Seven days without the Bible makes one week (weak).

The Bible is the all-time, heavyweight best seller of all books. Yet sadly, it may also be the least read. We like having one on the coffee table or nightstand, not to read, but to show.

A Barna survey found that 88 percent of Americans have a Bible in their home, but only about 37 percent of them read it on a regular basis. Forty percent of respondents said the main reason they were not reading the Bible was that they were too busy.

No wonder, then, that so many Christians are spiritually anemic, clueless as to God's will, and easily swayed by cultural goobledygook.

Faith is strengthened and set on fire by hearing the Word. Conversely, faith withers and wilts when we don't hear it.

As the Israelites were commanded to DAILY gather the God sent manna, so should we the manna of God's word. "Give us THIS DAY our daily bread," Jesus taught us to pray. Along with physical food, that includes food for the soul.

I have what is called a "Light Bible." When you open it, it triggers a light that shines out onto your face. I use it for illustration purposes.

But honestly, that's exactly the way I feel when I open God's Word. Spiritual light pours out and shines on my soul. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path" (Ps.119:105).

Here's the deal. When the Word of God is neglected, both individually and nationally, a slow drift away from God is set in motion.

It is much like when a person lies down in a float in the ocean to relax and catch some sun. When they lift their head up fifteen minutes later, they are stunned at how far out the tide has taken them.

Thus it is when we lie down in our complacency and forget God's Word. We wake up one day shocked at how far we've drifted!

These are dark and dire days. Our only hope is a move of God, which I believe can happen! But awakening has always fallen exclusively on those whose prayers shook heaven, and whose souls burned with the fire of God's Word!

Rule of Law

I'm all for immigration, but not of the illegal kind.

Immigration used to be about the high honor of becoming an American citizen.

Citizenship required ASSIMILATION. Those coming our way from other countries were required to be (and wanted to be) AMERICAN.

The path to American citizenship required the ability to read, write, and speak English, and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government.

In other words, you became one of us, and were proud and thankful for the ability to do so.

But that was then, and this is...not then. Now we are treated to the truly frightening spectacle of a tidal wave of immigrants rushing our borders illegally, trouncing on our constitution, defying our laws, with no desire whatsoever to be a genuinely assimilated American.

The Bible says, "...those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God..." (Ro. 13:2)

America is being invaded by hordes of willing lawbreakers. Drug cartels, gang members, and other vicious and dangerous individuals are marching across our borders with nary a concern about being stopped.

If they won't obey our laws at the first, why should they be expected to obey them once in?

And our President, who laid his hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the laws of the land, is not only doing nothing, but is actually encouraging this lawlessness.

This makes me hearken back to ancient Rome. Who could topple this dominant master of the world? The answer is--only Rome. And topple herself she did. How? Simple.

Rome bit the dust because:

*Tyranny had replaced the rule of law.

*The high officials and tax collectors cared nothing for the people's good, they cared only for gold.

*The Roman government laid heavy and unjust taxes upon the middle classes. (The middle class is the backbone of a nation. In Rome's last days they were so oppressed they ceased to exist.)

*The military had been weakened and gutted, inviting attack.

*Sensing her growing weakness, wild barbarian hordes poured over Rome's porous, unprotected borders. Lawless Goths, Visigoths, and Huns (Remember Attila?) seized the moment.

As the end neared, Roman life revolved around "bread and circuses." The government's motto? Keep the masses preoccupied with endless entertainment lest they take note of what is really happening.

They say history repeats itself because we never learn from it. Unfortunately, I would have to agree!

America is falling fast and has only one hope--a mighty move of the Holy Spirit producing deep national repentance and turning to Christ. He's done it before, and He can do it again!

Making it in the long haul

Many people start their Christian life strong but end badly. The key to making it in the long haul is cultivating the holy habit of a daily devotional time with God. So feast on the manna of Gods word before you eat your Wheaties!

First things first

Success has a lot to do with priorities. Steven Covey said, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." Of course, this requires discipline. Some people don't even like that word. But without it you live sort of a shotgun life...firing the gun and hoping some pellets hit something. 

The MAIN THING for the Christian is the kingdom of God. "Seek first the kingdom of God," said Jesus.

He gave to His followers a "first thing" priority. Something wonderful happens when we follow His command. "All these things (food, clothing, the necessities of life) are added to you. The very things the pagan, lost world live and die to obtain are sent into our life by the God Who rewards those who obey His Word!

Hence, the main thing is to start our day putting Jesus FIRST. This doesn't mean we're to become monks, moving to some wildnerness place, donning a robe, and living only to pray and fast all day. It doesn't mean we're to check out of normal life. It means FIRST in order with other things. I have made it a habit for many years now to read my Bible FIRST in the morning. Spend time with God FIRST. Give to Him my cares and prayers FIRST. Then I tackle the rest of my day. 

Put Him FIRST today and every day. God will bless you and you will also bless yourself!

Been thinking lately how life is filled with ups and downs, goods and bads, hopes and letdowns. It will always be this way until Christ sets up His kingdom. But one thing is certain--God is faithful, God is good, God is dependable, and God is watching over His own. And best of all...God's grace is ALWAYS there, weaving its way through our storm clouds like a bright silver thread. You can bank on it! And that bright silver thread of grace is not delicate, easily snapped, or frail. It is more like a steel cable that cannot be broken. His amazing grace is unstoppable, unquenchable, and unassailable. It will always win in the end. So right there, right now, in your storm, know that His grace is tied to your waist like a mountain climber's rope and will not let you go. If you fall it will keep you from dashing against the rocks. You will reach the summit of that mountain you're currently climbing and view the world from a victor's stance. All because of His grace!