RISKS AND RESCUE

RISKS AND RESCUE

READ:

Romans 16:1-7

Greet Priscilla and Aquila…

who risked their own necks

for my life. –Romans 16:3-4

On September 7, 1838, Grace Darling, the daughter of an English lighthouse keeper, spotted a shipwreck and survivors offshore.  Together, she and her father courageously rowed their boat a mile through rough waters to rescue several people.  Grace became a legend for her compassionate heart and steady hand in risking her life to rescue others.

The apostle Paul tells us of another man and woman team who took risks to rescue others.  He wrote about Priscilla and Aquila, his fellow workers in Christ, who “risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles” (Romans 16:3-4).

We are not told exactly what “risk” Paul was referring to, but with beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, and threats of death so common to Paul’s ministry, it’s not hard to see how this couple could have put themselves in harm’s way to help their friend.  Apparently, Paul’s rescue was more important to them than their own safety.

Rescuing others-whether from physical or spiritual danger-often carries a risk.  But when we take a risk by reaching out to others, we reflect the heart of our Savior who gave up so much for us. –Dennis Fisher

The hand of God protects our way

When we would do His will;

And even when we take a risk,

We know He’s with us still. –D. DeHaan

*********************************

When you’ve been rescued,

You’ll want to rescue others.

INSIGHT

Paul was well aware that the strength and effectiveness of his ministry was dependent on the cooperative and supportive efforts of the many coworkers and friends who had labored with him.  As he concludes his letter to the Roman Christians (Romans 16), Paul lovingly commended many to show his appreciation for their partnership.  That 10 of these were women attests to the significant roles women played in the early church.  Likewise, in his letter to the Colossian church, Paul warmly singled out the contributions of eight coworkers (Colossians 4:7-14).  Paul’s tribute to so many coworkers showed his deep and tender affection for people.

Have a blessed day.

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity & Peace

ARE YOU LOOKING AT GOD'S MERCY AS A QUICK FIX?

Today's promise: God is merciful to us

Are you looking at God's mercy as a quick fix?

After giving instructions to completely destroy a town, including its people and livestock, should the people of Israel be enticed to turn to the worship of foreign gods? Moses tells the people: Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the Lord will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors. 

The Lord your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him.

Deuteronomy 13:12-18 NLT

A sincere heart

These verses make it clear that God's mercy is extended to those whose hearts are sincere. The Israelites were headed for a land that, much like our society today, was infested with materialism, the craving of creature comforts and "the good life." God is not interested in sharing his mercy with those who simply need a quick fix for the problems their sinful lifestyles have created. Such people have no intention of accepting God's mercy as a new lease on life; they are simply looking for a way to save themselves from deserved consequences. 

God wants to show us abundant mercy, but he is looking for those who will gratefully accept it and allow it to change the way they live. Do you want God's mercy as a quick fix or as a permanent new way of life?

From the TouchPoint Bible 
(Tyndale House), p 167

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

HOW DILIGENTLY DO YOU DO YOUR WORK?

Today's promise: God gives us strength to cope with hard work

How diligently do you do your work?

Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Romans 12:11 NLT

Personal responsibility comes home

The USS Astoria was the first U.S. cruiser to engage the Japanese during the Battle of Savo Island, a night action fought 8-9, August 1942.

About 0200 hours Signalman 3rd Class Elgin Staples was swept overboard by the blast when the number one 8-inch gun turret exploded. He was kept afloat by a narrow life belt that he managed to activate.

At around 0600 hours, Staples was rescued by a passing destroyer and returned to the Astoria, whose captain was attempting to save the cruiser by beaching her. The effort failed, and Staples, still wearing the same life belt, found himself back in the water. Picked up again, he was one of 500 survivors.

On board a transport, he closely examined the life belt that had served him so well. It had been manufactured by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio, and bore a registration number.

Given home leave, Staples asked his mother, who worked for Firestone, about the purpose of the number on the belt. She replied that the company insisted on personal responsibility for the war effort, and that the number was unique and assigned to only one inspector. Staples remembered everything about the life belt, and quoted the number. It was his mother's personal code and affixed to every item she was responsible for approving.

Commander Eric J. Berryman, quoted by R. Kent Hughes in 1001 Great Stories and Quotes (Tyndale House) p 234-35

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

DOES GOD HEAR OUR PRAYERS FOR MERCY ON BEHALF OF OTHERS?

Today's promise: God is merciful to us

Does God hear our prayers for mercy on behalf of others?

Abraham approached him and said, "Will you destroy both innocent and guilty alike? Suppose you find fifty innocent people there within the city — will you still destroy it, and not spare it for their sake? Surely you wouldn't do such a thing, destroying the innocent with the guilty. Why, you would be treating the innocent and the guilty exactly the same! Surely you wouldn't do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?" [The Lord responds that he will not destroy the city. Abraham persists, reducing the number to 45, then 40, 30, 20 and finally ten]. And the Lord said, "Then, for the sake of the ten, I will not destroy it."

Genesis 18:23-31 NLT

Abraham's prayer for mercy

In the days before their fiery judgment, the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah probably had no idea that their neighbor Abraham was agonizing with God over their fate. Abraham saw the need for justice, but he also begged God to show them his mercy. He asked God to spare the city for just a handful of righteous people, and God agreed. In addition, God sent his angels to protect Lot's innocent family and get them out of harm's way. But as Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction illustrates, there's a limit to his mercy, for the God of justice will not let sin go unpunished forever.

Just as he listened to righteous Abraham long ago, God will listen to your cries for justice and your pleas for mercy. In the end, God will do what is right.

From The One Year Book of Bible Prayers (Tyndale House), entry for March 25.

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

IS GOD'S MERCY IN YOUR LIFE EVIDENT TO OTHERS?

Today's promise: God is merciful to us

Is God's mercy in your life evident to others?

All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12 NLT

Clothed in mercy

It happened during the darkest days of Europe's history. Hitler was sweeping across the land promoting his contempt for Jews and his plan to exterminate them from the planet. Many countries were easily conned by his prop agenda.

But Denmark had a king that wasn't so easily taken in. He received Hitler's edict concerning the armbands that Jews would be required to wear.… So he went out on the balcony of his palace and began reading the edict line by line.…Then when finished, he tucked the note away and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small yellow armband. The king slipped it onto his coat sleeve. Over the weeks to come, thousands of Danes found ways to acquire these yellow armbands and wore them whenever they went out in public, just as the Jews were forced to do. As a result, Hitler's men found themselves in a constant struggle to separate the Jews from the non-Jews in Denmark.… Compassion is a trait within us that is very near the heart of God.

Story retold by Frank M. Martin in Embracing Eternity (Tyndale House), p 85

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

HAVE YOU RECEIVED GOD'S MERCY?

Today's promise: God is merciful to us

Have you received God's mercy?

Praise the Lord, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender mercies.

Psalm 103:1-4 NLT

Pardoned

The essential act of mercy was to pardon; and pardon in its very essence involves the recognition of guilt and ill-desert in the recipient. If crime is only a disease which needs cure, not sin which deserves punishment, it cannot be pardoned. How can you pardon a man for having a gum boil or a club foot? But the Humanitarian theory wants simply to abolish Justice and substitute Mercy for it. This means that you start being "kind" to people before you have considered their rights, and then force upon them supposed kindnesses which no one but you will recognize as kindnesses and which the recipient will feel as abominable cruelties. You have overshot the mark. Mercy, detached from Justice, grows unmerciful. That is the important paradox. As there are plants which will flourish only in mountain soil, so it appears that Mercy will flower only when it grows in the crannies of the rock of Justice: transplanted to the marshlands of mere Humanitarianism, it becomes a man-eating weed, all the more dangerous because it is still called by the same name as the mountain variety.

C. S. Lewis in God in the Dock

Quoted in The Quotable Lewis edited by Wayne Martindale and Jerry Root (Tyndale House) p 426

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

DOES GOD TREAT YOU THE WAY YOU DESERVE?

Today's promise: God is merciful to us

Does God treat you the way you deserve?

Praise the Lord, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagles! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious; he is slow to anger and full of unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we desire. For his unfailing love toward those who love him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west.

Psalm 103:1-12 NLT

About this week's promise

Mercy is compassion, poured out on needy people. But the mercy of God, which he expects us to model, goes one step further. God's mercy is undeserved favor. Even when we don't deserve mercy, God still extends it to us. Our sin and rebellion against God deserve his punishment; but instead he offers us forgiveness and eternal life. If God was merciful toward us despite our sin, how merciful should we be toward those who have wronged us?

From the TouchPoint Bible
(Tyndale House) p 1233

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

WHAT GUIDES YOUR LIFE?

Today's promise: God will help you understand his Word

What guides your life?

Oh, how I love your law! I think about it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for your commands are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your decrees. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven't turned away from your laws, for you have taught me well. How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:97-105 NLT

No Other Book

I have guided my life by the Bible for more than 60 years, and I tell you there is no book like it. It is a miracle of literature, a perennial spring of wisdom, a wonder of surprises, a revelation of mystery, an infallible guide of conduct, and an unspeakable source of comfort.

Pay no attention to people who discredit it, for I tell you that they speak without knowledge. It is the Word of God itself.

Study it according to its own direction. Live by its principles. Believe its message. Follow its precepts.

No man is uneducated who knows the Bible, and none is wise who is ignorant of its teachings.

Samuel Chadwick

Quoted by R. Kent Hughes in 1001 Great Stories and Quotes (Tyndale House) pp 29-30

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

SURROUNDED BY MERCY

SURROUNDED BY MERCY

READ:

Psalm 32

He who trusts in the LORD,

mercy shall surround him.

-Psalm 32:10

It was almost impossible not to see the giant billboard with the red background and huge white letters that shouted:  “This year thousands of men will die from stubbornness.”  Later I learned that the billboard was one of hundreds just like it targeted at middle-aged men who typically avoid routine medical screenings and often die from preventable conditions.

Psalm 32 deals with the spiritual disease of sin, which can be treated by honest acknowledgment and repentance.  The first five verses express the anguish of hiding our guilt and then celebrate the joyful release of confessing our transgressions to God and being forgiven.

This psalm goes on to show that the Lord longs for us to seek His help in difficulty (vv.6-8) and receive His guidance.  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (v.8).  We are hindered, though, when we stubbornly refuse to follow His direction and repent from our sin.

God’s Word urges us, “Do not be like the horse or like the mule,…which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you” (v.9).  Rather than hold on to our sin, the Lord offers an alternative:  When we humbly confess, His mercy shall surround us (v.10). –David McCasland

Heavenly Father, help us now

At thy feet to humbly bow;

Take away all thought of sin,

Make us clean and pure within. –Bartels

*************************************

The first step to receiving God’s forgiveness

is to admit that we need it.

INSIGHT

Long after he committed adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11-12), David still had not repented.  Confronted by Nathan the prophet, David confessed and repented of these sins (12:1-14).  Out of this painful experience, David wrote Psalms 32 and 51, confessing the evil done and celebrating God’s forgiveness.

Have a blessed day.

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity and Peace

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

READ:

Proverbs 19:15-25

Listen to counsel and receive

instruction, that you may be

wise in your latter days.

-Proverbs 19:20

To stake or not to stake?  That’s the question Marilyn faced when she planted a tree sapling last summer.  The salesman said, “Stake it for one year so it will be supported in strong winds.  Then remove them so it can grow deep roots on its own.”  But a neighbor told her, “Staking may cause more harm than good.  The tree needs to start building strong roots right away, or it may never.  Not staking is best for long-term health.”

We wonder about that question in relationships too.  For instance, if someone has gotten himself into trouble, do we “stake him down” by rescuing him, or do we let the person “grow strong roots” on his own by allowing him to face the consequences of his choices?  Obviously it depends on what seems best for the person’ long-term spiritual health.  What does love do, and when does it do it?  Proverbs 19 gives opposite thoughts:  We are to have “pity” and lend our assistance (v.17), yet there are dangers in rescuing another because you might need to do it again (v.19).  Providing the right help requires wisdom beyond our own.

God hasn’t left us on our own.  He will give us the wisdom when we ask Him.  And as we lean on Him, our own roots will grow deep in Him as well. – Anne Cetas

We lack wisdom, Lord, in many situations.

We know we’ll make mistakes, but teach us to

be dependent on You.  Thank You that You will

be faithful.  Grow our roots deep in You.

**************************************

Real wisdom is looking at the world

From God’s point of view

INSIGHT

Proverbs has much to say about laziness (6:9-10; 12:24; 19:15, 24: 20:4, 26:13).  It is the road to poverty and shame (10:4-5; 20:13; 24:33).  Solomon exhorts us to be wise and learn from the ant’s example of diligence and hard work (6:6-8).  Paul also exhorted Christians to work hard to earn a living (2 Thess. 3:10-12).

Have a blessed day.

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity & Peace

THE LIVING WORD

Today's promise: God will help you understand his Word

The living Word

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, and asked God's blessing on the food. Breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples to give to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish.

Mark 6:41-43 NLT

Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As though didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O Living Word!

Mary Artemisia Lathbury

Bread of Life

While Break Thou the Bread of Life is often sung during Communion, it is really intended to prepare the heart for Bible study. The great London preacher G. Campbell Morgan customarily read the words of the hymn before his midweek service.

The author, Mary Lathbury, was better known as a commercial artist than as a poet. Her illustrations regularly appeared in the popular magazines of the 19th century. She was a devout Christian who often vacationed at Lake Chautauqua, where she became one of the founders of a new movement. Mixing Christian inspiration, culture, and education, the Chautauqua movement spread across the country.…As she sat with her Bible, overlooking Lake Chautauqua, she thought of the disciples at the Sea of Galilee and wrote this hymn. Mary Lathbury's desire was to take Bible students "beyond the sacred page" to meet the living Word.

From The One Year Book of Hymns (Tyndale House), entry for February 15

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

IS THE BIBLE REALLY GOD'S WORD?

Today's promise: God will help you understand his Word

Is the Bible really God's Word?

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

The Word Transforms

Dr. E. V. Rieu was a classical scholar and translator for many years. He rendered Homer into very modern English for the Penguin Classics. Rieu was 60 years old and a lifelong agnostic when the same firm invited him to translate the Gospels. His son remarked: "It will be interesting to see what Father makes of the four Gospels. It will be even more interesting to see what the four Gospels make of Father."

The answer was soon forthcoming. A year later, Rieu, convinced and converted, joined the Church of England.

In an interview with J. B. Phillips, Rieu confessed that he had undertaken the task of translation because of an "intense desire to satisfy himself as to the authenticity and spiritual content of the Gospels." He was determined to approach the documents as if they were newly discovered Greek manuscripts. "Did you not get the feeling," asked Canon Phillips, "that the whole material was extraordinarily alive?" The classical scholar agreed. "I got the deepest feeling," he replied. "My work changed me. I came to the conclusion that these words bear the seal of the Son of Man and God."

From J. B. Phillips, The Ring of Truth. quoted by R. Kent Hughes in 1001Great Stories and Quotes (Tyndale House) pp 28-29

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

LIVING BEYOND THE ODDS

LIVING BEYOND THE ODDS

READ:

Acts 12:1-11

Constant prayer was offered

to God for [Peter] by the

church. –Acts 12:5

Many of us make daily decisions based on the odds.  If there’s a 20 percent chance of rain, we may ignore it.  If there’s a 90 percent chance, we’ll take an umbrella.  The greater the odds, the more our behavior is affected because we want to choose wisely and be successful.

Acts 12:1-6 describes a situation in which Peter’s odds of survival were very low.  He was in prison, “bound with two chains between two soldiers” while others guarded the door (v.6).  Herod had already executed James, one of Jesus’ closest followers, and he had the same fate in mind for Peter (vv.1-3).  A gambler would not have put any money on Peter getting out of this alive.

Yet God’s plan for Peter included a miraculous deliverance that even those who were interceding for him found hard to believe (vv.13-16).  They were astonished when he showed up at their prayer meeting.

God can operate outside the odds because He is all powerful.  Nothing is too hard for Him.  The One who loves us and gave Himself for us is in charge of our lives.  In ordinary circumstances and impossible situations, God can reveal His power.  Whether we are showered with success or sustained in sorrow, He is with us. –David McCasland

Dear God, we’re so thankful that nothing is too

Difficult for You.  You can do amazing things!

help us to trust that You are always with us

and always in control.  We love you, Lord.

*************************************

God is always in control behind the scenes.

INSIGHT

The ministry of angels is a reality for the believer (Hebrews 1:14).  Usually, they are acting behind the scenes of our lives.  In today’s reading, an angel becomes visible in order to rescue the apostle Peter from probable death.

Have a blessed day.

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity & Peace

OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN VIEW OF THE GENOCIDE AGAINST OUR BRETHREN

Your Brother Daniel

For more great blogs as this one go to Daniel’s blog site at:  www.Mannsword.blogspot.com

Our Responsibility in View of the Genocide against our Brethren

Recently, I’ve turned on my fellow evangelicals for their apparent lack of concern about the growing genocide of Christians in Muslim countries. Here’s one exchange:

ME: Aren’t you concerned about the murder of Christians throughout the Muslim and Communist world, or do you believe in the same politically correct silence as our mainstream media?

EVANGELICALS FOR SOCIAL ACTION: We mourn the loss of life everywhere, no matter a person’s creed or political views. Every human is a child of God. God is the creator of all lives and each one is precious.

ME: But do you speak up on behalf of the many instances of genocide against Christians – crimes that the mainstream media refuse to acknowledge or acknowledge only in passing? Who can take your love seriously, when it is not reflected at home, among your fellow evangelicals?

While it is true that “Every human is a child of God…God is the creator of all lives and each one is precious,” don’t we have a special obligation to cry out about the genocide of our brethren? I think that we do:

For one thing, this special obligation is commanded:

• Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal. 6:10)

We need to get our priorities straight. God’s world isn’t a communist world. Nor is the world of leftist Christians where “Every human is [equally] a child of God,” and therefore we have the same exact responsibility towards all humans.

Instead, we have a special responsibility for our own wives, children and parents. If our love doesn’t begin here, then our love for the rest of the world is hollow and seen as  hypocritical. It is a mockery of our faith if we love someone else’s children, wife and parents at the neglect of our own! Instead, it is our primary familial responsibilities that enables us to empathize with the familial responsibilities of others.

Our Lord wants all to be saved, by observing the special love we have for the brethren, for one thing:

• By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)

Consequently, if we truly want to love the world, we will start by loving the brethren. By this the world will get a glimpse of the only source of transformational love. Similarly, the best way to love our children is by first loving their father or mother! Love filters down in this manner!

Therefore, Jesus prayed that His people would be one in love:

• "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me...I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23)

Love is not necessarily about making communities more economically viable. In the long run, this can prove counter-productive. It can disrupt communities and make us proud and arrogant. Therefore, love is primarily about introducing people to Jesus, the Savior, allowing His love to percolate throughout our lives.

Besides preaching the Gospel (Mat. 28:18-20), the best way to accomplish this is through love – love of the brethren. It is in this way that “world know that you sent me and have loved them.” Therefore, our good deeds must always have this in view!

When we fail to extend ourselves to our brethren around the world, we fail to fulfill this command, and the world fails to see our oneness. When we fail to cry out for our brethren being martyred around the world, we simply communicate, “I am not concerned,” and we deny the essential unity that Christ wants us to display. We also deny the truth of the Gospel regarding the unity of believers, leaving our persecuted brethren to wonder, “Where are my brothers?”

I can do very little, but I want the persecuted to know that there are those on the other side of the Atlantic who are praying and crying out on their behalf.

We can also let our outrage be known to our congressmen. If we don’t, they will merely conclude that the genocide against Christians doesn’t matter to us. Here is some contact information:

• http://www.house.gov/representatives/
• http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

My dialogue with this evangelical group continued:

EVANGELICALS FOR SOCIAL ACTION: I'd be happy for you to send me information…

ME: Thanks for asking! Here's one article that provides an overview:

http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3875/christian-suffering-under-jihadi-extremism

Please let me know if you would like to see more. 

WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING?

Today's promise: God will help you understand His Word

What keeps you going?

Your words are what sustain me. They bring me great joy and are my heart's delight, for I bear Your name, O Lord God Almighty.

Jeremiah 15:16 NLT

I will write down these things as a testimony of what the Lord will do. I will entrust it to my disciples, who will pass it down to future generations.

Isaiah 8:16 NLT

For I have stayed in God's paths; I have followed His ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from His commands but have treasured His word in my heart.

Job 23:11-12 NLT

The soil of Eden

Our bodies originated in the soil of Eden. It should not surprise us that they are sustained by food that grows from the soil. Every source of food ultimately finds its nourishment in the soil, and that nourishment sustains our bodies.

Likewise, our souls were created by the breath of God in Eden; it should not surprise us that the Word of God, which is inspired, or "God breathed," sustains our souls. If we plan to eat food each day to keep our body alive, shouldn't we also plan to feast on God's Word each day to sustain our soul?

From the TouchPoint Bible
(Tyndale House), p 649

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House