Introduction
Bible Study Time 12-10-06
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Bible Study Time 12-10-06
A few weeks ago, Joan and I had the opportunity to spend some time at the Grand Canyon, and when I first caught a glimpse of that canyon, I found myself overwhelmed by its vastness. Those of you who have been there know that there aren’t many places along the rim where there is even a railing, but even where there was a railing, I hesitated to get too close to the edge. However, by the next morning, I was starting to feel a little more comfortable standing next to that giant gorge.
At one point on our morning walk, I saw a window in the clouds, and I could almost picture the Lord appearing in that window, shouting to the world, “I will declare my glory to all of the inhabitants of the earth. Who is like unto me? Who can match my majesty and power?”
When we got back home, I was able to finish this year’s Bible reading program, and as I finished that project, I began to realize that, in many ways, the Bible is like the Grand Canyon. Sometimes people are afraid to approach it. They think it’s confusing and hard to understand. They’re afraid to get too close to it. They’re afraid that they’ll fall into a bottomless pit of contradiction and controversy.
But then, if they’re willing to spend a little more time with it and explore some of its well-traveled and better-maintained pathways, they start to behold the glory of the Lord, and they start to rejoice in the magnificence of the word of God.
When we were at the Canyon, it didn’t take me long to realize that its mysteries lie hidden within the details of its valleys and ridges as well as in its various geological layers and rock formations. I watched videos and read books and articles, hoping somehow to tame at least my perception of this awesome portion of God’s creation. I began to sense a oneness with the power of the canyon as I explored its mysteries.
And so it is with the word of God. When we start to sense the glory of the word of God, we will want to learn more and more about it. We will develop an appreciation for the many fine commentaries that are available to us, and we will learn as much as we can from the pastors whom God has given to us.
Gradually, the word of God, which appeared so wild and untamed at first, starts to reveal its mysteries and we sense our unity with the Spirit of God as He reveals to us the heart of God.
As I watched the videos and read the articles about the Grand Canyon, I was amazed, but I knew that what made them so meaningful to me was the fact that I had actually hiked down into that canyon.
In the same way, it’s our personal relationship with God that makes our study of the word of God meaningful to us. Without a personal relationship with God, the Bible is just a book full of empty words.
So every Sunday morning we cherish the opportunity that we have to study the word of God with you, and we hope and pray that our time together is a blessing to you.
Now, we’re going to have a message in song, and then I’ll be back with some thoughts about Galatians, Chapter 4.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
At one point on our morning walk, I saw a window in the clouds, and I could almost picture the Lord appearing in that window, shouting to the world, “I will declare my glory to all of the inhabitants of the earth. Who is like unto me? Who can match my majesty and power?”
When we got back home, I was able to finish this year’s Bible reading program, and as I finished that project, I began to realize that, in many ways, the Bible is like the Grand Canyon. Sometimes people are afraid to approach it. They think it’s confusing and hard to understand. They’re afraid to get too close to it. They’re afraid that they’ll fall into a bottomless pit of contradiction and controversy.
But then, if they’re willing to spend a little more time with it and explore some of its well-traveled and better-maintained pathways, they start to behold the glory of the Lord, and they start to rejoice in the magnificence of the word of God.
When we were at the Canyon, it didn’t take me long to realize that its mysteries lie hidden within the details of its valleys and ridges as well as in its various geological layers and rock formations. I watched videos and read books and articles, hoping somehow to tame at least my perception of this awesome portion of God’s creation. I began to sense a oneness with the power of the canyon as I explored its mysteries.
And so it is with the word of God. When we start to sense the glory of the word of God, we will want to learn more and more about it. We will develop an appreciation for the many fine commentaries that are available to us, and we will learn as much as we can from the pastors whom God has given to us.
Gradually, the word of God, which appeared so wild and untamed at first, starts to reveal its mysteries and we sense our unity with the Spirit of God as He reveals to us the heart of God.
As I watched the videos and read the articles about the Grand Canyon, I was amazed, but I knew that what made them so meaningful to me was the fact that I had actually hiked down into that canyon.
In the same way, it’s our personal relationship with God that makes our study of the word of God meaningful to us. Without a personal relationship with God, the Bible is just a book full of empty words.
So every Sunday morning we cherish the opportunity that we have to study the word of God with you, and we hope and pray that our time together is a blessing to you.
Now, we’re going to have a message in song, and then I’ll be back with some thoughts about Galatians, Chapter 4.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
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