Reading your Bible
September 4, 2009

Ask yourself why it is a generally accepted practice in American prisons to be able to read the Bible, have Bible studies, and even visitation from faith-based ministries. Then look at the stark contrast of how it is not accepted in our nation's school system. This year the state of Texas has passed a law allowing the Bible to be taught as an elective in our high schools. This sounds wonderful, except the ACLU is already bringing it to the courts. Doesn't it make sense to use the book that kept our nation in knowing morality, right, and wrong in our schools. These are the formative years when kids need some direction in this area. There is such a lack of discipline in many of our schools today. We look at the pandemic of swine flu with reckless abandon and can't see this wart on the end of our nose. It is wonderful that prisoners are free to read their Bibles, but they aren't in their formative years, they are a captive audience depending on the term of their sentence. Hopefully more and more of prisoners will have a true experience with the Lord so as to change them for their future. 2Tim.3:16 says, "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." The equipping must come when children are young as the Bible says and it should be at least allowed and not forced on anyone in our schools. It seems that this is another area in our culture that is causing us to become a backward and godless society.

 August 11, 2009                       A Time to Rebuke and a time to Exhort

2 Tim.4:2 says, "Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." Over the years I have learned first hand what the Apostle Paul meant with this statement. Whether talking with friends, fellow believers, or people at large, situations will arise that require us to bring a rebuke to someone. In Mark 8:32 Peter rebuked the Lord and was promptly rebuked back. Proverbs talks about not rebuking scoffers and fools, but rebuking a wise person who will love you for it. To rebuke is to reprove or reprimand someone. Certainly we understand the necessity of rebuke in the raising of children.

To exhort is to lift up, to encourage someone. Children need both in their upbringing and training, to instruct them in knowing right and wrong. The same thing is true as we grow in our adulthood. The key is knowing which to do and when. Paul prefaced what he told Timothy with the phrase, preach the word. If we make the word first place in our lives and relationships, I believe that the Holy Spirit helps to lead us in our knowings. That doesn't mean we are to be Bible thumpers called to straighten everybody out. It is simply being salt and light in the midst of our world, letting God lead us to be bold enough to speak into our relationships and to also receive the same when necessary. I encourage you to study the words rebuke and exhort for yourself. Sometimes, your life brings rebuke and/or exhortation without even knowing it.

Whatever you do in word or deed, always remember to do it in love.