Savannah school leaders and mayor step out against chronic absenteeism

The Bible is a big deal

the Rev. Mark Snavley

The story is told of a son, who when he left for his freshman year of college at Duke University, his parents gave him a Bible, assuring him it would be a big help.

Later, as the boy began sending them letters asking for money, his parents would write back telling him to read his Bible, citing chapter and verse.

The son would reply that he was reading the Bible, but he still needed money.

When the son came home for a semester break, his parents told him they knew he had not been reading his Bible. How? The parents showed their son where they had tucked $10 and $20 dollar bills in his Bible by the various verses they had cited.

Does it pay to be in the Bible? Much more than any currency a person might come across tucked in its pages!

It is significant that one of the Biblical names for Jesus is, "Wonderful Counselor." (Isaiah 9:6) For times of despair, discouragement, confusion, fear, anxiety, or sorrow there is no greater counselor a person could turn to than Jesus. The way you get an appointment with Jesus is to open up a Bible and sit at his feet to see what advice he has to offer.

In response to one of the devil's temptations, Jesus gave this counsel, "It is written: (in the scriptures) 'Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

If you stop and think about it, Jesus said a mouthful in that one statement alone. What food is to the physical body, the Bible, the word of God is to the soul, the inner man. A person's wellbeing is conditioned on more than what sustains them physically. The soul, spirit, and inner man needs nourishment as well. Nourishment for the soul comes from "every word that comes from the mouth of God."

You can tell when people are suffering physically from malnutrition. The signs are apparent: skin and bones, no stamina.

You can also tell when people are suffering spiritually from malnutrition; relationships in disarray, a lack of discipline or self-control, a rebellious spirit, defiance.

A steady diet of God's Word will make a difference, if what is discovered is digested.

What kind of diet are you on when it comes to the word of God?

Of God's words, it is written, "They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb." Psalms 19:10-11

By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 119

Get into your Bible. See what the Lord has to say. It will pay off and bring definite dividends.

Because God's word is true,

Mark Snavely is the pastor of Coastal Community Christian Church. He can be reached at (912) 756-3455.