In the book of 2 Corinthians chapter 4 from verses 3 to 6, Apostle Paul said that “If the Good News we preach is hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost in sin. The eyes of those who do not believe are made blind by Satan who is the god of this World. He does not want the Light of the Good News to shine in their hearts. This Good News shines as the shining greatness of CHRIST. CHRIST is as GOD is. We do not preach about ourselves. We preach CHRIST JESUS The LORD. We are your servants because of JESUS. It was GOD WHO said, “The Light will shine in darkness.” HE is the ONE WHO made HIS Light shine in our hearts. This brings us the Light of knowing GOD’S Shining Greatness which is seen in CHRIST Face.”
Unless we know this Good News, the Gospel, we won’t know the Light Of GOD and HIS Shining Greatness. There are people GOD has placed in our lives who need to be delivered from spiritual blindness so they can believe as they hear this Good News of CHRIST so that they don’t have to live in darkness anymore, and they don’t have to live hopeless anymore. So that they can be in right standing with GOD and escape future judgment and GOD Wrath for those who rebel against HIM.
GOD has already provided in HIS Word righteous and godly ways to live our lives. In the book of Matthew Chapter 6 verse 33, the LORD JESUS said “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) HIS Kingdom and HIS Righteousness [HIS Way of doing and being right, the attitude and character of GOD], and all these things will be given to you also.”
From now on when you read the Bible, look at it as the bag of seeds to sow what we want to reap, and also look at it as the biblical keys of the revelation of GOD’S Word to open the doors that GOD has planned for you and me to go through in our lives.
The Bible has GOD promises and instructions on how to obtain things that we need and want, but also it is filled with GOD wisdom on how to solve problems and overcome challenges and circumstances that we may encounter in life.
The Bible has seeds and keys concerning all the issues of all areas of life. It has all kinds of Scriptures that we can stand on for GOD to help you and me and our loved ones in our personal and professional growth, and in all facets of life. That’s why we need to make room for GOD and develop a daily lifestyle to spend quality time with GOD in HIS Word, to know our FATHER and GOD, our Maker, and Creator of Heaven and Earth, and our Savior, on what HE has promised, and HIS truth concerning Life.
The Bible says in the book of 2 Timothy chapter 3 verses 16 and 17 that “All Scripture is inspired by GOD and is useful to teach our lives what is true and to make you and me realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects our lives when we are wrong and teaches our lives to do what is right. GOD uses it to prepare and equip HIS people to do every good work.”
The Bible also says in the book of Romans chapter 12 verse 2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this World, but let GOD transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know GOD’S will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
When we read, study, and meditate on the Word of GOD daily, GOD transforms you and me by changing the way we think to align with HIS will, truth, and plans for our lives. We reprogram our minds or mindsets with the Word of GOD.
If you want to know what you are supposed to do and what is the way forward in your situation facing you right now, you should search the Scripture and see what is the Light and Truth concerning that situation. What does GOD and Scriptures says concerning that situation based on HIS revelation HE gave you, or based on what you have learned from Bible examples of the people who went through a similar situation that you may be facing also?
When we study Scriptures, the Word of GOD, we get understanding and gain knowledge on GOD ways of solving problems. We don’t have to wait until something happen to get familiar with what GOD has said and promised already.
In the book of Joshua chapter 1, verses 1 to 9, it records that “After the death of Moses the LORD’S servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. HE said, “Moses My servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is MY command, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your GOD is with you wherever you go.”
When Moses died, the LORD charged and appointed Joshua, his assistant, to take the lead, and bring HIS people, the Israelites, to the promise land that HE promised their ancestors. And the LORD promised HE would be with Joshua wherever he went, and no one would be able to stand against him as long as he lived. But there is one thing Joshua needed to be careful of, was to obey the instructions. If he studied the Bible, the book of instructions not only one time, but continually, and meditated on what it says day and night, so he would be sure to obeyed everything written it, only then would he prospered and succeeded in all he did. Three things here I have noticed. One, GOD was with Joshua wherever he went. Two, GOD promised Joshua, nobody will be able to stand against him as long as he lived. Three, in order to prosper and succeed in all he did, Joshua needed to study and meditate on GOD’S Word, instructions, and promises, continually, day and night so that he would be able to obeyed everything written on it.
The Word of GOD needs to be continually in our sight and our minds, to be sure to obey it. Meaning that if the Word of GOD is out of your sight and your mind, you may not be able to obey it when you are supposed to. You have to know it, and not only to know it, but to make it be dominant in your mind, only then you will be able to act and obey it. And how do you make something dominant in your mind? By meditating on it day and night, continually, until it becomes part of you. So reading the Bible Scriptures and GOD’S instructions and wisdom continually is a must. Therefore we need to make reading the Bible as part of our regular daily routine. Every day we need to set time to read the Word of GOD, and spend quality time with GOD, in reading Scripture, in prayer, and in praise and worship.
You can search online for one, two, even to seven years Bible reading plans for free that you can download and follow through for you to read the Word of GOD on daily basis. You can also subscribe to blogs, podcasts, and broadcasting programs that teach and preach the Word of GOD. Not only that you can join Bible study programs in your local Church. Pray to GOD for HIS HOLY SPIRIT to guide you.
In the book of Psalm chapter 1, verses 1 to 3, it says “Happy is the man who does not walk in the way sinful men tell him to, or stand in the path of sinners, or sit with those who laugh at the truth. But he finds joy in the law of the LORD and thinks about HIS Law day and night. This man is like a tree planted by rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right time and its leaf never dries up. Whatever he does will work out well for him.” Another translation says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and in HIS Law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”
When we think and meditate day and night on the Word of GOD, the Bible says we are like trees planted by rivers of water that bring fruits at proper seasons. We will be in the right place at the right time. We will be productive and fruitful at proper seasons.
As we meditate on the Word of GOD and do what it says, we shall bring forth fruits in due season. Scriptures doesn’t say we may bring forth, but we shall bring forth. It is supposed to happen at the right time, in its season.
The Bible also says the LORD watches over HIS Word to perform it. In the book of Jeremiah chapter 1 verses 11 and 12, Prophet Jeremiah said, “Then the LORD said to me, “Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?” And I replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.” And the LORD said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all MY plans.” Another translation says, “The Word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see the branch of an almond tree.” Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am [actively] watching over MY Word to fulfill it.”
GOD watches over HIS Word and promises to fulfill them. GOD is faithful and true, if HE promised something, if HE said something, HE will fulfill it.
In the book of Hosea chapter 4 verse 6, the LORD said through Prophet Hosea that “MY people are destroyed because they lack knowledge of ME. Because you rejected that knowledge, I will reject you as a priest for ME. Since you forget the Law of your GOD, I will also forget your children.” Another Bible translation says “MY people are being destroyed because they don’t know ME. Since you priests refuse to know ME, I refuse to recognize you as MY priests. Since you have forgotten the Laws of your GOD, I will forget to bless your children.”
When we read and study the Word of GOD, and scriptures, we get to know GOD and what pleases HIM. One of the ways you can spend quality time with GOD regularly, to know Him, is by spending time reading the Bible regularly. The Bible is not a regular book; it’s a life changing book. It can connect you with your Creator in a way you never thought possible. Not only that there are keys to GOD’S Kingdom found in the Bible as you read it, the HOLY SPIRIT, the SPIRIT of the LORD, the Living GOD, will speak to you, and open your understanding as you continually keep reading it.
In the book of Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 to 30, the LORD JESUS said “Come to ME, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. Follow MY teachings and learn from ME. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls. For MY way of carrying a load is easy and MY load is not heavy.”
The Amplified Bible version says, “Come to ME, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take MY yoke upon you and learn from ME [following ME as MY disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For MY yoke is easy [to bear] and MY burden is Light.”
Good News Bible translation says, “Come to ME, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take MY yoke and put it on you, and learn from ME, because I am gentle and humble in Spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is Light.”
The LORD JESUS said, we should come to HIM and learn of HIM. HE is gentle and humble in heart, and we will find rest for our souls, and rest for the burdens and heavy loads we have been carrying.
By reading and studying HIS Word and Teachings, we learn of HIM. When we spend quality time in learning of HIM, HE promised to give you and me the rest for our burdens and loads that we have been carrying.
The Word of GOD is powerful and is a weapon. Apostle Paul compared it to the double edged sword. He said in the book of Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12, “For the Word of GOD is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
The Word of GOD can bring correction into our lives. The Word of GOD can heal and deliver you and me from all kinds of things. The Word of GOD destroys the things that are not of and from GOD. In the book of 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verses 3 to 5, it says that “For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before GOD for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of GOD; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of CHRIST (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”
In the book of John chapter 15 verses 3 to 7, the LORD JESUS said “You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the Word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. Dwell in ME, and I will dwell in you. [Live in ME, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in ME. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in ME and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from ME [cut off from vital union with ME] you can do nothing. If a person does not dwell in ME, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. If you live in ME [abide vitally united to ME] and MY words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. When you bear (produce) much fruit, MY FATHER is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of MINE.”
The Bible also says in Psalm chapter 107 verses 20 and 21, “HE sent HIS Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for HIS goodness, and for HIS wonderful works to the children of men.”
In the book of Ephesians chapter 1 verses 17 to 20, Apostle Paul said “I keep asking that THE GOD of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE GLORIOUS FATHER, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know HIM better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which HE has called you, the riches of HIS Glorious inheritance in HIS holy people, and HIS incomparably great power for those who believe. That Power is the same as the Mighty Strength HE exerted when HE raised CHRIST from the dead and seated HIM at HIS Right Hand in the Heavenly Realms.”
GOD can reveal HIS revelation and knowledge concerning HIM, concerning mystery of Life, how to prosper in this Life, what to do in situations facing our lives, ideas to business ventures, how to get out of bondage. HE can speak to you and me as we learn of HIM through HIS Word and Teachings. When we spend time in HIS teachings, we will not remain the same. Our lives will be like trees firmly planted by streams of water which yields fruits in their season, and in whatever we do, we will prosper and come to maturity.
It’s vital to remain and abide in the LORD and HIS Word because HIS Counsel and what HE says has the last authority. The LORD JESUS said in Matthew chapter 24 verse 35, “Heaven and Earth [as now known] will pass away, but HIS Words will not pass away.” Trusting the LORD JESUS and what HE says is wiser than trusting anything in this World because GOD’S Word always has the last say.
In the book of Isaiah chapter 55 from verses 9 to 11, the LORD said through Prophet Isaiah that “For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are HIS ways higher than our ways, and HIS thoughts than our thoughts. The rain and snow come down from Heaven and do not return there without giving water to the Earth. This makes plants grow on the Earth, and gives seeds to the planter and bread to the eater. So HIS Word which goes from HIS mouth will not return to HIM empty. It will do what HE wants it to do, and will carry out HIS plan well.”
I like what the Psalmist said in Psalm 119 verse 105 concerning the Word of GOD; “Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” And in Psalm 119 verses 130 to 135 the Psalmist continued to say “The entrance and unfolding of Your Words give Light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple. I opened my mouth and panted [with eager desire], for I longed for Your commandments. Look upon me, be merciful unto me, and show me favor, as is Your way to those who love Your Name. Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your Word; let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man; so will I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. Make Your face shine [with pleasure] upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.”
We need to remain in GOD’S Word and Teachings. The LORD JESUS promised that when HIS Words remain in you and me and continue to live in our hearts, we can ask whatever we will, and it shall be done for you and me. Amen.
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