2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG), "There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another-showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word, we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."

Hebrews 4:12-13, "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."

Think

Since the German goldsmith, Johannes Gutenberg, created the first printing press in 1440, an estimated 15 billion Bibles have been produced. That's almost two Bibles for every person on earth today! It's the most sold (and stolen) book of all time. And for thousands of years, in every corner of the world, it's the most discussed, dissected, and debated literature known to man.

So, how is such an ancient book relevant to our lives in 2020? What makes it more than just another self-help book? For starters, God Himself inspired every single word. Its illustrations may be from the ancient world, but human nature - like God Himself - never changes. Just think about it, have sexual impurity, moral relativism, self-absorption, pride, lust, anger, vulgarity, violence, and other sins simply vanished over time? NO! Take a look around; they're just as much a problem today as they have ever been! It's in the pages of Scripture that we find the solution to our human pollution - the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through Him, our sin is forgiven, and our lives are forever changed.

Most importantly, the Bible wasn't merely written for our information, but our transformation. God doesn't want us to read it like a good mystery novel and walk away. We're to study it, chew on it, filter our decisions through it, and live it out. God uses it for our correction, protection, and perfection. The more we read and apply what we've learned, the more our lives reflect God. As we mirror our perfect and holy Savior, our lives will fire on all cylinders and be made effective for our ultimate purpose - to glorify our great God!

Act

It's time to go "PRO" each day:

P: Pray for God to open your eyes, ears, heart to His voice.
R: Read the Bible, chew on it, and ask questions.
O: Obey God's commands.

You cannot apply the Bible if you don't study it. So, right now, commit to spending at least 5-10 minutes each day to power, refresh, and renew your daily walk with God.

Pray

Dear Lord, Thank You for revealing Yourself to me through Your Word. Help me to understand and rely on what You say and to trust the very words You have inspired. Grant me wisdom and understanding so that I can apply what I've learned and experience a full life with You! Amen.