Why Read and Study the Bible?

Why Read and Study the Bible?

Hebrews 4:12 NIV 
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

I will never forget when my wife Deena first started going to Bible Study Fellowship. She was so excited and enthusiastic about renewing her relationship with Jesus. She would come home from her Bible study telling me about all the wonderful things she was learning. I on the other hand was lukewarm to all that she revealed to me.

She encouraged me to read the Bible but I told her “I will read it when I am ready”. Boy, did I have attitude and a high degree of stubbornness. I did not want anyone to tell me what to do, especially when it came to my relationship with God. I just wanted to make my own decisions about this relationship in my own time and in my own way. You might be able to relate to the wrestling matches I was having with God during that season of wanting to do life my way. I knew about God but did not want to surrender any control or any area of my life to Him. I was happy keeping God at a distance. I even remember asking Deena, “Can’t I just believe in God without Jesus.” She told me that Christianity was based on the belief that Jesus was God, part of the triune nature of the Creator God Himself.

The Gospel of John explains this truth about Jesus:

John 1:1-5 AMP

In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God, Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].

John 1:14 NIV

The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:29-34 NIV

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

For me, this Triune Nature of God was a difficult concept to understand. How could Jesus be God if He is the Son of God? How could one God be 3 persons?

The Triune Nature of God:

God is One God that exists in 3 persons:

·         God the Father

·         God the Son (Jesus)

·         God the Holy Spirit

All 3 persons are fully God, eternal, and work together with one mind in all things. 

Throughout the Bible you will see The Father, Son and Holy Spirit working in one mind, Spirit, and purpose, actively playing a role in carrying out the plan of Salvation.

God The Father:  

Active in creation of the universe, all things, devised the Plan of Salvation.

(God spoke the Word that brought into existence all things, the beginning, and our relationship with time.) 

God The Son (Jesus):   

Active in achieving the plan of Salvation through His death on the cross and

Resurrection. Jesus actively reigns over the Church. Also Known as the logos or

the Word. All things were created through Him. Food for thought -

God spoke things into existence and Jesus is the Word.

God The Holy Spirit:    

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit occurs in believers once someone receives Christ 

as Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit is active in calling people to faith and making 

them increasingly more like Jesus. When we receive Jesus into our life The Holy Spirit plays a major role in this sanctification process. When a person is sanctified he or she is being set apart by God for a specific divine purpose. The very moment we are saved in Christ we are also immediately set apart to God and begin the process of being conformed to the image of Christ. Baptism of The Holy Spirit happens once in a person’s life.  This is permanent. The filling of the Holy Spirit can happen many times and depends on a our relationship with Jesus. Sin can hamper us from being filled with the Holy Spirit.

So being intrigued by the whole nature of God and my relationship with the creator of all things I decided to read the Bible for myself. It took 6 months, reading it from the Old Testament to the New. By the time I get to the Gospels I was convinced Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ. At that point my life began to change from the inside out. I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior and at that point the Holy Spirit indwelled in me and became my source of wisdom and discernment as well as my compass for living the vertical life.

So reading the Bible can be a life changing experience. But what’s more intriguing was the way God was speaking to me through His Word. God opened the eyes of my heart and revealed the amazing truth that He had a purpose for creation and that He wanted to be in relationship with those He created. And when His creation got tainted by the Fall of man He sent Jesus to rescue those caught up in the damage that was done by the original sin.  This truth that the Bible revealed to me made so much sense as it explained why the world was so filled with broken people.

What I am truly grateful for and give God the credit, is that early on in my life I had this great desire to know the truth about the mystery of life. Was I just a mere combination of molecules held together and existing due to a freak accident through a random sequence of events? Or was I truly created in God’s image with a real purpose for life? At the time I embraced every philosophical argument that said I was a mere accident with no real purpose other than to exist for a short time and then disintegrate. So I finally hit a brick wall because none of these religions or philosophies could extinguish my inner sense that there was more to life than just mere existence. I ran out of places to go spiritually. So being disheartened with no real purpose to grasp hold of, my religion became the deadening of my anguish and pain through substance abuse. I was lost, broken and angry didn’t care how I lived all the while blaming the World for all my problems.  

Through a series of events I am just now beginning to get a handle on, God had other plans for my life. He softened my heart, supernaturally gave me the gift of faith and revealed Himself to me. I can only say that I live with a high degree of gratitude for God’s love, patience, compassion, mercy and grace. I can’t explain why God would want to rescue me personally, but I can explain a little bit of the mind of God according to Scripture.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 New International Version (NIV)

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Ephesians 2:8-10 New International Version (NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

2 Peter 3:9 New International Version (NIV)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Our God desires to recuse all of us from spiritual death. We all have been given a choice whether or not to receive what He offers. I‘ll never regret making my choice for God and forgoing a temporary meaningless existence.

The Bible has the key for living life in abundance. The Bible contains the richness of all wisdom and truth and is the way God speaks to us, using the power of His Word to call His people home. Here are some things about the Bible that inspire me to want to listen to what God has to say.

The Bible:

·        66 books written by 40 authors under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

·        Gods inerrant Word and revelation about Himself.

·        The Bible is the absolute truth about God and about man.

·        The Bible tells us how we can have a personal relationship with God.

·        The Bible gives us answers to who I am, why am I here, and is this life all there is?

·        Christianity is not a philosophy of life; it is not how well we follow the rules and regulations. Christianity centers on our relationship with Jesus Christ.

·        The Gospel’s, especially the Gospel of John, give us all the information we need to decide if we want to have a personal relationship with Jesus and truly get to know him. We get to hear in Jesus’ very own words, His thoughts, His feelings, His desires, and His truths. We have an example in Jesus of obedience and sacrificial love that is second to none.

·        God’s Word will change the way we think.

• God’s Word explains that a personal relationship with Jesus will change us from the inside out.
• There is no better place to go to get to know God and learn His principles for living the abundant life.
• The Bible can help us to successfully navigate the storms of life.
• The Bible is filled with the amazing promises of God.
• The Bible gives us the best advice for Marriage, Parenting and Relationships.
• The Bible is filled with God’s love for his people.

So with these things in mind if you are ready for some life changing wisdom and instruction read and study the Bible. But also when you read the Bible challenge yourself to apply what you are reading. For instance, when The Bible talks about the 2 greatest commandments take it seriously.

Luke 10:27 NIV 
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself. “

If God wants us to be obedient, let’s begin to obey Him.

John 14:15 NIV 
"If you love me, you will obey what I command.

1 John 5:3 NIV 
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

If God says be Holy because He is Holy then we need to look at that as well.

1 Peter 1:16 NIV 
for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

We have a choice, we can choose God or choose the world there is no halfway devotion in God’s eyes.

Matthew 6:24 NIV 
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

If our goal is to be Christ-like than we must consider how the Bible is telling how to live. Let’s start by treating each other well! That way, when others see us in action they will know we are Jesus’ disciples and we practice what we preach. With all the wonderful things the Bible inspires us to do or to be like, let’s not take for granted what the Bible is telling us to apply.  Let’s take God’s principles to heart and live it. 

Romans 12:10 NIV 
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Luke 6:31 NIV 
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Philippians 2:2-5 NIV

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

What would our Churches look like, our homes, our relationships, if we all followed God’s principles to a tee?

The Bible is filled with everything we need to know to live an abundant life and to help others live it as well. Isn’t this enough reason to spend a little time each day in God’s Word? Isn’t worth telling others about the hope we have in Jesus?

The Bible is the bridge to the mystery of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul Tells us what this mystery is all about.

Ephesians 3:2-6 NIV

Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

With the knowledge of the truth of God’s saving grace, followers of Jesus can fulfill the Great Commission: to go and make disciples. With the fullness of God’s Word guiding us, we can be inspired to make an impact for God’s kingdom by planting the seeds of hope and reaping the harvest of those who have been prepared to receive our Lord Jesus. Now that’s a great reason to read God’s Word and apply all that we have learned. There is no better way we can show love to God than through our obedience.

Jesus said this:

John 14:23 NIV

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

So let’s prove we love God. Let’s read God’s Word by obeying His principles. Let’s strive become more like Jesus. Let’s fulfill the calling and purpose for which we have been made.

1 John 2:5 NIV 
But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did

Just Sayin………………..Dave   

By Faith

By Faith

The Bible tells us that followers of Jesus live by faith not by sight:

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

For we live by faith, not by sight.

Hebrews 11:1-2 (NIV)

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

Here are some principles by Dr. David Jeremiah about faith that will help us on our journey of faith:

When we walk by faith, we walk in fellowship with God

Faltering faith is not failing faith

Faith is not about perfection. Faith is about direction

Delayed obedience to God stalls God's additional instructions

The power of our faith is found in the patience of our faith

Real faith always involves waiting

The building of our faith takes a lifetime but the birth of our faith takes just a moment
when we say yes to God
  

Read Hebrews 11 to get a great picture of what God considers to be real faith.

Remember to always live by faith and trust in the promises of God.


Just Sayin..................Dave



 
 

Love Your Neighbor

Love Your Neighbor

The one issue that keeps cropping up around me, never stopping to gain my attention, is hearing about how people are being mistreated in some way, shape or form. The Bible is very clear on how followers of Jesus should treat others.

·        Love Your Neighbor (Mark 12:31)

·        Consider the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4)

·        Live in harmony (Romans 12:16)

·        Do good to your enemies (Luke 6:35)

Believe it or not Christians violate these principles as often as anyone else. The major difference is that those same Christians (including me) who violate God’s commands are usually convicted about our wrongdoing and seek out those we hurt, looking to ask for and even give forgiveness when we ourselves have become the object of another person’s misdeed. The one thing I get from listening to others stories of mistreatment is how much pain they experience when they are hurt by another believer. As Ambassadors for Christ, we must abide by God’s commands and the spirit of the law. We are called to a ministry of reconciliation in order to point others to Christ. Yet if we don’t act in such a way that shows we have been transformed, we actually shun what God desires in each of us – to be a new creation in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 NIV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

If we fail to love one another there is the great potential to create disunity in our homes, our Churches and where we work. Here are some principles we must adhere to in order to help us stay unified as believers in the Body of Christ.

John 13:34-35 NIV

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Philippians 2:2 NIV

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV

Unity in the Body of Christ

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Here are the verses that speak to me directly on how we should treat others. I suggest we revisit them often as reminders of how we can live in harmony with one another.

Matthew 7:12 NIV

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Romans 12:10 NIV

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 15:1-2 NIV

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

1 Peter 3:8-12 NIV

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.  He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Peter 2:17 NIV

Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Luke 6:27 NIV
 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Galatians 6:10 NIV
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Let us remember one thing; we have an enemy who wants to destroy our relationships, our families, our Church fellowships and discredit us as followers of Jesus. So let’s hold on firmly to God’s Word and not let the enemy get a foothold in our lives. Let us do everything we can to live in harmony with one another and treat everyone the way we would want to be treated. Let’s let Christ rule in our hearts and achieve peace with one another fulfilling the calling of our Lord to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves. In this way the world will see a picture of the one true God who not only sent His Son to save us, but gave us His Holy Spirit to conform us to His image. Let us be thankful to God for His love, for His Grace, for His mercy, and in turn show others these wonderful attributes.

Colossians 3:15 NIV 
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Romans 13:9 NIV 
The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  

Just Sayin………………..Dave      

Which Road are you on for the coming New Year?

Which Road are you on for the coming New Year?

Many people celebrate the coming of the New Year in a couple of ways. People like to party so many attend a New Year’s Eve celebration. Others prefer a relaxing time at home away from the crowds. The other way people celebrate the coming New Year is to set goals and or New Year’s resolutions. One of the resolutions most often desired is to get in good physical shape and live healthier lives, yet for many, getting in good spiritual shape is not on the table. Many people care more about their physical well being than their spiritual. Yet, getting in good spiritual shape can have a profound positive effect on one’s physical shape. Being healthy is more than just losing weight and building muscle. It is losing the sin and burdens one carries because they are living far from God.

Many of us know people who are far from God. In fact, you may be that person. But, I have good news for you; you can have a relationship with God and live an abundant life that will bring you far more joy than just looking good on the outside. God will transform your life from the inside out. He will recreate your broken foundation so it is now strong spiritually. He will fill you with hope, real joy and real promises that last forever. You will no longer be alone. You will no longer fear the unknown. God’s plan for your life will be revealed and it starts with loving Him and others. You will have purpose because everything God directs you to do will have eternal consequences. God will make your path straight, equip you to serve and supply your every need. Your response will be to thank Him for breathing new life into you. To thank Him for giving you the Holy Spirit to guide and teach you about truth and living by faith. To be grateful for Jesus who paid the price to reconcile you back to God.

To understand the Gospel or good news, one must understand why we need the good news in the first place.

The gospel is the perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection of Jesus—which is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. In other words, the good news of Salvation is Jesus’ work which reconciles us back to God. He is the bridge over the chasm of sin which separates us from God.

The Bible tells us that we are all sinners in need of a Savior. We cannot save ourselves from the power of sin. Only Jesus, the perfect sacrifice could. God ordained that Jesus be the one to redeem us. Only Jesus’ work on the cross can give us a saving faith.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Many people espouse to faith in someone, something, some religion, some principle. Jesus said that He is the only way for someone to be saved from eternal separation from God.

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Only through Jesus’ work can we receive a saving faith.

Let’s go over what a “Saving Faith” is composed of:

A “Saving Faith” is:

Once we have heard the Gospel, we believe God, and act on that belief.

The three elements of a “Saving Faith”:

1.   Content: Through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, we have forgiveness of our sins.

2.   Personal Agreement: We agree with the Gospel and its content.

3.   Commitment: We then call on Christ alone to save us and commit to making Him Lord and Savior.

A “Saving Faith” is in Christ alone. It is not Jesus plus something else.

Here is a systematic way to understand sin and salvation (deliverance from sin and its consequences). This is sometimes referred to as the Roman Road: The Roman Road to Salvation is a selection of Bible verses that explain the plan of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  The Roman's Road is a popular method of presenting the Gospel using only Scriptures from the Biblical Book of Romans.

The Roman Road:

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.”

·        Sin = disobedience to God.

·        We must all realize that we are sinners and that we need forgiveness. We are not worthy of God’s grace.

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

·        Death = Separation from God now and forever.

·        Eternal Life = Life with God now and forever.

·        If we remain sinners, we will die. However, if we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and repent of our sins, we will have eternal life.

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

·        Through Jesus, God gave us a way to be saved from our sins. God showed us His love by giving us the potential for life through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:9   

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

·        Just confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved!

Romans 10:13

“For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

·        There are no religious formulas or rituals -- Call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved!

So What does this all mean:

·        We are all sinners.

·        Our sin separates us from God.

·        Our sin and rebellion ultimately lead to an eternal separation from God in death as well.

·        Because of Jesus’ love for us, He willingly gave His life to fulfill God’s plan of Salvation.

·        By willingly going to the cross, Jesus received the penalty for our sin so we wouldn’t have to.

·        As Christians we believe that Jesus died for us and was raised from the dead for the purpose of our Salvation.

·        Our Salvation is based on God’s Grace alone, not our works or deeds.

·        Our Faith is now in God and his plan of Salvation, not our own preconceived notions of what makes us good in God’s eyes. The Bible says: “The Righteous will live by Faith”

·        The Object of our Faith is Jesus Christ.

·        Finally we need to ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior.

·        Once Jesus becomes our Lord and Savior we can live the abundant life God desires for His Children.

·        We are no longer enemies of God nor under His Wrath.

·        We are adopted into God’s family.

·        The Holy Spirit indwells in us.

·        We are a new creation in Christ.

·        We have a purpose filled life.

·        We have the Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

·        We can love others as much or more than we love ourselves.

·        We can even pray for our enemies.

·        We have eternal life.

Now that’s Good News to share with someone.

So this coming year make it your Goal to get in good spiritual shape. If you are a follower of Jesus share your God story, share the Roman Road.  If you are not a follower, investigate what God has promised. Read the Bible. Ask God to shine the light on real truth. From personal experience He will reveal Himself to you if you ask Him.

Matthew 7:7-8 New International Version (NIV)

Ask, Seek, Knock

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

If you are serious about receiving God’s truth, I guarantee you will receive and experience God’s amazing Love and amazing grace!

Just Sayin………………Dave