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B-I-B-L-E

Everyday we do family devotionals.
My Bible app picks a random verse of the day and we talk about what it means, etc.
I really enjoy this time with my kids and watching them as they grow, learn, and understand more deeply.

This morning's verse was Romans 15:4
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction,
that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope."

Three words really stuck out to me: instruction, endurance and encouragement.

Instruction: sometimes thought of as the only reason for the Bible, it is truly one of
the most valuable parts of it. Proverbs is one of my favorite books for instruction.
It is filled with tips for life and I often find myself discovering something new every time
I read it.

Endurance: I can not tell you the number of times that I have looked to this book for
the endurance to keep going. Stories of Moses, Joshua, Joseph, Abraham and Sarah,
and Peter have spoken to me numerous times with just the right message to take
that last step. If they could overcome the obstacles, temptations and trials and still
be listed as God fearing people than maybe just maybe I have a glimmer of hope too.

Encouragement: Read the Psalms. All of them. All the way through. Read them in
different versions (NIV, ESV, MSG) and let the encouragement from those poetic
words fill you.

God is not an angry God. He does not leave in a sulky mood pouting and promising
to never speak to you again. I know that even after some of the stupidest mistakes,
I have still heard Him whisper that He still likes me.

(Notice I wrote "like" and not "love" because growing up I knew my parents always
had to love me but I could feel their dislike when I messed up. Now as an adult,
knowing that God still likes me even after a big blunder warms my heart in a special way.)
(Talk about feeling the pressure as a parent to be careful how I imitate God the Father
to my kids, but that’s a story for a different day.)

This book and all its components together help us in an everlasting way.
It instructs me, encourages me and helps me endure.
It gives me hope.

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