moving from observation to interpretation

Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
As we study the obvious, with an open book, open heart, observing the text, we must let context rule. Reading the bible for all its worth involves investigation. What is going on in the passage, the chapter, and the book matter deeply. The section must be read in the historical cultural setting. The type of literature is important as well. The audience and the speaker matter. The type of language used, historical context etc. can affect the meaning. A comma can change meaning. For example, let's eat grandpa without the comma has an entirely different meaning with the comma. Let's eat, grandpa. So read with observation carefully in context as we move to interpretation.

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problems studying the word

The problem of studying the word
II Peter 3:15-16 ....Paul...hath written unto you;....some things hard to be understood....
Several problems arise as we begin to study the word of God. First, just reading the book presents quite a hurdle. Second, reading with understanding stands in our path. Our tendency is to scan it and then jump to application. However to read with understanding requires a methodical approach. Thus we need to observe the text asking ourselves, what does it say. Take down notes and ask lots of questions about the text. Who, what, where, when and why.

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an open heart

How should we study?
Open heart
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia,....which worshipped God, heard us : whose heart the Lord opened....
Not only do we need a readable bible, and an open book to study, we need an open mind. Here Lydia heard the word of God read and God opened her heart to its truth. Pray for Gods leadership as you study the Bible.

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A Readable Open Book

II Kings 22:8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
How should we study? First we need a readable book open book. In this example we find that Hilkiah the priest found the word of God where it had been lost. He took it up and gave it to Shaphan the scribe who read the word of God. Are you reading the word of God? I even challenge those who might disagree with the Bible to read it in context and systematically before you claim disagreement. And if you believe, you should read it so you may learn what it says. Too often we have our own ideas about God without even searching it out in the first place.

read it and heed it

Read it and heed it.

Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it

Do you read your bible? Many people readily argue against the word of God yet most have never studied it. Others who deeply believe in the word of God argue over which version of the bible is correct yet many have not studied it carefully. Over the next few days I will give a simple plan on how to study the Bible. If you do not believe in God and argue against it but have never read it all I challenge you to read it before you attack it. If you do believe but have never studied it completely I challenge you to read God' s word. Who wants to stand before God and have to admit that you never have read His book.(notes from seminary and Dr. Howard Hendricks, Living by the Book.)

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the agony of waiting for answers to prayer

« Hope that sustains

The agony of waiting for answers to prayer.

Psalms 27:13 I had fainted , unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
A dear friend and mentor, Dr Alan Henson gave this advice in a sermon once: When answering prayers: sometimes God says no; the request is wrong. Sometimes he says slow; the request is right but the timing is wrong. Sometimes he says grow; the request is right but people involved need to grow. Sometimes he says go; the request is right and the timing is right. Therefore may God grant us patience to wait for His timing and His answers.

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hope that sustains

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Remember how that trials exercise our patience which gives us experience? That experience gives us hope to persevere through trials we will face. However that can become tiresome if all we have is experience. Hope that is confidently placed in a holy God and his eternal promises finds a perseverance that will endure to the end.

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faith for the journey

Romans 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Yesterday I shared with you that trials stretch or exercise our patience. These two give us experience at handling trials producing hope. That hope is strengthened because we can see the end of the trial. That's obvious. However underlying this testing is the qualities we learn about Gods character and love. These form the foundation of our hope. May God strengthen your foundation of hope. May you persevere to the end faithful to God and all that is good.

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the testing of patience

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
We all need more patience. Or at least we all need our patience stretched and enlarged so we can apply it where it is needed. Isn't it ironic that we have enough patience for the things we want. Trials enlarge, stretch and test our patience. Trials do not give you patience. Trials expose the patience that is already there, exercising it, strengthing it so you develop endurance.

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this too shall end

The fact that we hurt when we suffer the painful moments in life shows we are alive. However true that is it does not help us when we hurt. However with every storm there is an end. At the moment David wrote this psalm he was suffering. The hope he experienced at the end of his storm came in verse 22 where David remembered that God does not forget the afflicted and he helps them in their time of suffering.
Psalms 22:14
My strength drains away like water; all my bones are dislocated; my heart is like wax; it melts away inside me.

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Be the initiator

Reconciliation cost God his Son and Christ his life. What is it costing u? Are u following his example? Remember it is not if we offend but when we offend. We need to remember salvation begins a journey. He is reconciling us to God whom our sins have offended. We need to follow his example. He initiated, paid the price, and spoke the first word of reconciliation. Take a chance on faith. Be the initiator. We have been given the word and ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

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Who's ur enemy?

An oft' quoted phrase, A man is known by his enemies, helps us qualify a man for what he stands for by seeing who is against him. The truth clarified in that quote, reveals itself in God's strategy for living. God reveals that people are not the enemy we face but a more sinister being stands against us.
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against....the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

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seek knowledge

Do u know God? Do u know His will? Are u growing in wisdom and understanding? Paul prayed for this to be true in the lives of the colossal Christians. In order for us to know, and grow according to Pauls prayer three things must happen. First we must pray. Second we must be filled with His word. Third we must seek to learn and apply this knowledge.
Colossians 1:9
For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

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Gods valentine

God sent us His Valentine wrapped in swaddling cloths that first Christmas. It was the ultimate gift card. He purchased it on calvary. We find when we cash it in at salvation that it is sonship and love without prejudice or pretence.
1 John 4:19
We love because he loved us first.

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are u an encourager?

There are two types of people around this blind man who desired to see Jesus. The first scolded him for crying out to Jesus. These are the scorners. They hinder with their attitude. The second group of people are absent but should have been there. These would be the encouragers. Do u hinder folks from Christ by ur scolding harsh attitude? Or are u an encourager but are conveniently absent? We ought to be very present vocal encouragers in the lives of the spiritually blind.
Mark 10:48
Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

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grace to be and do

God loves us so much that he floods us with grace for salvation and life in general. He showers us with this grace so that we will have everything we need so that we can do the work we are called to do for God.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work.

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God remembers his promises

Today there is a lot of discussion that Gods covenant with Israel has changed to the new testament church. However God is,not one to forget his promises. He remembers his people even when they stray. His is an everlasting covenant.
Jeremiah 33:25
But I, the Lord, make the following promise: I have made a covenant governing the coming of day and night. I have established the fixed laws governing heaven and earth.

Jeremiah 33:26
Just as surely as I have done this, so surely will I never reject the descendants of Jacob. Nor will I ever refuse to choose one of my servant David’s descendants to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Indeed, I will restore them and show mercy to them.”

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open doors

Revelation 3:7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David, who opens doors no one can shut, and shuts doors no one can open: Revelation 3:8 ‘I know your deeds. (Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut.) I know that you have little strength, but you have obeyed my word and have not denied my name.

Just when we are without strength God has a way of opening doors of opportunity. In the old testament Abraham had tried to believe God for an heir. He offered God his faithful servant, eliezer. His answer to Gods will was not sinful but it was not Gods best. God's best was a son of the promise through barren Sarah. Abram and Sarah impatient and discouraged by time followed the culture and conceived a child through Hagar. Here they did gods work man's way. God however had a plan for a promised son through shrank who no longer could father children. ROM 4:19; much like this story of abram and Sarah we get impatient and try to rush God's timing, or we try to open doors he has not opened for us. Ironically, God, when he judges abimelech, for taking Sarah from abram, it is in the area of closing the womb of the women of the land. It was only in the act of faith and obedience to the words of God and the prayer of faithful abram that the curse was lifted. God allowed abram to go through this experience to learn he is the author of life. Thus the hope we need is found in faith in and patience in the timing of God. In this passage to the church in revelations Jesus reminds the church, he opens and closes doors. An open door is an opportunity, growth,and the timing of God. Without open doors we would not experience the fullness of his will. Patience wins the victory. Impatience wastes energy and defeats our hope.

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God Gives His Best

What burdens your heart today? Is it something godly, will it glorify God, bless mankind, and not compromise your Christianity? Then ask God for his provision. Remembering that all things good and bad work for good in our lives we can ask in faith. He who works all for our good will not withhold any good from his children. If he gave us his son will he not continue to invest goodness in us as well?
Romans 8:32
Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?

God reliance

"Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.", C. S. Lewis
Do you truly rely on the Lord. The importance of being self reliant sometimes becomes an idol that we revere more than our true need of God. He is our help when no one else is there, our hope when the night darkens. May your self reliance become God reliance.

Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is purified; he is like a shield for those who take refuge in him.

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God wants us to stop living life on the merry go round. Sometimes He desires that we stop the merry go round and get off the ride so we can just focus on Him. It is what Abraham knew with God in his quiet time and it is what I have found there as well. The phrase in this passage "renew you with my love" can be translated..I will quiet u with my love...that is when we are in his presence we know he is our deliverer. And as he delights in us we can release that pent up tightness in our soul that comes from the stresses of life and truly rest in him. It is when we see he has no hidden agenda or pretense that we can experience the grace to both be and the room to freely become what he desires of us. That is the joy of knowing his peace and experiencing the power of transformation that comes just as Mary learned in quiet time at his feet.
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.”