"The Lenten Pilgrimage" - Day 26

Thursday, March 18th

     “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” 

                                             2 Timothy 3:16-17

     Today we ponder the value of the Bible in developing our Christian character and for strengthening our Christian discipleship.  Regular reading of the Bible won’t guarantee a life of holiness, but the pursuit of a life of holiness and righteousness is unimaginable without a commitment to the study of the Holy Scriptures.

     Perhaps it’s not an overstatement to suggest that the vast majority of people who self-identify as Christian are not as committed to reading the Bible as they believe they should be. 

     The Season of Lent invites us to engage in time-honored practices that speak to the human soul, those spiritual disciplines that can serve to order and advance our lives toward Christ-likeness and Christian maturity.

     Today, a gentle reminder.  We simply cannot grow in our faith without a commitment to searching the Holy Scriptures. 

Prayer

     Lord Jesus, we seek to know the truth you embodied as the Word made flesh.  We turn 

     to the Holy Scriptures in search of God's living word for us today.  We acknowledge that too

     often we lack the discipline to spend appropriate amounts of times in prayerful reading and

     reflection in the Holy Scriptures.  We pray for a deepening hunger for God's truth.  Help us

     to grow in our love for God's word in the pages of the Bible, finding in those inspired words

     the Word, Jesus the Christ.  In your holy name we pray.  Amen.