Silent Alarm: Do You Really Treasure the Bible?

Alarming!  In a world where many people have suppressed the truth and exchanged it with a lie, the fact that people reject the Bible is not disturbing.  So why is the silent alarm sounding?  It is amongst the people who do treasure the Bible.

Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, brings up some alarming facts in his article, "Love For a Bible Not Read: A Call For Biblical Literacy".  Mohler writes:

Researchers George Gallup and Jim Castelli put the problem squarely: “Americans revere the Bible — but, by and large, they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates.” Researchers tell us that it is worse than most could imagine.

Fewer than half of all adults can name the four Gospels. Many Christians cannot identify more than two or three of the disciples. According to data from one research group, 60 percent of Americans can’t name even five of the Ten Commandments. Americans may demand that the Ten Commandments be posted in the courthouse, but they seem unable to remember what exactly they are.

According to 82 percent of Americans, “God helps those who help themselves,” is a Bible verse. Those identified as born-again Christians did better — by one percent. A majority of adults think the Bible teaches that the most important purpose in life is taking care of one’s family.

One poll indicates that at least 12 percent of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife. Another survey of graduating high school seniors reveals that more than 50 percent thought Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife. A considerable number of respondents to one poll indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham. We are in big trouble.

We live in the age of the internet and smartphones.  In theory, you don't need to know anything because you can just pull out your smartphone and find the answer.  Don't know how to spell paleontology, then look it up.  Don't know what is the capital of North Dakota, then look it up.  Don't know what the Bible says about something, then look it up.

There is a problem with this.  Each year at Vacation Bible School, we say our pledges to the Bible, Christian flag, and American flag (in that order on purpose).  The pledge to the Bible follows which contains Psalm 119:105: “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's holy Word, and will make it a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path, that I may not sin against God.”  God's Word must find a place in our heart, not our smartphone.  In order that “I may not sin against God” is because the Word of God has found a home in my heart.  In Deuteronomy 6:6, Moses instructs his listeners, "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart."  Joshua is instructed with the following before he leads the Israelites to take the promised land, "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success" (Josh. 1:8).

We cannot claim to treasure the Word of God if we do not know the Word of God.  The question is not how many times you have read the Bible but how well do you understand the Bible.  When you don’t understand something, dive in and research things until you find an answer.  Our life’s goal should be to know the Word of God, believe it as 100% truth, and let it be evidenced in our life.  In this, we will treasure the Bible.

Joy Overflowing

As of last Wednesday, Amanda is now a stay-at-home mommy again.  That means she left her job as an R.N. to take on a harder job of wrestling and raising 3 children full-time.

This may seem like a small announcement to you, but it is a huge change in the Denby' home.  It has been neat to see God working in us since starting a series on prayer.  We saw God molding and shaping our hearts.  God was taking Amanda's drive to pursue a career and replacing it with a passion to be a pastor's wife and mommy of 3.  As I write this, she is helping our kitchen crew clean up to get ready for the upcoming school year.  She couldn't have done this a week ago.  Also, our kids think this is cool because it is like a field trip to play in the gym.

We have learned some things over this year of Amanda working.
Less is more:
Amanda and I had been allured by this world into thinking more stuff means more happiness.  That is bogus and contrary to the gospel!  We will be selling Amanda's 4Runner because we don't need 2 vehicles any more.  While it would be convenient, we know 'less is more'.
It is a joy to sit on our back porch and watch our children and the 6 animals (yes, it's more like a zoo; the Denby' zoo) play.  It doesn't cost a dime except to feed them all.  It is cheap entertainment, but the memories being made in the back yard are priceless.

You/Me time is important:
Ever since Amanda and I have been together, she has called our alone, conversational time as "you/me" time.  When Amanda was working, she would leave the house at 6:30 a.m. and return home around 5:15 p.m., so there was virtually no "you/me" time between us as a couple, much less her with the kiddos.  Now, the "you/me" time is a treasure.  Amanda and I are studying the Bible together (I am embarrassed to say for the first time).  This is huge!  We are journeying through Romans and memorizing Romans 1:16-17.

Family Worship is back on:
We had got into the practice of having family worship (singing, reading, and praying) over a year ago before Amanda went to work.  It became difficult to continue after she began working, so it fell to the wayside.  Now, we are back worshiping together as a family.

Resolve to make memories:
One of the biggest problems we faced when Amanda stayed home before was the monotony of staying home.  The kiddos felt like caged birds and would get cabin fever.  Now, we are resolved to make memories.  The 'less is more' principle still applies.  Some of the memories are going outside or playing in the gym.  Fortunately, we are in the country, so our children will remember taking baths outside.  They love it!  Mainly because it is not in the house.

I am so joyful because I have a God-fearing, God-loving woman who has a new resolve to embrace her God-given mission of being a pastor's wife, mother of 3, and herder of 3 dogs and 3 cats.

Back to Blogging

I have been inspired to blog, again, by Thom Rainer's article.  He makes some excellent points.  Many times, there are great things that are left on the editing room floor and never make it into a sermon because there is just not enough time to touch on everything.  There may be articles that I think are good and want to interject a little commentary.  Also, there are things worth writing about that will never make it into a sermon (probably my next post).

I'm okay if this blog only has a few readers (unfortunately Amanda may be forced to be a reader/editor) because it will help me get into the habit of writing and fleshing out some thoughts.  Maybe you should blog, too!