Studying the Bible

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Studying the bible

By Colleen G. Henry

Studying the Bible When studying the word of God, leave no leaf unturned, no page unturned, no chapter unread and no book ignored. We must study in sequence one step at a time and one book to another. Why? First, the bible was written by holy men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost�, (2 Peter 1:21).

The Bible is profitable All scriptures are given by inspiration of God so how does it profit us? “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works,� (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Face of God When we open the holy bible it is like looking at God in the face, these are his words intertwined with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, whether or not we understand what we read, we must continue to study the word because the Holy Spirit gives us understanding in measures.

Studying the Bible What will happen when we skip books or chapters of the bible because we only want to read something quick, easy or a book we like? You then are not eating the word of God in its fullness. Think of a toddler who only wants certain foods and refuse to try something else? Sometimes these toddlers do not grow as well as those who try different foods.

Fruits of the spirit How can you grow with the Spirit of God and receive understanding in measures if you don’t read all of the words of God? Remember from the Holy Spirit we receive the fruits of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22-26.

In a volume of a book It is the word of God that gives us life and God comes to us in the volume of the book, “Then said I, Lo, I come, (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will Oh God,” (Hebrews 10:7). By searching his word daily, we will know what God commands us to do, “Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find: knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened,” (Matthew 7:7-8).

Looking at christ As we read the bible we are looking at Christ whom we pierced with our sins and we learn how to obey him and keep his commandments.

Ark of the covenant As we know, many historians and archeologists have searched for the Ark of the Covenant, but the Ark of the Covenant is right before our eyes. It is the written word of God in our time that the children of Israel did not have in ancient times. Just as the finger of God wrote his commandments on 2 tables of stone and placed it in the Ark of the Covenant, the finger of God has written his word and placed in the book by holy men as they were moved by the Spirit of God.

Faith We must believe with faith, unlike Israel of old, who did not believe even though they had signs and wonders. Faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit and is one of the fruits of the spirit. Abraham lived by faith and it was counted for righteousness unto him. He believed God and obeyed him without question, whose faith was proven by God, (Hebrews 11:1 & 6-18).

The word in your heart The bible is the Ark of the Covenant that must be inside of your heart just as the ark was carried by the ancient priests of God and the Holy Spirit was in it. The Holy Spirit must be within our hearts as well. However God will do a new thing for his children, he will write his laws within our hearts and we will never fail as our forefathers before us did, “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart,� (Proverbs 3:3).

Jeremiah 31: 31-33 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the days that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws in their inward parts and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my people,�

In conclusion We must remember to study the word daily because it helps us to stand strong, to resist evil and become what God has created us to be: “Study to show thyself approved unto God; a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,� (2 Timothy 3:15).

Questions?

For questions regarding this presentation please contact us via email at info@householdofisrael.org or by phone at 219.949.9308.