Why should we study the Bible? Part 1 of 5

Good morning!  

As I sit here and prep to do my Bible studies, I thought it would only be fitting to study why we study this book in the first place.  I mean, really, aren't there other books we could be studying?  Why study a book that was written so many years ago?  Does it actually help us?  In this series, I hope to touch on why we study this great book.  

So, Why do we study the bible?  There are 5 main reasons we study this great book.  I will cover one each day, but they all are:  for teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness, and for every good work.  

Today, let's touch on the teaching part of this study.  

As sinners, we are all ignorant of God's will.  So let's break that down a little bit.  Did she just call me ignorant, you  may be asking, so let's see what exactly that means.  Ignorant is defined as lacking knowledge or awareness in general.  When I see this definition, I automatically think, it means having not been taught.  Therefore, the Bible should be read in order to gain that knowledge we currently lack.  

Some verses that can help us to see what I mean are:

there is no one who understands;
    there is no one who seeks God.-- Romans 3:11

Let's touch on the first part of this verse, "there is no one who understands;"  this signifies ignorance in general, not knowing.  If we don't understand something, don't we have to be taught?  Who better a teacher than Jesus Christ and his disciples?  

The Lord looks down from heaven
    on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
    any who seek God.-- Psalm 14:2

Again, in the second part of this verse, we see that the Lord is looking for those who understand, those who are seeking Him.  So, let's look at ways we can seek his face... First, I think of prayer.  Pray to God.  Talk go Him.  Sob to Him when you need to.  Then Praise and Worship.  This comes in many forms.  Just being thankful for all He has done, will do, is doing in your life.  Singing praises to him.  And finally, reading His word.  Reading the bible is a great way to seek the Lord.  In these readings, the Lord will reveal things he wants you to know about.  Reading the word is one way you can hear from the Lord.  
He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstablepeople distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.-- 2 Peter 3:16

Are we understanding all the Lord has for us?  Or are we distorting His word to what we think we want to hear?  This is a huge indication that we do not understand the Word of God.  The best way we can come to understand it, is to study the word on a regular basis.  

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.-- 2 Timothy 2:15

Finally, we see that we are to Do our best!  That's it.  That's all God asks for is our best.  Are you doing your best to present yourself?  Are you a worker?  Are you unashamed?  Do you correctly handle the word of truth?  These are all things we should look at as we study the word of God.  From the word of God we learn. We are taught.  

In closing, what areas could you be working on in order to become wiser?  I know that I need to discipline myself to get in the word Daily.  

Father God, 

Help me to become more disciplined to reading your word daily.  Amen. 

Have Faith like a mustard seed...

As I sit here really mulling over what the 5 letter word means, I can't help but thank God for allowing me to have FAITH!  So what does that mean?

Faith by definition is strong belief or trust in someone or something; belief in the existence of God; strong religious feelings or beliefs; a system of religious beliefs; allegiance to duty or a person; fidelity to one's promises; sincerity of intentions; belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proof;  complete trust; something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially,  a system of religious beliefs; without question


What exactly does this mean?  Well in plain english, Faith is believing without seeing.  It's the belief in something without knowing the steps to get there.  For example, the pantry is almost bare, you have no money for 5 more days, you know SOMETHING will provide, but what?  How will that food stretch.  Fast forward, it's the night before pay day and you still have enough food for 2 more meals.  How did that happen?  THE LORD provided! 


As we get closer to our move, I'm finding that the Lord is testing our faith daily.  We have to learn to have faith that he will get us there in the right home in HIS timing.  I know he will provide all provisions to get us there.  I just have to be patient and have faith that He will deliver.  I have also done a lot of looking back over the last several years.  When I thought I was having faith, I feel now in hindsight that I was questioning his ability to provide for us.  This is a big thing, we must learn to trust in him fully and have faith and things will turn out. 

The verse for the day:  Luke 17:6-- "He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."

As you can see, if you have just a tiny bit of faith, you can and will do great things!  Praise the Lord!