To Study or not to study
STUDY: The effort to acquire knowledge, as by reading, observation, or research. -An act or effort made in the pursuit of knowledge- spend time learning about a particular subject
Hi Friends,
In 2023 I felt a tug on my heart to read the bible, chronologically. While over the last 40 years I have read a very large amount of the Word, there were numerous chapters/books I chose not to read. And at 52 I felt compelled/convicted, in order to be obedient, that it was due to time to follow through on something I started but never finished.
Afterall, I live in a free country (at least not now) that I can have my Bible or many Bibles, handy at all times.
Plus, I could not help but picture myself in Heaven one day, and while meeting the authors (human) of the Bible I would have to admit that ‘a 1/2 century old Christian, residing in the USA, with multiple bibles at my fingertips, had chosen to neglect some of the bible.
And would I have a good or reasonable excuse?
Would I say that I did not believe the book of ‘Numbers’ or ‘Amos’ was ‘necessary’ for my life or important enough?
Or maybe I did not REALLY believe I could learn something NEW about God and His reasons and ways. YIKES! None of those excuses are good nor do I want them to be a part of me anymore!
At the end of it all, I have been basically telling God that a good portion of His Word was really not that important to me or for me. 😒
Maybe this would be my dialogue…
Me: “Hi God!
I am so excited to be here in Your Holy Heaven and I can’t wait to meet all the people you used to make THE manual for life… nowwwww I realize I didn’t read allll of your manual and, I tried really hard to figure life out on my own.. You really didn’t mean for us to have to read ALL of Your Word… Or… Did you?”
AAACCKKKKk… this just couldn’t be me!!! What miserable excuses and Yes, God is forgiving.. but come on! This was just taking advantage of grace and mercy.
Whew!! So, it happened and let me tell you… I LOVED IT! And actually, I couldn’t get enough of some of the nitty gritty OLD TESTAMENT layers!
(BTW, this is the plan I went through and REALLY enjoyed it- The Bible Recap)
Last year I read an NIV translation. This year I’ve started again and this time, I’m not rushing to keep up with the ‘plan’. This way I can invest in more studying when I feel led.
I discovered there is an art to JUST READING and allowing your eyes to go over the words, especially when there is ‘seemingly’ unnecessary genealogy information or measuring information.
The crazy thing though was that in some of the genealogy I found myself going back and forth to get it clear in my mind who came through who and how they fit in God’s plan.
This year as I go back through the Bible, I am using a (2) book KJV study bible by one of my longtime favorite pastors, Perry Stone.
Should you like to see the study bibles I am using here is the direct link: KJV Study Bibles.
Pastor Perry has studied close to 150,000 hours in his lifetime and these Bibles are complete KJV translations PLUS have a huge assortment of easy to read and well-placed notes and information that pertain to each verse/book/person or place that came from his countless hours of studying.
I am excited every day to read and grow in my understanding or maybe finding a glimpse of why God added a particular story in… and even learning more about His love for us and from the ancient of times to the future…. from the very 1st line Genesis 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth- to the very last line… Revelation 22: 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
One of favorite verses… Is. 46: 9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Questions for you…
-Do you study the Bible?
If not, what keeps you from spending time in the Word? Are these excuses that you are WILLING to claim when you finally meet Him?
If so…
-How do you study the Bible? Random or by a plan?
-Who taught you to study the Bible?
-How often do you study the Bible?
-Where do you study the Bible?
-When do you study the Bible?
-Why do you study the Bible?
-Is it something you DO because you feel called to?
-Do you study because you genuinely want to learn something new about God or maybe grow closer to Him? Or is it just habit? Or do you want to gain His Wisdom and Knowledge?
-Do you get excited to study?
-Have you made yourself aware of how you feel physically, mentally, and spiritually when you DON’T study the Bible?
-Do you have an accountability partner who encourages you to stay in the Word?
-While studying, do you recognize when God is speaking to you?
Verses to contemplate:
Romans 14 11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Thanks for joining me on this discovery and walk through my thoughts. As always, I pray my musing inspires and maybe entertains you wee little bit.
Feel free to share this ‘Minutes’ message as you please...
Plus, I believe this message will be a great place to start some meaningful conversation with the Radiant Living podcast cohost, Karen!
Be watching for Episode 6 to land soon- if you are a paid subscriber (one of the perks for supporting this mission! 😁)
Live Radiantly… Today!
M
