Thursday, January 29, 2026

           Billy Graham had a tradition of consistently using a three-word phrase whenever he preached.  The phrase was this, “the Bible says.”  Graham noted that those three words tended to capture the attention of the audience unlike anything else that he said.  When people heard those three simple words—only twelve letters total—they tended to sit up straighter and lean in more attentively to hear what was coming next.  There was a visual and palpable response from the audience.  Those three words carried authority.  Graham was not giving an opinion—rather he was delivering the very truth of God to his audience. Even still today, the Bible’s authority is greater than that of any man or woman—no matter how intelligent or talented he or she may be.
            The Bible makes a great claim for itself.  In his second letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Three claims stand out for us to see and know.  First, the Bible’s origin is with God.  ALL scripture is God-breathed—God inspired it, God sent it and God stands behind it.  The Bible is not a collection of simply good literature or self-help information.  It is God’s message to us; and it stands timelessly.  The Bible reads the same at twelve noon or twelve midnight.  It reads the same in Africa, Asia or North America.  We can be grateful that God has given His Word to us and entrusted us to learn and gain from it.  It really is impossible to grow as a follower of Christ apart from Scripture.
            Second, the Bible is very practical.  It is not a collection of theories and philosophies that have little or no connection to the daily lives we lead.  Not at all.  The Bible teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains us to be and live righteously.  It works on and shapes our character, words, motivations and actions.  It shows us who we are and directs us to God’s better ways.  It shows us how to be better spouses, parents and neighbors.  It teaches us the importance of living justly, showing mercy and walking humbly each day.  It tells us that this life and this earth are not the end.  There is a new world coming one day.  The Bible teaches us how to pray, how to be honest in our financial dealings and how terribly important it is to love our neighbors as we would want to be loved in return.
            Third, our lives go much better when we are grounded in scripture.  The Bible says we are thoroughly equipped for every good work.  We are not caught by surprise by the things that life presents to us.  The Bible helps us to stay on our toes—alert to Satan’s temptations and schemes.  No matter what we may encounter, the Bible can prepare us and anchor us to respond with God’s wisdom.  Psalm 119:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”  There is a good way to walk and live each day and we discover that good way by reading God’s Word and letting it shape us and mold us—much like a potter shapes a lump of clay into a sturdy vessel that can hold water or possibly a plant.
            If you find yourself in a quandary, consider the truth and wisdom that the Bible offers.  It is much better to draw answers from “the Bible says,” than to take and choose from the opinions and ideas around you.  Others may mislead or misguide you.  Let scripture bring clarity and focus to your life each day by opening your heart to what God wishes to teach you.  It is a compliment to say that we are people of the book.  We are shaped by God’s Word and treat it with seriousness and sincerity.  May we faithfully perk up our ears to hear clearly what the Bible says to us.  Have a great Thursday!