Newsletter 403-"Studying the Word"-1/11/2012

GOODNEWSLETTER

  Number 403  January 11, 2012

         Studying the Word

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of truth," 2 Timothy 2:15

     The Bible is God's Word. It's His MIND and REVELATION to mankind. In His Word, we are told to repent and seek the narrow way. In order to do this and follow Jesus, one has to get into the Word of God,

the Bible. How one studies the Word of God is never the issue, of course. But, in this old world of doing so many things, we have limited time. Often, we forget to read God's word; a practice that a busy generation

should not employ. To overcome time-limits, let's look at some ways to be successful in fulfilling what

God asks us to do; that is, READ THE WORD !

        DAILY: The practice of daily reading is the best approach for me. I Just sit down and read. The goal is to begin with the Minor Prophets, first. I figure that, when I finish with those, my time is substantially

        invested in Bible reading and, I've got to go on with it. And so, the rest of the Bible becomes a "got-to-do-it" kind of thing. It has worked since the beginning of some 20 years ago.

            My method is to stay in the Old Testament until it is totally read. (this year, Genesis is finished already). After the Old is read, the New Testament – our rule of faith and practice for the church – is so

        easy to finish that it takes no time get it read before the year ends. The New Testament is shorter in the number of Books and the books are shorter; other than Obadiah. Then, there's Philemon in the 

        New to make up for it. Reading the letters to Timothy are a snap compared to some of the books in the Old.

        BLUE LETTER BIBLE: Late last year (2011) I found this web site that is very helpful in reading the Bible, daily or, in one year. It offers everything! There's helps; such as, LEXICONS, DICTIONARIES,

    and COMMENTARIES. However, what I really enjoy is the voice-over for the entire Bible. It's not perfect (some errors occur) but it's a real blessing. You will truly enjoy the Blue Letter Bible when you

       get to the genealogies of Chronicles. Mr. announcer reads every word and every name in the King James Version. All you have to do is follow along; it's great. Or, if you like other editions, just hit the spot with

       the cursor and you're on the way to NKJV or, NIT.

    

       IT'S NOT THAT DIFFICULT: No matter what approach you may employ, the chapters just roll along; and, soon – say, December 31st – you are done with reading God's word in one year. Along with the

       ease of reading the Book, you will also become familiar with some characters that will have you looking for them the next time through the Word. One of my favorites is Gehazi, a faithful follower and servant of

       Elisha.

    

          Gehazi, whom, I feel a bit sorry for, really helped Elisha in decision making. He also did whatever Elisha asked of him. "Go call the woman" (the Shunammite, 2nd Kings 4:36). And, Gehazi did. I can envision

      Gehazi running to get the woman and placing the staff on her son's body (2 Kings 4:18-31) just as he was told by Elisha's command. 

    

         But, Gehazi had a spark of greed in his heart. Elisha refused to take silver and clothing offered by Naaman, king of Aram, whom was just healed of leprosy. So, Gehazi reasoned, "Behold, my master has spared

    this Naaman, the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him," 2 Kings 5:20. As usual, we see one sin compound upon another.

    Gehazi lied to Naaman; then, he lied to his master (2nd Kings 5:22 & 25).

 

         There is no place for a lying tongue in God's work. Gehazi learned a hard lesson that stayed with him till he died. The LORD gave Gehazi the leprosy that was set for Naaman that Elisha had cured. We assume that

    the account of 2 kings 8:4, happened before Gehazi received the curse of leprosy.

 

        When we say, 'God is good, all the time,'  we have a deeper filling and understanding that comes from reading His Word. It's the feeling of God in your heart. And, what's so good about it is that it stays with the 

    reader. Thus, the more one reads, the more one has God dwelling in his heart. We cannot get such eternal truths from anywhere else, either. So, go ahead and read! Read John 3:16 and Matthew 28:19-20. et al,

    and rejoice!

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        Not only is studying the Word a good thing, it is also a must. 2 Timothy 2:15 is clear about that. Here, Paul tells Timothy in the second letter to study because, "All Scripture are 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 perfect (complete) thoroughly furnished unto all good works" Timothy 3:16-17.  All together: 

    "READ YOUR BIBLE ... PRAY EVERYDAY."