THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Norma Hilstead was 14 years old and the daughter of a golf pro. One morning she went out for a practice round. The first hole was a par 5. She hit the ball down the middle, laid up the second shot conservatively, then hit her third shot close to the hole. One putt, and birdie!
The second hole was a 141 yard par 3 that ran along the railroad track. She chose a 7-iron, and made her approach to the ball. Just as she began her backswing, a train began to whistle. Remembering what her dad had taught her, she concentrated on the shot. The ball flew to the front of the green, rolled up to the hole and fell IN! HOLE-IN-ONE!
Norma went and told her dad. He, with professional sincerity, told her that was fantastic, but that she couldn't claim it because their were no witnesses. He also said, "Honey, you've got a lot to learn about golf."
About two weeks later, a letter came in the mail addressed to "The Young Girl at the Pro Shop." The letter was from the engineer on the train congratulating Norma on her hole-in-one! Norma showed the letter to her dad. He said, "Now you have to buy everyone a cold drink!"
Norma suspected there was STILL a lot mor about golf she didn't know!
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Matt 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
KJV
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When you study in the Bible about Jesus, there's a LOT MORE to learn!
The Bible is only 66 little books. After 52 years of study, you'd think I'd know ALL of it. But I don't. And I'm still learning NEW things everyday!
For instance, let's look at the passage of Scripture above. First, Jesus calls to we who "labor and are burdened." We labor daily in sin. It is a burden of which we cannot rid ourselves.
Secondly, Jesus tells us that if we come to Him, we will find "rest." The only way we can ever find "rest" from sin is to surrender to Jesus.
Thirdly, Jesus tells us that we should "take my yoke upon you, and learn of me." The yoke symbolized a school which a rabbi taught. If we surrender to Jesus, we should enroll in His school.
Fourthly, Jesus tells us that He is "meek and lowly in heart." Jesus is humble, tender, loving, and kind. When we learn of Him, and learn more about Him, we "find rest" for our soul's burden of sin.
But fifth, Jesus tells us that His "yoke is easy," and His "burden is light." To enroll in His school is easy! And the burden of servanthood is so much lighter when borne to Jesus rather than to sin!
It's easy to enroll in Jesus' school. There are no forms to fill out and no dues to be paid. Just surrender to Jesus as LORD, and allow Him to become your Master and teach you.
The burden of servantship to Jesus is light! Just set aside 30 minutes to an hour for prayer and Bible study every day. And as you learn, apply what you learn to your life. You will find rest from the burden of sin by following what the Lord teaches.
And no matter how long you stay "in school," remember, you STILL have a lot to learn!
And, I don't know about you, but I look forward to GRADUATION DAY!
Love ya,
Bruce