{"id":5503,"date":"2015-01-20T23:17:11","date_gmt":"2015-01-21T03:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=5503"},"modified":"2015-01-16T23:32:25","modified_gmt":"2015-01-17T03:32:25","slug":"pastors-ponderings-the-scriptures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=5503","title":{"rendered":"Pastor’s Ponderings: The Scriptures"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on January 15, 2015…<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Greetings Friends:<\/span><\/h3>\n

PLEASE READ: 2 Timothy 3:16-17<\/p>\n

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“Everything in the Scriptures is God\u2019s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God\u2019s servants to do all kinds of good deeds”<\/span> (CEV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

PLEASE READ: Joshua 1:8<\/p>\n

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“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” <\/span>(NIV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The people called Methodists have always considered the Bible to be the primary source of Christian belief and way of life. Reading, understanding, and living a life reflecting the Bible is key to living a life of holiness. Note the passion expressed by John Wesley:

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\u00a0 “I will not, I dare not vary from this book, either in great things or small. I have no power to dispense with one jot or tittle of what is contained therein. I am determined to be a Bible Christian, not almost, but altogether” (John Wesley, 1787). <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n

In 1745, Wesley wrote,

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“I want to know one thing the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end He came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God!”<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n

Can you and I say that we have that kind of passion for the Bible? Can you and I say that we are, or at least becoming, a “Bible Christian”? How can we honestly say that we are growing in the faith if we are not reading and studying the Scriptures on a consistent basis, privately and corporately? Throughout his teachings and ministry Wesley was persuaded that the Bible was the book of utmost importance for him and every Christian who took faith seriously.<\/p>\n

Friends, throughout the pages of Scripture God reminds us of the importance of reading, meditating, discussing, and learning the Scriptures. This point is driven home by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (above).\"Chapel<\/a><\/p>\n

I invite you to also consider:<\/p>\n