Rightly Divide The Word Of TruthWritten by Stephen Kingery
Have you ever noticed how prolific is tendency to misinterpret God's word. If you watch very much religious programming on television, you will soon notice that some very basic scriptural truths are not being interpreted same by everyone who clams to preach Word of God. If you study beliefs of major denominations you will also see that there is not agreement as to proper interpretation of essential scriptures dealing with salvation. How can this be if we serve same God? How can this be if we read from same Holy Scriptures?I think that Holy Spirit knew there would be a tendency for men to teach their own opinions instead of scriptural truth. Why else would there be over three hundred denominations and more than a thousand lesser "ism" in existence today who claim to be Christian. The Holy Spirit led Paul to write to Timothy concerning correct interpretation of scriptures: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) Is it really necessary for there to be one interpretation of scriptures? And if so, who's right? We believe that there should be unity and uniformity in such matters as deity of Jesus Christ, plan of salvation, infallibility of Bible as God's word and principles of Christian conduct. On other hand there should be liberty in non-essential matters dealing with aspects of our Christian lives which are not specifically dealt with in scripture. Who's right? Wouldn't it be great if there was some form of litmus test for truth that we could use. A test that would register "right" or "wrong" when a preacher on TV, radio, or even in our churches interprets God's word for us? Unfortunately, for many Christians, there is no such test. But knowing truth is so very important. Is it possible for us to search out truth among all that is being taught under banner of Christianity? I think so, and Jesus teaches that we can, "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know truth, and truth shall make you free.'" (John 8:31,32) Jesus gives us answer to this dilemma, "abide in My word." We must be a person who seeks truth through honest, sincere, effective Bible study. However, there are some key ingredients necessary for person who sincerely seeks truth. First, and foremost, our allegiance must be to Jesus Christ. Our allegiance cannot be to a denominational structure; local congregation; specific minister, Sunday School teacher, elder, deacon, or some other person; our favorite TV or radio evangelist; or even a particular translation of Bible. It must be Jesus Christ and His word that we give all our love and devotion. We must have an undying love for Him and a deep abiding desire for scriptural truth. We must hunger and thirst for righteousness which scriptural truth produces. Jesus promised that if we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we shall receive it: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6) He also promised that if we seek, we shall find: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7) The second key ingredient for effectively seeking and finding scriptural truth is prayer. If we are to have scriptures opened to us so that we may discern truths contained in them, then we must go to Lord in prayer and ask for His guidance and direction in our studies. James tells us in his epistle, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5) It is rather ridiculous for us to assume that we can study word of God without first asking for His divine guidance in that study. And then we must allow God to speak to us through His word. We must study Bible in a logical systematic way. There are those that say that average person cannot read and understand Bible, that it is too complicated. Brothers and sisters, that is just not so. For any man to say that is slanderous to God. Why would God deliberately make His word difficult for His people (whom He loves dearly) to understand. I have a daughter whom I love dearly. There are times when I must give her commands or instructions so she can know what I expect her to do at given times or under certain circumstances. Would I make those commands and instructions so difficult to understand that she could not possibly comply with my wishes? If I did, and she was not able to comply with my wishes, whose fault would it be, hers or mine? It is just not conceivable that our Heavenly Father would treat us in that fashion. There are others who say that scriptures can mean different things to different people. That it is all in how you look at it. I have a friend who told me once that she believes that God is big enough to be whatever she wants Him to be. Are we really to believe that our all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful God would give us His word in such a manner as this? I hardly think so! My response to my friend was, "I believe that God is big enough to be what He says He is." Truth does not mean a multiplicity of different things. If it did, then it would not be truth. Daily, or at least weekly, Bible study is important. We cannot study God's word one day, and then allow days or weeks to go by without continuing that study, and expect to gain any knowledge from our study. We must have a regular Bible study if we are to obtain wisdom James was speaking about. Nor can we hop-scotch all over Bible reading a verse here and a verse there and expect to get anything out of study. We certainly would not read a novel, a newspaper or magazine article, or anything else in that fashion. Our Bible study should be systematic and planned. There are several methods we can employ to study Bible. We can study by: chapters, paragraphs, verses, words, topics, or through biography. The important thing is to have a plan of how you are going to study Bible, then follow plan.
| | The Lord Is My ProviderWritten by Walter Kambulow
The Lord Is My Provider The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Psalm 23:1-3 Bless LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5 For those who trust in LORD He is all sufficient One, including their provider and healer. In Psalm 23 we find seven names of God: 1.JEHOVAH-RA 2.JEHOVAH-JIREH 3.JEHOVAH-SHALOM 4.JEHOVAH- TSIDKNELL 5.JEHOVAH-NISSI 6.JEHOVAH-RAPHEGA 7.JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH In verse we have The Lord is My Shepherd- "SHEPHERD"-JEHOVAH-RA (Jehovah Shepherd). If Lord is our shepherd, then we own this Psalm 23 as ours. And as our LORD He forgives all our iniquities, heals all our diseases, redeems our life from destruction, crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies, and satisfies our mouth with good things, so that our youth is renewed like eagle's. When Lord is our Shepherd, we don't lack in anything. HE is our Provider - JEHOVAH-JIREH. God’s word is true: Then they came to place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on altar, upon wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took knife to slay his son. But Angel of LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" So he said, "Here I am." And He said, "Do not lay your hand on lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called name of place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In Mount of The LORD it shall be provided." Genesis 22:9-14 Whatever we need God will provide. He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? We shall not want… JEHOVAH-JIREH (JEHOVAH is our Provider). When we know Lord as our 'Shepherd' He will be our provider, all sufficient-one. Therefore, we shall not lack or want anything because nothing is impossible with God And because JEHOVAH- SHALOM, The-LORD-Is-Peace, He makes us to lie down in green pastures; He leads us beside still waters. The sheep are very happy. Lying down in Green pastures and still waters (not turbulent waters) all speak of peaceful conditions. God’s word tells us that Isreal was in turbulent condition. The Midianites surrounded them. At that time, they cried. God gave a deliverer called 'GIDEON'. The Word of God records: Then LORD said to him, "Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die." So Gideon built an altar there to LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of Abiezrites. Judges 6:23-24 'Behold, days are coming,' says LORD, 'that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to house of Israel and to house of Judah: 'In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David A Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in earth. In those days Judah will be saved, And Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.' Jeremiah 33:14-16 The American Heritage Dictionary defines word “saved” as: Save v. saved, sav•ing, saves. --tr. 1.a. To rescue from harm, danger, or loss. b. To set free from consequences of sin; redeem. 2. To keep in a safe condition; safeguard. 3. To prevent waste or loss of; conserve. Yes, Jesus Christ is our Salvation and He rescues us from harm, danger or loss, He keeps us in a safte condition and prevents waste or loss of things for us as we abide under shadow of Almighty.God’s word is true: He who dwells in secret place of Most High Shall abide under shadow of Almighty. I will say of LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from snare of fowler And from perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Psalm 91:1-4 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon lion and cobra, The young lion and serpent you shall trample underfoot. "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation." Psalm 91:10-16
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