Christian

What Does God Say About the Bible?

Should we interpret the Bible in terms of our culture? Do God’s Words mean something different today than when they were written? We must look to the Word of God itself for the answers. What does God’s Word reveal?

Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 (emphasis mine)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16 (emphasis mine)

There may be verses that we don’t understand yet. But someday we will. God says,

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

In his excellent article on Postmodernism Christian Movements, Bruce Cooper describes Progressive Christianity as: “a contemporary Christian movement that seeks to reinterpret traditional Christian beliefs and practices in light of modern perspectives and societal changes.”

But God says, “I the Lord do not change.” Malachi 3:6

To twist the meaning of Scripture to suit ourselves will only dull our Sword and contribute to our own demise! In effect, we shoot ourselves in the foot!

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8

If we don’t prepare ourselves by reading the Word daily, we will be like a soldier going into battle who doesn’t know the intelligence report or the battle plans! Jesus explained it this way:

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-27 (emphasis mine)

Notice that in verse 24, Jesus said, “Therefore”. That means that the “house built on sand” analogy does not stand alone, but is in reference to the preceding verses, which say,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23

Pause and reflect on that for a moment!

We live in a time of great deception. Our culture believes things that shock the senses! It is becoming increasingly difficult to speak the truth because we don’t want to be called a hater or be hated. But Jesus said,

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:18-20

During our current times and in light of current events, those verses take on greater meaning than ever before.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4

How amazing that the Bible, written 2,000 years ago, is so pertinent to the world today and all its problems!

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Why Were the Pharisees So Blind?

Honestly, I just don’t understand how the Pharisees could be so blind! Jesus did countless miracles, many never seen before (healing the blind), yet they refused to listen to Him. They refused to consider what He had to say. In fact, they wanted to kill Him.

“Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.” Mark 3:6

They refused to listen to Jesus because they were not looking for or desiring the Truth. They certainly didn’t love the Truth. This should be a warning to us today, because the consequences of not loving the Truth are dire.

” … wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

This is the downfall of many people. Just like the Pharisees and teachers of the law, they love what they want to believe more than they love the truth. This is willful ignorance, which is different from innocent ignorance.

Willful ignorance is a deliberate choice to ignore or reject clear knowledge of God, often stemming from a desire to follow personal preferences. Whereas innocent ignorance is unintentional.

Five hundred years before the advent of Jesus, the prophet Zechariah warned God’s people:

This is what the Lord Almighty says:These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falselyI hate all this,” declares the Lord.

Therefore love truth and peace.” Zechariah 8:14-19 (emphasis mine)

We don’t have to be ignorant of the Truth. God’s Word is truth.

Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Did you know that the Bible is the best-selling book in history? It is estimated that between 5 and 7 billion copies have been printed! It has been translated into over 700 languages! And, the Bible is selling significantly more now than ever, with sales in the U.S. experiencing a multi-year boom since 2021, setting new records in 2024 and on track to exceed them in 2025!

God has given us the source of Truth, and it is readily available. May we embrace this priceless gift!

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

A Time of Great Delusion

2-minute devotion for Tuesday, 12/30/25

To understand what is happening in our world today, we must be students of the Bible because if we aren’t, we will be at great risk of being deceived by our enemy, Satan. Everything we hear or read must pass the litmus test of God’s Word.

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1

Paul is talking about Christians in this verse!

Our culture is at odds with the teachings of the Bible, and Christians are not immune to deception. The only safeguard against deception is to know the TRUTH. God’s Word IS TRUTH. Discernment comes to those who love and diligently study God’s Word.

Few churches are speaking out against the evils of our time, such as antisemitism, transgender ideology, sexual perversion, and abortion. These evils are not new. They have been in the works for a long time.

Antisemitism around the world has increased dramatically. And pressure to support anti-Christian ideologies is alarmingly strong. The Church must speak the Truth. It is vitally important!

Americans don’t live in a culture with a Judeo-Christian worldview anymore. Will we compromise or stand for the Truth? Consider the words of Jesus,

 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” (Revelation 12:9) (Emphasis mine)

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (Emphasis mine)

I don’t know about you, but I want to be free and I want others to be free, too.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:6

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Spread the Good News

1-minute devotion for Friday, 12/19/25

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?”

“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:3-4a and 3:8-9 NLT Read full chapter

My thoughts: Now is the time to spread the Good News, while Jesus tarries.

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Keep Planting Those Seeds!

1-minute devotion for Monday, 12/15/25

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 NIV (emphasis mine)

My Thoughts: Keep planting seeds because it is God who will make them grow. If you know very worldly people, figuring out how to share the Gospel can be overwhelming. Maybe they are neighbors or co-workers you care about. May this verse encourage you to keep planting seeds! Pray that the Lord will make them grow!

In His Love, Cindy

Christian

How Can I Gain Wisdom?

1-minute devotion for Sunday, 12/14/25

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 NIV

My Thoughts: To fear the Lord means you wouldn’t dare exalt your own opinions and desires above God’s Word. Trusting God’s Word is the secret to this treasure.

In His Love, Cindy

Christian

Is The Bible Relevant in the 21st Century?

(Updated and revised)

I heard a pastor say something that sent shock waves through me. In an attempt to draw unchurched people to Christ, this popular pastor is teaching his flock that the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is not essential to following Jesus. (I find that really hard to accept since Jesus Himself taught from the Old Testament!)

Even more shocking is how easily people accept it! That’s why I feel compelled to write about it. The Old Testament is vitally important because everything in it points to Jesus. The more we study the whole Bible, the better we will know God.

“The Word of God is complete – both the Old and New Testaments flow together as one divine story of redemption. To disregard one and elevate the other is to dishonor the Author who gave us both – the same God who used the Old to confirm and fulfill the New.”

amir tsarfati

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”
2 Timothy 3:16 (emphasis mine)

Once the enemy convinces the church that we shouldn’t base our beliefs on the Bible, he can bring forth all kinds of deception and lies that will be gobbled up by itching ears. Without the Bible, the church is destined to embark on a path that gradually resembles the world more and resembles Christ less.

The importance of Bible reading can not be overemphasized. If we read more books about the Bible than the actual Bible, well, we are treading on dangerous ground. But isn’t that what people like to do? It’s the lazy way out. Don’t let someone tell you what the Bible says, unless you have read it for yourself first.

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17

Yes, maybe our churches will grow bigger and faster if we present a message that mirrors a secular worldview, but is that really a good idea?

Jesus said,

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13

My purpose in writing this post is not to criticize, but to highlight the vital importance of reading, studying, and knowing God’s Word for yourself, and to warn against any teaching that does not honor God’s Holy Word. A cursory knowledge of the Bible is not good enough. For the Bible is the only criterion with which we can discern truth from error.

I challenge you to read the entire Bible within one year. It’s easier than you think! I have done it for the last seven years. In fact, I plan on doing it every year from now on. Why? It’s both beneficial and easy to do! Once you do it, you’ll want to do it again. I promise!

I’ve been using a chronological Bible reading plan where you study the Bible in the order in which events happened. I found it very helpful in gaining a better understanding of the Biblical timeline. And it requires only a few minutes each day.

Here are three plans you can print.

Or, you can use a digital plan like this.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

The Bible guides us through life and teaches us what is true. It is indispensable!

As always, comments are welcome and appreciated.

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Putting Others First

1-minute devotion for Thursday, 12/11/25

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 ESV

My Thoughts: I’m reminded of the day, many years ago, when the Holy Spirit brought this verse to my mind in a specific situation. It isn’t always easy, but it’s God’s way and how we should live.

In His Love, Cindy

Christian

Boldly Sharing the Gospel

1-minute devotion for Tuesday, 12/9/25

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16 NIV

My Prayer: Lord, give us the boldness to freely share the Gospel with those around us.

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Can I Understand the Bible?

In my adult Sunday School class recently, someone made a statement that completely took me off guard. I said, “That’s not right.” The person informed me that what I believed was a theory that many theologians disagreed with. It made me feel like because I had not studied all the theological viewpoints, I couldn’t possibly know what was right on this subject.

So the next day, I spent several hours researching the topic. The consequence of this “debate” caused me to question my ability to understand the Bible.

Theologians debate Biblical truths. Theologians often disagree. How can we know which theories are right and which ones are wrong? After all, theologians are a lot smarter than me and they can’t even agree.

That lead me to my next question. If I haven’t been to seminary, can I understand the Bible correctly? What if I haven’t studied the theological theories which have guided denominations for years? I was challenged by these questions and left a bit shaken.

I thought, I don’t think the Bible says that the common person needs someone to interpret the Bible for them. In fact, it says just the opposite.

Jesus said that we need the Holy Spirit to understand the Bible.

Jesus said, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” John 16:12

“The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26: 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16 (emphasis mine)

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

“What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.” 1 Corinthians 2: 12

This doesn’t mean that everything is easy to understand. Not at all!

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV

“Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” 2 Timothy 2:7 ESV

“Now, to say that we can understand everything in the Bible is not to suggest that we will understand everything immediately and fully. We won’t — and certainly not the first (or second or even tenth) time through. God can give us understanding in every passage without giving us understanding of every part of a passage. He also often chooses to give understanding, not immediately, but over years or even decades. As we keep reading (and living), familiar verses will emerge with new or deeper meaning and relevance. Some questions will be answered slowly. So don’t expect to understand everything now, but expect to understand something now — and then more tomorrow.” Marshall Segal President of Desiring God

(P.S. Coming up, we will look at How to study the Bible the right way.)

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.