Daily Bible Verse

My mom was always teaching me, sometimes to my utter annoyance. Almost every moment in the car was spent in discussion of the deeper meanings of life or the Bible. At home, it was always, did I ever tell you how to…and she’d proceed to tell me how to cook or clean something. Many times, I wished that I wasn’t learning something else new. My brain wanted a break.

However, as I’ve gotten a little older, I realize that my mom had a lot more wisdom than I gave her credit for. Her lessons however annoying at the time, have in fact come in handy many times in my life.

for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past – Psalm 78:2 (NLT)

God’s word can come in handy too. The lessons contained in the Bible can really help us in our walk with God. By reading about the past, we can learn and grow. And while it can sometimes feel like a lot of work, learning and being open to the Bible’s teaching can help you out in life too.

Instead of being frustrated by a Bible lessons, you can choose to enjoy learning from God’s word. The Bible has practical truths for every part of your life. If you’ll let it, the Bible can help you out in every situation that you face.

So this year, choose to let the Word of God begin to change you. Spend time in God’s word and think about what you read in it. Apply it to your life. Don’t let it become a burden or another thing you have to learn, but determine to enjoy it. As you do, your life will change and you’ll experience the power found in the Bible.

My people, hear my teaching;
    listen to the words of my mouth. – Psalm 78:1 (NIV)

I remember a time I asked my dad if I could go to get some lunch with friends after church. My dad said, “yes”, so I got a ride with a friend’s mom to get lunch. Once lunch was over, my friends and I talked a little bit, and then I got dropped off at home. When I walked into my house, I was met with a very angry dad. He asked me where I had been and asked why I hadn’t told him where I was going after church. I’m sure you can imagine my surprise, as I had asked my dad before leaving if it was okay to go.

When I told my dad what had happened, he and I both realized that even though my dad had said, “yes”, it was to the other person that he was having a conversation with after church and it wasn’t to me. In fact, my dad hadn’t even heard me ask to go have lunch with friends.

My dad not hearing me reminds me of today’s Bible verse. Psalm 78 tells us that we should both hear and listen. That might seem like it’s saying the same thing twice, but I think it’s a little like my dad and my conversation after church. We sort of heard each other, but we weren’t really listening. If my dad had been listening more closely, he would have realized I told him where I was going. If I had listened more carefully, I would have realized that my dad was responding to something someone else had said, not to my request.

The same is true when it comes to the things of God. We can hear a verse or a passage, but not really let it sink in. We’ve heard it, but not listened to it. As this new year comes, let’s take some time to do both. Let’s not just casually hear Bible truths, but let’s also listen to them. Let’s see what they have to speak into our lives and let’s let God’s word transform our lives in this next year!

Today’s Truth: Don’t just hear God’s word, listen too!

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

I know there are things that I have never taken the time to notice. For example, one day I was talking to someone about a family member and they asked what that person did for a job. And I realized, I had spent time with them, talked with them, but never stopped to ask or even think about what their career was. I honestly had to say I had no idea what my family member did. I realized that I had taken for granted that part of their life.

How many times do we read the Bible in the same way? We see a verse that we’ve seen time and time again, and never stop to take time to think about or ask about what it means.

In today’s verse, I realized I had never stopped to think about what everlasting father meant.

So I researched a little and realized that everlasting father doesn’t mean that Jesus (who the verse is talking about) is our everlasting father. Rather it refers to His character or how He treats us. He treats us not as subject, but rather as children. In His dealings with us, He isn’t a ruler who lays down the law or who demands unreasonable things from His subjects. Instead, He is like a father to us.

Jesus loves us. He goes out of His way to demonstrate His love to us. First, by humbling Himself and coming to earth as a baby. Then by living a sinless life and dying for us. Jesus doesn’t rule over us and give us what we deserve. Instead He loves us. He is the everlasting father that goes out of HIs way to show His compassion to us.

That’s good news. As we think about Him this Christmas season, we can realize that He loves us and treats us not as subjects, but as children. We can as a child would to His father, talk to Him, learn from Him, and be loved by Him. This Christmas, thank Jesus for coming and loving us deeply. Don’t take for granted what He did, but rather spend some time getting to know what He has done for us.