Examine the Scriptures 2/4/13

Today is one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. In Acts17:10-15, after Paul and Silas leave Thessalonica they go to a town called Berea. The Bereans are known for not just listening to Paul but examine the scriptures to see if what they were saying was right. They did not have the Bible like we do today but they searched what they did have. I have always loved this passage. There are so many people today that just listen to a sermon and believe every word. They forget that men are all sinners and their pastor or teacher could be in error. That is why we have to be careful to read the Bible and know it. We need to be able to defend it and tell when someone is teaching wrong doctrine. We must not just read it but also check and double check what is being said. This is one of the reasons why I have always tried to read the Bible every year. This is also why I try to take notes when someone is speaking, I like to be able to go back and look up what they say. I like this passage so much that I named our homeschool Berean Quiver Academy. I also named my blog the same name.
In Matthew12:15, I was struck by the fact at how many people came to Jesus to be healed. It was not really how many came, because we are not told. It really struck me that Jesus healed them ALL. The Bible just says that there was a multitude. My first thought was if Jesus got tired. I bet he did. He never lost his patience though. He met every need and healed every one. Where did he get his strength from? It came from the fact that many places in the gospels and really all throughout the Bible it talks about meeting with God in the morning. Before Jesus began his day he spent time with his father to get strength for whatever was going to happen that day. How many times have I lost my patience with my children because I was just tired of meeting their needs. It seems like they all need something at every moment of every day. It is exhausting sometimes. They all need me and I want to show them the love of Christ in everything I do but sadly, I fail everyday. My prayer is that I will start my days with God and continue to rely on his strength throughout the day so I can show my children a small glimpse of the love, compassion, mercy, grace, and patience that Christ showed the people who came to him.

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