The Bible is not just for learning; it’s for living. –Lawrence O. Richards
Would
you like to know what God really thinks about you? Or how you should think
about God? You can find out… in the Bible!
The
Bible is the very personal message of the One who created the universe. Because
it is God’s living Word, it does more than grab your attention. It speaks to
you. In a manner that’s almost uncanny, the verses you read today may apply
directly to your problems.
The Bible explains how it was written
“For no
prophecy recorded in Scripture was ever thought up by the prophet himself. It
was the Holy Spirit within these godly men who gave them true messaged from
God” (2 Peter 1:20,21). Those verses apply specifically to the Old Testament
prophecies, but the entire Bible is inspired: “All Scripture is God-breathed…”
(2 Timothy 3:16).
The
word inspiration literally means “God-breathed.” From God’s very life, His
breath, came the words of the Bible. You may find other books inspiring to read
because they are intellectually or emotionally moving, but they are not the
very words of God. Only the Bible is.
The
Bible reveals what God wants you to know about Him and about life. It contains
promises: things that God says He will do for you. Here are just a few of God’s
promises to you:
·
God will use everything in your life for good, conforming you
into the image of Christ (Romans 8:28,29)
·
He will always be with you (Matthew 28:20)
·
He will generously give wisdom if you ask (James 1:5)
·
He will supply every need in your life (Philippians 4:19)
·
He already knows your needs before you ask Him (Matthew 6:32)
·
His peace will superintend you through life as you pray with
thankfulness (Philippians 4:4-7).
With
most books, you learn best by beginning at page one. You would think that the
best place to start your study of the Bible would be on page one of Genesis.
After all, Genesis means “beginnings.” But the Bible is not arranged in chronological
order. The books of the Bible are placed in categories. You may want to follow
the recommended order for reading the Bible at the end of this article. This
order is designed to give you a good understanding of the major themes of
Scripture and to acquaint you with much of its history.
The key to understanding the Bible is Christ
The Old
Testament looks forward to His coming. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John) reveal Christ’s identity and mission, and the rest of the New Testament
explains the implications of that new life in Christ. To understand the Old
Testament, you have to begin with the New Testament.
Jesus
said He came to give us life more abundantly and part of experiencing that is
by knowing and following His Word. Jesus said, “If you continue in my word,
then you are truly disciples of mine; and you will know the truth, and the
truth will make you free.” (John 8:31)
It was
as someone shared God’s Word with us that we became Christians. “For you have
been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the
living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23) And we continue to grow the
same way, through His word, which He refers to as our nourishment. “Like
newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in
your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter
2:2,3)
All of
Psalms 119 talks about the value of studying God’s Word. Here are just a couple
of reasons from it: “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin
against you.” (v11) “O how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have
more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.”
(v97-99) “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (v105)
Bible
reading is an intellectual exercise, involving your mind. But to understand the
spiritual teaching and apply it, you need the Holy Spirit’s leading. As you
read the Bible, pray, asking God the Holy Spirit to make plain to you what He
wants you to know: “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you
into all truth” (John 16:13). Develop a spirit of expectancy – God wants to
teach you through His Word. But don’t rely on feelings. I’ve had some of the
best times of Bible study when I decided that I would continue reading for
fifteen more minutes even though the previous fifteen minutes were “boring.”
If your
Bible study is regular and daily, it will become a habit in your life. Find a
place free from distraction. Be creative, and pick the time of day when you are
most alert and able to spend time with God. Remember, you are pursuing a
relationship with God and you want to be able to converse with Him. Keep a
journal to record what God teaches you. Writing helps organize your thoughts,
as well as giving you something you can return to several months later.
God
will honor the time you spend with Him, and you’ll find yourself growing in
your faith. It will be time well spent.
Recommended
order of Bible reading:
·
John
·
1 John
·
Romans
·
Galatians
·
Ephesians
·
Philippians
·
Colossians
·
Luke
·
Acts
·
1 Thessalonians
·
2 Thessalonians
·
1 Timothy
·
2 Timothy
·
James
·
Mark
·
1 Corinthians
·
2 Corinthians
·
Genesis
·
Exodus
·
Joshua
·
Proverbs
·
1 Samuel
·
2 Samuel
(to be continued )
