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Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "Give Me That Old Time Religion"1 (Lyrics) |
There are a lot of For Dummies books available. We have a few of them around our house:
- Guitar for Dummies
- Digital Photography for Dummies
- Scrapbooking for Dummies
- GPS for Dummies
- PCs for Dummies
I must say that when I went online to see what other For Dummies books were available, I was surprised to find Christianity for Dummies.
We have another book, the Bible, God's holy Word — the inspired Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – 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 may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NKJV)
The Bible contains everything we will ever need to know about our faith. It's been around for over two thousand years. Today, there are many different versions and translations of the Bible, and there have been a lot of books written to help us understand it. One has to admit that there are lots of parts that are difficult to understand. The central theme of the Bible, however, never changes, and here is a briefer version for us dummies!
God created a perfect world. Adam and Eve sinned when they were tempted by Satan to disobey God. This brought God's punishment — death — on them and all future generations. "The wages of sin is death" (that is, separation from God). (Romans 6:23a NKJV) We are all guilty of sinning, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23 NKJV)
The good news of the gospel is that God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to pay the penalty of death on the cross for the sins of the world — our sins, yours and mine. He knew that we couldn't save ourselves. Jesus was without sin. His sacrifice on the cross has made it possible for us to have forgiveness for our sins and to have eternal life when we are willing and ready to receive these gifts from Him in repentance and faith. "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." (1 John 5:11 NKJV)
What do we need to do?
- Recognize ourselves as sinners;
- Confess our sins and ask God to forgive us;
- Accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour;
- Allow ourselves to be changed, to become new creations in Christ;
- Follow the teachings of Jesus as found in the Bible.
Prayer: Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your Word, the Bible. Thank You for giving us everything we need to know to live the Christian life. Thank You that Your Word has survived for over two thousand years. Fill us with a deep desire to read Your Word every day so that we may be willing and ready to know You more and love You more each and every day of our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Thanks Dee.
Good reminder Dee.
Dee – Thank you for your presentation of the gospel; it’s so simple, but many stumble over it, thinking it difficult. May God continue to bless you.
Amen!
Thanks for writing to us through Presby Can Daily.
Be encouraged in your well-doing.
Well said Dee!
Would to God That you list of “What do we need to do” becomes the aim of all the world.
Blessings.
Good Morning Dee:
As always, a beautiful informative and wise message. I so appreciate your positive words, “The Bible contains everything we will ever need to know about our faith.” Too often those who do not know and love the Lord are so very willing to challenge His word. It is wonderful to know there are still those who believe it to be the “inspired and true” word of God.
Hey Dee, as a now retired Engineer I so appreciate clear, concise, well referenced material. I found your devotional to be excellent.
I find myself interacting with foreign students more lately who have fantastic reading and writing skills but very limited verbal capacity yet. This little devotional is a perfect condensed summary for discussion purposes. Thank you for a devotional I will keep.
(NS)
Hello Dee:
It’s amazing that we need a book called Christianity For Dummies. Maybe it was written for atheists.
I wonder why you have sold God’s word short. You said it has been around for over two thousand years. According to John 1:1 the Word has existed from eternity. We have had his word in printed form of one sort or another for at least six thousand years.