Back to the Basics: Studying the Bible

I am not going to lie to you...I love books! The feel of them in my hands, the ability to travel to unknown lands, and time periods: you get the picture. However, when it comes to the greatest book known to mankind, the Bible, I struggle to sit down for 30 minutes and read it. Why is that? I think it has something to do with this verse:
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work"
 (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Reproof? Correction? Ouch! I think this is one of the main reasons that it is hard to read the Bible: It convicts you! The Bible is exciting, no doubt about that, and if you get a translation like the NLT, it even makes it much easier to understand what the Bible is saying. So how does one go about getting better at studying the Bible? Here are some things I've found helpful:

Set aside a time for just you and God

I really love my husband's and my time with God. We read the Bible to ourselves from the Old Testament, read out loud to each other from the New, and the Psalms and Proverbs. This way we hold each other accountable, and we can also talk about what struck us the most. We also have a certain time we do it: before going to bed. Jesus spent time with God in the mornings(Mark 1:35) but I think that not all people are coherent enough at that time. Set aside a time that is the best for you, where you can give God all your attention and focus on Him. Also, if you are just starting, you may want to time yourself, or set aside so many chapters to read until you get in the habit. This brings me to my next tip:

Have a plan

'I read the Bible, I just close my eyes and stick my finger in a place, open and read!'
Although that might be a fun thing to do one day, it is not ideal in the least. If your Bible study consists of doing that, then you are missing out on context and better understanding of what you are reading. Context is a big issue with reading the Bible; it divides denominations, and theologies.  My suggestion is to start with a book, perhaps John or Romans, and go from there. My husband and I use YouVersion on our iphones to read the Bible in a year. This is a great way to get through the whole Bible, and it helps from wondering 'What should I read next?'

Let the transformation begin!

Warning: Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 again. You will be changed! When God pricks your heart and you are called to live a life more pleasing to Him, do it! Yes it will convict, reprove,correct, discipline, but it will also teach you to be 'competent, equipped for every good work'. Don't let conviction keep you from reading the Bible. A true child of God will want to become more like the Christ that gave His live for them, reading the Bible and doing what it says will help you do just that!

Back to the Basics: Prayer

Prayer is often seen as asking things of God, as one would Santa Clause: 'Please give me a new car, help me land a job interview, please give me a girlfriend/boyfriend, etc' are often the prayers we pray. Today, I would like to hopefully show that there is more to just asking God for the the things you want. Now, I am only going to be scratching the surface of the subject of prayer. Prayer should include thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2-3), and acknowledgment of who God is(Matt. 6:9). Jesus teaches us how to pray in Matt. 6:5-15, and the Bible also gives us an example of one of Christ's own prayers in John 17. I encourage you to go and read those verses, but today I am going to examine one particular verse on prayer, James 5:1b.

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

 

Righteous Man (or Woman!)

Are you a righteous man/woman? First off, 'none is righteous no not one' Rom. 3:10. What?! Paul was saying this to show that it didn't matter what nationality we are, we are all equals in that we've all sinned and can never be righteous according to the law. Thankfully Christ died for us so that we could be made righteous in his sight (Rom. 3:22). This means that to have an effective prayer, you must first be saved. 
 However, I do believe that we can go further to say that to have an effective prayer we need to be in God's will. We see a great example of this in Acts 4: 23-31. We see here that the church members prayed for boldness not for the persecution to stop, or for their lives to be all peachy but for the courage to stand up and proclaim the name of Jesus. We see that in verse 31 that prayer was heard and granted. You see, if I am in God's word (more on that in the next post) and striving to live in His will, then I am going to ask for things that are in accordance to His will. When Jesus was about to go to the cross he asked that only if it be in God's will that the cup be passed from him. If Jesus sought God's will above all else, then we should certainly do the same!

Fervent

Fervent is defined as 'exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling', in other words, passionate. How many times have we talked to God and said the exact same words as we did the last time we talked to Him? If we again, look at how Jesus talked to God before going to the cross, we see such passion and intensity of feeling exhibited by him (Hebrews 5:7)(Luke 22:44). When is the last time you literally cried out to God, and wept over your sins, or over the thing/person you were praying for?
When I think of fervent, I also think of, repetitive; not in that we say the same prayer over and over again, until the meaning is lost, but in that we go to God and make our request known to him often. Jesus gives an example of a lady who goes to court wanting justice done. The judge doesn't listen at first, but after great persistence, gives in. Jesus ends the parable by saying  that even though the judge was unjust, he still gave the lady justice because of her persistence 'So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night?'  (Luke 18:2-8)

So in other words, for our prayers to be effective, we should passionately lay our requests before God, doing so from a heart that yearns to do His will above all else.

Back to the Basics: The Gospel

My Story...
It was a day in April, 1996, that my life was changed forever. My mom was teaching about Jesus' death in our homeschool Bible study and even though I had been to church and Sunday School all of my six years I suddenly became very inquisitive. I don't remember the questions, but I remember there were a lot of them. My next memory is of that night laying in bed with a feeling like a hammer hitting my heart. I sat up. I knew what I had to do. I realized right then and there that if I died I would go to Hell, and I certainly didn't want to go there! My sister asked me some sort of question, and I told her to be quiet, because I was going to get saved. I don't remember the exact words I said, but since I grew up in a Christian family I'm sure it was along the lines of asking Jesus to forgive my sins and come live in my heart. I didn't understand much, but I understood that I did bad things and that Jesus died for those bad things so that I didn't have to pay for them,  if I accepted Him, He would let me live with Him one day.
Like I said, I don't remember a whole lot, but I do remember that there was no burden on my heart anymore. I know that I no longer was in fear of dying, and I didn't want to do those bad things anymore because I was living for Jesus now!
I have doubted my salvation many times since then, but when I do I go back to that day in my mind, and I remember that I was no longer the same. I see how much Jesus has worked in my life, and know.

I Timothy 2:4-6 (NLT)
'Who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time'

Do you feel like there is no point in life? Let me introduce you to Jesus. Do you feel like you're a slave to your sin? There is a man who gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone, and His name is Jesus! Have you already accepted the gift of salvation? Tell someone else about Jesus!


You may ask: But there are so many other religions and beliefs out there, so how do you know that Jesus is the true way? I know because I once was lost but now I'm found...was blind but now I see!

Ruth and Boaz: The Wedding

I love weddings. I love the candlelit churches with flowers hanging from pews, the people that come to wish the bride and groom the best,and  a blushing bride with her eyes fixed on her beaming soon-to-be husband. From the ceremony to the reception, I love a wedding (hey, I'm a girl, I think I'm programed to enjoy a wedding!). Love and romance are beautiful things but these sights and 'feelings' don't last forever. As you read Ruth 4, you might think that there isn't an ounce of romance in their love story, but a relationship founded upon the principles theirs had will be one that will last.
If you are new to my blog, I've written a few posts about relationships and if you would like to read them go to 'lables' and click on relationships.
We see that Ruth and Boaz's relationship:
Put God First 
In the first part of the chapter we see that even though Boaz loves Ruth, he still obeys the law by seeking out the closer relative, and conducting the transaction just as the law commanded (Ruth 4:1-9, Lev. 25:29). Sometimes putting God first isn't easy, but when you start your relationship that way it makes it so  much sweeter. (I write more about this in: http://ayouthpastorswife.blogspot.com/2013/02/jesus-comes-first.html)

Stayed Pure
In chapter 3 we see that even though Ruth had made herself beautiful and lay in the same room as Boaz, they both remained pure and resisted temptation. Because Boaz was putting God and His law first, Boaz waited and made his marriage a public affair (Ruth 4:10-12). If you don't remain pure in your relationship, this can lead to regrets and heartache, which may not come until after the 'lovey dovey' stage is over.

Were Unselfish
Technically, Ruth's first son would have been claimed for her deceased husband, not Boaz (Ruth 4:10). Boaz could have refused to redeem the land, because it entailed having a child that wasn't able to be claimed as his, also he could have refused because Ruth was a foreigner, but he didn't. When we put our spouse, and others ahead of ourselves, we can have a relationship that acts out 1 Corinthians 13. 

Being blissfully in love is a wonderful thing, but a relationship built on a biblical foundation is absolutely beautiful. It will give you a relationship that will last!

Ruth 3: Virtuous Character

I am now back to my Ruth series, and just one more post should finish it up. Ruth 3 has always intrigued me, because Naomi's advice to Ruth seems so strange and bazaar to my 21st century brain. Why would Naomi tell Ruth to go to a man's dwelling and have her propose to him! Wow! Crazy stuff right? But through this chapter we can see 3 types of virtuous character that we all need to have, no matter in what time period we live.

1. Naomi's Selflessness

Naomi really appeared grouchy in chapter one, and who could blame her, right? Well, her wallowing in self pity had caused her to let one of her daughters-in-law go back to a pagan country and to pagan gods. By chapter 3 we see Naomi tell Ruth 'My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?' Basically she's telling Ruth that she wants to find a more permanent home (marriage) for her so that she wouldn't have to scavenge for food or rely on other people's generosity. What Naomi suggested isn't so bazaar as it might sound once you read Deuteronomy 25:5-10, although it still sounds pretty strange to me, and I am sure to Ruth as well, who wasn't originally from Isreal. This brings me to my next virtuous character:

2. Ruth's Courage

Instead of going 'What?' (Imagine this in a minion voice) Ruth says 'All that you say I will do.' That is a pretty courageous thing for her to do! It was something that was lawful, and it was advice given to her by someone she respected, but it still must have been a nerve racking thing to do. When there is something I know that is good to do, or I know is the will of God for me to do, do I do it? Or do I give a million reasons why I shouldn't, or can't because it's something that will make me feel uncomfortable? Joshua 1:7 says to 'be strong and courageous' to do the things God commands. 

3. Boaz's Honorableness 

Boaz sounds pretty excited about Ruth's request, when he could have groaned about her lack of money and family background (her being a foreigner). He is honest with her when he tells her that there is another kinsmen redeemer, but gives her a promise and a gift to go home with. In all this we see how Boaz's conduct is honorable and selfless. He could have easily taken advantage of her, or have shooed her away in disgust but he did neither. 


How we act in awkward, or bad situations shows how real Christ is in us. As it says in Matthew 5:16 'In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.'

Forgiveness

If you have been following my blog you know that I have been talking about Ruth...I would like to get to that perhaps in a future post, but I wanted to write about something that has been on my mind. There may be a few things, so be patient, we will get back to Ruth eventually!
Matthew West wrote a song called forgiveness; here is the first verse:

It’s the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don’t deserve

It’s the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just too real
It takes everything you have just to say the word…

Forgiveness
Forgiveness

Is there someone who has hurt you physically or emotionally? Every time you hear their name mentioned it gives bad memories and possibly bad feelings that you must battle. I too have had to struggle with forgiving someone that I felt hurt me emotionally a few years back. I heard a sermon the other day (I've heard several lessons and sermons on this subject, but this one inspired me to write this post) which helped me not only put forgiveness in perspective (looking at how much God forgave us)but let me know that forgiving doesn't necessarily mean forgetting.


To forgive someone we must first realize:

God has forgiven us!

Psalm 103:10-14 says: He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

This means that although we sin constantly, and do things that hurt God, he doesn't treat us like we have! Because of His love He gave up His only son to be our Savior and remove our sins as far as the east to the west. We don't have to worry about God taking revenge upon us because of past sins, because he has forgiven us and has shown compassion on us.

That should make us realize that no matter what someone does to us, it is no comparison to what we have done to God. We are the reason that He had to give up His son! So if anyone should be holding a grudge, it should be God, but he isn't, so why do we? Please go and read Matthew 18:21-35 to see what Jesus said about forgiveness.

We must put away our pride

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It’s always anger’s own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge
It’s the whisper in your ear saying ‘Set It Free’

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

'It's not me that's wrong, it's him! If anyone should be talking about forgiveness it should be him!' I used to tell myself that, but it doesn't work. The Bible commands that we should forgive (Matthew 18:21-22), and not only that, but it causes our focus to not be on strengthening our relationship with God, but on how best to get that person back. Even if you don't feel revengeful, your thoughts are on the hurt the person has done you (making it to where the focus is on you). 

My challenge is that you read the scriptures I've posted on here, pray about forgiveness, and ask God to give you strength to forgive, then, let it go. I have found the best way to help the healing process is by starting to pray for that person. It doesn't mean that it is always easy, which brings me to my final point:

Forgiveness doesn't mean you are deaf, dumb, and blind!

Yes, often the relationship you had with them can never be restored  to its former glory, because of the broken trust, but it doesn't mean that you haven't forgiven them. It does mean, however, that you must treat them with love, and if they are Christians then it means you must treat them as a brother or sister in Christ, and if they are not then it means you must show love and forgiveness to them so that they might understand God's forgiveness.

It’ll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what it’s power can do
So, let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

For I know the plans...

Last week in Ruth, the first part of chapter 2 we saw how Ruth responded in the situation she was in. This week, we will see how God blessed her because of the way she responded.We left her in a situation of destitution, and loneliness, that she responded to with humility, diligence, and trust. When we get into situations that seem dark and uncertain, we can always remember Jeremiah 29:11:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope"

 If you can, look up Ruth 2:5-23. You will see that God provided for her through a man named Boaz, who, because of her reputation (her willingness to help her mother-in-law, and her diligence to work in the fields), took care of her, provided for her food and safety. I do want you to see that Ruth still had to work for her food, but God provided more than the normal foreigners portion, and safety from anyone harming or bothering her.
Are you in a situation that seems dark, and that there is no way out? Struggling to make ends meet? Here are some verses that I hope help you during this time.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

My prayer is that you will put your life and situation in God's hands, for he will take care and provide for you better than you ever dreamed.