The Living Word of God

"The living bible." those three words paint a tapestry unlike any other book written. The words contained in the Bible are alive and dynamic in meaning. The very first words of the Gospel (Good news) book of John states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1 KJV"

I have to remember the bible was written for me with me in mind. This is true for all who read the words within. I also have to remember that the bible is written for me at this time. Each time I pick up the bible and read the words written for me it will apply to the moment I am reading it. I have read the words at different times and had the Bible speak to me in different ways.

Short example: Ever since I became a Christian, aboard ship I would attend the Sunday service if I could. Most of my ships were not big enough to have a Naval Chaplin aboard so the service was lead by a member of the crew. When the person who was leading church service was being transferred off the ship, he asked me to take over the church service. I told him "no way, there is not a chance in hell that I can talk in front of others." Later that evening I flipped my Bible open to a random place and started reading. That random place happen to be in the old testament in Exodus 6. My eyes landed on verse 12 and I started reading. Moses was telling God (sorry that's hilarious "Telling God") that he could not talk to Pharaoh because he wasn't a good speaker. The next words struck me pretty hard. It said, God became angry at Moses. Long story short I was leading church service for the rest of deployment.

Remember: Each time you turn to the Bible it will be perfect. Maybe not what you want to hear, but perfect.

Judge ye least be judged

Yesterday I read a news article showing Canada's Jocelyne Larocque take her silver medal off immediately after receiving it. The next day she apologized and said she regretted her actions and wish she could take it back. She was so emotional and had worked so hard to try to win. After reading the article I actually felt bad for her. Then I tried an experiment in my own brain. What if I changed up the scene.

Change 1 -
I made a change to the scene that I read. I changed Jocelyne to a guy. And I read the story again except this time I replaced Jocelyne to Jack. I was angry that He was acting like a big baby. Hmmm why would I be so quick to forgive Jocelyne and not Jack. Was it because I think of women differently? Was it that I thought it was okay for a woman to let her emotions get the best of her? Did I think Guys should suck it up and not whine about stuff, no mater how hard they tried. Why did I empathize with Jocelyne and not Jack.

Change 2 -
This change was to change the race of the person. I did this because I wondered if I would judge the same person if they were not white. After all I was pretty hard on Cam Newton when he had a melt down and walked away from interview after he lost the Superbowl. I played the scene in my head with a African American woman and I was still sympathetic. I really think my view of genders is different.

What to do now?

Honestly I do not know what I should do to change this? I am looking for suggestions.

My prayer for you today

Romans 15:13 NLTI pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Tired?

I am tired; I have to much to do and my balance between God, family and work is very hard. Most people could say this. Two things will help this. Give it to God and Let God use you to help others. Remember we are skin on God. God does his work through us. If everybody had this mindset, people would be less stressed and we would get rest. Go and make God proud. Matthew 11:28 ESV Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Control, I must have control

I get anxiety over not controlling every aspect of everything I encounter. As you can imagine that does not work out well. I am a work in progress. I would like to share this week the 2 things. The serenity prayer.  & 2. Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Wonderfully Made

Dwight's Comments: As I looked at how our DNA works, how it replicates self and when I was looking up "Ligase" there was this cute image and it reminded me of Psalm 139. I love the word choice in this verse, "Woven together". Bottom line. Remember, you are masterfully made and God watches intently every moment of our life including as we were being formed. 

Psalm 139:15 (NLT)

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 

Baggage you don't need to carry

Give you a guess who should carry those for you. 

Come on guess...

That's right "God!"

I am going to do 2 bible verses this week.

Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7 

Psalm 55:22 (NIV) "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

God gives two promises here 1. He will sustain you, not might but will. and 2. He will never let the righteous be shaken. Again he uses the will which is an absolute and the word NEVER. Problem is that I am not righteous. But if you think about it one of the great side affects of striving for being righteous is so much trust and faith in God that you will not be shaken.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

This first just reminds us to cast our worries or anxiety on him.... why..... because he cares for you, with the most amazing love you can imagine. 

Bottom Line (2 things)

• I believe that God cares for us and 
• We should strive for righteousness. 

One of the ways we can be righteous is to follow the greatest commandment of all. Love others. Where would your worries be if you were in Houston helping those who need love the most.