Greetings Saints and Friends,
​“Jeremy, I want to thank you for volunteering to help me run the Vacation Bible Camp this year.” “You’re welcome, Pastor Harold. I know how important it is to continue the Bible camp. I have learned so much vital truth over the years that I have attended. When I saw the posting on the church bulletin board seeking camp counselors I thought, ‘It’s time I began sharing that truth with the people attending camp.’” “What are some of the things you have enjoyed about being at camp so often?” “I must say, Pastor Harold, like the Psalmist David, God’s creation ranks high on my list. The location of the camp gives great opportunity to see beautiful flowers in the morning, delightful and interesting animals all day, and the stars in vast number at night.” “Yes, the camp’s natural landscape helps us to teach many true Bible narratives like the account of Creation, the Resurrection, and even our daily walk with the Lord. If I ask you to share a favorite memory or teaching from a camp experience, do you think you could do that for us?” “Oh, I certainly could. It would just be a matter of choosing which one. For example, I remember one year at camp, we were preparing for the award ceremony and the celebration meal. A few of us were serving in the kitchen, preparing the special meal. The camp cook had gone into town to pick up a few supplies for dinner. As the vegetables baked with the roast, I knew it was almost time to put the marshmallow cinnamon sweet potatoes in the oven. But I realized I did not know how much cinnamon to put on them. What was I going to do? ‘Yes!’, I said to myself. I knew where the camp cook kept that recipe. When you don’t know how much cinnamon, sugar, garlic, or other ingredient to add, checking the recipe is a good idea for the best outcome. Having a sure reference in uncertain times is so very important for everyone. And no one has a more sure reference than the child of God. In His Word, the Bible, God has given us instructions for this life and beyond. That is one of the many reasons why the Bible is the best-selling book of all time. With more than five billion copies in print, translated into hundreds of languages, the Bible offers every person everything we need to know to live our best life now and a much greater life to come.
The Bible is much more than a guide on how to live your life. The Bible is a supernatural book. God used over 40 people to write the Bible. And it was not written at a weekend writing conference. God wrote His Book for us over a period of 1,500 years. The original writings were in three different languages and written on three different continents. God used kings, fishermen, doctors, tent-makers, shepherds, and others to bring His Word to us. Since God is eternal, He tells us how everything we know came to be in existence, where we came from, and why things in this world are the way they are. God even tells us what is going to happen in the future. Since the time He began to tell us of future events, many have taken place, and the rest will surely come to pass.
Another factor helping us trust the Bible is the life-sustaining impact the Bible has had for thousands of years. The Bible has withstood the attempts of kings, dictators, and whole societies to abolish it. In some countries, it is against the law to own a Bible. Its words contain a hope not found in any other religious writing and have transformed the lives of millions. The Bible promises what no other book does: eternal life, blessed hope, and peace in your heart as a gift from Almighty God.
In the days in which we live, it is very comforting to have His promises to trust in: ‘Come to Me and I will give you rest.’ Matt. 11:28 ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.’ Ps. 46:1-2
‘I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.’ Ps. 23:6 Jesus said, ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16 His life speaks not only of endlessness, but of quality of life. With Jesus, life on earth can reach a much higher quality; then in heaven it will be complete and perfect. Are you lacking the key ingredient to make your life superb? The recipe is in the Bible. Jesus died for your sins and rose again. If you trust in Him, He will wash you of your sins, wrap you in His love, and welcome you home to Heaven on that very special day. That’s His promise. Tell Him: ‘Jesus, thank You for paying for my sins. Wash me, wrap me in Your love, and help me to live for You. In Your name I pray, Amen.’” “Jeremy, everyone needs to hear that truth!”