I LOVE A GOOD MYSTERY NOVEL!

 

I love a good MYSTERY. One of my favorite authors is TERRI BLACSTOCK. She is a Christian author and writes wonderful mysteries that always involve redemption. I haven't read a fiction book for quite a while even though I have several on my list. I need to add those to my Sabbath day activities. I am like most people when I begin to read a mystery novel I always have to try to figure it out before I get to the end. AND I would have to say, more often than not, I figure it out. But there are always many twists and turns that throw me off. On occasion I am wrong! LOL! 

I also think many people read the Bible like a mystery novel. We treat it like a mystery to be solved. I am convicting myself as well as many of you. I am not sure reading the Bible as a puzzle is the best approach. I have heard the Scriptures described as a LOVE STORY and as an INSTRUCTION MANUAL. I can understand both descriptions. I also view the Bible as a STORY of GOD. God reveals himself through scriptures in a unique autobiography. Regardless of which description you prefer there are things in the Bible that are unclear and many people set their life work to "CRACK THE MYSTERY."

One such example occurs in Isaiah 14:

"HOW you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, 'I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High. Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths." (Isaiah 14:12-15, NLT)

SO many people think this is talking about Satan's fall from heaven. It seems to fit better in context to be talking about either Nebuchadnezzar or Sennacherib who were mighty kings at the time. They were in positions of power and then they quickly lost all their power. The meaning of this passage could be either of these or it could have dual meaning. I do not believe God intended us to put time and energy into trying to answer this MYSTERY. Instead, I believe God intended us to learn from the common mistake made by many powerful people. The REAL MESSAGE of this passage is -- Pride, power, and popularity in the world's eyes can only lead to a GREAT FALL. All power and glory belong to the Lord, not man, not kings, not political parties, not pastors, and not great business leaders. 

While there are many mysterious, unexplained parts of the Bible, God will speak to those who truly pursue him. He will NOT be a mystery to those who genuinely love him. We are told if we SEEK WE WILL FIND. IF WE KNOCK THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED. God is not trying to hide from us and he is not trying to give us a WHO DUN IT that needs to be solved in order to reap our heavenly rewards. 

Do you want to discover the mystery of scripture? Ask God to be Lord of your life? Repent, accept the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and accept the gift of eternal life. If you do that the MYSTERIES of SCRIPTURE will be revealed every time you touch those wonderful pages!

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!