The Bible interprets itself. Nothing unlocks the Bible like the Bible. The best tool to use when studying scripture is Scripture itself. The Bible points to Jesus. We are not the hero in this story. God chose us even in our brokenness, not because there was anything lovable about us but because he is love. And the Bible won’t contradict itself. It’s rarely either/or but often both/and. Having knowledge of the Bible does us very little good if it’s not being applied. It’s time to put the Bible into practice!

Interpreting and applying the Bible involves several key practices. First, through observation and prayer, we must recognize that the Bible requires the Holy Spirit's guidance to fully grasp it. Then, interpretation demands understanding the context, audience, and historical background to grasp the intended meaning accurately. Utilizing study tools like commentaries and concordances aids in this process, ensuring we extract meaning rather than impose our ideas onto the text. Finally, we interpret passages within the broader context of Scripture, allowing the Bible to interpret itself and guide our understanding and application of its teachings.

The Bible isn’t a book but a library, written  by many in perfect harmony, God’s plan to save the world through His son Jesus Christ! The Bible is a miracle and reliable! We may not always hear God audibly, but we can read Him in His Word! The world may change but the Word of God has been the same yesterday, today, and forever will be!

Many are trapped in the pain and even blessings of yesterday. And many are too busy chasing tomorrow. Both will cause us to never experience the true joy of today’s daily bread. The good news is that the cross of Jesus has the power to break every bond of yesterday and every fear of tomorrow! The bread He has to offer is enough to sustain us for today!

This Resurrection Sunday, we focused on Joseph of Arimathea and His interactions with the body and burial of Jesus. Did he know that the tomb Jesus borrowed, would be the tomb that Joseph should have been in? The Cross has never lost its power, and it is by the resurrection of Jesus, everything in our faith is validated! Jesus is alive!

Are you lifting God’s name above yourself? His will over your own? The name we choose to exalt will show our motives, within our message, and what we measure success by. There is only one name in which we can be saved and that’s Jesus!

Our faith did not start with ourselves; It began with the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts drawing us to Himself. When we bring our weakness to Jesus He turns it into a strength. It’s at the cross we see how broken and sinful we really are; and It’s at the cross we see Jesus as the lamb of God and our sacrifice!

Sometimes when God asks us to take a new step of faith, we want to understand the plan before we commit to taking that next step. But we are not called to understand, we’re called to obey. When we actually come to an understanding of who God is, it’s easier to surrender ourselves to Him and trust Him for His provision! How much more do we need to know the character of God in order for us to lay it all down for Him?

What we use to accomplish our goals are as important as the attainment of them. The most difficult times to trust God is when we feel our resources slipping causing us to take matters into our own hands. Don’t allow impatience to drive you to disobedience, follow God’s plan regardless of perceived consequences! 

Have you ever stopped and considered who the Holy Spirit is to you? How he is practically supposed to work in your ever day life? Let us not spend another day chasing after things that have proven time and time again that they will never be enough for us.  They will never offer the same peace, solace, joy, and comfort the way God can. May the Holy Spirit open our eyes to see just how deep His love runs for us and may our hearts be open to embrace this love.

There are wrong reasons to get married and then there are right reasons. Sometimes we learn more from what went wrong than what has gone right. It’s not just important who you marry but why you marry. When you marry for the wrong reasons, your marriage goes from relational to transactional. Trust in the Lord’s timing and provision. If you started the marriage wrong it’s not too late to make it right!