January 1: Reading and scrutinizing the Scriptures.
We are going to begin a new journey in the spiritual growth of our souls. There is a very strong biblical verse in the book of Hosea that says: "My people perish for lack of knowledge." It is vital that we acquire more knowledge of the Word of God, because the growth of faith on this depends .
"Faith comes from hearing the Word of God." The Word makes us wiser and will free us from many pains caused by bad habits that we don't know we have to change, or hidden sins that we are not aware that we are committing. That is why the apostle Paul recommended to Timothy that he constantly learn and study the Bible, in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 he says: "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
There is a phrase that my grandfather and pastor learned from a book that is a biblical commentary and constantly repeated: "Read the Bible to be wise, believe it to be saved, practice it to be holy." But there is a big difference between reading it, studying it and scrutinizing it. When you scrutinize it, it means that you read it, study it, and embrace it with the attitude of someone who is hungry and thirsty for God.
When a person scrutinizes a thing, he concentrates on it and pays attention to its details. Looking at a photograph is not the same as scrutinizing it. By scrutinizing, you look for items that may go unnoticed with the naked eye. That is why scrutinizing requires time, since it is not an action that can be carried out in a hurry.
As we studied Psalm 119, you will be able to remember the words of the psalmist who always longed to hear, memorize and put into practice God's laws. He knew that there is the source of life.
In the scriptures we learn how to live righteously and godly on earth, how to be successful in everything we do; it contains practical advice on how to live and coexist in harmony in your home, it helps to be able to resolve conflicts with our neighbors. It also prepares us to walk in the holy way of God in the midst of an unjust world full of traps from the enemy to make us fall, dirty our souls and separate us from God. But if you have the Word in your heart and you hold it as holding a lamp in the dark, in order to reach the race and say as Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
That is why this year we are going to begin with a special section of this devotional. Before continuing to study a new book of the Bible, Pastor Carlos Rodríguez felt in his heart to teach us during the next 40 days several strategies to be able to search the Scriptures effectively.
There are 6 methods, and we are going to share these very effective methods for you to develop the study of the Bible and to obtain the best possible knowledge every time you read the Bible. Tomorrow we will explain what these methods consist of, and how the order will be to follow these methods. Just prepare the materials that are a notebook and a pencil. Also access to the internet so you can see a video explaining the subject. It is one video per week, and I will accompany you every day through this audio devotional, explaining how to carry out the study for that day.
After 40 days you will feel completely sure that you will understand the...
