Our Verse: Phillipians 3:14 I press on to the high calling of God in Christ Jesus

You're trying to read your Bible. You read, but you don't seem to get anything out of it. Nothing seems to click. What's this all about? Some days, some weeks, every word seems to jump right off the page, but not today. What's up?

Every God follower has times like this. It's not abnormal. Think of it as a winter season.

As you look at those winter trees, it looks like nothing is happening. But actually there's a lot happening. It's just that the action is not visible. Deep underground the tree is prepping for springtime. It is gathering strength for the time of growth.

It's the same for a Christian. There are times of big action and growth and also times of apparent inaction when God is preparing you for new adventures.

We can be strategic during these times. First, recognize the slow time for what it is.
Dedicate special time for prayer. It's our Mountain concept of getting away from screens and noise to a quiet place to hear from God and tell him how you feel. He may tell you about things you need to change as His follower. Try reading other parts of your Bible. The Psalms is always a good place when you're having hard times. Often the writers of the Psalms are having tough times themselves. You will relate to their struggles and God's answers.

For sure you will come out of that dry time. I have... God will send times of refreshing, newness, when hope returns and Scripture crackles with energy!

This is one of the cycles of life- Dynamic action times and times to wait. Out in front of you, in time and space, God is there setting things up. People and events are being arranged and He will lead you to them at just the right moment. Press on, as our verse says, to the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!

Our Verse: 2 Tim 2:15: Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

So Jim, how do I get started? Do I just start in Genesis...?”

How about a few ideas...
First a bit about the Bible's design:

There are two main parts to the Bible, the Old Testament and New Testament. (Testament means will) The Old Testament covers the time from Earth's creation to the life of Jesus. The New Testament describes His life and also focuses on the future, especially the book of Revelation. Here's an old saying about the Bible- "the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.”

Amazing factoids about Jesus are woven throughout the Old Testament. Jesus appears and is described in many ways and His future mission to earth is described in detail.

The New Testament chronicles Jesus' mission to earth and decrypts, reveals many Old Testament statements. Jesus fulfills many Old Testament prophecies with supernatural precision.

Start in the New Testament in the Gospel according to John. (easy to find in the Table of Contents) This is a biography of Jesus by one of his closest friends. It's a first person account of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

From there, read the other three biographies, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Each of these writers capture different aspects of Jesus' life and mission. After that, continue through the New Testament ending with the book of Revelation.

This New Testament foundation will help you understand the Old Testament. Old Testament history, teaching and stories give us wisdom and help us understand the whole story of God and Man. More on the Old Testament soon!

Gods Word, the Bible, is a living book. (Hebrews 4:12). Its ultimate author is God, so it has supernatural power to give you hope! So dive in and enjoy!

Our Verse: Psa 119:11 Thy Word I have hidden in my heart that I don't sin against you.

You say, “I want to follow God. I'd like to know about Him and what He expects from me. I get it that the Bible is His Book. So WHICH Bible is right for me?”

First, some facts...
God wants to communicate with you.
Jesus came and explained much about Himself and the Father.
Finally, the whole story of God, Jesus and man was recorded in the Bible!

Since there are many different kinds of people and languages, He tailored His message to meet the needs of all people, and to different time periods. That's why, today... we have many different versions.

Okay okay, Jim...I got it! But what about me?
How do I pick?

If you are alone and have only one Bible, go ahead...read it. God will lead you.
If you can choose a Bible:
Find a version you can understand...
Hold on Jim! What is a version?!
OK a definition-
A Bible version is a translation of ancient documents or older bible texts by a group of people or an individual who want to produce a new, more understandable Bible.
Bible translators help adapt God's message to their times.

Now where were we?
Find a VERSION you can understand. Some are written for people with big vocabularies, some for those with smaller ones. Nothing wrong with starting with a more simple version.
If you have a friend who follows God, ask about a version that will work for you. He or she may have an extra Bible or know where you can get one. Many churches will give you a free Bible, hopefully in a version you can understand and enjoy.

Many Bible versions are available on the Web. Some are free and come in many languages. You can read online or download to your device.

I started just like you. It's a great God adventure, so dont wait! Get a Bible and start reading today!

Next: Where to Start??

In earlier episodes, we explained what the Bible is and how God sent it through humans.
But... understanding it requires more than academic skill!
Maybe you tried to read the Bible and came up with a big blank.. “I just don't get this!”

The first and most important thing is having a right relationship with God. His Book is designed to work in the hearts and minds of people who recognize His leadership. As we accept His authority in our lives, we come into right relationship with Him.

The Bible says- ...the man or woman without Jesus does not receive the things of the Spirit because they are spiritually understood. I Cor 2:14

This passage goes on to say “...we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ”

Having the “mind of Christ” means that Jesus lives inside you! He helps you understand what He said and what He wants you to do. It's truly supernatural!

I was a complete blank about God before I accepted Jesus. I didn't get anything about God, I was a Bible illiterate!
When I gave my life to Him He opened His book to me! I understood! I began to eat it up every day; I loved His book and couldn't get enough.
Over time, I have learned God's ways and His plan for me. Having the “mind of Christ” makes all the difference!

Here is our conclusion: to understand the Bible you must have the “mind of Christ”. Then the wonders and mysteries of the Bible will open to you. It becomes a light, a guide, for all of life's adventures!
The Bible says: Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path Psa 119:105

Next: Which Version for me?

Our verse:
2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is inspired and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."(NIV)

Christians call the Bible “inspired”. What exactly does that mean?

Inspiration means the spiritual mental physical process of God communicating through humans and to humans.
God chose certain of His followers and passed His thoughts to them. They wrote these thoughts down using their minds and hands. This was a living, dynamic process between God and the writer using different physical mediums- Stone, Clay, metal, parchment and ink.

Over the centuries, God preserved these written thoughts and instructions and moved other followers to gather them finally into the Bible, His book available to nearly every human being.
In this amazing multi-century download to us, God also let the writers include their own experiences, both sad and victorious. (Example- Jer 10) His message is clear. He shows life and its troubles graphically and how coming close to Hi m brings hope and real answers for life.

Some fear this “inspiration” process using humans could corrupt God's message. The solid, empirical evidence- many people living the Bible way over centuries and many fulfilled prophecies- proves it true. Jesus said- ““Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. “ Mark 13:31

Our conclusions:
God communicated with us.
He used people to do it.
You and I can have total confidence that God preserved His words to us.

Next- Part 3 Understanding the Bible

God, Creator of all things, communicates with us thru written words, what nearly all people know as the Bible, the best selling book of all time. Some estimate there are over 5 billion copies in the world, with about 100 million copies sold each year! That doesn't include it's free availability on the Web! It is available in over 2000 languages so nearly all people can read it!

What is this hugely popular book?
Is it an honest history of humanity? Yes
Is it a guide to living a right life? Yes!
Is it the key to understand the present and the future? Yes!
Finally, is it information you can bet your life on? Without a doubt, it is!

Some say writers and translators changed God's message to us. This is totally false. If God, the all powerful,Omnipotent wanted to communicate with you... could He? The answer's simple... Of course. He secured His message for you and me, you can trust God. I and many others over 2000 years have tested the Word of God finding it True in every sense of the word.

In summary, the Bible is a message, a series of instructions and knowledge from God. He sent it through humans as His chosen means. It is to all people and it is to you personally.
It remains reliable throughout centuries of world wide cultural change. He promised to establish and protect it for all time, and He has. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” Mt 24

Next, What is Bible inspiration?

Our Scripture: Romans 8:20 “The creation (mankind) was subjected to futility (emptiness).”

The famous philosopher and physicist Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) said, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus”

Pascal was born to a life of privilege in his native France. As a brilliant mathematician in the 1600's, he defined amazing mathematical systems. He invented the first calculating device and established the first trolley system in Paris!
Even with his great intellect, he was unable to find peace. At age 31, he encountered Jesus and became a vibrant Christian and defender of the Bible. He found real fulfillment and satisfaction through knowing God.

Pascal helps us understand that something is missing inside us, what he called a “God-shaped vacuum”. People try many things to fill this empty spot in their souls. Whatever you own, wear or put inside you will eventually leave you unsatisfied and unfulfilled. This is not an accident, but a plan by our Creator to reach our hearts.

Remember our verse? “The creation was subjected to futility- emptiness.” The Creation- thats all of us, were given this empty spot in our souls for a reason. He desires, He hopes that people will reach out to Him to fill their hearts- fulFILLment. The Lord Jesus in our hearts, no more God-shaped vacuum! Our hearts will be full!

Do you feel it? An emptiness inside? No fulfillment?
Only total trust in Jesus can fill the hole in your soul!

Our Verse: Matt 20:30 “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.
But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us.”

It was hot and dusty in Jericho, a no-where desert town east of Jerusalem! The excited crowd grew as Jesus entered. The proclaimed Messiah was in their town!

As He passed through, the word swept ahead of the crowd, and two blind men, sitting on the edge of the road, realized that Jesus would pass right by them!

Everyone in Jericho wanted to see and hear Him. Rumors had it that people were getting healed when He touched them. Some even said He made blind people see, a detail not lost on the two blind guys!

As the noise of the crowd increased, they knew He was close and they started yelling “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” It was a slim chance that Jesus would even notice them with so many people crowding the road!
Everyone was straining to hear Jesus' words and these two bums were yelling!
The crowd said, “Shut UP, we're trying to hear!”
The blind guys said, “ Forget you!” and yelled even louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

Jesus stopped. He noticed them! He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord, we want to see!” Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him” Matt 20:32

They yelled, they were healed, and they followed Him.

A precious lesson for us. We cry out for Jesus' mercy, He heals body and soul.
Then... like the two seeing men, we follow Jesus.

Sometime when you are feeling that your part doesn't matter,
remember this amazing story from World War II.
While flying over Germany, an American B-17 bomber came under
heavy artillery fire. Deadly 20mm shells slammed into the fuselage
finally hitting the plane’s gas tanks! A direct hit usually causes a terrible explosion and everyone dies. But strangely, the plane didn't explode!

Fuel poured from the ruptured tanks.
Without a drop of fuel to spare, the crippled plane landed safely.
The ground crew pulled eleven unexploded shells from the
bomber’s fuel tanks. When they opened the shells they made
a shocking discovery. Ten of the shells contained no explosives.
Nothing! The eleventh shell had no explosives, but it wasn’t
empty. Inside was a scrap of paper with a scrawled
message: “This is all we can do for you now.”

Later, they learned the origin of the note. The Nazis had forced prisoners to work in a munitions factory. At great personal risk, these prisoners sabotaged as many shells as they could. The note was their signal to their fellow fighters that they had not given up. Those brave prisoners would never know the value of their sacrifice. Their small unseen efforts saved the lives of the flyers.

Sometimes the small things we do appear insignificant, just like the prisoners manufacturing duds. Our small acts of kindness and mercy can bring great results in this life and for eternity!

So when you feel your part doesn't matter, remember this story and this verse, Do good to all people, especially your brothers!

Our Verse: Matthew 17:27 Jesus tells Peter, “We don't want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

This is one of my very favorite stories in the Bible. We are all curious about miracles. Some doubt they ever happen. But, in this story, Peter experiences one. So what is a miracle? Heres a definition- A miracle is an observable event that occurs outside the laws of physics. Peter's event matches this definition. More on miracles in future episodes.

One day Jesus and Peter took a walk. They discussed the importance of paying their taxes. Jesus explained that so as to not offend the local religious leaders, Peter should pay taxes for both of them. However the way Jesus told Peter to pay them was unique. He told Peter to go catch a fish! Say what? Jesus told told Peter to go fish for his taxes. He took a line and hook, caught a fish and opened it's mouth. And what do ya know...a coin in the fish!
You can imagine the shock for this poor fisherman!

There, in truly the most unlikely place in all Israel, was a coin equal to taxes for Jesus and Peter! We don't know the mechanism that Jesus used, but the result was a miracle!
Peter had earlier said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” Jesus helped Peter's faith grow thru the coin in the fish!

There were many other ways that Jesus demonstrated that He truly was the Son of God. That day Peter was further convinced. We may not find a coin in the mouth of our trout or bass, but we know from this story and others in the Bible that God can easily work miracles. He will decide if you need one.