Proverbs 2:1-6
"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." Today we will visit some things that we must do in order to understand our Bible. 1. First and foremost…You must be saved. What do we receive when we get saved? The Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit residing within us, we are just an empty vessel unable to discern the Truth of the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 2. You must believe the Bible to be Truth. John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Jesus prayed these words for us just before Judas betrayed Him and He began His journey to Calvary. He believed that God’s Word was true. Do you? When you hear your Pastor preach, do you receive his message as his opinion or as a Word from God? Paul tells about the church at Thessalonica and their perspective of the Word of God. I Thessalonians 2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” They serve as an example for us today. We must believe our Bible to be the Truth. 3. You must ask God to help you. In order to understand the Bible, we must pray for God to reveal Himself to us through the Scriptures. Psalm 119:18 "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Before you open your Bible, ask God to show you something through His Word. Ask for direction. Ask for help. Ask for guidance. He is sure to give you exactly what you need. Andrew Murray said "Prayer prepares your heart to receive the Word from God Himself." Ask God to prepare your heart for understanding the Scriptures. 4. You must love your Bible. It is no accident that the manufacturing process for a Bible is different than any other book that is produced. The Bible is not just any other book, it is the very Words of God Almighty in written form. It is inspired, preserved, and inerrant. The Bible is the only Book ever written whose Author is always present. This should allow us to develop a love for our Bible. Psalm 119:47 “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.” 5. You must be willing to do more than read. Jesus Christ tells us that there is more than just reading our Bibles. He said we should search the Scriptures for understanding. John 5:39 "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." Another way to increase our understanding is by studying God’s Word so that we can rightly divide It. 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” As we search and study, we can meditate on the Truth of God’s Word. Endeavor to spend time every day meditating on a portion of Scripture. Psalm 1:1-2 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Search. Study. Meditate. What is the biggest hindrance to studying the Bible? Laziness. If we are not willing to take the time to read, study and search the Scriptures, we will not find Its deepest treasures. The more we study the Bible, the more we will love our Bible, the more we will understand our Bible. Bible Reading: Joshua 11-12 | Acts 12 | Psalm 70
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Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” God wants to transform us. He has made us new creatures in Him, and it is because of that transformation that He wants us to continually be shaped according to His will. How can we be transformed? By renewing our minds. How can we renew our minds? Renewal comes from the time we spend with Him in prayer and reading God’s Word. As we receive the Words He has given us, He renews us and directs us in the way He would have us to go and what He would have us to do. We cannot be transformed or renewed if we are conformed to the world around us. We must separate ourselves from worldly pleasures. Ask God to reveal to you what things are hindering your walk with Him. Once He shows you, ask Him to help you remove them from your life. The god of this world is very good at blinding us from seeing the things that separate our fellowship with the Lord. Sin is always camouflaged in everything we have ever wanted. Our fleshly desires are hard to defeat, but thanks be to God that “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world!” Though we are new creatures in Christ, we still have our flesh to contend with each day that we live and breathe. Ephesians tells us that we are to put off the old man, and put on the new man. “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 In order to put on the new man each day we must separate ourselves from the world, and strengthen ourselves by renewing of our minds through Christ Jesus our Lord. Pray. Read. For therein you will find the strength you need to fight against the wiles of the devil and against the lusts of the flesh. Romans 12 is filled with clear instruction for following God’s direction. Take the time to read the chapter today and see what passages God uses to shine the Light on areas of your life that need to be transformed in order to find the “good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” for your life. Bible Reading: Joshua 9-10 | Acts 11 | Psalm 69 Philippians 4:19
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” This verse is used often in all sorts of situations. When studying the Scriptures the most essential element is context. Many verses have been taken out of context to fit or adapt false doctrines and misconceptions about the Word of God. This doesn’t make this particular verse any less true, but context is important. God can supply what you need. He is willing and able to do so. But the context of Philippians 4 is giving to the Lord’s work, missions. The church at Philippi understood the concept of missions. They were birthed from Paul’s Macedonian mission in Acts 16. We learn that Lydia, the seller of purple, was fruit of that mission trip as she was saved down by the river. Paul writes his letter to the Philippians, while sitting in a prison cell in Rome years after he had planted the church of Philippi. In chapter four we find him writing of his thankfulness for their sacrificial giving toward the work of the ministry. The people of Philippi were very poor, yet they gave anyway. They were a church on a mission field that was giving so that other churches could be planted. This is the Lord’s pattern for missions. We see in verse 17 that Paul describes why he needed their support. “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Philippians 4:17 Not because he wanted a gift or money, but because he desired fruit. Fruit that would abound to the church’s account. Fruit that would remain. When we support the Lord’s work, God promises that He will supply our need! He even tells us how much so...His riches are inexhaustible. They never run dry. His glory will never diminish. Christ Jesus is the Giver of all our spiritual blessings. He gives us exactly what we need, when we need it! Let us be faithful to give to the work of the Lord so that others may come to know Him! In doing so, we can claim the promise that: “But my God…” He is a personal God. Refer to Him today as “my God” because He is. “shall supply…” Give to His work, and He will supply for you. “all your need…” He knows what you need, even before you ask. “according to His riches…” This is the measure of the supply available to you…endless resources. “in glory…” He will supply your need by His riches for His glory! He blesses us in ways that only He can so that He can receive the glory only He deserves. “by Christ Jesus.” He is the Giver of all our need, and all our blessings. Without Him we would have nothing. When we give to Him we are investing in eternity. Consider what Christ could do through you and for you if you would give. When we give, we are obeying His Word by supporting His Work. “God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” – Hudson Taylor Bible Reading: Joshua 7-8 | Acts 10 | Psalm 68 Psalm 57:7-11
“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.” David is in distress. In the context of this chapter, David was running for his life. Saul, the king of Israel, wanted him dead. He was jealous of David. Maybe you can relate with him. Have you ever felt like someone was out to get you? They may not be physically threatening, but their malicious intent is obviously pointed in your direction. It's not fun, and can make you want to get even or settle the score. Instead of getting even, David first prayed about his situation. The first six verses of the chapter, he lays out his plead for mercy and displays his trust in God to deliver him. “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” Psalm 57:1 After pleading for help, David then begins to praise God despite his circumstances. He is expecting God to give the mercy he requested, and therefore he praises God because he knows He is sure to answer. “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” Psalm 57:7 When you feel like you're in a cave hiding from your enemies, ask the Lord for mercy and praise Him for what He will do. Today turn your problems into praise. Bible Reading: Joshua 5-6 | Acts 9 | Psalm 67 Colossians 3:1
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” If you are saved, this verse is speaking directly to you! On those days when your mind is spinning, and you don’t know which way to turn, this is a great verse to help reset your perspective. Look up! When we seek those things which are above, our outlook changes to what really matters. It is so easy to get weighed down with the cares of this world. Whether great or small, our enemy the devil knows just what buttons to push to get us distracted and deter us from our purpose. On those days when nothing seems to go right and you feel like a failure (let’s face it, we’ve all been there), remind him of his future! Our verse today tells us where our Saviour currently resides, seated on the right hand of God. He is sitting because His work is finished. But one day, very soon, He will once again leave His heavenly throne. Only this time, He will meet us, His bride, in the air and will escort us into the place He went to prepare for us. Satan is having a hay day right now, as he knows his time is running out. He knows he has only a little while longer to continue his reign as the god of this world. Don’t focus on him and his friends. That’s exactly what he wants. He wins when we let down our guard and allow him to change our focus from what God would have us to do. Sometimes he uses people, even Christians, to distract us. Don’t let him get the victory. Look up today, Christian! Our redemption draweth nigh! Remind yourself of your home in Heaven that Christ has prepared for you. Remind Satan of his future and tell him to leave you alone. You are not his; you are a child of the King of Kings! Bible Reading: Joshua 3-4 | Acts 8 | Psalm 66 John 3:30
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” In one of his last testimonies before being sent to prison by Herod the tetrarch, John the Baptist speaks these words as his disciples are celebrating his ministry and how he foretold of Christ’s ministry. Look at his response to them: “John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” John 3:27 John knew that he was just a friend of the bridegroom. He knew that Jesus had received His power from His Father, and he goes on to explain why Christ must increase and his own notoriety must decrease. He wanted his followers to see Christ and not himself. This is the motive of a true follower, a real Christian. He knew that he was just an earthly vessel, but Jesus Christ had come from above, from His Father in Heaven. He is above all. What would the world be today if we as Christians truly let Jesus increase and ourselves decrease? Instead of pointing to ourselves, we need to acknowledge that everything we are able to accomplish comes from Him! John the Baptist knew that, and he made sure to convey that message to his followers. In a world where self-promotion and self-centeredness are rampant, this Biblical principle is hardly anywhere to be found, even in the church. We need more Christians, like John the Baptist, who instead of allowing others to point to them, will point to the One from whom all things are received! Every thing we have is because of Him. Every thing we strive to be will be because of Him. Every person we point to Him is for His glory. He > I When we get the equation backwards we are asking for trouble. If we try to let others see us instead of Him, we have our reward. Seek to hide yourself behind the cross today. If others point to you, point them to Him! If we were more like John, we would make our life’s goal to proclaim… “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36 Point to Him today! Bible Reading: Joshua 1-2 | Acts 7 | Psalm 65 Luke 24:46-47
“And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Christ was behoved both to suffer and to rise from the dead. Why? So that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among the nations! Look at some of the references in the Scripture… Matthew 9:13 “…for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Matthew 26:28 “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” We all know that this was Jesus’ purpose when He left His throne in Heaven, was made flesh and dwelt among His creation. His Name is above all names, and it is by no other name but the Name of Jesus that bringeth salvation. Although the Gospel of repentance should be preached in His Name to all nations, notice where it is to start…“beginning at Jerusalem.” When Christ gave the Great Commission before He ascended to Heaven after His resurrection, Acts 1 tells us how He said the Gospel would be spread: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Let’s apply that to the world we live in today: “in Jerusalem” – Your City or Town “in all Judaea” – Your State “in Samaria” – Your Country “the uttermost part of the earth.” – The World In order to reach the world, you must start where you are. Your community is your Jerusalem. We can’t expect to make a difference in the world if we aren’t making a difference at home. Have you ever met someone who felt “called” to an international mission field, but yet will not go soul winning in their community? God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Start where you are today. You can shine your Light to your neighbors, fellow students, co-workers, family, friends, strangers, etc. God wants to use you in your Jerusalem wherever that may be. He has placed you right where you are so that you can reach those around you. Not sure how to start? Read your Bible. God will help prepare you through His Word. Pray and ask God to direct your path. If you ask Him to give you an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone, He is sure to open the door. Talk to your Pastor. Ask Him to guide you in what ministry you can help with in your local church. Give a Gospel tract to someone. Charles Spurgeon called them silent preachers for they can speak volumes to a person’s heart without an audible word being said. God has used Gospel tracts in many many ways to make a difference in people’s lives, and prepare their hearts for the Seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Contact us if you’d like to receive some Gospel tracts for distribution. Let God use you where you are. Bloom where you are planted. Shine your Light to those around you today. Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34 | Acts 6 | Psalm 64 I Thessalonians 4:11-12
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” Have you ever met someone who seemed liked they studied just so they could tell everyone everything they know? It’s distracting from the purpose at hand, isn’t it? As we study the Scriptures, God wants us to study to be quiet, to be peaceable and gentle in our speech. Have you ever met someone who paid attention just to know your business? Or someone who put their hands on a project where they did not belong? Our text today shows us that we are to work with our own hands while doing our own business. The meddlers of this world must not have read this passage! It is a great reminder to those of us serving in the ministry that we have a purpose; we have a calling that should be our focus and we should let others focus on their own ministries. Why is this important? So “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without”. It is important for us to focus on our purpose & calling so that we can take the Gospel to those who are without it. We are to walk honestly toward them. The lost are waiting with empty hearts whether they realize it or not. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness of their hearts and hands. We have been entrusted with the Gospel, and it is our commission to share it with others. What does the verse say will happen when we do this? “that ye may have lack of nothing.” God has promised us that He will supply all of our needs, IF we will trust Him and carry the Gospel to this lost and dying world. Remember the verse in Colossians that is similar to our text today: “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” Colossians 4:5 How are you carrying the Gospel today? How are you redeeming the time that God has given you to reach the lost? Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31-32 | Acts 5 | Psalm 63 I Peter 2:21
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” Where are we called? We are called to suffer. “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” I Peter 2:19-20 Christ suffered. He suffered for us. He left us an example to follow. Look at the verses after our text: “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” I Peter 2:22-23 He suffered wrongfully. And if we are to be like Him, we too shall suffer unjustly. You might not get that promotion you think you deserve, but God is keeping you at your desk for a reason. Maybe your co-worker needs the Gospel. Your spouse may make some choices that the family will reap the consequences of, but God is giving you an opportunity to trust Him to bring you through it. Are you suffering wrongfully today? God has a reason. Follow Christ’s example. Follow His steps. No deceit was found in his mouth. He did not condemn His enemies. He did not threaten to get even. He simply committed Himself to the One Who judges righteously, God The Father. What can we do when we suffer wrongfully? We can wait patiently on the Lord with courage that He will give us the strength we need to endure the trial. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 Christ bare His body on the tree of Calvary so that we who were dead in our sins could live unto righteousness. Every day that we breathe we are given a choice of whether or not we will die to ourselves and let the Lord guide us through our day. Follow the example Christ set for us. Take up your cross and follow His steps today. Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 29-30 | Acts 4 | Psalm 62 Isaiah 55:1
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” We find in our verse today an invitation to “come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Those that were invited to the waters didn’t have any money, yet they were able to both buy and eat. This may seem a bit confusing. How can a person buy and eat without paying a set price with money? The context of our passage today is that of salvation. Our verse today is an invitation to come and partake of the benefit of the Gospel of grace. What provision the grace of God is! Grace is unmerited favor. Within our verse the wine and milk was unearned. The partaker did not pay for it, but rather the Provider had paid the price. Food costs money, and it only satisfies for a short period of time. But thanks be to God who offers us free nourishment for more than just our physical bodies, He nourishes our soul! How much does it cost to be a Christian? It cost God His only begotten Son. It cost Jesus Christ His life. But it is a gift to you. “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 Gifts are given voluntarily, without payment in return or the need to be earned. God gave His Son, Jesus Christ. He paid the debt we owed. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 How do we become a Christian? As we see in verse 1, we first have to come. We have to realize our need for a Saviour. In verse 3 we see we must listen, “Incline your ear, and come unto me”. We need to realize what Christ has provided for us. He came and died for us, so that we could spend eternity with Him. Verses 6-7 show us our need to call upon Jesus to save us and repent from our wicked ways. “Seek the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7 When we do this, the Lord will have mercy upon us and pardon us from the debt we owe because of our sin. God offers us salvation freely, but in order to have eternal life we must receive it. A Gift is of no use unless it is received, and it cannot be given unless it’s already been paid for. Have you received this gift? If so, then why keep it to yourself? The gift of salvation is inexhaustible; it will never be out of stock. That family member, that friend, needs to hear about the free gift that is waiting for them to receive. They may not know it is available, or they may need to hear the Truth once again. Share the Gift with someone today. This Gift can change their life. Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 27-28 | Acts 3 | Psalm 61 |
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