Genesis 21:33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.
In these past several blogs we have explored how to see God's Goodness as the focal point of your Christian walk. We have noted how God's Goodness can be witnessed through His Promises fulfilled and answered prayer. In this blog we want to discover how to see God's goodness in the permanent relationships He makes with His people.
When we speak of that word "permanent", we are referring to God's unending pledge of Himself to those who by His grace evidence faith and trust in Him. Abraham has been walking with God for over 25 years. He has experienced the fulfillment of a major promise from God - the birth of his son Isaac. After meeting and making covenant with a king by the name of Ablimelech, Abraham decides to plant a tree in commemoration of the relationship he has with God.
The tree tells it all
Tamerisk trees are interesting trees that grow in the land of Israel. From what we know about them, they are the type of plant that flourishes in poor soil and hostile environments. Undoubtedly Abraham saw himself as that Tamerisk tree. By God's grace he had flourished and grown in circumstances that many would consider to be hostile to his faith-life. Dear believer, understand that you and I are called like Abraham to flourish where God plants us. Though we may seen frail, yet in Christ our faith cannot fail.
God is the Everlasting God
Abraham then utters a name of God, revealed to Him for this occassion - El Olam. The name means - the Everlasting God. This name tells us that God, the Everlasting God, was in perpetual relationship with Abraham. Indeed God's Goodness is as long and High as His character. Jesus Christ tells us as Christians in Matthew 28:20 that He will be with us always - even to the end of the age. In Philippians 1:6 I am told that the work God began in me will be completed. We are reminded in Hebrews 13:5 that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. God is Everlastingly Good - He will not fail you. He is there all the time. He is Good.
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Sunday, October 16, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
God's Goodness in Answered Prayer
Genesis 21:17 God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.
When Impatience Accompanies the Christian walk
Not all was peaceful in Abraham's house when Isaac, the child of promise, the long awaited fulfillment, had finally been born. Years earlier Abraham and Sarah grew impatient with God, and so Sarah gave her slave Hagar to Abraham to be his wife. Much was done wrong in the whole decision, but chiefest of the issues was that Abraham and Sarah and Hagar all assumed God had forgotten His promises. Hagar got pregnant and gave birth to Ishmael. Now Abraham had an heir - but it was not God's chosen heir.
Is God Good no matter what?
The above event occured in Genesis 16, and now it is 13 years later in Genesis 21. After Isaac, the son of promise is born, Ishmael, now 13, taunts Isaac. Sarah tells Abraham to get rid of Hagar and her son, and so they are sent packing into the desert. It is a hostile environment, and soon Hagar and her son run out of water. Life was draining from the both of them - and all seemed lost. The text of Genesis 21 tells us that Hagar set her boy at a distance, under a bush. He is crying because he is hungry, scared and dreading his pending demise. However Hagar is weeping, not only for herself and her boy, but crying out to God. Will He hear? Is He listening? In Genesis 16, some 13 years earlier, this same situation had occured. She cried out to God, and He came as the Angel of the Lord. She evidenced a heart of faith.
God's Goodness is seen in answered prayer
But now would He hear her again? Is he still the God who sees? He is! The Angel of the Lord appears to her once again - most likely an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ. God permits what he hates in order to accomplish the good He intends. He knew this was going to happen, yet He used the circumstance to reveal His goodness. He preserved both Hagar and her son, He answered prayer. Psalm 102:17 reminds us - "He has regarded the prayer of the destitute and has not despised their prayer."
God dealt personally with Hagar in a redemptive way - He heard her prayer. His immediate plan for her was situated in His ultimate plan for her son and the situation in which she found herself. Paul in Galatians 4:21-31 points back to Hagar's expulsion from Abraham's household as a picture of how the Law of God points to the need for the Grace of God. More could be said on this point, however for our purposes here today, we will move on to understanding how we know God is good all the time.
How we know God is Good all the time
God's purposes for His people and His answers to prayer never conflict with the motives pertaining to what He permits to enter into their lives. As Romans 8:28 reminds us - All things work together for the good, to those who love God, who are thee called according to His purpose. God's goodness is seen in answered prayer. As you pray, not only fix your eyes on God's goodness, but remember that while waiting for your answer, God can even reveal His goodness in the process of your waiting - you and I just need to ask Him to help us see it.
When Impatience Accompanies the Christian walk
Not all was peaceful in Abraham's house when Isaac, the child of promise, the long awaited fulfillment, had finally been born. Years earlier Abraham and Sarah grew impatient with God, and so Sarah gave her slave Hagar to Abraham to be his wife. Much was done wrong in the whole decision, but chiefest of the issues was that Abraham and Sarah and Hagar all assumed God had forgotten His promises. Hagar got pregnant and gave birth to Ishmael. Now Abraham had an heir - but it was not God's chosen heir.
Is God Good no matter what?
The above event occured in Genesis 16, and now it is 13 years later in Genesis 21. After Isaac, the son of promise is born, Ishmael, now 13, taunts Isaac. Sarah tells Abraham to get rid of Hagar and her son, and so they are sent packing into the desert. It is a hostile environment, and soon Hagar and her son run out of water. Life was draining from the both of them - and all seemed lost. The text of Genesis 21 tells us that Hagar set her boy at a distance, under a bush. He is crying because he is hungry, scared and dreading his pending demise. However Hagar is weeping, not only for herself and her boy, but crying out to God. Will He hear? Is He listening? In Genesis 16, some 13 years earlier, this same situation had occured. She cried out to God, and He came as the Angel of the Lord. She evidenced a heart of faith.
God's Goodness is seen in answered prayer
But now would He hear her again? Is he still the God who sees? He is! The Angel of the Lord appears to her once again - most likely an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ. God permits what he hates in order to accomplish the good He intends. He knew this was going to happen, yet He used the circumstance to reveal His goodness. He preserved both Hagar and her son, He answered prayer. Psalm 102:17 reminds us - "He has regarded the prayer of the destitute and has not despised their prayer."
God dealt personally with Hagar in a redemptive way - He heard her prayer. His immediate plan for her was situated in His ultimate plan for her son and the situation in which she found herself. Paul in Galatians 4:21-31 points back to Hagar's expulsion from Abraham's household as a picture of how the Law of God points to the need for the Grace of God. More could be said on this point, however for our purposes here today, we will move on to understanding how we know God is good all the time.
How we know God is Good all the time
God's purposes for His people and His answers to prayer never conflict with the motives pertaining to what He permits to enter into their lives. As Romans 8:28 reminds us - All things work together for the good, to those who love God, who are thee called according to His purpose. God's goodness is seen in answered prayer. As you pray, not only fix your eyes on God's goodness, but remember that while waiting for your answer, God can even reveal His goodness in the process of your waiting - you and I just need to ask Him to help us see it.
Friday, October 14, 2011
God's Goodness in His Promises
Genesis 21:1 Then the LORD took note of Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had promised.
How a waiting couple were kept by God's goodness
Today we want to consider God's goodness as the reference point for focusing your Christian walk and mine. In Genesis 21 we see God fulfilling a promise to the great Old Testament Patriarch Abraham and his wife Sarah. For 25 years they had been told that through them God would bring forth a physical descendant - for you see Sarah was unable to have children, and furthermore she and Abraham had become past child bearing age. Over the course of Genesis 12-20 we see Abraham and Sarah triumph and at times stumble in their walk with God. However they did not fall from grace, but were kept by the Goodness of God.
God's goodness is seen in His promises
After 25 years and over 1,000 miles of journeying over the deserts and lush fields of the land of Canaan (which by the way would become the land of Israel), the promised child, Isaac, is born. Galatians 4:28 tells us that Isaac is the son of promise - he embodies the very principle of God's goodness to His people in fulfilling His promises.
God's promises are telescopes to seeing God's goodness
Over 8,000 promises exists in the Bible. In 2 Corinthians 1:20 we read these words - "For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us." God's Promises function as telescopes, bringing into focus the fixed NorthStar that is the Goodness of God. Just as Abraham and Sarah witnessed and experienced, so can you dear saint - that God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
How a waiting couple were kept by God's goodness
Today we want to consider God's goodness as the reference point for focusing your Christian walk and mine. In Genesis 21 we see God fulfilling a promise to the great Old Testament Patriarch Abraham and his wife Sarah. For 25 years they had been told that through them God would bring forth a physical descendant - for you see Sarah was unable to have children, and furthermore she and Abraham had become past child bearing age. Over the course of Genesis 12-20 we see Abraham and Sarah triumph and at times stumble in their walk with God. However they did not fall from grace, but were kept by the Goodness of God.
God's goodness is seen in His promises
After 25 years and over 1,000 miles of journeying over the deserts and lush fields of the land of Canaan (which by the way would become the land of Israel), the promised child, Isaac, is born. Galatians 4:28 tells us that Isaac is the son of promise - he embodies the very principle of God's goodness to His people in fulfilling His promises.
God's promises are telescopes to seeing God's goodness
Over 8,000 promises exists in the Bible. In 2 Corinthians 1:20 we read these words - "For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us." God's Promises function as telescopes, bringing into focus the fixed NorthStar that is the Goodness of God. Just as Abraham and Sarah witnessed and experienced, so can you dear saint - that God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Praying through the Scriptures
Hebrews 4:12 the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Why the Bible and Prayer go hand-in-hand
As we continue today in the small blog series called "A Bible Study Tool-box", we want to consider how you can take prayer and unite it with your study and reading of God's Word. As you look at the above two passages, they are only separated by four verses, the first being about God's Word and the second concerned with your prayer-life. If we had included the verses in between, you would discover that the author is connecting prayer and God's Word together.
Four types of Prayer
There are over 600 prayers recorded in the Bible, prayer by different sorts of people. In looking at those prayers, we can classify them under four main types and use the acrostic A.C.T.S to aid in our memory of them.
Adoration = This is when I praise and worship God in my prayertime
Confession = This is when I confess, or fully admit of my sins to God in my prayertime
Thanksgiving = This is when I thank God for Himself and other things in my prayertime
Supplication = This refers to how I ask God for things in my prayertime
Applying the types of prayer to the scriptures
By once again appealing to the little Bible book of 1 John, we can observe how you can combine your prayer life with God's word. I will use 1 John 1:9 as the example, since it is a wonderful promise for every Christian to claim. 1 John 1:9 states - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Now as you look at that passage, you can plug in those four types of prayer, and pray through that passages in the following ways:
-Adoration = Lord, I praise you, I adore you for that fact that through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, I have the right to come to you by faith. I praise you Jesus that you are sufficient and just to forgive me of my sins.
-Confession = Lord, I confess to you my sin this day. I admit I have done wrong in this or that area. I confess Lord that may I should have done this or not done that. Lord, please forgive me.
-Thanksgiving = I'm thankful to you Lord that having confessed my sin to you, by the blood of Jesus Christ, I stand innocent before you. I am so thankful that you and I can walk in fellowship and friendship with one another. I thank you Lord that you cleanse.
-Supplication = I ask Lord that you would enable me to walk by the power of your Grace to embrace my Lord and Savior, and that by your grace I would hate sin. Enable me Lord to flee to your word when I am tempted, and to not rely on myself, but soley on you - amen.
When you take a verse of scripture, and pray it, it is like adding high octane fuel into the tank of your prayer life. May the Lord bless you today dear friend - as you live and walk for Jesus.
Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Why the Bible and Prayer go hand-in-hand
As we continue today in the small blog series called "A Bible Study Tool-box", we want to consider how you can take prayer and unite it with your study and reading of God's Word. As you look at the above two passages, they are only separated by four verses, the first being about God's Word and the second concerned with your prayer-life. If we had included the verses in between, you would discover that the author is connecting prayer and God's Word together.
Four types of Prayer
There are over 600 prayers recorded in the Bible, prayer by different sorts of people. In looking at those prayers, we can classify them under four main types and use the acrostic A.C.T.S to aid in our memory of them.
Adoration = This is when I praise and worship God in my prayertime
Confession = This is when I confess, or fully admit of my sins to God in my prayertime
Thanksgiving = This is when I thank God for Himself and other things in my prayertime
Supplication = This refers to how I ask God for things in my prayertime
Applying the types of prayer to the scriptures
By once again appealing to the little Bible book of 1 John, we can observe how you can combine your prayer life with God's word. I will use 1 John 1:9 as the example, since it is a wonderful promise for every Christian to claim. 1 John 1:9 states - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Now as you look at that passage, you can plug in those four types of prayer, and pray through that passages in the following ways:
-Adoration = Lord, I praise you, I adore you for that fact that through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, I have the right to come to you by faith. I praise you Jesus that you are sufficient and just to forgive me of my sins.
-Confession = Lord, I confess to you my sin this day. I admit I have done wrong in this or that area. I confess Lord that may I should have done this or not done that. Lord, please forgive me.
-Thanksgiving = I'm thankful to you Lord that having confessed my sin to you, by the blood of Jesus Christ, I stand innocent before you. I am so thankful that you and I can walk in fellowship and friendship with one another. I thank you Lord that you cleanse.
-Supplication = I ask Lord that you would enable me to walk by the power of your Grace to embrace my Lord and Savior, and that by your grace I would hate sin. Enable me Lord to flee to your word when I am tempted, and to not rely on myself, but soley on you - amen.
When you take a verse of scripture, and pray it, it is like adding high octane fuel into the tank of your prayer life. May the Lord bless you today dear friend - as you live and walk for Jesus.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Bible Study Tool Box - Six Questions
Yesterday we began exploring "How to Study your Bible". We aim in this short blog series to give you some tools to put in your own personal Bible Study tool box. We are using 1 John as our template, since the book itself was written by the Apostle John to bring assurance of salvation and understanding of one's identity in Christ (1 John 5:13). As we continue exploring how to study your Bible, we will consider another tool, what I call "six-questions". As you come to the scriptures, it is helpful to ask the following:
1. Is there an attribute of God to enjoy?
John writes these words in 1 John 1:5 "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." When we speak of God's attributes, we are referring to His characteristics. Those attributes point us back to who God is - since He is the sum of all His attributes, and each of His attributes are infinite and perfect, capturing all who He is. This attribute of God as light is enjoyable because as you go down through the passage, we discover that in His light is found true fellowship and proof of our forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ.
2. Is there a promise to claim?
This second question takes adavantage of the more than 8,000 promises in God's word. 1 John 1:9 gives us an incredible promise to claim - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
3. Is there a Warning to heed?
At times the Bible passage you are atudying will issue warnings. 1 John 2:15-17 states - :"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever."
4. Is there a command to obey?
Commands are found almost 1,000 times in the Bible. For every command of scripture there is always at least one provision of God's Grace given to do it. Jesus Himself states that when we obey what He says, it is proof that we genuinely love Him (John 14:15, 21,23). John gives commands such as this one found in 1 John 2:3-5 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
5. Is there an example to follow?
At times you will find the saints of God mentioned in the Bible being those whose example are worthy of following. John writes these words in 1John 2:12-14 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 14I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
6. Is there a teaching to learn?
Doctrine is essential to the Christian life, since by it we come to understand how to think biblically. John's little book is full of wonderful teaching that we can both learn and apply to our Christian growth. For instance his statement on prayer is one of the clearest - 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. In just those short two verses, I learn some vauable truths on the teaching on prayer:
-Pray according to God's will
-Pray with the expectation that God will hear you
-Don't stop praying
Now with that teaching I have something by which I can use to grow in my prayer life. Asking valuable questions such as these will aid you in your Bible study.
1. Is there an attribute of God to enjoy?
John writes these words in 1 John 1:5 "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." When we speak of God's attributes, we are referring to His characteristics. Those attributes point us back to who God is - since He is the sum of all His attributes, and each of His attributes are infinite and perfect, capturing all who He is. This attribute of God as light is enjoyable because as you go down through the passage, we discover that in His light is found true fellowship and proof of our forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ.
2. Is there a promise to claim?
This second question takes adavantage of the more than 8,000 promises in God's word. 1 John 1:9 gives us an incredible promise to claim - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
3. Is there a Warning to heed?
At times the Bible passage you are atudying will issue warnings. 1 John 2:15-17 states - :"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever."
4. Is there a command to obey?
Commands are found almost 1,000 times in the Bible. For every command of scripture there is always at least one provision of God's Grace given to do it. Jesus Himself states that when we obey what He says, it is proof that we genuinely love Him (John 14:15, 21,23). John gives commands such as this one found in 1 John 2:3-5 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
5. Is there an example to follow?
At times you will find the saints of God mentioned in the Bible being those whose example are worthy of following. John writes these words in 1John 2:12-14 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 14I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
6. Is there a teaching to learn?
Doctrine is essential to the Christian life, since by it we come to understand how to think biblically. John's little book is full of wonderful teaching that we can both learn and apply to our Christian growth. For instance his statement on prayer is one of the clearest - 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. In just those short two verses, I learn some vauable truths on the teaching on prayer:
-Pray according to God's will
-Pray with the expectation that God will hear you
-Don't stop praying
Now with that teaching I have something by which I can use to grow in my prayer life. Asking valuable questions such as these will aid you in your Bible study.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
A Bible Study Tool Box - Repeated Words
1 John 1:1-2 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us.
Don't adjust your computer or i-Phone, for the different colored highlights are for a purpose in today's blog. We have been spending the past couple of blogs giving you some practical how-to's for picking out a Bible and understanding the features to look for in a good Study Bible. Today I want to begin giving you some particular tools that will aid you in knowing how to Study your Bible. Today's first tool that we will look at is what I call "Repeated Words".
What is the point of the passage? Note the repeated words
I have chosen the book of first John, since the book itself exists to bring assurance and sure knowledge of one's spiritual identity and assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ (Please compare 1 John 5:13). In the above passage, I have highlighted 3 different sets of ideas or words that are repeated by John in this text. Repeated words or ideas are quick ways in helping you identify the main point of the passage. I have found when looking for repeated words, having a set of highlighters, or underlining those words will help you easily locate where the repeated words are. Lets take the above sample and see how this tool works.
1. The Importance of Eye-Witnesses - The Authority of the Bible
In the light blue high-light, you will notice seven statements that pertain to John and the apostles being eye-witnesses. An eye-witness in a court of law is valuable, since that is how the truth of a testimony is confirmed. In the Bible times, an apostle was identified has having been an eye-witness of Jesus Christ and His ministry, as well as proof of his identity by performing of miracles (Please compare 2 Corinthians 12:12). Note the repeated words that give us this first main thought: "we have heard"; "what we have seen"; "with our eyes"; "what we have looked at"; "touched with our hands"; "we have seen"; "to us".
John labors to demonstrate his credentials as an eye-witness so that his readers can have assurance that what they are reading is indeed the word of God. This means that the words He is writing are trust-worthy and binding upon the conscience. So in noting those repeated ideas, I would write "The importance of eye-witnesses". Then I would ask: "so what?" Clearly the importance of an eye-witness is to establish the authority of the one writing the text - hence the first theme - "The Authority of the Bible".
2. The value of Eye-witnesses - Actual Testimony
As you read the passage again, you will notice two other repeated words in verse two: "testify" and "proclaim" (the green highlighted words). By identifying the authority of the Bible as written eye-witnesses guided by Divine Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we ask again: "So what?" Now we see that they have something to say, to proclaim. This second thought of an "Actual testimony" flows from the identity of the author as an eye-witness.
3. What the Eye-witness has to tell - The Awesome Christ
So "who" or "what" is this eye-witness, the Apostle John, telling you and I about? Again the tool of repeated words aids in identifying the point of His testimony. Notice the phrases in orange above: "The Word of Life"; "The Life"; "The Eternal Life"; "which was with the Father"; and "which was manifested". These five statements have in common the Person to whom they refer - Jesus Christ. So why do we say these words give us this third idea of "The Awesome Christ"? Because the five statements tell us in brief the highpoints of Christ's identity:
-He is the word of life - The Clear Revelation of God
-He is the Life - The Creator, the Source of all life
-He is the Eternal Life - The Champion of salvation
-He was with the Father - Co-Equal with God the Father
-He was Manifested - He Came as God and lived as a true man
So in this Bible Study tool repeated words, we can now summarize the main idea of 1 John 1:1-5: That the Authority of the Bible alone can give us an actual testimony of the Awesome Christ. My prayer is that you have found this tool helpful. Tomorrow we will consider more tools in the Bible Study Tool Box.
Don't adjust your computer or i-Phone, for the different colored highlights are for a purpose in today's blog. We have been spending the past couple of blogs giving you some practical how-to's for picking out a Bible and understanding the features to look for in a good Study Bible. Today I want to begin giving you some particular tools that will aid you in knowing how to Study your Bible. Today's first tool that we will look at is what I call "Repeated Words".
What is the point of the passage? Note the repeated words
I have chosen the book of first John, since the book itself exists to bring assurance and sure knowledge of one's spiritual identity and assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ (Please compare 1 John 5:13). In the above passage, I have highlighted 3 different sets of ideas or words that are repeated by John in this text. Repeated words or ideas are quick ways in helping you identify the main point of the passage. I have found when looking for repeated words, having a set of highlighters, or underlining those words will help you easily locate where the repeated words are. Lets take the above sample and see how this tool works.
1. The Importance of Eye-Witnesses - The Authority of the Bible
In the light blue high-light, you will notice seven statements that pertain to John and the apostles being eye-witnesses. An eye-witness in a court of law is valuable, since that is how the truth of a testimony is confirmed. In the Bible times, an apostle was identified has having been an eye-witness of Jesus Christ and His ministry, as well as proof of his identity by performing of miracles (Please compare 2 Corinthians 12:12). Note the repeated words that give us this first main thought: "we have heard"; "what we have seen"; "with our eyes"; "what we have looked at"; "touched with our hands"; "we have seen"; "to us".
John labors to demonstrate his credentials as an eye-witness so that his readers can have assurance that what they are reading is indeed the word of God. This means that the words He is writing are trust-worthy and binding upon the conscience. So in noting those repeated ideas, I would write "The importance of eye-witnesses". Then I would ask: "so what?" Clearly the importance of an eye-witness is to establish the authority of the one writing the text - hence the first theme - "The Authority of the Bible".
2. The value of Eye-witnesses - Actual Testimony
As you read the passage again, you will notice two other repeated words in verse two: "testify" and "proclaim" (the green highlighted words). By identifying the authority of the Bible as written eye-witnesses guided by Divine Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we ask again: "So what?" Now we see that they have something to say, to proclaim. This second thought of an "Actual testimony" flows from the identity of the author as an eye-witness.
3. What the Eye-witness has to tell - The Awesome Christ
So "who" or "what" is this eye-witness, the Apostle John, telling you and I about? Again the tool of repeated words aids in identifying the point of His testimony. Notice the phrases in orange above: "The Word of Life"; "The Life"; "The Eternal Life"; "which was with the Father"; and "which was manifested". These five statements have in common the Person to whom they refer - Jesus Christ. So why do we say these words give us this third idea of "The Awesome Christ"? Because the five statements tell us in brief the highpoints of Christ's identity:
-He is the word of life - The Clear Revelation of God
-He is the Life - The Creator, the Source of all life
-He is the Eternal Life - The Champion of salvation
-He was with the Father - Co-Equal with God the Father
-He was Manifested - He Came as God and lived as a true man
So in this Bible Study tool repeated words, we can now summarize the main idea of 1 John 1:1-5: That the Authority of the Bible alone can give us an actual testimony of the Awesome Christ. My prayer is that you have found this tool helpful. Tomorrow we will consider more tools in the Bible Study Tool Box.
Monday, October 10, 2011
How to most effectively use your Bible
1 Peter 2:1-2 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation
Now that you have chosen your particular Bible, now what? Below are some practical ways you can either take your brandnew Bible, or perhaps one who already own, and begin to explore and grow in your Bible study and reading of God's word.
1. Read the Book of Proverbs every month
In my Christian walk of nearly 27 years, I have found reading a Proverb a day to be highly effective in gaining godly wisdom. Proverbs' intent is to impart wisdom, gain understanding and enable skillful godly living for life (Compare Proverbs 1:1-7). Being that there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, that means there is exactly one Proverb for each day of a given month.
2. Or Try reading the Book of 1 John six times through in one month
1 John is another book of the Bible I would commend to new Christians and to those who have known the Lord for decades. Its main purpose is found in 1 John 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." Among the major themes of 1 John is that of assurance. In this short book's 105 verses we find nearly 70 statements relating to the theme of how one can know, that they know they are truly a child of God. Read a chapter a day, enough for a week, then start again. You will be able to read 1 John 6 times through in a month
3. Or try reading 3 Psalms a day for a month
The Book of Psalms helps the Christian understand how God relates to them, and they are to relate to God in a lifestyle that is worship given to Him. I love Psalms because it helps me to understand and gain control of my emotional life and thought life. Reading 3 psalms a day will get you through all 150 Psalms in one month.
4. Have a little notebook or write in the margin of your Bible
As you discover new insights from God's word, write them down. God's word, the Bible, is His communication to His people in all places at all times (this is called a the logos). When you are reading a Bible verse, and the verse is made personal to you, that is God taking that Logos and turning it into a Rhema (ray-ma). God speaks to us through His word. (Proverbs 6:22; John 5:39) A Rhema is a specific word, for a specific person at a specific time. Peter said to Jesus at the end of John 6 - "Lord, where can we go, for you have the words of life". That term "words" in the original language is the word "rhema".
In my years of Bible study, I have kept little notebooks and have written in the margins of my Bible. Which ever one you are most comfortable with, writing helps you to reinforce what you are hearing through God's word into your mind and heart. Truly the Holy Spirit Himself is the One Who, by the Bible, guides and illuminates to the believer's heart the contents of the scriptures. (Psalm 119:105; John 16:12-15; 1 John 2:20,27).
5. Memorize the books of the Bible
Truly knowing where the Bible books are found will aid greatly in your study of the scripture. The best way to know where the Bible books are found is to go to the introduction page and review the table of contents. To me this is part of doing what we read in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
May the Lord bless you, dear believer, as you aim to grow in God's Word.
Now that you have chosen your particular Bible, now what? Below are some practical ways you can either take your brandnew Bible, or perhaps one who already own, and begin to explore and grow in your Bible study and reading of God's word.
1. Read the Book of Proverbs every month
In my Christian walk of nearly 27 years, I have found reading a Proverb a day to be highly effective in gaining godly wisdom. Proverbs' intent is to impart wisdom, gain understanding and enable skillful godly living for life (Compare Proverbs 1:1-7). Being that there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, that means there is exactly one Proverb for each day of a given month.
2. Or Try reading the Book of 1 John six times through in one month
1 John is another book of the Bible I would commend to new Christians and to those who have known the Lord for decades. Its main purpose is found in 1 John 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." Among the major themes of 1 John is that of assurance. In this short book's 105 verses we find nearly 70 statements relating to the theme of how one can know, that they know they are truly a child of God. Read a chapter a day, enough for a week, then start again. You will be able to read 1 John 6 times through in a month
3. Or try reading 3 Psalms a day for a month
The Book of Psalms helps the Christian understand how God relates to them, and they are to relate to God in a lifestyle that is worship given to Him. I love Psalms because it helps me to understand and gain control of my emotional life and thought life. Reading 3 psalms a day will get you through all 150 Psalms in one month.
4. Have a little notebook or write in the margin of your Bible
As you discover new insights from God's word, write them down. God's word, the Bible, is His communication to His people in all places at all times (this is called a the logos). When you are reading a Bible verse, and the verse is made personal to you, that is God taking that Logos and turning it into a Rhema (ray-ma). God speaks to us through His word. (Proverbs 6:22; John 5:39) A Rhema is a specific word, for a specific person at a specific time. Peter said to Jesus at the end of John 6 - "Lord, where can we go, for you have the words of life". That term "words" in the original language is the word "rhema".
In my years of Bible study, I have kept little notebooks and have written in the margins of my Bible. Which ever one you are most comfortable with, writing helps you to reinforce what you are hearing through God's word into your mind and heart. Truly the Holy Spirit Himself is the One Who, by the Bible, guides and illuminates to the believer's heart the contents of the scriptures. (Psalm 119:105; John 16:12-15; 1 John 2:20,27).
5. Memorize the books of the Bible
Truly knowing where the Bible books are found will aid greatly in your study of the scripture. The best way to know where the Bible books are found is to go to the introduction page and review the table of contents. To me this is part of doing what we read in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
May the Lord bless you, dear believer, as you aim to grow in God's Word.
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