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All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NRSV)
A young Englishman worked hard to book passage on a ship bound for America. He had tried several times to find rewarding and lasting work and could not provide for himself, and with what little money he had saved and borrowing a significant amount from his uncle, he boarded a ship for the United States. His mother had given him a loaf of bread and some hard cheese for the trip and he knew it wouldn't last for the entire two-week crossing. He ate very little when the dinner bell would ring for guests to make their way into the dining room, peeking every now and again to see the scrumptious meals the others were enjoying. He imagined the bites of bread and cheese to be just like that that was being served inside. One day another fellow caught him eating bread and cheese and asked him why he had never joined them inside for the meals. The man replied he had only paid for the ticket of passage; the other fellow said, "Don't you know your ticket includes the meals?"
This is how so many approach the reading of God's word. It contains so many blessings and joys and we carry on our lives empty of its blessings because we think we can't understand it or we don't have time for it. We certainly make time to eat! Why can't we make time to nourish ourselves on the word of God?

How many times have we wanted to find a word, phrase or a particular theme in the Bible, and did not know where to look?  Or the times when the preachers would say, please turn your Bibles to the book of Haggai, chapter two, verse 16, and you respond, ”Where is this?”  I have never heard of Haggai.”  Haggai is in the Old Testament, between the books of Zephaniah and Zechariah, or the third book from the end of the Old Testament. Do not worry; I had difficulty finding the book early in ministry as well. [Thank God for the Table of Contents in the front part of the Bible.] The point of the story and the scripture text noted is that God has given us His Word, so that we can feast on it, live by it, and grow in the knowledge and understanding of His Will in our lives. I have said several times from the pulpit, the Bible is nothing but paper, in between sheets of leather, until you open the pages and begin to read it. Then it becomes Life. The Bible is a compilation of 66 books (39-Old Testament, 27-New Testament), telling the story of God’s actions in human history. It tells us what God has done, is doing, and promises to do. It has withstood time, arguments of its authenticity, from skeptics and non-believer’s. The Bible has prevailed all obstacles except one:  Choice. We have to choose to believe that this is the Word of God. There lies another word, Faith. Romans 10:17 says:  So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. 

I invite you to church, to hear the Word of Christ, so that you may believe by faith that God sent His Son for you and me. I did not always believe. I do now, and am so blessed. Invite someone else to church.

Blessings from Pottsboro, Pastor Frank (alegria@lakewayumc.org)