And the Truth Shall Make You Free

Remember the old saying, "We don't appreciate what we have until we lose it" ? Whoever penned that line was probably speaking from experience. Many times we have to experience the loss of a possession or a loved one before we really appreciate what we had.

Could it be that we as Americans might not fully appreciate and recognize what a great thing freedom is until we lose it someday? On November 4 we have the privilege as Americans, to go to the polls and cast our vote for the next President of the USA. Pray about who God would have you vote for! Look at what each candidate stands for. Look at his values. Then go out and do your part by voting. After that, we have to leave our future in God's hands.

As wonderful as "freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, etc." is in our lives, there is a freedom we can have that is far superior to any of these. That is the freedom the Bible speaks about in John 8: 31-32....".....If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." The Jews who were talking to Jesus said to Him, "What do you mean we shall be free? We are not now in bondage to any man!" To this Jesus replied, "Verily, verily I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house forever: but the Son abideth forever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." We can never fully understand what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us except we "continue in His WORD", the Holy Bible. If we want to be free in the truest sense of the word, then we need to take advantage of having God's Word available to us in written form and read it every chance we get.

A few years ago in a meeting at church, I heard a preacher quote a poem about "the Book". It stirred my heart so that I later asked him to write it down for me. I have it written on one of the empty pages in the front of my Bible. I later found out that the name of the poem is actually "The Precious Book", written by Bernice Peyman. Here are the first few verses of the poem. To read the poem in its entirety, click HERE.

"The Precious Book"

(By Bernice Peyman)

'Though the cover is worn

and the pages are torn

'Though places bear traces of tears

Still more precious than gold

is this Book, worn and old

That can shatter and scatter my fears.

This old Book is my guide

'Tis a friend by my side

It will lighten and brighten my way

And each promise I find

Soothes and gladdens my mind

As I read it and heed it each day.

May God help us to do just that….READ and HEED God's Word each day! What a difference that will make in our lives!

God bless you!

Marilyn