KNOWING YOUR BIBLE
August 1, 2021: Dear Friends, I hope each of you is having a great day! In this blog, we will continue our series on learning about God. Because the Bible is God’s “Holy Word” to each of it’s readers, reading and studying the Bible will provide knowledge and understanding of who God is, how he thinks and how he wants us to think and act.
The more the Bible is read, the nearer and closer one comes to God as written in James, chapter 4, verse 8: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” The nearer and closer one comes to God, the more closer and nearer one wants to be to God. That inner calmness that is felt in knowing God will continue to grow providing such peace and serenity to our inner beings as described by Jesus, in John, chapter 14, verse 27a: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.”
The goal in “KNOWING YOUR BIBLE” is to know God and thus, fill the emptiness of our souls with God, his love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and wisdom….the list can go on and on. Most of us have the common, inner desire, that 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, 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, my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water;” and in verses 3- 5: “Because of your steadfast love is better than life, my lips praise you. so I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joy.”
Bible verses will be written or listed below that will focus on how God wants us to think and act. Most verses will be related to seeking God’s guidance as we progress through life. If time allows, review previous blogs by going to the website above left during Bible study. Underline meaningful verses so that the verses can be readily found when going back to contemplate on what has been read.Bible verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of theBible
MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK! BIBLE VERSES: Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 4-5: “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 straight your paths.” Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 1: “Listen, children, to a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight.” Isaiah, chapter 41, verse 1 “Listen to me in silence, O coastlands: let the people renew their strength.” Psalm, chapter 48, Verses 12-14: “Walk about Zion, go all around it, count its towers, consider well its ramperts; go through its citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide forever.” Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-9: “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. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Galatians, chapter 5, verse 16: Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.” and verses 22-23: “By contrast, the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control……”. Colossians, chapter 3, verses 12-17: “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other, just as the Lord has forgiven you so you also must forgive . Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in harmony. and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts……” Verses to search for and read: The Ten commandments: Exodus, chapter 20, verses 1-17; Proverbs, chapter 2, verses 1-11; Jeremiah, chapter 33, verse 3; Matthew, chapter 22, verses 36-40; and Matthew, chapter 25, verses 34-40. Isaiah, chapter 50, verse 4. Matthew, chapter 12, verses 33-37. Galatians, chapter 5, verses 19-21.