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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Sheltered CURRENT TV SERIES Songs of Encouragement

Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you… --2 Corinthians 6:17 If a stranger looked at your life objectively, would they come to the conclusion that you are a follower of Christ? Take into consideration what your tastes in entertainment say about you. What about your language, ethics, and relationships. Now, what I’m about to say is essential if you and I intend to serve Christ: We are called to separate ourselves from the world. You see, it’s impossible to make a difference in the world if we’re not different! I’ll even go a step further. The churches and Christians who are most like the world are the ones that do the least amount of good for Christ Jesus! Do you know why? It’s because these people love themselves more than they care about a lost and dying world. It’s tragic and it’s true. There are people who call themselves Christians who’d rather have their own way and secret vices than to align themselves completely with Christ and to stand for him. What about you? Are you willing to lay down your own rights and wishes in order to be a light to your friends and family? Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Come out from among the world and become a messenger of Christ’s transforming power! It’s impossible to make a difference in the world if we’re not different!

How We View the Bible

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
1 Thessalonians 2:11–13

When Sir Walter Scott was dying, a friend came to visit and asked if he could do anything for the great author. Scott asked him to read a little. The friend, looking at the vast library filled with histories and novels, including many Scott had written, asked which book he should read. Scott replied, “Why do you ask that question? There is but one book—bring the Bible.”
The most precious resource we have is the Word of God. We take our ready access to the Scriptures for granted, but for most of history, only a few people had copies of the Bible that they could actually read. And even today there are many people that do not have even one verse of Scripture translated into their language. In fact, it is estimated that over a billion people do not have the Word of God available in their native tongue.
Yet with our multiple copies of the Bible, do we fail to read and treasure what God has spoken to us? How many Christians take the time to give thanks to God for the gift of the Bible? How many hold it in high regard, refusing to put their own opinions or the opinions of others over what God has declared? The Bible is perfect, the revelation of the purpose and plan of God for our lives. We should read it and heed it and treasure it as long as we live.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Treasure the Bible—read it, memorize it, meditate on it, and live by it every day.