Did you know that there is much more evidence for the Bible’s authenticity than any other ancient text. We have copies of New Testament manuscripts that were hand written within 100 years of the events, and have over 20,000 copies of original ancient texts. They have been found in Africa, Europe and the Middle East with very little variation (99.5% consistency). In contrast, there are less than 1000 ancient copies of Homer’s Illiad, and they were written over 500 years after Homer first wrote it. The assurance of the Bible’s validity is well beyond any other ancient text. In modern times, over 100 million Bibles are sold each year, and it is estimated over 5 billion have been printed.

Paul wrote the letter to Timothy that we read as 2 Timothy around 67 AD while Paul was in prison in Rome. He said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.” What a great gift the Bible is for us.

Dear Lord, thank you for giving us the Bible to guide, inspire, motivate, and educate us. Help us to read it regularly to help bring us closer to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Something that often is mentioned by people who become Christians as adults is their thoughts that living a Christian life would mean that the fun in life will be over. They had the misconception that the fun things in life are in conflict with a Christian life, which is a lie the devil wants us to believe.

A truly fun, joyful and fulfilling life is one that is based on love, trust, hope, integrity, discipline, contribution, and faith, not the short sighted and temporary pleasures we are tempted by, that result in long term disappointment and regret.

Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.”

Christians have the same challenges that come with being human, but we have the peace of knowing that we have a purpose in following Christ, the power of God defending and protecting us, and most importantly, we have eternal life after this physical life is over.

Dear Lord, Help us share the peace and joy of a life that puts our hope and trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sometimes I catch myself spending time trying to solve issues and question as many Christians do. Personal issues, Job issues, morality issues…. I find myself tossing the issue around in my head, and discussing it with close friends and family, trying to understand. This is not a bad practice, but then I’ll stop and realize that I have not read my Bible looking for the answer.

Your Bible is the place God’s word, instructions and directions are found. Proverbs 2:6 says “For the Lord gives wisdom. From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” It is not just the words on the paper. God speaks to us when we open up our hearts and minds to his word.

Remember to go to your Bible for knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

Dear Lord, you are the creator of all things. Help us remember to go to you for the answers to life’s issues, and look and listen for Your wisdom in our bibles. In Jesus Name. Amen

You may have heard this one before, but the message is worth hearing again.

A man is is late for an important meeting and arrives at his destination to find the parking lot completely full. He drives around a parking lot looking for a place to park and cannot find one. He finally decides to ask God for help and prays, “Dear lord please help me find a parking spot, and I will go to church every Sunday.” Just as he says “Amen,” a car pulls out opening a parking space right in front of him. Then he says. “Never mind God, I found one myself.”

How often does something similar happen to us. It may not be us specifically asking for help, but we may be experiencing success in our life, or things are just going well. Do we stop and thank God for these things, or do we credit ourselves for our intelligence, discipline, business savvy, or skill with people.

In the old testament, Moses told the Israelites before they entered the “Promised Land.” In Deuteronomy 8:14, “Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.” then in verses 17-18 “He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”

Dear Lord, We thank you for the good things you have done in our lives, and we also thank you that you have given us challenges that make us stronger. Mostly we thank you that you have saved us, through Jesus Christ, and we have nothing to fear. You are always there for us. Help us remember to give You the glory for the success and joy in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In modern times people use the expression “keeping up with the Jones’,” to describe how people worry about how they compare to someone else, whether their income, the car they drive, size of their house, position at work, or many other ways. Our human perspective makes us believe that winning these “competitions” makes us “better.”

However, God tells us through Paul’s writing in Galatians 6:4, “Let everyone be sure that he is doing his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work well done and won’t need to compare himself with someone else.” TLB

I have heard it said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Our motivation should not be the “competitive spirit”, it should be the satisfaction of doing, and being, our best. God has made us each unique, and gave us unique skills, talents, interests, and personalities. He tells us that the important thing is to do our best with them.

Dear Lord, thank you for the unique people you have made us. Help us make the most of what we have, and in doing so, we give glory to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen