World Book Day

Today is World Book Day (23 April), which I didn't really know existed, but it sounds like a good day to celebrate the advent of books, writing and literature. The first World Book Day was celebrated on April 23, 1995, coinciding with the anniversary of the deaths of notable authors such as William Shakespeare. 

I am very grateful for the gifts of books, but obviously I am most grateful for the fact that Bible was translated into my mother-tongue, and that it was compiled into a book form. Although many of us may take this for granted, it was not always the case. For many generations, believers had to rely on a Priest to read from the scrolls of the Scriptures for us, and even when the Bible was first produced in book format, it was so heavy that it couldn't be carried around so easily.

John 21:25 - " But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written."

Revelation 22:7 - ‘See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’

Thought: What about the Bible (the Good Book) do you appreciate the most?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Breaking your word

 

There used to be a time when a person's word was their guarantee. In other words, when they agreed to do something and promised to follow through - then they would do it. Their word was their bond. Sadly, that is not the same anymore, and people break promises all the time. The writer to the Hebrews reflects on this when he writes to the people of God:

Hebrews 6:13-18 (The Message)- “When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they’ll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.”

God always follows through with his promises. He doesn't renege on his word. His word is ROCK-SOLID.

Thought: Let us be careful in promising things that we can't follow up on. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Choose a Word

If you have a careful look at the attached photo you will see that it contains a number of different words that have been scrambled into the picture. As you cast your eyes over the picture you will find that you are drawn to certain words - for example, can you see the following words: Help, Flawless, Independent, Calm, Friendly, versatile? They are all hidden in the block, but our eyes are often drawn to the word we need for the moment.

The same can be applied to our reading of Scripture. If we read a passage in a disciplined way, we will notice that the Spirit highlights certain words for us and these words become part of our lives in that moment. Why don't you give it a try and see what I mean? Read through these few verses and ask God to highlight some words for you:

"Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,    they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:28-31

If you have a moment, please send me a quick message with the ONE word that stood out for you today.

My word for today is: 'strength'

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The WORD in the words

There is a lovely quote from Karl Barth that states: When we are reading we are doing more than just looking at the words on the page, but that we are seeking "The WORD exposed in the words."

I think this is especially true of when we read the Scriptures and Christian literature. The image of Jesus is always present in these words, we just need to be able to recognise them. I always come to the pages of the Bible believing that God has something to say to me and that God wants to impart these messages.

As we embark upon a new year of discovery that hopefully includes spending some more time in the SCRIPTURES, I pray that the Word (Jesus) will be made real to you in the words of the Bible.

Try this process in the following Scripture:

 John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

God bless you on this adventure.

Living in Grace
D3LM3