Last night is snowed...AGAIN. The weather is the topic of conversation these days. The other day, I was talking with a neighbor, complaining about the snow, and he just looked at me and said, "Ah, it will be ok. Spring is just around the corner." The very next day I had to speak at a funeral. Again the weather had turned. It was windy, spitting snow, and bitter cold, but as I stood behind the casket and spoke to this devastated family, I couldn't help but think that it will be ok, spring is just around the corner.

Spring is a time all look forward to because it is a symbol of renewal and rebirth. Each Fall and winter our world dies, but it is eventually reborn in spring. Therefore spring speaks of hope.  

The Bible teaches that just as the seasons come and go (Eccl 3:1-2), life is continually changing. Sometimes we enjoy our summer days and sometimes we are faced with the cold dread of winter (Job 14:1). It is during those “winter” days of life that we need to hold onto hope and remember, “Spring is just around the corner.” 

God has promised to help us weather the storms of life (1 Cor 10:13; Heb 13:5) and has given us an Eternal Spring to look forward to one day. Take heart in knowing that Winter will not last forever.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

- Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY)

A great man gave a magnificent feast. He invited many saying, "Come for all things are now ready." But as the story goes, "they all with one consent began to make excuse.” This is not just any story; it is one of Jesus' parables (Luke 14:16-24). It reveals the answer that is often given to God is an excuse.

Everyone makes them, but excuses are often simply attempts to justify our failures to take responsibility. Moses is one of the most famous excuse-givers. God called him to lead and serve, and even though Moses was in the presence of God, he still made excuses (Exodus 3:11-12, 13-22, 4:1-9, 10, 13, 10-12). What makes this passage most interesting is that God responded to every one of his excuses and set him straight. 

People still make excuses as to why they cannot serve God. What if God responded to our excuses the way He did to Moses'? Well, He does respond through His Word: 

• Man's excuse: “I haven’t got time”. God's response: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).
• Man's excuse: “Someone else will do it”. God's response: "To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is a sin." (James4:17)
• Man's excuse: “It can’t be done”. God's response: “With God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27).
• Man's excuse: “I’m just too tired”. God's response: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).
• Man's excuse: “I'll do it some other time”. God's response: “Now is the acceptable time” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
• Man's excuse: “But I don’t like to do that”. God's response: “For even Christ pleased not himself” (Romans 15:3).
• Man's excuse: “Let them help themselves”. God's response: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
• Man's excuse: “I can’t”. God's response: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

   So now, what's your excuse?

-- Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY)

I hear the question, “Have you eaten yet?” on most days. It is a call to fellowship because it is usually precedes a lunch invitation. At other times is a loving reminder from my wife who believes I skip too many meals. So, it is her reminder to not get distracted and pass up on something needed.

Have you ever noticed how often the Bible is referred to in edible terms? 

• Job declared, “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12)
• David believed the law of the Lord was “"sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:10)
• Peter encourages Christians, "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (1 Peter 2:2-3)
• Jesus taught that the Word is more essential than our daily bread. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Mt 4:4, Dt 8:3)
• Jeremiah said, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart...” (Jeremiah 15:16)
• The Hebrews writer spoke of the meat of the word, "...you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled” (Mt 5:6). So to you friend, I lovingly ask, “Have you eaten yet?”

- Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY)

Someone recently asked, “How can I get more out my Bible Study?” This is an important question to consider. Many books have been written concerning this very question, however, one does not have to read a book to be able to read the good Book. Here are a few simple suggestions:

PRAY FOR UNDERSTANDING. The Psalmist declares, “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130). The purpose of His Word is to guide and enlighten all men. As one seeks this understanding, let us not forget to ask the Father for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7).

THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT WHAT YOU READ. The Bible cannot be read in the same way someone would flip through a magazine. It must be carefully examined. In relation to study, the Bible itself uses words such as “to reason” (Acts 17:2, 17, 18:4, 19:8) and “to search” (Acts 17:11). These terms bring with them the idea of using one’s mind to investigate, discern, and examine. One has said, “Read through the text once to become familiar with it, and then read it again for a deeper look.” It is a misconception to think that just reading through the Bible will make one wise. A good student of the Bible will be careful and diligent in his/her study with the goal of rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

DO NOT ABUSE FAMILIAR PASSAGES. A person can easily skim through a familiar text and miss the great truths found within. Familiarity can cause one to overlook certain elements of the scripture. One can also bring certain misconceptions to familiar verses. It is an easy trap to make certain assumptions about familiar verses, however, close examination of it’s context is always needed to reveal truth.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS. Understanding the context is vital to the study of any text. One must consider who is speaking, who is being addressed, and the circumstances that gave rise to the passage under consideration. Most verses are part of a larger thought or argument. To understand the context sometimes it is necessary to back up to a previous verse or chapter. One seeking truth will desire to know the entire thought not simply a part of it. Paying close attention to these details will greatly help in conquering the text.

MAKE PRACTICAL APPLICATION. The Bible is meant to be applied to our lives. A successful study of it will end with one comparing the commands and principles that they have found with how they are living. “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22)

REMEMBER IT IS GOD’S BOOK. By studying the Bible you are peering into the mind of God. This is not the product of man’s imaginations, but the revelations of God. Paul praised the Thessalonians for their understanding of this, when he said, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). This is no ordinary book! Therefore the study of it must be done with much care and diligence.

 - Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY)