TODAY IN THE WORD

[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?

[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.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 6:10-18
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. - Ephesians 6:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
The samurai warriors of medieval Japan believed their swords had spiritual reality and power. These swords were always with them, from birth to death, whether in the bedroom or on the battlefield. Those who made the swords approached their craft as a spiritual endeavor, fasting, praying, and even wearing priestly white robes. They mixed and hammered layers of hard and soft steel to forge swords that excelled in both sharpness and strength. To the warriors, these swords represented their honor.

We should take the “sword of the Spirit” with equal seriousness, for its truth and power come from God. Today's reading describes the “armor of God,” by which we put on His strength rather than relying on our own (v. 10). Spiritual warfare is real, for the Devil is scheming how to put stumbling blocks in our path, and if we trust in ourselves to fight these battles we will surely fall (vv. 11-12).

The sole offensive weapon in Paul's extended metaphor is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17). Under house arrest at the time that he wrote Ephesians (v. 20), he may have been using his guards as a visual reference as he described the belt, breastplate, shield, sandals, helmet, and short sword.

While a typical Roman soldier also carried a spear, these guards wouldn't have needed one for this assignment, which probably explains why there's no spear in Paul's picture.

Hebrews 4:12-13 uses the same vivid comparison. In these verses, we understand that God's words are dynamic, purposeful, and powerful. They penetrate and judge us accurately, leaving no room for hiding or self-deception. They wound us with razor-sharp edges when we harbor sinful attitudes or actions.

Because God is the Author, His Word is effectively linked to His omniscience, wisdom, and right to judge. This truth should inspire in us humility, respect, and gratitude. The live words of a live God are a very great gift!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you have never before memorized Hebrews 4:12, today is a great time to start! If you feel overwhelmed with idea of Scripture memory, try at least one phrase a day.

The verse reads: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Peter 1:22-2:3
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. - 1 Peter 1:23
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1789, a group of mutineers put their officers on a longboat, took control of the H.M.S. Bounty, and sailed to Tahiti to enjoy a comfortable life. Fearing punishment, some of them, along with several Polynesians, later moved to uninhabited Pitcairn Island and burned the ship so there would be no evidence. Despite the South Pacific paradise-like setting, sexual immorality, jealousy, anger, alcohol, and disease took their toll until there was only one Englishman, ten women, and many children left.

The remaining Englishman, Alexander Smith, discovered a Bible in the ship's goods, and thankfully, the next-to-last man had taught him to read before he died. Smith studied the Word, decided it held the answer to the community's problems, and initiated Sunday worship and daily prayer times for the remaining people. In 1808, an American ship happening upon the island was surprised to discover a thriving group of 35 English-speaking Christians.

The power of Scripture can transform lives! As we learn in today's reading, the Word has an important role to play in spiritual rebirth and sanctification. The reading begins with a moral imperative found throughout the New Testament: “Love one another deeply from the heart.” This should be the natural result of purity and obedience (1:22). This pursuit of holiness and love should in turn spring from our salvation, which is linked with the message of salvation, the gospel (1:23; James 1:18). Being born again is a spiritual and eternal event (John 3:5-6), and the Bible is a spiritual and eternal revelation. Much more than a “good book,” it is the “living and enduring word of God,” as Isaiah had also proclaimed (1:23-25).

After being spiritually reborn, we are to “grow up” in our salvation (2:2), progressing from spiritual infancy to maturity, as displayed in increasing love and righteousness. Our motive is greater intimacy with God (2:3; cf. Ps. 34:.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
“Born again” is a popular phrase, but not everyone knows what it means. Do you? It means that when a person trusts in Jesus for salvation from sin, he or she essentially starts a new life as a new person.

But without that trust, the Bible says you are “dead in your sins” (Col. 2:13). There's nothing you can do to save yourself. If you've never trusted in Jesus, let today be the start of your new life!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Kings 22:3-20
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. - 2 Kings 22:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
A Scottish scholar working in New York found a previously unknown drawing by Michelangelo. Sifting through storage boxes at a Smithsonian museum in 2002, Timothy Clifford found a drawing of an elaborate candelabrum that he was sure was by the master Renaissance artist. “It was just as I recognize a friend in the street or my wife across the breakfast table,” he said, and leading art scholars have concurred. The museum director said, “The manner in which the drawing was discovered is straight out of a children's storybook.”

A similar story is found in today's reading, when a copy of the lost Law was discovered during Josiah's temple restoration project. Josiah was the last godly king before the Exile. Since he took the throne at age eight, his mother Jedidah should probably be given much credit for putting her son on the right spiritual path. The young king dedicated his life to the Lord at age 16 and began campaigning against idolatry at age 20 (2 Chron. 34:3-7). Jeremiah and Zephaniah also prophesied during his reign.

By the time of the events in today's reading, Josiah was age 26. A collection had been taken for repairing the temple, and the king put the priests in charge of making renovations. During this project, they discovered a copy of the lost “Book of the Law,” which may have been the entire Pentateuch or at least the book of Deuteronomy. When had it been lost? Perhaps Manasseh or Amon, Josiah's predecessors, had tried to destroy all copies in their thoroughgoing wickedness.

Hearing God's Word, Josiah responded with repentance; tearing his robes showed grief over the nation's sins. Deuteronomy 28 would have been quite clear about why God was angry with His covenant people. Thanks to Josiah's humble and responsive heart, revival came to Judah and the prophesied judgment was delayed (vv. 16-20). God's Word changes hearts, and changed hearts change history.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Creating a specific, personal narrative about one impact Scripture has had in your life can help you remember the power of the Word. It need not include a “torn robe,” and the story can be told either through speaking or writing.

The narrative might tell about a discovery, or perhaps a problem with a solution, or conviction of sin, or comfort in grief, or one of the many other powerful functions the Word performs in our lives.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Timothy 4:1-8
Everything created by God is good . . . because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. - 1 Timothy 4:4-5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Working in the early 1970s, engineers Irwin Lachman, Ronald Lewis, and Rodney Bagley designed a catalytic converter for automobiles. The ceramic converter, with which almost all cars today are equipped, turns toxic fumes into water vapor, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. In the last 30 years, this device has kept an estimated three billion tons of pollutants out of the atmosphere. Last spring, President Bush awarded each of the men a National Medal of Technology. Fighting environmental pollution is part of our stewardship of creation. Analogously, the Bible fights spiritual pollution in our lives as believers.

Since God's Word is true, anything that deviates from it is false. Through Paul, the Spirit warned the church about false teachers, who “follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (v. 1). Clearly, part of spiritual warfare is discerning truth from error. These false teachers earned a harsh description—“hypocritical liars” with hardened consciences (v. 2). What teachings deserved such strong words? Legalistic prohibitions against marriage and certain foods (v. 3).

Since God's Word is holy, it consecrates not only marriage and food, but also “everything God created” (vv. 4-5). God's purpose is that we enjoy His created blessings, receiving them as blessings with thankful hearts. We believe and know the truth that He is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17). To reject this is not merely a “lifestyle choice,” but blasphemous opposition to His purposes. This truth is integrally connected to a godly life and must be clearly taught by pastors and elders (vv. 6-8).

Despite the Fall and gnostic heresies, God's material creation remains “good” and “very good” (Gen. 1). The truth of the Word gives us the right orientations: first, a grateful focus on the Giver rather than the gift; and second, a submissive attitude to the King rather than a possessive or self-centered attitude toward His world.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 119:9-16
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
When a friend persuaded campus pastor Ben Patterson to join two other men in memorizing the Book of Revelation to recite at a Sunday evening service, he was nervous. What if he forgot the text? Would people be bored? Instead, for two-and-a-half hours, a thousand people listened, riveted by the “unplugged” Word of God. Later he and the others did the same with Mark and Romans. Writing about his experiences in Leadership Journal, Patterson said, “My thoughts are most certainly not God's thoughts, but in learning to say a passage, his thoughts may become my thoughts.”

For believers, the Bible holds unique significance and authority. This is a principle that most of us would say we agree with, but our practices sometimes don't match what we say. As individualistic Americans, we may not even realize what we're doing when we reserve judgment for ourselves, excuse ourselves from obedience because different opinions exist, or prioritize subjective feelings over solid interpretation. Such habits of thought and action tend to leave final authority in our hands rather than with the Word or the Holy Spirit.

Today and for the rest of the month, we'll be focusing on our responses to the Word. Important as it is to identify the Bible's essential qualities, as we've been doing so far, we want to apply this theology at the level of everyday life (cf. Rom. 15:4). The writer of Psalm 119 had the same goal, so he opened today's reading by reminding us that the key to righteousness is obedience to the Word (v. 9). He treated God and His words as essentially the same, as seen in the parallelism between God and His commands in verse 10. Obedience—treating God's words as authoritative—keeps our way pure and protects us from sin (v. 11).

In this spirit, the writer praised, meditated on, considered, memorized, and rejoiced to follow the Word, and he prayed for God Himself to teach him and help him obey. Understanding, doing, and delighting here go hand in hand!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Many times in the Old Testament we find the Scriptures being read aloud in a public assembly. Sometimes reading the text aloud can make us pay attention and convey its dynamic power better than silent reading.

In your personal or family devotions, we invite you to try this—read an entire book of the Bible aloud. For this first effort, you may want to choose a shorter book such as Ruth or Philippians.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 8:4-15
The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart. - Luke 8:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his personal Scripture reading, John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress, had good days and bad days. As he wrote in his autobiography, “I have sometimes seen more in a line of the Bible than I could well tell how to stand under, and yet at another time the whole Bible hath been to me as dry as a stick, or rather my heart hath been so dead and dry unto it, that I could not conceive the least dram of refreshment, though I have looked it all over.”

The Parable of the Sower shows us a range of responses to God's Word (vv. 4-8a). It shows us how much our responses really do matter—what happens to the seeds illustrates the destinies of people who react in different ways to the message of the kingdom. As a master teacher, Jesus used familiar images to reveal spiritual truths in such a way that prepared sensitive hearts to receive them (vv. 8b-10). When His disciples didn't understand, He graciously interpreted it for them (vv. 11-15).

“The seed is the word of God,” or generally, His revelation. Like a seed, the Word has its own life and power and needs only the right conditions to grow and flourish. This metaphor is used elsewhere in the New Testament, for example, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, where we learn that God assigns different aspects of “cultivation” as He pleases. He is the one “who makes things grow.”

Four types of soil, which represent responses or choices, are described: (1) people who hear but don't understand; (2) people who show only a surface faith, since testing proves its rootlessness; (3) people who seem to believe but their “faith” is strangled by earthly priorities; and (4) people who listen, believe, persevere, and bear fruit (live righteously). One commentary says that “noble and good heart” (v. 15) is an adaptation of an ancient Greek phrase meaning the whole person. This indicates that a true believer has an undivided heart toward God, which results in great growth and fruit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you wish, make plans for this spring to reenact today's parable in your backyard garden. That is, take seeds and plant some on hard ground, some in rocky soil, some among thorns, and some in good soil. This could be a family project, perhaps including progress reports and photographs or other tasks suitable to the ages of the children in your life. It will spur everyone to reflect on the spiritual truths behind Jesus' concrete illustration.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 1:1-3
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy. - Revelation 1:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
The world's largest published book has 112 pages, weighs 133 pounds, measures five-by-seven feet, and comes with an easel for display. Featuring photographs of the isolated Asian kingdom of Bhutan, it sells for $10,000 per copy, with the profits going to educational projects in Cambodia and Bhutan. Author Michael Hawley of MIT designed the book using digital image technology, and worked with a printer on the unique binding arrangements. It's not for bedtime reading, he said, “unless you plan to sleep on it.”

An impressive achievement, but still “small” compared to the glory and grandeur of the Word! Today's verses open the final book of the New Testament canon, also called The Apocalypse—a word meaning “unveiling” or “disclosure”—because it deals with events of the end times. At the time, the Roman emperor Domitian was promoting a cult of emperor worship and had initiated a general persecution of Christians. For his missionary activities, the apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos (1:9), where he saw this vision about 95 a.d., toward the end of his life.

Verse 1 tells the theme, purpose, and means of revelation for the book. The theme is Jesus Christ. In truth, all revelation is of Him and for Him. The purpose is to reveal things to come. The word “soon” indicates imminence, that is, the events surrounding Jesus' Second Coming is the next major event on the biblical timeline. It might also indicate swiftness, that is, once these things start happening they will happen quickly. Knowledge of these matters was so important that God sent an angel to help John understand. In verse 2, John swore to the book's truth as the words of God, not men.

Verse 3 is a blessing and exhortation to the reader (cf. 22:7). “Blessed” suggests God's favor, giving us deep spiritual contentment and joy. “Take to heart” means to “heed” or “guard,” implying respect and obedience. We should always live today as if Christ could return tomorrow-because He truly could!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
From today's verse, we encourage you to read through the Book of Revelation in a single sitting. The sweep of the end times and the culmination of God's plan for history found in these exciting and vivid pages may become more real to you as you read it all at once You'll definitely receive a blessing and be challenged to take the words of John's vision to heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 17:1-14
They . . . examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. - Acts 17:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the White Witch kept Narnia in a never-ending winter. When Aslan and the four children freed the land, an early sign was the appearance of Father Christmas, who spread good cheer and gifts to all he met. He gave Lucy a flask of healing oil, Susan a bow and horn, and Peter a sword and shield emblazoned with a red lion. These gifts proved very useful in the rest of the story and also appear in later books in C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia series.

God knows how to give good gifts to His children, and in fact “every good and perfect gift” comes from above (Matt. 7:11; James 1:17-18). The Bible is one of the chief among these gifts. That's why it's so important for us to be able to handle it correctly (2 Tim. 2:15). Careful study is an excellent response to God's Word, one we see commended in today's reading.

On Paul's second missionary journey, he preached to the Jews in Thessalonica. The majority of them responded with jealous hostility, driving the apostle out of town. He went to Berea, only about 50 miles away but a world apart in attitude. They genuinely wanted to know the truth, even though if Paul was right it would change their world forever. In order to judge whether his message was true, they checked his interpretations against the Old Testament with open hearts and minds. As a result, many of them did indeed trust in Christ!

The Bereans' studious attention to Scripture not only led to acceptance of the truth, but also exhibited their “noble character” (v. 11; cf. Luke 8:15). Paul himself served as a model. He had studied the Scriptures carefully. That's how he could walk into a local synagogue and prove that Jesus was the Messiah—it took three Sabbaths to go through the evidence! He preached the Word elsewhere as well, as we know from the fact that both Jews and Gentiles came to faith.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This coming Sunday, follow up on the sermon like a Berean! That is, study the Word diligently to confirm that what your pastor says is true. Remember, the purpose is not to find a mistake or misstatement so that you can call him to complain or criticize, but rather to humble yourself before the Word's power so that God can change your mind, heart, will, words, and actions, and so to cultivate the “noble character” of the Bereans.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Nehemiah 8:1-12
Then all the people went . . . to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known. - Nehemiah 8:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
“What would you do for one million dollars?,” writer Beatrice Kanner asked Americans as part of a recent book project. Sixty-five percent would live on a deserted island for a year. Sixty percent would serve six months in prison for someone else. Ten percent would “lend” their spouse for the night, and another 16 percent would consider doing so. For ten million dollars, 25 percent would desert their friends or church, and 7 percent would even commit murder.

What about ourselves? This is a soul-searching question, revealing where our values lie. When the Spirit and the Word search our hearts, what do they find? Sins that displease God, most likely, but the good news is that they not only find the disease but also bring the cure. Righteousness and revival can be brought about through the power of God.

The historical context of today's reading is the Israelites' return from exile. Ezra, a priest and rabbi, arrived in Jerusalem about 458 b.c., apparently with a copy of the Pentateuch in his possession. When Nehemiah arrived as governor some thirteen years later in 445 b.c., he got things organized enough to proclaim a public Scripture reading on October 8, 444 b.c. Today known as Rosh Hashanah, this was a special day—New Year's Day on the Jewish civil calendar, the start of the Feast of Trumpets (see Num. 29:1-6).

On this occasion, Ezra read aloud and the people “listened attentively” for about six hours (v. 3). The Levites moved among them, explaining and interpreting what was said (vv. 7-8). The people stayed standing as a sign of respect, raised their hands to exhibit praise, bowed down in humility, and wept from conviction of sin. Nehemiah, though, ordered the celebration to continue, as there would be another day for confession and repentance (Neh. 9). Their greatest reason for joy is explained in today's verse—they now understood God's Word!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you can, recall about ten biblical commands and list them on a sheet of paper. (If you can't, search until you find at least ten.) Then, as the Israelites did in today's reading, allow the Word to search your heart. How obedient are you to these commands? Do you understand them fully? Do you obey wholeheartedly or grudgingly? If there is an area of disobedience, are you praying for strength against temptation?