Dusty Bibles Grow Dirty Lives.

DUSTY BIBLES LEAD TO DIRTY LIVES

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.

REGRETS, I HAVE A FEW?

As I survey my life, we consider what are some of the biggest regrets we will have when we stand before our Creator, the MIGHTY, ETERNAL GOD. I can only imagine one of our greatest regrets will be “I WISH I WOULD HAVE PRAYED MORE.” One of the chief reasons for our spiritual leanness will be identified as I WISH I HAD PRAYED MUCH MORE. The disciples did not say Lord, teach us how to pray… They asked Jesus: LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY.

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Lord, will you teach us to pray. What we need today will be gained by intercession. What we gain by intercession we keep by intercession. Prayer is a stress and worry relief valve.

PERHAPS ONE OF OUR LARGEST REGRETS WILL BE THE LACK OF BIBLE READING, BIBLE STUDY AND THE LACK OF TRUSTING IN GOD’S WORD.

Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

How many mistakes have we made because we don’t know God’s word? This lack of Biblical knowledge will also fail in doing God’s work. We miss many opportunities of trusting God’s plan because we limit God by not knowing God’s word. There is power hidden in the Bible.

The word of God does the work of God. If we are anemic in the word of God, we will be anemic in the work of God. We must arise and confess and acknowledge our weaknesses and correct this problem. Our enemy whips God’s people because we have not learned and studied the Bible.

COME WITH ME AND LEARN A SAD STORY?

In the late 70’s Kentucky had classes we called School of Ministry. Our teacher had pastored over 50 years. He had his PH-D. His class was wonderful and so deep. At the end of the class James Ellis our Superintendent opened the floor for questions. Several questions were asked. One question was asked: SIR, IN 50 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE? The room grew silent, the old preacher bowed his head. In a quiet moment tears ran down his face. He refused to look up. He answered: I CAN’T HONESTLY SAY I HAVE EVER READ THE BIBLE? There were tears and he replied: I WILL START TODAY CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. He then asked the students to be faithful Bible readers. I promised myself that day to become a diligent Bible reader.

COME LET APPLY OUR HEARTS, WE NEED TO DO MORE THAN JUST READ THE BIBLE, WE MUST APPLY EFFORT AND STUDY THE DEPTH OF GOD’S WORD.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

It is a terrible thing to waste the opportunities of knowing the power of God’s word. We must focus our passion and concentrate on digging deep wells and doing our best to know God’s word to do God’s will. May we never bring shame on God’s work? Know God’s word in a balanced way.

MAY WE UNDERSTAND WE DO NOT DEFINE TRUTH? GOD HELP US NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR ETERNAL WORD.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

COME LET US REASON WHY THE BIBLE IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH.

GOD’S WORD IN THE ORIGINAL IS INFALLIBLE AND IS WORTHY.

GOD SENT HIS SON. HIS SON IS THE WORD.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The Bible was written in HEBREW, ARAMAIC AND GREEK.

EVERY VERSE IN THE BIBLE CARRIES THE WEIGHT OF around 611,000 words, 31,002 VERSES,

1,189 Chapters, 66 books.

Of the 66 books, 39 books in the Old Testament, 27 books in the New Testament. While the Bible contains philosophy it is much more than philosophy lessons. The Bible is an accurate source of history, but the Bible is much more than a history book. God reveals his nature, the creation and his only son Jesus in the Bible.

There are between 35 to 40 authors depending on the source you read.

The time period of writing is 1,500 to 1,600 years.

So the Bible is a book of diversity yet there is a great sense of unity and continuity that reveals the Bible has been written by many hands under the anointing and guidance of the Holy Spirit.