Breathingbook

Greetings! 2010 is upon us. Who else but the Lord knows what is next? It is good to be forgiving, letting go of the past, and looking forward to the future. My heart for this blog is to expand, to do the best I can to simply speak (write) the truth of the gospel, and to witness to the world the great hope I have found in Jesus Christ.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Jn 10:27

One of the hardest things as a Christian is listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit and discerning what is truth and what is not truth. The only way to do this is to know what God’s Word means. Yes, one may be able to quote scripture, but if one doesn’t understand what the scripture is saying, there will be misunderstanding.

If believers do not know for themselves what God’s Word really means, they will forever be looking to others whom they think do understand it to explain it to them. If the explanation is in error, how will they know? The one they trusted in to teach them – who taught them the error – is only human and flesh at best. We are all sinners. We are imperfect beings. There is only one who is perfect – Jesus Christ.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:15

We must know the scriptures so we’ll know if something is sound doctrine or not. If we do not know the scriptures, we inadvertently revert to trusting in someone else to know scripture for us. If we develop a pattern of dependency or hearsay of what others say is true instead of know for ourselves via sound study of scripture, we soon become unable not only to speak God’s Word with conviction, but when we go through trials, we struggle to find the scriptures written upon our own hearts.

Knowing God’s Word brings FREEDOM to believers. For example, when Paul took the gospel to the Bereans of Jesus as the promised Messiah, the only way they could confirm this for themselves was to search the scriptures to see if what Paul said was really true. The Bereans knew that God’s Word gave prophecies and truths which proclaimed about the coming of the Messiah, so they searched for themselves to see if those things were true and were commended for it.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11

God wants every believer to preach the Gospel. God wants every believer to have he covenant written into their hearts. No Knowing God’s Word in His Kingdom can ONLY make a believer more confident and sure of God’s will in one’s life. I promise you, it will increase your hope for He is our hope.

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil. Heb 6:18-19

If we know God’s Word we can either confidently say, “I agree with that. It is in accordance with God’s Word” or, “Please show me where it says that in God’s Word” and proceed from there. If someone cannot show you where it says it, simply say, “I’m sorry, but God’s Word says thius, and I must abide by God’s Word. God bless you.” And, beloved, speak that blessing with sincere love for it is better always to be gentle, for God is good, forebearing, and longsuffering with us (Rom 2:4).

It’s in my heart to dispense what I can. I claim no perfection. I am a sinner saved by grace, but I will adhere to God’s Word and the heart of the Gospel, putting Jesus first, as best I can. That is my pledge this new Year.

Peace out,

Loris