APRIL 5

James 1:18

WORD OF TRUTH

The word of truth, the wonderful Bible you hold in your hands, is the Christian’s ‘bread and meat’. We don’t literally eat the Bible, of course. What we mean is spiritual nourishment. By feeding on it, we can grow and our faith in God is built up.

Not reading the Bible regularly will stunt our growth and affect our walk with God. We will also not do the things that God wants us to do. How we are converted is by hearing the word of truth that the Holy Spirit uses to convict us of our sins and turn us to the Savior. Hearing God’s Word is the starting point to believe in Jesus. No one can be saved if the gospel is not proclaimed. God’s Word is powerful. It changes attitudes and behaviour.

Long time ago, there were people who were professional Bible readers. A Bible reader is someone who reads the Bible to needy people. Bible readers used to visit prisons.

There was a particular Bible reader who approached the jailor and requested to go into a cell where the worst kinds of prisoners were kept. Having been warned of their evil behavior and of the danger to be alone with them, the Bible reader told the jailor that he was ‘armed’.That surprised the jailor. Does that surprise you? What do you think ‘armed’ means?
Answer: _______________

Reluctantly, the jailor granted him permission to go into the cell alone. The door was locked behind him after he stepped into the cell. Facing these burly tough-looking men, the Bible reader took his ‘weapon’ out of his pocket. He just read a portion of the Bible aloud. e prisoners listened in silence. At the end, he asked them, "Would you like me to come tomorrow and read to you again?"

The daily reading continued. On the 13th day, as usual the Bible reader turned up but he was told that no one was in that cell any more. He thought that the prisoners had got into trouble. To his amazement, the jailor said that they behaved so well that they were transferred to a more lenient cell.

What does this tell us? Men with wicked ways and bad tempers were led to behave better through God’s Word. God’s Word can change people.

Thought: How has the Word of God changed you?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me read the Bible daily and, please change me by it. I can be so stubborn and sel sh and think I’m almost always right, so please help me, Heavenly Father. In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.(Story adapted from ‘How God Used A understorm’ by J R Beeke & D Kleyn)