Keegan Books

July 18, 2021: Dear Friends, In this blog, we will continue our study on learning and knowing God. Emphasis will be learning about God. Go to the website above left and review the past two blogs. These blogs have verses written on specific characteristics of God and who God is, giving increased understanding and insight about God. Take time to contemplate on what has been written. This will help in developing a broader perspective on who God is, with knowledge of God increasing as one progresses through this study.  Remember, the more the Bible is read, the more knowledge  and understanding of God is realized, drawing one nearer and closer to God. (James, chapter 4, verse 8).

                MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY TODAY!                                  All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible.        BIBLE VERSES: Psalm, chapter 9, verses 9-10: “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those that know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Colossians, chapter 1, verse 16-17: “…for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether on thrones or dominions or rulers or powers–all things have created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and in him all things hold together.” Psalm, chapter 103, verses 1-3: “Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as along as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”  Isaiah, chapter 48, chapters 17-18: “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go, O that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your prosperity would have been like a river, your success like the waves of the sea.’” Other verses to search for and read: Psalm, chapter 107 verses 1-9; Psalm, chapter 139, verses 1-24; Isaiah, chapter 59, verse 21; Jeremiah, chapter 29, verses 11-14; and chapter 33, verses 1-3.

July 11, 2021: Dear Friends, The series on focusing on God, who he is, how he thinks, and how he wants us to think and act, will be continued in this blog.. Remember that the information about God that is provided in this blog is based on Biblical scripture, and not on what the writer of the blog is saying who God is or how God thinks. After all, the Bible is God’s Holy Word to it’s reader, and,  as written in 2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16: “All scripture is inspired by God…..“  Because what is written in the Bible is inspired by God, the reader can rest assured that what is being read in the Bible is from God’s inspiration of the writer of the particular scripture being read. 

The opportunity to be able to read the Bible and interpret what is being read, is truly one of God’s great blessings to each reader of the Bible. Learning and studying the Bible will increase knowledge and broaden perspective of the Bible. This will help in comprehending and interpreting what is being read. Consistent Bible reading and study is one of the most important actions in helping to know and understand the Bible. 

In our last blog, verses were listed that discussed some of the many attributes and characteristics that are realized about God through Bible reading. (The character of God is written about in Psalm, chapter 145)  Reviewing  the verses listed in that blog ,well as the verses in Psalm 145, allows for the realization of a few of the many actions God does for us, how he loves us, how he guides and instructs us, and how he strengthens and upholds us, as we progress through life. 

In this blog the focus will be on who God is as written in specific Bible verses. Several verses will be written or listed that will help the follower grow in the knowledge of God. Spend some time studying the verses and contemplating on what has been written. One of the main purposes in learning and understanding the Bible is to  “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you;” as written in James, chapter 4, verse 8. Drawing near to God and growing closer to him will bring the comfort and peace that feeds our soul as we seek to increase our knowledge and understanding of who God is.                         

 MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!  All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) version of the Bible.                       BIBLE VERSES: Psalm, chapter 24, verse 1: “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.”  Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1-…..”In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth……”  Leviticus, chapter 11, verse 44: “For I am the Lord your God; sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. 1st Peter, chapter 1, verse 15-16: Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”   1st Chronicles, chapter 29, verses 10-12:  “…..Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours, yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Riches and honor come from you and you rule over all. In your hand is power and might; and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. And now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name.” Psalm, chapter 11, verse 7: “For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.” Romans, chapter 1, verse 16-17 “…..it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith….” For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written.’The one who is righteous will live by faith. (also written in Habakkuk, chapter 2, verse 4 b.)  Philippians, chapter 3, verse 9: “…..not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith.    To be continued next week.          

July 4, 2021: Dear Friends, Happy Fourth of July! The next series of blogs will focus on God, who he is, how he thinks and how he wants us to think and act. As has been discussed before, getting to know about God is one of the primary reasons one wants to read and know the Bible. Reading the Bible becomes a progressive action, for the more one learns about God, the more one wants to learn about God.

There are many Bible verses that directly describe who God is and how he helps his followers. Only a few verses will be listed in this blog, but this topic and this series will be discussed in the next several blogs.

One of the most important ways to know and understand God is to study the life of Jesus Christ, the beloved son of God.  The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, in the New Testament, tell of the life of Jesus. Choose one of the Books, usually Matthew or Luke are preferred, read one to two chapters a day, until the book has been read. Jesus said in John, chapter 14: 6b-7: “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 

Throughout the many books of the Bible, there are several verses that describe God’s actions in dealing with his followers. The book of Psalm is one such book.Go through Psalm, page by page, chapter by chapter, skimming the pages for such-like verses. Underline or highlight verses that describe God so the verses can readily been found when returning to contemplate what has been written.  For instance in Psalm, chapter 9, verses 9-10 is written: The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” And in Psalm, chapter 12, verse 5 is written: “Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will rise up,” says the Lord; I will place them in the safety for which they long.”

A few verses will be listed below to search for and read that tell about God.The books the verses listed are in may not be in biblical order, to allow experience in learning to look up Bible verses. All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version (NSR) of the Bible.                                                                                                                                                    MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                        BIBLE VERSES: 1st John, chapter 4, verse 10 and verse 16; John, chapter 3, verse 16; Psalm, chapter 34, verses 17-20; Isaiah, chapter 58, verse 11; 1st Corinthians, chapter 2, verses 6-13; Deuteronomy, chapter 31, verse 8; Exodus, chapter 33, verse 14; Psalm, chapter 23, verses 1-6; Hebrew, chapter 11, verse 6.Proverbs, chapter 2, verses 6-8; James, chapter 1, verses 5-8.  More verses and discussion on this topic will be written in next week’s blog.       

June 27, 2021: Dear Friends, This blog will bring to conclusion our in-depth study on learning the organization of the Bible. The purpose of this blog, and all previous blogs written, is to help one learn and understand the Bible.  Once  knowledge of how the Bible is organized and  structured, Bible study and understanding the Bible become easier.

The first blog in this series was written on April 11th. Return to that blog by going to the website above for review and, after studying that blog, progress forward through each blog. Study and contemplate on what is being taught in this series of blogs. Keep a record of where the series is located in this blog so that in the future, one can return for further study and contemplation, if needed. 

These past few blogs have focused on words and ideas that are found in several books of the Bible. Following a certain word or idea that is found in several of the Bible books allows realization of how the books of the Bible are related. The words that will be followed in this week’s blog are of similar in meaning: FAITH, TRUST, BELIEF, AND HOPE. These are key words that are important in the faith journey of the believer. Reading these verses as one reads and study’s the Bible, helps reinforce one’s spiritual growth as a believer. Developing faith in God relies on having trust in God. Having trust in God refers to believing the inspired Word of God, the Holy Bible. The apostle Paul writes in 2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful in teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Through the process of developing faith, trust, and belief, hope is manifested in the inner-most thoughts of the mind, prompting further development of faith, trust, and belief.

Bible verses will be written and listed on each of these words to search for and read. Following each word through the books of the Bible will again allow for the realization that the books of the Bible are related to each other through certain words and ideas that transverse through several of the Bible books.  That similar words and ideas were written in several different books of the Bible by different authors, written up to several hundred years apart, is truly an amazing literary gift of God to it’s readers for contemplation and meditation. These words are important concepts that God is trying to teach through his written word, the Holy Bible. All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS), version of the Bible.                                                           MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                                BIBLE VERSES:    Trust:  Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make a straight your path.”  Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 15:  “……In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Other verses: Psalm, chapter 37, verse 3; chapter 40, verse 4; chapter 56, 4; and Psalm, chapter 125, verse 1; and Isaiah, chapter 32, verse 17.     Faith and Hope: Hebrews. chapter 11, verse 1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  Lamentations, chapter 3, verses  1-3: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning: great is your faithfulness.” Matthew, chapter 17, verse 20b Jesus says: “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to the mountain, “move from here to there’ and it will move: and nothing will be impossible for you.”  and in Luke, chapter 18: 42b: “…..and your faith has saved you.”  2nd Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 7: “…..for we walk by faith, not by sight.”  Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 23: “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.” Other verses: 1st Kings, chapter 8, verse 56; 1st Corinthians, chapter 2, verse s 3-4; the faith chapter: Hebrews, chapter 11, verses 1-40. 1st Peter, chapter 1, verse 3;      Belief:  Mark, chapter 11, verse 24: “So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” John, chapter 3, verse 16: “For God so loved the world, he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” and chapter 12, verses 44: “Then Jesus cried out, ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me, but in him who sent me.’” Other verses: John, chapter 5, verse24; chapter 20, verse 29; Acts, chapter 10, verse 43; Acts chapter 16, verses 30-31, 1st Peter, chapter 2, verse 6.

June 20, 2021: Dear Friends, Our focus in this blog will be on continuing with the series on important information in learning the Bible. This series was started on April 11 and has been continued weekly since then. Please refer to last week’s blog that provides details about the series by going to the website above left. If time allows, after studying last week’s blog, go to the April 11 blog and progress forward, following the blog through to last week’s blog. Read and study each blog to review what is being taught in this series.This information is very helpful in learning and teaching the Bible. Confidence in gaining biblical knowledge will occur, providing additional others to develop the ability to teach the Bible to others.

The Bible is God’s Holy Word to his followers. Through Bible reading and studying, the follower will learn about God, who God is, how God thinks, and how God wants the follower to think and act. Through consistent Bible reading and study, the follower will begin to draw near and close to God as written in James, chapter 4, verse 8, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” This closeness to God, allows one to realize God’s love, wisdom, guidance and direction, which begins to influence thinking and decision-making. Drawing nearer to God is a progressive action, causing one to want to continue to draw nearer and closer to God.   

In this blog, the topic of discussion will continue on words and ideas that help in understanding how the books of the Bible are related.  There are numerous similar words and ideas that transverse through many books of the Bible, conveying what the Bible is trying to teach. Often, because one is focusing and reading a specific Bible scripture, one does not think about certain words reoccurring in several other books of the Bible. However, when going back and reviewing recent blogs, the follower will realize, more and more, that similar words and ideas are found in several different books, providing a connection between the books of the Bible.

The words “Light” and “Darkness” will be followed through Bible verses written or listed below to be searched for and read. These are simple words to most. Light gives us the ability to see objects, surroundings, words in books, the list could go on and on. Without light, seeing is next to impossible. Often, seeing something in the light reflects a whole different “picture” of the actual object or scene that had been partially seen in the darkness. Having light shine on an object helps one to realize the true image, and, or the “truth” of what is being seen. 

The Disciple John wrote in John chapter 1, verses 3-4 “….in him was life and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” Jesus said in John, chapter 8, verse 12: “…..I am the light of the world, Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” and in chapter 12, verse 35: “……Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in darkness, you do not know where you are going.” and verse 46: “ I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness.”  All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) version of the Bible.

      MAY YOU BE BLESSED IN YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!             BIBLE VERSES: Psalm, chapter 43, verse 3: “O send out your light (understanding) and your truth (the Word of God); let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Psalm, chapter 119, verse 105: “ Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path.” and verse 130: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” Micah, chapter 7, verse 8: “…..when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.”Other verses: Proverbs, chapter 4, verses 18-19;  Isaiah, chapter 42, verse 16; and chapter 60, verses 1-3; Matthew, chapter 5, verses 14-16; Romans, chapter 13, verse 12; 2nd Corinthians, chapter 4, verses 4-6; Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 6-13; 1st Thessalonians, chapter 5, verse 4; 1st Peter, chapter 2, verse 9; and 1st John, chapter 1, verses 5-7; and chapter 2, verses 8-11.

June 13, 2021: Dear Friends, There was a mix-up on this blog that was noted when reentering Tumblr after posting last week’s blog on 6/8/21. Somehow, the blog was routed to Google where Bible verses related to the June 8th blog on the topic of prayer were either written or were listed. Since the blog was not listed on Tumblr, these verses will be written or listed below on today’s blog for looking up and searching on verses about prayer. Thank you for your patience.

A brief review about the blogs written will be discussed in today’s blog. The purpose of this blog is to help in learning and knowing the Bible. Each year, a series of blogs are written that give important information in learning and understanding the Bible. This year’s series started on April 11th and has been continued through last week’s blog. Go to the website above left to review these blogs. 

Topics have included discussing tools that help in studying the Bible, learning the names and locations of the books of the Bible, learning how the books are organized, learning how to search for and find Bible verses, learning approximate specific dates when the books were written, and writing and illustrating ways the books are related to each other. Ways discussed that help illustrate how the books are related included listing verses on specific geographic sites that transverse through many books of the Bible, and focusing on words and ideas that are found throughout that help connect the Bible books  together.

Studying the blogs referred to above will provide knowledge and understanding of the Bible.  It takes time and perseverance to learn the Bible. Frustration and confusion can occur because of having 66 books, all in one book, the Bible, written by a different author, or authors, over a time period of hundreds of years. The more that is learned about the Bible, the less the frustration there is when trying to study and understand the Bible. In James, chapter 1, verses 2-4. James writes: “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect …….”

Remember, the Bible is considered by many to be the most important book in the world. Words of wisdom, guidance, love, and compassion, are just a few of the many same words that transverse through the books of the Bible. Learning through reading verses these words are in helps in gaining confidence in knowing the Bible. After confidence is gained, help others to learn and know the Bible. Then, these others who have learned the Bible, will be able to reach out and teach still others about the Bible. 

U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt said, “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.”* And U.S. President Ronald Reagan said that, “ Within the covers of this single book are all the answers to all the problems that faces us today, if only we would look there.”*

The series on Bible learning will continue next week.Verses written below are about prayer and praying. Refer to last week’s blog on “PRAYER”, by going to the website above left, if time allows, before reading the verses below. Then follow the word “Prayer”, or words related to the word “Prayer”, through the books to help in realizing that words and ideas help connect the books of the Bible together. 

              MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                                  All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible.     BIBLE VERSES: Matthew,chapter 6, verse 6″…whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door,” and in chapter 7, verse 7, Jesus said: ”Ask and you should receive…..”Jeremiah, chapter 33, verse 3: “Call unto me and I will answer you, a I will tell you great and hidden things you have not known.” Other verses on prayer or related to prayer or praying: 1st Chronicles, chapter 29, verses 10-14; Psalm, chapter 5, verses 1-8; Proverbs, chapter 8, verse 32-36; Isaiah, chapter 51, verses 7-8; Matthew, chapter 6, verses 5-15;; ;Mark, chapter 1, verse 35; John, chapter 17, verse 1a; Colossians, chapter 1, verses 9-14. 1st Thessalonians, chapter 5, verse 17; and 3rd John, chapter 1 verse 2.                   *Copied from “A RAINBOW OF HOPE” by Billy and Janice Hughly

June 8, 2021: Dear Friends, The purpose of this blog is to help the reader learn and know the Bible. The Bible is God’s Holy Word to its’s reader, to each and every one, who reads or is being taught the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16 , that “All scripture is inspired by God…..” 

Because there are 66 books in the Bible, each written by one or more authors, inspired by God, several hundred years apart, the reader of the Bible might become overwhelmed, and even confused, when studying and trying to understand the Bible. This is why a series of blogs have been written to give the reader important information that will increase knowledge and understanding of the Bible. Go to the website above left to review the blogs in this series. The series was started on April 11 and has presented a topic or topics weekly since that time. If time allows, spend time on reading and studying these blogs to obtain a better understanding and increased knowledge when learning the Bible. Once one is confident in knowing the Bible, teach another or others about the Bible.

Focus on the topic of how the books of the Bible are related will be continued in this blog. Following a word or idea through several books of the Bible will allow the reader an awareness of what God wants to convey to the reader, and the realization that these words or ideas are found in several different books. This allows the reader to realize the connection between the books of the Bible.  

The word and idea that will be focused on in this blog is the word “PRAYER’’. Prayer has been defined as communication between oneself and a higher power. The higher power written about in the Bible is God, our Holy God, the Almighty God, the maker of heaven and earth. Talking to God silently or through speech, letting the mind focus and dwell on God, praising God, giving thanks to God, or making requests to God, these are all distinctive components of prayer.

As knowledge and understanding of God occurs through Bible reading and study, the closer one becomes to God. An inner desire to talk to God begins to grow into the idea that one wants to communicate with God. The more one prays to God, the more one wants to pray to God.

Remember, the communication of prayer is between God and oneself. One can be comfortable as one talks to God as if talking to a friend. No one has to know how or what is said in a prayer, only the one praying to God, and God, the receiver of the prayer. As one grows closer to God, the feeling of God’s presence in the inner- most-soul can be felt or sensed during the prayer to God.  

There are several Bible verses that either discuss praying, or recite a prayer. A few of these verses will be listed below. All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible. To be continued on June 12, 2021.

May 31, 2021: Dear Friends, In this visit the focus will continue to be on words and/or ideas, that transverse through the books of the Bible. The topic being discussed is how the books of the Bible are related and connected to each other. 

The Bible has 66 books, each written by a different author or authors, over a time span of several hundred years. When studying and learning the Bible, confusion may arise over how the books are connected to each other. For instance, one may wonder how the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, is related to what is written in the book of James in the New Testament? Or how the book of 1st Samuel is related to the book of Psalm. 

One way the book’s are related, is through certain words and ideas that are found in several Bible books. Recognizing words, and the frequency they are found in the Bible, allows one to comprehend what the Bible is trying to teach to it’s readers.

This topic is part of a series that is being written that discusses various important concepts that relate to learning and knowing the Bible. Go to the website above and progress back to the blog written on April 11. After reading that blog, progress forward through each blog, to this blog. Spend time studying what has been written. Important information is provided that gives guidance in studying and knowing the Bible. The instructions and knowledge written are, not only very helpful to beginners striving to learn the Bible, but to Bible teachers in teaching the Bible to others. 

The word “STRENGTH” will be the focus of this Bible study. Verses that have the word “Strength”, or related words to the word “Strength” will be written or listed. The Bible is God’s Holy Word. Reading and studying the Bible increases knowledge and faith in God. Faith in God provides strength that gives confidence and boldness, as one progresses in learning about God. The more the Bible is read, the more knowledge of God is learned and the stronger faith becomes. The stronger the faith, the stronger and more confident in beliefs and values become. Confidence allows boldness and strength to be realized in our inner-most thought processes. Realization will occur that God wants us to be strong in our beliefs, and bold in our actions, as we face the many challenges in our day-to-day life’s experiences. 

           MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                                All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible.          BIBLE VERSES: Joshua, chapter 1, verse 9: “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous: do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua, chapter 24, verse 15: (Boldness): “Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve…….but for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Psalm, chapter 27, verse 14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage, wait for the Lord!” Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 10-17: (Strength and Boldness): Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may not be able to withstand on that evil day and having done everything, stand firm.” Continue on in verses 14-17. Other verses on “Strength” to search for and read: Job, chapter 8, verse 10, Psalm, chapter 73, verses 23- 26; Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 29-31; Habakkuk, chapter 3, verse 19; 2nd Thessalonians, chapter 3, verse 2; 1st Peter, chapter 5, verse 10.

May 22, 2021: Dear Friends, In this visit, the focus will continue to be on the series of specific topics that provides helpful information in learning and knowing the Bible. Please go to the website above left, and review the blogs in this series. Begin with the April 11th blog, and progress forward to this blog. If time is limited, reading last week’s blog before reading this blog, will be very helpful in learning what is being taught in this series.

Last week’s blog focused on how certain words and ideas transverse through many of the Bible books illustrating how the books of the Bible are related. There are multiple words that are found in separate books that allow the reader to realize what the Bible is trying teach to it’s readers.  In this week’s visit, the word “RIGHTEOUSNESS” will be followed through several books of the books. 

Righteousness has been described as “Right “ thinking and action, compared to the standard of God’s thinking as written in the Bible. With some, this is why the Bible is read, to learn God’s ways, to learn how God thinks,and how God wants his followers to think and act. In Hosea, chapter 14, verse 9, it is written: “For the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” 

God’s ways are written throughout the Bible including direct instructions and commandments that are usually readily understood. The more the Bible is read, the more knowledge of God and his ways will be learned. In Jeremiah, chapter 6, verse 16, it is written: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’” 

The follower will want to obey God’s ways as written in Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23: “But this command I gave them,’Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk only in the way that I command you, so that it may be well with you.’” And in Proverbs, chapter 21, verse 21, it is written, “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness, will find life and honor.” More will be written about righteousness and other words in next few blogs.

 A few verses will be listed to search for and read that will help in learning God’s ways. Remember to highlight meaningful verses so that when returning to study, the verses can be more readily found. Spend time browsing through the Bible, stopping on occasion to read  a passage of scripture or a few verses. This will help provide self-confidence in learning the Bible. All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NSR) version of the Bible.

                MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY TODAY!                                  BIBLE VERSES: Exodus, chapter 20, verses 1-17. Deuteronomy,, chapter 30, verses 15-20; Job, chapter 17, verse 9; Psalm, chapter 1, verses 1-6; chapter 5, verse 12; and chapter 84, verse 11; Isaiah, chapter 48, verses 17-18 and  chapter 51, verses 7-8. Matthew, chapter 6, verse 33; James, chapter 3, verse 18; and 1st John, chapter 5, verse 3. Studying the life of Jesus Christ, the son of God, his teachings and examples he gave us, in the 4 Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, will show us God’s ways. Jesus said in John, chapter 12, verses 49-50 “…..but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.” Matthew, chapter 5, 6, and 7, the Sermon on the Mount, spoken by Jesus tells us about God’s ways. 

May 16, 2021: Dear Friends, The purpose of this blog is to provide information that will help in learning and knowing the Bible. The Bible is God’s Holy Word to it’s readers. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16, that “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” 

Since April 11, specific information about different aspects of learning the Bible has been written in a series of blogs. Learning the names of the books of the Bible, including how the books are organized, where specific books are located, and how to search for specific verses in the Bible have been discussed. Specific ideas and tools in studying the Bible have been focused on. The time frame of when the books were written or when events in each book occurred have been discussed, helping to broaden perspective in what has been written. Go to the website above left to review the blogs beginning on April 11, and progressing forward  to today’s blog. Learning and studying these topics should provide a foundation that will help in gaining knowledge and understanding when reading the Bible.

In this part of the series, discussion has been focused on how the books of the Bible are related. As previously written, the books of the Bible are related through geographic sites that have been found throughout the Bible.  Another way the books are related are through words and ideas that are found in many Bible books.

The next topic in learning how the books of the Bible are related will be on certain words and ideas that transverse through many Bible books. This will allow for the realization of what the Bible is trying to teach to its readers, and in the process, help its readers recognize a relationship between the books of the Bible. Words such as LOVE, RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, TRUST, BELIEF, COMPASSION, JOY, PEACE, AND KINDNESS, (Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22-23), are just a few of the words and ideas that are found in many of the Bible books. Bible verses that have the words written will be listed in the next several sessions for the reader to search for and read.

 The word finding for this blog is the word LOVE. There are more than 100 verses that contain the word “Love” in the Bible. Only a few verses will be listed to search for and read. This will provide a way to increase experience in looking for Bible verses. Also,remember, the more the Bible is read and studied, the more knowledge and understanding one will have of the Bible, and the more one will want to learn and know the Bible. All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRS) of the Bible.                                                                                                       MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                 BIBLE VERSES: LOVE:  Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-9; Psalm, chapter 143, verse 8; Song of Solomon, chapter 8, verse 7; Matthew, chapter 22, verse 36-40; John, chapter 13, verse 1; and chapter 15, verse 12; Romans, chapter 12, verses 9- 10; 1st Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 4-13; Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 1-2; Hebrews, chapter 10, verses 24-25; 1st Peter, chapter 4, verse 8; 2nd Peter, chapter 1, verses 5-8; Hebrews, chapter 10, verses 24-25; and 1st John, chapter 4, verses 7-21.

May 9, 2021: Happy Mother’s Day, Dear Friends. In this visit, the focus will continue to be in the series of providing specific information in learning and knowing the Bible. Refer to the website above to review and contemplate previous blogs on this series. Go to the April 11th blog and progress forward to this blog. These blogs provide information on learning the names and locations of the Bible books, information on the Old Testament and New Testament, information on how to locate specific Bible verses to read and study, and information about specific ideas and tools that will promote effective Bible study.

Because the books of the Bible were written by several different authors over several hundred years, confusion and discouragement in reading and studying the Bible may occur. This may cause one to lose the desire to learn the Bible. This is why a special emphasis is being placed on learning how the books are related to each other.

One way the books of the Bible are related is through the many geographic sites that transverse through the books of the Bible. The geographic sites of Bethlehem, The Great Sea (The Mediterranean Sea), and Jericho, were followed through the books of the Bible during our last visit. In this visit, the sites to be listed with verses to search for, include Mount Moriah, Jerusalem, The Sea of Galilee, The Jordan River, and The Dead Sea. Upon completion of searching and reading the timeline and verses listed, the recognition of how the geographical sites help to convey and set the continuity of the site locations throughout the Bible should be realized. The geographic sites listed are still present in Israel today.

             MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                             BIBLE VERSES TO SEARCH FOR AND READ:              Approximate time frame of  when the book was written or when the event occurred will be placed in parenthesis.        MOUNT MORIAH: Genesis, chapter 22, verses 1-4( 1800-1700 BCE); 2nd Samuel, chapter 24, verses 24-25 (1050 BCE); 2nd Chronicles, chapter 3, verses 1-2; (1000 BCE);  Nehemiah, chapter 2, verse 17 (465 BCE: Building the second temple on Mount Moriah near where the 1st temple was before destroyed); Matthew, chapter 21, verse 12 (27 AD), and Mark, chapter 12, verses 41-42 (27 AD Jesus in the 2nd temple.) and John, chapter 8, verses 1-2 (27 AD. The mount of Olives was located east of Mount Moriah, approx.½ to 1 mile.)  JERUSALEM: There are numerous Bible verses mentioning Jerusalem. Only a few will be listed. 2nd Samuel, chapter 5, verses 6-10 (1050 -1000 BCE); 2nd Kings, chapter 24, verses 10-17. (586 BCE. The destruction of the 1st temple.) Jeremiah, chapter 3, verses 15-18 (627 BCE). Matthew, chapter 20, verse 17 and verse 29; Acts, chapter 8, verse 26; and chapter 11, verse 27 (covers a time frame of 27 AD to 67 AD).        SEA OF GALILEE: also known as the Sea of Chinnereth: Numbers, chapter 34, verses 11-12 (1400′s BCE). Joshua, chapter 12, verse 3 (1400′s BCE); Luke, chapter 5, verse 1 (events written about in the 25-27 AD time frame. Also known as the Lake of Gennesaret.) John, chapter 6, verse 1, and chapter 21, verse 1. (events written about in the 25-27 AD time frame. Also known as The Sea of Tiberias.)        THE JORDAN RIVER:  Numbers, chapter 34, verses 10-12; (1400′s BCE); Joshua, chapter 3, verses 7-10 a, and verses 14-17; and in chapter 4, verse 1. (1400′s BCE); and Mark, chapter 1, verses 4-9 ( 25 AD).           THE DEAD SEA: Numbers, chapter 34, verse 12 (1400′s BCE: the boundaries of the Land of Canaan listed in Numbers, chapter 34, verses 6-10); Joshua, chapter 3, verse 16 (1400′s BCE).

May 2, 2021:  Dear Friends, In this blog, the discussion will continue on a series  written over the past 3 weeks that gives specific information on how to learn and know the Bible. The series correlates with the purpose of this series, in that  information is provided that will guide and give direction to the new reader and others who are striving to learn and understand the Bible.

Refer to the website above left to review previous blogs, starting with the April 11th blog, and continuing through the April 25th blog. Each blog provides valuable information that will help in learning how to use and understand the Bible. These blogs have focused on learning the names and location of the books of the Bible, learning to search for and look up Bible verses to read and study, understanding the location of the books in the Old Testament and the New Testament, understanding the organizational classification each book is located in, and discussing ideas that help set the stage for an effective way to learn the Bible.

The next part of the series will focus on how the books of the Bible are related or connected to each other. There are a total of 39 books in the Old Testament, all written before Jesus Christ’s birth, (BC). There are 27 books in the New Testament all written after Jesus Christ was born,(AD). Each Bible book has one or more authors with each book written up to hundreds of years before or after the other books of the Bible were written. New readers of the Bible can easily become confused and discouraged when trying to read and learn, if little, or no,  support is available to help give direction in reading and studying the Bible.

The subject for today’s topic will be on connecting the books together through common geographic sites that transverse through the Bible. To broaden perspective and add to the understanding of the Bible, a time frame of when the books were written that list the geographic site, or when the events occurred that are written, will be added to this discussion. A more specific time frame of all the Bible books will be discussed in a future blog. 

Because of limited space only a few sites will be listed and followed through the books of the Bible. More sites will be listed with time frames in the next few weeks. As progression is made in the series, several blogs will be written in the future on how the books are related by focusing on certain words and ideas that transverse through the many Bible books. Keep in mind where each of the books are located when following the geographic site through many of the books of the Bible. All time frames listed are approximate times. 

                    MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!         Connecting The Books Of The Bible through Geographic Sites of the Holy Land. Geographic Sites: BETHLEHEM: Genesis, chapter 35, verse 19, (event written about occurred in the 1800-1700 BC time frame); Ruth, chapter 1, verse 1, and verse 22, (event happened in the 1150-1120 BC time frame.) In Genesis, Bethlehem was recorded where the burial of Rachel, Jacob’s wife took place in the 1800 BC time frame. Bethlehem was again mentioned in the book of Ruth, where the event written occurred some 700 years later in the 1120 time frame. (Ruth was King David’s great grandmother. King David reigned in the 1050 BC time frame.) Bethlehem was written in the book of Micah, chapter 5, verses 2-5, in the 750 BC time frame,written approximately 1100 years after the event in the verse in Genesis occurred, and 400 years after Bethlehem had been written about in the book of Ruth. And in Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1-6, and Luke, chapter 2, verses 1-7, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, occurred in approximately 6 BCE, more than 1700-1800 years after Bethlehem had been written about in the book of Genesis.The site of Bethlehem, written in several books, helps establish the concept that geographic sites do connect the books of the Bible to each other. The realization that Bethlehem was established hundreds of years ago and continues as a site in lsrael even through today’s time frame, helps in recognizing the continuity of the site through time when considering how the books of the Bible are related. Other sites that transverse through the Bible: THE GREAT SEA (The Mediterranean Sea): Numbers, chapter 34, verse 6;(1400-1300 BC time frame). 1st Kings, chapter 5, verses 7-12;(1100-900 BC time frame). Jonah, chapter 1, verses 1-3; (770 BC time frame). Acts, chapter 25, verses 13-14; and chapter 27, verses 1-2.( 27-67 AD time frame). JERICHO: Joshua,chapter 2, verse 1-3;(1400 BC time frame) and Luke, chapter 18, verse 35; and chapter 19, verses 1-6.( 27-37 AD).

April, 25, 2021: Dear Friends, A series on learning the structure and organization of the Bible was started last week. The goal of presenting this series is to help the Bible reader better learn and understand the Bible. As has previously been emphasized, when one desires to know the Bible, God’s Holy Word to it’s readers, and begins to learn about God, an inner desire to learn more about God usually occurs. This can cause the reader’s desire to increase in wanting to learn and know about God and the Bible. This is a progressive process that opens the way to more learning and knowledge of the Bible.

In last week’s blog, the focus was on learning the location of the books and on how the books of the Bible are organized. The information provided in that blog should be very helpful in allowing the reader to be more able to search for specific Bible verses when reading and studying the Bible. Go to the website above left to review that blog, as well as other blogs previously written, that will help in learning the Bible. Reviewing last week’s blog will refresh one’s memory which will help when following the discussion below.

The focus of this week’s discussion will be on how to look up Bible verses and on providing ideas that will further help in learning the Bible. 

Each Bible book is divided into chapters. Each chapter has individual verses that are numbered written within the chapter. When searching for a particular verse, find the book the verse is written in. Then go to the chapter the verse is in, and find the verse to be read. For instance, lets search for a specific verse. Find Psalm, chapter 24, verses 1-6. First find the book of Psalm. The book of Psalm is located near the middle of the Bible, so open the Bible in the middle to the book of Psalm. Then find chapter 24 in the book of Psalm. Then find and read verses 1-6.

Remember from last week’s discussion that the book of Psalm is described as a “wisdom” book. Knowing the classification of the book adds perspective to what is being read. When reading verses from a Bible book, keep in mind where the book is located and which organizational classification the book is in.

Let’s take one more Bible verse to search for. Find Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30. Go to the book of Matthew. Find chapter 11 and  read verses 28-30. Remember Matthew is one of the gospel books and is located towards the end of the Bible and is the first book in the New Testament.

Finding the books of the Bible may be easier if the Bible is opened in the middle to the book of Psalm. Then, find the book that is being searched for going forward toward the New Testament, or going back toward the front of the Bible.

Choosing a Bible to read is an important part of Bible study. There are many versions of the Bible. The New Revised Standard (NRS) version is used in this blog when discussing or listing Bible verses to be searched and read. There are resources that will help when looking for one’s own Bible. A church leader and, or, a church teacher, a family member, a friend, a Bible store clerk, these are just a few that can give guidance when buying a Bible. 

Find a quiet, comfortable place, if possible, when reading and studying the Bible. This will allow one’s concentration and thinking capacities to be at the utmost when trying to understand what is being read. 

Try to read and study the Bible consistently, if possible, on a daily basis. When selecting a time to read the Bible, consider what is the best time for reading the Bible for oneself, as well as others, that may need to be considered, when selecting a time for meditation. One might not have much time to read the Bible on a daily basis, but even a few minutes of Bible or devotional reading a day, will be very helpful as one progresses through the day and night, and as one strives to know and understand the Bible.

Consider highlighting Bible verses to allow finding a particular verse or verses that have special meaning, so that the verses can be readily found when going back to contemplate on what has been read.

Lastly, consider teaching others about learning the Bible, once knowledge has been acquired and one feels comfortable in teaching others. In this process, the recommendation is not to force Bible teaching or discussion on anyone who does not want to discuss or learn the Bible.

                 MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY TODAY!                                 Bible Verses: Mark, chapter 1, verse 35: “In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.”  Matthew, chapter 6, verse: “And whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door….”  Other verses to search and read: Joshua, chapter 1, verses 6-9. Psalm, chapter 1, verses 1-3;  Proverbs, chapter 4, verses 1 - 13; Hebrews, chapter 4, verse 12; Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 10-17; John, chapter 1, verses 1-5. Luke, chapter 24: 44 b-45.

April 18, 2021: Dear Friends, The focus of this blog during the next few weeks will be to provide information that will help the follower in learning and understanding how the Bible is organized. In today’s blog, the focus will be on learning the names of the books of the Bible, and where specific books are located within the Bible.

Other topics that will add perspective and broaden the understanding of the Bible, include discussions on the approximate times when the events that are written about and/or when the Bible books were written will be focused on in the near future . 

Confusion may occur when learning the Bible on how the books of the Bible are related to each other. This can cause frustration when trying to understand the Bible. Future discussions on geographic sites, as well as on words and ideas that transverse through the Bible books, will help the follower to be able to realize how Bible books are related to each other.

Hopefully learning the names and location of books of the Bible, understanding the timelines of events and when the books of the Bible were written, and learning how the books of the Bible are related, will greatly help the follower in learning and knowing the Bible.  

In order to be more readily able to find and read specific Bible verses, one needs to learn the names of the books and the location within the Bible where the books are located.  If the follower has a Bible, bring the Bible to the table so that references can be followed during this discussion.

PART ONE: ORGANIZATION OF THE BIBLE BOOKS: The Bible is written in two parts: The Old Testament, which consists of 39 books, and The New Testament, which consists of 27 books. The books of the Bible in the Old Testament were written before Jesus’ birth, Before The Common Era (BCE). The books in the New Testament were written after the birth of Jesus, Anno Domini, (AD), in the Christian era. There are a total of 66 books in the Bible.

The Old Testament: Open the Bible at the the beginning to the first book in the Old Testament, Genesis. Starting with Genesis, progress through the Old Testament, book by book, concentrating and pronouncing the name of each book, until the last book of the Old Testament, the Book of Malachi, is reached.

The New Testament: Progress forward from the book of Malachi into the first book of the New Testament, Matthew. Continuing with the book of Matthew, progress through the New Testament until its last book, Revelation, is reached.

The books of the Bible in each Testament are further organized as follows: The Old Testament: THE LAW BOOKS: Genesis through Exodus. THE HISTORY BOOKS: Joshua through Esther. THE WISDOM BOOKS: Job through The Song of Solomon. THE PROPHET BOOKS: Isaiah through Malachi.

The New Testament: THE GOSPEL BOOKS: Matthew through John. THE HISTORY BOOKS: The book of Acts. PAUL’S LETTERS: Roman’s through Philemon. OTHER LETTERS; Hebrews through Jude; and REVELATION.

During this next week, study this organization of the Bible books, going through the Old Testament and New Testament books daily, concentrating on the name of the book and where the book is located. After learning the names and locations of the books, then study under which subtopic the book is in, that is, The Law Books, Paul’s Letters or which other subtopic the book is in. Below is listed some names of the books to be searched for. This will further help in learning and knowing the books of the Bible. Feel free to develop a personal study program in learning the names and locations of the books of the Bible.

              MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                            Search and find the following Bible books: Psalm, Isaiah, Deuteronomy, 1st Peter, Job, Romans, 2nd Chronicles, Jonah, Exodus, Proverbs, Luke, Ezekiel, Hebrews, Amos, Mark, James, and Daniel.

April 11, 2021: Dear Friends, Over the past 7 weeks, our focus has been on Lenten Season, and ending last week, with our celebration of Easter, and the resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. I encourage returning to those blogs, by going to the website above left, and, beginning with the February 21st blog, progress forward through last week’s blog, spending time contemplating on the life of Jesus, his death by crucifixion, and his resurrection.

There is a wealth of information in the listed blogs above that will increase  knowledge and understanding, when striving to learn about Jesus. The more we know about Jesus, the closer and nearer we are to Jesus. In James, chapter 4, verse 8, James wrote: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” The closer we are to Jesus, the more we will love him, the more we will grow to trust and have faith in him. As a result, our belief in him becomes stronger.

The discussion of this blog will be on reviewing certain ways and ideas that help in using and reading the Bible. For new followers, much of the information will be new and will be very helpful when learning the Bible. For other followers of this blog, the information provided will be a review of previous instructions that will provide refreshment to the inner thought processes, further aiding in using and reading the Bible. The topic of reviewing ways and ideas in Bible use correlates with the purpose of this blog, that is, helping one to learn and know the Bible.

Why read the Bible? What is so important in knowing the Bible? When asked these questions, most will respond that they want to learn about God. Many concur that there is a “Higher Being" over the universe, but know very little about this Being. Most refer to this “Higher Being" as “God.”

The Bible is God’s Holy Word to it’s readers so that in Bible reading, the reader learns about God, how God thinks and how God wants the reader to think and act. Thinking, contemplation, decision-making, and making choices, are all influenced by the guidance of God, that is learned through gaining knowledge of God through Bible reading and study.

First, if possible, obtain a Bible that one is comfortable to read and can be readily understood when reading. There are many versions of the Bible. The difference between versions is related to the translation of the Bible, from the  original Greek or Hebrew language to a particular version of the Bible. A minister, a church teacher, a Bible store clerk, or a family member, may be helpful when choosing the version of Bible acquired. The New Revised Standard (NSR) version is used in this blog.

Second, learn the name and location of the books of the Bible. This knowledge is essential to being able to look for and read Bible verses and passages. Instructions will be given in next week’s blog on learning the books of the Bible.

Third, underline or highlight meaningful verses in the Bible so that the verses can readily be found when returning to reread and contemplate on what has been read. Make sure the Bible being highlighted is owned by the one doing the highlighting, or have an agreement with the owner to be allowed to highlight verses.

And the last idea to be listed in this blog is to find a quiet and comfortable place to sit and read the Bible so that concentration can be had of what is being read.

         MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                                 Bible Verses to search for and read: Psalm, chapter 24, verse 1-10; chapter 91, verses 1-16. Proverbs, chapter 2, verses 1-12; chapter 4, verses 20-27; and chapter 6, verses 16-23. Jeremiah, chapter 6, verse 16; chapter 29, verses 11-14; and Jeremiah, chapter 33, verse 3. Matthew, chapters, 5, 6,and 7 (The Sermon on the Mount); and chapter 11, verses 28-30. Galatians, chapter 5, verses 16-25.  Philippians, chapter 2, verses 5-11; 2nd Peter, chapter 3, verse 18

April 4, 2021: Dear Friends, “This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it….” Psalm, chapter 118, verse 24. Oh wondrous day, Easter, 2021, this day in history that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ had risen from the dead and is alive. Yes, he is alive in our hearts and souls through his spirit that lives in us if we believe in him as written in Acts, chapter 16, verse 31: “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Let us celebrate this Easter Day, the most “Holy” of all days.

The resurrection of Jesus may be confusing and difficult for most of us as we try to understand Jesus coming alive after being dead for three days. There are some references made through Bible scripture that Jesus, after his resurrection, was present with the disciples and others through his spirit. The disciple Peter, in 1st Peter chapter 3, verse 18 wrote: “…He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” Jesus himself referred to his spirit when he told Mary at the Garden tomb as recorded in John, chapter 20  verse 17: “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” And again in John, chapter 20 verse 22: “When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”

There are other Bible verses that refer to Jesus’ physical body being present after his resurrection. John wrote in chapter 20, verse 20: “ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.”  Again in chapter 20, verses 24,-29, John wrote: “But Thomas, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: ‘We have seen the Lord.’ ‘But he said to them, unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’” “A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’” “Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” “Jesus said to him, ‘Have your believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have come to believe.’”

As we continue our study of the Bible on Jesus, more will be understood about his death by crucifixion and his resurrection. There may be some knowledge obtained that cannot be understood as written in the book of Isaiah, chapter 55, verses 8-9: “ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways, my ways, says the Lord. For as heavens are higher than earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 

These verses seem to imply that there are some things about God and God’s ways that cannot be known or understood by mankind. Jesus’s resurrection may be one such event that can’t be fully understood by most. That being said, the Christian believer believes that Jesus was born, lived, was crucified to death, was resurrected, and is alive today. This belief is the rock or the solid foundation of the Christian Faith, in which believers place their utmost belief, faith, and trust, in Jesus Christ.

Other testimony about Jesus’ life after resurrection can be found in the other Gospel books with the verses either listed or written below for the believer to search for and or read.

               MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                            BIBLE VERSES:  The Apostle Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 3-7: “For I handed on to you as the first importance what I, in turn, had received; that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas (The disciple Peter), then to the tweove. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all of the apostles.”  Other verses: Matthew, chapter 28, verses 1-20. Mark, chapter 16, verses 1-20; Luke, chapter 24, verses 1-52; John, chapter 20, verses 1-31 and chapter 21, verses 1-25; Acts, chapter 1, verses 1-11.

f 

 March, 28,2021: Dear Friends, During Lenten season the past few weeks, this blog has focused on the life of Jesus Christ, our Holy Savior, the only son of the most high, our God. Hopefully, many have grown closer to Jesus by learning about him and his humanity, his teachings, and how he thought and wanted us to think and act. The more one knows about Jesus, the more one will believe and have faith and trust in him. 

Because we have realized through our biblical studies of him. the love that Jesus has for each of us, we, in turn, love and worship him. This is a progressive process, in that the more we love and worship Jesus, the more we want to love and worship him. Go to the website above left and read and study the blogs written since February 21st to reinforce learning, and to contemplate on what has been written about Jesus.

This week has been called HOLY WEEK. The last few days of Jesus’ life before he was crucified occurred during this week in time. Today has been called “Palm Sunday”, the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem and was worshiped and glorified by the crowd of followers that greeted him by waving palm leaves. Thursday evening during Holy Week is the day that Jesus was arrested. Friday of Holy Week has been referred to as “Good Friday”, the day Jesus was crucified. Such a terrible day, but one that is recognized as a Holy Day because Jesus’ death led to his resurrection and victory over death and sin. His resurrection occurred on the Sunday following “Good Friday, which is next Sunday, “Easter” Sunday. Christians throughout the world celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Easter because Jesus is alive and his spirit is living in our hearts, if we believe in him, as written in Acts, chapter 16, verse 31 which states: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved….”

The recordings of Jesus’ birth, life, death through crucifixion, and resurrection can be read in the New Testament Bible “Gospel “ books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Specific Bible texts that refer to what Jesus did during the week that led up to his crucifixion on Friday of Holy Week will be listed below to be searched for and read.   

 Many question why Jesus was crucified, and what he did, that was so bad that led him to be put to death through crucifixion. To answer questions regarding what caused him to be crucified would take much time and commitment studying the Bible for answers. Briefly stated, the Old Testament doctrine is referred to as the Old Covenant and generally refers to strict obedience to God’s laws and commandments. The New Covenant refers to the New Testament and refers to God sending Jesus, as Savior of the world, who served as a ransom for our sins through his death. Man is saved from his sins by his belief in Jesus. As a result man becomes reconciled to God. God’s love is found throughout the Old and New Testaments. Go to Jeremiah, chapter 31, verses 31-34, for biblical scripture on the Old Covenant and New Covenant.

Jesus brought new teachings, new ideas, and new ways of thinking and acting, that created resentment, anger and hate towards him by the Jewish religion leaders of that time. Their very religion was being threatened by this man called Jesus. Verses will be listed below that describe the  events and trial the Jewish leaders put Jesus through prior to his crucifixion. Read through the chapters listed, then continue by rereading the listed verses for the trial and crucifixion. Spend time in somber contemplation on Jesus this week, on his life, death, and resurrection. 

               MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                         All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible.          BIBLE VERSES; The Last Week of Jesus: MATTHEW, chapters 26 and 27. And Jesus’ trial: Matthew, chapter 26, verses 57-68, and chapter 27, verses 1-26; MARK, chapter 14; the trial of Jesus: Mark, chapter 14, verse 53 - through chapter 15, verse 15; LUKE, chapter 22 and 23; Jesus’ crucifixion: chapter 23, verses 26-49. JOHN, chapter 18-19; Jesus’ trial and crucifixion: trial: chapter 18, verses 12-14, and verses 19- 40; chapter 19, verses 1-16; Jesus’ crucifixion: chapter 19, verses 17-42. Belief in Jesus: John, chapter 3, verse 19, Acts, chapter 16, verses 30-31; and Romans, chapter 10 verse 9-10.

March 21, 2021:  Dear Friends, We will be entering the 6th week of Lent later this week. Lent is a time set aside before Easter to fast and repent as we prepare to memorialize our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection to life after death. Refer to blogs written the past 4 weeks that define Lent and increase our knowledge of Jesus. Spend some time contemplating on Jesus’ life and teachings as we prepare for his crucifixion and resurrection.  

The focus of this week’s discussion will be to help the follower realize the importance of Jesus in and for our lives. Jesus said in John, chapter 10, verse 10, Jesus said: “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I come that they might have life and have it abundantly.

What is this life that Jesus is talking about? To start with, one who believes in Jesus has been promised eternal life, life after our deaths which will be forever, as our spirit ascends to God in  heaven. This was explained in John, chapter 20, verse 17, when, after Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus said to Mary: “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

In John, chapter 3, verse 3, “Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.’” And in verse 5. Jesus answered. “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and spirit. Jesus describes the Holy Spirit in John, chapter 14, verses 16-17: “And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him. You will know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”

This life in Jesus begins when we believe in him as written in John, chapter 3, verse 16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.” When one begins a life of faith through believing in Jesus, the Holy Spirit enters into the soul of that person, causing a rebirth, or a new beginning, a new way of thinking to occur, giving that person a new life in Jesus. Learning this new life in Jesus will lead us away from our old, sinful ways of living, to a righteous, right- thinking way of life that correlates with how Jesus wants us to think and act. In a few words, Jesus saves us from our sins as written in Matthew, chapter 1, verse 21: “She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 

A few of the many things that this new life in Jesus’ brings, are joy, wisdom, guidance, friendship, peace, and contentment, to the believer in Jesus. Through believing, the follower grows to love and trust Jesus by following and obeying his teachings.The teachings of Jesus can be found in the Gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, in the New Testament of the Bible. There are many other resources that provide knowledge and learning about Jesus, including attending church worship and church discussion classes. 

Through the Holy Spirit’s presence in the soul. the follower will be influenced through guidance and wisdom imparted by the spirit into the very recesses of the mind. Realizing the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, will influence us in our thinking and decision-making. By following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, blessings of joy, peace, and contentment, will be realized in this new life in Jesus

Bible verses will be listed below to search for and read that will broaden the perspective and understanding of Jesus. Remember to highlight or underline meaningful verses so they can be readily found when searching to reread and contemplate on the verses. Also, read verses before and after the verse chosen to be read to increase the knowledge of what is being written. All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NSR) version of the Bible.                                

            MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!

BIBLE VERSES: JOY: Nehemiah, chapter 8, verse 10; Matthew, chapter 25, verse 21; John, chapter 15, verses 5-11; Wisdom: Sermon on the Mount, Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7. Matthew, chapter 10, verse 16; James, chapter 1, verses 5-7; and chapter 3, verses 3-18; GUIDANCE: Matthew, chapter 7, verses 7-8; John, chapter 16, verses 12-15; Romans, chapter 12, verses 26-27; FRIENDSHIP: John, chapter 15, verses 12-17; Proverbs, chapter 18, verse 24. Peace: John, chapter 14, verse 27; chapter 16, verse 33; Colossians, chapter 3, verse 15. THE HOLY SPIRIT: John, chapter 3, verses 5-8; John, chapter 14, verses 15-26; and chapter 15, verse 26.

March 14, 2021: Dear Friends, This week is the fifth week of Lent. Lent is the time set aside before Easter for fasting and repentance. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and lasting six weeks, ends on Easter day. This is traditionally a time set aside to contemplate on Jesus’ last few weeks prior to his crucifixion and his resurrection. Jesus was crucified on Good Friday.  Easter, occurring 2 days later is a day celebrated for Jesus’ resurrection back to life, This is “A Holy Time” for Christians, spending time fasting and repenting.                                                     

Writings about Jesus, his life while here on earth, his death by crucifixion, and his resurrection, can be found in the Gospel Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, in the New Testament. Studying Jesus through reading in these books will increase the knowledge and understanding of his followers of his life, his teachings, his actions, and his death and resurrection.                                                                                                                            

Correlating with Lent, this blog has focused on learning about Jesus through studying his life as described in the Bible. Refer to the last three blogs by going to the website above left to review and contemplate on what has been written about Jesus.                                                                                                             

This week’s discussion will be on Jesus’ teaching. Writings about the crowds of people who followed Jesus and listened to his teachings, have been written throughout the Gospel Books. In Matthew, chapter 5, verses 1-2 is written that: “when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain and after he set down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak……..” In Matthew, chapter 4, verse 23, is written: “Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news…….”; and in Luke, chapter 6, verse 6 is written: “On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught…..”                                                    

Jesus used different methods of teaching as one will learn when studying his life. Some of his teachings were through direct teachings to the listener as found throughout the Gospel Books. A good example of direct instruction is found in Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7. Studying these chapters will be a good start in learning from direct instructions of Jesus. 

                                                                                                                        Another way Jesus taught was through using parables in his teachings. A parable as defined in “Webster’s New World Dictionary” is: “…..a short simple story, usually of an occurrence of a familiar kind, from which a moral or religious lesson may be drawn.” Jesus told many parables in his teachings to his followers. As one might realize, Jesus left the interpretation of the parable to the reader to discern and define. Another realization may be that when rereading the same parable again several months or years later, the reader may interpret the parable entirely differently then from the first time read. This is mainly due to the change in spiritual growth the reader has undergone since reading the parable the first time. Verses of a few parables will be listed below to look for and read.                                  

The last way of Jesus’ teaching to be discussed in today’s blog is in his examples found in his actions that are written about.  Below are just a few verses written of his many examples he left for his followers to learn and follow. All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS))version of the Bible                           

                MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                   BIBLE VERSES:  Prayer: Matthew, chapter 6, verse 9-14; Jesus prayed in this way: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others, their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Mark, chapter 1, verse 35, Jesus showed us how to pray: “In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place and there he prayed.”  He served people throughout his ministry. In Matthew, chapter 20 verse 28a, Jesus said, “The Son of man came not to be served to but to serve and to give his life as a ransom.” Jesus described his service in Matthew, chapter 10, verses 4-5: “ Jesus answered them, ‘Go tell John what you hear and see, the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news brought to them.’” He washed the disciples feet. In John, chapter 13, verse 5: Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet.” and verse 15: “For I have set you example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”       He had compassion: Luke, chapter 7, verse 13: “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’”. (See last week’s blog).  He listened: Mark, chapter 10, verses 47 51-52: “When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me’” and verse 52 b: “Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on his way.”  John, chapter 4, verses 7-15: and in verse 9: The Samaritan woman said to him….”.    Parables: Matthew, chapter 13, 1-51; Mark, chapter 4, verses 26-33; and chapter 12, verses 1-12; Luke, chapter 10, verses 29-37; and chapter 12, verses 13-21.

March 7, 2021: Dear Friends, In this visit we will continue to focus on the life of Jesus Christ. Many have heard of Jesus but “don’t know much about him”. Some think of Jesus as a spirit, perhaps like an angel. But Jesus was a man, a human being, with physical and mental capabilities like all humans have. 

Jesus’ birth, life, death through crucifixion, and resurrection, are written and recorded in the New Testament Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Reading in each of these books will help in increasing knowledge of Jesus, who he is, what his teachings are, and how he acts and reacts, and responds to various people and situations.The more one learns about Jesus, the more one will want to know about him.  Refer to the weekly blogs written in the past 3 weeks by going to the website above left to help in learning and understanding Jesus. Spend time reading each blog and contemplating on instructions and Bible verses written or listed.

Because Jesus was human, he had all the human characteristics and functions that humans have. Different verses in the gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, will be written below to allow the reader to realize Jesus as a person. This fact is important because, as we come to know Jesus, we can begin to perceive that he is a human being, just as we are. When we call on him through prayer, we can know that he understands us because of his being human, that he will have compassion for us, that he loves us, and that he is gentle and kind to us. How do we know this? Because, it is written in John, chapter 2, verses 24-25: “But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.” 

Bible verses will be written below that will increase one’s perception and understanding about Jesus. Take time during this Lenten Season to learn and grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

                MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                              Bible verses: LOVE; John, chapter 15, verse 9: “ As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.” John, chapter 13, verse 1b: Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. COMPASSION: Luke, chapter 7, verse 13: “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’”  Matthew, chapter 9, verse 36b: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” MERCY: Luke, chapter 6, verse 36: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful; Luke, chapter 10, verses 29-37′ search for and read, also verse 36-37: “’Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said: ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” GENTLENESS: Search and read Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30 and chapter 18, verses 10-14. HUNGER: In Mark, chapter 8, verse 3, Jesus recognized hunger in others when he said: “If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way….”  To recognize hunger, one must have had hunger sometime in their own lives.  TIREDNESS: John, chapter 4, verse 6: “So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son, Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, being tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was almost noon.” (Perhaps he was warm from the noonday heat.) Mark, chapter 4, verse 38: “But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up…..” Joy, John, chapter 15, verse 11: “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” SADNESS: John, chapter 11, verse 34-35: “He said, ‘where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus began to weep.” 

February 28, 2021: The purpose of this blog is to help in learning and knowing the Bible. During this Lenten season, our focus will be on the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the son of God. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the gospel books found in the New Testament tell us about Jesus. The word “Gospel” has been referred to as “The Good News” and “The Gospel Truth.” 

God sent his son to live on earth to bring reconciliation between God and mankind. There are Bible verses throughout the Old Testament that testify to man’s evil and wicked ways caused by indifference and lack of love for God and God’s teachings. A few Bible verses will be listed below for the follower to search and read that tell of man’s drifting from God’s ways and teachings.

By sending Jesus to live on earth, God provided mankind with a human example of what God expects man to be, how to think, and how to act, as written in John, chapter 14, verses 7 when Jesus said, “ If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 

Learning about Jesus will increase our knowledge and love of God. Studying Jesus’ teachings and observing the examples he provides through his actions and teachings, will draw us closer and nearer to God. For as God says and does, so there goes what Jesus says and does.

Jesus said in John, chapter 13, verse 15: “For I have set you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” The apostle Peter wrote in 1st Peter, chapter 2, verse 21: For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.” 

Bible verses will be listed below to search and read that will illustrate through a few of Jesus’ teachings and actions examples of how we should live, think and act as we progress through our lives. May God Bless Your Bible Study This Week.!  All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

BIBLE VERSES: LOVE: 1st John, chapter 4, verse 10; Matthew, chapter 5, verse 43-44; Luke, chapter 6, verses 32-36; John, chapter 13, verse 1; John, chapter 15, verse 12; John, chapter 21, verses 15-19.                    COMPASSION: Matthew, chapter 8, verses 16-17; chapter 9, verse 36b; chapter 14, verse 14; chapter 15, verse 32; and chapter 18, verses 11-13; Luke, chapter 7, verse 13.          FORGIVENESS: 1st John, chapter 1, verse 9; Matthew, chapter 6, verses 14-15; chapter 18, verses 21-22;  Mark, chapter 11, verse 25; Luke, chapter 6, verses 37-38; Luke, chapter 15, verses 11-32; and chapter 23, verse 34a;           MERCY: Matthew, chapter 7, verse 12; Matthew, chapter 17, verse 14-21; Mark, chapter 5, verse 19; Luke, chapter 6, verse 36;  Luke, chapter 10, verses 29-37; and Luke, chapter 17, verses 11-19. Gentleness: Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30; and chapter 18, verses 10-14; John, chapter 13, verses 3-15; John, chapter 11, verses 32-33.        A few verses about times and ways of the people prior to Jesus birth and life on earth: Isaiah, chapter 2, verses 1-22; and chapter 9, verses 1-11; Jeremiah, chapter 16, verses 10-13; Lamentations, chapter 3, verses 40-56. The promise of God sending the Saviour, our Lord Jesus, into the world to save us from our sins and to give us a new life through Him: Isaiah, chapter 7, verse 14; and chapter 9, verses 2-7; Micah, chapter 5, verses 2-4. Matthew, chapter 1, verse 21.

February, 21, 2021: Dear Friends, As we begin our series on Lent, there will be several ideas brought forth in today’s discussion. The purpose of the discussion is to help in gaining a better understanding of God, through reading and studying the Bible, God’s Holy Word, to its readers. 

As some may well understand, Lent is a time of fasting and repentance that occurs in the 40 days prior to Easter. In the last few days of Lent, Jesus’ trial, death by crucifixion, and rising from death occur in accumulation on Easter day in celebrating of Jesus’ resurrection to life.

The time period of Lent, which started on Ash Wednesday, (February 17, 2021), correlates with the time period of Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  (Matthew, chapter 4, verses 1-11). This is a most holy time for Christian followers of Jesus. Spending this time in reverent worship of Jesus, focusing on one’s wrong doings and sins, will usually result in changes from wrong and sinful thinking and actions.

When reading about Jesus’s time in the wilderness, verse 1 in Matthew, chapter 4 states: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness……”. Jesus described God in John, chapter 4, verse 24, when he said: “God is spirit and those who worship him, must worship him in truth and spirit.” God’s Spirit was in Jesus, leading him into the wilderness and guiding his life while here on earth.  In John, chapter 16, verse 13, Jesus said; “When the spirit of truth comes, he (God’s Spirit) will guide you into all the truth: and in John, chapter 17, verse 11: “…..Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” 

The verses written above are somewhat “heavy” in meaning and may be difficult to understand. Spend some time reading chapters 16 and 17 in the book of John, thinking and praying about these verses. As time progresses and understanding of the Bible evolves, comprehending the meaning of these Bible verses will become a priority and a reality.

The birth, life, death, and resurrection, of Jesus Christ are written about in the Gospel Books of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. For Bible study during Lent, choose one of the books to read and study during this time of leading up to Easter. Read a chapter or two a day from the book chosen and contemplate on what is being read. 

A few verses will be written below to read and study this week.The Bible used in this blog is the New Revised Standard ( NRS) version. Choose any version of the Bible that you have and feel comfortable in reading, to use in your Bible study. 

       MAY YOU BE BLESSED IN YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!               BIBLE VERSES:  Luke, chapter 17, verses 21, Jesus said: “nor will they say, Look, here it is or there it is! For in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”        John, chapter 6, verse 63, Jesus says: “It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. the words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”         John, chapter 3, verse 16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son (Jesus Christ), so that everyone who believes in him (Jesus Christ) may not perish but may have eternal life.” John, chapter 5, verse 24, Jesus said: “Very truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes in him (God) who sent me has eternal life…..” Acts, chapter 2, verse 38: “Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”    Acts, chapter 11, verse 15-16, the disciple, Peter said: “ And I remembered the word of the Lord, (Jesus), how he had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ”     In Acts, chapter 13, verse 52 “and the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.”          Paul’s writings:   Roman’s, chapter 5, verse 5: “…..God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”       1st Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 16-17: Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God temple, God will destroy that person. for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” 

February 14, 2021: Dear Friends, Happy Valentine’s Day! Our topic for this visit will be “LOVE”. This discussion will be the last in this series on focusing on words and ideas that transverse through the books of the Bible. Refer to the last two blogs by going to the website above left to contemplate on the purpose in having discussions on various words and ideas, and to review the study words that were written about.  If time allows, spend time reviewing other blogs found on the website, to further increase knowledge and understanding of the Bible.

As most realize, there are several forms of love. There is romantic love between couples (as celebrated on Valentine’s Day), parental love between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, sibling love between brothers and sisters, friendship love between friends, the list could go on and on. Most have love in several different relationships between themselves and others. 

Love is a feeling of immense adoration and liking of another. Love has been referred to as a major cause of happiness and joy, an enjoyment of a relationship. And yes, sadness, disappointment, and despair, can result from a loss or a broken relationship.

The word “LOVE” is found in many Bible books. The love of God and of Jesus Christ is a major theme that is written about throughout the Bible. A few verses with the word “LOVE” will be written below, with other verses listed to be searched for and read. All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRS) of the Bible.

Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday, on February 17. Correlating with the Lenten Season, the next series of blogs will focus on the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

           MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                     BIBLE VERSES: Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verse  4: “Hear O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your might.”       1st John, chapter 4, verse 10: “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”      1st John, chapter 4, verse 16: “So we have known and believe the love that God has for us, for God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God and God abides in him.”       1st John, chapter 2, verse 10: “Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person, there is no cause for stumbling.”       1st Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 4: “ Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.”        John, chapter 3, verse 16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have everlasting life.” John, chapter 13  verse 1: “ ….Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” and verse 35-36: Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another;”  and John, chapter 15, verses 9-10: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.: Other verses to search for and read: Proverbs, chapter 17, verse 17; Matthew, chapter 5, verses 44-48; John, chapter 15, verses 9-17; 1st Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 1-13; Romans, chapter 12, verses 9-13; Galatians, chapter 5, verse 14 and chapter 6, verses 22-25; Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 1-2; and verse 33.

February, 7, 2021: Dear Friends, The focus in this visit will be on the continuation of the word study that was discussed last week. Please refer to that blog for reference and other blogs by going to the website above left. This study of different words will be brief, but will help the follower better understand a connection between the books of the Bible. There are many of the same words and ideas that transverse through the books of the Bible. Recognizing the same or similar words found in different Bible books will help to reinforce a connection between the books and will foster an increase in understanding on what and how the Holy Bible, God’s Holy Word, is trying to teach to it’s readers. 

The word that will be discussed this week is the word “JOY”. The meaning of the word “Joy” is different than the meaning of the word ”Happiness.” The word “Happiness” is related to a state of mind, being content, pleased, and, or confident. Joy, although found within the confines of happiness, is a feeling of great elation over something that usually occurs suddenly, and, or unexpectedly, but has been hoped for, sometimes for a length of time. Joy correlates with an inner feeling of satisfaction that is realized from an energy-required goal or occurrence that one has acted or participated in. An example of such occurrences include, receiving joy from giving a gift, providing a service or serving, or in accomplishing a goal that has been sought after, usually for a period of time.

Spend some time contemplating when “Joy” has been experienced in daily living or in life’s challenges. Often the joyous occurrence may have been a prayer answered, or something that allows recognition of God’s hand being in the situation, allowing the desired result to occur. Being near and close to God as described in James, chapter 4, verse 8, when such a joyful result occurs, makes the joy that much more joyful and bountiful. From the feeling of joy comes feelings of love, gratitude, humbleness,and thankfulness; that overflow into all areas of living and experiencing life. These feelings of elation being experienced, is all the more reason to have a close relationship to God. Go to the blogs dated January 17, and January 24, 2021, to read about developing a close relationship to God. 

Bible verses will be written below that contain the word “Joy” or words and ideas related to “Joy”. All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.     MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY TODAY !       BIBLE VERSES: Nehemiah, chapter 8, verse 9b: “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” John, chapter 15, verse 11, Jesus says: “ I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy will be complete;” and in Matthew, chapter 25, verse 21: “His master said to him. ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave, you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.; enter into the joy of your master.’ ” Galatians, chapter 5, verse 22: “By contrast, fruit of the spirit  is love, joy,…..”Verses to search for and read: Nehemiah, chapter 8, verse 10; Psalm, chapter 63, verses 5-8; Psalm, chapter 68, verse 3; Psalm, chapter 73, verses 16-24; Psalm, chapter 100, verses 1-5; Isaiah, chapter 55, verses 12-13; John, chapter 15, verses 5-11; Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22-23; 1st Peter, chapter 1, verse 8.

January 31, 2021:  Dear Friends, In the next 2-3 visits, the focus of the discussion will be on a few words or ideas that transverse through the many books of the Bible. Following a word or idea through the different books will allow a better understanding of how the books of the Bible are connected, and a clearer insight into what, through Bible reading and study, the Bible, God’s Holy Word, is trying to instill and teach to its readers. 

The word that will be followed in this blog is the word “REST”. Most have been physically, mentally and spiritually tired. Because of our experiences of being tired, the simple word, rest, is usually well understood. Rest is what many of us look forward to on a daily basis. The stress and strain of life experiences can be wearisome and debilitating. Yet, rarely does the thought of God, or the thinking of God’s ways, enter into thoughts about rest.

A few Bible verses will be written with discussion that may provide a broader perspective on the word or words related to the word “REST”.  In Genesis, chapter 2, verse 2, it is written: “And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.” A previous verse, in Genesis chapter 1, verse 27, says “So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” These Bible verses seem to indicate that God was tired from working hard, and because mankind was made in God’s image, mankind who is like God, also tires and needs to take time to rest.

Other Bible verses refer to “Rest for the Soul”. How many of us need rest for our souls? Are our souls plagued with thoughts of guilt, feelings of loneliness and fear, anxiety and despair? Does that heaviness felt in our souls keep us from being able to function or rest or sleep, as we progress through life? Reading Bible verses, such as the ones written below, about rest can bring peace and comfort to our souls. In Jeremiah, chapter 6, verse 16, it is written: “ Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” Are we being told to follow the good ways found by looking to ancient paths so that we may find rest for our souls. The Bible has numerous verses that tell us of the good ways of our Lord God.

Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30: Jesus said: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  In these verses, it seems like Jesus is telling us to learn from him. Is he asking us to bring and place our weariness and heavy burdens on him so that they might be removed from us? We can learn from Jesus by studying his life and teachings through reading and studying the Gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, in the New Testament of the Bible.  

Other verses related to the topic on “REST”  and learning about Jesus, will be listed below for reading and contemplation on the meaning of what has been written in the Holy Bible, God’s Holy Word to its readers.

 MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK.!   BIBLE VERSES:Mark, chapter 6, verses 30-32; John, chapter 4, verses 3-6;  Matthew, chapter 7, verse 7; Matthew, chapter 12, verses 34-35; ; Matthew, chapter 20, verses 26-28;  Matthew, chapter 21, verses 21-22;  Matthew, chapter 23, verses 10-11; Matthew, chapter 25, verse 21 and verses 34-40; John, chapter 13, verses 1; John, chapter 14, verse 27; John, chapter 15, verses 7-11; Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22-23.

January 24, 2021: Dear Friends, Last week, discussion was on developing and having a relationship with God. Because having a relationship with God is so important as one progresses and goes through life, the focus again, in this visit, will continue to be on knowing and developing a relationship with God. Refer to last week’s blog by going to the website above left to further review and  contemplate on the discussion.

For many who read and study the Bible, the main objective is to learn about God, how he thinks and how he wants us to think and act. In learning about God, one draws near and close to God as written in James, chapter 4, verse 8 where James wrote, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you”. 

In the process of learning about God, recognizing that there is much to learn about God, and there is much that we are unable, or will ever know about God, is realized. Some may describe God as being mysterious. However we may interpret not knowing all about God, God himself describes his thoughts and ways as being above our thoughts and ways in Isaiah, Chapter 55, verses 6-9. In these verses, it is written, “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways, my ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways, higher than your ways, my thoughts than your thoughts.’” 

In last week’s blog, several Bible verses were listed to be searched for and read that tell about God and how God is and thinks. Review those verses for further contemplation and study. The book of Psalm has several chapters and verses that describe who God is, how he thinks, and what he does for those that believe and have faith in him. For a time of Bible study, consider going through the book of Psalm, chapter by chapter, reading a few verses here and there for enjoyment in Bible reading. Remember to underline or highlight meaningful verses so that when returning to contemplate, verses can be readily found. Quotes from 2 chapters in Psalm will be written below that will provide more knowledge about God.                                                                                                                                                                      MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                      BIBLE VERSES: Read all of Psalm chapter 91, verses 1-16 and chapter 145, verses 1-31:  a few verses from each chapter will be written. Psalm, chapter 91, verses 3-6: “For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night or the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.” Psalm, chapter 91, verses 14-16: “Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.” Psalm 145: verses 8-9: “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and his compassion is over all he made.” Psalm, chapter 145, verses 13 b: “The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.” Verses 17-19: “The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. The Lord is near to all who call on him; he also hears their cry, and saves them.”

January, 17, 2021:  Dear Friends, May all be blessed on this beautiful winter day. No one knows what the near future might bring, but be assured that our God will be with us every step of the way. Our focus in this visit is on developing a relationship with God.

Developing a relationship with God has been mentioned in past blogs. However, some may not understand the importance of having, or how to develop, such a relationship with God. 

Let’s spend some time discussing relationships. First, think about the many associations that each might have: family, friends, employment, church, school, just to name a few. The type of association that has been developed in each of these categories, depends on who the person is relating to. Certain thinking tracts and necessary behavior are needed to meet the goals and purposes of a particular type of  relationship.

The same is true in our relationship with God. As we read the Bible and begin to gain knowledge and understanding about who God is, how God thinks, and how God wants us to think and act, developing a relationship with God will begin. Thinking about God will start to occupy the mind. Seeing God in everyday happenings and occurrences will suddenly be realized. New ideas and desires about God will occur, adding perspective during the development of the relationship with God. Thinking and actions will be influenced. 

The more knowledge acquired of God through Bible reading and study, the nearer and closer one becomes to God. Looking to God for love, comfort, support, and gentleness, as well as for help, guidance, and wisdom, will become commonplace, as one continues to progress in learning and understanding God 

Understanding the importance of communicating with God will help broaden the relationship with God. Generally speaking, the word  “PRAYER” refers to talking either silently or in voice to God, as the Supreme Being, the Mighty One, the Lord and Savior of the world. God can be talked to as one would talk to a friend. God is as close to us as a friend, with his spirit living in all who believe in him. He is our Friend, he loves us, and he cares for us.

Refer to recent previous blogs by going to the website above left to review and contemplate on information that will help in learning the Bible. If time is limited, read the last 2-3 paragraphs of each blog to receive the jest of the subject being written about. Go back to the blog dated August 9th, progress forward, and get vital information such as how to find Bible verses. learn the books of the Bible,etc. Due to space limitation, only a few Bible verses will be listed below to search for and read. If time allows,refer to Bible verses in previous blogs to search for more verses to read.  MAY  GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK! Bible Verses: Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-9;1st Chronicles, chapter 29, verses 10-13;  Exodus, chapter 20, verses 1-20; Job, chapter 22, verses 21-28; Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 20; Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23; and chapter 31, verse 3; Lamentations, chapter 3, verses 22–26; Matthew, chapter 7, verses 7-8; John, chapter 3, verse 16 and chapter 13, verse 1; and 1st John, chapter 4, verse 16-19.                         

January 10. 2021: Dear Friends, Have you ever heard the phrase, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life”? * Or have you ever wished you could sweep the past from your mind and place instead, a beautiful memory or memories of some special occurrence that would become a sign to what life might be like going forward?  

During processing the tragic occurrences of the first few days of this year, questions may arise about whether the coming days through this month and year, will continue to be as bad or worse than recent past happenings. Is there strength enough to persevere getting past, and overcoming, these incidents going forward? Let us spend some time reviewing options in how to handle and manage our lives during these times of extreme stress and anxiety.

Spending time reading the Bible, and contemplating the meaning of what is being read, should bring some peace into the minds and hearts of all who have a desire to know and learn the Bible. Bible verses will be listed to be searched for and read that will bring perspective into understanding when comparing Bible times to today’s events and happenings. Other Bible verses will be written giving guidance in praying to God. Praying to God is one of the most comforting actions that provides solace to the soul. Remember, prayer consists of communication with God, talking to God either verbally or silently, giving thanks to him, praising him with love, and asking for his guidance and help. (Refer to Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4-6).

So think about this day being the first day of the rest of your life. Begin by committing to drawing near to God through Bible reading and study. In all such readings, one will begin to realize that having faith in God and knowing and feeling his everlasting presence will provide hope and confidence, during times of trials and tribulations.  

Focusing on God and his wisdom through Bible reading and prayer will provide a steady, consistent stream of positive thoughts and ideas, that will filter into the inner most recesses of the mind. Lightening the burden and easing the heaviness that occurs during times of stress and anxiety will occur as written in Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30 where Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest…..”

Remember, past blogs are available by going to the website above left. There are many important teaching instructions found by going back to the August 9, 2020 blog, and progressing forward. Recently there have been blogs on God’s wisdom and on growing in the knowledge of God. All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.

               MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                      BIBLE VERSES: Exodus, chapter 33, verse 14; Job, chapter 22, verses 21-28; Job, chapter 28, verses 20-28; Psalm, chapter 23, verses 1-6; Psalm, chapter 24, verses 1-10; Psalm, chapter 27, verses 1-14: Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 15 and verse 21; Isaiah, chapter 54, verse 10; Jeremiah, chapter 6, verse 16; Jeremiah, chapter 29, verses 11-14; Jeremiah, chapter 33, verse 2-3; and verses 6-7; Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 10.  On Prayer: Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4- 6;  Mark, chapter 1, verse 31; Matthew, chapter 6, verses 5-14; Matthew, chapter 7, verses 7-8; 1st Thessalonians, chapter 3, verse 10;  and Colossians, chapter 1, verses 3-14.

* Charles Dederich, Washington Post, 12/10/78.

January 3, 2021: Dear Friends, I hope each of you have a joyful and blessed New Year! That being said, many are confronting challenges that are almost unbearable to face and deal with. Know that God’s presence is with you at all times, as close as your right hand, as filling to your empty soul as fullness can be. Go to the website above left and refer to the blog written on December 20, 2020. Discussion on God’s presence being with us, through the Holy Spirit, is in that blog.

Most read the Bible to learn about God. As has been repeated in the past, the Holy Bible is God’s Holy Word to each of us.  Longing to know and learn about God through Bible reading and study, and following his guidance and direction, are primary motives in wanting to read the Bible. The more the Bible is read, the more knowledge of God is acquired. The more knowledge acquired, the more likely a relationship with God will develop.  As one progresses in knowing God, and developing a relationship with him, strength in belief and faith begin to take hold and become active influences in one’s thoughts and actions. The stronger the belief and faith, the more longing to know and to understand God will occur. A desire to want to read and study the Bible will continue.

As we begin this New Year, let us focus our Bible verses on knowledge of God and his wisdom for us. In our last visit the focus was on reviewing what had been taught during the past year. Specific instructions about Bible study that has been given over the past several weeks were referred to. Spend time reviewing that blog, as well as other blogs that will help learn and know the Bible. All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.

              MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!

BIBLE VERSES: 2nd Peter, chapter 3, verse 18: “But  grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity, Amen.”      Romans, chapter 11, verses 33-36: “O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ‘for who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counselor: Or who has given a gift to him and receive a gift in return? For from him and through him and to him are all things. to him be the glory forever. Amen.’”      Proverbs, chapter 1, verses 1-7: “ The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: for learning about wisdom and instructions, for understanding words of insight, for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice and equity; to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young–Let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.    Ecclesiastes, chapter 2, verse 28: “For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy:…”    Other verses listed that can be searched for and read:    Job, chapter 22, verses 21-28; and chapter 28, verses 20-28;      Nehemiah, chapter 8, verse 10;     Job, chapter 31, verse 15. Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 10.       Remember the WISDOM BOOKS of the Bible are Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Songs of Solomon; and Ecclesiastes. The book of Proverbs has 31 chapters, one for each day of the month, a way to read through the book in a month’s time. 

December 27, 2020:  Dear Friends, With the the New Year just a few days away, let’s spend some time reviewing Bible study teachings over the past year, and contemplating on goals and resolutions for Bible learning and study in 2021.

As has been repeated previously, the purpose of this blog is to help in learning and knowing the Bible. In the past year, instructions about learning the name and location of each of the books of the Bible has been written that will help when looking up Bible verses to read and study. Discussion on the organization of the Bible books and the time frame of when the books were written was presented. These teachings will help to grow in knowledge and gain perspective  that will bring a clearer understanding of what is being read and taught through Bible reading and study. 

Along with these ideas, information was given that helped in understanding how the books of the Bible are related to each other. One way the books are related is through the geographical sites that are mentioned throughout the Bible. A portion of the blogs written in the past year focused on several sites, with each site being followed through several books of the Bible. Timelines of when the book the site was written in was included, to help the reader to better realize a connection between the books. 

Another way a connection between the books can be made is recognizing that several words and ideas that are similar in meaning, are found in many books of the Bible. Several blogs were written that discussed certain words and ideas that transverse through the books of the Bible, allowing the reader to more readily recognize what the Bible is trying to teach to its readers.

As has been written many times, the Bible is God’s Holy Word to its reader. Through Bible reading and study, the reader learns who God is, how God thinks, and how God wants the reader to think and act. The positive influence that occurs through learning and knowing the Bible cannot be overstated. Positive changes in thinking, decision making, and behavior occur that have a life-long influence in the direction and pathway that one follows. 

As the year of 2021 approaches, let us consider some goals and resolutions in learning and knowing the Bible. Some time should be spent in thinking about what one wants to do. Is Bible knowledge important to have? Does wanting to know God and having a better understanding of who God is on the priority list? What does one want to accomplish from reading the Bible and contemplating on what is being read? Is there a belief in God? Can a commitment be made to read and study the Bible? These are questions each needs to answer as one contemplates reading and studying the Bible.

If a decision is made to learn and know the Bible, then consider making a resolution or resolutions that infer a personal commitment to learning and knowing the Bible.  Once a commitment is made, consider the following  suggestions that might be useful is formulating a plan for Bible reading and studying: Develop a consistent pattern of how Bible study will be done. Set aside a time for Bible reading. Find a quiet place to read the Bible. Acquire a Bible that one is comfortable with. There are several versions of the Bible. If possible, seek the advice of a pastor or a friend when choosing a Bible. Browse through the Bible section of a book store, preferably a Bible book store, reading a few verses in several versions of the Bible. Once a Bible is acquired, underline or highlight meaningful verses so that the verses can be readily found when returning to contemplate on what was being read. Review this blog website by going to the website above left. Go to the August 9th blog, progressing forward to get specific instructions on learning the Bible. If time allows return to the blogs written throughout the year, starting in January of 2020. Important information on learning the Bible are in these blogs.                                                                                                                                                                              HAPPY NEW YEARS!                                                                MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK AND YEAR                 BIBLE VERSES:  Psalm, chapter 119, verse 105:  “Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.”    Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 8: “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.”     Matthew, chapter 7, verse 24: “Jesus (The Son of God) said,  ‘Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock.’”   Luke, chapter 11, verse 28: “Jesus said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’”  John, chapter 1, verse 1: “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”       2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”        Hebrews, chapter 4, verse 12: “ Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”     Joshua, chapter 1, verse 7: “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law (The Word of God) that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go.”          Psalm, chapter 1, verses 1-3: “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law (the Word of God), they meditate day and night. They are like trees, planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all they do, they prosper.”      James, chapter 1, verse 22:” But be you doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.”     Psalm, chapter 119: verse 9: “How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” and verse 11: “ I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.”

December 20, 2020. Dear Friends, Merry Christmas and Happy New Years. As we approach Christmas and New Years Day, let us focus on celebrating the birth of the Christ Child that occurred more than 2000 years ago. Currently, most are undergoing uncertain and tumultuous circumstances that make celebration and joy difficult to experience when facing the challenges of day-to-day living. Drawing near and close to God through reading the Bible and praying to God, will ease the suffering that tension and stress brings into our lives.  

Spending time focusing on God through meditation allows us to realize that God is with us at all times through his Holy Spirit,( See verses below), as close to us as our right hand, as written in Isaiah, chapter 41, verse 13: “For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’”

Growth in the knowledge of God, how God thinks and how God wants us to think and act, is acquired through reading the Bible, God’s Holy Word to us.  As proficiency in learning the Bible occurs, expediting the growth in the knowledge of God and in the use and study of the Bible will occur. A relationship with God begins to develop. The more the Bible is read, the more one will want to read the Bible to fulfill an inward desire to know and learn more about God. This desire is described in Psalm, chapter 42, verses 1-2: “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God.” 

Learning how to use and study the Bible takes time and consistency. If possible, form a routine habit, of either reading the Bible, or reading and studying topics related to the Bible. As time allows, try to read the Bible consistently, even daily, to reinforce a habitual pattern of Bible reading and study

God loves each of us. He is a comforting God. He guides us. He helps us. He uplifts our spirits and builds our confidence in ourselves. His instruction book is the Bible. Strive to learn and know the Bible. As knowledge of God and of the Bible begins to infiltrate into the inner recesses of the mind, one will start to realize a positive change in thinking, in decision-making, in actions and behavior. Strive to learn and know the Bible.

Bible verses will be listed to be searched for during your Bible study this week. Bible books that verses are in will not be in consecutive order to give more experience in searching for verses. Search for and read 3 of the verses listed under each topic, more, if time allows. All verses listed are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible. Refer to past blogs giving basic instructions and information that will help in learning the Bible. Go to the website above left and go to the August 9, 2020, blog. Progress forward from that blog to today’s blog, spending time on each blog, as time allows, contemplating on what is being taught.

          MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                                          HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS!                              Bible verses: JESUS’ BIRTH: Matthew, chapter 1, verses 18 through chapter 2, verse 23; and Luke, chapter 1, verses 26 through chapter 2, verse 40.                          INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT: John, chapter 14, verses 15-20 and verses 25-28; Romans, chapter 8, verses 9-11; and verses 26-27; 1st Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 16-17.         PRAYER: Matthew, chapter 6, verses 5-15; chapter 7, verses 7-8; Mark, chapter 1, verse 35. Psalm, chapter 27, verse 14; and chapter 31, verses 14-24; Isaiah, chapter 41, verse 1 and chapter 65, verse 24;       GUIDANCE: Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 21; Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 5-6; Jeremiah, chapter 6, verse 16;  and chapter 33, verse 3;  Psalm, chapter 32, verses 8-9; Matthew, chapter 7, verse 13; James, chapter 1, verses 5-6; Job, chapter 22, verses 21-28.                       LOVE: John, chapter 3, verse 16, and chapter 13, verse 1, and chapter 15, verses 9-17; 1st John, chapter 2, verses 3-6; and verses 15-17; chapter 4, verses 10-12; and verses 16-19; 2nd John, chapter 1, verse 6.        COMFORT: Psalm, chapter 23, verses 1-6; chapter 34, verses 4-10; chapter 46, verse 1; Isaiah, chapter 41, verse 10; and verse 13; and chapter 51, verse 12; Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30. 2nd Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 3-4.

December 13, 2020: Dear Friends, During this Advent-Christmas time, our focus will continue to be on Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the son of God. Refer to the blog written on November 29 that gives information about Advent. Advent is a time set aside before Christmas to prepare and wait for Jesus’ coming.

Jesus, the Messiah, came into the world to bring hope and peace to the people of Israel, and to the peoples of the world. The world at that time was a world like our world today, a world full of turmoil and unrest, lost in darkness. Many were wandering hopelessly without direction or guidance. They were seeking a Savior, a Messiah, that would “save” them from their circumstances and give them a new and better life while here on earth.

In this blog, the focus will be on “the Light of the World” as written in John  chapter 8, verse 12 where Jesus said: “ I am the light of the world. Who ever follows me will never walk in darkness, but in the light of the world.” This is a complicated but important topic in understanding the importance of believing in Jesus Christ and his teachings to the Christian follower today. 

Let us contemplate what “walking in the light” means, versus ”walking in the dark”.  Complete darkness results in complete blindness to the surrounding environment. Darkness means there is no light to see, no direction to take hold of, leading to not being able to understand or see things clearly. Living in darkness causes lack of boundaries of behavior necessary to function in a lawful society. Relationships flounder. Dissatisfaction and lack of fulfillment of expectations fill the soul with negativity. The list of consequences in “walking in darkness” could go on and on.

When one is walking in the light of Jesus, one can feel and understand the love that Jesus has for us. Comprehending Jesus’ teachings that gives guidance and direction in day-to-day living experiences prevents much disappointment and disillusionment. When one begins to learn about Jesus, and grows in faith and trust in him and his teachings, a new life is begun in the inner-most being of the soul. Changes in thinking and decision-making begin to occur and will progress as the relationship to Jesus continues to grow. Positive feelings of love, faith, hope, compassion, the list could go on and on, that describes the “New Life” founded in the belief in Jesus Christ.  

The gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, in the New Testament of the the Bible are written about the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Reading and studying these books will greatly help the Christian follower learn about Jesus.  Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7, would be a good place to start . Review recent blogs by going to the website above to increase knowledge of Jesus and the Bible.

Several verses will be written that focus on Jesus Christ, “Light of the World”. . All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible.

           MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK !                              BIBLE VERSES: Isaiah, chapter 9, verse 2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness– on them light has shined.”      Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 6b: “I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”                    Matthew, chapter 1, verse 23: “She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”        John, chapter 3, verse 16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”          2nd Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 17, the apostle Paul wrote: “ So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new.”             John, chapter 1, verses 3b-5: What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of the people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. And verse 9: “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.”       John, chapter 12, verses 35-36, Jesus said: “The light is with you for a little while longer. Walk while you have light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.” Unbelievers in Jesus:   Isaiah, chapter 44, verse 18: “They do not know, nor do they comprehend; for their eyes are shut, so that they cannot see, and their minds as well, so that they cannot understand.”       John, chapter 12 verse 40: a quotation of Isaiah, chapter 44, verse 18: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes and understand with their heart and turn–and I would heal them.” 

November 29, 2020: Dear Friends, Advent season is upon us as we approach Christmas, the day set aside each year to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, Jesus, the son of God, the Savior of the World. The birth of Jesus is the most important single event to occur in a world filled with lost and wandering souls. The Christian faith is based on each individual’s belief in Jesus Christ, his teachings, his position as part of the triune of one, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and the promise of eternal life, providing love, strength, and hope, to the believers of Jesus. 

The birth of Jesus occurred in approximately 6 BC more than 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. At the time of Jesus’ birth, Bethlehem was a small village approximately 8 miles southeast of Jerusalem, in Judea. Judea was located in the southern part of what is today’s Israel. Today, Bethlehem is a much larger community, and has grown into what might be described as a suburb of Jerusalem. In the Old Testament,  the book of Micah, written in  the 700′s BC time frame, prophesied in chapter 5, verse 2: “But you O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel.” Verification of the Christ Child being born in Bethlehem was written in the New Testament book of Matthew, chapter 2, verse 6:  “For from you shall a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Our focus in this visit will be on Bible verses that prophesied the coming of the Christ child prior to his birth. Other verses that broaden insight into this greatest event will be focused on throughout this Advent study.

As has previously been discussed in previous blogs, the time frame of when the events in the Old Testament that have been written about or when the books the events were written in, were written, occurred from approximately 1800 years BC to 400 BC. Man’s relationship to God had been established during this time and was written about in many of the books of the Old Testament. Man began to depart from God and God’s ways. Sin and wickedness prevailed. As written about and prophesied by the prophets in the Old Testament, God determined that there was a need to reconcile mankind to God. 

God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to reconcile man to God as written in 1st Timothy, chapter 2, verse 5, in the New Testament where the apostle Paul wrote: “For there is one God; there is one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all.” 

Prophets used the name “Messiah” to refer to who God was sending to reconcile God’s relationship with his people.Through prophesy, the people living before Christ, had hope that through the “Messiah”, life would be better and peace on earth would happen. They longed for the day the “Messiah” would be here on earth. Other references to the Messiah were written in Isaiah, chapter 9, verse 9: including “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. Because Jesus was human and lived a life among other humans, others would be taught about God, God’s plan, and how God wanted us to believe and live. Jesus said in one of his teachings in John, chapter 14, verse 7: If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is recorded in the New Testament of the Bible, in the gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Most of our advent study in the next few weeks will be focused on these books of the Bible. Because of respect for space, verses will be listed below, instead of being written, to search for and read. This will give the follower experience in looking up Bible Verses. All verses quoted and listed are from the New Revised Standard (NSR) Version of the Bible.

            MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                             BIBLE VERSES: Numbers, chapter 24, verse 17; Isaiah, chapter 7, verses 13-14;  chapter 9, verses 2-7; chapter 11, verses 1-10; chapter 40, verses 3-5;  chapter 42, verses 1-4; chapter 60, verses 1-3; Micah, chapter 5, verses 1-5; Matthew, chapter 2, verses 3-15; and chapter 12, verses 15-21; John, chapter 7, verses 40-45; Psalm, chapter 71, verses 5 and verses 14-15; and chapter 103, verses 1-14.

November 22, 2020: Dear Friends, As we enter into this Thanksgiving week, let us spend a few moments reflecting on what we are thankful for. Making a gratitude list and reviewing it daily through the week will help in keeping our thoughts on the many blessings that we receive from God. I am thankful that I have the Lord God with me at all times, overseeing and providing guidance over my life, and having love and compassion for me as I progress through life. I am thankful that I have God’s Holy Word, the  Bible, to read and study that keeps me and helps me draw nearer and closer to God. I am thankful for the freedom to write this blog…the list goes on and on. 

There are so many blessings given to me from God that I could spend several hours making my own gratitude list. What is important though, is not my gratitude list, but the follower’s gratitude list. When time is taken to recognize and realize God’s hand in our lives, glory and praise are being given to God for what he has done for us. God wants us to thank him, just as we would want to be thanked and praised from some one we gave a gift to. And in the process of glorifying God by giving thanks, our relationship to God is enhanced and fortified. 

These are tumultuous times. The temptation is there to blame God for what is going on in our lives. Remember, however, that mankind is allowed by God to make choices and decisions concerning day-to-day living experiences. Many happenings are out of our hands, but keep in mind, many of these occurrences that we have no control over, are in the hands of God and of others. Knowing God is with us and praying to Him to help us and to intercede in behalf of our concerns and worries, are very important actions, that through God’s help, can change the course of events and occurrences in our daily lives. (Refer to the November 8th blog on prayer.)  

Reading and knowing The Holy Bible allows us to know how God thinks and how God wants us to think and act. Having faith and trust in what we learn through Bible reading influences our thinking and decision making. Gaining knowledge through reading God’s Word helps us by allowing us to realize God’s love and guidance to us.

May this be a joyous and grateful Thanksgiving week! Verses will be written below to read and contemplate on God’s Word to you. Relax as you are reading the verses and concentrate on the beauty of what  has been written. Other verses will be listed to give experience in searching for and reading Bible verses. Going to previous blogs by going to the website above left will provide valuable information and knowledge on learning and knowing the Bible.                                                        MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!            BIBLE VERSES:  Psalm, chapter 92, verses 1-4: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name most high; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands, I sing for joy.”         Psalm, chapter 100, verses 1-6, a Psalm of thanksgiving: “ Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. give thanks to him, bless his name. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”        Psalm, 138, verses 1-3: “I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. On the day I call, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.”           And  verses 7-8: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. do not forsake the work of your hands.”   Verses to search for and read: Psalm, chapter 135, verses 1-3; Psalm, chapter 145, verses 1-21; Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 5-6; Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 15, and verses 20-21; Matthew, chapter 7, verse 7; Colossians, chapter 1, verses 9-13;  1st Thessalonians, chapter 5, verses  16-18; Matthew, chapter 17, verse 19; Luke, chapter 18, verse 42-43.

 November 15, 2020:  Dear Friends, This is a trying and difficult time for most of us. In every nation, in every residence, where ever we may be in the world, many are experiencing intolerable stress and anxiety. During these challenging times, focusing on learning the Bible is not a top of priority. Trying to handle challenges of the pandemic, and other concerns that affect the safety and security of our day-to-day living experiences, makes it hard to focus on Bible learning. 

In this visit the focus of our discussion will be in providing Bible verses that will give encouragement to the disheartened, to the discouraged, and to the suffering. In this way the Bible reader will begin to realize the hope, faith and solace that God provides in his Holy Word to the reader, the Holy Bible.

Below are Bible verses that will bring hope and consolation during these challenging times. Other verses will be listed to give experience in searching for Bible verses to be read. Remember to highlight or underline verses so that the verses can be readily found when going back to read and contemplate on what has been written.

All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible. Keep in mind that previous blogs (particularly blogs written from August 9, 2020 forward) provide information that will help in learning the Bible, if and when, one feels the need to continue Bible study. Go to the website above left to read these blogs.

                MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE READING THIS WEEK!                      BIBLE VERSES:     Psalm, 23, verses 1-6: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in the green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. Even though I walk though the darkest valley I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff–they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. “      Psalm, chapter 30, verses 2-3: “ O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, you have healed me. O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.”     Psalm, chapter 32, verses 8-9: “I will instruct you and teach you, the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”               Isaiah, chapter 41, verse 10: “…do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”     Jeremiah, chapter 6, verse 16: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.”      In Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30 Jesus says: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew, chapter 17, verse 17b: “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”  Verses to search for and read:  Exodus, chapter 13, verse 21; and chapter 21, verse 20; Joshua, chapter 1, verse 9; Psalm, 40, verses 1-3; chapter 42, verses 5-6; chapter 91, verses 1-16; and chapter 119, verse 105; Isaiah, chapter 31, verse 9; and chapter 40, verses 28-31; Jeremiah, chapter 29, verses 11-13; and chapter 33, verse 3; Matthew, chapter 4, verse 23-24; and, chapter 7,verses 7-8.John, chapter 15, verses 5-15; Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 10. Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 1.

November 8, 2020. Dear Friends, May God Bless Your Bible Study This Week! The focus in this study will be on having a relationship with God. As many who follow this blog are well aware, the Bible is God’s Holy Word to it’s reader. Because all biblical scripture is “inspired by God,” as written in 2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16, through reading and studying the Bible, the reader learns about God, who God is and how God thinks and wants the reader to think and act. 

In most cases, when the reader begins to learn about God, there becomes an inner desire to want to learn more and more about God, as written in Psalm, chapter 42, verse 2 where it is written, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;” and in Psalm, chapter 63, verse 1, “O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you…” In the process of learning the Bible, inner-most thought processes have the Bible reader intermittently thinking about God. As a result, God’s influence begins to filter through the mind as a relationship with God starts to develop. First the Bible reading, next the contemplation and thinking on what has been learned about God; and then prayer, as the reader begins to relate to God. A relationship with God begins.

Prayer to God has been defined as talking to God. Some try to instruct in how to pray and organize prayer in praising God, thanking God, and listing requests to God. Some think prayer should follow one’s own spontaneous thought processes. In other words, what enters one’s mind should be prayed if that is what is wanted to be said to God. Jesus gave us an example of prayer, referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer,’ written in Matthew, chapter 6, verses 9-13 which will be written below. During prayer, when focusing on God, sometimes a thought will occur, which may be God responding to the prayer or giving a guiding thought to the one praying. Verses written below will allow one to realize that God does talk to us as well. More will be written in the next blog on this aspect of prayer.

The more one talks to God, the more comfortable one becomes in praying. Many see God as a friend, as Jesus describes in John, chapter 15, verse 14, saying, “You are my friend if you do what I command you;” and in verse 15 …”but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” 

Prayer brings one nearer and closer to God as written in James, chapter 4, verse 8, where James writes, “Draw near to God and God will draw near to you.” A relationship deepens. the love for God grows.” Faith and belief in God progresses. A relationship has been formed. Continuation in Bible reading and study, contemplation and thinking on what has been learned, and prayer, will nurture this relationship, bringing a deep peace and solace to the soul.

Verses will be written below that will give examples of going to God in prayer. In our next visit, focus on how the reading and study of the Bible influences it’s reader. 

Refer to past blogs by going to the website above left to follow what is being taught in this blog. Go to the August 9, 2020, blog and progress forward to read specific teachings on learning and knowing your Bible.

                   MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK.                                All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.            BIBLE VERSES: Prayer: “The Lord’s Prayer:” “Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to a time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.”  Jesus Christ said in Matthew, chapter 6, verse 6, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Mark, chapter 1, verse 35 describes when and where Jesus prayed: “In the morning, while it was still dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.” And Jesus said in Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28, “Come to me you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” In Jeremiah, chapter 33, verses 2- 3, is written: “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it–the Lord is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.’ ”  In Isaiah, chapter 41, verse 1 is written, “Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength.” And in chapter 65, verse 24, “Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” In Psalm, chapter 27, verse 14 is written: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” Below will be verses to look up that quote prayers from several biblical characters. An example of such prayers is from the Nehemiah, chapter 6, verse 9 “—– for they all wanted to frighten us thinking, ‘Their hands will drop from work, and it will not be done.’ but now, O God, strengthen my hands.” Because of space consideration, a few prayers will be listed to search for and read: Jacob: Genesis, chapter 28, verses 18-22; Moses: Exodus, chapter 34, verses 8-9; Hannah: 1st Samuel, chapter 1, verses 9-15;  King David: 1st Chronicles, chapter 29, verses 10-19; King Solomon: 1st Kings, chapter 3, verses 3-14; 2nd Chronicles chapter 6, verses 13 b-17.

November 1, 2020:                                                                                            Dear Friends in Christ,                                                                                                 Many of us throughout the world are facing challenging times. The upcoming presidential election in the US, and dealing with the corona virus in most countries, may cause many to be enduring almost unbearable stress. Stress and anxiety may influence followers from not having the time, energy, or desire to read or study the Bible. 

For this reason, we will depart from our traditional goal of providing new and thought-provoking information, and will review in the next few weeks, some of the knowledge that has been learned in following this blog. Hopefully, this will provide a more relaxed atmosphere to meditate and draw near to God. To help in following the review of what has been learned, go to the web sight above left. Progress back to the blog dated August 9, 2020. As time allows in the next few weeks, advance forward to today’s blog, slowly reviewing each blog, one blog at a time.  

Focus on instructions that have been the most helpful. Recognize how much knowledge and understanding of the Bible has been learned.  Realize the peace that has filtrated into the inner-most soul from gaining knowledge and understanding of the Bible. Growing nearer and closer to God through Bible study has increased faith and trust in God, persistently providing a feeling of confidence deep within the soul that God is with us and will help us.

Reading the Bible, praying to God, and spending quiet time meditating will provide the inner strength needed to persevere in these trying times.

Most have learn the names and the locations of the many books of the Bible. If remembering information about the books has been difficult, return to the blogs as written above in paragraph 1, to further study the information given. Remember, when reading Bible verses, underline or highlight meaningful verses, so returning to reread or contemplate, the verses can be more readily found. Read verses before and after the verse or verses listed and read so that a better perspective of what is being written will be understood.                                                                                                                                                    A few verses will be written below to provide comfort and solace when facing and accepting day to day circumstances. There are also several hundred verses written in past blogs that are available, and will be helpful in bringing peace and comfort to our lives. See above paragraph 1. The books the verses listed are in, are not in consecutive order to give more experience in searching for verses.                                                                                                                                                                       MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                            All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible.  BIBLE VERSES:   Matthew, chapter 21, verse 22: “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”  Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 15: “….In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”       Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your insight. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”  Matthew, chapter 7, verse 7: “Ask and you shall receive.” Mathew, chapter 11, verse 28: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”   Psalm, chapter 27, verse 14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.”     Psalm, chapter 146, verse 5: “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord, their God;”    Isaiah, chapter 41, verse 10: “do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”    

October 25, 2020. In this visit the idea of “Drawing near to God, having faith in him, and depending on him to help us” will be focused on. Those that have been following this blog are familiar with what is being taught to help in gaining knowledge and understanding of the Bible. For those who are newcomers, go to the website above left to review recent blogs. Going back to the August 9th blog, and advancing forward, spend time studying each blog. The information provided in each of these blogs will be very helpful when striving to learn and know the Bible. 

Always keep in mind that “All scripture is inspired by God….” as written in 2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16. And remember as written in James, chapter 4, verse 8: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” Our nearness to God increases our Faith in him as written in Mark, chapter 11, verse 22  where Jesus said; “Have faith in God.”  The greater our faith, the stronger we become. And in Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 10: “….be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.” Four verses simply written, that if understood, will influence learning about God through reading and studying the Bible. Learning who God is and how he thinks, and how he wants us to think and act, draws us nearer and closer to him. The more the Bible is read and understood, the stronger and greater our faith, and the more nearer and closer we become to God. 

In these turbulent times, many are experiencing trials and turmoil in day-to-day living experiences. Uneasiness and anxiety reign in our souls. Restlessness plagues our inner-most feelings. Knowing that God is with us, that he will hear our prayers (a topic to be discussed in the future), that he loves us and will strengthen us, will bring solace and peace to our inner-most beings.

Bible verses will be written and listed below to read and to search for in our Bible study this week. The books the verses are in are not in consecutive order to allow the follower more experience in searching for Bible verses. All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRS) of the Bible. 

           MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                      

Bible Verses: The Presence of God With Us; Strength;   Joshua, chapter 1, verse 9: “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”     Exodus, chapter 33, verse 14; “He said, ‘My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.’”    Psalm, chapter 46, verse 10: “Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth…..”  Isaiah, chapter 41, verse 1: “Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength.” and verse 10: “…do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. “ and verse 13: “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’” Psalm, chapter 37, verse 7: “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him….”    Matthew, chapter 28, verse 20, Jesus says: “…. and remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”     Other verses: FAITH: Mark, chapter 11, verse 23-24: “Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”      PRAYER: Psalm, chapter 91, verse 15: “When they call to me I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.” Jeremiah, chapter 33, verse 3: “Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things you have not known.”     Isaiah, chapter 65, verse 24: ”Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.”  Verses to search for and read: Matthew, chapter 6, verses 5-14; Mark, chapter 1, verse 35. 1st Chronicles, chapter 29, verses 10-13; Colossians, chapter 1, verses 9-10. Psalm, chapter 91, verses 14-16.       STRENGTH: Job, chapter 17, verse 9; Psalm, chapter 87, verses 5-7; Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 10-17.      FAITH: Mark, chapter 11, verses 22-25; Lamentations, chapter 3, verses 22-26; Hebrews, chapter 11, verses 1-34.                                                           

October 18, 2020: The focus of this blog will be on knowing and doing the will of God. In our last visit, discussion was centered on learning the commandments, instructions, and guidance of God through Bible reading and study. There is a correlation between last week’s blog and today’s blog. Growing in the knowledge and understanding of these directives through Bible reading and study, will increase knowledge of God. Learning God’s ways, how God thinks, and how God wants us to think and act, will allow better understanding of what God’s will is for us in making decisions as we progress through life 

Return to last week’s blog and review Bible verses written about God’s commandments, instructions and guidance. Spend time contemplating on what each set of verses is trying to convey to its reader. If time allows also review blogs written from August 9 through today’s blog, that provide basic information and tools to use when learning the Bible. 

By obeying these basic directives, living in God’s will becomes common-place in most day-to-day living experiences. We are living in the will of God when we follow God’s ways as written in Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23: “But this command I gave them, ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God and you shall be my people; and walk only in the way that I command you, so that it may be well with you.’ “ 

There are circumstances and occurrences that may cause difficulty in determining God’s will in a decision. “Is this God’s will that I do such and such, or should I do something different?” Weighing the factors that go into making a decision to determine which way to decide, may take time to process.  During these challenges, praying to God and asking him to help know his will in making the decision will be very helpful. In Matthew, chapter 7, verse 7, Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be open to you.” Keep in mind the result being expected in answer to our prayers may take days, or even longer, before realization of God’s answer to our prayers is recognized. 

A few Bible verses will be written below that will focus on God’s will and related ideas regarding God’s guidance. Look up the verse or verses and read verses before and after the verse written, to broaden perspective when reading the verse written or listed. Books that the verses are in are not in consecutive order to give more experience in searching for Bible verses. 

As in recent previous blogs, this concept of “God’s Will”  transverses through many books of the Bible. Realizing a commonality of words and ideas among many books of the Bible helps to recognize how the books of the Bible are connected.  

              MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                        All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRS) of the Bible.          BIBLE VERSES:     Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21, Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”    John, chapter 5, verse 30, Jesus said: “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgement is just because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”     Micah, chapter 6, verse 8: “….and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, ant to walk humbly with your God?”     Romans, chapter 12, verse 2: ″Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God–what is good, acceptable, and perfect.”    In Mark, chapter 3, verse 35, Jesus says: “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”     Hebrews: chapter 10, verse 36: “for you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.”      1st John, chapter 2, verse 17: “And the world and its desire are passing away but those who do the will of God live forever.”            Other verses to search for and read:    Jeremiah, chapter 29, verses 11-12;  1st Peter, chapter 2, verse 15-17; 1st Thessalonians, chapter 4, verses 3-4; 2nd Corinthians, chapter 9, verses 6-15.     

.

Welcome to this week’s blog on KNOWING YOUR BIBLE. For many who follow this blog, most will notice that there are certain lines of thought that are repeated weekly. Because many followers are new to this blog, there is a necessity to convey common information to aid in their understanding of what is being written and referred to in each blog. By going to the website above left, all followers can review previous blogs. Special attention should be paid to blogs that have been written from August 9, 2020, going forward. This will help reinforce and retain knowledge that has been learned through the Bible study found on this blog.

For a change, in this week’s blog, several Bible verses will be written for the follower to read and contemplate on during the next few days. As has been written before, the Bible is God’s Holy Word to each of us. We understand that God inspired the writers of the many books of the Bible on what to write as the Apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16; ‘All scripture is inspired by God…….” When we read the Bible, we learn about God, who he is, how he thinks, and how he wants us to think and act. There are hundreds of verses  written in the Bible that will help in learning about God. Because of space, only a few verses can be written. Keep in mind when reading these verses, that a pattern of common words and ideas transverse through many different books of the Bible illustrating to it’s followers how the books of the Bible are connected.

       MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                  All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible.          BIBLE VERSES on reading the Bible and following God’s commands: Deuteronomy, chapter 30, verses 19-20: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him and holding fast to him…..”     Psalm, chapter 1, verses 1-3: “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers: but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in due season, and leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.”    Proverbs, chapter 4, verses 20-22: My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them in your heart. for they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.”   Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23: “But this command I gave them, ’Obey my voice, and I will be your God and you shall be my people; and walk only in the way that I command you so that it may be well with you.’ “    Verses on a few of the many commandments and instructions on how God thinks, and wants us to think and act will be written below. Guidance and direction can be found in all the books of the Bible, either directly or indirectly. In some books and portions of other books, inferences can be drawn from that which is inferred indirectly in some of the writings on how God wants us to live and follow in his ways. Some of these writings can be found in some of the books including Esther, Ruth, and Jonah, in the Old Testament; and Jesus’s parables in the Gospel books of Matthew, Mark,and Luke, in the New Testament. The Sermon on the Mount, spoken by Jesus is found in Matthew, chapter 5 through chapter 7; and the book of Proverbs, written by King Solomon, both provide a wealth of information for the follower to read and study if and when time allows. The 10 commandments can be found In Exodus chapter 20, verses 1-17. Verses on commandments: Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40: “…and a lawyer asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ ”    Isaiah, chapter 58, verses 6-8: “Is this not the fast I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide your self from your own kin?”     Matthew, chapter 26, verses 34-36 and verse 40: “Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a  stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked  and you gave me clothing, I was sick or in prison and you visited me.’ “ and verse 40: “And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”

October 4, 2020: Before discussing the upcoming blog, let us go to God and pray for our president, his health and safety, his family, our country and for the millions who are directly, or indirectly, being affected by this pandemic. Our hearts go out to those suffering the pain and loss that is occurring as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. May God bring healing and peace, giving strength to the powerless, and comfort and increased trust to all, during the progression of the disease and during the healing process. Knowing that God is present with us will provide increased strength in our faith, giving us much needed hope during our recovery.

Please refer to the recent series on Bible study by going to the website above left. Revert back to the August 9th blog. Spend time contemplating on what is being taught in each blog as progression is made forward from that blog through last week’s blog. Information provided will help in making understanding and learning the Bible easier because of the perspective that is learned through studying these blogs. Realizing the basic organization and literary structure will enhance  the knowledge of what is being learned through reading the Bible.

Our focus in this visit will be on the word “Strength” and on the idea of  “God’s Presence Being With Us,” with each word and idea being followed through many books of the Bible. Realizing that there is a commonality of certain words and ideas that are conveyed throughout many books illustrates another way the books of the Bible are connected to each other. 

In Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 10, the apostle Paul wrote, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.” As followers, the stronger our faith, the stronger our strength is. Because the Bible is God’s Holy Word to us, reading and studying the Bible increases our knowledge of God. The more we know about God, who he is, and how he thinks, the greater and the stronger our faith, trust, and belief in God becomes. Again, the stronger our faith, the stronger our strength is, and the nearer and closer we become to God. James, chapter 4, verse 8 states: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” The stronger the faith, the nearer to God, the realization of feeling God’s presence in us through his Holy Spirit, as described  by Jesus in John, chapter 14, verses 15-17. God’s indwelling spirit, the Holy Spirit, will be discussed at a future time.

A few Bible verses will be written or listed below to follow the above word and idea through several books of the Bible. All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!         BIBLE VERSES:   Strength: Joshua, chapter 1, verse 9: ″…..Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you where ever you go.”  Job, chapter 17, verse 9: “Yet the righteous hold to their way, and they that have clean hands grow stronger and stronger.” Psalm, chapter 28, verse 14: “Wait for the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” Other verses: 2nd Samuel, 10, verse 12;  Psalm, chapter 84, verses 5-7; Isaiah, chapter 12, verse 2; Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 15.           Presence of God: Psalm, chapter 34, verse 4:  I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm, chapter 86, verses 5-7: “ For you, O Lord are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication. in the day of trouble I call on you, for you will answer my prayer.” Isaiah, chapter 41, verse 10: …“do not fear, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”  Jeremiah, chapter 33, verse 3: Call unto me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things you have not known.” Other verses: Psalm, chapter 146, verses 5-6; Isaiah, chapter 41,verse 13;  Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30; and chapter 14, verse 27 and chapter 28, verse 20; 2nd Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 3-4; Philippians, chapter 4, verses 6-7.

September 27, 2020: The purpose of this blog is to help the follower learn and understand the Bible. Refer to past blogs by going to the website above to review and contemplate what is written to provide guidance and direction in reading and studying the Bible. The blog written 2 weeks ago, on September 13, has a special section that gives attention to guidelines in developing Bible study habits that will be very helpful in the learning process of studying the Bible.

A series of blogs beginning on August 9th provides important information on the organization of the Bible books, how to search for and find Bible verses to read, and the timeline of when the Bible books were written or when the events written in a particular book of the Bible occurred. Study of these blogs will enhance learning as one gains proficiency in the use of the Bible.

The series is continuing with the focus of how the Bible books are connected to each other. Because the Bible consists of 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books, most written by different writers, learning can be difficult, and at times, confusing. Information written in these blogs should lessen confusion and increase understanding of the Bible.   

Discussion has been had on specific geographic sites that transverse through the Old and New Testament books. Focusing on these sites allows one to realize a connection between the books by recognizing that much of what is written  about by different writers and being read, has occurred in the geographic area of the site, but written, sometimes, hundreds of years earlier or later.

The current discussion is on how certain words and ideas are found through many books of the Bible, demonstrating a commonality in what is written in the Bible. This will again allow the follower to recognize how the Bible books are related. Last week’s Bible verses were on LOVE, PEACE, and OBEDIENCE. Verses on words, or references to words, COMPASSION, FAITH AND PRAYER will be listed below for this week’s study..

Because the Bible is God’s Holy Word to it’s reader, the more knowledge of the Bible that is acquired, the nearer and closer one is drawn to God, as written in James, chapter 4, verse 8 which says: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”        

                 MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                              All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. The books the verses are listed in are not in consecutive order to give the follower more experience in looking up verses.         BIBLE VERSES: COMPASSION: Psalm, chapter 103, verse 13; Matthew, chapter 9, verses 35-36; Mark, chapter 6, verse 34; Luke, chapter 6, verses 35-36; 1st Peter, chapter 5, verse 7; Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22-23; Psalm, chapter 86, verse 13; Micah, chapter 6, verse 8; Zechariah, chapter 7, verses 8-10.              FAITH: Matthew, chapter 17, verse 20; Luke, chapter 18, verse 42, Psalm, chapter 146, verses 5-6; Hebrews, chapter 11, verses 1, and 3, and 6; Micah, chapter 7, verse 7; Deuteronomy, chapter 7, verse 9; Romans, chapter 1, verse 17; Habakkuk, chapter 2, verse 4.Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22-23. 2nd Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 7.               PRAYER: Matthew, chapter 6, verses 5-15; Mark, chapter 1, verse 35; Jonah, chapter 2, verses 1-9; 1st Chronicles, chapter 29, verses 10-19; 1st Samuel, chapter 1, verses 9-12; Matthew, chapter 21, verse 22; Philippians, chapter 4, verse 4-7; Colossians, chapter 1, verses 9-10; Matthew, chapter 7, verses 7-8; John, chapter 17, verses 1-18.

The purpose of this blog is to help one learn and understand the Bible. Learning the Bible is a process that takes time to sort through and contemplate when striving to understand what is being read. Being consistent in studying the Bible is one of the most important influences in learning the Bible, for the more the Bible is read and studied, the more knowledge and perspective will be gained.

The information written in past blogs to assist in accomplishing this purpose can be found in going to the website above left. Since August 9, a series of blogs have been written that list important basic Bible information that will greatly enhance one’s ability to understand and gain knowledge of the Bible. In last week’s blog, detailed instructions were written that will be very helpful in Bible study. 

Most of the previous blogs, going back several years, have either Bible verses written or verses listed to search for and read. Spending time, in a timely manner, searching and reading Bible verses listed in these blogs, will reinforce feelings of confidence that progression is being made in gaining biblical knowledge. This will bring encouragement to continue in Bible study.

Blogs in the next few weeks will focus on a few words and ideas that transverse through the books of the Bible. Although there are many words and similar ideas that are found in several Bible books, because of space, only a few will be discussed. The gist of this study, conveying to it’s reader what is being taught to the one who reads and studies the Bible, will be understood as one follows these words through many books of the Bible.  

Recognizing that certain words and ideas are found in many Bible books will help in realizing how the books of the Bible are connected and what is being taught to the reader of the Bible. Some words included in this study are as follows: LOVE, PEACE, OBEDIENCE, COMPASSION, FAITH, and PRAYER. A few ideas such ENDURANCE AND PATIENCE, SERVING OTHERS, and FORGIVENESS will follow the word study.

MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK! All Bible verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible. The books that the verses listed may not be in consecutive order to give the reader experience in searching for Bible verses. Remember, if several are reading the verses together, consider using the verses to play a biblical game to see who is the fastest to find and read the verses. The one who wins the most times could get a prize if the group prefers.  Refer to last week’s blog. 

BIBLE VERSES:      LOVE: Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-9; and chapter 10, verses 17-19;  Matthew, chapter 22, verses 34-40; John, chapter 3, verse 16 , chapter 13, verse 1 and chapter 15, verses 9-12; 1st Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 14-18; 1st Peter, chapter 4, verse 8; 1st John, chapter 4, verses 18-19.            PEACE: Psalm, chapter 4, verse 8; Isaiah, chapter 32, verse 17; John, chapter 14, verses 25-27; Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 16-18; Galatians, chapter 5, verses 16 and verses 22-23; Isaiah, chapter 52: verse 7; Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verse 8;            OBEDIENCE; Deuteronomy, chapter 10, verses 12-13 and chapter 30, verses 15-20; Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23- (one of my most favorite verses); John, chapter 15, verse 10; Exodus, chapter 19, verse 5; 2nd Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 5; Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 1-3; Romans, chapter 1, verse 5.

September 13, 2010: In this visit, the discussion will be on reviewing recent Bible study knowledge and instructions on learning to use and study the Bible. Some bits of information will be added to help in increasing interest and perspective during Bible study. 

To search for and look up specific Bible verses for reading and contemplating on what is being read, is one of the most important study topics in learning the Bible. Knowledge of the location of specific books in the Bible can be very helpful and time-saving when searching for a particular verse or verses to read. 

Being able to understand how the different books of the Bible are related to each other, will enhance the purpose of reading and knowing the Bible. The Bible is God’s Holy Word to it’s reader as written in 2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16 which states: “All scripture is inspired by God …”.

 Many read the Bible for the purpose of learning about and understanding God. Knowledge of who God is and how he thinks and how he wants us to think and act is gained through Bible reading and study. The more the Bible is read, the more knowledge and understanding of God is learned. Drawing nearer and closer to God, as written by James, in chapter 4, verse 8, is a direct result of reading the Bible.

Go to the website above left and review blogs written in the last five visits. Begin with the August 9th blog. Progress forward, reading and studying each blog until last week’s blog is reached. Spend time learning what is being taught, from knowing where the books are located, to how common geographic sites, found in the many books, help the reader gain insight to how the books are related. 

There are more ways the books are related including specific words and ideas that transverse through the many books of the Bible. Our next series of blogs, starting next week, will be written about these words and ideas that are found throughout the many books of the Bible.

Some of the following ideas should be helpful when trying to learn and know the Bible: (1)The book of Psalm is located in the middle of most Bibles. After learning where the books of the Bible are located, when searching for a verse or verses, open in the middle of the Bible to the book of Psalm. Then depending on where the book is located, either go back toward the front of the Bible or forward to the back of the Bible, thumbing through the books to find the specific book and verse being searched for. (2) When selecting a Bible for one’s use, read a few passages to discern if the the wording is familiar and comfortable when reading. There are many versions of the Bible. The New Revised Standard (NRS) Version is used in this writer’s Bible study. Discussion on Bible choice with a church pastor or teacher, an employee of a Bible book store, or another knowledgeable person, should be helpful in choosing a Bible. (3) Consistent Bible reading is very important in learning the Bible. Make a commitment to God and to one’s self to learn the Bible. Determine a consistent time that is better for allotting time to read the Bible. Daily Bible reading and study is best, if possible. If not, then reading and studying the Bible as often as one can, will also be helpful in learning the Bible. Just remember, the more often the Bible is read, the more likely learning will take place. (4) Find a comfortable, quiet place, preferably alone, so that concentration can be had on what is being read. Bible study with another can add to learning. However, one also needs to be self-grounded in reading and studying the Bible, if Bible study with another is also occurring. (5) Underline or highlight important verses so that when going back to reread, the verses can be more readily found. (6) When feeling comfortable about Bible knowledge acquired, teach others how to learn and understand the Bible.   A Biblical game can be played with others as follows: Choose a leader. The leader reads out a Bible verse and the individuals in the group race to see who can find and read the verse the fastest. Keep score. Whoever is first the most often, receives a prize. The group can decide what the prize is .

 Bible verses are listed in most previous blogs. Going to any blog by going to the website above will provide several verses to look up and read, giving experience in learning to search and find Bible verses. Due to concern for space a few comforting Bible verses will be listed below for study and contemplation.                                                      MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                        Bible Verses: Psalm 23, verses 1-6. Matthew, Chapter 12, verses 28-30. John, chapter 14, verses 1-7; Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verses 1-8; and 1st Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 1-15.

September 6, 2020: Dear Friends, During this visit, the focus will continue to be on discussing basic information that will help the follower grow in knowledge and understanding of the Bible. This series of blogs has provided the follower basic tools and information that will give guidance and direction in learning the Bible. Go to the website above left, four visits ago, to the blog dated August 9. Review blogs dated August 9 through today to contemplate and study the information given. These instructions will serve as a background for future Bible study.

In today’s blog and in near future blogs, discussion will be had on how the books of the Bible are related. For the new follower, when trying to read the Bible, confusion may arise in trying to understand the Bible. With so many books in the Bible, one might contemplate on how one book is related to other books. For instance, how does the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament,  relate to the book of James in the New Testament? As proficiency is gained in Bible knowledge, understanding of how the books of the Bible are related will begin to be realized.

First and foremost, the books are related because God inspired each of the writers of the books to write what has been written. Each book, each verse, was inspired by God. When reading a Bible verse or a group of Bible verses, the follower can be assured that what has been written was inspired by God as written in 2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verses 16-17, by the Apostle Paul: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped  for every good work.” Rest in the knowledge that what is being read is God’s Word being set before the one who is reading the Bible.

One way the books of the Bible are related is through geographic sites that are mentioned throughout the Bible. Most of the books written and events written about in the Bible took place in Israel. Bible verses will be listed with each site so that one can follow sites through many Bible books. When reading the verses listed, try to think about the time that the book was written or when the events in the book occurred. For instance, Bethlehem is listed in Genesis, written in 1800-1500 BC, time frame. The events occurring in Ruth, was in a time frame of 1100 BC; in Micah, written in a time frame of 740 BC; and in Matthew, written in a time frame of 60 AD. Refer to the blogs written August 23 and 30 for time information.

MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!  All Bible verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible.        BIBLE VERSES:             BETHLEHEM: Genesis, chapter 35, verses 19-20; Ruth, chapter 1, verse 1 and verses 15-19; Micah, chapter 5, verses 2-5; Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1-6;        SEA OF GALILEE:  The Sea of Galilee has 4 different names listed in the Bible: The Sea of Chinnereth: Numbers, chapter 34, verse 11; The Lake of Gennesaret, Luke, chapter 5, verse 1. The Sea of Galilee, Matthew, chapter 4, verses 12-16, with reference to Isaiah, chapter 9, verses 1-2. The Sea of Tiberias, John chapter 6, verse 1.                JERUSALEM:  2nd Samuel, chapter 5, verses 4-10; 2nd Chronicles, chapter 36, verse 1 and verses 6-7; Ezra, chapter 3, verse 8 a; Isaiah, chapter 66, verses 18-21;Jeremiah, chapter 3, verses 15-18; Matthew, chapter 2, verse 3; chapter 15, verse 1; chapter 20, verse 1; chapter 21, verse 1; chapter 23, verse 37; John, chapter 11, verse 55.                JERICHO: Joshua, chapter 4, verse 19; chapter 5, verse 10; and chapter 6, verses 1-25. Matthew, chapter 20, verses 29 - 34; Luke, chapter 18, verse 35.                    MOUNT MORIAH: Genesis, chapter 22, verse 2; 2nd Chronicles, chapter 3, verse 1-refer to 2nd Samuel, chapter 24, verses 18-25.                        JORDAN RIVER: Numbers, chapter 34, verse 12; Joshua, chapter 3, verses 14-17, and chapter 4, verse 1 and verses 8-9. Matthew, chapter 3, verses 1-6.

August 30,2020:  Dear Friends, In this visit, the focus will continue on the organization of the books of the Bible. The approximate time frame of when the  the book was written will be listed. During our last visit, the focus was on the Old Testament. In this visit, the New Testament will be discussed.

This series of blogs started on August 9 and will be continued until the most important information and tools of the basics of Bible study have been provided. These basic Bible study tools listed in the past 3 blogs should be reviewed before studying today’s blog. That way, refreshing the mind on the information provided, will be helpful in providing consistency in Bible study going forward. Go to the website above left to find these blogs for further study. 

The more the Bible is read and studied, the more knowledge about God is learned, for the Bible is God’s Holy Word to its reader. Most readers read the Bible because there is a strong desire to get to know God better. Bible reading will bring the reader close and near to God by learning how God thinks, and how God wants the reader to think and act. In James, chapter 4, verse 8, is written: “Grow near to God and he will grow near to you.”

THE ORGANIZATION & TIMELINE OF THE BIBLE: THE NEW TESTAMENT       There are 27 books in the New Testament.

The Gospel Books: The first 4 books, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are written about the birth, life, death by crucifixion, and resurrection, of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Son of God. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are written about the birth, life, death by crucifixion, and resurrection, of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Son of God. The teachings of Jesus are written about in these books.The approximate time period of when the books were written are as follows: Matthew: 60 AD, Mark: before 60 AD; Luke: 60 AD; John: 86 AD.

The New Testament History Book: Acts: in the 60′s AD. The history of the early Christian movement and early church are discussed.

Paul’s Letters: Paul’s letters were written by the Apostle Paul and focused on what Christianity is and direction in how to live a Christian life. The time frame of when the books were written is approximate. Many think Paul was executed by the Emperor Nero in the late 60′s AD. Romans: 56 AD; 1 Corinthians: 55 AD; 2 Corinthians: 55 AD; Galatians 58: AD; Ephesians: 61 AD; Philippians: 61 AD; Colossians: 61 AD; 1 Thessalonians: 51 AD; 2 Thessalonians: 51 AD; 1 Timothy: 56 AD; 2 Timothy: 66 AD; Titus: 65 AD;  and Philemon: 61 AD. 

Other Letters: Hebrews: 66 AD; James: 60 AD; 1 Peter: 64 AD; 2 Peter: 67 AD; 1 John: 80 AD; 2 John, 80 AD; 3 John: 80 AD;  and Jude; 65 AD.

Revelation: Revelation: 95 AD. Many think that 1-3 John and Revelation were written later, perhaps in the 120 AD time frame.

Bible study of the organization and time period of the books of the Bible should consist of thumbing through each book, pronouncing the name of the book, determining which group of books the book is in, and then progressing forward through the Old Testament and the New Testament. This practice will not only further help in remembering where a book is located, but will add knowledge of which part of the organizational chart each book is in. The reader will begin to perceive the background of the book and how the book is classified in the organizational chart. This knowledge will add perspective and understanding as one is trying to comprehend what the Bible is trying to teach to its readers. 

In our next blog, discussion on how the books of the Bible are related through geographic sites that transverse through the Bible books will be discussed.

              MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                            Bible Verses to search for and read this week. Remember instructions written above: Psalm, chapter 23, verses 1-6; Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-9; 2 Chronicles, chapter 7, verses 12-14;  Micah, chapter 6, verse 8; Lamentations, chapter 3,verses 22-28; Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30; Matthew, chapter 25, verses 34-40; 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 1-13. Revelation, 3,verse 20.

August 23, 2020. Dear Friends, During the past two visits, the focus of this blog has been on learning the basics about the Bible. The purpose is to help one learn about the Bible, and how to study and comprehend what the Bible is trying to teach.  When studying basic Bible learning tools, one’s perspective is broadened. This will further enhance understanding and knowledge of the Bible.

The visit two weeks ago focused on learning the names and locations of the books of the Bible. Last week’s visit focused on learning how to search and find specific Bible verses. Information was given to help establish Bible study patterns. Go to the website above left to study these basics of Bible learning.

In our study this week, the organization of how the Old Testament Bible books are organized and the approximate time period that events written about, or actual time the book was written, will be listed. Specifics about the time frame will be specified with each group of books discussed. Remember, all times are approximate. Knowing how the Bible books are organized and times of when the events written about or when the books were written, will be helpful in searching for Bible verses. Gaining this perspective will influence further knowledge of the Bible.

            ORGANIZATION OF BIBLE BOOKS:  OLD TESTAMENT                                      There are 39 books in the Old Testament.                  

The Law Books of the Old Testament: The first five books of the Bible: Genesis through Deuteronomy. The time period refers to approximate times when events written about in the books occurred. Genesis: 1800 BC to 1500 BC. Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, covered a time period between 1491-1450 BC. Many think the books were written by Moses who lived in 1400′s BC.         

The History Books of the Old Testament: There are twelve history books that follow the “Law Books”. The time periods listed of each book refer to the approximate time the events written about in the book occurred: Joshua:1450-1425 BC; Judges: 1425-1100 BC; Ruth:1100 to 1085; 1st Samuel 1100-1000 BC. 2nd Samuel, 1040-1000 BC. 1st  Kings: 1000-870 BC; 2nd Kings: 870-580 BC; 1st Chronicles: 1100-1000 BC; 2nd Chronicles: 950-510 BC; Ezra 500-440 BC; Nehemiah, 444 BC-430 BC time frame; and Esther: 473 BC.

The Poetry and Wisdom Books of the Old Testament: There are five books in the Poetry and Wisdom organizational chart that follow the History Books of the Bible. The first book in this part of the chart is the book of Job. Job is considered the oldest book of the Bible. Most think the book is written in folktale style. Many think that Job was written by Moses who lived in the 1400′s BC. 

Psalms was mostly written by King David, King of Israel, who reigned in the 1050 BC time frame. The  “Wisdom” books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon were written by King Solomon, who followed his father, King David as King of Israel. King Solomon reigned in the 1000-950 BC time frame. 

The last books in the Old Testament are The Prophet Books. The Prophet Books follow the Poetry and Wisdom books. There are seventeen “Prophet”  books. Content of most of the books focus on prophesy, what the future will bring. Isaiah through Daniel are referred to as the major prophets. Hosea through Malachi are referred to as the minor prophets. The time frame listed refers to the approximate time the book was actually written. Prophets: Isaiah; 740 BC; Jeremiah: 627-586 BC; Lamentations: 586 BC; Ezekiel: 586 BC Daniel: 540 BC Events in Daniel occurred after Daniel was taken to Babylon after the fall in Jerusalem in 586 BC. Lamentations: 586 BC was written by Jeremiah after the fall of Jerusalem. Hosea: 745 BC; Joel: 750 BC; Amos, 751 BC; Obadiah: 586 BC; Jonah: 770 BC; Micah 740 BC; Nahum 630 BC; Habakkuk: 625 BC Zephaniah: 640 BC Haggi 519 BC; Zechariah: 519 BC; and Malachi: 450 BC.

When studying the organizational chart of the Old Testament, again thumb through the Old Testament progressing through each book, starting with Genesis and ending in Malachi. Spend time thinking about what part of the chart the book is located in. Pronounce each name of the book and think about the year or years that the event took place or when the book was written. These steps will help you as you increase your proficiency in biblical knowledge. 

In our next visit, the study of the organizational chart of the New Testament will be discussed. Due to limiting space, the follower will be referred to the last two blogs to search for and read Bible verses.  MAY YOU BE BLESSED IN YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!

August 16, 2020: The focus of this visit will continue to be on learning the basics of reading and studying the Bible. In the last visit, learning the names and location of the Bible books were discussed. In this visit, the focus will be on how to look up Bible verses. Tips will also be given to help one establish a pattern to use when studying the Bible.

Before reading further in this blog, return to the last week’s blog written by going to the website above left. Read that blog and contemplate on the exercise on how to learn the names and locations of the Bible books. Practice going through the Bible books starting with the Old Testament books first, then progressing through the New Testament books. Practicing this exercise of going through the books and pronouncing the book’s name will help as one is in the early stages of Bible learning. Then go to the index in the front of the Bible, choose a book to search for, and then go forward to find the Book. Once the book has been located, look for the book in front of and behind the book being searched for. Knowing names of the books close to the book being searched for will help in finding the book sooner when thumbing through the Bible to find a Bible book.

When searching for a Bible verse or verses, go to the book the verse is in, the chapter in the book the verse is in. then go to the verse number listed to read. For instance, Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verses 3-8, can be found by going to Ecclesiastes, finding chapter 3, then going to verse 3 and read through verse 8.

When reading and studying the Bible, find a quiet, comfortable place to sit and read the Bible. Because concentration on what is being read is direly important in comprehending Bible reading and studying, choosing a quiet environment for Bible reading will greatly enhance the ability to learn and know the Bible. Spending a quiet time with God, reading His Holy Word, will inwardly provide the desire to continue in Bible reading and studying.

The time that one chooses to set aside for Bible study will be different with each person. Some like to read and meditate in the early morning, while others like to read the Bible before bedtime or at other times. Being comfortable with the timing of Bible study is important in allowing the reader to relax and read, without being unduly influenced by environmental or other factors that might interfere with Bible reading and study.

During Bible study, certain verses will stand out as being more meaningful than others. Highlight meaningful verses so that when returning to contemplate, the verse or verses can be more readily found.

Growing in the knowledge of the Bible, one will find when returning to reread a certain verse or verses, that the meaning of a verse that was first read has changed to a different meaning when reread several months later. This is because one’s knowledge of the Bible grows and perspective changes, the more the Bible is studied and learned.

Bible verses to search for and read will be listed below. The verses are in many books of the Bible. This is to help the reader gain experience in searching and reading Bible verses. The more the Bible is read, the easier finding verses through searching the Bible becomes. All verses are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

               MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                            BIBLE VERSES: Psalm, chapter 23, verses 1-6; 1st Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 1-13; Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-9; Matthew, chapter 5, verses 1-16; Micah, chapter 6, verse 8; Galatians, chapter 5, verse 22-23; Luke, chapter 29, verses 29-37. Proverbs, chapter 2, verse 1-11; Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30; John, chapter 3, verse 16; Job, chapter 22, verses 21-28; Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 28 through verse 41, verse 1 a. 2nd Timothy, chapter 3,verses 16-17 

August 9, 2020:  The focus this week and for several weeks to follow will be on presenting the basics in learning the Bible. One of the most important areas in learning the Bible is to learn the names of each book of the Bible and where, in the Bible, that book is located. Having this knowledge will be very helpful in helping the reader search for and locate Bible verses to read and study.

The Bible consist of two parts, The Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament consist of 39 books that were written about events that occurred between approximately 1800 BC and 400 BC, all before the birth of Jesus Christ. The approximate time of Jesus’ birth was in 6 BC. The New Testament has 27 books. The New Testament was written after Jesus was born and includes books written about his birth, life, death and resurrection. Other books followed that were written about early Christianity . Most of the New Testament books were written in approximately in the 50 to 120 AD time frame. All times listed are approximate times.

The names and locations of the books of the Bible can be learned by following these instructions. Open the Bible to the first book of the Bible, Genesis. Thumb through the Bible going forward, starting with Genesis and progressing to Exodus, and into each of the books of the Old Testament until the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi is reached. Then continue into the New Testament, starting with the book of Matthew and progressing forward, going from book to book until the last book of the New Testament, Revelation has been reached. When going through the books of the Bible, pronounce the name of the book slowly 2-3 times. After completely going through the Bible start over and repeat this learning exercise 2-3 times.The exercise should be practiced several times during a week or 2, or until the reader feels comfortable in knowing the names and locations of the books of the Bible.

In this series of blogs, discussions will be had on how to look up to read and study Bible verses. Other topics will include learning the organization of the Bible books, the approximate time frame of when the books of the Bible were written, and ways the Bible books are related to each other. Learning the basics of the Bible will broaden perspective and knowledge of the Bible. 

The Bible is considered by most Christians as the most important book in the world. Because the Bible is God’s Holy Word to it’s reader, reading and studying the Bible draws the reader nearer and closer to God. The reader learns how God thinks and how God wants the reader to think and act.

The knowledge and wisdom that is received through reading and knowing the Bible is the ultimate in giving its readers that inner-most confidence and faith that is needed in day-to-day living experiences and challenges. Go to the website above left, to read and gain more knowledge about God’s Holy Word to its reader, The Holy Bible.

              MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK.!                           All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible.

BIBLE VERSES:  2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verses 16-17: “ All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.”     2nd Peter, chapter 1, verses 20-21: “First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretations, because no prophecy ever came from human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit, spoke from God.”       Psalm, chapter 1, verses 1-3: “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is the law of the Lord, and on his law, (The Bible), they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.”     Joshua, chapter 1, verse 7: “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go.      Proverbs, chapter 8, verses 32-35: “And now my children, listen to me: happy are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Happy is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. for whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.”       Proverbs, chapter 9, verse 9: “Give instructions to the wise and they will become wiser still; teach the righteous and they will gain in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is Insight.”. Psalm, chapter 119, verses 15-16: “I will meditate on your precepts.”

Dear Friends,                                                                                                    May God continue to bless you in all that you do. Thank you for following this blog. The purpose of this blog is to help in learning and knowing the Bible. In past blogs, some information has been repeated in several different blogs so that new readers to the blog would receive the same important information as previous new readers had received. Due to the need to limit the length of each blog, in this blog, and in future blogs, readers will be referred to go to a specific past blog for the same important information that has previously been written. So before starting to read this blog, go to the last blog by going to the website above left, for instructions on how to find important information in past blogs that will help in studying and gaining knowledge of the Bible. Spend time going to the blogs listed in the last blog, and studying some of the most important  information that will help in understanding and learning the Bible.

The Bible is God’s Holy Word to its reader. Through reading the Bible and contemplating on what is being read, the reader will learn about God, how God thinks, and how God wants the reader to think and act. 

Learning about God’s compassion for us through Bible reading will help bring solace to our inner-most thoughts. This is especially important during these turbulent times of having unrest and uncertainty due to the health and economic effects of the pandemic, having unsettled weather conditions including tropical storms and hurricanes; and experiencing social and racial injustice and conflict in our day-to-day lives. 

Many are suffering extreme anxiety and mental anguish. This is the time when we need the Lord our God, the love that he has for us, and the strength and comfort that he gives to us, in his Holy Word, the Bible.

Some verses will be written below to read and some verses will be listed for the reader to search and read for Bible study this week. Reviewing previous blogs, as discussed above, will be helpful in learning and KNOWING YOUR BIBLE.

          MAY YOU BE BLESSED IN YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!                Unless otherwise specified, all Bible verses are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRS) of the Bible.  BIBLE VERSES:     Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, verse 4: “ Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”              John, chapter 3, verse 16: “For God so loved the world….”     Deuteronomy, chapter 33, verse 27 (RSV): “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”      Psalm, chapter 27, verse 14: “Wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of his power.”     Job, chapter 17, verse 9: “Yet the righteous hold to their way, and they that have clean hands grow stronger and stronger.”    Exodus, chapter 33, verse 14: “He said, ‘My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.’”            Matthew, chapter 28, verse 20: “….And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”     In Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30: Jesus said, “Come to me you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”      Matthew, chapter 9, verse 36: “ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”     Mark, chapter 8, verse 23, Jesus “…took the blind man by the hand,…..and laid hands on him…”     Matthew  chapter 4, verse 23: “Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.”     Matthew, chapter 7, verse 7: “Ask and you shall receive…..”  Jeremiah, chapter 33, verse 3: “Call to me and I will answer you…” Isaiah, chapter 65, verse 24: Before they call I will answer, while they are still speaking I will hear. “   Verses to search for and read: 1st John, chapter 4, verse 16; Jeremiah, chapter  31, verse 3; John, chapter 15, verses 9-10; Joshua, chapter 1, verse 9; Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 31; and chapter 41, verse 10 and 13; Luke, chapter 6, verses 18-19; Mark, chapter 8, verses 22-26; Matthew, 7,verses 7-8.