Christmas is almost here. Just a few more days and we will be with loved ones opening presents. The next time I will be posting will be after Christmas, so I wanted to remind you of something. While Christmas tends to be remembered as the holiday of gifts, it is not the true reason we celebrate Christmas. On that day we celebrate the birth of Christ. We celebrate that on that day our Lord and Savior came into this world to fulfill what was written. Jesus Christ is the center of Christmas. Therefore, while you open your gifts, don’t forget to thank God for the birth of His son and for everything that birth signifies.

            In the past few weeks, I have talked about some of the gifts that God has given us. There is the gift of joy and the gift of security. The third gift is where you can find the first two gifts and all other gifts that God has given us…the Bible. Most of the time people look at the Bible as just another book. However, it is more than just a book. Within the confines of its pages, we find joy, security, encouragement, hope, direction, courage, fulfillment, and so much more. This “book” is the gateway to understanding who God is and everything He has in store for us.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

            Everything you need can be found in the Bible. In times of hopelessness, you can find scriptures that will fill you with hope. When you are feeling alone, you will find scriptures that reassure you that He is always with you. If you are scared, in His word you will find scripture that gives you the courage you need. If you are feeling weak, He will encourage you and show you, in His word, that He is your strength. The Bible is where you can go to find direction when you are lost and reassurance when you can’t seem to find answers. This is more than just a book.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12

            Recently, I had been afraid because of some news I had gotten. The fear was enough to disrupt my sleep. I was awakened at 4 am on Thursday. I couldn’t sleep. So, I started to pray and talk to God. As I talked to Him, I was reminded of two stories. The first was the story of when Jesus was asleep in a boat during a storm (Matthew 8:23-27). The second story was when Jesus walked on water during a storm (Matthew 14:22-33). Now, the thing I want to emphasize about both these stories is that in both stories there was a literal storm in which Jesus found Himself in. Also, in both stories, Jesus’ disciples were there with Him in these storms.

I have read these stories several times before and I always focused on the miracles that He performed and on the reactions of the disciples. However, this time I focused on the way Jesus reacted. Keep in mind that these storms were pretty severe. The way we know that is because of the reaction of the disciples. They thought they were going to die. So, you know that the wind must have been strong, the waves must have been huge, and they were taking on quite a bit of water. Yet in both cases, the storm didn’t even phase Jesus.

            In the first story, Jesus was sleeping. When you sleep you are in your most vulnerable state. Anyone of us would have woken up from how bad that storm was. Not Jesus. He slept. He was confident in knowing that even though there was a raging storm around Him, that God was taking care of Him. In the second story, we see Jesus walking on water confidently through a storm, while His disciples were terrified in a boat. He was not afraid. For a split second, Peter had the confidence to talk towards Him, but unlike Jesus, he let fear and doubt settle into his heart and began to sink. The faith Jesus had is overwhelming.

As I lay there in bed, being reminded of these two stories, I found the peace and confidence I needed. I was blessed by something I had read in His word. I always am. His Word is one of the greatest gifts that He has given us. I can’t begin to tell you the many other times where reading His word or remembering something I read in His word has blessed me. The Bible is more than just some book. It is the living word of God Himself.

“having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,” – 1 Peter 1:23

As Christians, it is easy to forget to spend time in His word. We have busy schedules and can’t seem to find time to fit in a few minutes to read the Bible. If and when we do have time, we spend that time doing other things. I, myself, am guilty of this. We cannot say that we don’t have time. We have the time…we just don’t put in the effort to make time. All it takes is a few minutes. Even if it’s just to read one chapter. You never know how one chapter can bless you. When we spend time with Him, by reading His word and by praying, our lives are transformed. Everything in this world is temporary, but God’s word lasts forever.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” – Isaiah 40:8