GPS for life

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

I became quite intrigued with our son's Global Positioning System (GPS) during our recent road trip to visit family for the Christmas holiday. Touted as working in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, I confidently attached the portable navigational device to the windshield of our SUV.

From my perch on the front passenger's seat, I had a bird's eye view as the 3-D photo gadget mapped our location in real time. The apparatus displayed the terrain and logged our vehicle's speed, miles traveled, hours of moving time, and expected time of arrival. Voice activated, we received turn-by-turn spoken directions with the actual name of streets, e.g., "In .3 miles turn right on Hambletonian Drive." When we inadvertently took a wrong turn or intentionally chose a different route, the satellite powered gadget quickly recalculated our location. And while appearing to be rather demanding at times, it called out directions to help us get back on course.

God's Word is the incredible navigational tool that helps us travel through each day of our life. Like no other book this world has ever known, the Holy Bible is completely trustworthy. It is the only book authored by God (2 Timothy 3:16-18; 2 Peter 1:20-21). It shows us how to know Him, how to live, and how to receive eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).

I am continually awed that we have direct access anytime day or night to the life-changing wisdom to help us safely steer through each day's obstacles and opportunities (Psalm 119:33-40). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Bible's messages of encouragement and hope and godly counsel help us make wise decisions. And complete with examples of those who experienced personal failures, turned back to God, and began to follow Him again, its reveals God's heart for mankind (Hebrews 11).

Thankfully, at just more than 1,993 miles and with only a few wrong turns, our holiday road trip across six states was without incident. As you move into 2011, dear friend, I pray your journey will take you into a deeper understanding of our loving Savior (Psalm 111:10). Through His Word may you stay on course with utmost confidence and discover how you can live a complete and joy-filled life.

Blessings dear friend. Happy New Year!
Faithfully Following

Photo: Amazon.com

The enduring Word

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:9-11 (NIV)

The headline caught my eye: 8 nearly worthless collectibles. While I admire fanciful figurines, turn-of-the-century landscapes, and ornamental plates, I'm not an avid collector of any particular item. Still, I was curious as to what was included on the "nearly worthless" list.

According to the article, mass production and changing tastes have cut deeply into the value of various dolls, toys, plates and other items that used to be in high demand. Figurines that were once considered special keepsakes are now barely worth the crates they're packed in. Cute beanie toys are valued at 50 percent less than their original purchase price. Paintings have been "QVC'd" to death." And, the glut of "small slices of Americana" have caused ceramic plates to be worth little.

"Collecting as a hobby can be a fun, worthwhile and potentially lucrative way to pass the time," the report states. "Amassing collectibles as investments, however, can be a disappointing endeavor yielding nothing but piles of devalued knickknacks for your next of kin to sort through."

The opening words of the Bible were most likely written during the 1400s BC, penned by Moses as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness between Egypt and the promised land. Roughly a millennium later, the Hebrew Old Testament's last prophet, Malachi, recorded his message to post-exilic Israel around 400 BC. The Greek New Testament was composed during the 1st century AD.

Down through the ages, God chose holy men, inspired them to write His message to us, and preserved His remarkable message of salvation. Through the pages of Holy Scripture, we are brought face to face with ourselves, with God, and with His grand design for our lives.

As we dive into the truth of who God is and who we are in Him, God speaks personally and powerfully to us by the power of the His Spirit. In Psalm 19 we can see the psalmist's delight and eagerness for God's teachings. His confidence is absolute. God's ways give him hope and peace. His decrees bring joy, wisdom and instruction.

Dear friend, fun may be all there is to associate with modern-day collectibles. Collecting God's Word and storing up His commands in our heart, however, is a valuable proposition. The Bible promises that His enduring truths are "more precious than gold, than much pure gold." You can bank on it!

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following

Source: Moneycentral Savings and Debt

Keep your head

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
2 Timothy 4:4 (NIV)

The apparition of a figure on horseback, without a head, haunts the Connecticut Dutch settlement. Said to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper whose head was carried away by a cannonball in "some nameless battle" during the Revolutionary War, the Headless Horseman rides to the scene of battle in nightly pursuit of his missing noggin. Washington Irvin's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" was published more than 185 years ago. And, through literature and film its legendary fictional character has become part of American folklore.

The Bible is an old book. Yet, in a world where age is no longer considered a virtue and where one needs a good reason to believe, is it worthy of our trust?

Painfully honest, the Bible was not written for those who want simple answers and an easy, optimistic view of life. Forty different authors wrote the 66 books of the Holy Scriptures over a period of 1,600 years; nevertheless, they tell one cohesive story. No other book has been as loved or as hated. It has made a difference in the lives of such people as Augustine, Martin Luther, John Newton, and C.S. Lewis. Even nations like the wild Vikings of Norway have been transformed by the Word of God and the unprecedented life and image of Jesus Christ.

Of all people, the Apostle Paul knew full well the life-changing power of the Word of God. In his last letter to Timothy, the apostle directs this "son in the faith" to follow in his footsteps and faithfully carry on the work that he had been given.

Confident of his young assistant, Paul issues his final charge: go on declaring God's message, press on no matter what. Don't get carried away, Paul encourages. Keep your head in all situations. The time will come when people will reject sound doctrine. Rather, they will prefer to follow their own whims, choosing fable and legend in favor of truth (2 Timothy 4:3-5).

Dear friend, the Bible is not just another book. The greatest story ever told, it's the Book! Through its passages you will come to know the Sovereign Lord of all (1 Chronicles 29:11), full of love, mercy and goodness (Psalm 145:9), who offers salvation to all not by works, but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:7-9).

While we accept God's Word by faith, my hope is that as you read and study it, you find it worthy of your trust and share what you learn with others.

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following

Photo: The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane (1858) by John Quidor