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Encouraging words from Bible or cell?

Pastor Charlie Chilton's Thought for the week column: What's more important, your Bible or your cell phone?

Date published: 5/17/2008

MANY SOURCES criticize the church of 2008 as not being "relevant."

Sermons are belittled for not being "relevant."

OK, I take the challenge: What is most important in your daily life? Your Bible or your cell phone? For most people today a cell phone is a "must have." It is a lucrative business with sales outlets everywhere. People who own them constantly use them. Those who manage funerals, weddings and theaters plead with the people to turn them off! There is a worldwide addiction to cell phone use. You can add Cuba to that list now.

A group of British psychologists recently raised it to "addiction" status by giving it a name: NOMOPHOBIA, or the fear of being separated from your mobile phone.

Do you have that phobia? When you awaken in the morning do you check for calls or text messages you may have missed while asleep? This sense of urgency about your mobile unit is the kind of urgency used to describe reading the Word of God.

"Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God," says Matthew 4:4.

Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You."

Here are a couple of simple questions: Would you think about leaving home without your Bible? How about your cell? How often daily do you check your Bible for a fresh message from God? Your cell for a message from men?

Do you ever turn off your Bible because you don't want any more messages? Do you stay "powered up" or do you forget to recharge? Have you ever sought help from a spiritual counselor because you feared you were suffering from NOBIBLAPHOBIA? (the fear of being away from your Bible).

The Prophet Ezekiel described the constant satisfaction of God's message by saying, "so I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth" (Ezekiel 3:3). Suggestion: Keep a small Bible with you always and check it often. Someone may be calling you!

PRAYER: Thank You, God, You always have a fresh message for us even when we go to our cell phone and our friends have not left us any encouraging words. Amen.

Charlie Chilton is a retired Baptist minister, missionary, author and Stafford County native who resides in Orange County. He may be e-mailed at
Email: cacfwc@gmail.com.

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Date published: 5/17/2008

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