<u>the</u> book
"I will announce what has lain hidden since the creation of the world." —Matthew 13:35
In Jesus' parables and in other parts of the Scriptures, we learn things that were hidden for many thousands of years before Christ. In the Bible, we learn things that even the angels did not know for thousands of years (see Eph 3:10). In the Scriptures, the Lord tells us "things great beyond reach of [our] knowledge" (Jer 33:3). The Holy Spirit works through the Scriptures to reveal "even the deep things of God" (1 Cor 2:10). " 'Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love Him.' Yet God has revealed this wisdom to us through the Spirit" (1 Cor 2:9-10). In the Bible, we receive "a mysterious, a hidden wisdom" (1 Cor 2:7).
Because of the uniquely powerful light we receive from the Scriptures, we should:
- accept the privilege of reading the Bible daily,
- take the responsibility of sharing the Bible daily,
- use the Bible daily as our prayer book,
- devote ourselves to the Bible more than to TV, other forms of media, and other areas of education, and
- abide in God's word (Jn 8:31).
Prayer: Father, may I always live in the light of Your word (Ps 119:105).
Promise: "The Lord answered, 'Him only who has sinned against Me will I strike out of My book.' " —Ex 32:33
Praise: Roxanne found that whenever she shared an insight into a Scripture passage with someone else, the Lord increased her own understanding and depth of meaning.
Reference: (For encouragement to read the Bible daily, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 29, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 31, 2002