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].
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
For
Open Book Test
I Will...
Know that God wants me to read the Bible.
Get to know God better by reading the Bible.
Expect to be overwhelmed at times by the scope of the Bible.
Trust that God will show me His will in part through the Bible.
Look for insight and wisdom for life in the Bible.
Know that each time I read the Bible I can come away with new insights.
Pray that God would reveal Himself and His will through the Bible.
Things to Do...
If you’re not already in one, join a Bible study that requires weekly Bible-reading homework.
Read the Gospel of John. Study the book of Proverbs and record your insights on a sheet of paper or in a notebook.
Call a pastor or other church leader and ask for help with a difficult-to-understand Bible passage.
Choose a verse that’s meaningful to you and memorize it
Make a list of Bible passages that you have difficulty understanding. Invite a group of friends or church leaders to discuss these with you.
Things to Remember...
As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching. By it you can grow up and be saved.
1 PETER 2:2 NCV
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
JEREMIAH 23:29 NKJV
Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
PSALM 119:133 NKJV
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 TIMOTHY 2:15 NKJV
The word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
HEBREWS 4:12 NKJV
Jesus said, “All who reject me and my message will be judged at the Day of Judgment by the truths I have spoken.”
JOHN 12:48 TLB
If we understood what happens when we use the Word of God, we would use it oftener.
—OSWALD CHAMBERS
The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold on me.
—MARHN LUTHER
Know that God wants me to read the Bible.
Get to know God better by reading the Bible.
Expect to be overwhelmed at times by the scope of the Bible.
Trust that God will show me His will in part through the Bible.
Look for insight and wisdom for life in the Bible.
Know that each time I read the Bible I can come away with new insights.
Pray that God would reveal Himself and His will through the Bible.
Things to Do...
If you’re not already in one, join a Bible study that requires weekly Bible-reading homework.
Read the Gospel of John. Study the book of Proverbs and record your insights on a sheet of paper or in a notebook.
Call a pastor or other church leader and ask for help with a difficult-to-understand Bible passage.
Choose a verse that’s meaningful to you and memorize it
Make a list of Bible passages that you have difficulty understanding. Invite a group of friends or church leaders to discuss these with you.
Things to Remember...
As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching. By it you can grow up and be saved.
1 PETER 2:2 NCV
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
JEREMIAH 23:29 NKJV
Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
PSALM 119:133 NKJV
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 TIMOTHY 2:15 NKJV
The word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
HEBREWS 4:12 NKJV
Jesus said, “All who reject me and my message will be judged at the Day of Judgment by the truths I have spoken.”
JOHN 12:48 TLB
If we understood what happens when we use the Word of God, we would use it oftener.
—OSWALD CHAMBERS
The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold on me.
—MARHN LUTHER
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.
