God's Word is Precious to His People

          In case you haven't noticed, the world doesn't really care much for the Bible, or
      Christians, and the beliefs we hold onto dearly.

          While reading a story on ESPN.com about last week's NFL player draft, I couldn't
     help but notice a gratuitous shot the writer took at the Bible.
          That writer, Rick Reilly, who worked for Sports Illustrated for years, and now for
     ESPN.com, has let it be known for most of that time that he is not a believer, and not
     above mocking those who do believe.

          The shot he took at God's word wasn't egregious, but was totally unnecessary.  He
     was making note of the lack of excitement at the top of the draft, because everyone
     knew that the Indianapolis Colts, were going to take Andrew Luck with the first pick,
     and the Washington Redskins would take Robert Griffin III with the second choice.

          The line that drew my attention was this:  "It has all the drama of a reading from
     Paul's first letter to the Corinthians."  At first, I thought to myself, "Now why did he
     fell the need to go there and mock the Bible in that way?"

          But, then I remembered what Paul said in that first letter to the Corinthians about
     those who don't believe.


          "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us
     who are being saved it is the power of God."   1 Corinthians 1:18

         

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          While to Christians, the Bible is God's holy and inspired word, to many unbelievers
      it is just a bunch of fairy tales written long ago, with no meaning for sophisticated
     people of today's modern world.  God's word is boring to them;  they don't understand
     it and don't care to know the message that God has for them.

          "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of
     God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are
     spiritually discerned.  The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he him-
     self is not subject to any man's judgment:  'For who has known the mind of the Lord
     that he may instruct Him?'"   But we have the mind of Christ.  1 Corinthians 2:14-16

          Unbelievers are hardened toward God and His word and want no part of Him or His
     message of forgiveness and grace for those who believe.


          "The god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot
     see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  For we do
     not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus'
     sake.  For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our
     hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.'"
     2 Corinthians 4:4-6

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          Non-Christians reject the God who created them and gives them every breath they
     need to continue living.  Even though their hearts are hard toward Him, God still blesses
     them each day with abundance.


          "How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts!
          The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked
     spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.  But you,
     O LORD, are exalted forever."  Psalm 92:5-8

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          God's Word guides His people and brings joy to those who love Him.

          "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.  The statutes of the LORD are
     trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy
     to the heart.  The commmands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes."
     Psalm 19:7-8

          The word of the LORD is flawless.

          "As for God, His way is perfect;  the word of the LORD is flawless.  He is a  shield
     for all who take refuge in Him."  Psalm 18:30

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          The Bible may not be important to most of the world, but God's word is precious to
     His people!
 

          "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."  Psalm 119:105

          "Your word, O LORD, is eternal;  it stands firm in the heavens."  Psalm 119:89