Oh Lord, I pray that we will learn to respect one another. Though we have our differences, we can still work together for Your welfare, God. I love Your words in the Bible, but often wonder where these scripture references come from when they are not part of our canon today. Sure, people will say that many of these books were lost over time and that is true. But some of these references, like Paul makes in Romans 4 do still exist in the 1 Maccabees. The sad thing is, is that people decided that these books of scripture were not important enough to make it in the canon. The very fact that people have decided over time to include and exclude books of scripture is disheartening. Especially when You, Jesus, Paul, and others quote from these other books and even call them scripture. This alone should have caused people who were gathering the correct books in the canon to consider these references. Unfortunately, what we have is missing important books, and reading outside sources is looked down upon. As for me, I do not care what people in this world think of me. If 1 Enoch, 1 Maccabees, and others are directly quoted as scripture in the Bible, then my curiosity is increased. I love Your words, God. They are a lamp unto my feet. I want more of You and less of me. Continue to teach me what is right and what is wrong. What I need to stand on for truth and to stand against. I love You. Amen.
