Submitted by Pastor Richard Boettner, Rock Port Baptist Church

I have enjoyed writing articles for this column “On the Spiritual Side” for about 10 years or so. I have also found benefit in reading the thoughts of others, especially as most are leaders in our other churches in the communities of Atchison County.

One benefit I gain is to summarize my current Bible study and message preparation. This week I am working to prepare for Vacation Bible School, which will be held in Rock Port July 20-24 as this is printed July 23. I have seen the work of other churches already in Atchison County this summer. And I have followed some VBS gatherings in other places with Facebook.

Primary in my thinking is that I need the Word of God to feed and develop my spiritual being, and inner person, so I can experience fellowship with God. A good example of this is found in Acts 17 when the apostle Paul arrived in Berea. He found a group of Jews who were diligent to listen to Paul. They were of “noble character . . . and received the word with eagerness.” They “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

What a wonderful response this was, and it led to “many of them believing.”

Let us pray diligently for our own love of the Bible to be passed on to the next generation of kids. This can happen right here in Rock Port this week as we work together for Vacation Bible School.

For us older kids, let’s stay in the Scriptures with reading on our own, and meditation on important passages to inspire, challenge and equip us for good works. I am remembering God’s Word to Joshua when he was commanded: “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” (Joshua 1:8).

Let’s be like Joshua, facing our challenges and difficulties with the Word of God, so we may experience His work of success through us as we obey Him.

Thanks for allowing me to share through this newspaper column. As always please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions at rockportbaptistchurch.com.