I am often taken aback when observing the magnitude of people who will assemble together for their own enjoyment. Whether the venue is a professional baseball game, a musical concert, a political convention, spring break, or even a Pope's blessing. It isn't difficult to draw willing participants to any of these types of functions. The same cannot be said of the number of people being drawn to hear the gospel. Jesus never receives that kind of fanfare. But receiving even more fanfare than these types of functions are those plastic gods we carry with us everywhere called cellphones! So I was thinking ... What would happen if we gave our Bibles (the gospel) the same attention we give our cell phones? What do I mean?
1) What if we carried our bibles around in our purses or pockets where they would be easily accessible? (Deuteronomy 6:8-9).
2) What if we diligently searched for it if we lost it? (2 Kings 22:8; 2 Chronicles 34:14-16).
3) What if we flipped through it several times a day? (Acts 17:11).
4) What if we used it to receive messages? (James 1:21).
5) What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it? (2 Timothy 4:13).
6) What if we gave it to our children as gifts? (Deuteronomy 6:7; Deuteronomy 11:19; Psalm 78:1-8).
7) What if we used it when we traveled? (Acts 20:20).
8) What if we used it in case of an emergency? (Psalm 46:1-2; Isaiah 43:2)
9) What if we actually cared enough to buy a cover to protect it? (Psalm 17:8)
10) What if we actually believed the information we searched for and found? (Psalm 119:142; Luke 20:21; 2 Timothy 3:16; John 6:63)
It makes you stop and think, doesn't it?? For many of us, cell phones have become an addiction, a thing of worship, a god. People spend more time with them than anything else. Many admit finding it difficult to go a few hours without their cell phone or they begin to panic, while others take them to bed in their bed at night. I wonder how we ever survived before them? Being constantly unable to disconnect from our cell phones is akin to what psychologists call dissociative disorder. I'm familiar with this term and condition because of my many years of employment in the mental health field. Dissociation generally means not being "connected" and in its extreme form is the hallmark of true mental illness. Psychiatrists have written articles and questioned wonder if we’re all making ourselves slightly mentally ill by tuning in and dropping out of real face-to-face relationships. Don't misunderstand, I personally have nothing against the use of cell phones. Cell phones in and of themselves are not evil. They are an excellent tool for keeping abreast of severe weather when you're not by a television set, locating an address, and a street map of how to get to any location. They can do everything a laptop can do in the palm of your hand. The concern is, how much time do we give to them?
Though our lives have been greatly improved by cell phone technology, being uncomfortable and/or uninterested in human interaction precludes us from that which enriches our lives. And worse than that, we seemingly have less time for God anymore. Instead of putting our phones on the shelf for a while, we have put God on the shelf. Interaction with one another keeps our brains active and our social interactions keep us healthy. According to God, it is HIS WORD that keeps our souls and bodies healthy, yet we neglect that truth! Proverbs 4:20-22 KJV, "My son, attend to my words; incline your ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh." GOD SAID HIS WORD IS HEALTH FOR YOUR SPIRIT AND YOUR BODY! Do you believe Him? What if we actually believed the information contained in the Bible like we so easily accept fat checking sites like Snopes? (Psalm 119:142; Luke 20:21; 2 Timothy 3:16; John 6:63)
In Matthew 4:4 Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Sadly, we continue to flood our minds with daily distractions like emails, online games, dating apps, buying/selling, Facebook, Messenger, texting friends, etc., and neglect to give any time to God through prayer, song, meditation, thanks, or reading of His WORD, but we can happily make time for selfies! It isn't difficult to be drawn willing to any of these types of these things through our cellphones. We have to make room to carve out time and a quiet place where we can feed on God's Word. Unless and until we have a constant reminder and or ready access to the Bible (which is accessible right there on your cellphone too) we cannot remain spiritually strong! We have to remain spiritually strong. Our spirits should be fighting the good fight of faith over our minds and bodies and experiencing victory instead of being controlled being controlled by them. Otherwise your "unrenewed" mind and spiritually untrained body, are going to want to sin, walk in fear, and to do all kinds of things that are outside of a lifestyle of love and faith. If your spirit is weak, you won’t have the strength to rule over your mind and reign over your body when they want to think and act in opposition to the Word of God. I like an actual Bible in my hand over using a cell phone because I can become easily distracted by an incoming call or a notification bell. What matters most is not paper vs. digital; it’s that we are investing enough quality time with God. Also, there is a vast difference between knowing about God and personally knowing God. Everyone knows about God or has heard there is one, but only a fraction of the world's population personally knows Him or accepts Him. The Bible is the foundational truth that teaches the history of the universe, the origin of sin, the reason for the death of Jesus, and so on. Apart from God’s Word, mankind would never learn the all-important message of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.The message of eternal salvation is a vital and dominant theme in Scripture, yes, but the Bible reveals much more - including how God would have us live.
Through the recorded examples of biblical figures, we can learn what pleases God and what does not. His Word also gives direct instruction to believers on how we should act in every circumstance. God’s inspired and inerrant Word was given for many reasons: to teach us, rebuke us, correct us, and instruct us in righteousness; it was also given so that we may be complete and equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17), and to have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). By reading the Bible on a consistent basis, you find direction for your life and learn how to best serve the Lord who gave His life for you. I encourage you today to read the Bible often and consider studying the scriptures in more detail by concentrating on one passage per day. It can be just one! Continue thinking about that passage throughout the day and try to think of ways to apply what you have learned. Don’t forget to spend time in prayer too. Thank God for giving you eternal life and His Word. Ask Him to teach and guide you so that you will become even more faithful in following Him. God's Word is vitally important. More so than your cell phone.
Until He comes,
-Pat-
No comments:
Post a Comment