#1 Dare to read the Bible
By WadeMartin Hughes, Sr.
Kyfingers@aol.com
TEXT:
Psa. 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Matt 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, YE DO ERR, NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES, NOR THE POWER OF GOD.
2 Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; BUT AFTER THEIR OWN LUST shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables. Let’s not seek fables and stories,
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent?...17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the word of God.
Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
2 Samuel 12:7 Thou art the man... 9. Why has thou despised (taken lightly the word of the Lord) 13? And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.
Psalms 119:10 Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin
against God.
Psa. 109:4 ...but I have given myself unto prayer.
Today I ponder what is the value of the foundation on the Bible?
I often get a call like this: "Do you have a word of God for me?"
I always answer, "Sure do, 66 books of the word of God."
How do we value the Bible?
The answer in our words and our daily practice might vary?
The answer might depend, how often do we read it?
How often do we study and meditate therein?
What is the selling price of the word of God?
Men sell by whatever they, themselves are priced
--- For 30 pieces of silver Judas sold himself, not Jesus Christ.
---Remember Lot’s wife? (Luke 17:32)
There was something hidden in Lot’s wife’s heart, a hidden love or a hidden
desire.
There had to be more than a look over the shoulder?
Today many sell their Bible time for other commodities?
Is Bible reading optional?
Do you discipline the flesh to study and meditate on God’s word?
1. IF YOU ARE TOO BUSY FOR BIBLE STUDY, YOU ARE TO BUSY!
Today the church is weak and anemic because what we study are the TV preachers books and tapes.
We read great books by great men.
We read books about great people from the past.
Sometimes, I fear we are killing the move of the Holy Spirit by studying everything but the Bible.
I am not against reading these other things, but our priority must be the Bible, God’s Holy Word.
2.SIN WILL KEEP YOU FROM THE BIBLE, AND THE BIBLE WILL KEEP YOU FROM SIN. READ YOUR BIBLE IT WILL SCARE THE HELL AND SIN OUT OF YOU!
We have seen whole ministries going under and defeated.
We can build the church on professionalism, educated clergy, talented musicians, well trained leadership, costly seminars with powerful motivational speakers, and pretty cheerleaders?
Where is the call to the Bible?
I saw one recent survey that suggested less than 30% of religious leaders read their Bible daily?
How can we have a sustained growth and reach the world with social gospel?
David had failed God miserably.
David broke the commandments and broke the very heart of God.
Nathan came by with a message from God,
2 Samuel 12:7 Thou art the man...
9. Why has thou despised (taken lightly the word of the Lord)
13? And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.
HOW DID DAVID CORRECT HIS FAILURE?
David penned these words, under the anointing,
Psalms 119:10 Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin
against God.
The word of God did the work of God in David’s heart.
This word brought about change. THIS WORD OF GOD ALSO BIRTHED
SOMETHING IN DAVID’S SPIRIT...
Psa. 109:4 ...but I have given myself unto prayer.
3. GOD NEEDS A VEHICLE OF TRUTH.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent?...
17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the word of God.
BIG QUESTION: HOW CAN THE TRUTH BE ADVANCED, IF IT IS NOT KNOWN?
Why are there guns in our schools?
Why are sexually transmitted diseases rampant?
Why is divorce cursing our nation and dividing our homes?
Our society does not know the word of God.
I used to take my guitar places and sit on the corner and sing Jesus loves
me, yes I know for the Bible tells me so....and in unison the kids would sing.
I was with my great nieces and nephews, and they did not know this song?
They had never been in church?
The only song they could sing with me was? ?
I love you, you love me, we’re a happy family.
We need a revival that would turn the hearts of the people
toward the word of God.
Many years ago, I sat in the school of ministry, a young preacher asked the old man of God, how many times have you read the Bible through?
The old man bowed his gray head, and replied, I don’t know if I have ever
read my Bible from cover to cover?
But I promise today I will start, he replied.
At best counseling is a Band-Aid.
We must hear a cry from within the church, the word of God or death?
There is nothing wrong with good programs,
but they must be submerged in the word of God.
4. WE SAY I CAN’T MEMORIZE THE BIBLE, IT IS TOO HARD.
I guarantee you can quote 10 phone numbers?
You know the words to several commercials by heart?
You can sing country music garbage songs and never miss a word?
Men can tell you sports facts?
Woman can tell you what time a day certain shows come on?
But we can’t quote the Bible?
Is this laziness? Lack of value?
I dare you to go up and asked 10 kids, what the 10 commandments are, in any order?
Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Can I suggest it is a lack of priorities?
I know a Sunday School teacher that worked for 20 weeks, trying to teach the 10 commandments and asked the parents to help, I announced this from the pulpit.
Guess?
Guess how many learned them?
ZERO!
How can our children keep what is not hidden in their hearts? But they
know Barney? Power Rangers? Spiderman?
5. READ THE NEWSPAPER TO SEE WHAT MAN IS DOING,
BUT READ YOUR BIBLE TO SEE WHAT MAN SHOULD BE DOING!
I heard the fear of one old preacher.
He feared everyone might pick up their Bible and blow the dust off and
cause a total eclipse for a week.
Dust on the Bible, dust on God’s Holy word...
from a song written by Walter Bails in the early 50’s?
The devil fears no dusty Bible.
6. MEN DO NOT READ THE BIBLE BECAUSE THEY SAY IT CONTRADICTS ITSELF! NOT SO, THEY DON’T READ BECAUSE IT CONTRADICTS THEM.
We are looking for smooth sermons,
2 Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; BUT AFTER THEIR OWN LUST shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables. Let’s not seek fables and stories,
GIVE ME THE WORD!
7. THE BIBLE IS THE ONLY BOOK THAT HAS THE WORD OF GOD.
The Bible is the only book by which you may know for certain the future;
it is the only book that satisfactorily answers life’s questions,
From where did I come?
Why am I here?
What is my purpose?
Where are we headed?
8. MY ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE IS IN THE BIBLE!
I love the Bible so much, the first thing my sons and grandsons touched was the Bible.
The day my children were borned I purchased a Bible, I read it through and made notes in it and gave them the Bible for their birthday.
It is what I put in my children hands and hearts at an early age, HOPE GROWS.
The earlier my grandchildren begin to know and read THE BIBLE, the MORE HOPE I HAVE that they will be profitable citizens and respected church members.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? (writer not known)
Max Jukes lived in New York, he did not believe the Bible and he thought the church was full of hypocrites.
He never attended or allowed his children to go to church.
He had 1,026 descendants;
300 were sent to prison for the average term of 13 years;
190 were public prostitutes;
680 were alcoholics.
Many live on the welfare system, and have not contributed to society.
Jonathan Edwards lived in New York at the same time as Jukes.
He read his Bible daily and loved the church.
He and his family were in church every Sunday.
He had 929 descendants:
430 were ministers of the Gospel;
86 were College or University presidents;
75 authored a book;
5 served in the US Congress;
2 served as Senators;
one as vice president of the United States.
None were ever in the welfare system, not one cost the state a penny.
They were serious contributors to their church and this nation.
The difference was the Bible and church!
9) THERE ARE 10 MEN THAT WILL FIGHT AND ARGUE THE BIBLE, TO 1 THAT WILL STUDY IT!
Matthew 22 addresses this real problem, there was a heated debate that absolutely proved everyone’s stupidity that entered the debate...
NOW WHOSE WIFE WILL SHE BE?
Jesus addresses the real problem with their debate teams...
Matt 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, YE DO ERR, NOT KNOWING
THE SCRIPTURES, NOR THE POWER OF GOD.
Does this suggest one might know the words of the word but not receive
the true message?
10) ANY FOOL CAN PROVE THE BIBLE IS NOT TRUE, BUT ONLY WISE MEN SEARCH IT AND BELIEVE IT.
Wise men still seek the son of God and the word of God.
Men have misused the word of God just like they have misused politics or the justice system, but the word still goes forth.
11) THE BIBLE IS NOT A SPARE TIRE, IT IS A STEERING WHEEL.
Psa. 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The darker the night the greater the light!
The Bible can go beneath the pillow of the dying, so let’s keep it in the hearts of the living.
12) BOOKS ARE FOR INFORMATION, THE BIBLE IS FOR TRANSFORMATION.
I am imprisoned by bars of bone, I know to do good, seems evil is always present: the Bible is a door out of this prison, and I can see into eternity.
As Jacob the cheater changed to the Prince of God, my deliverance shall come.
13) MANY TWIST THE WORD FOR PRIVATE USAGE?
2 Peter 1:20-21 ... no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation...
There are those that would warp and twist the word of God, they love to add to, or take away from the Holy Word.
The Bible grows more and more beautiful, as I grow more and more in it.
You never graduate from the school of the Bible until you meet the Author face to face.
14) WHAT YOU BRING AWAY FROM THE BIBLE DEPENDS ON WHAT EFFORT YOU PUT INTO IT!
If a donkey looks into a mirror, don’t expect to see a prophet?
15) THE BIBLE IS GOD’S GIFT TO YOU!
2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture IS GIVEN by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
D. L. Moody said: I know the Bible is inspired because it inspires me.
16) What makes the difference is not how many times you have read the Bible through, but rather how many times the Bible has been thoroughly through you!
You can be baptized until the catfish in the stream know you by your first name, this will not save you.
The Bible can be a telescope between you and God.
Discipline your eyes and heart, be patient.
17) YOU ARE THE ONLY BIBLE MANY WILL READ TODAY.
Be the living word to the lost and dying.
Fear is the domain of the Old Testament;
LOVE, HOPE, PEACE, JOY reigns within the New Testament.
Now our rule is not "do I have to"....
but rather love motives our giving and our duty to fellow man.
We are limited by a lack of knowledge of God’s word.
Could you agree with me, that we make a commitment to
daily Bible reading and study. Please, grow in the word!
His servant,
Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.
Kyfingers@aol.com
Please help me, pass this to others.
