Today, I would like to address a very distinct question, and that is HOW BEST TO STUDY OUR BIBLE?I have been asked this question quite a few times by quite a few people over the years.  You hear about, “how to study your Bible in a year.” Different people have Bible Study plans on how to read your Bible. The is a question many Christian may have, but few will really ask, so they turn to all of these self-help Christian books on how to study the Bible.

In this exchange between Jesus and the woman at the well, we find out the true essence and foundation of our Christian faith and Christian religion; “true worshippers shall worship in spirit and in truth.”  The word “true or ἀληθινός, η, ον aléthinos (al-ay-thee-nos') means, truth as real, genuine, as opposed to untrue, false, fake, phony, pretentious or false. Aléthinos refers to what is essentially connecting fact to its underlying reality to the worshiper.

Throughout modern time, there has been debates, formulations, questions, downright falsely manufacturing of what Jesus looked like.Jesus’ creed, color or what He looked like, is irrelevant, it’s who He is that truly matters to all. He is the Son of God. He is Lord and Savior. We are all sinners, and in need of saving from the consequence of sin (eternal death), by and through His redemptive work on the cross. However, come along with us in this study to get a better understanding of what Jesus looked like.

The prophet and the talking donkey is one of the most interesting stories in the Bible.In all honesty, I’ve had a hard time figuring this guy out.  After reading the story of Balaam and the talking donkey again, I told the Lord, I’m confused about Balaam?  Was he really a prophet of yours? Or was he false prophet, a sorcerer, a soothsayer? I mean, Balaam did pronounce some of the most inspired poetic blessings in God’s Name upon God’s people. Lord, you also spoke with Balaam several times and your Spirit came upon him several times. If Balaam was a false prophet, a heathen soothsayer, why did you speak directly with him? Why did your Spirit come upon him?  Lord, i’m confused, I don’t get it?

Prov. 3:5-8Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Most all Christians know this scripture, it’s one of those that is a staple of the Christian way.  However, it has become more of a Christianese saying than an application of our Christian life. Today, I want to get to the nuts and bolts of this passage for a better understanding for to apply this scripture to our lives, more than just believing it.

The Lord tells us, we are to lay aside every weight, and the sin that besets us.  If you notice, weight is not sin. We know this because of the conjunction “and” the sin.  It’s important to distinguish between weight and sin. Weight is what burdens, hinders us from following or drawing closer to the Lord. The phrase "besets us", is the Greek word εὐπερίστατος, ον euperistatos (epi-rest-ta-paust); which means, sin that easily encircles or surrounds us, that is particular to your propensity, proclivities, your personality. Weights and sin referred to in Heb. 12:1 is not general burdens and sins, but speaks of those burdens, hindrances, and sins particular to each individual, which can only be determined on a person by person basis, by each person; and not sin in general.  COME LISTEN AND HEAR WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY IN HIS WORD TO YOU!

1 Cor. 11:28Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. This Divinely inspired advice, instruction, given by Brother Paul is an axiom; meaning, a self-evident truth that requires no proof, which has also been adopted by many philosophers throughout the ages, “know thyself” & “to thy own self be true”.  To deceive yourself, lie to yourself is easier to do than to lie or deceive others.  Many lies have we told ourselves over the years, and without self-examination, those lies remain in place. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom, but what’s next on the rung, is knowledge of self; without which, you have no ground work of true religion or relationship with God. Why do you think Jesus said, “to know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  Now, everyone knows that scripture, but no one examines that scripture applying it to themselves. What truth am I to know?  Truth about God?  Truth about myself?  Or, Just truth?  All the above.

Most people if you asked them if they believe in God, they will say, “I believe in God.” However, the state of most people are as it is written in Rom. 1:21:For although they knew God (or know God exist), they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.