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Building One Another


E. Stanley Ott

TRANSFORMATION Vol 8 No 41

November 3, 2009

Dear Friend,

It is easy for Christians, especially those who have been clear about their faith in Jesus and who have attended church for years, to develop a casual approach to the Bible, the Scriptures.

I suppose that's understandable.  After hearing a few zillion sermons and having participated in a variety of classes and groups over the years you may think you have some familiarity with the Bible and it often gathers dust.

Consider this wonderful word from the Apostle Paul:  "We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God's word, which is also at work in you believers." I Thessalonians 2:13*

I love that!  Paul is being very clear that the Bible as the Word of God is not to be studied simply for information, so that you might say, "Oh I know that and no longer study it diligently (and I am aware of recent studies suggesting American Christians tend not to know what the Bible actually says)."  Sometimes we just get out of the habit of reading and reflecting.

However, God's Word works in you who believe!  It's about transformation and not merely information.  Indeed the ultimate impact of this Word on your life is to change your life and to change it in accord with the speaker of the Word whose deepest desire is for your joy.

So in the middle of this busy fall, do you regularly engage this Word?  It's easiest to do this if you have a consistent time - such as before or after breakfast or in the late afternoon or evening - and a consistent place.

With joy - E. Stanley Ott

Copyright 2009 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the NRSV