Walking the Talk!
A reading for Thursday, January 30, 2014: John 5:30-47
What's the most Biblical city in America? In a recent survey done by the American Bible Society, America's most Biblical city is Chattanooga, TN. Last year's number one was Knoxville, TN. In fact, Nashville is listed as number 13 in this year's survey and Memphis is number 26. The state of TN is still clearly the Bible belt of the united states. More than any other state, TN takes our Bible seriously.
The question is... What difference does this make for faith and life in our community? Do we demonstrate all this Biblical literacy? Is life better or worse in our state, and especially in cities that boast such a emphasis on God's word?
Jesus said, “You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life." Jesus called those that followed to embrace Him and His Spirit just as much as the knowledge we gain from reading and studying scripture. It's not enough simply to have information. There must be life and action from all that information, or we have missed something important.
The good news for us today is that we are given yet another chance to live for Jesus and for the ways of God's people. Love God and love yourself and love others today. Look for the presence of God in another human being, and be kind and gracious knowing they are created in the image of God. Serve another even if there is nothing in it for you. Volunteer at a non-profit, pray for your family, laugh without reserve at yourself, cry without hesitation for the sorrow of another, build up the good, tear down the bad, visit a friend in need, and in so many other ways live the life of faith in Jesus name.
We have a slogan that goes out on every newsletter from our church, HPC. It says simply... "Walking the Talk!" I urge you to do just that today. Let's make sure our pride in our Biblical literacy translates to a fully lived life of faith. Whether or not you live in Tennessee...
What's the most Biblical city in America? In a recent survey done by the American Bible Society, America's most Biblical city is Chattanooga, TN. Last year's number one was Knoxville, TN. In fact, Nashville is listed as number 13 in this year's survey and Memphis is number 26. The state of TN is still clearly the Bible belt of the united states. More than any other state, TN takes our Bible seriously.
The question is... What difference does this make for faith and life in our community? Do we demonstrate all this Biblical literacy? Is life better or worse in our state, and especially in cities that boast such a emphasis on God's word?
Jesus said, “You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life." Jesus called those that followed to embrace Him and His Spirit just as much as the knowledge we gain from reading and studying scripture. It's not enough simply to have information. There must be life and action from all that information, or we have missed something important.
The good news for us today is that we are given yet another chance to live for Jesus and for the ways of God's people. Love God and love yourself and love others today. Look for the presence of God in another human being, and be kind and gracious knowing they are created in the image of God. Serve another even if there is nothing in it for you. Volunteer at a non-profit, pray for your family, laugh without reserve at yourself, cry without hesitation for the sorrow of another, build up the good, tear down the bad, visit a friend in need, and in so many other ways live the life of faith in Jesus name.
We have a slogan that goes out on every newsletter from our church, HPC. It says simply... "Walking the Talk!" I urge you to do just that today. Let's make sure our pride in our Biblical literacy translates to a fully lived life of faith. Whether or not you live in Tennessee...
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