The Relevance & Accessibility of the Scriptures

In our content flooded culture, do you ever experience the spiritual tug of war between clarity and confusion? Maryann Rose joins the podcast to remind us of the accessible truth of the Scriptures and their ability to help us reclaim confident ground. God's word is filled with insights that will equip us for each season as we move through ambiguity and into refinement.

About the Speaker:

Maryann Rose has a Master's Degree in French Literature from Arizona State University and has been an educator and a writer for thirty years. She and her husband Keith have two married children, and they are grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. An avid traveler, reader and yoga enthusiast, Maryann loves discovery and adventure. She and Keith make their home in San Diego, California. 

Episode Notes

“The Bible was true in it’s inception, and is true today”

In a content-filled culture, we have a lot of opportunity to collect ideas. 

1. The Bible is the authority: 

• 2 Tim 3:16-17
  • Useful- this ancient book is useful!
  • Bible equips us, guides us. In every season and in each aspiration to His glory.
  •  “We all have tons of content from which to choose these days and I’m encouraged by so much of what I read and the ‘influencers’ of the world, but the Bible still needs to be my main source for wisdom- and I can come to insight and conclusions on my own.”

2. The Bible is (and should be) at the center of regular Christian fellowship. 

• It is meant to be taught day-to-day by average disciples of Jesus, irrespective of title, education or standing. 
• 1 Peter 2:9
• Christianity isn’t a “Sunday” thing, it’s a daily lifestyle that should permeate every corner of our lives. 
• “The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is that there should be a long obedience in the same direction…something which has made life worth living.” -Nietzche
• Verbiage that Maryann unpacks: Refinement//Evolution; Refinement & Clarity//Nuance 
• Nicodemus reference- John 3; When people bring Jesus nuance, he gives them clarity. 

3. The Word of God is relevant for a lifetime

• Managing expectations for “quiet times”— Consistent > Ideal
• Ephesians 4:17-20
• It’s so much more than just being “good”, it is about living a life that isn’t futile. 
• Futility def: pointlessness or uselessness.
• Beware: Futility found in the influx of content available to us. 
• Hosea 10:12

What if I proceeded in faith? Being sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see? 

We can take the time to vet and evaluate our resources; hold them up to the Scriptures- to not just absorb someone else's insight, but gain our own. 

Philippians 4:8-9 to carry with you as you go into whatever comes next for you today- “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”