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The American Library Association has designated this week as Banned Books Week in celebration of the freedom to read and to express one's opinion "even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular." The Bible is the all-time bestselling book, but in some parts of the world it is banned because it's considered dangerous. The Bible is dangerous, however, only to those who fear finding out that they are wrong. It's dangerous to those who exploit the weak and the innocent, who use force to keep others enslaved in poverty and ignorance, who don't want to give up their favorite sin, who believe that salvation can be found apart from Christ. No one wants to be told they are wrong. No one wants to hear that their behavior is putting themselves and those they love in danger or that God's patience will eventually wear out. Yet that was the message God told Jeremiah to write (Jer. 36:2). When His message was read to King Jehoiakim, the king cut up the scroll and threw it into the fire (v.23). The only way to know we are right is to be willing to discover where we are wrong. Read the all-time bestselling banned book, and let it reveal to you the truth about God—and about yourself. — Julie Ackerman Link Lord Jesus, show Thyself to me
In very truth and deed;
Help me to find, O Christ, in Thee,
More than my deepest need. —Clarkson The Bible shows us a picture of who we really are. ~Nina's Corner~ It's hard to believe a book that contains the answers to every situation you could ever face and the truth to everything could be so tabu. It's the like holy grail of books, for everyone who's searching for the answers to all of life's questions. It's the best soap opera it's filled with drama and crazy stories, who needs to watch tv when everything you could ever want is in the Bible? Even if it does become banned here I will still take my chances and read it anyway. Read: Jeremiah 36:1-8,21-26 Write...all the words that I have sopoken to you...that everyone may turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.---Jeremiah 36:2-3 Bible In One Year: * Jeremiah 13-15 * Proverbs 2:1-11
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When Mike Wood began to advertise his sign company, he didn't know how useful his work would become. Some of his signs were life-size cardboard pictures of kids, which he put close to the street. Besides advertising his business, the signs had another effect. Motorists thought the cutouts were real children and began to drop their speed. Now Mike sells the cardboard kids to parents who want to slow down speeding drivers in their area. Mike said, "We truly hope that some of our standups help to control speeding in neighborhoods around the country." Parents work at protecting their children from physical danger. But there are other dangers as well. Solomon, the writer of Proverbs 1, was concerned about the people who would pose spiritual danger to his son. He warned him about those who would entice him to do evil (vv.10-14) and told him, "Do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; for their feet run to evil" (vv.15-16). We need to protect our children by teaching them God's Word and training them to avoid evil influences. Busy streets are hazardous for our children, but the enticement of taking an evil path is far more dangerous. — Anne Cetas Children are a heritage,
A gift from God above;
He asks you to protect and care
And nourish them with love. —Hess Tomorrow's world will be shaped by what we teach our children today. ~Nina's Corner~ Coming from a mom's point of view there is nothing more important that how I raise my son. I'm not only worried about his physical well being but his spiritual up bringing. I know what it's like to have to face a spiritual war far and I want him to be well prepared. Our child are our future they watch what you say and do very carefully so always make sure you are being the example of what you want your child to be. Read:Proverbs 1:8-19 My son if sinners entice you, do not consent.---Proverbs 1:10
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One day, while Wim was in the marketplace in the Netherlands, he struck up a conversation with a woman who remarked that you can get to heaven by doing good works. His attempt to explain that it is by God's grace that we are "saved through faith" (Eph. 2:8) brought a smile as the woman repeated confidently: "and...by doing good works." Then another woman volunteered, "You can hope you'll go to heaven, but you can't be sure." Wim's assertion that he did know for sure was met with a muttered, "Nobody knows for sure." Wim them showed the woman what 1 John 5:11-13 says. He explained: "See, it doesn't say hope there, it says know." Unconvinced, she said, "Like you, my pastor says that we have to have faith, but you may think you have, but who can be sure?" To some, Wim;s confidence may seem incredible. But he based his words on this statement: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works" (Eph. 2:8-9). It's true. We can't be good enough. We can never do enough good things. But we an be sure of heaven if we simply believe on the Lord (Acts 16:31).---Cindy Hess Kasper We cannot earn our way to heaven By word or work or worth; But if we trust in Christ to save us, Then we'll enjoy new birth.---Branon WE ARE SAVED BY GOD'S MERCY, NOT BY OUR MERIT---BY CHRIST'S DYING, NOT BY OUR DOING. ~Nina's Corner~ I once talked to a gentleman from Italy and he was telling me that his father had just passed away. I entended my condolences and we got on the topic of whether he was in heaven because he was a good person. I tried to explain to him that just because he was a "good person" didn't mean he went to heaven. I felt bad saying that because his father had just passed away, but I cannot lie. The gentleman got mad but I gave him the scripture to back up what I was saying and he actually took the time to look into what I was saying. To me if I accomplished anything at least I got him to read the Bible and I have faith that God will do the rest. Read: 1 John 5:6-13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.---1 John 5:13 The Bible In One Year: * Jeremiah 4-6 * Proverbs 1:1-7
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Whether you need a weather forecast for Singapore or driving directions to a resturant in Chicago, the answer may be just a cell-phone call away. A California-based mobile service called AskMeNow utilizes Internet content sources to send text-message replies to queries from registered users on just about any subject. In many cases, a text-message reply may be received within minutes of submitting a question. In a sense, the invitation to ask anything, anytime, anywhere mirrors God's call to all who follow Jesus: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach" (James 1:5). But this is more than a mobile information service. It is our heavenly Father's promise to provide the guidance we need, especially during trying times. All we need is a sincere desire to follow God's direction and faith that His way is best. Because the Lord "gives gerenerously to all men without doubting (vv.5-6 Phillips). The Internet is a great place to find helpful information, but there is only one source of divine wisdom to direct our steps each day. The Father invites our sincere requests anytime, anywhere.---David McCasland My Lord is ever with me Along life's busy way; I trust in Him completely For guidance day by day.---Anon. BE SMART---ASK FOR GOD'S WISDOM. ~Nina's Corner~ I wish I had the wisdom of Solomn, he only asked that one thing from God. Solomn through God could do anything, he had the knowledge and intelligence to solve any problem. When I've come to a dead end or a fork in the road I never make a decision without consulting God first, He is the the master of any situation and knows the answer to everything. I would rather wait for the right answer then to rush into the wrong one. Read: James 1:1-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.---James 1:5 The Bible In One Year: * Jeremiah 1-3 *Proverbs 31:10-31
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Leonardo da Vinci spent 10 years drawing ears, elbows, hands, and other parts of the body in many different aspects. Then one day he set aside the exercises and painted what he saw. Likewise, athletes and musicians never become great without regular practice. For years I resisted a regular routine of prayer, believing that communication with God should be spontaneous and free. But I found that I needed the discipline of regularity to make possible those exceptional times of free communication with God. Eventually I learned that spontaneity often flows from discipline. The writer Nancy Mairs says she attends church in the same spirit she goes to her desk every morning to write, so that if an idea comes she'll be there to receive it. I approach prayer the same way. I keep on whether it feels like I am profiting or not. I show up in hopes of getting to know God better, perhaps hearing from Him in ways accessible only through solitude. The English word meditate derives from a Latin word that means "to rehearse." Often my prayers seem like a kind of familiar pieces (the Psalms), and try out a few new tunes. Mainly, I show up.---Philip Yancey Prayer is the simplest form of speech That infant's lips can try; Prayer the sublimest strains that reach The Majesty on high.---Montgomery PARYER IS AN IMTIMATE CONVERSATION WITH OUR GOD. ~Nina's Corner~ I saw a sign the other day that I thought was very fitting and true in most cases. It said "Yeah I pray every day God is easier to talk to than most people." I love that! I want to view praying to God not as something I have to do but like a regular conversation as if I'm talking to anyone else. With the exception that God will always listens and never lets us down. Read: Psalm 116 Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.---Psalm 116:2 The Bible In One Year: * Psalms 114-116
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