As you close the first month of reading the Bible through this year, I hope you've noticed something truly fascinating and thrilling about reading it.  You especially notice this as you read multiple passages as we're doing.  It's one of the most convincing proofs that the Bible is written by God, not merely men and women trying to compose a book of good thoughts.

As you read, notice how a common thread of teaching about the nature of God is being revealed to you.  Whether it is taught from a generation over two thousand years ago in Acts 15 and Matthew 10, or one thousands of years prior to that in Psalm 23 or thousands before that in Genesis 50, the same teaching is powerfully shared.  The Bible never contradicts itself or confuses you about the one it reveals.  You can trust Moses, David, Matthew, Luke and many others who never met (much less lived in the same generation or culture) to speak in a way that is obviously in agreement with one another about the one thing you and I need most to know. 

You and I want to know our Creator and Lord.  The Bible reveals Him to us.  The revealing happens clearly and helpfully in the experiences of men and women before writing was possible and through the days of Jesus himself and the people who gathered as a church just as we do. When these writings came together in a book you and I call the Bible, they had no idea of each others' existence, but they wove and amazingly similar picture - of God.  It's thrilling to think that He can speak to us today through the same Spirit that inspired every writer back then.  He did so to communicate with people then and now - like you and me.  He is there and He is not silent (Schaeffer).  The question is, am I listening? 

So, listen and reflect as you read.  Allow the Spirit to make clear to you what He intended for you to know when He chose to include this story and that teaching so that you could develop a clear picture of our wonderful God.

As an example, the teaching coming out of Genesis 50, Acts 15, Matthew 10 and Psalm 23 is that He is my shepherd, able to help me when I cannot see why things are happening to me or if I need to know what to say and how to get along with others.  I want to be able to look back with Joseph one day when I think about all that happened in my life and say that I now can see what God intended (Gen. 50:20) and that it was (and is) good.

That what Paul means when he says what he does in 1 Corinthians 13:12 about Love - he talking about more than Valentine's Day, you know!

What else in life is there to see that you will only see as God shows you and guides you?

Can't wait to reflect on what He teaches next month and how I come to know Him more. 

Use that Bible!  It's more than just a history book - it's revealing what you (and I) will never see without it - a glorious spiritual Father who loves us!

Kevin