Carpe Diem

Carpe Diem
Seizing the Day by Living God's Word!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Are There Good Reasons to Believe the Bible is Indeed God's Word?

Often Christians are seen as people who check their minds at the door of Faith. According to many, Christians may be people of faith, but it is a faith based on fanciful myths and legends. Yet in reality, nothing is further from the truth. God wants us to have an informed faith. A faith that is based on hard evidence from time space-time history. Much of this evidence is from the Bible.

So that begs the question, "Are there good reasons to believe the Bible is indeed God's Word?" The answer is YES! There are numerous lines of evidence that point to the reality that the Bible is indeed the inspired ("God-breathed") Word of God. The president of Scripture Union, Whitney Kuniholm offers up his list of the Top Ten Reasons the Bible is True.  I encourage you to take some time to read through his list. Your faith will be better informed and therefore stronger as a result.

Thanks for stopping by . . . and SEIZE THE DAY by better knowing and living God's Word!
pj

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Help! I Keep Trying and Failing to Keep My Bible Reading Plan!

So many Christians set goals and adopt plans for daily Bible reading. But after a fast start, the missed days turn into missed weeks and ... all too often ... the well intended goals and plans go by the wayside. 

SO ... is this YOUR experience? If so what can YOU do about getting back into the Word and staying on track? Is there any hope?  The answer is YES ... there IS hope! Please take a moment to read this article from Desiring God Ministries. It's good stuff! 

Thanks for stopping by . . . and SEIZE THE DAY by knowing and living the Scriptures!
pj 

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Open and Read!

Our Carpe Diem, Spiritual Growth Initiative is based on the assumption that Bible reading is not merely a good spiritual discipline to practice ... but a necessary one. One of the best web sites that offers answers to questions about the Bible or the Christian faith is www.gotquestions.org. It is my "go-to" site to find quick (and solid) answers to questions that I am sometimes asked.

In answer to the question, "Why should we read or study the Bible?", the website offers the following answers:

1. We should read/study the Bible for it is God's word to us.
2. We should read/study the Bible because it is totally reliable and without error.
3. We should read/study the Bible because God does not change and because mankind's nature does not change; it is as relevant for us as it was when it was first written.
4. We should read/study the Bible because there is so much false teaching.
5. We should read/study the Bible for it equips us to serve God.
6. We should read/study the Bible for it helps us to see beyond the attractive "bait" to the "hook" in sinful temptations, so we can learn from others' mistakes rather than making them ourselves.

Wow! Those are six VERY SOLID reasons as to why we need to know the book ... and apply the book! And if you want to read more of this article, check it out here. 

Thanks for stopping by . . . and CARPE DIEM by knowing and living God's Word!
pj

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Get Active as You Read Your Bible!

Far too many Christians get in what I call the "Read it, forget it and get on with your life" rut when it comes to reading the Bible. We know we should read it. We feel guilty when we don't. So ... dutifully we check our plan (and I sure do hope you have a plan!), open (or swipe) to our assigned reading, get it done, and move on with our daily routine. Then we wonder why we don't ever see any forward progress in our faith journey!

I urge you to become an active reader of the Scriptures. It's been said that the Bible is not primarily for information ... but TRANSFORMATION. For this to happen, we must become active in our reading!

So ... what does an active reader of Scripture look like? Check out this brief article, 5 Ways to Active Bible Reading, found on BibleStudyTools.com. I encourage you to write down the 5 Ways ... and then read them before you begin reading. Ask God to help you  become a more active reader of His Word. It will make a huge difference in your life!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj