HIDDEN IN MY HEART - 3

HIDDEN IN MY HEART – 3

As we continue to develop this thirst for God and His Word, may we make sure that we are not part of this famine of which Amos speaks in Amos 8:11.  It seems that our country has come to the place of a famine for hearing the words of the Lord.  It is just foolishness to those in the world that do not take it as Truth or are just nonchalant about it.  1 Cor.1:18    Nothing could be more important to us.  It would be much better to be known as the Thessalonians were in 1 Thess.2:13. 

All of us have something that is precious to us.  It may be a picture, a letter, maybe an antique coin.  We can’t take those with us!  What could be more precious than something eternal?  When we think of the Word of God being written over almost 1500 years by 40 authors with no disagreement but perfectly joined together into our Bible, nothing could be more valuable and profitable to us concerning eternity.    Heb.1:1-3    This involves our life now.  Phil.2:16   God inspired it all.  2 Tim.3:16   He did so with a plan.  Let us have a plan for our  study.

Sometimes it is difficult to get into a mindset for study.  Gospel music might help but don’t get so involved with the words if it plays while studying or it will distract you.  A devotional book might be of value but don’t think that that is your Bible study.  Nothing takes the place of the Words of our Lord.

Prayer comes first.  God is pleased when we put Him first. Col.3:2    One way we do this is by studying His Word.  He will help us.  Ps.121:2   God will help us focus.  He will help our understanding.  Ask God for His help.

Here is a short list of ideas for study:  Many Bibles have a plan where you read a portion of the O.T. and then a portion of the N.T.  You might want to concentrate on a portion of the N.T. with a Psalm or Proverb included.  Studying one book is a very worthy study.  Another type of study would be to take a word, such as one of the fruit of the Spirit, and look up many Scriptures that would connect with that word.  You might want to take one of the men or women of faith and study their lives.

Many Bibles give an introduction to a book that includes the background.  That is profitable to read.  It is important to remember that any introduction or notes relating to verses for aid in understanding are written by man and not inspired by God.  Be like the Bereans. Search the Scriptures to see if those things are so.  Acts 17:11   It is easy to get tied up in historical fact, rote learning, etc., that we forget the application to our lives.  Col.3:16   We want the Word of Christ to richly dwell within you.

Here are some of the tools for study that may be in your Bible.  Cross-references are in many Bibles.  It is either down the center of the page or across the bottom of the page.  It will give the Scripture by number and then list a few other Scriptures that pertain to the same subject.  It has often been said that the Scripture interprets itself with other Scriptures.  A deep study will reference these Scriptures in your cross-reference.

Another important tool that is within many Bibles is the concordance.  It is usually in the far back after Revelation.  It lists words in the Bible alphabetically.  Under each word are Scriptures that contain that word.  Some will apply to your study and some will not.  However, it is worth the effort to look them up.  As you do so, you will find yourself becoming more familiar with the arrangement of the books of the Bible.  This is important for you to learn as you study and will greatly ease your search.

Some Bibles will have an outline of a book inserted before the actual Scripture.  This may be helpful as a birds-eye view of the book.  Maps found in the back of your Bible or possibly throughout give you a more visual way of looking at the Scripture.  This would be of particular value in following the life of Paul, Jesus, or the Israelites.

You may not have commentaries.  They are usually large and sometimes multi-volumes.  They are written by man—not inspired by God. Be careful with these as they may contain false doctrine.  One little book that is inexpensive and contains a world of information is Halley’s Bible Handbook.  It would be helpful in many ways with your study and can be trusted.

An important tool is a personal notebook.  To be sure you are focusing on a particular verse, take notes on it.  What does this mean for me?  Write it out in your own words.  Maybe you want a section of your notebook that you list important Scriptures that apply to your life.  You may want to copy them out so you can go back and refer to them often to put them in your heart.

One way to saturate your heart with a passage is to read (study) it every day for a week until it is part of you.  Don’t be in a hurry.  It is more important that you are feeding your heart with God’s Word and letting it change your life than to cover a certain portion in a certain time.  Isa.40:8