Pastor Jesse's Blog

“Devotion” is defined as ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person or principle. In Christianity we also use the word to describe time spent in prayer and in the study of God’s word. People give various reasons for not spending time in God’s Word:

• It’s not interesting – Have you actually read it? There are stories of war, love, betrayal, and miracles. There is more drama than anything on television can offer. It not only reveals what you need, but it tells you exactly how to get it!
• I forget – Be intentional! Do you forget to put on clothes, open doors, or avoid oncoming traffic? Habits do not happen spontaneously, they are formed.
• I don’t understand it – There are places to jump in and there are places that you need to work up to. Find places that you can understand and start there.
• I’m too busy – Make time! God’s Words is food to us. Recognize that what food is to us physically, God’s Word is to us spiritually.

If we don’t read the Bible it reveals that we don’t value it for what it is or that we’ve tried, failed, and given up. If you have a hard time studying Scripture, where can you start? What do you do? Here are a few helpful hints:

• Read it – Start in an easy book
• Question it – As you are reading through ask certain questions:

1. What stands out?
2. Why?
3. Is there an example to follow?
4. Is there an error to avoid?
5. Is there a duty to perform?
6. Is there a promise to claim?
7. Is there a sin to confess?

• Plan it – make a plan about this action
• Pray it – there is an incredible power when we pray God’s word back to Him
• Share it – tell someone about what you’ve read and what you’ve learned

Studying God’s word is a vital spiritual discipline in the Christian life. It’s not enough to breeze through a devotional or even stop by a blog (though I do appreciate you stopping by and reading mine). You must develop an ongoing desire and devotion. God’s given us the answers to our questions. It’s up to us to find them within the Word He’s delivered to us.

In my post this morning I want to address an important truth about the Bible itself. If we’re going to live our life according to the precepts of the Word it is important to ask and to understand whether or not what the Bible says is true. Is it all literal? Are there mistakes? These are legitimate and important questions.

I believe the Bible is inerrant. Inerrancy is the view that the Bible, in its original autographs and correctly interpreted, is entirely true and never false in all it affirms, whether that relates to doctrine or ethics or to the social, physical, or life sciences. The Bible teaches its own inspiration, and this requires inerrancy. The Scriptures are the breath of God (2nd Timothy 3:16), which guarantees they are without error. The Bible also teaches its own authority, and this requires inerrancy. The two most commonly referenced passages are Matthew 5:17-20 and John 10:34-35. Inerrancy follows from what the Bible says about God’s character. Repeatedly, the Scriptures teach that God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18). If the Bible is from God and His character is behind it, it must be inerrant and infallible.

Why does it matter? If there is one error in Scripture, it would call everything else in Scripture into question. Without the Bible as a firm foundation for our faith, our faith is baseless and easily undermined. And when our faith is undermined, our doctrines begin to fall like dominoes (creation, salvation, eternity, etc.) Without the inerrancy of Scripture we lose our ability to answer tough modern questions facing the church.

I stand firmly on the truth that inerrancy is the logical result of inspiration. What God breathes out (inspires) must be wholly true (inerrant). You can believe everything that it says. Since God never changes (Hebrews 13:8), His word never changes. It’s always relevant! You don’t have to explain why things are the way they are. We’re simply the messengers. We didn’t say it. God said it! That’s more than enough for me.

In the middle of Washington, DC stands our national Monument, the Washington Monument. There can never be a building of greater height than this Monument in the DC area.

On the East top portion of the aluminum cap are these two words: “Laus Deo.” They are unseen by the naked eye. These words, small, seemingly insignificant are the most precious and important words anyone could ever write, read, say or proclaim.

What do they mean? “Laus Deo” = “Praise Be To God!”

Inside the Monument are stairways with 50 landings. On the memorial stones of these landings are Scriptures and prayers.

The cornerstone was laid on July 4th, 1848. In it was deposited the Holy Bible! Yet, in America today the Bible is banned from most school rooms.

Let us never forget this 4th of July that our land is a land dedicated to the praise of God and the Holy Bible.