Table of Contents

The Holy Bible Is Living
The Holy Bible Warns Us
The Holy Bible Instructs
The Revelation of God
The Written Promise of Hope
Contains Infinite Knowledge
Makes Disciples
The Holy Bible Gives Us Strength

Some how we have this mind set that, ministers should tell you what to believe, as if ministers such as: Pastors, Priests or a Pope only has the God given authority to read and study God’s Holy Word. But that is absolutely not true. Anyone who is born-again has the authority to read and study God’s Word the Holy Bible, even to approach God. You see, the Lord Jesus opened to us the way to know God the Father, He did this at the cross. He ripped the veil in the Holy temple that separated the Holy place from the Most Holy place in Jerusalem at His death

Matthew 27:45-54 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!

So what does this mean? That means all who are born-again can now enter into the presence of God to get to know Him. And one of those ways is through reading His Word. Another way is through prayer also. Those who are born-again received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which enables a believer and follower of Christ, the God given ability to understand His Holy Word and to do what it says.

Back in the Old Testament Law, God commanded that only the High Priest can enter the Most Holy Place where God dwelt. But in order to even get there, God also commanded the High Priests to do a series of rituals in order to be completely cleansed in order to get into the presence of God in the most Holy place where the Ark of the Covenant stood.

But since the vail was ripped in half, the vail that separated the Holy place from the Most Holy place. All who are born-again can now enter into God’s the Father’s presence with boldness (Hebrews 4:11-16), because of the Blood of Lamb (Jesus Christ) which makes us righteous in His sight (Romans 5). Gives us the ability to read and understand His Word, and also gives us the ability to do what His Word says. So do not rely on what people tell you. For no one is your main source but the Holy Bible. Nothing and no one is above God’s Word.

And it’s not about reading an easier translation in order to understand God’s Word either. We must be baptized by the Holy Spirit, for it is God’s Spirit that gives us the understanding. Wisdom comes from God’s Holy Word. Understanding is getting what His Word teaches and what it says and applying it’s principles to our daily lives by the Help and guidance of The Holy Spirit daily (John 16:12-15).

The world can read the Holy Bible but they cannot understand it spiritually or carry out God’s instructions, God’s standards of living nor can they live by them completely because the Scriptures are spiritually discerned and no one can understand it without being born-again in the Holy Spirit. Sinners naturally have a carnal mind and cannot receive the Spiritual mysteries of God because we are all born dead spiritually

1 Corinthians 2:11-16 or what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world (carnality), but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

The Holy Bible Is Living

If you have a relationship with God the Father, and of His Son, and of His Holy Spirit, then rely solely on what His Word says and teaches. Scripture to Scripture, verse by verse, correct context by correct context of every jot and tittle. The Holy Bible is also living. No other Book in the world contains endless revelation knowledge like the Holy Bible.

You can read any non-fiction book and the knowledge contained is very limited. And this Word from God our Father and of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is the only Book we can trust, because we know we can trust Him. We know that it is the infallible and inerrant word that proceeds out of the mouth of God The Father and His only begotten Son, inspired, confirmed and illuminated by His Holy Spirit. It has stood the test of time from the day’s of Moses (1400 BC.) to the present. And undoubtedly to the very bitter end.

This Word has been ridiculed, scrutinized, closely examined in every generation. Challenged and even put on trial. Non can find any errors or lies. Non can bring forth a valid argument that this Holy Bible is a product mans inventive imagination.

In fact archeology and paleontology is proving the Holy Bible to be fact day by day in these last days. Humanity has also failed to destroy it completely off the face of the earth. Why? Because this is God our Creator’s Word. He will protect His Word and He’ll make sure that this Word will save and judge humanity as an everlasting testimony for and against all, forever.

The Word of God is inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, of coarse, leads and guides us into all truth. He also proclaims and testifies revelation, wisdom and knowledge from God to us, as God appointed and used holy men as scribes to write these truths through the direction of His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God (John 14;15;16). For it is the Spirit of God who shows you, teaches you new things, things you need to know in your personal walk in the Lord Jesus Christ every time. And I can also guarantee to you that by the end of your life, you will still have not known everything this Word contains, not even if you lived to be a thousand years old.

J Vernon Mcgee: a man who had studied the Word of God faithfully, daily. From the time he met the Lord Jesus at the age of 13, until he Past away in his mid 80s. He had been in the ministry for 45 years when he spoken this quote, “The more I read the Word of God, the more I realize how ignorant I really am.”

Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword,

why is the Word of God compared to as a double edged sword? Because it convicts, it cuts away sin out of a believers life in repentance, as long as we read, hear and do what this Word says. But not only the hearer but the preacher as well. It cuts both ways

it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him (meaning God) to whom we must give account.

The Holy Bible Warns Us

All will stand before Him who sits on the throne of the universe and will have to give an account for your life. Even those who full heartedly believed on this earth that there is no God. When all things are said and done, God will judge according to His Word, He has already warned us all through His Holy Bible way ahead of time. Nothing is hidden from us the things we need to know. The Word of God is on a need to know basis, for God’s will for all mankind is not to be ignorant.

The world has come up with sayings in which people are going to hell by such as but not limited to, “what you don’t know wont hurt you” or “Ignorance is bliss,” which of coarse is wrong, it’s false teaching. The opposite is true, ‘what you don’t know can and will destroy you spiritually forever into eternity of hell fire and torment.’ This is why the Lord has put it upon my heart to do this series, because all the world are truly perishing for the lack of knowledge, literally and spiritually as we have covered in the last study.

The Holy Bible has warned not just to the believers and followers of Christ, but also to the unbelievers as well. It has warned all mankind ahead of time of things to come. The Word of God always deals with future events both on a personal and global levels. Both in the natural (the physical realm) and in the spiritual.

Mathew 24:4-5;23 Watch out that know one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ

Which is happening at the present times, starting in from, I believe the 70s, with Jim Jones. Ever since then, the number of false Christ’s has risen at an unprecedented rate. There is a new false messiah in New Mexico now.

There is another in Siberia. His name is Sergey Torop or better known as Vissarion, who in Aug 19th of 2002 came by horse back to the Siberian hamlet of Petropavlovka near the boarder of Mongolia claiming he is the christ. And there are thousands of Followers, but the reality is, he used to be a traffic cop in a small town of Russia.

There was one who showed up at a Catholic church service and was welcomed. Feb. 16th of 2000 a man dressed in a white robe, bare foot with a childhood textbook of a bible and calls himself “What’s your name.” Because when people asked his name, that would be his reply. He packed a crowd of 600 people in Hazelton PA. And He preached. He preached things like “The mystery of God is so great. It is beyond what we can imagine, and so is this mystery of heaven.” His message had consist of homespun mix of conservative Christianity. They were so taken by him, this is what some of the people said about him: “I was in his presence for an hour, and you just felt his presence. Unbelievable.”

In fact there are some people who takes vacations down to Israel and they come back different. Some believe they received the Elijah Spirit a spirit which makes them believe that they are Elijah. Others claims that God Almighty Himself has revealed to them that they are the Christ. This psychological disorder is know as the “Jerusalem Syndrome” And 40,000 cases of this disorder has been reported Back in Dec. 24th of 1999. These are just mere examples, according to BBC News and The Sydney Morning Herald. But you get my point.

“and will deceive many (which is happening today). “at that time if anyone say to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ’ or ‘there he is ‘do not believe it. For false Christ’s and false prophets will appear and perform great signs wonders and miracles to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.”

Which Jesus is telling us that anyone who performs signs and miracles and does not exalt Jesus Christ, but rather exalt themselves being the Christ, don’t believe them! Know the Word of God how Jesus Christ will come. In the Book of Acts, two Holy angels describes how Jesus will come back in His second coming (Acts 1:9-11) Not only was it describing Jesus’ ascension. But also telling how He will return in His second coming.

It is also mentioned in Revelation 19:11-15 proclaiming His second coming, describing what He is going to look like physically and what He will do when He comes. “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of Heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS.

Zechariah 14:3-4 gives us further details on the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.

Jesus Christ will come from Heaven to earth physically in His second coming and every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7). This is not to be confused with the “Rapture” of the Church age, where He will be standing on the clouds of Heaven and send His angels to gather together His elect (Matthew 24:29-31). The point is, He’s not returning by some human physical means such as being a traffic cop and say, ‘Here I am.” Or a crowd of people pointing to an ordinary man wearing a white robe and barefooted walking in the streets of America saying, ‘There He is!” Don’t believe them!

He also warns humanity the pending judgment to come to those who rejects Jesus Christ  as the Son of God, Savior and Lord, Revelation 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from His presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

The Holy Bible Instructs

It Instructs us in righteousness so we can be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Being informed, schooled by God in the path of righteousness that leads to true life and peace, which is His path that lead to Himself. Therefore the Word of God is humanities moral compass, a GPS if you will. It shows us where we are at, and shows us our destination if we stay the course, pointing to the way of God, the path He want us to take. It teaches us what is absolutely right vs. what is absolutely wrong and His Commandments are not negotiable,

Exodus 20:1-17 And God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage

Now for the gentiles today, this implies that God took us not out of physical Egypt, but from the house of bandage (slavery to sin, John 8:34) 

1). You shall have no other gods before Me.

2). You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

3). You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

4). Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

5). Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

6). You shall not murder.
7). You shall not commit adultery.
8). You shall not steal.
9). You shall not bear false witness (or lie) against your neighbor.

10). You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey (or in today’s standards vehicles. For donkeys back in those days was used for common transportation of humans and goods), nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

Jesus Christ instructs His followers the way to eternal life, Matthew 7:13-14 Enter by the narrow gate; (“narrow gate” is “the door” in code according to John 10:1-10) for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, (a separation from God physically and spiritually in the eternal Lake of Fire, Revelation 20:10-15) and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Psalm 25:4-15 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.

Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses, For they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way, the humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him (meaning the righteous) shall He (God) teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.”

The Word of God shows us that humanity is not naturally good, but naturally unholy, unrighteous and rebellious. It shows us the truth of what’s wrong with us all. But it also shows us our only hope, our only cure is Jesus Christ (Romans 1-3). The Word of God instructs us how to guard our hearts against all things contrary to the ways of the Lord and teaches us how to walk righteously in His sight (Romans 6 & 8; Galatians 5:16-6:10; Ephesians 4:17-5:21; Colossians 3:1-17; James 4:1-10 etc.)

Also instructs us on how to do battle against our sin nature and the devil, spiritually, which will manifest in the Physical realm (Ephesians 6:10-18). The Word of God also teaches us what to expect: blessings as well as troubles, testing’s and trials ahead of time before it happens, so we can learn through His Word how to deal with things that will occur in all our lives, God’s way (Job 14:1-5; John 16:31-33; Philippians 3:7-16 etc.) It also warns us what is to come in the near future (The Books of Revelation; Daniel, Amos & Joel etc.) and how to get ready for Jesus Chris’s return and eternity without a shadow of doubt (Mark 13; John 3; John 14:6-7). And God’s Holy Spirit testifies this very fact to all our hearts and arrests our minds one way or another. Because it is the work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:5-11).

The Holy Bible Is The Revelation of God

The Word of God reveals humanities purpose by God’s design. Reveals to us truth about God Himself. What He likes and dislikes. Hates and loves and what pleases Him. It also corrects our “religious” imaginations, pre-conceived notions, and assumptions about God, His character, how He operates and what He is like. That’s all part of the intimacy He calls us to have with Him through Jesus Christ.

God’s Holy Bible gives us concrete truth of all the basics of what we need to know about Him. The Word of God is His invitation to Humanity, to have a real relationship with Him our Holy Father and His Son, and of His Holy Spirit. So we can put our full trust in Him. You cannot trust someone you don’t know right? So it tells us all the basics of what we all need to know in every realm of our existence. Getting close to Him,

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

And if there is ever such-a-thing as an owner’s manual to life, The Holy Bible is it, there is no other, Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psalm 33:4-5 For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

The Holy Bible Is The Written Promise of Hope

God’s Holy Word gives us true hope, not false hope. Not imaginary hope, but real tangible hope that this generation is truly lacking. A society that Rebel’s against Him, and is trying to erase Him from public places until a disaster occurs. Then we get all religious, until that fades away (give and take a couple years after) and then ending up doing the same things as before but worse.Can we say 911!

After 911 occurred we have seen our Government officials standing on the steps of Government property singing “God Bless America.”

A couple of years later, we see those same officials trying to erase God from public. Living among this kind of society, this double minded, double headed bipolar beast, Christians need hope lest we become lost with the world that doesn’t know God.

1 Peter 1:3-12 Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth (being Born again according to John 3/2 Corinthians 5) into all living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

His resurrection gives us, the children of God, hope for everlasting life. Also gives us confidence that He is living and not dead.

and into the an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through the faith (that I,s in the confession of our faith or confidence in Christ our Savior, and hope) are shielded by God’s power until the coming of salvation that is already revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials

Believers and follower of Jesus Christ will go through trials and tribulations of life. We are not exempt from these things, just because we know, believe and trust in the Lord as our Savior. God allows trials and tribulations in our lives to help us mature and to grow, but also to root out the fake from the genuine. To separate the true faith from the false and counterfeit. To separate the goats from the sheep.

These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with inexpressible glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

God has to refine us, just like a jeweler before making precious jewelry. First the jeweler has to melt the metal he’s about to make jewelry out of. As the metal is melted into liquid, impurities float to the surface called dross. The impurities is what makes the metal weak by nature. This is the only way to take the impurities out of metal.

And the jeweler may have to repeat this process several times: Melt the metal down into liquid. Spoon out the dross as it appears on the surface. Cool the metal down again. Than repeat the process until all the dross is taken out the metal that the jeweler is working on. God deals with us in the same way. That’s why in verse 7 it mentions being refined by fire.

Malachi 3:2-3 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For His is like a refiners fire and like launderers soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver. He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD and offering in righteousness

and also in: Zechariah 13:7-9 Awake, O Sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man who is my companion, says the Lord of Hosts. Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered. Then I will turn My hands against the little one and it shall come to pass in all the land says the LORD, that two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die But one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘this is My people’; and each one will say ’The LORD is my God.

So the Word of God as we read it, gives us hope, because hope turns to joy; inexpressible joy. Also because of this hope through Christ and through His Word, we have strength, tenacity and perseverance.

The Holy Bible Contains Infinite knowledge

So what more can we say about the importance of God’s Holy Word in our lives today? Plenty more! But for this study due to limited time, we will only highlight a few more importance’s. Because we can go on and on and on about the importance of God Holy Bible. But in short, years into this study will only scratch the surface. Even if humanity still lived the years of life as Adam did (930 years; Genesis 5:1-5), we still would only scratch the surface a centimeter deeper. This Holy Bible contains infinite knowledge yet it is the bare minimum basics of all we need to know in this life-time.

The Holy Bible is the one and only love letter from the One true God to His creation. The Word of God is our daily bread (John 1:1-14; John 6:35-51). Our spiritual food and nourishment to grow, just like physical well balanced meals we need to grow and be sustained daily, physically. Is the same way the Word of God is to us spiritually. Without it we will starve and die spiritually.

A good analogy to describe the Holy Bible as our important daily spiritual sustenance is: ‘just like in the physical realm, we eat foods that are pleasant to the eyes, pleasant to taste. But it also can be bitter at times (vegetables). The Word of God is the same way. It’s pleasant to the soul (Law, direction). The blessings and rewards if we do what His Word tells us to do, not because we have to, but because we love God. It can also be bitter in truth (curses; rebuke; correction and discipline). But in the end, this balance is nourishing and conducive to our growth in Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Holy Bible leads us in the paths of righteousness (Matthew 5-7). Psalm 23 tells us the Lord (Jesus Christ) is our Shepherd. And He’ll do all that is necessary, for He cares for us as His own (talking about the believers and followers of the Lord). He is the gate to eternal life (John 10:1-30). He is also the Word of God manifested in flesh (John 1:14)

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not be in want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod (rod of correction and discipline. It also fends off danger; wolves and other predators) and Your staff (staff that leads and guides us, known as the shepherds crook. That crook is to hook sheep by the neck to point them to the right direction. Because sheep only go one way, the way they are facing, they will go), they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

The Holy Bible leads and guides us to be blessed. So we can be a blessing to others when the Lord gives us opportunity (Malachi 3:1-11; Deuteronomy 8:18-19; Matthew 6:25-34; Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 37:1-9 etc. etc. etc.)

If we constantly and consistently read His Word daily, it constantly and consistently reminds us of His mercies, grace, wonders and power of God our Father. It guards us from forgetting Him, which can be so easily done, because of complacency or being too busy. Because of our own desires to go our own way, being enticed by the sin nature. By the cares of this world and the deceitfulness thereof.

The Holy Bible is our wisdom! Our guiding light in this fallen darkened world. If we commit ourselves to reading His Word 3 chapters a day 7 days a week, we can get through the entire Holy Bible in 1 year time. Or if you want to get real radical, spend 2 hours and 40 minutes a day reading and studying His Word which equal’s out to be a 10th of a 24 hour period. And you’ll get a greater understanding of the Holy Bible in one years time. But that’s up to you. Reading and studying His Word is the point. It is a life-long study to a Christian, as this relationship with Christ is a life long commitment. From the time you are born-again, to the time you die or raptured, which ever comes first. Remember this and never for get it: ‘What you read and study today, prepares you for challenges and ministry tomorrow.’

The Lord And His Word Makes Disciples

Again the word Disciple means: ‘A student of a teacher.’ God’s Holy Word prepares us who are called in Jesus Christ’s ministry through His will. He and His word teaches, trains and corrects us with His true Theology, which protects us from false theology and lying spirits with truth, as it corrects, rebukes and equips (Psalm 91:4). His Word is our School text book coupled with life’s experiences (test’s) that God will bring us through. Jesus Christ is our teacher.

Jesus never called out His disciples for ministry without first preparing them. And He still does not call out His disciples today, without first preparing them. First off, His disciples sat under Jesus’ ministry for at least two years before Jesus sent them out. And then Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit. Then gave them instructions before He sent them out in that order.

Matthew 10 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He (Lord Jesus) gave them power (or authority by the Holy Spirit) over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Jesus came to the lost sheep of Israel first and that why He commanded this. He came to the Jews first, before the gentiles). And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

“Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

In this next segment of teachings, the Lord Jesus is preparing His disciples what to expect while evangelizing ahead of time as we continue reading,

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. it is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

In this segment Jesus is sternly warning to remember, heed and follow, not only the called, but all members of the body of Christ in all the World

Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword (sword of conviction). For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’

Why? Because Jesus Christ is the dividing line between sheep and goat, believers and followers of Him and non-believers. He is also pointing out our priorities with God. He is to be first above family. This is why He say’s the following

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Then the Lord ends these instruction with guaranteed rewards in Heaven for living out your love for Him

He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.

This principle still applies today. God will never leads His disciples into battle or ministry without first preparing them, grooming them for His use. For preparation is key,

#1). You have to be called according to His will and know without a shadow of doubt what that call is from God our Father.

#2). This preparation time is also the workings of God taking the world out of you like He did unto Moses. This is what I call, “the Moses experience” (Exodus 2:11-chapter 4:31). It took God 40 years to take Egypt out of Moses. God’s Word gives us clues of why it took so long.

Clue #1 Acts 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

Clue #2 Acts 2:23-30 Now when he (meaning Moses) was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.

And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’ But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’

Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons. “And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai.“

You put these clues together. The first 40 years of Moses life, Egypt was put into him. It took God another 40 years to take Egypt out of Moses before The Most High God sent him back to Egypt, to deliver Gods people (the Jews) out of 430 years of bondage and slavery, (Exodus 12:40-42). Moses was 80 years old when God appeared to him at the burning bush.

Now I’m not saying it will take a long time for God in His process of preparation to take the ways of the world out of each of us as He also prepares, trains and equips us with revelation knowledge of His Theology. His preparation times varies with each of us in Him. It may take months or years depending on a couple of factors:

A). Depends on what He is preparing you for.
B). Depends on your faithfulness and willingness to read and study His Word.
C). Depends on your willingness to give up the ways of the world completely for Him as He takes the ways and wisdom of this fallen world out you. And for some that could be the struggle. Also depends on how fast you truly learn the fear of the Lord as it becomes increasingly more real to you as God reveals, each step of the way.

The struggle of human nature, the sin nature. How much world got a hold on you when you were in the world and of it before you met the Lord Jesus. Determines how much struggle you will go through in the preparation process, the refining fire’s process. This process also includes having a real relationship with God our Father in a more deeper way, faithfully.

Also Being theologically prepared for His ministry in order to be an effective witness for Christ and His Gospel message of Salvation. You must first understand your salvation in Christ, as our Lord Jesus has taught in, John 3:11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen

Molding and shaping attitudes of the mind and heart, bearing real fruits of the Holy Spirit as we progress in this process. Learning to walk in His ways, both righteously according to His standards of living (sanctification) and in His Holy Spirit’s direction in ministry. Learning to hear directly from God, and walk according to His direction as He wills. This is not limited to His Word only. But also dreams, visions as well as hearing God physically in the spirit (Acts 10&11; 16:6-10).

#3). Read and study the Scripture by the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit. For it is He that leads you into specific revelation for that call. Remember, the Word of God is on a need to know basis. I’ve seen too many people fall flat on their face in failure. Discouraged to the point of backsliding all because they were to hasty to do God’s call upon their lives, without first allowing the Holy Spirit to prepare them for that call. Or they did what they were not called to do.

I’ve also witnessed those who have gone out by their own will to evangelize, crammed the Word of God down people throats. Believing that they will bring people to Christ by force, and call it the Holy Spirit. Why? They lack preparation. They lack wisdom and understanding. They lack the fruits of the Holy Spirit and they lack the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Zeal without knowledge is dangerous. The Word of God tells us we are to do the Lords work, His way,

Zechariah 4:6 Not by might nor by power (of any human means, strength or wisdom), but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.

Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless (or gentle) as doves.

#4) In the preparation process, seek & receive the Spiritual Gifts before going out (1 Corinthian 12:1-11) just as it was mentioned in Matthew 10:1, which coincides with Mark 16. We see the importance of why we need the Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Spirit before being sent out in Acts chapters 2;3;4:23-31/5:12-16. But lets focus on some highlighted points:

Acts 2:42-47 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Acts 14:1-10 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.

And they were preaching the gospel there. And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.

The Holy Spirit either did the signs, wonders and miracles before the Word of God was presented to the crowd. Or the Word was presented first and then the signs, wonders, and miracles followed. Either way, the people came to Jesus Christ because of the truth of the Word of God and the demonstration of power from God. Which is God’s way of confirming the message through His Holy Spirit and He still does this today as it is written:

1 Corinthians 1:18-28 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

He also speaks through His ministers of the 5-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13). Or through His children who are His willing vessels and instruments to glorify Jesus Christ. And this is where we need the gifts of the Holy Spirit, namely, the discerning of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10). And test every spirits and prophesy (1 John 4:1-6/2 Peter 1:20-21). Lest ye be deceived by lying spirit clothed as sheep. Also this preparation time is where God teaches us how to use the skills, talents and abilities He has given yesterday for His ministry tomorrow. And Lastly:

The Holy Bible Gives Us Strength

The Holy Bible raises our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. True faith, not blind faith. Helps us to know God which in turn, the Word of God strengthens us with truth and real hope. And this is up to you to find out about all this. And it starts by reading, studying and hearing His Word of God continually

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore brothers, since we have confidence (Confidence through the blood of Jesus Christ, and through the Gospel message) to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleans us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water,

let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together. As some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Meaning the day of Christ’s appearance in the cloud (the rapture of the church age) or the second coming of Christ. Now knowing all this. I personally and seriously hope you have come to the realization by the help of the Holy Spirit of God as believers and followers of the Lord that this Holy Bible is the most important and necessary Book you will ever read in your entire life. Because it is! It is the King Book above all books.

When we heed to hear and to do what the Word of God teaches us. We are better off as individuals, as a society, and as a nation. For God’s Word works. God’s ways works every time, it does not fail when we apply it to our lives. It is the better way! And we’ll have a far greater relationship with God, peace with God, and a life full of meaning and purpose in Christ, which is God our Fathers point all along. With this deep relationship with God, you’ll have a better understanding who God is in order to trust Him completely.

This is why His Word is so vitally important in a believer and follower of Jesus Christ’ lives today. It is absolutely relevant in every area of life, even to the end. We, being made complete through His Word, The Holy Bible and through the workings of His Holy Spirit day by day. The Lord challenges us this year and every year after, for the rest of our lives on earth to make His Word important in our lives daily. Taste and see how good and merciful the Lord is. For He is here with open arms and He cares for you as promised:

1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

And by doing so you will be blessed by it. Amen! Without His Holy Bible, you cannot pray effectively. His Word and prayer are closely related. They both go hand in hand. Find out how in our next study, “The Importance of Prayer”