As I mentioned in my last blog, Foundations Church (the church I attend) has given a challenge to read through the New Testament in 30 days. As I was reading the last couple days, I just got blown away at how what I have read has applied to my life. One of my best friends and I had a long and worthwhile conversation about what we have read and how it has just blown both our minds. One of the big things I have not been consistent in is my faith. I have let it slip, and going back to church and reading through the Bible have helped.
Take Paul, for example. Here is a man who is appointed by Jesus as an apostle to go and preach the word of God as it is spoken through him. He does this despite possible consequences to him. Acts 21 talks about his heading to Jerusalem knowing full well he may be captured and possibly killed. Verse 12 says that the people begged him not to go.
Acts 21:13: Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
WOW! It blows my mind how strong his faith is! He knows he will face hardships wherever he goes, but he keeps his faith in Jesus and God, knowing that in the end he will be all right. I look at this and I can only hope that one day my devotion will be as strong as Paul’s. I am working on this aspect of my life and know it will be a long road, but I want to strengthen my faith and my devotion.
I saw this on a calendar I have at work, from Isaiah 40:31: “…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This is another reminder of faith. If you have faith in God and Jesus Christ and continue to strengthen that faith you will be blessed in His name. I have already felt my strength start to renew itself over the past couple months. I still have a long way to go, but I know I have the right guide.
This certainly opened my eyes. I hope it does for you too.
Hi Chris,
I am already a somewhat elderly man. I am 66 years old. Before I retired a couple of years ago I used to be a teacher of English and religion at a Dutch high school: I live in Holland.
I am practically sure that you are a few decades younger than I am. All I want to say is that I found it extremely refreshing and stimulating to witness the enthusiam for God’s words as expressed in the Bible in every word and sentence of your text.
I started to read the Bible daily from the age of 21 or so when it was actually one of my students in the first year of my teaching “career” who advised me to do this. After being a daily Bible reader for about 45 years I am sure you will not find me boastful if I write the following words which are meant as encouragement: you can read the Bible 5 times or 10 times or 20 times (I mean from cover to cover): it will never become boring and the oftener you read most passages the better you understand them and the more they mean to you.
One last remark that I just add to be honest: I have to admit that there will problaby always remain passages and books that I (and you?) will never understand. Like the book of Revelation. I have read it many times, but I still understand practically nothing of it.