The other day we were talking about our favorite Christmas gifts as kids. My biggest one was a bicycle that I got in third grade. But every year, my folks were creative.

One year I received a printer’s kit. It contained a large stamp pad with lines. I would carefully put individual letter stamps in each row to prepare my story. It took forever as the individual letters were tiny and kept moving around. When I finally finished the block, I used an ink pad and was able to print one fairly short paragraph. It was probably the first time that I had seen my words in a printed and not handwritten form.

I was excited.

I decided to publish a neighborhood newsletter. It was hard! I had to come up with news, write the story, set the type, ink it and print it. I quickly discovered that there as little going on in our neighborhood and the “Jill Mullins” newsletter was over.

When I think of the Word of God, the Bible, I often consider how old it is. And, no matter how hard folks worked, I cannot imagine the years scribes struggled to keep its text right. If I was frustrated with a relatively new process of printing, the work to maintain the scripture must have been so difficult.

I have only one explanation of why the Bible has survived through the centuries – it is the Word of God. He made it happen. God protected His Word. God used men, their personalities and curcumstsnces, to record His Word but man would have failed eventually. God did it.

John and I read the Bible through every year in addition to other times of study each week.

But if you have never read the Word of God, let me share some of my favorite sections.

You don’t have to tell me that it “feels” like God is speaking directly to you – I know that He is! It is the Word of God, written down by man, but given to us by our Heavenly Father!

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

(Jesus said) l have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (Psalms 34:4-5, 8)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17)

Friend, Just like He prepared and protected His Word for us, He sent Jesus to take the penalty for our sins.

The thought of His love overwhelms me.

Love,

Jill (just one if God’s kids)