Pastor Trent's Blog

1Th 2:13  And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

Much is made of “tell-all” books written by famous entertainers, athletes, and politicians.  People clamor to read details about the lives of people they may never meet. But how much would it change your perspective on the Bible if you viewed it as God’s autobiography.  The Bible is simply God’s self-revelation to you and me.  In the Bible God tells all we need to know about him and us.

Without the Bible we would have only a general understanding of our creator through the things that he has made. Even without the Bible we would have no excuse not to believe in God (Rom. 1:20). But God wrote a book so that we can know not only that he exists but how we can have a relationship with him through Jesus.

Today, even in a world of great skepticism there is interest in getting to know who God is.  That’s why new age books and mysticism are so popular.  But, you cannot claim to want to know who God is without taking seriously what God has said. You can have confidence that you have an accurate and authoritative revelation of God in your Bible. The words of the Bible have been “breathed out by God.” (2Tim. 3:16) Just as our words are formed when breath from our lungs passes over our vocal chords then out our mouths, God has breathed out his words onto the pages of scripture.

If we really believe that the Bible is God’s word why do we treat it so casually? 

·         If it really is the Word of God one day you will be judge by what God has written in it.

·         If it really is the Word of God you had better learn what is in it.

·         If it really is the Word of God you would be wise to do what it says.

·         If it really is the Word of God you should long to share it with others.

·         If it really is the Word of God you have a place to stand when everything around you is falling apart.

Many books have been written by men about the Bible, but God only wrote one book.  So invest the time to read, obey, and share God’s word today.

How have you attempted to know who God is without regard to what he has said?

What would change if you firmly believed that the Bible really is “breathed out by God?

Rev 2:4-5  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

God demands a love from us that is exclusive.

While in college a friend of mine went to a movie theater by himself to blow off some steam.  As the movie rolled, a drama played out in the row of seats in front of him by three teenagers that was even more intriguing than the one on the screen.  The seats were occupied by three teenagers.  A guy sat beside a girl to his right and another girl to her right.  The guy was holding hands with the girl to his right but with his left hand stretched across his body.  Half way through the movie he extended his right arm behind her seat.  Then the second girl reached her left arm behind the first girl’s seat until eventually she was holding his hand too. This creeping guy was holding hands with two girls at the same time while the first had no idea what was going on behind her back.

As much as you would want to wring this guy’s neck for cheating on his girlfriend you might want to ask yourself if you have ever done the same thing in your love relationship with Jesus.  Upfront where everyone can see you go to church, wear your Christian t-shirts, and use the approved language all for Jesus. But behind his back” (you think) you give your affection to competing loves.  Your heart is embracing things or activities that are contrary to his will.  You are as guilty as the guy holding hands with two girls at the same time.

The only remedy for leaving your first love with Jesus is to remember how sweet your love for Jesus was in the early days of your relationship with Him.  It requires repenting of giving your heart to competing love and returning to the works we did out of the overflow of our love for him.

Stop holding hands with the world and give Jesus your exclusive love.

·         Make a list of things you are giving your affection to that is competing with your love for Jesus.

·         Take time to remember something you did in the early days of your walk with God and then make a point to do one of them this week.