Christian Reflection and Prayer

All Scripture is inspired by God and is
useful to teach us what is true and to
make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

The Word Transforms

Dr. E. V. Rieu was a classical scholar
and translator for many years. He rendered
Homer into very modern English for the Penguin
Classics. Rieu was 60 years old and a lifelong
agnostic when the same firm invited him to translate
the Gospels. His son remarked: "It will be interesting
to see what Father makes of the four Gospels. It will
be even more interesting to see what the four Gospels
make of Father."

The answer was soon forthcoming. A year later, Rieu,
convinced and converted, joined the Church of England.

In an interview with J. B. Phillips, Rieu confessed that
he had undertaken the task of translation because of
an "intense desire to satisfy himself as to the authenticity
and spiritual content of the Gospels." He was determined
to approach the documents as if they were newly discovered
Greek manuscripts. "Did you not get the feeling," asked
Canon Phillips, "that the whole material was extraordinarily
alive?" The classical scholar agreed. "I got the deepest feeling,
" he replied. "My work changed me. I came to the conclusion
that these words bear the seal of the Son of Man and God."

From J. B. Phillips, The Ring of Truth. quoted by R. Kent
Hughes in 1001Great Stories and Quotes (Tyndale House) pp 28-29

Remember This:

The B I B L E yes that's the book for me.
I stand alone on the Word of God. The
B I B L E.

AAAAAAAA MEN

Your principles have been the music of my
life throughout the years of my pilgrimage.
I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord,
and I obey your law because of this.
Psalm 119:54-55 NLT

The testimony of presidents

The Bible was clearly important to many
American presidents. A few examples:

It is impossible to govern the world
without God and the Bible.
George Washington

The whole inspiration of our civilization
springs from the teachings of Christ and
the lessons of the prophets. To read the
Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity
of American life. Herbert Hoover

In regard to this great book, I have but to
say, it is the best gift God has given to man.
All the good Savior gave to the world was
communicated through this book. But for it
we could not know right from wrong. All things
most desirable for man's welfare, here and
hereafter, are to found portrayed in it.
Abraham Lincoln

Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of
your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts
and practice them in your lives. To the influence
of this book we are indebted for all the progress
made in true civilization, and to this we must
look as our guide in the future. Righteousness
exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any
people. Ulysses S. Grant

From Great Thoughts & Funny Sayings by Bob
Phillips (Tyndale House), pp 39-40

Scripture:

"Save me, O God, for the flood waters are up to my neck.
Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can't find a foothold to stand on.
I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.
I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched and dry.
My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me…
But I keep right on praying to you, Lord, hoping this is the time you will show me favor".
Psalm 69:1-3, 13 NLT

Reflection:

Actually this prayer of David's in this psalm is telling us,
"Save me, I'm sinking". Here we see a very desperate
David who can't even think of helping himself. But at
least David knew whom he needs to ask for help.
Although he was exhausted from crying to the Lord in
prayer, he kept on shouting to his God, the only one
who could see him.
When the waves of adversity threaten to drown you in
despair, PRAY TO GOD. Remember David's persistence.
AND KEEP ON ASKING GOD FOR HELP!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I am exhausted from crying for help, but I
will keep on praying to You. I know that you are there
for me. I know that you are the only one that can
really see me.