Reading Gods Word

"We need to be reasonable when we approach scripture, but we submit our reason to its revelation" (Charles Price)

This is a quotation I heard a while back and it kinda stuck with me. What does it mean?

I think what Paster Price is trying to explain is that we don't always take scripture literally or at face value. To do so would be foolish and not good exegetical practice and here is an example why? For instance in a number of places throughout the Psalms, God is described as a Rock. In Psalm 28 David says..... "To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me." Does this mean David worshiped a stone? Of course not! He is saying, that God is like a Rock, he is strong and unshakable. A literal understanding of this scripture would be most unreasonable. This is a very basic example but in some circumstances we can confuse various passages of scripture and can argue over smaller things and miss the more vital truths.

We must approach scripture prayerfully. We need to ask for the Lords help in our reading of His word so that we may understand what it says, means and what God is saying to us. By prayerfully approaching the Scripture we are acknowledging the need for God and reliance on Him in our understanding. This is where our reason needs to submit to the scriptures revelation. It is through Gods Power that the Holy Spirit reveals things in the bible to us and in fact the very scripture is a revelation, as it is Gods word to us. The scripture reveals Jesus to us and he shows us the way to the Father........ (John 14:6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." So we need to submit to Jesus and give our lives to him as there is no other way to Salvation.

Being reasonable in our study and interpretation of scripture is very important but that is not where we should stop. There should also be the working of the Holy Spirit in our interpretation and we need to allow him to speak through the word and to reveal to us all that God is saying.

Hands up if you love football?

Well, what a week its been for Manchester United and Ryan Giggs. With the arrival of Arsenal on Wednesday to the Theatre of Dreams, its surely going to be a mouth watering week in Football. The stage is set for two scintillating games, as we prepare ourselves for the semi finals of the Champions League. Tonight, an on form Chelsea side visit the European Giants, Barcelona which promises to be an epic encounter. Both teams have regularly met in the competition in recent years and there is certainly no love lost between them. While I will be licking my lips at the prospect of another master class from the likes of Leo Messi, my attention will be on tomorrows all England encounter between Manchester United and Arsenal.

United who in recent weeks have struggled with results and with the loss of Rio Ferdinand to the side looked like they were slipping and not as invincible as some pundits were labeling them have now re found form after a beautiful second half performance against Spurs last weekend.

Arsenal who looked a very weak side early on in the season, have now re found their form under the fantastic leadership of Mr. Arsene Wenger and next to Barcelona look like the most clinical side in front of goal. Unfortunately for Arsenal they cannot rely on the genius of Andre Arshavin, whose performance against Liverpool was nothing short of pure brilliance. He is not eligible to play in the competition. Yet for Arsenal all hope is not lost as they still have many weapons in their armory. The likes of Cesc Fabregas and Nasri could be extremely dangerous and all Manchester United fans will painfully remember the way in which Nasri put them to the sword earlier in the season.

There is one Manchester United player though who is worth a mention and that is Ryan Giggs. Ryan Giggs who this week was voted Player of the Year by his peers is eagerly hoping to line out against Arsenal for his incredible 800 game in a red jersey. He made his debut for United way back in 1991, in the old first division against Everton. It is an amazing thing to 18 years later see him as a hugely influential player in Uniteds future success, but I truly do. Giggs is getting older and is probably not able to play as many games in a season as he would like to, however when he does play, he appears to be getting better with age. He has adapted so well to the role of centre midfield and I for one hope that he lines up in tomorrows fixture. In my opinion, he is the only one who can stop Fabregas from controlling the game.

On another note, Fergie has been in a recent battle of words with Liverpool Boss, Rafael Benitez and this has deflected some of the attention away from any battles with his old nemesis, Arsene Wenger. I am happy that both managers have put their little squabbles behind them and have focused on the football. Hopefully this continues, but I have my doubts as there is so much riding on this semi final meeting.

Anyway enough talk, now lets get down to football!

Romania

This summer, I shall be returning to Romania to once again work with an organisation called Samaritans Purse. This shall be my fourth venture with Samaritans Purse and since its been almost 4 years since my last trip to Romania, I am full of excitement and anticipation at how God is going to challenge and use me during the two weeks. We leave on the 23rd of June and return on the fifth of July. Samaritans Purse Ireland partners with Ecce Homo - a Christian based Romanian social care organisation.

Romania has a population of 22.3 million and of that 29% are below the poverty line. The work that I will be involved in is a summer camp, which will take under privileged children for a fun couple of weeks in the Romanian mountains. The picture attached is a place we visited on a previous trip, where some of the children on the camp lived. Please bring these children before the Lord in prayer and pray that God will reveal himself to them in the midst of their difficult circumstances.

Whats that all about?

Today's the day! I have finally decided to get a little bit more personal with all my adorning fans and to share a few of my thoughts and feelings on life/liberty/love and stuff! Yes that's right, Paul now has a blog. A fairly sad looking blog right now, but a blog none-the-less. The title of this blog is 'Pressing Forward'. Right about now, I hear a few of you saying....... what is that all about? Well allow me to explain. It is paraphrased from a verse in Philippians 3:12, which happens to be one of my favourite scriptural verses. This was a verse I read in my local church on the day I was baptized. It says.... "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Paul's words were encouraging and necessary for the church in Philippi and they are also of utmost importance for me today in my devotions. The goal for me is to know Jesus Christ and that is what I am pressing towards....