KNOWING YOUR BIBLE
December 25, 2022: Dear Friends, Today is Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior, that occurred on that special day in history more than 2,000 years ago. What a gift we received from God when God sent his son, Jesus, “…. for he will save his people from their sins,” as written in Matthew, chapter 1, verse 21. All of Jesus’ life has been written in the gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, in the New Testament of the Bible, and tells us about Jesus, how he came “…… that they may have life and have it abundantly,” as written in John, chapter 10 verse 10. In the gospel books of the Bible, guidance is constantly being delivered by Jesus to his followers as he 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….” as written in Matthew, chapter 4, verse 23.
In John, chapter 8, verses 31-32, it is written, “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Note that Jesus was talking to those who “believed in him.” This freedom that Jesus mentions begins when one learns to believe in Jesus as written in John, chapter 3, verse 16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Believing and obeying Jesus, the words and actions he taught and the examples he left for us to follow, leads us away from sin, from guilt, from shame and misery, that occurs when we disobey him and his teachings. Jesus directs us in John, chapter 14, verse 15, to obey when he said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments;” and in John, chapter 15, verse 10, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”
Savor that feeling of love and grace as we celebrate the gift God has given us, his son, Jesus Christ. Spending time reading and studying Jesus’ life in the gospel books will bring increased understanding and knowledge of Jesus, increasing belief and faith in him. Consider choosing one of the gospel books and read a chapter a day. See above for the names of the gospel books.
Verses will be listed below that will focus on some of Jesus’ teachings. Spend some time contemplating on what is being read so a deeper understanding of Jesus can be had.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!
BIBLE VERSES: Bible verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) version of the Bible. The Sermon on the Mount. Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7. Verses about freedom: John, chapter 8, verses 31-32, and verses 34-36; Obedience: Luke, chapter 11, verse 28; John, chapter 14, verses 21; 23 and 24; Romans, chapter 6, verses 17-18; 2nd John, chapter 1, verse 6. Teachings through Parables: Luke, chapter 10, verses 30-37; chapter 15, verses 3-7; verses 8-10; verses 11-31; Luke, chapter 18, verses 1-8; verses 9-14. Definition of the word Parable: “A short simple story teaching a moral lesson.” Webster’s New World Dictionary.