KNOWING YOUR BIBLE
December 18, 2022: Dear Friends: Welcome to this blog that focuses on helping anyone who might want to learn and understand the Bible. Timewise, we are in the Advent season, that time set aside before Christmas, to prepare and await the coming or our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, being born on Christmas Day.
Today is considered the 4th Sunday of Advent, recognizing the word ‘LOVE’ to be used to honor the Christ child. The other words associated with Advent include the word “HOPE” for the first Sunday in Advent, the word ‘’PEACE’’ for the second Sunday in Advent, and the word “JOY’’ for the third Sunday in Advent.
Last week’s blog focused on the words, HOPE AND PEACE. This week’s blog will focus on the words JOY AND LOVE. Specific Bible verses will be listed that are written about these particular words. Reflect on each verse that the words are listed to experience a deeper meaning and understanding of each of these words as we prepare and await for the Christ Child to be born.
The word joy has been described as a deep feeling of happiness and contentment that occurs when something is received, usually unexpectately, bringing a sudden change in awareness in thinking caused by the event or occurrence. The word love can have different meanings depending on the object of love, love for a family member, a partner, friend, teacher, object. Generally love is a feeling of affection for someone or something that brings feelings of belonging and happiness to the one that is feeling love.
Think about the words, JOY and LOVE. What a joyful and loving relationship we can have with God, the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit within us allows us to be saturated with the joy and love that is given to us as we worship our Lord. Through reading and studying his word, the Holy Bible, obeying his commands and accepting his guidance, and consistently communicating to him through prayer and meditation, our relationship will grow in bringing him nearer and closer to us as written in James, chapter 4, verse 8 where it is written, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”
Next Sunday, December 25th is Christmas Day, a day of celebrating the birth of the Christ Child. Spend this week meditating on God’s words of all four words, (refer to last week’s blog for Bible study on Hope and Peace) Joy and Love in verses listed below.
MAY YOUR BIBLE STUDY BRING BLESSINGS TO YOU THIS WEEK!
BILBE VERSES: JOY: John, chapter 15, verses 1-11; Matthew, chapter 25, verse 21; Psalm, chapter 27, verse 6 and Psalm 100, verses 1-5; Isaiah, chapter 35, verse 10. Proverbs, chapter 15, verse 23; Romans, 14, verse 17 and chapter 15, verse 14. Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 1- 2. LOVE: Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-9; Matthew, chapter 22, verses 34-40, John, chapter 3, verse 16; John, chapter 13, verse 1; 1st Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 1-13, (The “Love’’ Chapter), 1st John, chapter 2, verses 3-6; and chapter 4, verses 12-23.