Thursday, February 25, 2010
CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE STUDY
This Bible study involves labeling your Bible and grouping the same verses from the 4 Gospels together in the order they happened. It even includes dating the verses as to the approximate time the events took place. This sort of Bible study of the entire New Testament can be extremely rewarding in knowledge.
HOW TO WRITE IN YOUR BIBLE
Colored pencils usually work very well. If a regular pencil is used, use a number 2 ½ lead. This seems to hold up best. It is better not to use ink, as it can smear. Over a period of time, it also tends to “bleed through,” spoiling your pages.
LABELING GROUPS OF SUBJECTS IN YOUR BIBLE
This involves beginning at Mt 1:1 and reading to determine what verses to group together. For example, Mt 1:1 to 1:17 might be labeled “The Genealogy of Jesus Christ.” Mt 1:18 to 1:25 might be labeled, “The Birth of Jesus,” and Mt 2:1 to 2:12 might be labeled, “The Wise Men.” In the Revelation, the following titles might be used, Rev 1:1 and Rev 1:2, “Introduction to the Revelation of Jesus Christ,” verse 3, “Blessed Is He That Hears and Keeps These Things,” and verses 4 to 8, “Grace to the Seven Churches.”
Once you have done the entire New Testament this way in your Bible, then go on the Old Testament. As you do such studies, your wisdom and knowledge should continue to grow. As each group of verses are labeled in your Bible, you may want to separate them with a colored pencil line.
Once you have done the entire New Testament this way in your Bible, then go on the Old Testament. As you do such studies, your wisdom and knowledge should continue to grow. As each group of verses are labeled in your Bible, you may want to separate them with a colored pencil line.
BIBLE CONCORDANCE STUDY
If you have a Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, choose a particular word. Then turn to it in the concordance and find all the Bible verses listed under that word. Write them down on paper or index cards as described in the previous heading A Study of All Subjects.
The best way to study a certain topic in the Bible is to consider every verse in the entire Bible dealing with that topic. For example, if you want to study “water baptism,” research every verse on it in the Bible. This should hopefully give you a fuller and more accurate understanding.
The best way to study a certain topic in the Bible is to consider every verse in the entire Bible dealing with that topic. For example, if you want to study “water baptism,” research every verse on it in the Bible. This should hopefully give you a fuller and more accurate understanding.
VARIOUS TYPES OF BIBLE STUDIES: A STUDY OF ALL SUBJECTS
Studies such as these are not recommended until after the beginning program of reading John, the New Testament, and the entire Bible has been accomplished.
The Bible can be broken down into subjects. Key subjects that should be considered, include doctrines as outlined in Hebrews 6:1,2, such as: believing on Jesus, faith toward God, grace, repentance from dead works, baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgments. Other more specific topics may include: sin, pride, humility, childlikeness, the tongue, witnessing verses, forsaking everything, serving God, fasting, fruits, a born-again attitude, fear, how Satan deceives, denying self, making excuses, idols, the Trinity, being content, doubt, prayer, warnings to take heed and beware, how to fight the good fight of faith, marriage, what God expects of a husband or wife, the role of women in the church, elders, and many others.
The Bible can perhaps be broken down into well over 600 subjects. One might begin this type of Bible study by making a list of all the subjects they want to include. List one subject for each sheet of paper. Put the papers in alphabetical order.
Then begin reading the New Testament. As you come to a verse that deals with that subject, write it out on the paper that has that subject listed. Three by five inch index cards are especially useful. Write just one verse on each card. These can be made into a card file. It may take some years to break down the entire Bible into subjects this way, but the result can be very rewarding.
The Bible can be broken down into subjects. Key subjects that should be considered, include doctrines as outlined in Hebrews 6:1,2, such as: believing on Jesus, faith toward God, grace, repentance from dead works, baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgments. Other more specific topics may include: sin, pride, humility, childlikeness, the tongue, witnessing verses, forsaking everything, serving God, fasting, fruits, a born-again attitude, fear, how Satan deceives, denying self, making excuses, idols, the Trinity, being content, doubt, prayer, warnings to take heed and beware, how to fight the good fight of faith, marriage, what God expects of a husband or wife, the role of women in the church, elders, and many others.
The Bible can perhaps be broken down into well over 600 subjects. One might begin this type of Bible study by making a list of all the subjects they want to include. List one subject for each sheet of paper. Put the papers in alphabetical order.
Then begin reading the New Testament. As you come to a verse that deals with that subject, write it out on the paper that has that subject listed. Three by five inch index cards are especially useful. Write just one verse on each card. These can be made into a card file. It may take some years to break down the entire Bible into subjects this way, but the result can be very rewarding.
READING YOUR BIBLE AFTER THE PREVIOUS PROGRAM HAS BEEN COMPLETED
From this point on, a person should continue to read through the entire Bible at least once a year. Reading 5 or more chapters per day is essential for the born-again Christian that wants to follow Jesus (the Word of God).
Other types of specialized reading and study are definitely not recommended until the previous program is accomplished.
Other types of specialized reading and study are definitely not recommended until the previous program is accomplished.
TIPS ON STUDYING THE BIBLE: HOW TO BEGIN
Here are some tips on reading your Bible. Begin reading the Gospel of John. Read it through completely, three times. Never read less than five chapters per day. More would be preferable.
Next go to the book of Matthew at the beginning of the New Testament. Begin reading from there, all the way through to the end of the New Testament, including the Revelation. Read the New Testament through completely, three times.
Once you have read the New Testament through three times, then go to the beginning of the Bible and read the entire Bible through completely, from Genesis 1:1 to the end of the Revelation. Remember, read at least five chapters or more per day, which will be at least thirty-five chapters per week. More than this is better.
It is extremely important for a Christian to have a good overall understanding of the Bible. Many people wrongly study the Bible, a little here and a little there. As a result, they never really have a clear, overall view of the entire Bible. They lack a good, biblical understanding of God, of God’s judgments, and of how Satan deceives. This gives a place for the devil to deceive them. It is highly recommended that a person read the entire Bible through at least once every year.
If the previous program is followed, these are the results at the rate of five chapters per day:
The Gospel of John read 3 times = 1.8 weeks
The New Testament read 3 times = 22.3 weeks
The entire Bible read 1 time = 34 weeks
Thus, in just 58 weeks a person will have read the Gospel of John a total of 7 times, the New Testament a total of 4 times, and the entire Bible 1 time.
Next go to the book of Matthew at the beginning of the New Testament. Begin reading from there, all the way through to the end of the New Testament, including the Revelation. Read the New Testament through completely, three times.
Once you have read the New Testament through three times, then go to the beginning of the Bible and read the entire Bible through completely, from Genesis 1:1 to the end of the Revelation. Remember, read at least five chapters or more per day, which will be at least thirty-five chapters per week. More than this is better.
It is extremely important for a Christian to have a good overall understanding of the Bible. Many people wrongly study the Bible, a little here and a little there. As a result, they never really have a clear, overall view of the entire Bible. They lack a good, biblical understanding of God, of God’s judgments, and of how Satan deceives. This gives a place for the devil to deceive them. It is highly recommended that a person read the entire Bible through at least once every year.
If the previous program is followed, these are the results at the rate of five chapters per day:
The Gospel of John read 3 times = 1.8 weeks
The New Testament read 3 times = 22.3 weeks
The entire Bible read 1 time = 34 weeks
Thus, in just 58 weeks a person will have read the Gospel of John a total of 7 times, the New Testament a total of 4 times, and the entire Bible 1 time.
MAN SHALL LIVE BY GOD’S WORD (ALSO STUDY)
(ALSO STUDY)
Jesus said in Mt 4:4-MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD (or food) ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD. Are you? You say, “Am I what?” Are you living by the Word of God, by the Bible?
God’s Word says Lk 6:46-AND WHY CALL YE ME, LORD, LORD, AND DO NOT THE THINGS WHICH I SAY? You are to live by the Word of God. How can you live by the Word of God when you don't study it?
As 2 Tim 2:15 tells us, STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH. God is talking directly to you—STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED. Friend, are you in obedience to God’s Word? As it is written, Eph 5:17-BE YE NOT UNWISE, BUT UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS. Isn’t it time you put God first?
In Deut 6:5 we read-THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THINE HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIGHT.
Verse 6-AND THESE WORDS, WHICH I COMMAND THEE THIS DAY, SHALL BE IN THINE HEART. God is commanding you this day to love Him and study His Word, to meditate therein day and night.
Please heed God’s Word in Heb 5:9-HE (Jesus) BECAME THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION UNTO ALL THEM THAT OBEY HIM.
Also in Ps 119:11,42,47,48,105,114,133,147-THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MINE HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE. (Can you say that?)
FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD.
I WILL DELIGHT MYSELF IN THY COMMANDMENTS, WHICH I HAVE LOVED.
I WILL MEDITATE IN THY STATUTES.
THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET, AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH.
I HOPE IN THY WORD.
ORDER MY STEPS IN THY WORD: AND LET NOT ANY INIQUITY HAVE DOMINION OVER ME.
I HOPED IN THY WORD.
Are Jeremiah’s words referring to you, in chapter 8:5,6,9?—WHY THEN IS THIS PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM SLIDDEN BACK BY A PERPETUAL BACKSLIDING? THEY HOLD FAST DECEIT, THEY REFUSE TO RETURN. NO MAN REPENTED HIM OF HIS WICKEDNESS, SAYING, WHAT HAVE I DONE? THEY HAVE REJECTED THE WORD OF THE LORD.
Verse 20-THE HARVEST IS PAST, THE SUMMER IS ENDED, AND WE ARE NOT SAVED. It is time to receive God’s Word and to study your Bible.
Jesus said in Mt 4:4-MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD (or food) ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD. Are you? You say, “Am I what?” Are you living by the Word of God, by the Bible?
God’s Word says Lk 6:46-AND WHY CALL YE ME, LORD, LORD, AND DO NOT THE THINGS WHICH I SAY? You are to live by the Word of God. How can you live by the Word of God when you don't study it?
As 2 Tim 2:15 tells us, STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH. God is talking directly to you—STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED. Friend, are you in obedience to God’s Word? As it is written, Eph 5:17-BE YE NOT UNWISE, BUT UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS. Isn’t it time you put God first?
In Deut 6:5 we read-THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THINE HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIGHT.
Verse 6-AND THESE WORDS, WHICH I COMMAND THEE THIS DAY, SHALL BE IN THINE HEART. God is commanding you this day to love Him and study His Word, to meditate therein day and night.
Please heed God’s Word in Heb 5:9-HE (Jesus) BECAME THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION UNTO ALL THEM THAT OBEY HIM.
Also in Ps 119:11,42,47,48,105,114,133,147-THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MINE HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE. (Can you say that?)
FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD.
I WILL DELIGHT MYSELF IN THY COMMANDMENTS, WHICH I HAVE LOVED.
I WILL MEDITATE IN THY STATUTES.
THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET, AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH.
I HOPE IN THY WORD.
ORDER MY STEPS IN THY WORD: AND LET NOT ANY INIQUITY HAVE DOMINION OVER ME.
I HOPED IN THY WORD.
Are Jeremiah’s words referring to you, in chapter 8:5,6,9?—WHY THEN IS THIS PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM SLIDDEN BACK BY A PERPETUAL BACKSLIDING? THEY HOLD FAST DECEIT, THEY REFUSE TO RETURN. NO MAN REPENTED HIM OF HIS WICKEDNESS, SAYING, WHAT HAVE I DONE? THEY HAVE REJECTED THE WORD OF THE LORD.
Verse 20-THE HARVEST IS PAST, THE SUMMER IS ENDED, AND WE ARE NOT SAVED. It is time to receive God’s Word and to study your Bible.
IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD
We read further in Jn 8:31-THEN SAID JESUS TO THOSE JEWS WHICH BELIEVED ON HIM (Note: Jesus is talking to true Christians), IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED.
Every true Christian is a disciple (disciple means pupil). If you are not a pupil of Jesus, you are not born-again. You are not saved.
Jesus says here, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then you are My sheep, My pupils, My brethren, My disciples.
His Word continues, verse 32-AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.
If you have not continued in God’s Word, then how can you stand on God’s Word to say you are saved? If you do not desire the sincere milk of the Word, how can you say you are born-again? Let God be true and every man a liar-ref Ro 3:4.
This is further substantiated in Jn 12:48-HE THAT REJECTETH ME, AND RECEIVETH NOT MY WORDS (note what it says), HE THAT…RECEIVETH NOT MY WORDS, HATH ONE THAT JUDGETH HIM: THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN, THE SAME SHALL JUDGE HIM IN THE LAST DAY. If you reject God’s Word (the Bible), you are rejecting Jesus. You are not saved.
Every true Christian is a disciple (disciple means pupil). If you are not a pupil of Jesus, you are not born-again. You are not saved.
Jesus says here, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then you are My sheep, My pupils, My brethren, My disciples.
His Word continues, verse 32-AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.
If you have not continued in God’s Word, then how can you stand on God’s Word to say you are saved? If you do not desire the sincere milk of the Word, how can you say you are born-again? Let God be true and every man a liar-ref Ro 3:4.
This is further substantiated in Jn 12:48-HE THAT REJECTETH ME, AND RECEIVETH NOT MY WORDS (note what it says), HE THAT…RECEIVETH NOT MY WORDS, HATH ONE THAT JUDGETH HIM: THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN, THE SAME SHALL JUDGE HIM IN THE LAST DAY. If you reject God’s Word (the Bible), you are rejecting Jesus. You are not saved.
IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD
We read further in Jn 8:31-THEN SAID JESUS TO THOSE JEWS WHICH BELIEVED ON HIM (Note: Jesus is talking to true Christians), IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED.
Every true Christian is a disciple (disciple means pupil). If you are not a pupil of Jesus, you are not born-again. You are not saved.
Jesus says here, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then you are My sheep, My pupils, My brethren, My disciples.
His Word continues, verse 32-AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.
If you have not continued in God’s Word, then how can you stand on God’s Word to say you are saved? If you do not desire the sincere milk of the Word, how can you say you are born-again? Let God be true and every man a liar-ref Ro 3:4.
This is further substantiated in Jn 12:48-HE THAT REJECTETH ME, AND RECEIVETH NOT MY WORDS (note what it says), HE THAT…RECEIVETH NOT MY WORDS, HATH ONE THAT JUDGETH HIM: THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN, THE SAME SHALL JUDGE HIM IN THE LAST DAY. If you reject God’s Word (the Bible), you are rejecting Jesus. You are not saved.
Every true Christian is a disciple (disciple means pupil). If you are not a pupil of Jesus, you are not born-again. You are not saved.
Jesus says here, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then you are My sheep, My pupils, My brethren, My disciples.
His Word continues, verse 32-AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.
If you have not continued in God’s Word, then how can you stand on God’s Word to say you are saved? If you do not desire the sincere milk of the Word, how can you say you are born-again? Let God be true and every man a liar-ref Ro 3:4.
This is further substantiated in Jn 12:48-HE THAT REJECTETH ME, AND RECEIVETH NOT MY WORDS (note what it says), HE THAT…RECEIVETH NOT MY WORDS, HATH ONE THAT JUDGETH HIM: THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN, THE SAME SHALL JUDGE HIM IN THE LAST DAY. If you reject God’s Word (the Bible), you are rejecting Jesus. You are not saved.
NEWBORN BABES DESIRE THE WORD
As 1 Pe 2:2 tells us, AS NEWBORN BABES (a newly born-again person, a newly converted person), DESIRE THE SINCERE MILK OF THE WORD, THAT YE MAY GROW THEREBY.
Verse 3-IF SO BE YE HAVE TASTED THAT THE LORD IS GRACIOUS.
If you have truly been born-again, you do desire God’s Word. If you have tasted (if you have the Holy Spirit) you will desire to read the Bible, for you can only grow through God’s Word. If that desire is lacking, you need to examine yourself in light of God’s Word to find out why. If God is not the most important thing in your life, then you need to examine yourself to see if you are really in the faith.
Verse 3-IF SO BE YE HAVE TASTED THAT THE LORD IS GRACIOUS.
If you have truly been born-again, you do desire God’s Word. If you have tasted (if you have the Holy Spirit) you will desire to read the Bible, for you can only grow through God’s Word. If that desire is lacking, you need to examine yourself in light of God’s Word to find out why. If God is not the most important thing in your life, then you need to examine yourself to see if you are really in the faith.
THE WORD IS ABLE TO BUILD YOU UP
In Acts 20:32 we read, BRETHREN, I COMMEND YOU TO GOD, AND TO THE WORD OF HIS GRACE, WHICH IS ABLE TO BUILD YOU UP. If you are born-again, you should have a thirst for God’s Word. If that thirst is not there, perhaps you should examine yourself to see why.
THE BIBLE TELLS US TO HEAR THE WORD
The Bible tells us we are to hear and study the Word of God. It is written:
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Jos 1:13-REMEMBER THE WORD.
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Acts 15:7-HEAR THE WORD.
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Isa 1:10-HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD.
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Jere 9:20-RECEIVE THE WORD.
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Jere 10:1-HEAR YE THE WORD WHICH THE LORD SPEAKETH.
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Jos 1:8-THIS BOOK…MEDITATE THEREIN DAY AND NIGHT.
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Ezek 6:3-HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD GOD.
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Hos 4:1-HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD.
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2 Tim 2:15-STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD.
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Ja 1:21-RECEIVE…THE…WORD.
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Pv 4:4-LET THINE HEART RETAIN MY WORDS.
The Scriptures were written by about 39 authors, dating from about 1900 B.C. to about 90 A.D., yet they harmonize perfectly. There is not one contradiction or mistake. There are about 10,385 prophecies, and every single one has come true up to this time without one exception. It is written:
2 Pe 1:20,21-KNOWING THIS FIRST, THAT NO PROPHECY OF THE SCRIPTURE IS OF ANY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION. FOR THE PROPHECY CAME NOT IN OLD TIME BY THE WILL OF MAN: BUT HOLY MEN OF GOD SPAKE AS THEY WERE MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST.
2 Tim 3:16-ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Heb 4:12-THE WORD OF GOD IS QUICK, AND POWERFUL, AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWOEDGED SWORD, PIERCING EVEN TO THE DIVIDING ASUNDER OF SOUL AND SPIRIT (it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit), AND OF THE JOINTS AND MARROW, AND IS A DISCERNER OF (it judges) THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART.
Ro 15:4-FOR WHATSOEVER THINGS WERE WRITTEN AFORETIME WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING.
We are to receive God’s Word in meekness with a humble spirit.
As Ja 1:21 exhorts us, RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS THE ENGRAFTED WORD, WHICH IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOULS.
Satan will try to keep you from the Word by using things like cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, pleasures of this world, lusts of other things, persecutions, and temptations. Turn off the music. Put down the newspaper. Read your Bible. Forget the party, the date, the movie, or visiting with relatives. Put God’s Word first in your life.
As Col 3:16 says-LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM.
Do you study for school? Do you study for college? Do you study for your job? Can these save your soul? When do you study God’s Word? If you think these things are more important than God’s Word, then you are deceived. Anything that comes before God’s Word is an idol
God tells us in Jos 1:8-THIS BOOK OF THE LAW SHALL NOT DEPART OUT OF THY MOUTH; BUT THOU SHALT MEDITATE THEREIN DAY AND NIGHT.
Do you meditate in God’s Word day and night? Are you obeying God’s Word?
We are to Pv 4:4,5-LET THINE HEART RETAIN MY WORDS: KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, AND LIVE. GET WISDOM, GET UNDERSTANDING: FORGET IT NOT; NEITHER DECLINE (or swerve) FROM THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH.
Get into the Bible. Get understanding, and do not shrink back from God’s Word.
As Pv 4:20-22 says, MY SON, ATTEND TO MY WORDS; INCLINE THINE EAR UNTO MY SAYINGS. LET THEM NOT DEPART FROM THINE EYES; KEEP THEM IN THE MIDST OF THINE HEART. FOR THEY ARE LIFE.
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Jos 1:13-REMEMBER THE WORD.
*
Acts 15:7-HEAR THE WORD.
*
Isa 1:10-HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD.
*
Jere 9:20-RECEIVE THE WORD.
*
Jere 10:1-HEAR YE THE WORD WHICH THE LORD SPEAKETH.
*
Jos 1:8-THIS BOOK…MEDITATE THEREIN DAY AND NIGHT.
*
Ezek 6:3-HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD GOD.
*
Hos 4:1-HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD.
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2 Tim 2:15-STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD.
*
Ja 1:21-RECEIVE…THE…WORD.
*
Pv 4:4-LET THINE HEART RETAIN MY WORDS.
The Scriptures were written by about 39 authors, dating from about 1900 B.C. to about 90 A.D., yet they harmonize perfectly. There is not one contradiction or mistake. There are about 10,385 prophecies, and every single one has come true up to this time without one exception. It is written:
2 Pe 1:20,21-KNOWING THIS FIRST, THAT NO PROPHECY OF THE SCRIPTURE IS OF ANY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION. FOR THE PROPHECY CAME NOT IN OLD TIME BY THE WILL OF MAN: BUT HOLY MEN OF GOD SPAKE AS THEY WERE MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST.
2 Tim 3:16-ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Heb 4:12-THE WORD OF GOD IS QUICK, AND POWERFUL, AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWOEDGED SWORD, PIERCING EVEN TO THE DIVIDING ASUNDER OF SOUL AND SPIRIT (it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit), AND OF THE JOINTS AND MARROW, AND IS A DISCERNER OF (it judges) THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART.
Ro 15:4-FOR WHATSOEVER THINGS WERE WRITTEN AFORETIME WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING.
We are to receive God’s Word in meekness with a humble spirit.
As Ja 1:21 exhorts us, RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS THE ENGRAFTED WORD, WHICH IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOULS.
Satan will try to keep you from the Word by using things like cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, pleasures of this world, lusts of other things, persecutions, and temptations. Turn off the music. Put down the newspaper. Read your Bible. Forget the party, the date, the movie, or visiting with relatives. Put God’s Word first in your life.
As Col 3:16 says-LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM.
Do you study for school? Do you study for college? Do you study for your job? Can these save your soul? When do you study God’s Word? If you think these things are more important than God’s Word, then you are deceived. Anything that comes before God’s Word is an idol
God tells us in Jos 1:8-THIS BOOK OF THE LAW SHALL NOT DEPART OUT OF THY MOUTH; BUT THOU SHALT MEDITATE THEREIN DAY AND NIGHT.
Do you meditate in God’s Word day and night? Are you obeying God’s Word?
We are to Pv 4:4,5-LET THINE HEART RETAIN MY WORDS: KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, AND LIVE. GET WISDOM, GET UNDERSTANDING: FORGET IT NOT; NEITHER DECLINE (or swerve) FROM THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH.
Get into the Bible. Get understanding, and do not shrink back from God’s Word.
As Pv 4:20-22 says, MY SON, ATTEND TO MY WORDS; INCLINE THINE EAR UNTO MY SAYINGS. LET THEM NOT DEPART FROM THINE EYES; KEEP THEM IN THE MIDST OF THINE HEART. FOR THEY ARE LIFE.
THE HOLY GHOST, HE SHALL TEACH YOU
Many people have a difficult time understanding the Bible, so they shy away from reading it. This may be, because they do not have God’s Spirit inside them, (they are not converted; they are not born-again). How do we receive the Holy Spirit? We are to believe and have faith in Jesus Christ. Then we are told in Acts 2:38-REPENT (that is, forsake all your sins), AND BE BAPTIZED (by full immersion) EVERY ONE OF YOU…AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. Gal 3:27-FOR AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE PUT ON CHRIST. Baptism for babies and baptism by sprinkling are Satan's counterfeits. Before being baptized by immersion, you must believe on the name of Jesus and be willing to forsake all sin (REPENT). When you have difficulty understanding the Bible, ask God to help you and give you understanding. As we read, Jn 16:13-THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH…WILL GUIDE YOU. Jn 14:26-THE HOLY GHOST…HE SHALL TEACH YOU. Lk 24:45-THEN OPENED HE THEIR UNDERSTANDING, THAT THEY MIGHT UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES. Never approach the Scriptures with a “know-it-all” attitude. Approach God with a humble attitude. Become as a little child before God. God hates pride. It is an abomination to Him. How can God reveal things to people who are wise in their own eyes? It is written, Mt 11:25-THOU HAST HID THESE THINGS FROM THE WISE AND PRUDENT, AND HAST REVEALED THEM UNTO BABES. Job 17:4-THOU HAST HID THEIR HEART FROM UNDERSTANDING.
MANY CHURCHES
Many churches do not preach much of God’s Word.
Many churches today do not encourage their members to bring their Bibles to church. Some actually discourage people from bringing their Bibles and even from reading them. These are false churches. Their leaders are the blind leading the blind. It is recommended that you run from such a church. As it is written, COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE-Rev 18:4. These blind leaders of the blind do not understand they are doing wrong. They are fully convinced they are doing God’s will, even though their actions contradict the Bible.
Many churches today do not encourage their members to bring their Bibles to church. Some actually discourage people from bringing their Bibles and even from reading them. These are false churches. Their leaders are the blind leading the blind. It is recommended that you run from such a church. As it is written, COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE-Rev 18:4. These blind leaders of the blind do not understand they are doing wrong. They are fully convinced they are doing God’s will, even though their actions contradict the Bible.
GOD WANTS YOU TO STUDY THE BIBLE
God wants you to study the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word. Without the Word of God, you cannot be saved. We are SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH-ref Eph 2:8. God’s Word also tells us, FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD-Ro 10:17. It is by hearing God’s Word that faith comes. Our faith must be centered on Jesus Christ. We must have faith that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God; that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is come in the flesh; and that He died on the cross for our sins. It is only through Jesus that we can gain entrance to heaven. Satan will do everything possible to keep a person from their Bible; for through the Word of God comes faith that enables us to stand against Satan.
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