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Happy Studying
The Thinking
Chances are we all believe that the Bible is meaningful and applicable to our lives. But are there times when we struggle to find its practical value in our day-to-day circumstance? You bet.
As I thought about this recently, I was struck with how Jesus himself treated the Bible. Take a minute to read the passage below and notice the role the Scriptures played in his life - even in his most desperate moments. (Emphasis added)
Matthew 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
The Doing
I was SO encouraged when I read this passage recently, realizing how thoroughly Jesus built his life on the words of the Bible. And if Jesus did it then so will I. This book continues to be THE invaluable guide as his Spirit leads us through our complicated lives. "It is written" - what powerful words! I marvel at the Bible's power to change me and the Middle School students in our ministry. In what ways can you and I daily center our lives on this book? Not because the Bible is an end in itself, but because it points us to the God we were created to know. Jesus himself built his life on it. Praise God for his Written Word. Happy studying. ~JP P.S. If this resonated with you, take a minute to look up Matthew 5:17-20, just a short jump later in the book. The centrality of God's Word is addressed by Jesus here too.