TAPPING THE TREASURE

Psalm 119:14-24

Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. Psalm 119:18

Stephen May discovered a treasure while teaching literature at the University of Northern Colorado. In the library, he found 150 boxes of letters, manuscripts, journals, outlines, and notes given to the school by James A. Michener.

Surprisingly, no one was using those materials to write a biography of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, known for his historical novels. May produced a new account of the life of Michener from that great treasure.

Each day, you and I are writing the story of our lives by what we say and do. Are we using the great, but often neglected, wealth of the Bible? The psalmist wrote: “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. . . Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (Psalm 119:14-18).

The Bible is the written record through which we get to know Jesus Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Its nuggets of truth are available to us all.

A life well-lived is directly related to a Bible well-read. As we live out our life story, let’s be sure to tap the treasure of God’s Word every day. —david mccasland

My Bible to me is a treasure house, where I can always find whatever I need from day to day for heart and soul and mind. —anon

The Bible’s treasures are found by those who dig for them.

DIGGING FOR TREASURE

Proverbs 2:1-9

The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

Profitable Bible study involves more than just opening to a chapter and reading what’s there. Here are seven guidelines to help you make the most of your study of the Bible.

1. Set aside a regular time. Unless you schedule it, you’ll neglect it.

2. Before you start reading, ask God for help and understanding.

3. Carefully think about what you are reading. The treasures of the Bible seldom lie like pebbles on the surface. To mine the gold, you have to dig.

4. Try to understand what the author was saying to the first people who read the book or letter before you decide what it means for you.

5. Write down at least one truth or principle you can put into practice.

6. Try different translations of the Bible. If you find yourself skimming over familiar words, a new translation may focus your mind on the passage in a new way.

7. Don’t get discouraged. Some parts of the Bible are more interesting than others, and some you may not understand at all. But there’s enough that you can understand, and if you apply that much it will revolutionize your life.

Now read again today’s verses with the above principles in mind. Then try it again tomorrow. If you do, you will begin to discover the treasures of the Bible. —hwr

When reading God’s Word, take special care to find the rich treasures hidden there; give thought to each line, each precept clear, then practice it well with godly fear. —anon

The treasures of the Bible can be found only by those who dig for them.

THE NEGLECTED WORD OF GOD

Psalm 119:97-104

The word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. Hebrews 4:2

Few thinkers in recent times have exerted so pervasive an influence as Sigmund Freud. Although he claimed to be an atheist, he continually speculated about religious issues as if subconsciously haunted by the God whom he denied.

When Freud turned 35, his father sent him the copy of the Hebrew Scriptures he had given to him when he was a boy. Sigmund had read and studied that book, at least for a while.

Enclosed in that worn copy of the Scriptures was a note from the elder Freud reminding his son that “the Spirit of the Lord began to move you and spoke within you: ‘Go read in My Book that I’ve written and there will burst open for you the wellsprings of understanding, knowledge, and wisdom.’”

His father expressed the hope that Sigmund might, as a mature man, once again read and obey God’s law. We have no evidence, however, that Freud took to heart his father’s exhortation. How different his life and influence might have been if he had!

What about us? Have we put aside the Bible we once read and studied? It’s not too late to find new wisdom in that old Book. Yes, and even more important, it’s not too late to start believing and obeying the Word of God. —vcg

Great God, with wonder and with praise on all Thy works I look! But still Thy wisdom, power, and grace shine brightest in Thy Book. —watts

God will not open the door to wisdom to the one who keeps his bible shut.

DID YOU READ MY BOOK?

Psalm 119:137-152

Have you not even read this Scripture? Mark 12:10

Books! Books! Books! Hardcovers and paperbacks. Reference works and joke books. Romantic novels and mysteries. Self-help books and religious publications. They just keep appearing—and we keep buying them.

We also keep writing them. No wonder Solomon said, “Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12).

But one Book supersedes all others—the Bible. It is the Word of God, written by authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit and kept from error (2 Timothy 3:16). It is God’s truth, telling us what to believe and how to live. This Book should be required reading for everyone!

Jill Briscoe was addressing a convention of religious writers and editors. An author of several books and numerous articles, she was talking about what it means to have people read your words and be influenced by your writing. She called it a privilege and a responsibility.

Then Mrs. Briscoe made this provocative statement: “When we get to heaven,” she said, “we will not say to God, ‘Did You read my book?’ Rather, God will say to us, ‘Did you read My Book?’”

How about it? Have you read His Book today? —dce

Our history is marked by the filling of books with what we have thought, said, and done; but one Book, the Bible, reveals the true way—it tells of the Savior, God’s Son. —jdb

A well-read Bible is a sign of a well-fed soul.

WHAT’s WORTH KEEPING

This is exactly what I think about every time I see people who profess to be a “Christian” with their mouths but when they have an opportunity to stand up for Jesus, they bail out because the sacrifice comes with too high of a price tag. If you cannot stand up for Christ now, do not think that you will later because the sacrifice will be greater than it is right now.

What so many are trying to hold onto with all their might is actually worthless compared to what they fear sacrificing which is of great eternal value. You can keep escaping for only so long and then we all will soon face the ultimate purpose of life.

Dre

Genesis 25:27-34

For one morsel of food [Esau] sold his birthright. Hebrews 12:16

A story is told of a man who loved old books. He met an acquaintance who had just thrown away a Bible that had been stored in the attic of his ancestral home for generations. “I couldn’t read it,” the friend explained. “Somebody named Guten-something had printed it.” “Not Gutenberg!” the book lover exclaimed in horror. “That Bible was one of the first books ever printed. Why, a copy just sold for over two million dollars!”

His friend was unimpressed. “Mine wouldn’t have brought a dollar. Some fellow named Martin Luther had scribbled all over it in German.”

This man treated as worthless that which was valuable. So did Esau. Although he was a nice fellow who enjoyed hunting and fishing and the great outdoors, Esau was “profane” because he sold his spiritual birthright “for one morsel of food” (Hebrews 12:16). Only when it was too late to undo his wretched bargain did Esau realize that he had sacrificed the permanent on the altar of the immediate.

We had better be careful of the “bargains” we make in life. Our culture places a high price ag on what is worthless and throws away as worthless what is of eternal value.

Ask the Lord to help you discern what’s worth keeping and what is best discarded. —hwr

The little choices we must make Will chart the course of life we take; We either choose the path of light, Or wander off in darkest night. —djd

We pay a high price for cheap living.

SIN IS WHEN YOU DISOBEY

Billy Graham talks about the definition of sin:

The Bible says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” and God’s request for your life. And you’re a sinner. You have to confess it and acknowledge it; say, “Lord, I have sinned, and I’m sorry for my sin.” Sin is when you disobey God. … If you’ve broken God’s law, you have to pay a price. It’s a terrible price because you’re separated from God forever, unless you repent and receive Christ into your heart. … Christ took your sins, He shed His blood for you, and He said the reason was that He loved you.

As Mr. Graham has just said, when you accept Jesus Christ by faith as your savior, your sins will be completely forgiven and your life will be changed forever. To learn what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, call at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, toll free, at 877-2GRAHAM. Or click billygraham.org

LIKE SHEEP

Franklin Graham reminds us that we are all lost. But he also points out that we have a Good Shepherd:

The Bible says all we like sheep have gone astray.  We have turned every one to his own way. The Bible says for the Son of man is coming to seek and to save that which is lost. Are you lost tonight? Well Jesus Christ came to seek you and to save you. That’s why He came to this earth. For you. Will you call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ tonight? Will you trust Him as your Lord and Savior? The Bible says the Lord is long suffering towards us, not willing that any shall perish but that all should come to repentance. God doesn’t want you to perish.

Come to Jesus Christ through faith and you will be saved forever. To learn what it means to have a personal relationship with our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, call at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, toll free, at 877-2GRAHAM. Or click billygraham.org

HUMAN WISDOM

Billy Graham talks about the faulty nature of human wisdom:

The Bible says our natural minds have been affected by sin. You can’t think your way to Jesus. The Bible says, “The god of this [world]”—which is the devil—“has blinded the minds of unbelievers”. Our minds are supernaturally blinded. How do you have your mind renewed and transformed? By repenting of your sins and receiving Christ as Lord and Savior. Come to the cross where He died for you and say, “Lord, I do believe. I do receive. I do thank you for all you’ve done for me, and I want to follow you and serve you.” You make up your mind to follow Christ, and He’ll remake your mind after His.

Not just your mind, but your entire life is made new when you come to Jesus Christ by faith. To begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, call at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, toll free, at 877-2GRAHAM. Or click billygraham.org

NO HOPE

Franklin Graham speaks about a man with leprosy who came to Jesus Christ:

 

 

He was to be separate from society. But he comes, and he wants to be made clean. He wants to be whole, but you see leprosy in the Bible is a picture of sin, and the Bible says that we have all sinned and come short of God’s glory. You see, there was no cure. There was no medicine. There was absolutely no hope. And you see that’s the way it is for you. There’s absolutely no hope for you outside of Jesus Christ, and this leper realizes that his only hope, his only chance is to come to the Lord Jesus Christ, and so he comes to Jesus.

Jesus Christ is also your only hope. To begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and be made completely clean from your sin, call at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, toll free, at 877-2GRAHAM. Or click billygraham.org

GOD IS MY SALVATION

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid” Isaiah 12:2.

Do you ever feel like you can’t face another day of challenges? Perhaps it’s time to take a day off and to spend it in quiet refection walking through nature or reading a good book by the fireplace. But what do you do when none of this helps to lift you out of the doldrums? May I suggest something that has helped me to get out of the fog–literally and emotionally?

One night as I was coming home along the highway, the fog was as thick as pea soup. I could not see the road in front of me. I could barely glimpse the dim reflectors marking the lanes of the busy highway. How was I going to find my way home? It was by focusing on these “bright spots” in the fog. I inched forward from one reflector to the next. What a relief when, an hour-and-a-half later, I reached the warmth and light of home!

By using the same mind-focusing principle, I’ve learned to let Scripture guide me instead of my moods. I take a portion of Scripture like Isaiah 12-a favorite—- and personalize it. Then I say it out loud.

Today I will give thanks to you, O LORD!

When I feel afraid I will remember, Surely God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid.

When I am weak, The LORD God is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation.

When my resources are gone, I will draw water from the wells of salvation.

I’ve discovered there’s power in speaking the Word of God out loud. As I recite God’s life-giving words throughout the day, my mood lifts and I receive courage to move forward one step at a time.

~ Lord Jesus, thank you that I don’t have to navigate this day alone. With Your help I will face every challenge and conquer it. For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among us.

Do you feel you need some help today navigating your way? Why not open your Bible to Isaiah 12 and let the words become Your own prayer today.