Sometimes we read passages of Scripture that seem to be at odds with the reality of life in this world. So what do we do then? Deem the Scripture to be untrue, unreliable, or out-of-touch? Of course not. We must is dig deeper for understanding. Every part of Scripture must be understood within the whole. This means that we need a firm grip on the larger story the Bible is telling. This larger story helps us to make sense of smaller parts of the Bible and make sense of our own stories. As we grow in our understanding of the story of Scripture, we come to understand why our lives will never be without struggle. But we also discover grounds for unshakable hope for the future and the source of our ultimate security.

More Messages from Nancy Guthrie | Download Audio

From Series: "CCEF Conference: Living Scripture "

Christian growth catches fire where life and Scripture meet. We change when, in the midst of our day-to-day joys, sorrows, sufferings, and sins, we encounter Jesus Christ through his Word and find his grace and mercy for our time of need. We help others change when, in the midst of their day-to-day joys, sorrows, sufferings, and sins, we point them to Jesus Christ through his Word to find grace and mercy for their time of need. Scripture tells us that this is an ongoing process. The stories of our lives are to be shaped and reshaped, again and again, so that we might be increasingly transformed into the character of our God (2 Peter 1:4). But how do we find the intersection between life and Scripture? Connecting the stories of our lives with the redemptive story of Scripture is often challenging. There are certain life struggles that defy an easy appeal to the Bible. Can we really find hope and practical help in Scripture for complex and thorny problems? What about hope and help for the ordinary, day-to-day struggles common to all: conflict between family members, financial strain, and vocational decisions? And what do we do with passages of Scripture that seem irrelevant to our lives? How are the directions for building the Tabernacle and consecrating the priesthood (Exodus 25-30), genealogies (1 Chronicles 1-9), a personal appeal to a slave-holder (Philemon), and much of the book of Revelation applicable to life? Can we find hope and practical help from these passages as well? How does Scripture apply to our lives, really? This conference will increase our confidence that Scripture is not only relevant but essential to helping us navigate life in all its beautiful and distressing complexity. It will demonstrate how the Redeemer Jesus Christ meets us through his Word. It will teach us how to see and embrace the life-giving connections between our lives and the Bible, giving us hope and clarity both in our suffering and in our struggles with sin. Once we see them, these connections form the building blocks for all counseling and ministry to others. Used with permission. This recording is copyrighted by the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). This recording is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws and may not be reproduced, transmitted, displayed, prepared as a derivative work, or performed in any form without the prior written consent of CCEF. The distribution of this audio is done with full permission from CCEF. All rights reserved. For more information on classes, materials, speaking events, distance education and other services, please visit www.ccef.org.