Bible Study

Everyone has struggled with Bible study. The Bible is a very big book... actually, it's 66 books, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by more than forty different people and over a couple thousand year period. It contains several literary styles, different ways of relating histories, and a whole lot of begets. To make things worse, it isn't even put together in chronological order! So how can we ever learn to understand the bible! Take a deep breath - and start with some basics.

#1 - Pray before you begin your study. Remember that Jesus is the Word of God, and that the Word is living and powerful (John 1:1, Heb. 4:12). If you approach Bible study as getting to know Jesus better, you will gain a deeper appreciation for what Scripture has to say. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God's word to you so that you may come to know the Lord more intimately. Pray that your heart will be opened to what the text really says. Understand that we all come into any situation with pre-conceived notions, biases, and prejudices (pre-judgments) about that situation. Ask that the Lord will give you insight into what these are and that He will help you get beyond what you THINK you know and into the true knowledge He wants you to have. Pray for wisdom, discernment, and the fear of the Lord.

#2 - Invest in a Bible that comes in a good translation in today's language. So many people labor under the assumption because many churches use the King James Version Bible, it must be the best. In fact, some teach that the KJV is the ONLY acceptable translation, but that is not the truth. The topic of Biblical translation is quite complex and there is much to debate. However, simplistically speaking, so long as the translators love the Lord and work to align what they say with what was said in the original languages, the translation will be a good on. As a result, the KJV Bible is a good one. It is, however, difficult for many people to read because the language is archaic. There are several excellent modern language translations available today. I have studied for many years now and tested several versions myself. Today, I find the Amplified to have safely and more accurately searched the originally texts, history, context, and links to other passages and is an excellent version to study.

#3 - Use colored pencils to underline or highlight key points. Don't be afraid to jot notes in the margins, either! My Bibles are a visual wonder - colors and notes and underlines - but as I go through the pages, I am reminded of sermons I've heard, insights the Lord has given me over the years, places I've been, things I've seen. I recommend using colored pencils or dual-point pencils for highlights because they won't bleed through the thin pages of your Bible. Some people like to have a system for highlighting: red for the works of the Holy Spirit, blue for miracles, and green for prayers, and so on. Others just randomly grab a color and highlight at will. The idea is to capture a thought, main idea, or entire passage - whatever works for you.

#4 - Look up related passages. This is where the center-column references come in handy. Any time you can look up related passages, you gain a deeper understanding of what the original passage means. Often, related passages are immediately understood - for example, in the Gospels, the related passages are each author's retelling of the same story. Sometimes, though, a related passage seems obscure. For example, in John 7:37 and 38, Jesus stands up and cries out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (NKJV) Some Bibles, including the NKJV, link back to Isaiah 12:1-6, which is a song that is sung at Sukkoth (which happens to be the great feast mentioned in John 7). It takes little digging to sort this information out, which is another reason why a study Bible is helpful. Additionally, chasing down these related passages guards against a common trap many Christians fall into: "proof-texting". This happens when you take an isolated verse or passage of Scripture and use it as "proof" of something you believe in or want to be true. Some people have used the Bible to "prove" that (for example) the Apostle Paul hated women, and that Jesus said it is perfectly all right to practice homosexuality. People are killed every year because they misapply Mark 16:18 and think that they must handle snakes in order to somehow prove that they are faithful. These are extreme examples, but unfortunately, the "minor" examples can be just as devastating spiritually! Many are led astray from the truth of what God's word says by what seem to be minor nuances and biases. Make sure that as you read, you are taking the whole of the Bible into account. Remember that God cannot lie and cannot contradict Himself! If something appears to be too good to be true - read deeper. If something appears to contradict - keep studying. Consult tried and true resources. Seek wise counsel from your pastor or a trusted Christian friend. Above all - pray. Ask God for the wisdom and discernment you need. He will give it to you!

#5 - Incorporate your other senses into your Bible study - all too often, we only use our sense of sight in a limited fashion as we read the Word. Broaden it by using other tools, such as a good Bible dictionary, maps, or pictures of the Holy Land. Find out for yourself what frankincense and myrrh really are. Use your sense of hearing by reading the word aloud. You could use an audio Bible, or even try recording yourself on tape. Explore the music of the Bible sometime. Discover what a shofar sounds like (if you've never heard one. Challenge yourself every single day to go deeper, to learn more, and to grow nearer to Him in all that you do.

I love you.

An Army Of One

I like that. An Army of One... a powerful analogy... I remember a song in church many years ago when I was young that said something like, "Onward Christian Soldier, marching off to war."

My parents split up after we had been going to a little church for a while when I was young. We moved and church was no longer a part of my life for many years. Eventually, I would become a soldier in the U.S. Army and then an airmen in the Air Force. Training, exercises, authority, escape and evasion, and more training and exercises. Key elements for building soldiers and a strong army.

I retired from the military not very long after becoming a Christian. As the Spirit of God began to reveal more and more, I became aware that I was still a soldier.

2 Timothy 2:3 "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."

I learned that the power of my new Commander in Chief was above all.

Luke 10:19 "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you."
I learned that my bible was one of my greatest defenses against the enemy.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."

I could see that much of the training I received before, still applied to my new army. Things like, never underestimate your adversary,

1 Peter 5:8 "Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [ in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour."

And to wait for orders,

Isaiah 64:4 "For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and shows Himself active on behalf of him who [earnestly] waits for Him."

And that there is strength in unity,

Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend
keeping focused on the mission"

Philippians 3:14 "I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward."

and the importance of all your battle gear.

Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."

We are soldiers, fighting in a real war, with a real enemy my friends. All of those in Christ, are soldiers, men and women, alike.

Philippians 2:25 "But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs."

Philemon 1:2 "To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home"

I hope you believe this today my friends. We are getting closer to the "front lines" now and it is important that we are trained, equipped, and ready for battle.

We are also connected, my friend. We, whom are in Christ, are all part of what He is doing here. Connected in faith and by prayer and of One Spirit.

From the nursery room at church in Kansas to the make-shift hospital tents in South Africa we are all part of one body... Christs body. We are, "An Army Of One."

1 Corinthians 9:7 "Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?"

I Love you.
Preston

We're In The Army Now

"[In this new creation all distinctions vanish.] There is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all [everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person]." Colossians 3:11

Paul gives away one of my secrets here in this verse. I am not a Baptist, though I have joined a local church that is. When I was a member of a non-denominational church, I never claimed to be non-denominational. These are my marching orders, right here, in verse 11.

In the Army, they shaved our heads and made us look, dress, and do everything alike. Our Drill Sergeant said, "There is no room for and there can be neither, hillbilly nor cityslicker... no hippie nor yuppie... You're in the Army now!". He told us, "anybody wanting to be a 'lone-wolf'... a 'hero'... can go back home right now, because you don't belong in the Army!". "WE" learned in the following weeks that it was a life and death matter. The importance of all of us being ONE was KEY to our safety, our objective, and even our survival. I believe it can be just that serious in the church as well. We are in the army now... Christ Jesus' army, and we all should follow Our Leader's Instructions.

Maybe you're not certain that the scriptures tell us that if we are truly saved that it is permanent... maybe you don't see that the scriptures say that just trying to keep the law leads to death and following the Holy Spirit (trusting in and relying upon God) leads to life... or maybe you feel the rapture is before the tribulation or midway.. whatever... those come with training,... but setting yourself up to be better or separate than the rest of us is not good for the whole Body.

"Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]." Colossians 3:12

So what uniform do we wear today? Well, here in verse 12, we have our marching orders. He says that we should be, "putting on behavior marked by tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]. This is the "clothed in love" look, and it's really more that the way we should appear. Love should be what's inside! We are clothed this way because we are this way!

"Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]." Colossians 3:13

That's how it is in the Army,... you go to the Drill Sergeant with a complaint about someone, and he expresses his understanding of your problem by saying something like, "GET OVER IT, MAGGOT"! Christians... We are in the army and these are our orders!

I love you.

Piercing The Darkness

The love of Jesus is as a bright and piercing light that shines into the darkness and divides the darkness.  Although generally love serves the purpose of uniting, the love of Jesus serves the purpose of dividing.

Luke 12:51, “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.”

Jesus clearly states that part of His purpose on earth was to bring forth division amongst, not only the different peoples of the earth, but also within families.

Verse 53, “Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother….”.

Jesus was called first to the Jewish nation, where Jesus caused an incredible amount of division. His piercing light of love shone into the darkness of the Jewish nation and split the nation. There were Pharisees on one side and Sadducees on the other and those who chose to believe in Him in the middle.

The nation was in turmoil with fighting between those who believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and those who believed that the Messiah had not yet arrived. To this very day there is still deep division amongst the Jewish nation and anyone amongst the traditional Jews, who steps out and declares that Jesus was indeed the Messiah and becomes a Jew for Christ, is likely to be ostracized by the Jewish community and indeed by His own family. 

When someone who is brought up in a Good Muslim home running under the guidance of Islam, decides to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, that person is cast out of the family and disowned by both the family and community in many instances. The love of Christ fills their hearts and yet divides them from their families and communities.

Religion is  the cause of many wars and many fights, causing serious damage to families and tremendous loss of life, but yet we say that Jesus is perfect love and that love unites. Accepting the love of Jesus into your heart unites you with God your creator and you become bonded to Jesus in love. However, love can divide and Jesus came to divide the darkness from the light, and if your families and nations choose to remain in the darkness, you will become divided from them. 

When we go out into the bright sun, we have to squint our eyes to protect them and we need to use sunglasses to shield our eyes from the blinding light. As bright as the son is, so is the Love of Jesus that shines through you when you accept Him into your life. That bright light that shines out from you often offends those who are in the darkness and they will retaliate against you. They will put on sunglasses to shield themselves from your light, and will turn their face away from you. It is not so much that the love of Jesus separates, but more that the darkness hates the light so much that it turns away from it and protects itself against it. 

When a family member accepts Jesus into their lives, the rest of the family which is still in darkness tends to turn away from the one who has the light. Do not be offended for they they can not bear the light that shines within of you. Walk boldly allowing your light to shine brightly and soon the piercing light that exudes from you through the love of Jesus, will begin to light their pathway for them as well and they will start to yearn for that same light to shine through them.

If you have never had the opportunity of having the light burn bright in your soul, then take this opportunity now and turn away from the darkness that you have been walking in and accept Jesus into your life, that His light could shine brightly through you. 

I love you.

Is God's Word Christ

The first verse in the book of John was no more than interesting to me for a long time. It reads:

IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.

I was deep into Scientology for a while, (many years ago now) with a few short breaks from my studies to read the bible and other doctrines, as well. I knew somehow that there was a God. But I remember one very peculiar thing about that period, and that is, HOW HARD IT WAS TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE THEN.

After, I became a Christian, it was interesting how much easier it was to understand the bible. On several occasions I can remember quoting scripture I didn't even know I knew. After I had been a Christian for a while... I came across John 1:1 and the Spirit revealed the awesome truth about the matter.

You see, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior... The bible says that He abides in us. He does this by and through the Holy Spirit. So now the Word also abides in me. Now when I read the bible... I come into agreement with that which is within me. How AWESOME is that. This is further substantiated by other verses like:

Matthew 13:11 And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

Mark 4:11 And He said to them, To you has been entrusted the mystery of the kingdom of God [that is, the secret counsels of God which are hidden from the ungodly].

I remember some years back, Max Lucado wrote in one of his books..."the more you read from different authors, the more you know the author"... but with the bible, he said, "the more you know the author, the more you understand his writings". I like that.

Anyway, I would struggle to explain how He (God) can be Himself... Jesus... and the Holy Spirit, and then the part of Himself - Jesus can be the Word and indwell in us... But I know its true and that it actually happened to me before I even knew it could.

I love you.