God's Rich Word!

Last week I came across a question that one of our confirmation students wrote on her worship note form.

“Pastor, how many times have you read the Bible?”  

I responded by saying at least 20 times over the years, maybe more.

How many times have you read the Bible? This is not a competition question, just more of a check-in question. How often do you find yourself drawn in to the scriptures or motivated to read and study God’s Word in the Bible? 

My favorite gospel to read is Mark’s gospel. This is a fairly fast-paced account of
Jesus’s life and ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing. As you read Mark’s gospel you experience Jesus on the move from town to town, village to village and city to city, announcing the kingdom of God.

My favorite letter of the apostle Paul is his Roman’s letter. This letter is so rich with the message of grace we have in Jesus. By grace we are saved.By grace we are put into a right relationship with God. In this letter, Paul challenges us to
celebrate how we are saved by grace apart from works of the law.

In addition to New Testament books I thoroughly enjoy reading my way through the books of the Old Testament. The one book I am always drawn in to read from is the book of Psalms. The Psalms seem to cover almost every dimension of life, from the painful and lonely to the times of thankfulness and celebration. The writers of the psalms share their journey of faith in such an honest manner.

My other favorite Old Testament book is Isaiah. The prophet Isaiah announces a hard word of judgment to Israel and then also shares a word of hope and healing.  Even after God comes down hard on the Israelites for their idolatry and sends them into exile, God still calls them home to a new life in Jerusalem.

I would strongly encourage you and challenge you to dig deeper into God’s Word, the Bible. Your faith will be enriched. Your discipleship will increase and deepen. 

-Joy in the Journey

Pastor Durk