there is no drink to knock off the table onto God's lap, you can still communicate with God in person. You can still 'lift up' your voice to the one who you hope has a better answer to how to quiet things down in your life. You are allowed to communicate however you loudly or quietly as you want - God hears! Prayers are an awesome means of face to face communication, so lift up your voices!

Lord; whether it is in the quiet hush of the blowing wind or over the din of of a noisy life, let me lift up my voice to you. I know that when I am talking to You through my prayers that You will always hear me. Over the crashing din of the universe, You will always bend Your ear close to me to hear my still small voice and quietly answer me. Your quiet voice, Your hushed whisper from an eternity away shall bring peace to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0NJmgTkFd8

Word of God speak with lyrics

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Word of God speak with lyrics