A Book That Can Save Lives

What in life gives people the ability to push forward, to overcome hardships, find happiness, guidance, and assurance? What do we run to in order to find answers and uncover the truth about life? Some may find this fulfillment through money, friends, or even building up themselves. However, most do not realize that the biggest tool given to us to be able to find fulfillment and encouragement simply lies in a book that is so common that people rarely care to even glance twice at it: the Bible.

                The Bible is a book that primarily reveals the character of God. Everything in it points to him and accentuates his character. In addition to describing our Lord, the Bible also shows us how to live as followers of Christ.  Reading the Word is so important because it is a model for Christians as to how to serve God, but unfortunately is very much overlooked. Recently, I have begun to really focus on reading the Bible, and have found that it is not just a boring book that is hard to understand like I assumed, but instead, every verse is a treasure that tells something about who God is, and who we are and should be as his people. I find that when I am reading the Bible in search for things that will show me who God is and how I am supposed to live my life, I am able to gain fulfillment, encouragement, and refreshment from his Word. The Bible is here to show us how to live to the glory of God, and how to reflect his character through our lives. However, most people don’t care to take the time or effort to read God’s Word because they assume that it is boring and hard to understand.

                Although it might be difficult and a bit boring sometimes to spend your precious time in God’s Word, it is what God commands us to do. He has given this book to us as a guideline for life, and we would be foolish and ungrateful not to spend time with the Lord by reading his Word. The Bible also tells us that we “shall not live on bread alone, but every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3).  Especially today, as we strive to fight against the world’s ways, it is imperative to cling to the Word of God, so that we will find fulfillment in what is just and true instead of shallow and unsteady. The Bible will offer pure fulfillment, and will draw us ever close to Christ.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%208:3&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119:11&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119:105&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2030:5&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2015:1-2&version=NIV

Building Up the Body of Christ

In today’s society, going to church is not usually perceived as an opportunity to serve and worship Christ, but rather as a time commitment, or a something that we can check of our list every Sunday. However, it is mentioned several times in the Bible that the church is the body of Christ and its purpose is to work together as one to glorify Christ. The church is also referred to as the bride of Christ, and Christ is known as the groom of the church. Because it is mentioned so many times in the Bible, it is obviously important that the church be a unity and body that focuses on serving Christ completely. A key way for a church to begin in pursuing Christ as a whole is to build up the congregation so that the church is united as one body, founded on the God as the head of the church. Today, it is imperative to have strong churches who strive to worship God, and serving Him by ministering to others. The world and all of its temptations lives to pull anyone away from knowing the truth of God’s beauty and grace, and therefore it is so important that the church have a firm foundation in Christ so that it may encourage others, and also recognize the ways of the world so that it can lead the body of Christ away from them.

                As a student in high school, I believe that being more involved in my church will encourage me to live more for Christ. Also, being part and involved in a church body provides a lot of encouragement and fellowship from other people in the church, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.   

Ambassadors of Christ

Every person in this world is called to be a missionary, or ambassador of Christ. Those who are Christians, or accept Christ as their savior, belong to Him. As stated in Song of Solomon chapter two verse four, "Christ has brought us to His banquet hall, his banner over us is love." Not only are we one in Christ, but He puts His banner or label over us so that every one else will know that we His. All those who are children of God are intended to be missionaries. It is not necessary to travel to a different country, or go to a special school to be a missionary. It is expected to be a light for Christ and show everyone around you that His banner is over you.
Last Thursday, I had the priviledge of attending a banquet in support of ROCK International,  an organization that provides underpriviledged children in Africa with food and oppertunity to hear the gospel. Nathan Bramsen, the man who helped start this organization is currently serving the Lord in Niger, Africa by being a part of ROCK International and shining the light of Christ to the children of Africa. It was an amazing experience to hear the stories from children who are being shown the love of Christ for the first time. ROCK International focuses primarily on children, and Nathan and some other men in Niger relish the precious time spent with the Nigerian children, and watching God's miracles at work.
Hearing the stories of those children in Africa and how for many, this is the first time they are hearing of the gospel, made me realize how lucky I am to be brought up in a Christian home, and be able to grow close to Christ with an encouraging church and family behind me. So much I have taken for granted in always having access to a Bible, and always having Christian influences around me. Attending the banquet and learning more about the underprivaledged children in Niger influenced me greatly, and made me realize how much I take for granted the priviledge of having people in my life who will encourage me to seek Christ.
Knowing Christ is a priviledge that is many times taken for granted, and as followers of God, we are called to be missionaries to those around us so that others will not miss out on the oppertunity to know such an amazing God. Please pray for the children of Niger and the men that are currently doing the Lord's work there. For more information about the mission of ROCK and the mission work being done in Niger, view the ROCK International website:
http://www.rockintl.org/