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"And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).
One of the foundational teachings of the Bible is the sufficiency of Christ and His Word. Our daily verse is most interesting. Peter, of course, was one of the eyewitnesses to Christ's ministry. In the previous verse he refers to what surely had to be amongst the most memorable events in his life; his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration. Can you imagine telling the grandkids about that!
Yet he states, "we have the word of the prophets made more certain." The written word of the prophets was deemed a more certain word by Peter than even his own eye witness experience on the Mount of Transfiguration! He goes on to write concerning the word of these prophets, "you will do well to pay attention to it."
That's right, fellow believers, we indeed do well to "pay attention" ("take heed" KJV) to the Word of God today in our present generation. The "most certain" findings of science will change (haven't they many times in our own lifetime?) The philosophies of men will continue to vacillate. Pet theories and faddish experiences will come and go. Fanciful psychological explanations and treatments will soon be discredited, only to be followed by others.
I recall in my freshman year of Bible College taking a required Psychology course and my professor rambling on and on about the fad psychological book of the time, "I'm OK, you're OK", which incredibly was our textbook. (This was certainly one of the low points of our otherwise helpful Bible College education). *1
The Holy Word continues to be "a light shining in a dark place." We need the light of His glorious Word to expose just how dark it really is in the world. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Thank God for His Word! It's steady, it's sure. It's dependable! The following hymn is not very familiar to me but I sure like the words. It's sung to the tune of the more familiar, "Rejoice, the Lord is King." Read all of it and try singing it or humming to the music!
How sure the Scriptures are, God's vital urgent Word.
As true as steel and far more sharp than any sword,
So deep and fine at His control.
They pierce where soul and spirit join.
They test each human thought, refining like a fire.
They measure what we ought to do and to desire
For God knows all. Exposed it lies
Before His eyes to whom we call.
Let those who hear His voice confronting them today,
Reject the tempting choice of doubting or delay.
For God speaks still, His word is clear.
So let us hear, and do His will. *2
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, all wisdom, knowledge and understanding needed for life and godliness is contained in the Holy Scriptures. May I be not only a student of the Word but also a living example of the spiritual transformation that results from applying the Word to all areas of my life. Amen.
*1 I contend that a sad element in ministerial preparation in the Church has been the diminishment of the Bible College model with a core emphasis on foundational studies of the Bible and theology. In fact many former Bible Colleges have become liberal art colleges and universities and have greatly decreased the study of Scripture in their curriculums. Essentially I believe we need ministry training schools that focus primarily on the Holy Scriptures, which alone are able to make us wise unto salvation, regardless of what affect that may have on worldly esteem or accreditation. You see, my school (and I suppose all schools) are required to have that Psychology course to maintain accreditation.
Seen on a church sign, "If I'm OK and you're OK, then explain the cross."
Today's music:
*2 "How Sure The Scriptures Are" Idle, Christopher/Darwall, JohnI regret that I was unable to find the hymn quoted in the message as an audio file on the internet. Actually I couldn't even find the hymn.
My eclectic taste in music is demonstrated by this video. A couple of years ago we took Ester to the Giant Center in Hershey to hear Chris Tomlin, along with Casting Crowns and Steven Curtis Chapman and we were in a setting similar to this video with all the moving lights, smoke and no telling what else that seems to accompany modern concerts!
Wednesday,
August 15, 2007
Photo by Greg Schneider
Greg is a friend of ours who works as a photographer in the publishing industry.
As I recall he took this photo in central Pennsylvania
(Click here to enlarge)
Greg is a friend of ours who works as a photographer in the publishing industry.
As I recall he took this photo in central Pennsylvania
(Click here to enlarge)
"A More Certain Word"
"And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).
One of the foundational teachings of the Bible is the sufficiency of Christ and His Word. Our daily verse is most interesting. Peter, of course, was one of the eyewitnesses to Christ's ministry. In the previous verse he refers to what surely had to be amongst the most memorable events in his life; his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration. Can you imagine telling the grandkids about that!
Yet he states, "we have the word of the prophets made more certain." The written word of the prophets was deemed a more certain word by Peter than even his own eye witness experience on the Mount of Transfiguration! He goes on to write concerning the word of these prophets, "you will do well to pay attention to it."
That's right, fellow believers, we indeed do well to "pay attention" ("take heed" KJV) to the Word of God today in our present generation. The "most certain" findings of science will change (haven't they many times in our own lifetime?) The philosophies of men will continue to vacillate. Pet theories and faddish experiences will come and go. Fanciful psychological explanations and treatments will soon be discredited, only to be followed by others.
I recall in my freshman year of Bible College taking a required Psychology course and my professor rambling on and on about the fad psychological book of the time, "I'm OK, you're OK", which incredibly was our textbook. (This was certainly one of the low points of our otherwise helpful Bible College education). *1
The Holy Word continues to be "a light shining in a dark place." We need the light of His glorious Word to expose just how dark it really is in the world. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Thank God for His Word! It's steady, it's sure. It's dependable! The following hymn is not very familiar to me but I sure like the words. It's sung to the tune of the more familiar, "Rejoice, the Lord is King." Read all of it and try singing it or humming to the music!
How sure the Scriptures are, God's vital urgent Word.
As true as steel and far more sharp than any sword,
So deep and fine at His control.
They pierce where soul and spirit join.
They test each human thought, refining like a fire.
They measure what we ought to do and to desire
For God knows all. Exposed it lies
Before His eyes to whom we call.
Let those who hear His voice confronting them today,
Reject the tempting choice of doubting or delay.
For God speaks still, His word is clear.
So let us hear, and do His will. *2
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, all wisdom, knowledge and understanding needed for life and godliness is contained in the Holy Scriptures. May I be not only a student of the Word but also a living example of the spiritual transformation that results from applying the Word to all areas of my life. Amen.
*1 I contend that a sad element in ministerial preparation in the Church has been the diminishment of the Bible College model with a core emphasis on foundational studies of the Bible and theology. In fact many former Bible Colleges have become liberal art colleges and universities and have greatly decreased the study of Scripture in their curriculums. Essentially I believe we need ministry training schools that focus primarily on the Holy Scriptures, which alone are able to make us wise unto salvation, regardless of what affect that may have on worldly esteem or accreditation. You see, my school (and I suppose all schools) are required to have that Psychology course to maintain accreditation.
Seen on a church sign, "If I'm OK and you're OK, then explain the cross."
Today's music:
*2 "How Sure The Scriptures Are" Idle, Christopher/Darwall, JohnI regret that I was unable to find the hymn quoted in the message as an audio file on the internet. Actually I couldn't even find the hymn.
My eclectic taste in music is demonstrated by this video. A couple of years ago we took Ester to the Giant Center in Hershey to hear Chris Tomlin, along with Casting Crowns and Steven Curtis Chapman and we were in a setting similar to this video with all the moving lights, smoke and no telling what else that seems to accompany modern concerts!
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