How to Study the Bible (Part 2)

Hello Friends!

Welcome Back! Let’s continue our with our series titled “How to Study the Bible” for our Christian walk with our Lord Jesus Christ…

How to Study the Bible (Part 2)

Reading the Bible ~ The New Testament

Last week we considered the Old Testament and our approach to reading its content. As for our approach to reading the New Testament, it is here where we should invest the majority of our study time…

The New Testament

The Apostle Paul says to the church in Colosse:

…of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,  the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints – Colossians 1:25-26

That “mystery” is the New Testament revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Paul also describes himself as an apostle of that “mystery” from “other ages” revealed by the “Spirit” of God:

how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),  which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets – Ephesians 3:3-5

The New Testament was the major thrust of Paul’s ministry. He constantly utilized the Old Testament – “as it is written” – to illustrate, elucidate and support the New Testament!

The New Testament embodies and engulfs all that was in the Old Testament. It also summarizes the content of the Old Testament and leads us into the fullness of God's revelation to mankind. Therefore, we must invest more time studying the New Testament because it explains the Old Testament. Also, the New Testament was written in Greek – a particularly complex language that emphasizes abstract concepts and subtle meanings. Therefore, studying the New Testament demands greater diligence. So, where does one begin? The following thoughts may be of some assistance…

The little book of 1 John is a good place to start. To begin with, simply read all five chapters. It will take you only twenty to thirty minutes. Do the same thing the next day and the next… After one month, you'll have a tremendous comprehension of 1 John! Once you have finished reading this excellent epistle, go on to a large book in the New Testament. Since you've already become familiar with the Apostle John's writing style, the Gospel of John is a good choice! Here is a helpful approach you may want to consider:

Divide the twenty-one chapters of the Gospel of John into three sections:

Read the first seven for thirty days

Read the second seven for thirty days

Read the third seven for thirty days

At the end of those ninety days you will also have mastered the content of John's Gospel!

After finishing the Gospel of John, you might want to go back to reading a short book such as the epistle to the Philippians. Then perhaps consider the Gospel of Matthew. Then move on to the epistle to the Colossians. Then maybe to the book of Acts... And so on… By alternating your reading like this for thirty days at a time, you will complete the entire New Testament in two to three years. If you're going to read the New Testament anyway, you might as well read it so you can remember it! Scripture will stick with you for life if you keep up this practice of refreshing your mind with the text…

By reading the Bible repetitiously, you will find that your total comprehension increases dramatically. That's because the Bible explains the Bible! God didn't write it to trip us up. He wants us to understand His Word!

Yet invariably you'll hear people say silly things like: "Whatever you do, don't read the book of Revelation; it's so confus­ing." However, the first chapter of Revelation promises its readers:

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy – Revelation 1:3

Ob­viously, God intends for us to “read” this excellent book of the “End Times” events too! However, you'll never fully understand the book of Revelation unless you also have a good “working knowledge” of the Old Testament books of Daniel, Isaiah and Ezekiel. It all begins to come together when you read the Word of God in its entirety… Herein lies the life-long and life-changing challenge in our study of God’s Word…

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s continued investigation of How to Study the Bible…

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

Blessings!

Shane <><

The Chicken or the Egg

27 So God created mankind in his own image,

    in the image of God he created them;

    male and female he created them. Genesis 1

I'm back!  For those of you wondering, I had a 7 lb, 7 oz daughter and she turned three months old yesterday.  I've still been doing my own continuation through Exodus, but wanted to deviate from that for this week and I'll get back to it next Friday (I'm sure everyone's been really missing out on Exodus and what Moses is up to while I've been on leave).

My daughter sleeps much better at night than my son ever did, however she totally hates taking naps, which I think is the only way he got his sleep.  I'm still up occasionally at night, but I'm pretty well rested most mornings.  Anyways, while up in the middle of the night, there isn't much to do besides quietly read on my smart phone and/or think.  A few nights ago, the eternal question popped into my mind.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Which quickly evolved into...

Which came first, the baby or the adult?

My thoughts change rapidly in my head, and within a few additional jumps, I started to think about evolutionists. Evolutionists believe that all life on our planet started with protein chains that banded together to make small organisms, which evolved into more complex organisms, further evolving into mammals, apes, and humans.  If you look at drawings and diagrams of the early humans, what is missing?  Babies.  The drawings showing evolution show those early humans as full grown adults.  There's no transition.

Ok, so an adult can forage and hunt for food, carry a club to protect itself, and whatever else is shown in the picture.  But that adult had to have started as a baby.  The protein chains didn't produce an adult male at random.  There had to have been a baby first.  At some point, there would have been ONE baby. 

My thoughts continued to try to think like an evolutionist (no, I'm not converting).  Well, the baby would have been taken care of by an ape.  Let's go further back up the chain - that means, ONE baby ape at some point.  Which would have been taken care of by... some other mammal.  Further up the chain - that means, ONE baby mammal... so how would that baby mammal eat without a mother to nurse from?

And there, I was stuck.  

I don't propose to have all the answers.  What I do have, is faith.  Faith that the Bible is the Word of God.  Faith that if God created man in his own image out of nothing, that he would be able to make man and not make a baby that grew up into man.  Faith that if he can make animals out of nothing, he made an adult chicken as well.

He is all powerful.  Nothing is impossible for our God. 

God Directs His People

How would you like to be directed by a cloud? What if it only gave you a short amount of time to pack up all your belongings to move? What if you didn’t know whether you would be moving tomorrow or a year from tomorrow?

Numbers 9:15-23        ¹⁵ On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. ¹⁶ That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. ¹⁷ Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. ¹⁸ At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. ¹⁹ When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order and did not set out. ²⁰ Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. ²¹ Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. ²² Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. ²³ At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.

God directs his people. He gave the Israelites the notice He knew they needed in order to pack up and prepare for each move. The Israelites were quick to complain about food and water, but there is no record they complained about God’s timing in directing them for each move.

As we seek God’s direction today, we can trust His timing to let us know what we need to know when He determines it’s best for us know. Sometimes I think I need to know “now” about this and that, but I’m not sovereign. I don’t see the big picture.

In what area of your and my life are we seeking God’s direction?

Will you and I trust God’s timing to provide the direction He knows is needed?

Alice

The Two Sides of Grace

Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:6-10

There are times in life where you gain something more than you initially though.  Watching my daughter graduate was a moment where she had triumphed over some incredible odds.  Yet in that moment, my wife and I realized that we too had made it through our own hardship to watch her achieve this moment in her life.  Finding God was a moment where I felt like I won something.  However, I did not just win grace from God.  I finally was able to fight back against someone who I lost to continually each and every day.  That was my own guilt.

God’s grace is needed not only for us but also from us.  There is a seemingly limitless amount of benefits that come with being a child of God.  While God’s love is amazing, His grace is incredibly transformative.  When I was given grace, my life as a Christian began.  However, one of the greatest changes that occurred since then was not my acceptance of God’s grace.  It was forgiveness of me.  You see, I felt so guilty from sin that the person who least believed I deserved grace was me.  In fact, I still at times feel that I let God down.  Then, I learned about how guilt was an instrument of Satan.  You see, we should feel bad about sin.  However, Christ died on the cross for all sin.  This did not include only our past sins.  It included present and future sins as well.  Our heartfelt repentance is what is necessary for forgiveness not only from God but also us.

We already have victory when we chose Christ as Lord of our lives.  We must remember that God extends His grace to us not only to remove our separation from Him but also the guilt that would say you are not worthy of it.  Do not give in!  God’s love for you is as great as it always has been, and even in your weakness, God grace is sufficient for you.  What do you need to forgive yourself for?  How can you allow God’s grace to be enough for you?  My prayer is that we embrace both sides of grace; from God and for ourselves.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Restore my Roar, Part 4

Daniel 6:16 “Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions den. The king spoke and said to Daniel ‘Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” (NASB)

Hello,

Ah, the story of Daniel and the lions den…how to pick a verse or two, but not include all of Daniel 6? I picked this one because of King Darius’ perspective is the reflection I want us to have on Daniel – his consistency and constancy. As those around Daniel began to get jealous of his ascent in the kingdom, they hatched the plan to Darius. Daniel knew of the plan – but didn’t alter his behavior. So, as prayer was outlawed, Daniel just kept doing his same thing. Even though he was favored by the King, Darius knew he couldn’t change the law. I almost wonder if Darius had a “duh” moment here where he thought, man I should have remembered Daniel and the fact that he would just keep doing what he normally does – and never sign the law. But, he didn’t think of that, he signed the law.

Daniel didn’t base his relationship with God on circumstance – it was a real and deep relationship. He acted with both consistency and constancy in that relationship, even when circumstances changed. God was able to use that consistency and constancy to show His power.

When we are consistent and constant, others notice as Darius did. Be consistent – be constant….don’t stop serving and loving God.

Have a blessed day

Will Hill

How to Study the Bible (Part 1)

Hello Friends!

The Bible is an awe-inspiring book. However, as Christians, we must not merely admire it – we must understand it and thus be able to live by it!

In fact, the majority of people who have an opinion about the Bible – either positive or negative – do not understand what it says. Such understanding is crucial because the Bible is the very Word of God – a fact that becomes especially apparent as we study it! Therefore we need to know how to study the Bible...

This monumental endeavor encompasses four important aspects to consider regarding studying the Bible as we obey and in turn learn to live out God’s Word in our lives:

Reading

Interpreting

Meditating

Teaching

Please join us over the coming several weeks as we learn more about this very important aspect of the Christian life – Enjoy!

How to Study the Bible (Part 1)

Reading the Bible

Obviously, Bible study begins with reading. Yet, quite frankly, many Christians never get to that point! At best, they simply “nibble” at the text. Although they may often read books about the Bible or devotional materials loosely based on it, they don't read the Bible itself. Good Christian books and magazines that supplement our Bible reading are wonderful to be sure. However, there is no substitute for reading the Scriptures!

The Old Testament

There are thirty-nine books in the Old Testament. If you read about twenty minutes a day, you should be able to finish it in one year.

The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, a comparatively simple language to understand. It doesn't have the nuances of Greek language of the New Testament. The Old Testament isn't a theoretical or philosophical language with a lot of abstraction. It is very concrete.

The Old Testament is a historical narrative interspersed with biblical laws, poetry and prophecies. It is best to read from Genesis straight through to Malachi, indicating in your margin or a journal the passages you don't understand. If you do that, you'll find an interest­ing thing happening: As time goes on you will be erasing many of your markings. Why? Because as you read and reread Scripture, you will have a broader perspective that will answer some of the questions you had originally. Incidentally, what you can't answer in your reading, you can study later with a commentary or other source that will provide for you the true meaning.

One potential cause for confusion in reading the Old Testament is that it is not always in chronological order. One resource to consider is The NarratedBible which rearranges the entire Bible in chronological order – a helpful tool. For instance, in it you'll read the Psalms of David interspersed at the appropriate times in his life and the words of the prophets as they relate to the kings in power at the time. It is helpful for those who have never read the Bible before or who want a fresh perspective.

The important thing is to be reading through the Old Testament on a regular basis, because you'll be amazed at what you learn! For as the Apostle Paul states in the New Testament:

For whatever was written in earlier times [the Old Testament] was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope – Romans 15:4

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s continued investigation of How to Study the Bible…

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

Blessings!

Shane <><

Caring for Orphans

Some of you know that Joe and I have not been able to have children. We got pregnant in our first year of marriage, but miscarried at 13 weeks. Since then, we haven’t been able to get pregnant again. For a while, we thought it just wasn’t God’s timing.

A couple years later, though, we were studying the book of Isaiah and I was challenged by God’s command to take care of widows and orphans.

Isaiah 1:17                                

Learn to do right; seek justice.
    Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
    plead the case of the widow.

James 1:27             Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Joe and I prayed about whether God was directing us to take care of orphans by pursuing foster-to-adopt. We attended a conference about it and then signed up for an official orientation class in our area, but the doors were locked when we arrived (2 minutes late, because of some slow traffic). We knocked on doors and called numbers we had, but to no avail. We took that as literally a closed door, at least for a time.

Four more years past, yet another fertility doctor visited, and we continued to pray about what God wanted us to do. So, last May, Joe went ahead and scheduled another foster orientation, but this time they came to our house. After many training classes and home visits, we were finally licensed for foster-to-adopt a few weeks ago!

Who else are the orphans, widows, or oppressed around you and me?

How might God want you and me to help those around us that are troubled, oppressed, or mistreated?

Alice

The Inner Voice

Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  Matthew 10:17-20+

For years, I never had an exercise routine.  Sure, there were times that I would start doing it for a few weeks and maybe even a month, but ultimately, it would not last.  Even health concerns raised by my doctor had not fully gotten me on board.  However when I started not feeling as well as I thought I should, I tried one more time.  This time, I measured my success focusing on overall wellbeing and not exercising.  When I did not feel up to it, this inner voice would say, “Ok, Kent.  You have to get out tomorrow and do it so you will feel better!”  That subtle change in the message made a wealth of difference.  In month number three, so far so good (someone check on me in June  J).

Witnessing for God is about trusting the Holy Spirit within you.  My pastor is passionate about winning others to Christ, and he is very good at it.  While I am passionate about winning others to Christ, I still need a lot of work at it.  Yet even though I struggle at and am not comfortable with doing it, I am not absolved from trying.  By trying, I realized I am not good at being direct (i.e. Do you know who Christ is?).  God did wire me to ask really good questions leading to others self-discovery (Why are you here with me today?  Why aren’t you happy?  What’s missing from this picture?  Could I share what I know with you?).  Your message and approach will be very different from mine and many others.  However you must trust the Holy Spirit within you (some might call it lending a voice to it) to be able to truly witness for it.

God did not give us gifts to let them stay idle.  He gave them for His glory such that each are to be used to as Jesus says, “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)  Let go of your fears and trust God to guide you where you need to go with others.  What is the Holy Spirit within you saying?  Who do you know that is waiting to hear God from you?  My prayer is that we share with others by submitting to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit within us.  Amen.

Restore my roar, Part 3

Daniel 5:13-17 “Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? Now I have heard about you that a spirit of the gods is in you, and that illumination, insight and extraordinary wisdom have been found in you. Just now the wise men and the conjurers were brought in before me that they might read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not declare the interpretation of the message. But I personally have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Now if you are able to read the inscription and make its interpretation known to me, you will be clothed with purple and wear a necklace of gold around your neck, and you will have authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.” Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him.” (NASB)

Ah, the crazy hand story! During a large celebration the king (Nebuchadnezzar’s son Belshazzar) was having a great time until a strange hand appeared and wrote something on the wall. Unable to know what it said or meant, he went searching for someone who could help. Someone remembered how Daniel had helped his father, so they called him and offered him a great reward for interpreting this for the king. After he accomplishes this, Daniel is given the great reward – even though he does the key thing in verse 17, and tells him to keep the gifts – but he will still interpret. Here is where Daniel showed a simple step – it wasn’t about him. The first time he interpreted there was threat of death – but by now he was a known commodity, so there was just a reward for him to “do his thing”. But Daniel knew it wasn’t about him, it was about God. He wanted that clear – so he stated to keep the gifts. He knew that doing what God had gifted him to do under reasons of personal gain would change that relationship and possibly how God was able to use him. He wanted to maintain proper motivation.

If we want God to restore our roar – it must be about Him and not us.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill