TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 15:13-33
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. - 1 Peter 4:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his book entitled Reaching Out, Henri Nouwen makes the following observation about prayer: “The paradox of prayer is that it asks for a serious effort while it can only be received as a gift. We cannot plan, organize or manipulate God; but without a careful discipline, we cannot receive him either.”

There are few activities that are as common to all believers as prayer. Prayer is the oxygen that fuels the Christian's life and ministry. Yet it could be equally said that there are few areas of the Christian life with which believers are as dissatisfied as prayer. Most feel that they should pray more or could pray better. Even Jesus' disciples felt that their prayer lives needed work (Luke 11:1).

If we are looking for an incentive to pray, we need look no further than today's passage. Our prayers, as ordinary as they may seem, can help others to be more effective in their ministry. Paul asked the believers in Rome to become partners in his struggle through prayer (v. 31). Notice that he provides specific guidelines for their petitions. He did not regard prayer as a mere formality but expected to see concrete results when the church prayed on his behalf.

Some Christians find it hard to ask others to pray for them. They are too embarrassed to expose their needs to others and are afraid making such requests is selfish. Paul had no such misgivings. He saw prayer as a privilege and a responsibility. He prayed for others and often asked others to pray for him. Paul's requests focused on spiritual and practical matters. He attributed his success in ministry to God's grace but knew that it was also affected by the prayers of others.

This is one of the mysteries of prayer. If God alone can answer our prayers and already knows what we need, why does He ask us to pray? Perhaps one of God's purposes in prayer is to remind us of our dependence upon Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Who is praying for you today? Do they have enough information about your needs to pray intelligently? Why not call a friend today and exchange prayer requests? Be specific about your needs and desires. As you talk, think of someone whose ministry could also use your prayer, perhaps a missionary or your pastor. Perhaps you can both agree to pray on the same day and time for that person.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 16:1-27
All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. - 1 Corinthians 16:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
In April 2003, Aron Ralston made international news when he cut off his own arm to escape certain death in a hiking accident. In his book Between a Rock and a Hard Place, he recounts some of his thoughts while trapped in Utah's Bluejohn Canyon: “I go out looking for adventure and risk, so I can feel alive. But to go out by myself, and not tell someone where I'm going—that's just dumb. If someone knew, if I'd been with someone else, there would probably already be help on the way. Dumb, dumb, dumb.” Ralston, an experienced solo mountaineer, discovered the importance of having others involved in his endeavors.

Followers of Jesus Christ are not rugged individualists. Even when we may feel we are embarking on a solo adventure, we still need others in the body of Christ. In his closing chapter to the book of Romans, the apostle Paul sends greetings to many in the church at Rome along with his expressions of appreciation for their ministry. Some of the names are notable, such as Aquila and Priscilla, the couple with whom Paul stayed during his ministry in Corinth. Most are unknown to us today, although Paul provides occasional details about some of the names.

Some scholars have described Paul as a misogynist who disliked and undervalued women. But an examination of our text today does not support such a charge. For example, a woman named Phoebe is the first to be mentioned in Paul's list. This would have been highly unusual in Paul's day to acknowledge a woman so prominently in a letter that would be read publicly. Clearly Phoebe's work in the church had been tremendously valuable.

Through the rest of the chapter Paul sends greetings to the men and women who have labored with him in service for the Lord. Paul was not a solo act; he recognized the ministry of others and took the time to thank and commend them for it. This final chapter of Romans gives us a personal example of how to live out the calling and teaching contained in this rich book.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul's appreciation for the hard work of those he greets is apparent in this list. Follow his example and show your appreciation to someone who has ministered to you. Write a note or send a card that describes what you have noticed and expresses your thanks for their hard work on your behalf. You may want to think of someone whose efforts are not usually recognized by others in the church.

[nChrist]

Amen Pastor Roger,

Brother, thank you sincerely for sharing "Today In The Word" with us. It is beautiful material to study, and I am enjoying them.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Galatians 6:9-10 NASB  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Chronicles 18:1-17
The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went. - 1 Chronicles 18:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
On April 11, 1966, Air Force medic William H. Pitsenbarger arrived in a helicopter at a battle site east of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam. Things were going badly for the surrounded troops. Despite heavy fire, Pitsenbarger had himself lowered 100 feet on a winch line into the middle of the intense fighting, where he administered first aid and helped evacuate the wounded. One of the soldiers said, “I was stunned that somebody was coming down to put themselves in that situation. . . . He had to be the bravest person I've ever known.” Another saw it as “the most unselfish and courageous act I ever witnessed.” Pitsenbarger, who gave up his own life that day, saved nine others and was later posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

In today's reading, we learn more about David's military campaigns, including victories over most of Israel's neighbors. Several principles of governing or leading well can be discerned in this chapter. First, God must be acknowledged as the source of strength and success. Pride is the wrong attitude (cf. Prov. 16:18). Second, giving God the glory must be public and concrete, not only a private thought or empty words. David, for example, set aside war booty for the future construction of the temple.

Third, God only blesses when government is built on His principles of justice and righteousness (v. 14; cf. Ps. 89:14). The corrupting influence of power is difficult to resist, and while history is full of examples of those who have used position for their own gain, doing so is sinful in God's eyes. Fourth, learning, borrowing, or adapting from existing examples is perfectly fine. For example, David's use of foreign mercenaries as bodyguards was a common practice in the Near East then, and at least one study Bible notes that David's court was modeled on that of the Pharaoh in Egypt. Fifth, we see that David was careful to organize, delegate, and put the right people in the right positions. He knew he needed to be surrounded with good people.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We need not be a king or in government to apply today's principles to our lives. If you have any sort of job—whether inside or outside your home—you can find something here that applies to you. For instance, are we behaving as a godly employee or employer? Do we do our work with integrity? Do we realize that work is a witness—to our coworkers, our children, our neighbors—for whomever sees our work? Our work may not be glamorous or even appreciated, but it is one way that we can bring glory to God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Chronicles 19:1-19
My sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies. - Psalm 44:6-7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Major Richard “Dick” Winters was the World War II commander of Company E, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division—a company made famous in Stephen Ambrose's book, Band of Brothers, and an Emmy-winning HBO miniseries of the same name. In an interview, he talked about the secrets of leadership: “How do you get the respect of the men? By living with them, being a part of it, being able to understand what they are going through and not to separate yourself from them. You have to know your men. You have to gain their confidence. And the way to gain the confidence of anybody, whether it's in war or civilian life or whatever, you must be honest. Be honest, be fair and be consistent. Once you can achieve that, you will be a leader.”

The Ammonites, long-time enemies of Israel, suspected that David had sent spies rather than ambassadors. Based on this wrong assumption, they seized the delegation, shaved off half their beards (a cultural symbol of manhood or maturity), cut off their garments, and sent them back. By any standard, such a response was extremely insulting. Realizing they had given offense and provoked Israel, the Ammonites then hired Arameans as allies for the battle. They caught Joab's army in a kind of vise, but the general sent his regular soldiers to one front and his “special forces” to the other. With God's help, both prevailed.

What lessons in leadership can be found in today's passage? One is faith—David again trusted in God and gave Him the credit, an attitude imitated by Joab. In addition, rather than just ride a string of victories into another conquest, David tried for peace, though it didn't work out. We also see that David showed great loyalty and sensitivity to his men, allowing them to stay at Jericho rather than forcing them to return to court in their humiliated state. A faithful heart, a peaceful spirit, and empathy are great lessons for any leader!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The cultural norm around us is to mock those who are humiliated. It may be tempting to respond with sarcasm, joking, or even just ignoring those around us who have suffered the hurt of embarrassment or the sting of rejection. A wise person has said, “Never let humor triumph over holiness.” Ask the Lord to give you a spirit of empathy so that you can minister to those around you who feel ostracized. Just as happened to David, these relationships may become some of your most treasured.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Chronicles 21:1-7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. - Psalm 20:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Though working in orbit on the international space station, Russian cosmonauts Valery Korzun and Sergei Treshchev could not escape filling out paperwork for the national census. In October, 2002, the Russian government, carrying out its first post-Soviet-era census, felt that accurate information was vital for future planning and had mounted a publicity campaign to persuade people to cooperate. The participation of the two cosmonauts was supposed to encourage others to do the same—their questionnaires were delivered via spacecraft and returned in the same way. No doubt their forms traveled the furthest, and without a stamp, no less!

David wanted to take a census. While nothing is intrinsically wrong with a census, in this case it represented his pride and lack of faith. By counting the fighting men of the kingdom, he wanted to quantify exactly how “strong” he was, exactly how much “power” was his to command. This attitude contradicted his previous trust in God's strength and power. By contrast, Paul asserted that “the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength” and “when I am weak, then I am strong” (1 Cor. 1:25; 2 Cor. 12:9-10).

Joab saw David's sin and took a tremendous risk by both rebuking the king and not completing the task as ordered (vv. 3, 6). He didn't count the Levites and Benjamites, probably for religious reasons—the Levites were ministers, not soldiers, and the tabernacle at Gibeon was within Benjamite borders. This all took about ten months, meaning that the king was rather stubborn in his wrongdoing.

We're told that Satan incited David to take the census (v. 1). A parallel passage in 2 Samuel 24, however, says that God was angry (the reasons aren't specified) and incited David. We see similar descriptions of other situations; the afflictions of Job is one example. We're not always told the “behind-the-scenes,” but we can trust that God's just and sovereign will is done.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In what do you put your trust? Make a list. It might include your weekly paycheck, your children's love, your pastor's sermons, your particular skills and abilities, a certain person's loyal friendship, and so on. These are all necessary and good in their own way, but have they risen too high on your scale of values? Imagine how you might pray if you lost one of these people or things. Then offer up your list to the Lord, pledging anew to trust Him first and foremost and thanking Him for these blessings in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
All Scripture is God-breathed. - 2 Timothy 3:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
The world's most valuable book is now available to scholars and browsers on the Internet. This two-volume Gutenberg Bible owned by the University of Texas was printed in Germany in the 1450s and used in monasteries as late as the 1760s. The university library carefully scanned the linen pages and used special software to enable good quality viewing online. As one scholar said, “This is probably the most extensively annotated and corrected copy surviving. This is a very great treasure.”

The Word of God is indeed a very great treasure. Our devotional theme for 2006 is “Every Good and Perfect Gift: God Supplies Our Needs.” Throughout the year, we'll consider with grateful hearts the many ways that God provides for our needs and blesses us above all we can ask or imagine. These first few months will focus on some of His greatest gifts, including the Word, the Holy Spirit, and the Church.

This month's study will begin by considering the qualities and effects of the Word, then move forward to our proper relationship and responses to it. Several principles will guide our study: the Bible as we have it today is the text that God intended, and all of Scripture possesses the same qualities. Thus, when a Scripture passage refers to specific parts of the Bible, we may apply what it says to the whole Bible. This month has a theological orientation, but we'll keep our eyes fixed on the fact that the Bible is a gift intended to enrich and transform our lives.

That the Bible is “God-breathed” or “inspired” is the reason for its power (v. 16). This description characterizes the words of Scripture as breathed out by God and emphasizes their divine authorship. While God did not overrule the human authors' unique personalities or distinctive vocabulary, He made certain their words would convey only what He intended. As a result, the Bible is useful for “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” That is, it shows us truth, is the standard to which we conform, and is essential for true discipleship or being “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (v. 17).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we begin this month's study on what the Word of God is and how it works in our lives, why not think about upgrading your own knowledge of Scripture? One good way to do this is through Moody online and independent study courses. Check them out by visiting www.moody.edu and clicking on “Distance Learning Center.” One of them just might be a great way for you to learn more about “Every Good and Perfect Gift” of God!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Peter 1:16-2:3
Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. - 2 Peter 1:21
TODAY IN THE WORD
An English businessman is marketing “Sprayonmud” for SUVs that don't actually go anywhere rough or outdoorsy. “Sprayonmud is an urban camouflage designed to give the impression that you are a serious off-roader,” he said. He's been doing brisk business selling it from a Web site for $14.50 per quart, and by the time you read this the product is scheduled to have its own North American distributor.

Sometimes the genuine and the fake are difficult to distinguish. One fact we can count on, though, is that the Bible is the real thing, truthful and reliable from top to bottom. Arguing for the authority of the gospel message preached by himself and the other apostles, Peter appealed first to the fact that they were eyewitnesses (1:16-18). During the Transfiguration especially, God clearly revealed Jesus' identity and glory as His Son.

To strengthen his argument, Peter next appealed to the prophets of the Old Testament (1:19-21). They too had spoken of Christ. How could they have known? Humanly speaking, it was impossible, so Peter explained that their prophecies had in fact originated in the will of God. “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” The point is that God is the ultimate Author of the Word, and that Peter's readers can thus have complete faith in its truthfulness. In that case, they would “do well to pay attention to it” and be guided by it until “the morning star rises,” that is, until Christ returns and His truth reigns supreme (cf. Rom. 13:12).

Living in the light of God's truth won't be easy—greedy false teachers will “bring the way of truth into disrepute” (2:1-3). Instead of listening to their made-up tales and taking their road toward destruction, we must take our stand on God's special revelation in Scripture.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you watched a sunrise lately? Try to do so sometime in the near future. As the first fingers of gold and crimson stretch across the sky, reflect on this verse: “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (1:19).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 1:1-4
I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning. - Luke 1:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Thucydides, author of the History of the Peloponnesian War (written around 424 B.C.) is regarded as the first true historian. He included concise, objective, and detailed descriptions of events in a war between Athens and Sparta, along with analytic commentary. In addition to using his firsthand knowledge as a former army general, Thucydides interviewed eyewitnesses, examined battle sites, and studied war-related documents. He wanted to report the truth as accurately as possible.

Luke approached writing his Gospel narrative with the same attitude. Before writing, he had “carefully investigated everything from the beginning” and was well aware of fulfilled prophecies and oral traditions handed down from eyewitnesses (vv. 1-3). As was the case with Peter yesterday, Luke stressed these first-person accounts, as well as noting his own research, both within the context of the proclamation of the gospel message (the “eyewitnesses” were also “servants of the word”). Though his point here is not to give a detailed description of the process of divine inspiration, we do see part of the human dimension of God's supernatural work of inspiration.

Luke wrote an “orderly account” that would strengthen believers' faith and give them confidence in the “certainty of the things [they] have been taught” (v. 4). “Theophilus” means “friend of God” or “one who loves God” and is almost certainly a general address, as when writers used to begin, “Gentle reader.” New believers might have wondered about the stories and doctrines they'd been taught. Luke wanted them to know that the facts had been checked, that their faith had foundations.

Part of the Bible's overall truthfulness is its historical reliability. Our faith is built on facts, chief among them the fact of the Resurrection. Christ's resurrection from the dead is not just an inspiring concept, symbol, or tradition, but an historical event that occurred at a specific point in space and time.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One of the classic chapters of Scripture, 1 Corinthians 15, is based on the historicity of Christ's resurrection. If this key event never actually happened, wrote Paul, then we ourselves have no hope of resurrection, and in that case “we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Cor. 15:19). Take a little extra time in your devotions today to read through this entire chapter.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 30:1-6
Every word of God is flawless. - Proverbs 30:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Many music lovers regard Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, including its famous “Ode to Joy,” as the height of artistic perfection. Certainly one anonymous buyer thought so, as he was recently willing to pay $3.47 million at auction for the final 575-page manuscript, which was made by a copyist but is marked with revisions and comments written by Beethoven himself. Sadly, the composer had been deaf for eight years by the time this symphony was first performed in 1824, so he never actually heard his own masterpiece.

Whether Beethoven's symphony is “perfect” might be debated, but there can be no debate about the “flawless” perfection of Scripture (v. 5). Agur, a wise man about whom we know nothing beyond this passage, set the stage with exaggerated statements of his ignorance, thus emphasizing God's omniscience, and rhetorical questions highlighting God's power and authority (vv. 2-4; cf. Job 38-39). In one breathtaking verse, readers are swept up to the heavens, overwhelmed with the forces of nature, and confronted with the Holy One who established all this and holds it in the palm of His hand. The question “What is his name?” effectively means “Not yours!”

Given who God is, how could Scripture be any less than “flawless”? This word is also translated “tested,” meaning “purified,” like metal refined in a furnace. God is wise, holy, powerful, and great, so His words must also be acknowledged as wise, holy, powerful, and great. A clear implication is that they are utterly trustworthy, which explains the parallelism that follows. Because God's words are certain and true, He is our shield and refuge.

Given who God is, we dare not presume to “add to his words” (v. 6; cf. Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:19). This doesn't mean, though, that God has stopped speaking in modern times. As we know, He continues to guide us through experiences, tradition, leaders, and other means, but these sources must always be checked against the Word.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The lyrics to the chorus, “Refiner's Fire,” say: “Purify my heart, let me be as gold and precious silver. . . . Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire is to be holy, set apart for you, Lord. I choose to be holy, set apart for you, Lord, set apart for you, my master, ready to do your will.” In light of Agur's longing for “knowledge of the Holy One” in today's reading, close your devotions today by singing this song or reading through these lyrics as a prayer to the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Galatians 3:6-19
It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. - Luke 16:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the most stifling defenses in football history was the “No-Name Defense” of the 1972 Miami Dolphins. The unit allowed only 18 touchdowns in 17 games, while intercepting 26 passes and sacking the quarterback 34 times. Though they had no big-name players, with the possible exception of linebacker Nick Buoniconti, they helped propel the Dolphins to what remains to this day the NFL's only perfect season.

Perfection is a rare commodity, yet in today's passage we see once again the perfection of the Word. Every detail matters, even the “least stroke of a pen,” as today's verse affirms. No wonder God told Jeremiah: “Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word” (Jer. 26:2).

The perfection of Scripture is seen in its details. Part of Paul's argument in Galatians 3 turns on a minor grammatical point—the difference between singular and plural. “The promises were spoken to Abraham and his seed. The Scripture does not say ”˜and to seeds,' meaning many people, but ”˜and to your seed,' meaning one person, who is Christ” (v. 16; cf. Gen. 12:7). That is, the promises given to Abraham were fulfilled specifically in Christ (v. 19).

The perfection of Scripture is also seen in its overall themes. Justification by faith is not a new idea that suddenly sprouted in the New Testament, but one found throughout the Old Testament and Jewish history. Abraham was saved by faith, and all who believe in this way are children of Abraham (vv. 6-9).

The Law's purpose was never to bring redemption, nor can it do so (vv. 10-14, 19). God had planned to save the Gentiles all along. The “one story” of the Bible is the story of God's promise of salvation in Christ, available to all through faith. And as shown through Paul's personification of the Word (v. , God has given Scripture an active role to play in the unfolding of redemption history.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Many of us regularly use only one translation of the Bible. But different translations can often help us read Scripture in a fresh way—we may actually pay attention to the words since we can't skim through familiar phrases. To explore and compare various English translations of the Bible, you could get a parallel edition, which shows four or more translations side by side. As you read, ask the Lord to show you truths in His Word that you may have missed before.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 4:1-12
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. - Psalm 145:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that initial published studies claiming that certain drugs or treatments work often do not hold up over time. Researchers examined 45 highly publicized research reports published in 1990-2003 in three well-known medical journals and found that 16 percent were contradicted by later research, with another 16 percent cast into doubt. For example, Vitamin E pills were thought to help prevent heart attacks, but that was later discovered to be untrue. The editors stated: “A single study is not the final word, and that is an important message.”

By contrast, the Bible is consistent across history. What was true yesterday remains true today and will be true tomorrow. How? Even when the human authors couldn't foresee or understand clearly all the ideas and images in their words and messages, the ultimate Author was God, who plans and governs all (cf. Heb. 13:. The Word is, after all, His Word, and in the end it reveals His person, perspective, and plan, which is far greater than our limited human perceptions of situations and change. This consistency is part of its perfection and yet another reason why we can consider it absolutely reliable or trustworthy.

Like yesterday's reading, Romans 4 argues that the doctrine of justification by faith is not new, as illustrated in two of Israel's greatest heroes. Abraham was saved by faith not works (vv. 1-3), and David rejoiced in the blessedness of free, undeserved forgiveness (vv. 6-8). To those who still doubted the global scope of God's redemptive plan, Paul pointed out that the initial promise to and faith of Abraham pre-dated the sign of circumcision (a sign of chosenness). The implication is that there are actually two branches on Abraham's family tree (vv. 11-12).

An “eternal kingdom” (see today's verse) does not change its essential nature over time. The Bible's words always hold up!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
To dig deeper into this study of Scripture, you can explore various branches of theology. Systematic theology and historical theology can both add greatly to our understanding of the Bible. This might be as short as a look at a doctrinal outline in the back of your study Bible, or as in-depth as reading Is There a Meaning in This Text? The Bible, the Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge by Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Zondervan), available at www.christianbook.com or at your local Christian bookstore.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 19:16-30
He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature. - 2 Peter 1:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
Cell phones equipped with tiny digital cameras captured some of the most memorable images from the London subway bombings last July. People on the scene could transmit text, photos, and even video nearly instantaneously, bringing a sense of personal immediacy to headlines and news reports. One individual, for instance, sent a picture of passengers trapped underground near the King's Cross station, their subway car stopped, the air heavy with smoke from the explosions.

Similarly, the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament contextualize John's Passion narrative with timely urgency. The prophecies fulfilled during Christ's crucifixion drive home the point that God's words are a sure thing. Specifically, John mentioned that gambling for Jesus' garments matched a prophecy (v. 24; Psalm 22:18). Generally, he also pointed out that Jesus had chosen to do all that He had done “so that the Scripture would be fulfilled” (v. 28). We've read the past two days how God's plan of redemption in Christ was not “new,” much less “plan B,” but had been revealed in Scripture long before. At the time of Christ's intense physical and spiritual suffering, it's instructive and humbling to see that obedience to God's Word was uppermost in His mind.

The certainty of biblical prophecies and promises illustrates again the reliability and trustworthiness of the Word. “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Num. 23:19). Even more succinctly, “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). No wonder the psalmist celebrated: “I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil” (Ps. 119:162). But as today's verse emphasizes, God's promises are not just about “what's in it for me,” but an avenue to personal holiness and a close relationship with the Holy One (cf. 2 Cor. 7:1).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Given that God's promises are as good as “in the bank,” putting several into your “memory bank” is always appropriate. Choose several biblical promises that are precious to you personally and commit them to memory. If you need a place to start, here is a particularly beautiful promise: “He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth” (Isa. 25:.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 22:18-21
Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God. - Deuteronomy 4:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1833, New Hampshire Baptists affirmed: “We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.”

Human attempts to add to the Bible display at least two sinful attitudes. The first is disrespect. Failing to treat special revelation as a sacred process governed by God devalues the Word. As Moses knew in today's verse, such a careless attitude brings about disobedience—the point of respecting Scripture is keeping God's commands. Those who want to evade or modify them have their own ends in mind rather than God's glory.

The second sin is pride. Are we really so conceited as to think we can add to God's Word? As described on January 4, God still speaks to us today, but those words and leadings need always to be tested against the Word.

This is serious business. Deuteronomy calls down curses on anyone who alters God's words. John warned that the same judgment executed on the beast and his followers awaited anyone who added anything to the prophecy of Revelation (v. 18). Those fearsome events are described in chapter 16, including blood in the water, darkness, and drought. He also warned that eternal life would not be in store for anyone who subtracted anything from God's words (v. 19; cf. Rev. 22:1-5). False teachers, beware!

The final line uttered by Jesus in Revelation is: “Yes, I am coming soon” (v. 20). From this day until that one, by grace we must live in His truthful words.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Given the number of popular misconceptions and even lies about the canon (the books of the Bible), it's helpful to read more about the formation of the canon to understand how we got our Scriptures. From God to Us, by Norman Geisler (Moody), would be a good choice for newcomers to this topic, and Origin of the Bible, by F. F. Bruce, J. I. Packer, Philip Comfort, and Carl F. H. Henry (Tyndale), is helpful for those looking for more information.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 5:17-22
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. - Isaiah 40:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
A famous American novel little more than a century old is embroiled in textual controversy. Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage was published in 1895, following many changes and cuts to his original manuscript. In 1982 Norton and Company published his original, arguing that Crane made the changes under pressure from an editor who wanted a more upbeat tale. The Norton editor claimed that only in the original does the main character, Henry, grow meaningfully through his Civil War experiences.

The Bible also has some passages where scholars disagree about the specifics of the text. But most of textual variants are minor, and none calls into question any fundamental Christian doctrine. From the perspective of faith, we can have complete confidence that the Word we have is the Word God gave. As today's verse makes clear, the words of God are eternal.

That's why Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, meaning to “complete” or “enflesh” them (v. 17). Temporal words can be abolished, but not eternal words. In God's unfolding of historical revelation, we see His master plan of redemption. Jesus meant “fulfill” not only in the sense of fulfilling the details of specific prophecies, but also revealing or incarnating the overall meanings and themes of Scripture. As found in all four Gospels, His life and teachings clearly do so.

Scripture is eternal, which is one of its essential qualities (v. 18). Once again, we see that the Bible is perfectly reliable and trustworthy, a point spotlighted in the dramatic hyperbole “least stroke of a pen.” As a result, our relationship to the Word should be one of sincere obedience (vv. 19-20). As opposed to legalists and hypocrites, those who practice God's commands “will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Because God's Word is what it is, our response should be to joyfully follow, obey, trust, stand on, and live by it! Nothing else in life is more reasonable.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
How would you describe your current relationship to the eternal, perfect Word of God? Do you just open it randomly from time to time? Do you read it critically, reserving the right to reject some portions? Or do you read it with a humble heart and an open mind? Do you approach your daily time in the Word as a meeting with your beloved Shepherd and Friend? As you honestly evaluate your relationship with God and His Word, know that the Shepherd offers grace to you.