The Bible is an important part of a Christian's life; in fact, we shouldn't leave home without it. We need to have its words hidden in our heart. The Bible is the instruction manual for Christian principles and living.
When I think of instructions, I recall when my wife and I bought our first dresser.
Being a guy, I thought putting together the dresser would be easy, so when the directions fell out, I tossed them aside and began the assembling process. When everything was done, and it was time to put the drawers in, to my surprise they did not go in.
After some investigations, I discovered that the tracks for the drawers were in backwards. Needless to say, that would not have happened if the directions had been used.
Our lives can be like this at times. We try to go about our daily lives without looking at or remembering what God's word says. It helps to keep us from getting everything backwards, and it also helps us to make God the center of our life.
When the subject of the Bible comes up in conversation, there are some common questions that are asked. One question asked is, "How can the Bible be relevant today?" We serve a God that is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) says, "The word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are." The Bible is as contemporary as the heart of God and as relevant as our most urgent need a heartbeat ago.
Another question that is asked is, "Why is it so important to read and memorize Scripture?" Answering this is elementary, with numerous Scriptures at our disposal. Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Psalm 37:31 says, "They fill their hearts with God's law so they will never slip from his path."
There is an old saying that says, "You are who you hang with." That same principle can be applied here -- what you fill your heart and mind with is what you become.
If we allow the word of God to have its life flow through us, we can not only have hope, we can have confidence that we are thoroughly equipped for what God has called us to.
Pat McConville is the youth pastor at Capital Christian Center.
