God speaks to us in many ways. I believe His primary communication comes from what He has already said to us in His word. He speaks directly to us from the Bible. Every time we open its pages and open our hearts to receive it, God is there. Reading God’s word begins not a monologue but a dialogue between God almighty and those who believe in Him.
In my blog I have been and will continue to focus on one verse of scripture. I know that Philippians 4:8 does not stand alone. It is connected to and part of the entire gift that is our Bible. I am merely attempting to practice the instruction given there but fully recognize our need for the whole. Sometimes we read our Bible without ever stopping to breathe in deeply any of it. Philippians 4:8 is a good place to take a deep breath.
But, while on the subject of what we believe about God’s word, allow me to cite what I believe.
- “The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.” (Baptist Faith and Message 2000)
- “Christians affirm the infallibility and inerrancy of the Bible because God is ultimately the author of the Bible. And because God is incapable of inspiring falsehood, His word is altogether true and trustworthy. Any normally prepared human literary product is liable to error. But the Bible is not a normal human project. If the Bible is inspired and superintended by God, then it cannot err.” (Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, R.C. Sproul)
When God’s speaks to me from His word and tells me to “Think about these things,” I am compelled to value the instruction as something He wants me to do. It is part of my training. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (1 Timothy 3:16-17).
Mom says, “That’s my son! I enjoyed the message.”