The Messenger "Search the Bible as a whole, shaking the whole tree. Read it rapidly, as you would
Magnolia Baptist Church
"Every person a place to serve and a place to belong." March 2012
any other book. Then shake every limb -- study book after book. Then shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters when they do not break the tense. Then shake each twig by a careful study of the paragraphs and sentences. And you will be rewarded if you will look under each leaf by searching the meaning of the words.” Martin Luther, 15th Century German priest and theologian, Reformer of the Church
I could easily tell anyone...if you want to be productive in life...you’ve got to read the Bible. Success, according to God’s standard, is knowing His Word and doing it! More so than that...following Jesus is about relating with Jesus! I know Him more and more by reading His Word! God’s Word is alive! The more you expose yourself to it, the more it will expose itself to you. To know God better you must spend time hearing what He has to say. Just like getting to know a new friend...we communicate to learn each other. The Bible is His message to you. We don’t read it to learn about God as if He is a subject to be studied...we read it to know God personally! Although God can also speak directly to your heart, you need to know His written Word so you can understand better to what and where God is leading you. God will not love you more because you read the Bible. It is for your benefit – not required to make God love you. However, without reading the Bible, you will not grow spiritually, and you will be more easily distracted and deceived from following Jesus. Prayerfully reading the Scriptures yourself is the only real defense against being misled. Take its words to heart...Jesus said that His Word is life! “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” John 6:63, ESV
God’s Word is no empty fluff. God has revealed His Word to the world so that we can know His will and His way...God’s agenda of redeeming creation through Jesus will be accomplished. Part of that redemptive move is accomplished through His Word. If you want life success, follow Jesus’ teachings! His teaching will accomplish the purpose for which He gave it. Check out this link for help on choosing a Bible translation that works for you: biblestudymagazine.com/preview/choosetranslationWeb.pdf Use this two week reading plan to get into God’s Word if you aren’t doing so already: Two Weeks on the Life and Teachings of Jesus
720 S. Magnolia Anaheim, CA 92804
Day 1, Luke 1: Preparing for Jesus’ arrival
Day 8, John 3: A conversation with Jesus
Day 2, Luke 2: The story of Jesus’ birth
Day 9, John 14: Jesus’ final instructions
Day 3, Mark 1: The beginning of Jesus’ ministry
Day 10, John 17: Jesus’ prayer for his disciples
Day 4, Mark 9: A day in the life of Jesus
Day 11, Matthew 26: Betrayal and arrest
Day 5, Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount
Day 12, Matthew 27: Jesus’ execution on a cross
Day 6, Matthew 6: The Sermon on the Mount
Day 13, John 20: Resurrection
Day 7, Luke 15: Parables of Jesus
Day 14, Luke 24: Jesus’ appearance after resurrection
Glad to be your pastor, Jeremy