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The Need to Read the Bible

Be a tree planted by streams of water by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

The Word of God says,

1 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; 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 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.

4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. NRSV (Psalm 1)

Which would you like to be like? The tree that is by the streams of water which soaks it in day after day and thus is strong and firm, or the chaff - that useless bit of crusty shell around a piece of grain that is blown away by the wind?

Here God says that the person who is like the tree is the one who delights in the law of the Lord. Notice the word law there. When this was written all they really had was the first five books of the Bible (which sadly we often skip over or rush through). The one like the tree is the person who digs into the Word to understand how it can apply to his or her life today. Who seeks to know what God would want. Who conforms his or her life around the Word.

Let this be our desire. Everyday let us delight in God´s Word as we try to find out how God would have us live our life so it can be something useful and not that which is merely blown away.

tammyingham writes on 0000-00-00

The Bible is the key to life. When we learn to apply it to our lifes we become more peaceful and happy. It is the key to God..I¥m thankful for him giving us such a great gift...

deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-25

I remember the first Bible verse that I ever memorized (besides John 3:16 of course)....

Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11

I memorized it as a GA and over the years it has had many meanings to me....I of course realize that "hiding" God¥s Word in my heart means to memorize it but, as I grow spiritually I realize that it means that I must study God¥s Word until it is like breathing for me, then it will be hidden there also but, hidden only in the sense that it is waiting for me to think on it and it will spring to life in my actions, thoughts, works and life.

D-lite writes on 2002-05-01

This verse reminds me of channel surfers. Ö (Ps 1:1 ) First we walk or flick by, then we come return to stand and take a second look and soon weíre sitting and being entertained by the scoffers. Walk, stand, sit Ö itís a slippery slope going down once we begin the slide. Where do our thoughts reside day and night? Where do those thoughts lead - blessing or meaninglessness? Does our spirit wither or flourish with the diet we feed it? If we donít even nourish our souls enough to keep them functioning, how can be producing fruitfully? The scoffers may stand now, but they wonít have a leg to stand on later.

I praise God that He gives us the gift of spiritual hunger, which only He can satisfy (Deut 8:3). I pray that any hunger that I may have for the things of this world, would be replaced by an even greater hunger for His holiness.

thalteman writes on 2003-11-14

When I think of chaff, I recall when as a lad and learning how to live and perform farm chores, I recall of how the older and more experienced farmer I worked for, used chaff, the remenant settlings from the bales of hay stored for the winter months used to feed the milk cows, was gathered and given to one of his very old, but best milk providing cows. But as chaff goes, it did not sustain the animals life for very long as it was not truely nutrious and was more dirt and dust than fodder for the poor animal. But it fed the oldere cow for a spell and it made the farmer believe he was doing his best to keep his best producer. But in the truth, it was at best only the milk, not the animals life that held the farmers interest. I would hate to repeat some of the foul remarks he made because the animal died. So we must not let the chaff go unheeded, calling ourselves christians, if we do not recognize the sin for what it is. I have heard, that you hate the sin, but not the person. If we can help remove the chaff, then we will have a chance to help the person.

Be good soil by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

Sometimes we feel that we have already heard it all and we struggle with indifference, apathy and boredom. Here we will examine Mt. 13:1-23 where Jesus gives a parable on different kinds of soil and I will seek to relate it to how we can receive the Word of God.

Path: This place is beaten down. Perhaps they have heard it before and think there is nothing more to learn. Perhaps they do not think there is anything to learn and so they sit in class and stare at the wall. Generally, they are not open to learn and so they don´t get what is being said. They hear only the message but miss the meat. The Devil snatches it away and they do not grow. We must be careful that our hearts are not calloused and that we have not closed our eyes (v.15) for we will miss the truths God wants to teach us.

Rocks: These people sit in class, they hear the word and get excited about it but as soon as the lesson is over they forget about it. This is like going to a youth conference and getting fired up only to allow the pressures of life at home to throw water on it again. We must be careful not to let the troubles of life - busyness, worry about money, rejection and mockery by friends who don´t understand why we love God put out what God wants to do in us. Instead, we must dig our roots deep (v.21) by diligently studying the Word of God against all the things and people that try to stop us.

Thorns: Others hear the Word and they grow for a time but later on we hear stories that they are no longer following the Lord. They lost focus and allowed the worries of life to take over. They lost their priorities. It did not happen in a moment but things got a bit tough and instead of digging deeper into the Word of life they rushed over it to solve life. Life got more complicated and slowly the Word got pushed further and further out. Or maybe they got caught up in materialism. They were so busy trying to get that new car, or house, or whatever that there was no time. They thought if they had just a bit more money than they could finally take the time to get things right with God but they never had money enough and they missed the only thing they can truly store up and never bore fruit.

Good soil: But that is not how we are going to be. We want to be those who hear the Word and understand it. Our heart is not closed up for even though we have heard it before we are eager to learn it a bit deeper. We have not closed our eyes but they are wide open eager to learn and grow. Troubles come and people make fun of us for wanting to know God but we are determined to keep our eyes on the goal. Sometimes we are worried but our comfort is in the Word. Sometimes we are tempted by money but we are reminded that our true treasure is in God. This is who we are and who we want to be.

And so we read the Word and we eagerly desire to grow. We know we cannot grow on our own and so we look to God who makes us grow ( 1 Cor 3:6,7). And yet He uses certain means, like our daily Bible reading, our discussion with friends, our listening to the sermon, our prayers to achieve these ends .

And what is the seed planted in our hearts? It is none other than the message of the Kingdom (v.19). Why is it that the Devil snatches it away? Because they did not understand (v.19) likely due to calloused hearts and closed eyes (v.15). But it is our goal to understand and may it be true of us,

"Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them."

That is what this study is all about. Turning to God and finding healing.

"God make us the good soil that hears and understands your Word. Even though we have heard it before we know you have much more to teach us. We want to learn. Amen."

lenblaides writes on 2001-01-31



One may find it interesting that there were four types of soil and in effect four types of people.
Of these only 25% made it through the tribulation as described in terms of rocks, thorns etc.
Is Jesus telling us that perhaps only 25% of the world will make it through the present tribulation?
Think about that for a moment.

With regard to Matthew 13:14 ´By hearing ye shall hear; and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive.
For this people´s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and shouls understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.´
Consider this explanation with an opened mind:.........
The people were totally against Jesus as the Messiah but the word he spoke was interesting to them, even the works which he did... healing etc.
They wanted to be healed, even to go to heaven but not through Jesus.(John 14:6)
Now since the word of God is quick, and powerful (Hebrews 4:12 ), and will not return void, but shall accomplish that which I please,...(Isaiah 55:11) and is able to make one wise unto salvation ( 2 Timothy 3:15 ) the people´s eyes had to be blinded and their ears stopped from understanding because the word would do a work of wisdom in the hearts of those people and they would be converted without receiving Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
This is how powerful and secure the word of God is.
Having said that, let me conclude by saying that the devil is permitted to snatch away the word that was planted in the hearts of some. (Matthew 13:19 ).
If you do not want to come through Jesus
he will not open your heart to understand the scriptures which is able to make you wise unto salvation, even as he did for Peter and the rest in the book of Luke 24:45 .
Come to Jesus and he will open your eyes and ears.

Len Blaides

Lee James writes on 2001-05-27



Some of us choose to plant on rocky ground. I work in a jail ministry and have reached more people there than in other areas of my life. Inmates are often like rocks. But with a little work those rocks become gravel, then sand and finally soil. There is where I choose to plant the seeds of Christ and you should see our crop grow.

futbolmamasita writes on 2001-08-07



I believe the bible is full of good advice. If any one ever comes up to you and needs advice, you can tell them verses. So learning verses and study them is always a good thing.

Arnet Hales writes on 2001-08-16



We are sometimes so consumed by the nagative that we overlook the positive. Many who teach on this passage focus exclusively on the hard path, the poor soil, the rock and the thorns that they forget that this is not the way it will always be. Jeus said that there will be good soil and that in spite of the difficulties we face there will be a harvest 100 fold. I am driven to think of the AID workers and the Aphgan citizens who are now facing prison and in some cases the death penalty for leading Muslims to Christ. It would be easy to get caught up in the negatives. But let us remember that when Peter was imprisoned he sang songs and worshiped God. Not only did the chains dropped off and the prison doors swing wide, but the jailer and his whole family came to Christ. Like many I am praying for the release of these prisoners of the gospel, but at the same time I want to remember, that his ways are not my ways, and that there is in this a greater thing happening. I am praying that all of the jailers would come to see the love and grace that drives these believers that they too should be a part of the hundredfold.

thanks

Arnet

michie writes on 2001-08-21



I just loved this, as I read it through I could see myself and at somepoint I guess I have been a thorn, a rock and the path. However God has been faithful and He planted that seed, He didn´t let me be pulled out in the world again, He wants me to seek to be Good Soil. I still have rocky and thorny days, but that is my laziness I guess. I´m thankful to Him that He still works in my life when I get so busy I forget about Him. I´m really glad He is gracious, I couldn´t do anything without Him!

deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

Once a man approached Dr. R.A. Torrey (1856-1928, dean of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles from 1912-1924) complaining that he could get nothing from his Bible study. The scripture seemed dry as dust. "Please tell me how to study it so that it will mean something to me."
"Read it," replied Dr. Torrey.
"I do read it."
"Read it some more."
"How?"
"Take some book and read it twelve times a day for a month."
"What book could I read that many times a day, working as many hours as I do?"
"Try `Second Peter¥," replied Dr. Torrey.

The man later said, "My wife and I read `Second Peter¥ three or four times in the morning, two or three times at noon, and two or three times at dinner. Soon I was talking `Second Peter¥ to everyone I met. It seemed as though the stars in the heavens were singing the story of `Second Peter¥. I read `Second Peter¥ on my knees, marking passages. Teardrops mingled with the crayon colors, and I said to my wife, "See how I have ruined this part of my Bible."
"Yes," she said, "but as the pages have been getting black, your life has been getting white."

D-lite writes on 2002-05-02

This parable has always fascinated me. When I first studied it my thoughts turned not to the seed, but to the soils. At the time, we were living in the prairies and it was seeding time. The farmers were planting their wheat fields. I noticed that they didnít seed in the ditches where the soil had not been cultivated. Nor did they seed on the road where the traffic was driving. Nor did they plant in areas that were full of weeds and debris. They only planted in soil that had been properly prepared by cultivation. The farmer only spent time preparing his soil so that when all the conditions were right (a little rain and a little sun), he put the seed in and one could see very quickly that the seed had germinated and taken root. I would watch the wheat fields grow and ripen, producing a wonderful harvest.

ìLet us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.î (Gal 6:9-10 ). The harvest comes, but only if we plant in soil that has been prepared. Unless the soil is prepared and ready to receive the seed, the seed will always be wasted. No farmer wants to waste his seed. I pray for people, that God would prepare their hearts to receive the seed of the Word. I pray that God would intersect my life with people that are already crying out to Him for help and then He sends me. I pray that I can be used of God to help prepare the soil of someoneís heart to receive Christ. I thank God when I can share Christ with a friend and they receive His salvation, because someone else has been there before me and has prepared the soil. ìEven now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ¥One sows and another reaps¥ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.î (John 4:36-38 ).

thalteman writes on 2003-11-14

The parable of the sower[Matt.13:3-9]
and possibly the mustard seed [Mark 4:31-32]
I say this, because when able, the seed (The Word)is planted,God provides the waters and provides the sun, such as the Lord provides the means through his messengers so that his disciples will grow also. As good soil is to the seed is necessary for good growth, so also is a good foundation of the word necessary for good growth in the people of God.

Miles Tucker writes on 2003-11-16

I for one have been all four types of soil. I have had so many different problems with my spiritual progress. Sometimes when I hear a message I try to pick out the stuff that applies to me not looking at the big picture. Other times I have been mentally separated from the lessons and studying all together. Also in the past I have not even returned to a lesson. These are my spiritual learning problems. With these problems I have found that the only way for me to learn, progress and hear lessons presented to me is through patience, an open heart, and faith that God is as complicated as he wants us to think. It is through faith that God can reveal the greatest of things to any type of person. Ask him to change your heart if it is not focused, or ask him to reveal your problems to over come them.

sue p writes on 2005-11-07

I agree with Miles I too have been all four types of soil. I spent too many years not producing for the Lord.
But now I can say I read the Bible as much as I can. For the Lord reveals something new everytime I read. It is a living Work and will reveal what we need as we read.

How to Read the Bible

Daily by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

The best advice my pastor every gave me when I was a teen was to read the Bible everyday. He said, pick a time, pick a place, pick an amount and stick to it no matter what. The Devil will try to distract you, you will be tempted to watch TV, you will not feel like it, but do it anyhow. Then after a month of doing that it will be habit.

So every morning and every night before I went to bed I read a chapter of the Bible. It was not much but it has shaped my life. I have now read through the Bible several times and it provides both comfort and direction to me in ways I could not describe.

lenblaides writes on 2001-01-31



The bible teaches us in Proverbs 1:5
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning...
Proverbs 1 through 7 teaches in essence that the son must study and meditate on the word of God.
2 Timothy 2:15 says,..."Study to show yourself approved unto God..."
Study should be a daily practice, hence we go to school everyday.
Just as we have our daily bread, we should say our daily bread for it is this bread that truly sustains us.
John 6:48-51

Len Blaides

Arnet Hales writes on 2001-05-25



Once many years ago, when I was running, a dear friend of mine told me that "Habits takes 21 days to form and only 3 to lose." Of course this was in reference to running every day, however, the same is true of Bilbe reading. It is so easy to loose the habit. Every day reading the Word is a new beginning. We can never learn all that it has to teach. Another wise teacher of mine, while I was at bible school, said, "Scipture is like a watering hole, shallow enough for a baby to wade in; and deep enough to drown a elephant." These are two great truths to live by: read daily and know that you will never learn it all for it is new every morning.

thx

Arnet

futbolmamasita writes on 2001-08-07



I have had a lesson taught to me that if you do sometime for 21 days, it will become a habit. The thing that I am doing....every night I read whatever and then mark off that day of my 21 day calendar. It really works!

deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

"Give us day by day our daily bread." Luke 11:3

"And Jesus answered him, saying It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Luke 4:4

If bread is taken daily how much more so should we take the word of God daily?


From the German Christian George Mueller¥s diary, May 9, 1841......

It has pleased the Lord to teach me a truth, the benefit of which I have not lost for more than fourteen years. The point is this: I saw more clearly than ever that the first great primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not how much I might serve the Lord, or how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished...
Before this time my practice had been, at least for ten years previously, as a habitual thing, to give myself to prayer after having dressed myself in the morning. Now, I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God, and to meditation on it, that thus my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, instructed...
The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord¥s blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to meditate on the Word of God, searching as it were into every verse to get blessing out of it; not for the sake of public ministry of the Word, not for the sake of preaching on what I had meditated upon, but for the sake of obtaining food for my soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this, that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to supplication; so that, though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer. When thus I have been for a while making confession or intercession or supplication, or have given thanks, I go on to the
next words or verse, turning all, as I go, into prayer for myself or others, as the Word may lead to it...
By breakfast time, with rare exceptions, I am in a peaceful if not happy state of heart.

D-lite writes on 2002-06-02

ìHis divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.î ( 2 Pet 1:3). This little reminder carries a load of good common sense. In many Christian circles, the ritual of ìdevotionsî has become a measure of spirituality. I prefer to use the term ìpersonal studyî rather than ìdevotionsî for my time in the Word. Because it seems that as Christians, we have made the ritual of devotions the goal, rather than fellowship in the Word. I enjoy interacting with the Word, but I find little use for the ritual of devotions. I find that when Iíve tried to use prescribed ìdevotionalî books, I soon became frustrated because it was too regimented and mostly uninteresting. God has given us each individually ìeverything we need for life and godlinessî. We need to be digging into the Word for ourselves, and not be depending on others (devotional writers) to do it for us and then spoon feed us the morsels one verse at a time.

There is good Biblical teaching to substantiate the practice of daily reading and feeding on the Word. ìHe humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.î (Deut 8: 3). The interesting thing about this ìmannaî was that it only lasted for about a day. Each day, except for the day before the Sabbath, they had to gather enough manna to sustain them for just another day in the dessert. However, the day before the Sabbath, they could gather enough for 2 days nourishment and it would not go rancid. This provision lasted the entire 40 years during their dessert wanderings. Clearly, the writers of Scripture in both the Old Testament and New Testament saw ìmannaî as an illustration of our need for and Godís provision of our daily spiritual diet.

We know that Jesus is the Word wrapped in flesh (John 1:1-14 ) and He testifies to this point the strongest of anyone. ìJesus said to them, ëI tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.í ëSir,í they said, ëfrom now on give us this bread.í Then Jesus declared, ëI am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.íî (John 6:32-35 ). God provides a daily spiritual diet for us, but we have to be willing to go out and pick up the morsels of nourishment ourselves and not depend on others to regurgitate it for us. It loses most of its appeal and nourishment that way. The fresher the better.

Pastor Rich writes on 2004-04-11

It was brought up in the article, that there are many interuptions and excuses as to why not read the bible. One I didn´t catch was God interupting us! That´s right God

I was working on a message or bible study one day, and started to get a little hungry. Things were going great, I had reference books and different bibles opened up, so I decided to get a sandwich.

All of a sudden on my way out to the kitchen, God told me to read the 23d Psalm. But God, I already know the 23rd Psalm. This went back and forth a few times, and I went back to study. Blanks...that is all I was getting was blanks, when I tried to study again.

I gave in and said: "OK Lord, the 23rd Psalm it is". For the next 2 1/2 hours I was being directed by the Holy Spirit on where to find relevant scripture, what was being told to me in this Psalm.

What a way to get interupted!! He taught me so very much about this Psalm, which I had "just read" before, and had taken for it´s face value, if you will. Although most interuptions aren´t good, this should make us realize that there are exceptions!

God Bless, Pastor Rich

moj8668 writes on 2006-11-30

I am currently taking the Jr. Hi girls Sunday School class that I teach through a book entitled "A Young Woman After God´s Own Heart". Author Elizabeth Elliot encourages young women to set aside a time and a place for their daily Bible reading. She encourages them to keep "their place" stocked with any items they feel are necessary - highlighters, pens, journals, etc. I have one young lady who tried this and told me "It´s so much easier now that I know exactly when and where I am going to read my Bible!"

Observe, Interpret, Apply by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

One of the easiest and most accurate methods of studying the Bible is to use the Inductive method. This is broken down into three simple stages. Observation, Interpretation and Application.

These work like building blocks of a pyramid where observation forms the foundation, interpretation builds upon that foundation by asking, "What does this mean?" Then application builds the top level on that by asking, "How does this apply to my life today?" In more detail it is

Observation - "What does it mean?"

- What is the context?

- What are the keywords?

- What is repeated?

- What stands out to you in this passage?

- What facts did you observe in this passage?

Alternative Questions?

- Who? (List all the people involved)

- What? (What happened? What ideas are expressed?)

- Where? When? (Where and when did this take place?)

- How? (How were these things accomplished? How well? Is there a reported order?)

Interpretation - "What does it mean?"

- What is the author trying to tell his original audience?

- What is the author´s main point?

- What does the passage either state or imply about God or Jesus?

- What questions can you ask after studying the passage?

- What is the emotional tone of the passage?

Application - "How does this passage apply to my life today?"

- If ... then statements



Developed by our team in Russia based on the strategy and resources of the CoMission, 1996

D-lite writes on 2002-05-02

Sometimes reading the Bible can be like watching an antique black & white TV set. Other times itís like watching on a 13 inch color TV (better, but not much). But in reality, it can be more like watching on ìthe big screen with surround soundî and it all depends on what weíre looking for.

A habit that I developed over the years is to pray before I start reading the Bible. I found this extremely helpful to me. During my Bible College years, it was common for the professors to use the Bible as a textbook and rightly so. But I soon found the danger in this was that the student will use the Bible as a textbook, reading and researching it only for as an academic exercise, thereby losing its life giving, life changing impact. My motive being that if I was going to take the time to read and study the Bible I wanted to grow and learn spiritually first, and then academically.

Therefore, I still pray the same prayer, that God would unveil my eyes and heart to His Word for me today. That it would be to me as if I was reading it for the very first time and that God would quicken my heart as it enters my thoughts, and that He would reveal to my mind and heart how I am to apply it to my life this day. This way it makes no difference whether Iím reading for preparing a lesson, for researching for paper, or for my own personal devotion; I am trusting God to use His Word to do its work in me first, before it can do a work anywhere else. This little habit has been the blessing of my life.

An.na writes on 2008-05-12

What I do to bring the Bible alive for me is I often ask myself, "what is this scripture asking me to do?" So I take the verbs and apply them as ´doing words´ in my life. Repent is an action word. Beleive is an action word. I must check if I am acting these words out in my life. After a while, they then become a reality and an automatic application.

Check the context by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

There is an old illustration used to describe what happens when someone reads the Bible out of context (context means the bigger idea of what is going on around the passage)

A man wanted to know what God´s will was so he flipped open his Bible and pointed his finger down. It read, "So Judas ...went away and hanged himself." (Mt 27:5 ) He thought maybe he should try again so he came to the verse, "go and do likewise" (Lk 10:37 ). Still not satisfied he found the verse, "what you are about to do, do quickly" (John 13:27 ).

I am not so certain that is a true story but the point remains. We need to read the verses within their context and if we were to read those verses in the context we will quickly see it does not promote suicide.

There are several common verses which have been taken out of context. I´ll name a few to illustrate how important it is to carefully study the context.

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13 ) This is often as taken to mean that God will give me success in everything - money, goals, etc. The verse however is not so much about success as it is contentment - specifically in regards to going without money - almost the opposite of what it is sometimes taught to mean. (Phil 4:10-14 )

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20 ) This is often used to encourage people to accept Jesus´ call to salvation but in the context it has nothing to do with salvation and everything to do with calling a lukewarm church that thought they did not need Jesus so much to repent. (Rev. 3:14-22)

So the key is to read the verses around the passage. And when you are reading a book or a devotional, look up the passages they suggest. Some of them are a real stretch and some are dead on. Just because someone allowed it to be printed does not mean it is all correct.

lenblaides writes on 2001-01-31



Yes indeed, some do take the passage out of context to form a pretext for their own purpose.

Matthew 16:19 says, " And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Some think that this applies to binding the devil, but in fact it is about Church authotity. See Matthew 18:15-18 where Jesus spoke on sin and forgiveness and the principle of binding and loosing.

Another is Matthew 18:19 which says,...
"If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
Some believe that they can touch an object and agree and ask God to meet their request. In fact Jesus was merely saying that any subject that you touch on that is in God´s will for your life, get someone who will agree with you on that matter and God will hear and answer your prayer.

I do not want to take a scripture out of context to solidify this one: else I would say ...." in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established" (Matthew 18:16 )

Yet another found in Genesis 1:27 ,....
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
The Homosexuals take this to mean that God created man as both male and female because Eve was not yet created.....(see Genesis 2:18 and 23).
Jesus explains this in Matthew 19:4 ....
" And he (Jesus) answered and said unto them, "Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,...
For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Len Blaides

Arnet Hales writes on 2001-05-25



Again, years ago, when I first came to faith, I was taught when reading a passage: "Read what comes before, read what follows after, read to know what the first reader understood, and read with an open mind what the Spirit is saying to you." In all of this study to show thyself approved.

thx

Arnet

restless_poet writes on 2001-08-28



One wonderful way I´ve found to help understand the context is to remember that God does not contradict Himself.... if something is truly in it´s proper context, it will not negate part of the Word. Some people have gone to great lengths to "prove" the contradictions in the Bible, but when you really look at them, they´re either presenting a balance (as in, there are times to be still before the Lord, and times to celebrate joyfully) or fulfillment (the old sacrificial system and Christ´s fulfilment of it on the cross), showing us our need for God (Christ´s saying "be perfect" when the Scripture says no one is righteous... thus meaning, our only righteousness comes through Him, and His death is the only way, not of works) or similar. No passage of scripture in it´s right context will go against the heart of the whole scripture. And I´ve found the more time I spend in the Word, the more quickly I recognize things like that! And the best way of all to know the heart of the Bible? Look at Jesus Christ, who *IS* the Word! His nature, His character, His heartbeat... they are in total harmony with the Word. So even if you´re not an expert theologian, look to the heart of Christ. He´ll help you understand the context of the rest!

Tiffany writes on 0000-00-00

That is so true...Like if people tell me a verse to back up what they are saying I always go and read the entire chapter, to make sure that verse does honestly back them up. I also like the people who will remember thou shall not kill but not thou shall not steal, I mean like with people who pick & chose what they want to hear. They warp it to fit them, and what they want to hear, and not what it actually says.

shellwb writes on 0000-00-00

Hello this is Shelly . I like this concept to. It shows how that we can lose the real meaning in a scripture.

Ross Whisenhunt writes on 0000-00-00

I have learned to not only read the verses around it, but pray about what the Spirit wants to teach me & to talk to a more mature Christian about it, just to make sure I¥m not misreading it.

deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

Many false religions and cults are based upon "verses" taken out of context....daily study of God¥s Word keeps the verses in context.

thalteman writes on 2003-11-14

Don´t make a mountain out of a mole hill, and don´t read into what is not there. When in the military, a dissimilar statement made by drill sergeants was "DO NOT ANTICIPATE THE COMMAND OF EXECUTION!" jumping the gun is a more appropriate term in civilian life style. It is like watching a movie or show and you are certain you know what is going to happen and "Surprise" it is just the opposite. We are not to add or detract wording in the Bible so as to change its meaning(s) so as to deceive ourselves or others [Rev. 22:18-20]

  • Mt 27:5;Lk 10:37;John 13:27;Phil 4:13;Phil 4:10-14;Rev 3:20; - Check the context

    • Interpret it as a judge not a lawyer by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    Here is another problem we encounter when we study the Word of God. It seems to me that our first reaction is to interpret the Word like a lawyer. That is we try to find a loop-hole or an exception so that we don´t have to keep it. We might like a particular theology so we will bend the verse a bit (even though it is not the most clear interpretation) so that we don´t have to change our way of thinking.

    The proper way to study it is with great respect. All our beliefs and ways of life must submit to the Word. This is the way of a judge who carefully looks at it and tries to determine what it really means in the light of the entire Bible and the context.

    shellwb writes on 0000-00-00

    Hello this is Shelly. That was a pretty good summary of how that we think some about the word of god. I hadn¥t thought about it that way before. It really shed some light.

    D-lite writes on 2002-05-02

    A very thought provoking analogy (judge vs. lawyer interpretation of Scripture) and very true. Often the books of the Bible are referred to as the ìCanon of Scriptureî. I looked up the word ìCanonî and found it to refer to a standard, rule, norm, principle, tenet, or law. This is quite applicable to the analogy.

    The judge takes the law (or canon) of the land and measures the actions of a man against that standard. The lawyer however, is not as concerned with upholding the law, as proving that the law does not apply to the defendant, because of extenuating circumstances. So, in effect he is trying to change the rule or law by which the defendant is being judged. We know that Godís standards are unchangeable, because God is unchangeable (Heb 13:8 ; Rev 1:8 ). This gives me great confidence and comfort, because I know I havenít done anything to earn this favor and grace from God. His standard is the same for everyone, and it is clearly given to us in His Word. He has redeemed me with the blood of His own Son (as He was held accountable to the law and fulfilled the law), so that I might gain life in Christ.

    seekker writes on 2003-04-06

    This is an excellent analogy. Something that I was taught earlier on regarding God¥s Word was to pray before I began to read or study that He would remove any / all preconceived ideas that I may have had so that I would be open to see and receive His Word exactly as He had written it. I cannot count how many times that He had pointed out errors in things that I had been taught or what I thought His Word said when it didn¥t ... this enabled me to approach God¥s Word more openly and honestly ...

    sue p writes on 2005-11-07

    Great analogy. I don´t want to be the judge or the lawyer. I´d like to be the straight A student that learns well from the teacher.

    Coloring and symbols by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    I once asked one of my professors if it was okay to write in the margin of the Bible. He picked up his Bible and handed it to me. I noticed all the pages were well worn as if he had read it over and over again. Inside it was full of color markings and notations.

    "But isn´t the Bible a holy book?" I asked.

    "Yes, in fact it is so holy that I want to do everything I can to get the most of it." He answered.

    And indeed, it is not the ink and paper that are holy but the life changing words.

    And yet I still try to keep it neat. I have 5 pencil crayons (because they are light and do not obstruct the words much) that I use to color co-ordinate the chapter based on themes. Blue represents salvation, red sin, green holiness, orange the theme of the book. I sometimes make special notations around words that are repeated. For instance, if the word sin comes up a lot I will write over it sin in red pen. Or death I will write over in black. This makes the themes come out very strongly.

    Then I take a pencil (I found pen to be too messy and permanent) and write in the margin key thoughts and cross-references on the verses.

    Lee James writes on 2001-05-27



    The Bible is a holy book and should be respected and treated as such but it is also a referrence book for living a Christian life. I make notes in all my text books and it makes them easier to study again.

    outofyourshell writes on 0000-00-00

    My bible too is well written in.. I don¥t have a system or a color coding.. I use whatever pen I can get my hand on and write down exactly what God tells me... sometimes it¥s so messy I can¥t read it.. but as an artist, it portrays where I was emotionally, spiritually.. despair, excitement, wonder, confusion.. you can see it all by the size of my penstrokes or the thousands of question marks and exclamation points..

    When I read through ecclesiastes, God revealed all kinds of parallels and symbols all through the book... I circled and underline at least one word in almost every line... it¥s the most scribbled book in my whole Bible!!!

    tammyingham writes on 0000-00-00

    This is so much fun this to draw what you think like what does heaven look like to you or god.

    shellwb writes on 0000-00-00

    I think that this is an excellent idea!

    D-lite writes on 2002-05-02

    POST-IT-NOTES ... I¥ve found that the margins of my Bible are woefully inadequate to contain the notes of the precepts the Lord reveals to me through His Word. Therefore, I use post-it-notes (usually 4x6cm notes are perfect). This allows me the freedom to add notes as God reveals more truth and I can also pick them up and stick them onto other pages (if I am using that reference in teaching) and then I can replace them back later. Truly, the man who invented post-it-notes was inspired by God.

    userlw80 writes on 2002-07-04

    I always like marking special passages in the Bible. In fact, I bought a study Bible so I could just write in it and do my work and another Bible that won¥t be written in, just read. I like to color code the key point and also date it so that I know when I read the passage.

    thalteman writes on 2003-11-14

    I do write in, underline, circle, add notes, etc. And I will continue, I need to do a lot more and the more I read and learn, the more I write in my Bible. For me, it is Genesis that gets the most, but I am beginning to do so in other chapters also. I have scores of pieces of paper that I have scanned and have store on my PC. I am going to try and get them in some semblence of order, but there are so many, it may take several years at least. You´d HAVE TO SEE TO BELIEVE IT THOUGH! Seriously!

    moj8668 writes on 2006-11-30

    I love the use of symbols! I stole this idea from my aunt (with her blessing, of course!) and have gotten all the way through Psalms and part of Proverbs using it. It is a fairly simple system - when you see a verse that talks about love, draw a heart next to it. If it talks about joy, draw a smiley face. If it talks about praise, draw a music note. Those are the three that she started me with. As I´ve used them, I´ve added three of my own. God´s promises - I draw a dollar sign (money back guarantee). Words of comfort - I draw a tear. Verses that challenge me - I draw an exclamation point. Verses that contain phrases that make me say "I want that to be me" - I draw an arrow. There are those who say it´s too complicated for them but I´ve been using it for long enough that it doesn´t seem all that hard.

    Write about it by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    One of the greatest things I have ever learnt to do in my Bible study is to write about it. When I was a teen I started to write a book. I took the metaphor of the vine and the branches (John 15 ) and for each day I wrote on 2 key words. So I wrote a chapter on "true vine" another on "cuts off", "in me", "no fruit", "already clean" and so on. That was one of the most devotional experiences of my life.

    Edwin writes on 0000-00-00

    Every time that i read the bible now it seems as though i want to type on my computer. I always have good ideas coming to me and i never want to forget them. By writing them down i will have them to refer to and i do so on a daily basis. When you aren¥t reading the bible think on it, say lord clear my heart of anything that is troubling it, and whatever idea pops into your head work it through until you believe and then write that down. It helps to overcome your disbelief if any exist.

    seekker writes on 2003-04-06

    one of the things that I find myself doing alot lately while I¥m journaling (particularly since my favorite Bible translation is the Amplified Version) is to break up the sentence (or passage) into its most basic phrases ... for example: Galatians 2:20 would become:

    I am crucified with Christ ...

    Nevertheless ...

    I live ...

    but ...

    it is no longer I that liveth ...

    but Christ liveth in me ...

    and the life that I now live ...

    I live by faith in the Son of God ...

    Who loved me ...

    and gave Himself for me.


    This seems to help me to more clearly focus on what the different key points of the passage are. Makes me more active and less passive in my reading /studying.

  • John 15; - Write about it

    • How to read the Bible by lenblaides, 2001-01-31

    Just read the text as you see it and try to understand it. If anything seems hard to understand, look at the explanation given in the study bible and learn from there.
    But that´s not all... Remember, you must get a revelation for yourself and that´s where the Holy Spirit comes in.
    John 14:26 says, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
    When you read the Word of God, it is as if Jesus is there talking to you, then the Holy Spirit will teach you what the word means, especially to you.
    1st John 2:27 says, " But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
    Be careful not to think that you do not need a pastor to teach you the word: in fact you do, but the revelation that comes from the word to you, no pastor can teach you.
    So read aloud because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God and follow the principles which our Pastor Chris has taught us in this lesson.

    Len Blaides

    Arnet Hales writes on 2001-05-25



    A really good book is the volume by Dr. Gordon Fee, of Regent College, "How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth." While intended for students with access to great resources, the book if full of good hermenutics, and it well worth the investment.

    thx

    Arnet

    deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

    W.A Criswell wrote a marvelous book "Why I Preach that the Bible is Literally true"....I prefer to read the Bible like it is literally true.

    thalteman writes on 2003-11-14

    It is funny as when reading the Bible, some things come easily, others do not come into proper meaning for days, months or even years in playing a role in my life.

    Ecclesiastes 3:1
    There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

  • John 2:27; - How to read the Bible

    • How to Memorize the Bible

    My story by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    I was in my second year of Bible school and I was sitting in the library trying to memorize some verses from 2 Timothy. I tried for an hour and barely could retain 3 verses, which I kept forgetting. We used to have to memorize verses for class. It would frustrate me how it took me all week to learn 5 verses and others would just look at them before class and know them for the test.

    So I was frustrated because I could not get these verses. So I just prayed and after half an hour or so I was so excited in the Lord that I opened up my Bible and began to memorize. Seven verses in one hour. Eight the next day. Reviewed for a few days. By January I was memorizing about 30 verses a day (which I do not recommend since I have now forgotten those verses and was going too fast to really think on them)

    This practice went on and off. I memorized some books and then forget them, then memorized them again and forgot them only to try again. It was a real joy when I was able to preach the entire book of James by heart.

    DavidB writes on 0000-00-00

    A wonderful site which teaches Scripture Memorisation is http://www.fast.st . They have courses tutorials and JavaScript engines which all are a great help in memorising God¥s Word.

    D-lite writes on 2002-05-03

    I know I have the ability to memorize, but if I havenít done it for a while, then at first it takes more time and effort, until I have it back as a habit. What exercise is to the body, memorizing is to the mind. I find memory work difficult when my mind is not conditioned to it. We may not all be able to memorize equally well, but we certainly can all learn. Actually learning is memorizing, but real learning has the dimension of wisdom added to it.

    This is one of my favorite passages Iíve memorized, ìBut the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.î (John 14:26 ). Thereís the proof - the Holy Spirit will bring back to our memories, everything we have heard and learned from the Lord. The key to this is that we take the time to really learn the Word.

    Some treat the Word like a snack food and thus they never get to have a real satisfying dinner. They take just enough so that the hunger pangs stop and their appetite is assuaged, but they never sit down to a real meal to have their hunger truly satisfied and nourished. The Holy Spirit will only bring back to our memory what we have faithfully taken the time to learn in the first place. If itís not there, itís not coming back.

    noellers writes on 2005-02-09

    I absolutely hate memorization. It´s so boring. However, I found that if I first try to understand what I need to memorize first, then it is easier to memorize.

    2 verses a day for 4 years most of New Testament by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    I did some calculations once. I discovered that if one were to memorize 2 verses a day for 4 years (that is the same length of time of going to Bible school) one could memorize the entire New Testament letters from Romans to Jude. Imagine graduating with that kind of education?

    Carry verses on flash cards by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    My grandfather was really big into memorizing. My dad once sat behind him when he was preaching and he noticed that when he was reading from Revelation his Bible was opened to somewhere around James and when he read from James his Bible was open to somewhere around Romans.

    He used to take the whole week. He would write out the verses on little cards and then when he was waiting in line (which was quite often since he was always very early) he would look them over. Or he would just sit in his chair and go over them again and again.

    tammyingham writes on 0000-00-00

    I found it was hard to learn to memorize the verses in the bible. So I tried with flash cards it worked really will.

    It take alot of time to study and memeorize the bible but I love doing it.

    michie writes on 0000-00-00

    I carried some verses with my credit cards for a while, I use the cards a lot so I knew I would read the verses often! Months later the verse would pop back into my head in a conversation or when I was praying and although I may have thought I had forgotten it, God reminded me! How cool is that? I also gave away some of the verses to friends in need, and it was if God had got me to write His word out for my friend months before they needed it. It is a great idea to learn about Him and how much His words speaks into our lives.

    deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

    I worried that I was forgetting memorized verses also and that my eight year old grandson was not memorizing....then my sister gave me one of those daily bread verse holders for Christmas and so now, he picks a new verse each week and I type them up BIG on the computer and we tape them up in our rooms and then everyone in the family has to say the new verse on Tuesday nights....it is working!

    Angelo writes on 2003-03-29

    I have 40 credit card size flash cards with verses on them that I carry round in a little pouch thing that fits into my pocket and whenever I have a couple of minutes time where I´m not doing anything I pull them out and spend a little time memorizing the verse for that day. It´s really good cause it means your using all your little minutes of the day to do something worthwhile. And it also means that the verses go into your memory instead of just your short term memory cause you´re learning them over a longer period of time and not just a short half an hour. And I found that going through the previous ones you have learnt also helps keep everything in your memory.

    Some suggested verses to start with by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    - Rom 3:23 - all have sinned

    - Rom 6:23 - wages of sin, gift of God

    - Rom 10:9,10 - how to be saved

    - Eph 2:8,9 - salvation is by faith alone not works

    - John 3:16 - God loves you so much to die for you

    - Gal 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ

    - 1 Cor 10:13 - God will provide a way out of temptation

    - Phil 4:8,9 - when you are worried

    - Eph 4:29 - when you want to say something hurtful

    - 1 John 1:9 - when you have sinned

    lenblaides writes on 2001-02-06



    In the midst of the wonderful scriptures that are able to make someone wise unto salvation, we must not forget Philippians 1:6 which gives us the confidence that God will complete what he has started in us.

    Phil. 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

    No one has to struggle to do good works to preserve their salvation; no one has to struggle with the cross.
    Philippians 2:13 says, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure..

    And as for struggling with the cross and falling, Psalm 145:14 says, "The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

    It seems evident that it is the Lord´s job to get you into heaven, all you have to do is to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit and He will show you the way; after all, Jesus did say, " I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6 ).

    Len Blaides

  • Eph 2:8,9;John 3:16;Gal 2:20;Phil 4:8,9;Eph 4:29;1 John 1:9; - Some suggested verses to start with

    • Memorize blocks of Scripture by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    After you have memorized 40 or so key verses I would suggest memorizing larger portions of Scripture. This helps with review because when you go to learn a new verse you go over the one just before it. When you want to practice it you just quote the section. Here are some suggestions.

    - Psalm 1 - on studying the Word of God

    - Psalm 23 - the Lord is my shepherd

    - Psalm 51 - what to say when after you´ve blown it

    - Psalm 139 - God´s view of you

    - Matthew 5-7 - Jesus summary of how to live

    - 2 Timothy - Paul advice to a young minister

    - James - What true faith looks like in action

  • Matthew 5-7; - Memorize blocks of Scripture

    • Internet Memorization Resources by Chris Priebe, 2000-12-29

    I want to start a little collection here of resources on the web that you can use to help memorize Scripture. If you know of any others please suggest it as a link below.

    ---------------
    http://www.memorystewards.com

    "The main goal of our site is to give someone the ability to memorise the Bible intensively if not entirely and consequently any other subject, coupled into life-time memorisation. To this end, we offer a free course in basic mnemonics (memorization techniques)."


    -------------
    http://www.learn.com/courseintro.asp?courseid=25
    Learn how to memorize names (okay it¥s not the Bible but by increasing one¥s ability to memorize in general it will help when we come to the Bible)





    Chris Priebe writes on 2002-05-02

    Here is a fun little game that Jennifer Bruss (a fellow student) made. Have fun!

    (http://www.thetwistedpear.com/StAndrew/pages/church.html)

    Gem writes on 2003-12-10

    This isn´t an internet resource but i thought i´d mention it anyway. The pages of my Bible are scented with the same fragrant oil that I use as a perfume. The perfume then acts as a memory stimulant for anything I´ve read - and especially helps with memorising small chunks! It´s more of a girl thing, but one I´ve found very helpful:)

    OhioDisciple writes on 2004-10-24

    This site has a good memory software program, and several good articles on memorization, and Bible study.

    http://www.memoryverses.org/index.shtml

    How to memorize by lenblaides, 2001-01-31

    There are many different ways to memorize text.
    This is what works for me.........
    1 I read the passage a few times in order to fully understand it.
    2 I discuss it with a friend, even with myself.
    3 See how it compares with anything in my life or the life of people that I know.
    4 By this time the scripture means something to me and there are some associations.
    5 I write, (not type) the scripture on paper and read it again.
    6 I begin to memorize a portion till the whole is done.
    7 I test myself on paper with the portions and then the whole.
    8 I test myself vocally, and before I sleep I say the scripture again.
    9 If I cannot remember while in bed, I quickly get out of bed and look it up, which is a sacrifice in itself.
    10 I continue to say the scripture until it becomes second nature.

    These are all recorded in a special book so that I do not forget what I have learned.

    Len Blaides

    futbolmamasita writes on 2001-08-07



    The way that I memorize a verse: I write five words of it over and over...then the next five...so on and so on...until I get it. Then I say it outloud until I am forsure that I have it.

    ghoffmanpdx writes on 0000-00-00

    It seems that whenever I read before I go to bed, the next day a situation will arise, and I will be able to recite and discuss that. Coincidence? I think not.

    deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

    Memorization is obviously and individual thing, people memorize differently...some put the verses to music, some tape them to their mirror so that they see them every morning, some listen to tapes of verses in their cars and memorize them as they drive, some write them, some repeat them over and over until it is rote....I think that the important thing is that you find your own method and then MEMORIZE!

    Suggested Verses for Memorization by Chris Priebe, 2001-10-20

    In our Youth Group I pulled out an old Russian Matrioska doll. I explained to them that it looks nice on the outside but wait till you see what is inside. Then I opened it up and inside was not only another doll but also a Bible verse. Then I opened it again and once more another doll and a Bible verse. Deeper and deeper we went until there was just the smallest doll there. I told them that this is how our life should be, deep inside we should have the Word of God. Then I challenged them to memorize lots of verses this year and I gave them the following list to get them started.



    So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27 )

    The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. (Psalms 23:1 )

    Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalms 51:10-12 )

    as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12 )

    How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. (Psalms 119:9 )

    You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. (Psalms 139:2 )

    I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalms 139:14 )

    but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31 )

    "Be careful not to do your ´acts of righteousness´ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:1 )

    "This, then, is how you should pray: "´Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ´ (Matthew 6:9-13 )

    "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 )

    "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7 )

    "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.(Matthew 13:44)

    If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."(Matthew 21:22)

    Immediately the boy´s father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"(Mark 9:24)



    Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.´The second is this: ´Love your neighbor as yourself.´ There is no commandment greater than these."(Mark 12:30-31)

    Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.(Mark 13:11)

    "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.Do to others as you would have them do to you.(Luke 6:27-31)

    Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? .(Luke 9:23-25)

    Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--(John 1:12)

    "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.(John 3:16-17)

    God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."(John 4:24)

    Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.(John 8:34)

    The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.(John 10:10)

    Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"(John 11:25-26)

    Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another´s feet.(John 13:14)

    "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."(John 13:34-35)

    Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.(John 14:6)

    "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.(John 15:5)

    Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.(John 15:13)

    Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."(Acts 4:12)

    For since the creation of the world God´s invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.(Romans 1:20)

    for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,(Romans 3:23)

    However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.(Romans 4:5)

    What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?(Romans 6:1-2)

    In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.(Romans 6:11-13)

    I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.(Romans 6:19)

    For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 6:23)

    Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,(Romans 8:1)

    No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 8:37-39)

    Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God´s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship.Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God´s will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.(Romans 12:1-2)

    And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.(1 Corinthians 6:11)

    Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

    No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.(1 Corinthians 10:13)

    If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.(1 Corinthians 13:1)

    Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

    So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.(1 Corinthians 15:42-44)

    Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

    For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.(2 Corinthians 4:17)

    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!(2 Corinthians 5:17)

    But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ´s power may rest on me.(2 Corinthians 12:9)

    I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(Galatians 2:20)

    So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.(Galatians 3:24)

    It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.(Galatians 5:1)

    You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."(Galatians 5:13-14)

    So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.(Galatians 5:16)

    Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.(Galatians 6:7)

    For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.For we are God´s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.(Ephesians 2:8-10)

    But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God´s holy people.Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.(Ephesians 5:3-4)

    Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.(Ephesians 5:18)

    Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."Honor your father and mother"-- which is the first commandment with a promise--"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."(Ephesians 6:1-3)

    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil´s schemes.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.(Ephesians 6:10-13)

    Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.(Philippians 2:3)

    But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7-8 )


    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.(Philippians 4:6-8)

    Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.(Colossians 3:20)

    It is God´s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;(1 Thessalonians 4:3)

    Be joyful always;pray continually;give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God´s will for you in Christ Jesus.(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

    Don´t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.(1 Timothy 4:12)

    For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.(1 Timothy 6:10)

    For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.(2 Timothy 1:7)

    Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.(2 Timothy 2:15)

    Nevertheless, God´s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."(2 Timothy 2:19)

    Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.Don´t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.(2 Timothy 2:22-23)

    In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,(2 Timothy 3:12)

    All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

    Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.(Hebrews 9:27-28)

    Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.(Hebrews 11:1)

    Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.(Hebrews 12:1-2)

    Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.(James 1:2-3)

    When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.(James 1:13-15)

    Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.(James 1:22)

    Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.(James 1:27)

    For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.(James 2:10)

    When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.You adulterous people, don´t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.(James 4:3-4)

    Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.(James 4:7)

    Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn´t do it, sins.(James 4:17)

    But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."(1 Peter 1:15-16)

    Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God´s grace in its various forms.If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.(1 Peter 4:10-11)

    Humble yourselves, therefore, under God´s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.(1 Peter 5:6-9)

    Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet´s own interpretation.For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.(2 Peter 1:20-21)

    Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly livesas you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.(2 Peter 3:11-13)

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.(1 John 1:9 )

    We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.(1 John 2:3 )

    Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. ( 1 Chronicles 4:10 )

    Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8 )

    He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7 )

    Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. ( 1 Corinthians 13:12 )

    "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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 11:28-30 )

    if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ( 2 Chronicles 7:14 )

    youuthminister writes on 0000-00-00

    This is one of my favorite scriptures, "And we know all things work together for the good of them which love the Lord, and are called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28

    deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

    And again I say....

    Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11

    flutegal writes on 2003-12-16

    ìÖAs Godís chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.î Colossians 3:12
    ìFor this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of powerÖî 2 Timothy 1:6-7

    alexrubio62 writes on 2003-12-24

    "Trust In the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

    I love this verse. It reminds me when I begin to rely upon my own understanding, thinking that I can "Fix" whatever is going wrong in my life, I must rely totally upon Him to guide me in making the right decisions. It reminds me to have a "Childlike Faith" in God and His Son Jesus Christ. I owe him that much because my soul was bought with the blood of Jesus Christ.

    Pastor Rich writes on 2004-04-11

    It is really surprising how many scripture verses we acually have memorized, and don´t even realize it! Matthew 6:9-13 is a good example, anong with Luke 11:2-4 .

    After finding out what these verses contain, we should then study them. You would be surprised what changes you will make in your everyday life, when you look into the scriptures in depth.

    God Bless, Pastor Rich

    luv2walk writes on 2007-01-15

    I love this verse...
    Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
    The LORD your God is with you,
    He is mighty to save.
    He will take great delight in you,
    He will quiet you with His love,
    He will rejoice over you with singing.

  • John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this,that a man lay down his life for his friends.

    • Using the Internet

    Our tool, the Bible Toolbox by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    2 years ago I first started using the Internet. I tried to find some things that I could use to help with the ministry but I found that they were either hard to find or they were scattered all over the place. So I started to write a tool that would bring all the best Bible resources of the Internet indexed in one place.

    This has been called, the Bible Toolbox. We have built a small version of it into the Discipleship Pages but you can customize it and even add it to your own web page. Click here to make your own customized version

    If you would like to see the full version go to http://www.authenticwalk.com/bibletoolbox

    peacehaven_2000 writes on 2002-03-18

    The internet is a valuable resource for studying and doing serious research. I found Authentic Walk in my personal search and recommend others to really use it as a tool. I have found many resources with links to other sites that provide information on almost any topic. I study sermons written by some of the greatest preachers in our history. There are commentaries, dictionaries, concordences, lexicons, Greek and Hebrew translations and so much more. You are able to travel through Ancient History and learn about the life and times of the people who lived in the lands described in our Bibles. Also, you can study Church History as well as different denominations. Here is a cool place to search. It is the Christian Sites for Academic Research...type in

    Internet Sites in Christianity - Academic Disciplines

    This has many links to further your knowledge. Be like the Bereans and search for the wonderful truths that will give you wisdom and to help you grow in the knowledge of our Lord. Peace

    ioweHim writes on 2003-06-10

    I found a free Bible software that I just love at http://www.e-sword.net. There are many version and extras to download and all are free of charge.

    Pastor Rich writes on 2004-04-11

    The internet is a very useful tool, if you need something quickly, or need a comparison of three or more ideas or items.

    I use Mybibletoolbox.com, and have reccommended it to others. It is a very compact way to find thing all from one source....your personal toolbox!

    God Bless, Pastor Rich

    luv2walk writes on 2007-01-14

    www.crosswalk.com is another free quick tool.

  • http://bible-truth.org/ExpositoryBibleStudy.html - Excellent course, free
  • http://www.christsites.com/ - Christian Search Engine

    • Bible versions by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    http://authenticwalk.com/bibletoolbox/

    One thing that you can use the Internet for is to look up a Bible passage. Here you can quickly turn to the passage you want in all sorts of versions and languages. Just type in the reference, pick one of the Bible versions bellow and hit search.

    One of the helpful tools on there is the multiple. This allows you to compare what several different versions say all on one screen. By doing this you can get a better idea of what the original language is trying to say by seeing some of the different shades of meaning the English represents.

    bibledad writes on 2001-05-25



    A paralell bible contains four different translations.You can get one at any Christian bookstore.
    I keep mine next to my bed where I do my reading of my King James,and use it if I need to undestand a passage better.
    I feel it is well worth the investment to own one of these in addition to your regular study bible
    Gene


    (http://unbound.biola.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=advanced_search&lang=English)

    futbolmamasita writes on 2001-08-07



    I believe that using the internet for bible study, Christian contact...etc.etc. is a wonderful thing. It opens up your mind to other ways to witness and to learn.

    ghoffmanpdx writes on 0000-00-00

    Here¥s one I use. http://www.bibletime.de . Not very conducive to reading in bed, even with my laptop, but for free and being able to have multiple bible versions, commentaries, etc., it¥¥s invaluable!!

    luv2walk writes on 2007-01-14

    A valuable free tool that I cannot do without is www.instaverse.com. Just by moving the mouse over a typed/printed Scripture verse, you can instantly see it in various versions. I then copy/paste it into my emails, especially useful for prayer ministry.

    Do a Word Study by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    http://authenticwalk.com/bibletoolbox/bible/word-study.htm

    Another great thing that the Internet offers is the ability to search for a specific word or group of words. You can do this by choosing one of the Bible versions, typing in the word(s) and hitting search

    Notice also that you have topical tools. The dictionaries provide longer explanations of a specific word.

    Nave´s and Torrey´s provide a list of verses on a topic

    You can also search a list of Christian web sites through 2 of the largest Christian web search engines (Goshen and CrossSearch)

    If you want you can also go through the archieves of the last 2000 years of Church wittings ( 2 CD´s worth as I recall). This will take a while since it has a lot to search through so be patient on this one.

    Other parts by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    http://authenticwalk.com/bibletoolbox/

    I also have listed some Greek tools, commentaries and illustration material that is available on the Internet but I´ll let you go there and give it a try. The easiest way to learn is just to push buttons and see what happens. Don´t worry you won´t mess up the program.

    Free books by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    There is a really good web site out there that takes old Christian books whose copyright has expired and provides the books free of charge to the public. You can find it at http://www.ccel.org/

    Using the Internet by lenblaides, 2001-01-31

    The internet can be a good tool as well as a bad tool, it just depends on what one considers to be good or to be bad.

    As Christians we know that the Lord is good and all things that pertain to his kingdom is good.......
    But those of the world consider worldly lustful things to be good for them.

    The internet is a great place to observe many types of preaching and to mark those that try to hinder the gospel of Jesus Christ by preaching another gospel.
    Galatians 1:8 The Apostle Paul said,
    "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
    There is one gospel of Jesus Christ and the internet can help us detect those who preach another gospel; this knowledge will be to our advantage.

    Len Blaides

    Chris Priebe writes on 2001-08-12



    The internet has opened-up a whole new world to me as far as studing the Bible. If it were not for the internet I would not have found Authentic Walk Ministries. There are so many good sites to check out, but be sure to check them out thouroughly. I have seen quite a few sites that claim to teach only from the Bible, when in truth all they do is twist God´s words to promote their own views. May God continue to bless pastor Chris for the work that he is doing, and may He also continue blessing all of us who continue to seek His will in our lives aswe strive to learn more.

    Jim

    deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

    I too love the Christian internet....I hope to get an education with this marvelous tool...the ministry opportunites are awesome and I also thank God for Pastor Chris and his ministry...I recommend AuthenticWalk often...I keep this verse taped to my computer in plain sight for all its users:

    Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

    Christian Meditation

    The Biblical precedent by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    Although the concept of meditation makes me somewhat uncomfortable in this modern age of mantras and lotus positions it does have a very strong Biblical precedent. 18 times the NKJV uses the word mediate Click here to see them

    deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

    An excerpt from Charles Spurgeon¥s 1857 sermon titled "Meditations on God".
    ...The best and most saintly of men have been men of meditation. Isaac went out into the fields at eventide to meditate. David says, "As for me, I will meditate on thy statutes." Paul, who meditated continually, says to Timothy, "Give thyself to meditation." To the Christian meditation is most essential....Meditation and prayer are twin sisters, and both of them appear to me equally necessary to a Christian life.

    SueG writes on 2006-05-25

    I think that meditation is a valuable tool. I believe this because it helps to clear your mind, leaving it open to having conversations with God.

    Different from New Age Meditation by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    Yet Biblical meditation is very different from eastern meditation. The goal of eastern meditation is to empty the mind from everything and enter into a state of nothingness. The goal of Christian meditation is to fill the mind with the thoughts of God and be conformed into the image of Christ. It is summarized well by the verse that says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (Phil 4:8 ) NIV.

    One then is an emptying and the other is one of filling

    deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

    This reminds me of the empty house and the unclean spirit Jesus taught about in Matthew 12:43-45

    43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

    44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it EMPTY, swept, and garnished.

    45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

    If the house would have been full of memory verses, prayers, meditations, love, Jesus, etc.
    then the unclean spirit would have had to turn away.....

    sainttimothy writes on 2003-11-12

    Another BIG difference between New Age and Christ centered meditation is, for lack of a better way to say it is, power channelling. In New Age, meditation opens one to demonic powers, although not recognized as such by the practitioner, in order to accomplish the will of the New Ager ...
    While Christ centered meditation is to become more aligned with Christ for HIS purposes and to accomplish HIS will through our lives; "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
    I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." Psalm 119:15-16

    Dan writes on 2003-11-07

    The New Age Meditation is the same lie that was from the begining told in the garden. Just today it is brought to us candy coated in crystals, possitive thinking, the I. and Me, Myself, and I. Heal thyself, do whats best for Me, How do you like Me now? By opening one self to meditation before preperation, can open ones mind to other voices, I have found that, a time in the Word of God first then, prayer. By preparing your mind and heart first is very important to link one to a deeper depth in Christ. And deeper depths and higher heights is where I want to be.

  • Phil 4:8; - Different from New Age Meditation

    • Think deeply upon the Word and God by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    The greatest objects of our mediation is the Word of God and God Himself. How helpful it is just to sit and think about how great God is. Or to sit back after reading a portion of the Scripture and to truly chew on it.

    deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

    From the Navigators "A Primer on Meditation"-

    "Meditation is chewing. It is like the graphic picture of a cow and her process of mastication. Bringing up previously digested food for renewed grinding and its preparation for assimilation. Meditation is pondering various thoughts by mulling them over in the mind and heart. It is the processing of mental food. We might call it ¥thought digestion¥. ¥Chewing¥ upon a thought deliberately and thoroughly, thus providing a vital link between theory and action. What metabolism is to the physical body of a cow, meditation is to your mental and spiritual life."

    thalteman writes on 2003-11-14

    Many day after prayer or in prayer or talking to another, I often think about the vastness of Gods creation, just the distance of our planet from the sun, much less the stars in the Milkyway and how far they must be to keep from colliding, and then to hear that they have discovered over 100 billion galaxies, and then figure that that might comprise only 1% of Gods Realm, Kind of leaves me awed!

    Psalm 8:4
    what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
    (Whole Chapter: Psalm 8 In context: Psalm 8:3-5)


    Hebrews 2:6
    But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
    (Whole Chapter: Hebrews 2 In context: Hebrews 2:5-7 )

    Reflect on nature by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    Another helpful object for our meditation is nature itself. I remember being out for a prayer walk with a young man I am doing discipleship with. We broke off into private prayer and as I prayed I noticed a large tree. I thought about how it was so strong and firm and I noticed how close it was to the stream I was standing by. I began to pray that God would make me like that tree. Then I saw the stream and how it flowed together on the path set out for it and I prayed that I would be like a drop in that stream. Only one but working together with many to form a mighty force working together under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

    futbolmamasita writes on 2001-08-07



    This goes back to being alone on my swing-set. It is surrounded by trees and plants. All sorts of animals...it just allows you to see, hear, and smell God´s creation.

    deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

    God has written his message to us in two books, the revelation of nature and the God-breathed scriptures.--Vance Havner,"Peace in the Valley".

    D-lite writes on 2002-07-07

    For years every time I looked out of my windows at home, I could see the depth and vastness of God greatness reflected in the scenes around me. On one side I viewed the beauty of Harrison Lake -about 35 miles long & up to 3 miles deep. Then I could turn around and see Mt. Cheam, towering straight up almost 7000 feet.
    http://darylfoto.8m.com/cheam1.htm
    http://darylfoto.8m.com/images/Cheam_from_Gill_w.jpg

    Just as He keeps filling that lake, day in and day out, year after year, He fills me with His Holy Spirit pouring into me the water of life (John 7:37-39 ). When I turned around I could see the majestic Mt. Cheam. I am reminded that in and of myself I am utterly helpless, but yet not without help (Psalm 121). My Helper is greater than anything in His created universe. He is bigger than the lake on one side and higher than the mountain on the other; wider than the sky above and deeper than the earth beneath my feet.

    I like to return to that place (if only in my thoughts), to meditate and reflect on God¥s greatness and goodness. I have a picture of that vast lake on my computer screen, to remind me of my Source of help and refreshment. When I feel overwhelmed with life, I go to that screen and it reminds me that I can take refuge in knowing absolutely nothing I have on my desk or in my life today, is greater than the resources He has to meet those needs and challenges. This is the abundant life - to walk in His presence and receive His life giving resources moment by moment.

    Being still and knowing He is God. by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

    I have already spoken a great deal under the topic of solitude about being still and knowing that He is God but I wanted to mention that this too is a form of mediation. Just sit there and know that God is God.

    deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

    "Meditation furnishes the mind somewhat with rest. It is the couch of the soul. The time that a man spends in necessary rest, he never reckons to be wasted, because he is refreshing and renovating himself for further exertion. Meditation, then, is the rest of the spirit."--Charles Spurgeon

    Christian Meditation by lenblaides, 2001-01-31

    It is very important to meditate on God´s word for it is as meditating on life itself. Jesus said in John 6:63 ,
    "...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life."
    We need to meditate on the do´s and the do not´s.
    1st Timothy 4:11-16 the Apostle Paul admonishes Timothy to meditate on certain thing that will help him in the ministry and win souls to Christ.
    Christian meditation is a necessity.

    Len Blaides

    deecee4jaycee writes on 2002-03-26

    Three Steps

    MEMORIZE--It is easier to meditate on Scripture that has been committed to memory. It allows the mind to mull over passages while walking, driving,showering, or falling asleep.

    VISUALIZE--See the passage. Let it come alive. Visualize the green pastures, the still waters, and the resting sheep of the Twenty-third Psalm.

    PERSONALIZE--Put yourself in the picture, pondering the application of the passage to your own life.-Bill Gothard from his Basic Youth Conflicts seminary.

    sue p writes on 2005-11-23

    As I read my Bible certain verses of Scripture jump up at me. I write them down so I will always know who wrote it and where it is in the Bible. I think these prompts are from the Lord and he wants me to remember this particular verse. Often I find myself thinking about the verse as I go through my day. When a verse is prompted by God it is easier to remember.

    Hislamb writes on 2007-07-04

    Some ways that have been useful to me in meditating upon Scripture include:

    1) Read the passage aloud numerous times and emphasizing a different word each time.

    (Example: GOD so loved the world; God so LOVED the world; God so loved the WORLD)

    2) Think about what each word means to you.

    (Example: GOD; the Creator of heaven and other and all that dwells there in)

    3) Write a paraphrase of the passage (what is it saying to me?)

    (Example: The Creator of heaven and earth loved all of the people He´s placed on this earth so much that He allowed His only begotten Son to die a horrible death on the cross, so that I might be saved)

    4) Read the passage aloud inserting your own name in the text.

    (Example: God so loved ME...)

    5) Ask the Lord what He wants you to know about the passage and write His response.

  • John 6:63; - Christian Meditation
    • © Authentic Walk Ministries, 2000-2013. Permission granted to reproduce as is for private study, Sunday School, Small Groups & Course lectures. Please request permission for all permanent public mediums such as magazines, books, and radio from me

    Bibliographical Information: Priebe, Chris Ed. "Authentic Walk Ministries - Online Discipleship Course" <www.authenticwalk.com?Cat[]=399&> Archived at: 24 May 2013.