As we celebrate our nation's independence this week - remember to thank God for the freedom we have to read His Word. There are countries where the road we're traveling is illegal. What a privilege and fresh reason to celebrate! Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Road trips from the early 60's often included passing through little towns. Many of which had their own drive-in movie theaters. What a welcome break from the trip, to sit back and enjoy a show together as a family under the stars. The parents would often allow the kids to watch the first show, but required them to fall asleep for the second as it was often more "mature", plus it would be getting late.
I offer you today a break from your normal trip - a drive in movie of sorts. However, this slide show is suitable for all ages, and I pray you'll find its storyline inspirational for the road ahead. Sit back, turn up the volume on your screen and enjoy...
Octavious Winslow (1808-1878) offers us a great reminder today like a billboard advertising TRUTH! It is a sign worth reading word for word! Won't you stop at a nearby rest area, grab a favorite drink and be encouraged by the wisdom of this pilgrim of our faith?
Are you, beloved, walking in the midst of trouble? Think not that you are alone. May your eye of faith be "anointed with fresh eye-salve," to see One walking side by side with you, the same who walked with the three children through the fiery furnace, "whose form is like the Son of God." Yes! Jesus is with you in your trial. Christ is with you in your trouble. The path, however strait, is not so narrow that your Lord cannot tread it with you, side by side. Your way is not so intricate that He cannot enable you to thread your steps through the labyrinth. There is room enough for you and Christ to walk together. He is with you; though, like the two disciples journeying in mournful communion one with the other to Emmaus, your eyes may be so blurred that you see Him not, yet is He traveling with you along that sad and mournful, that lone and pensive path. Christ is in your adversity- Christ is in your cross- Christ is in your burden- Christ is in your suffering- Christ is in your persecution- Christ is m your sickness- yes, Christ is at your side every step you take, and He will conduct you safely to your Father's house. Though you walk in the midst of trouble, He will revive you.
And, Christ is with us as we travel through the pages of His Word, whether we understand it or not. He will guide us into the Truth He has for us today! Like an inspiring billboard, we certainly don't want to miss it! Look up...Our help draweth nigh!
God's Word contains 66 wonderful books that are meant to help us know God and His ways. Traveling the historic Route 66 in the USA is an enjoyable trip, so too, is traveling through God's Word. It is the ancient road that is full of places worth visiting, even camping out for a while, in order to know the God who established His Word for our instruction and growth in godliness.
Metro Life Church's Statement of Faith Concerning The Scriptures
The Scriptures
We accept the Bible, including the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, as the written Word of God. The Bible is the only essential and infallible record of God's self-disclosure. It leads us to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Being given by God the Scriptures are both fully and verbally inspired by God. Therefore, as originally given, the Bible is free of error in all it teaches. Each book is to be interpreted according to its context and purpose and in reverent obedience to the Lord who speaks through it in living power. All believers are exhorted to study the Scriptures and diligently apply them to their lives. The Scriptures are the authoritative and normative rule and guide of all Christian life, practice, and doctrine. They are totally sufficient and must not be added to, superseded, or changed by later tradition, extra-biblical revelation, or worldly wisdom. Every doctrinal formulation, whether of creed, confession, or theology must be put to the test of the full counsel of God in Holy Scripture
(Thomas Brooks, "A Word in Season to Suffering Saints")
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness--so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Scriptures are sufficient . . . to inform the ignorant, to confute the erroneous, to reform the wicked, and to guide and direct, support and comfort--the godly.
Here a lamb may wade--and here an elephant may swim!
Here is milk for babes--and meat for strong men!
Here is . . . comfort for the afflicted, and support for the tempted, and ease for the troubled, and light for the clouded, and enlargement for the straitened, etc.
Oh, how full of light, how full of life, how full of love, how full of sweetness, how full of goodness, how full of righteousness, how full of holiness, etc., is every chapter, and every verse in every chapter, yes, and every line in every verse!
No human writings are comparable to Scripture: 1. for antiquity; 2. for rarity; 3. for variety; 4. for brevity; 5. for plainness; 6. for harmony; 7. for verity. All which should greatly encourage Christians, to a serious perusal of them. "Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long!" Psalm 119:97
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