Sunday 05:29:11

VIA SACRA – The Sacred Way This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it… Jer 6:16a The Bible is God’s instruction manual for how we’re supposed to do life, marriage, finances, sexuality, relationships, business, every facet of life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Life is as good as it will get when we are surrendered and submitted to the authority of the Bible. (Psalm 19:7-10) 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. How to study the Bible – Tools, not rules (from Matt Chandler’s 6/26/10 Saturday Seminar) What to Bring 1. Consistent time and place – You must solve the time problem. 2. Bible translation – Find one you like to read.* • Paraphrases: The Message, Living Bible, Amplified • Dynamic equivalence: New International Version (NIV), New International Readers Version (NIRV) • Word-for-word: King James (KJV), New King James (NKJV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), English Standard Version (ESV). *There is no excuse for not reading something. 3. Reading Plan – this will give you some direction to gain understanding of the whole revelation of God. It will make you read what you ordinarily would not. 4. Pen and highlighter – to mark verses that jump off the page. 5. Journal – to put down your thoughts, prayers, confusion, revelation, etc. Journaling will help you meditate and remember what your read. 6. Day Planner – This is not spiritual, but intellectual. There will be distractions (including resistance from your sinful nature). Use the planner to write down tasks that come to mind so you can deal with them later and focus. What to Do 1. Start with prayer – You need more than knowledge. You need God – to hear from Him, to have your heart and mind transformed by His word. 2. Read the Bible – Start small (5 minutes) and let it grow to 20 or 30 minutes or an hour. Do not read to check the box. Do not read like it’s a race. It is an opportunity to hear from your Creator and Savior. 3. Underline or highlight verses that jump out at you. 4. Journal – Write out the verses that jump out at you and observations. Write down other verses that relate. 5. Application – How would this apply to you? Write it down. Deal with your heart. You will not be able to do it like someone who’s done it for years. Start small and let it grow. The value is an accumulation of time spent with the Lord. Over time it will change your thinking and transform your heart and mind. Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ You have to get to the root of why you are resistant to read the Bible. Not walking in the path that God has shown you exposes a problem in your heart. Your actions / inactions are from your heart. You have to deal with your heart or you will try this and fail.