What makes the difference? What is it?

It encourages me when I am having a great day. It lifts me up when I am having a bad day. It gives me wisdom as I raise my children.  It guides me when I have challenges and choices to make. It makes me shout when I am on the mountain top. It lifts me up when I am in the pit of despair.

 

It is the Word of God. It is for all to read. It is the most popular book in the world. It is our love letters from God.

When I spend some time with God, (the length of time spent is between God and me) I know He loves me. His thoughts towards me are more than all the sand on earth. (Ps. 139:18a) I know He has everything under control because He made everything. I definitely do not understand all that takes place in my life, my family, my church, my neighborhood or my country; but He is God and He has a perfect plan for me and for others. Trusting Him is the key and allowing Him to be the Lord of your life.

Oh, I don’t understand all that I read but the verses I do understand are ones I can apply to my life and allow them to change me. It reminds me of the following story:

“The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of Kentucky. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, ‘Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don’t understand it. And what I do understand, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?’

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, ‘ Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.’

The child did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, ‘ You will have to move a little faster next time’. and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket,’ and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, ‘I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You’re just not trying hard enough,’ and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather, the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, its useless!’

‘So you think it is useless?’ the old man said, ‘Look at the basket.’

The boy looked at the basket, and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.

‘Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.’

That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son

Take time to read a portion of God’s word each day.”

The following Bible references may be of encouragement to you:

• When Tempted …………………………………….James 1:12-15
• When Growing Old ……………………………….Psalms 71
• When Needing Guidance ………………………James 1:5-6
• When in Sorrow …………………………………..John 14: 1-3
• When You Worry …………………………………Matthew 6:19-34
• When You Travel ………………………………….Psalms 121
• When Contemplating Marriage………………Matthew 19: 4-6
• When You are Sad ………………………………..II Corinthians 1:3-11
• When Far From God …………………………….Acts 17:22-30
• When Faith is Weak ……………………………..Hebrews 11
• When Men Fail You ………………………………Psalms 27
• When You Have Sinned …………………………Psalms 51
• When Lonely Or Fearful ………………………..Psalms 23
• When Sleep Fails You ………………………….. Psalms 4:4-8
• When You Need Assurance ……………………I John 3:19-24
• When God Seems Distant ……………………..Psalms 139:1-14
• When You are in Danger ……………………….Psalms 91
• When You Forget Your Blessings……………Psalms 103:1-12
• When You Feel Down & Out…………………..Romans 8:31-39
• When You Want Rest & Peace………………..Matthew 11:25-30
• When You are Bitter or Critical………………I Corinthians 13
• When Prayers are Narrow or Selfish……….Psalms 67
• When the World Seems bigger than God…Psalms 61:1-3

 

Parents, do your children see you reading your Bible? Do they want to do it like you do it? This is definitely something for all of us to consider. The greatest book in the world is for us. If you haven’t started reading your Bible, perhaps start with the topics above and see what comfort and peace it will bring in your life.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalms 119:9

 

(www.crossroad.to/victory/stories/coal-basket.htm)

(“Blessed Promises from Scripture”copyright 1993 by Larry Stallings)