Applying the bible to our modern lives. That is an interesting concept that I have encountered as I have grown in my life and in my studies of the bible. So many times I hear,"Things have changed so much over the years, can we really expect the lessons of the bible to pertain to the here and now." I was a follower of that train of thought. I was a modern girl and with changes in science and society there was no way the whole bible applied to my current life. They were just stories of a time long ago.
As I grew, I came to realize that the modern girl was just a misinformed girl and I really wasn't reading the stories that were being presented in front of me, but rather, I was trying to find a counter-argument from the beginning. I was trying to prove that I was right and even though I had faith in God there were just some things I couldn't do or be expected to do. Could I blame the non-modernization of the bible for not trusting its Word and could I really have faith in God if I wasn't following the lessons given to me?
No, I could only blame myself for not reading each story with open eyes as well as an open heart and unless I embraced all of the stories from God, I couldn't have a real faith and trust in Him. Fortunately for me, my lesson was learned early and I now approach the bible and its stories in a new way and through my openness I have discovered that the bible does apply to the here and now. The bible has ageless wisdom running through each page and if you are lucky enough to really see it and apply it to your life, it really does have the recipe for making you happy. I wish I could say that since I uncovered my little secret everything is perfect and I just rattle the wisdom off each time I get frustrated, angry or upset but that is just not true. The "modern girl" that is still in me has to remember, often, to revisit the "old text" and open my eyes and heart.
Here is some advice that I treasure from the bible so much so that I keep them on my purse so when I am having a breakdown moment with my 2 & 5 year-old in Walmart, I can be reminded. While it doesn't fix the problem at hand, they do allow me to compose and think about the situation before I react.............or go back and fix my reaction (this one happens the most)!
Please share yours with me!
- All of Joshua and Judges taught me the real meaning of parental love and forgiveness.
- "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18
- "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better." Ephesians 1:17
- "Do let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
- "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities." Psalm 103:8-10
- "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
- "for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again,..." Proverbs 24:16
