“ALL scripture is inspired by God,” okay, I get that, that’s fine.

“ALL scripture is useful.” I’m not so sure about this part. I mean, have you ever read Leviticus? And Numbers? Those books aren’t useful for me today; are they?

Have you said words similar to these? Do you read the Book and wonder what’s so useful about what you just read? I have.

When I read through all the genealogy, I wondered. Then I heard someone else reading the story of Jacob and his wives, Leah and Rachel. I heard the woman read about Leah bearing a son whom she named Judah.

I don’t know why, but it hadn’t clicked in my brain before that Judah, the son through whom the Messiah came, was born to the unwanted, unloved wife. WOW! The encouragement and truth that comes from that!

Had I not previously followed through reading about those sons and connecting who went with who, I would have missed that yet again.

And all those numbers? They teach truth like you wouldn’t believe!

Yes, wading through some of the books is more difficult than others. I get that.

The TRUTH is, every verse in that ancient Book has something in it for you and me.

The really, really cool thing is, we can ask Holy Spirit to open the Word up to us. We can ask Him to explain this verse and that. He loves it when we strive to find Him, and He promises to be found when we seek Him with all we are.

Have you ever read a book and wished you could ask the author what they meant by *that* and why did that say it *this* way?

With the Bible you can do exactly that! As a believer in Jesus as Savior and Lord, when you open the Book, the Author is right there with you, willing to open the mysteries to you.

We can trust with no doubt that God will use the scriptures we consume to teach us truth.

He will also use them to point out to us what’s wrong in our life. Uhh… OUCH! Do I really want to deal with that? I don’t need that negativity in my life!

Ahh, my friend, true negativity is walking along blind to what God says about you and the way you are living. It’s our job to please Him, not ourselves, and I can tell you from experience that choosing Him is much better – it lowers stress, gives clarity, and provides peace. I urge you to give it a try.

Scripture corrects us and teaches us to do what is right. Isn’t that just like a loving Father to provide a way to correct us, move us back onto the right path and guide us? When we refuse that correction and guidance from Hod through the scriptures, we’re like the three-year-old who snatches her hand from Mom’s and declares she can do it herself.

God also uses every scripture to prepare and equip us for every good work. Really? How’s that work? Allow me another story.

In my daily reading, I had read 1 John 1:9 about how God forgives our sins and cleans us up to the point we can stand before Him. I studied how we get to the point of confession. I had also read (and reread) Romans 8:1, learning that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. In salvation, His power is amazing, removing the condemnation for our sins!

One evening several weeks later, I stood among a group of students as they served people living in the streets. A man came up to me and told me he was struggling with understanding the conviction of the Holy Spirit. AHA!!!! I had answers for Him!

Prepared and equipped, all because I took the time to read the pages in this Book to get to know the God I serve. Let me tell you, when this happens, your heart soars. When you realize that your daily time with God was used by God in the moment He prepared you for, you feel overwhelmed with awe.

I wholeheartedly encourage you to read the Bible. Read every word. Ask God to help you understand if it’s truth you need to know or revelation of something askew in your life. Ask Him if He is correcting you or teaching you what is right. Always watch for the moment He has prepared you and equipped you for.

Coffee, Bible, Journal.

© 2019 Faye Stoeffler Bryant