Ixtheus Christian Devotionals

Dear Friends in Christ,

There are perhaps as many ways to study the Bible as there are students of the Bible, and that is perhaps the way it should be. Here are a few things I have learned about Studying the Bible over the years which may be of  help to you.

READ THE BIBLE FIRST

Many of us think we know what the Bible teaches, but have never actually read all of it. When we read it, suddenly we discover that there is so much more there that we don't know and never heard of before, and so much less of what we thought was in there.

Remember that the Bible is called "THE WORD OF GOD". Interestingly, Jesus Christ calls Himself "THE WORD OF GOD" too. This means that the invisible God is trying to reveal Himself by both means of the WRITTEN WORD and the FLESH AND BLOOD LIFE of Jesus Christ when He was here on earth. 

The Bible is there to provide the means to renew your mind... 

Rom 12:1-2 (KJV) 
{1} I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
 that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
 holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
{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.

Our minds start out like an unploughed field, full of rocks and weeds (opinions, attitudes and habits from contact with the World System, the Devil, and our own sinful flesh). God wants to plant His Word, like a little seed, in our field to gain a Harvest of fruit (Christ-likeness and more souls). But first the weeds and rocks must be removed. 

So as we read and study the Word, and we come across something where God says "This has to change in your life", cast it out of your heart, like a rock or a weed, and let the new attitude, habit or opinion be formed by the action of your obedience to God's Word. Gradually, this process will yield spiritual growth, and the light of Christ's life in you will become stronger and brighter through you. 

And we have also been given the HOLY SPIRIT to live in our hearts, which is called THE MIND OF CHRIST. He is there to interpret God's WORD correctly and to bring truths to our remembrance which we have learned from our previous reading of the WORD, for life decisions and for times of witnessing.

For this phase of learning the Bible, try using a translation that is "easy-reading", like reading a book or a newspaper. A few translations you might look at are "The New iving Bible" or "Today's English Version" or even "The Bible in Basic English". A check of a christian bookstore or online at  http://www.biblestudytools.net/ will allow you to find a translation that you can read relatively quickly to get an overview of the scriptures. If you get interested in a particular subject, this is ok. Pursue it separately with a concordance while you keep on reading. 

Different Bible teachers recommend reading the Bible in different ways. Of course you can read it from "Genesis to Revelation" if you want, but The Bible can be read in any order you like. Here is the order I recommend... 
                    1) The Gospel of John
                    2) The Gospel of Luke
                    3) Acts of the Apostles
                    4) Romans to Revelation
                    5) Psalms
                    6) Genesis through Judges
                    7) Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, 
                    8) Ruth through Esther
                    9) Isaiah, Daniel, Malachi, Revelation(again)
                    10) the Gospels of Matthew and Mark
                    11) Jeremiah, Ezekiel
                    12) Hosea through Malachi
                    13) Start over again at number 1)..

In the same way you would apply yourself to studying any adult, furthering- education subject in night school or tech school, you must dedicate yourself to furthering your Spiritual Education as well. This means dedicating large blocks of time and sufficient money to purchase books, software, other study materials as necessary to learn the Bible, although substantial materials are provided free on the internet. The rewards are eternal, of course, but will start immediately as well.

2 Tim 2:15 (KJV) 
Study to show thyself approved unto God, 
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 
rightly dividing* the word of truth. 

*rightly dividing = 
being able to rightly distribute the appropriate passages of the Word
 to those that need them.

Jer 36:6-7 (KJV) 
Therefore go thou, and read in the scroll, 
which thou hast written from my mouth, 
the words of the LORD in the ears of the people 
in the LORD'S house upon the fasting day: 
and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah 
that come out of their cities. 
{7} It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, 
and will return every one from his evil way: 
for great is the anger and the fury
 that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.

God Bless you in your study of His Truth.
in Christ....brother bob.....<><

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONALS 
ALWAYS FREE OF CHARGE
(but not necessarily  free of COST)
feel free to redistribute these materials to whomever you want...
be careful to observe copyright information where appropriate...
for questions, comments, help or suggestions, or subscriptions, contact us at
 ixtheus@execpc.com

Visit my evangelistic presentation at...
http://www.execpc.com/~ixtheus

God Bless You.....brother bob.......<><

If you have comments or questions, email me at ixtheus@execpc.com