Happy New Year 2022! I'm about to join a group of ladies in a Bible study called "Open Your Bible" published by She Reads Truth. As we begin a new year, I am committed to making the study of God's Word a daily priority. Not just hearing His word or reading His word, but STUDYING His word. His word is a treasure, a vast store of goodness and truth. In a time when our faith can be shaken, it is the LORD whose "pillars are firm" (Ps. 75:3). Nothing else is. No one else is.
Alistair Begg says in his devotional book TRUTH FOR LIFE regarding Jesus' invitation in Matt. 11:28-29 to come to him for rest:
"Each of us needs to hear these words, because there's not one person who isn't figuratively pushing around a wheelbarrow filled with all the cares, responsibilities, fears and failures that make up his or her life."
If we're not careful, we let culture or worldly values dictate our moral compass - that set of values that guides our decision making.
Jesus' words in John 15:1-8 tells us that if we "...abide in Him and His words abide in us", we will bear much fruit...fruit that lasts. As 2022 begins, "bearing fruit that lasts" is one of my goals...fruit that comes from knowing God and His word. I believe one of God's purposes for us is to look a little more like His Son each year. We will not know His purposes for us if we do not know His word. I encourage you to join me in a commitment to Bible study this year...and every year to come until He takes us home!
For further study: Deu. 11:18, 2 Sam. 22:31, Ps. 119:9, Prov. 30:5, Isaiah 55:10-11, John 1:1-5, John 16:13, 2 Tim. 2:15, Heb. 4:12, James 1:25.
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
