My “God, I Am” Books
I have noticed a disturbing trend among Christians which I'd like to address here in this blog as an introduction to my newest series, "God, I Am...." That trend is the dependence on other people to spoon feed us God's Word, The Bible. What do I mean by that last sentence? Let me explain.
When I sit in a church service and look around me, I have noticed most people do not carry a Bible. When I was growing up, people not only had a Bible but also had it opened during the sermon and were underlining verses that spoke to them as the pastor spoke. Now the verses are projected upon the screen for us and few people are even taking notes. But, you say, maybe these people are looking at the verses on their cellphone or iPad. No. Very few people looking at electronic devices can be found (unless they are texting).
Also, devotional books seem to be the easy way to "get into God's Word". But how many of us open our Bible and look up the verses that are quoted in these devotional books? Are we searching the scriptures for ourselves to make sure what the author is saying is true? In fact, there is a so-called "devotional book" that is written as if Jesus is speaking to the readers. I find many readers use this book as if it is real scripture. (The source of that book is questionable and is the subject for another blog.)
In Acts 17:10-11 the Bereans were commended for checking out the Scriptures for themselves after Paul preached to them.
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." (NIV)
Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (NIV)
All of Psalm 119 shares how important it is to know and love God's Word. Two examples:
Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (NIV) Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV) Our delight in life should be to know God's truth. God's blessing comes by loving His Word. Psalm 1:1-2 says "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." (NIV)
In my series, "God, I Am....", I take you straight to Scripture. These books do not give you my thoughts, but verses from God's Word, the Bible. I believe that only God has the solutions to all our problems. After all, He made us, therefore He knows what we need and can meet those needs better than anything or anyone. Let's make loving God's Word a priority in our life.