The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men. Acts 17:10-12
The people of Berea received the message of Jesus with eagerness.
And they verified what Paul was teaching by looking at the Bible for themselves. By looking in the scriptures (the Old Testament, in this case), the faith of the Bereans ‘blossomed’. They understood about the Messiah and His saving work upon the cross. Jesus, became real and personal!
I have watched over the years, how this happens with Catholics. Once people who come from a Catholic experience, begin to read the Bible for themselves… their faith blossom’s like a flower. It’s as if the seeds sown in mystery (through the sacraments, etc.) grow and produce a beautiful result. The key of course, is the Word of God. The Bible promises that the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.
Want to see a Catholic’s faith blossom? Get them into the Bible… reading it for themselves, listening to it, coming to church where its preached and taught. And the results are life-changing.
Who can I encourage this week to read the Bible or come to my home Bible study?
God, thank you for the written Word of God. I am grateful for the wonderful working of Your Word in my life. May today be one in which I honor You and accomplish Your will. Thank you that today is my daughter Eden’s birthday. Touch her life and draw her close.
Today, from the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards: “Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.” I resolve the same, for the Bible says “never repay evil for evil, I will repay says the Lord”.
