Do We Really Know What the Bible Says?

    First of all, I ask for your forgiveness for not posting last week.  Our ministry here in Texas is growing, which is a great thing.  The Holy Spirit is also stirring our hearts about a possible transition in ministry, which has created lots of conversations & extra planning.  All of the that resulted in exhaustion & a complete loss of what day it actually was.  So again, I apologize for that.
    This morning, I want us to talk about something that may create some controversy, but the gospel is offensive, so I will let it do its work.  As I was preparing for last night's talk for our weekly gathering, I was stirred by the question: do we really know what the Bible says?  I'm asking this as a personal question.  Not that you recall what other people have set about the Bible, but that you actually know what it says yourself.  Our culture has become very shifting when it comes to hard issues.  However, this fact doesn't change the truth of Scripture.
   Psalm 119:11 says: 'I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.'  That doesn't say that I have stored up my pastor's word, or my Sunday School teacher's word, or this famous author's word; I think you get the point.  Our lack of storing up God's Word has led us to sayings that this:
            "When praises go up, blessings come down."
            "God helps those who help themselves."
            "God will never give you more than you can handle."

   The reality is that these statements & many like them are not found in the Bible.  Just because they sound good or you have always heard them said doesn't make them Scripture.  So, I challenge you to read the Word for yourself.  Try to read it without preconceived interpretations of what this passage means, but read it with a fresh mind as if reading it for the first time.



Saved by Grace,

Bro. Eric