I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
The Road to Scripture
Every time we open God’s Word, we hold a treasure in our hands.
Scripture has led many generations of God's people—uncountable lives, times, and cultures have been influenced and transformed by God’s Word throughout history. God’s Word is a treasure—a treasure we have at our fingertips.
Sometimes, all the richness of God’s Word may come with a challenge. How can we comprehend the nuances, the context, all the many stories and teachings within God’s Word?
“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” Acts 8:35
In Acts 8, Philip, a follower of Jesus, crossed paths with an important official from Ethiopia who was reading the book of Isaiah, but struggling to understand it. Philip kindly helped him understand that the passage he was reading (Isaiah 53:7-8) was referring to Jesus and the death He would die for the sins of all. Philip shared the Gospel with this man, showing him how the prophecies of the past pointed to the Messiah, Jesus, and all He would do to save and redeem humanity.
Philip showed him that from the books of the law to the prophets, every part of Scripture points to our Savior. The man didn’t understand what he was reading, and God used that as an opportunity to open his eyes to the Gospel.
When you read the Bible, ask yourself: do I understand what I am reading?
When this man opened himself to understanding Scripture, he encountered Jesus and His love. He believed in him with his whole heart, and his spirit was transformed forever.
The transformation he experienced can be yours as well. Remember that:
1. The Bible tells the story of redemption through Jesus and each book of the Bible points to Him in a beautiful way.
2. Jesus is alive and faithful to reveal himself to an open heart.
3. You aren’t alone on your Bible journey. Just like God sent Philip to teach the man from Ethiopia, he often puts people around us who we can learn from.
Today, take a moment to intentionally dive into Scripture. As you do so, seek Jesus in the text. Ask God what it says about His character. And ask yourself: how can this be applied to my life? How can it transform me?
At the end of today’s verse, the Bible says that the man from Ethiopia went on his way rejoicing. How can we not, when we realize how great God’s love is upon us?
Cultivate Healthy Relationships
Imagine planting a flower seed...
If you want the seed to grow into a healthy flower, you have to care for it properly by giving it enough of what it needs to live—good soil, water, sunshine, attention and care.
Now think of the people who are there for you during hard times. The ones who love and encourage you, the people you enjoy experiencing life with. These relationships are much like seeds—we need to care for them properly if we want them to not only grow, but thrive.
"I thank my God every time I remember you."
Philippians 1:3 NIV
In the Bible, we learn that Paul started a church in Philippi. While he lived there, the people were generous and kind to him—partnering with Paul to share the Gospel. But even when Paul eventually continued on with his travels, the Philippian church continued to support him.
And so, after he was put in prison, Paul wrote them a letter. He could have chosen to write about his troubles, but instead, Paul prayed for his friends ...
