I look in my Library and see Bibles in Hebrew, Greek, French, and Portuguese. In addition, there are multiple Bibles in various English translations. If that isn’t enough, I can always read the Bible translations that are on my cell phone. I am a blessed Pastor. Why do I mention it? Most of you know that my daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, Brian, and their daughters Hannah and Maggie, are missionaries to Australia. One aspect of their ministry is to lead a small, Barbee’s Grove size church. Each month their church receives a Mission Offering. They use that money to bless someone in another part of the world. In recent months, their gifts have bought Bibles for Pastors in Africa. These were men who were Pastors, but who OWNED NO BIBLE. I cannot imagine trying to preach without having a Bible. You can readily see why, when I am able, I send money to Australia with this note, “Put this gift in your Mission Fund. Bless more Pastors with Bibles”.

I have read that, in some parts of the world, a church may have only one Bible. Someone carefully separates that Bible into individual pages. Each church member is allowed to take a few pages home to read, study, and copy. At the next meeting, members swap pages and repeat the process. They value God’s Word.

I remember visiting a certain Barbee’s Grove member who has now graduated to Heaven. Most visits, she would tell me how many times she had read her Bible “cover to cover”. Then she would tell me where she was in her current journey through her Bible.

Why mention all of the above? Because the Bible is God’s Holy Word. It is the Lord speaking to us. The strongest Christians are those who spend the most quality time studying what God has said. They read and study with open minds and open hearts. Each day they allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten them concerning God’s message for that day.

How many Bibles are you blessed to own? Are they precious to you? How much Bible did you read in 2024? What are your plans for 2025? I encourage you to read often. If you are intimidated by the Old Testament, read the New Testament. One chapter in the New Testament and one chapter in Psalms [followed by Proverbs] is a good daily diet. Put a bookmark in your Bible. If you miss a day, don’t quit. Just go back to the bookmark and continue reading.
   …”Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. Psalms 119:105
   …”Thy Words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me joy and rejoicing of mine heart…”. Jeremiah 15:16
   …”The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. Hebrews 4:12
   …”Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth” 2 Timothy 2;!5
   …”All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God should be thoroughly furnished unto all good works”. 2 Timothy 3:15, 16

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. January 19—Quarterly Church Conference
5. January 26—Baptist Men’s Day
   8:00 am _ Breakfast [all are invited–Men, Women and Children]
   Guest speakers at Breakfast and during the Morning Worship Service

Let’s make God’s Word a priority in 2025

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church