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Reading the Bible is not like reading any other book. The words of the Bible are the very words of God. The Scriptures are described as a two-edged sword which “reads us” while we read it. As the Psalmist says, the Word of God is more important than food, more precious than honey, more valuable than gold.
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (Psalm 119:72) Eight reasons to read the Bible 1. Scripture saves. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16) “God saves us daily by Scripture.” Salvation has happened to God’s people, salvation is — at this moment — happening to God’s people, and salvation will happen completely at the resurrection of God’s people, and it is happening now by means of God’s Word. Paul says to hold fast to the teaching and thereby save yourself. God saves us daily by our reading of Scripture. 2. Scripture frees. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32) When Jesus said this, he was showing the Jewish leaders that, though they think they are not slaves, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires” (John 8:44). They were deceived and in need of the Messiah to set them free. That deception was so tragically deep that they couldn’t see the Messiah they needed in order to truly see. Satan is our enemy, and he is strong. We need the Holy Spirit to see and recognize Christ in our lives. As St. John wrote, I write to you, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:14) Every time Jesus was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–13), he struck back with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). The weapon Jesus chose to confront and overcome the Devil were the words from Isaiah and Hebrew Scriptures, in which he was well-versed. This is what he taught us to do. 3. Scripture imparts grace and peace. May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2) Knowledge of God gained through Scripture is not identical with grace, but Peter says it is a means of grace. If we want to be made peaceful and powerful through divine grace, Peter says, it happens “in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” That knowledge is found in one place: Scripture. (2 Peter 3:18) 4. Scripture sanctifies. Jesus prayed, Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17) Sanctification is the process of becoming holy — that is, becoming more like Christ and like God, who is perfectly holy. This is not optional. Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive . . . for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” We don’t become perfect in this life, but we do become holy. God sanctifies his people. And Jesus prays to his Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” It couldn’t be more plain, or more important. 5. Scripture gives joy. You received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 1:6) His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2) Life without joy is unbearable. The Christian life, like every life, is a life of many afflictions. It is God’s promise, though, that we will be sustained in Him and even know joy in the midst of our troubles. God sustains joy, and he does so through the Scriptures. 6. Scripture protects us from destructive error. Until we all attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God . . . so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine. (Ephesians 4:13–14) How do Christians stop being leaves blown around by cultural and theological winds and opinions? Answer: “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” — knowledge that we experience, not as the opinion of man, but as the Word of God. That’s found in one place: the Holy Scriptures. 7. Scripture is the hope of Heaven. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) The knowledge of God—all the fullness that a created being can properly comprehend and enjoy—will not be withheld from us indefinitely. The frustrations of our present limitations of understanding and enjoyment will be removed. How fitting it is, then, that we be ever growing now in what will be our final joy in the age to come. 8. Scripture gives and sustains life. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4) Spiritual life—eternal life—as with physical life, must be fed, not by bread, but by the Word of God. Reading the Bible to grow in understanding has the effect of expanding our spirit and opening us to the work and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Communion and fellowship with God is the answer to all things, and our “roadmap” to God is Holy Scripture. This Thursday night, we are gathering by ZOOM at 7:00 to choose our next book of the Bible. Come be a part of the decision process that will put you into a deeper relationship with God. Reading my Bible, Fr. Bill+
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Dear Creator Family,
This Sunday, Oct. 26th, we will pass out our Stewardship cards as we prepare for the 2026 budget. That’s an annual and important part of our common life together. We expect it. This year - something new! In addition to making your pledge, as a tangible sign of our reliance on God, our Vestry prayerfully asks that everyone place one dollar in the alms basin. Whether you are pledging by card or electronically, the $1 symbolizes the first fruit of our lives offered to God and the last measure of life returned to God. Our reliance on God is something each of us comes to know individually in various degrees at different stages and circumstances of life. Our corporate acknowledgement of that reliance as a gathered body is a powerful witness to our gratitude and spiritual maturity. I humbly ask you to participate. Unlike other financial commitments we make, our commitment as stewards of God’s creation is not an isolated decision based on the self, but a loving partnership with the Living God! When we embrace God’s command to be “Good Stewards, ” we open ourselves to the very person of God interacting in us, the tangible reality of God’s kingdom! In short, we draw closer to God and are available to receive God’s gifts. When we commit ourselves and live as Good Stewards – lovingly caring for the lives God has entrusted to us, carefully managing the possessions God has allowed us, and wisely using the resources God has given us, all in the name of Jesus Christ – we fulfill God’s will and become open to God’s many blessings. I love that we are the Church of the Creator. On our signpost, on our service bulletins – everywhere you look are reminders of our maker, author, almighty Creator. God created the universe and everything is God’s by right of creation, but God has entrusted the care of creation to us, and to the witness of salvation through Jesus Christ. Scripture says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalms 24:1) and “Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17). Let us respond accordingly, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Being a Good Steward brings Joy – Godly Joy, because that is what God promises us. Please pray for guidance as we contemplate our stewardship of God’s creation and our stewardship of witness at Creator Church. $1, Fr. Bill+ Who Is a Christian Steward?
A Response to God's Gift of Salvation According to Rev. Dr. Wayne Knolhoff, former stewardship director and consultant of the National Mission at Concordia Seminary, the reason why there are so many misconceptions about stewardship is “that when it comes to stewardship, we focus on what the steward does (stewardship) without ever talking about who the steward is (identity).” First and foremost, a Christian steward is a child of God. “The Gospel is the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ,” Knolhoff said. “It motivates the Christian steward. We love because He first loved us.” It naturally follows that “gratitude marks the life of the Christian steward.” Thus, properly understood, stewardship is a response to God’s gift of salvation, a sentiment echoed in Luther’s words: “As [Christ] gives himself for us with his body and blood … so we too are to give ourselves with might and main for our neighbor.” Second, the child of God cares (manages) for that which belongs to his Father. Roy Bleick, Pastor and writer, wrote in Much More Than Giving, “In the New Testament, stewardship … is never used to designate the action of giving, much less the giving of money … [but] relates primarily to the office of administration or management or to the implementation of a plan.” The Lord has called each of us to different vocations in the home, church and society. Under each of those vocations, we have the joy-filled duty to use all that God has given us for His purposes. Third, what belongs to our Father? Everything. James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. That means that everything—from the food on our table to our personal strengths and talents—is a gift from God. Expression of Christ-Centered Faith It boils down to this: Generosity is born of one’s relationship to Christ. It’s why we use His gifts for His purposes. Daniel Conway writes in What Do I Own and What Owns Me?, “Stewardship means letting go of my independence, my ego, my need for control, and my desire to be someone … True stewardship means that I depend on a good and gracious God for who I am and what is mine—because they are all gifts to me.” Stewardship is not limited to finances, though we think primarily about that at this time of year. If we only think of Stewardship as financial giving to the church, then our efforts are robbed of the rich, full and fruitful life that God intends for His children. The Gospel is what makes stewardship distinctively Christian in content, in method, and in motivation. The stewardship life is dedicated to the cause of the Kingdom. Stewardship is the expression of our faith. When the biblical teaching of stewardship is neglected or ignored, the consequence is depriving ourselves of all that the Lord would give us. The consequence is hoarding the gifts the Lord gives us rather than sharing them so that they multiply. In this sense, stewardship is counterintuitive. We do not gain more by keeping what we have been given; instead, in giving them away, the gifts are multiplied beyond measure. When this happens, Knolhoff says, “The congregation will be living into God’s desire for them to make disciples of all nations by baptizing them and teaching them all that He has commanded.” According to Knolhoff, some of the congregational benefits of “intentional, systematic, whole life stewardship education” include: • Operating from a perspective of abundance rather than scarcity. • Experiencing a renewed mission focus. • Increasing resources for mission and ministry. • Relishing the joy of a steward’s life following Christ. Knolhoff states, “Stewardship is what the steward does. Christian stewards understand that stewardship is the Christian life—all of it.” When one leads a Christian life of stewardship, the focus is on Christ. Trust is placed in Him that He will provide for those who dedicate their lives to serving Him with the gifts He has blessed us with. What are the consequences? In short, ignoring any part of the whole counsel of God leads to trouble: maybe it’s despair, maybe it’s carnal security, maybe it’s missed mission opportunities. As we plan for a new year, for mission and ministry here at Creator as God's Stewards, we plan for so much more than upkeep and maintenance. Our plans are for joy and peace in believing. To provide a place of spiritual possibility and community renewal. To enter into God's divine plan through our daily lives as Stewards and witnesses of God's abundance and blessing. Living a Steward's life in Him, Fr. Bill+ It's such a beautiful time of year with cool nights and sunny days. I give thanks to God for all this beauty and wanted to share this psalm of praise by St. Francis: You are holy, Lord, the only God, and Your deeds are wonderful. You are strong. You are great. You are the Most High. You are Almighty. You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth. You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good. You are Good, all Good, supreme Good, Lord God, living and true. You are love. You are wisdom. You are humility. You are endurance. You are rest. You are peace. You are joy and gladness. You are justice and moderation. You are all our riches, and You suffice for us. You are beauty. You are gentleness. You are our protector. You are our guardian and defender. You are our courage. You are our haven and our hope. You are our faith, our great consolation. You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty, Merciful Saviour. – by St. Francis of Assisi  |
AuthorFather Bill Burk† Archives
December 2025
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