Friday, March 29, 2024

FAMILY FUSION: Life with the Holy Bible

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The Bible redirects my will, cleanses my emotions, enlightens my mind and quickens my total being. – E. Stanley Jones

I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE the principles of the Holy Bible as the foundation for my faith and conduct. Throughout our planet, there are diverse peoples everywhere who choose to believe in the contents of other religious texts which guide and govern their lives on a daily basis.

Thanks for the freedom of choice that the God of The Bible has given to all mankind.

For the Muslim the text is The Holy Quran and Hadith; the Buddhist, The Sutras; the Hindu, The Vedas; the Jews, The Torah and the Christian, The Holy Bible. There are of course other religions and sacred writings. The common thread that runs through all religions is that every follower believes that the person or thing that is worshipped is greater and more powerful than he/she and is able to help him/her in times of need.

I will always respect every person’s religious beliefs although I may not necessarily agree with some of their teachings. I am sure that some of the teachings of the Holy Bible may not find favour with others as well.  

My focus today, however, is on sharing a small sample of my life experiences as a result of believing and applying the principles of the Bible. In 2 Peter 1:20-21, we are given the means by which we obtained the Bible. God carefully selected about 40 secretaries to do the job of writing the sacred text so that mankind could know His heart of love.

Two weeks ago I wrote of my unusual spiritual encounter with the God of the Bible. My trust and confidence in Him did not come as a result of a fiery preacher’s sermon. As a rebellious teenager God clearly spoke to me through His creation while I sat on a rock overlooking the vast ocean. An outstanding political leader confirmed my experience when he stated in Psalm 19:1 that “the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork”. My experience with God brought me to my senses and began for me a spiritual journey of putting to the test the promises and counsel written in the Holy Scriptures.

My mind was positively impacted by the Bible.  Some time ago I shared how I failed the Common Entrance examination and could not even qualify for a government bursary. At that time I developed the feeling that failing examinations was going to be my lot in life, so I began setting up a “monument” to that belief and fearfully bowed down to it every day.

When I came into a relationship with the God of the Bible He showed me from Philippians 4:13 that I can accomplish all things through Christ who continues to give me the inner strength to do so. I was able to use that verse and related ones as well to confidently destroy that fear of failing and my academic achievements are known to many. The Bible has taught me that failing a test does not make you a failure. You can use the experience of failing as a stepping stone to success.  

My emotions were positively impacted by the Bible. I had a fun-filled childhood. I was an ardent cricketer, swimmer, fishing enthusiast and more.  However, emotionally I felt insecure and I did many things to fill that void. It was not until I began to build a relationship with the God of the Bible that He showed to me in Psalm 139:14-18 that I was very special to Him from the time of conception.  He also reinforced in the same verses that every thought He has of me is a precious thought, more than all the sand in the world combined.  With those words and many others, I have grown to the place where I do not depend on anyone to tell me that I am special to make me feel good about myself. I feel extremely secure as a result of my knowledge of what God said in His Holy Word.  

My social life has been impacted by the Bible. Although growing up I bonded with friends at school, at church and in my community, my failings and insecurities made it challenging for me to associate with certain people in some social settings. My confidence was slow in developing and breaking my shyness was not easy but over time, as I kept on reading the Bible, God has helped me to improve.

Growing to love people, both those who are lovely and those who may be difficult to love, has come about because of my knowledge and application of biblical principles. God said in St Matthew 5:43-48 that, though not easy, He gives inner power to love those who hate, despise and persecute me. I have seen it work.

My physical life has been impacted by the Bible. In 2011 when my PSA rose to an unusual level in a short time and an aggressive tumour was threatening to kill me, I was so confident in the God who told me, like He told Hezekiah, that I “will live and not die”, that I went to Israel with all that news and enjoyed the Holy Land. I refused to worry. I trusted God’s Word. God miraculously brought me through that experience and today I am still cancer free.

When I was in USVI recently, and a serious growth suddenly developed in my neck about 1 a.m. and there was no access to a doctor, the Words in Exodus 15:26, “I am the Lord who heals you” came to my mind. My faith in God’s Word came alive. I prayed and God healed me. By the next day there was no trace of that problem.

After more than 45 years of putting the Bible to the test, it continues to win my vote of confidence. I just enjoy reading and applying the principles of the Holy Bible to my personal and family life. This perennial best seller which has not been without its critics, has stood the test of time and trials for centuries and continues to triumph in the life experiences of millions.

Reverend Haynesley Griffith is a marriage and family life consultant. Email griffitharticles@gmail.com

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