In every war there usually appears some stories of God’s Providence. This one is from the American Civil War (1861-65).
There was a man of Company A, 27th North Carolina troops named George P. Piner. Piner was in a battle when a mini-ball shot from a Yankee musket hit him in the chest. Ordinarily the shot would have killed him. Instantly. Instead Piner survived. The reason? Piner had a New Testament in his breast pocket where the ball struck him. After recovering from the initial impact of the shot, Piner removed his New Testament from his pocket and examined it. He found that the ball had penetrated as far as the 5th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, the 21st & 22nd verses. It merely blackened the passage, still leaving it quite readable. The verses said, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou Shalt Not Kill, and whoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the Judgment, and whosoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of judgment.” That day, the only thing that stood between Piner and death was God’s Word. Fortunately he had it close to his heart.
As Christians, often the only thing standing between us and the attacks of Satan is also God’s Word. When we are armed with God’s Word we can successfully withstand his attacks. We don’t give in to the temptation to become worried. Or fearful. Or discouraged. When we aren’t armed with God’s Word then we can become wounded. We become worried. Or fearful. Or discouraged. This is why it’s so important that we read the Bible. And study it. And memorize it. And apply it to our lives.
As we head into yet another new year, give some thought and prayer about the place of God’s Word in your life. When you are going to read it? And how will you read it? Will you read it all the way through? The New Testament only? Selected passages? Will you join a Bible Study? Or study it on your own? Are you going to memorize any verses? If so, which ones?
Whatever you decide, know that making God’s Word a regular part of your routine will make a huge difference in your life!
Lord, I thank you for Your Word. I thank you for its ability to protect me from Satan’s attacks. From temptation and my own sinful desires. Guide me this coming year in helping Your Word become an important part of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
There was a man of Company A, 27th North Carolina troops named George P. Piner. Piner was in a battle when a mini-ball shot from a Yankee musket hit him in the chest. Ordinarily the shot would have killed him. Instantly. Instead Piner survived. The reason? Piner had a New Testament in his breast pocket where the ball struck him. After recovering from the initial impact of the shot, Piner removed his New Testament from his pocket and examined it. He found that the ball had penetrated as far as the 5th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, the 21st & 22nd verses. It merely blackened the passage, still leaving it quite readable. The verses said, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou Shalt Not Kill, and whoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the Judgment, and whosoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of judgment.” That day, the only thing that stood between Piner and death was God’s Word. Fortunately he had it close to his heart.
As Christians, often the only thing standing between us and the attacks of Satan is also God’s Word. When we are armed with God’s Word we can successfully withstand his attacks. We don’t give in to the temptation to become worried. Or fearful. Or discouraged. When we aren’t armed with God’s Word then we can become wounded. We become worried. Or fearful. Or discouraged. This is why it’s so important that we read the Bible. And study it. And memorize it. And apply it to our lives.
As we head into yet another new year, give some thought and prayer about the place of God’s Word in your life. When you are going to read it? And how will you read it? Will you read it all the way through? The New Testament only? Selected passages? Will you join a Bible Study? Or study it on your own? Are you going to memorize any verses? If so, which ones?
Whatever you decide, know that making God’s Word a regular part of your routine will make a huge difference in your life!
Lord, I thank you for Your Word. I thank you for its ability to protect me from Satan’s attacks. From temptation and my own sinful desires. Guide me this coming year in helping Your Word become an important part of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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