God’s Word: Open-Book Test
Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD. Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.
—Psalm 119:1–2 NLT
God makes it known that the Bible is pretty important reading material in a number of different ways: directly through passages like that in Psalm 119:1–2; indirectly through Jesus’ frequent references to Old Testament writings during his earthly ministry; and also through the guiding of His Spirit.
But while the Bible is the best-selling book of all time, it may just have one of the lowest reading-to-owning ratios.
In part, that may be because the Bible can be a bit intimidating.
Not only is it a lot of material to get a handle on, but it also holds the key to knowing God.
Through the history, wisdom, stories, and letters in the Bible, God gives its readers a window to His nature as well as a guidebook for life.
Though you can read through the Bible like a novel, cover to cover, the best way to approach the Bible may be to read sections that apply to a current need or life situation.
Many Bibles—especially study Bibles and devotional Bibles—offer helpful topical information that can direct you to other passages that deal with the same subjects.
Many of these Bibles have a day-by-day plan that outlines a reading schedule that allows you to read the entire Bible through in a year or two (in a nonsequential, but logical manner).
Or you can dive into one of the books and focus solely on that.
The Gospel of John is a great place to learn about God’s love. If you’re looking for wisdom, check out Proverbs. Unlike some books you read once and never pick up again, the Bible offers new insights every time you read it.
Scholars who have studied the Bible all their lives continue to uncover truth and wisdom when they read the Scriptures.
One of the greatest things about the Bible is that most of your life’s tests are open-book tests, that is, you are free to explore and learn from the Bible whenever there is a need.
But don’t wait for a need before cracking open your Bible.
The more you study and read, the more you’ll uncover about how to live a life of faith.
God knows that His word is good for you.
That’s why He wants you to read it. Often.
He wants you to wrestle with the tough parts. He wants you to embrace the aha! discoveries with passion.
Most of all, He wants you to get to know Him better.
Reverend Calvin Wyatt /email: /[email protected] /[email protected].
EMP0WERMENT
I Will...Know
That God’s promise of eternal life is assured for those who accept Christ.
Pray for assurance if my confidence wanes.
Use the assurance of God’s promises as an anchor for times when earthly promises fail.
Share my confidence with others who struggle with assurance.
Work toward keeping all the promises I make.
Carefully consider any promises I make to others.
Investigate what the Bible teaches about the assurance of eternal life. yes
Things to Do...
Ask God for your own confidence in God’s promises. Read 1 John 5 and examine what John has to say about assurance.
Have coffee with a pastor and talk about the doubts you’ve experienced with the promise of eternal life.
Review the promises that you’ve made and have broken, then make a plan for keeping promises in the future.
Read about the life of a well-known Christian, looking specifically for that person’s experience with doubt and assurance.
List five things you are sure about in life.
Compare these to what you believe about the assurance of eternal life.
Things to Remember...
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers … knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
(1 THESSALONIANS 1:2, 4 NKJV)
Jesus said, “He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
(JOHN 5:24 NKJV)
You will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death.
(ROMANS 10:9 CEV)
Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
(JOHN 10:28 NKJV)
We can come fearlessly right into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome when we come with Christ and trust him.
(EPHESIANS 3:12 TLB)
Our confidence in Christ does not make us lazy, negligent, or careless, but on the contrary it awakens us, urges us on, and makes us active in living righteous lives and doing good.
—ULRICH ZWINGLI
Confidence is a plant of slow growth.
—ENGLISH PROVERB
That God’s promise of eternal life is assured for those who accept Christ.
Pray for assurance if my confidence wanes.
Use the assurance of God’s promises as an anchor for times when earthly promises fail.
Share my confidence with others who struggle with assurance.
Work toward keeping all the promises I make.
Carefully consider any promises I make to others.
Investigate what the Bible teaches about the assurance of eternal life. yes
Things to Do...
Ask God for your own confidence in God’s promises. Read 1 John 5 and examine what John has to say about assurance.
Have coffee with a pastor and talk about the doubts you’ve experienced with the promise of eternal life.
Review the promises that you’ve made and have broken, then make a plan for keeping promises in the future.
Read about the life of a well-known Christian, looking specifically for that person’s experience with doubt and assurance.
List five things you are sure about in life.
Compare these to what you believe about the assurance of eternal life.
Things to Remember...
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers … knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
(1 THESSALONIANS 1:2, 4 NKJV)
Jesus said, “He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
(JOHN 5:24 NKJV)
You will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death.
(ROMANS 10:9 CEV)
Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
(JOHN 10:28 NKJV)
We can come fearlessly right into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome when we come with Christ and trust him.
(EPHESIANS 3:12 TLB)
Our confidence in Christ does not make us lazy, negligent, or careless, but on the contrary it awakens us, urges us on, and makes us active in living righteous lives and doing good.
—ULRICH ZWINGLI
Confidence is a plant of slow growth.
—ENGLISH PROVERB
A Clarion Call:
If you have not yet received the Lord Jesus into your life, or you once received Him but backslid, make yourself available of this opportunity and pray this prayer: There is no degree of sin the Lord cannot blot out. Do not postpone, for tomorrow may be too late.
Father I come before you as a sinner (Romans 3:23)
I sincerely repent of my sins (Acts 3:19)
I believe that Jesus died and was resurrected to grant me salvation
(John 3:16)
Today, as I receive Him into my heart by faith, grant me grace,
not to go back to my old sinful ways (Proverbs 28:13)
Thank you Lord for saving me.
