Bible continued

I haven't let most people know about the blogs yet because I kind of want to get the hang of it first. It is much harder than I thought. As I read the first one I realized that God must really do a work in and through me for this to be worth while to anyone. Enough let's move on.

We had begun to communicate that the Bible is divided into two main sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament. A testament being a covenant or an agreement.

There are sixty-six(66) books in the Bible with thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven (27) in the New Testament. I've listed below the kinds of books or writings they are.

Old Testament-39
Pentateuch-Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Historical-Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I&II Samuel, I&II Kings, I&II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Poetical- Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Major Prophets- Isiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor Prophets- Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

New Testament-27
Gospels-Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Historical- Acts of the Apostles
Pauline Epistles- Romans, I&II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colosians, I&II Thessalonians, I&II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews
General Epistles-James, I&II Peter, I&II&III John, Jude
Prophetic- Revelation of Jesus Christ

There have been many different versions of the Bible over many centuries.
Common versions:
King James- 1611
New King James
American Standard- 1900
Revised Standard- 1884
New International Version
Living Bible
Amplified Bible

All of these versions are excellent but good luck reading the 1611 King James. It is an excellent version but we simply don't speak that way so it is very difficult to read. I personally study, mostly, out of a King James Open Bible, large print by the way. I'm used to it and most of my reference books are oriented to the King James. If I want to make some time and the reading a little easier I read the NIV or NKJ. Remember it's not the version but the spirit that you approach God with that matters. Trust God to preserve His written Word and to give you a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation.
Note: II Corth 3:6-the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life Eph 1:17-may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so you may know Him better.

Let's look for a moment at the uniqueness of God's Word. It was written over a period of more than 1500 years by at least 35 different authors. It was written in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The Bible was written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. Parts were written by a most unlikely person named Moses while he was alone in the wilderness or John while exile on the island of Patmos. Joshua was a General, Daniel a Prime Minister, Peter a fisherman, and Nehemiah a cup bearer. I've never even heard of a cup bearer. I'm told they served Kings and one of the duties was to pour the drinks (wine). If someone wants to research that and make a comment that would be nice.

In John 5:39 and Luke 24:27 Jesus testifies that He is the theme of the Bible. John 6:63 says the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. The Bible is the Spiritual Word of God according to John 6:63 and II Peter 1:16-21 tells us it is a "more sure word". II Timothy 3:16,17 points out that "all scripture is inspired". Read the commentary by Jesus in John 10:35 that "the word of God cannot be broken"

God's Word is:

• True- Psalm 119:60
• Dependable- Matt 5:17,18
• Settled- Matt 24:35
• Taught by the Holy Spirit- John 14:26

Three categories of scripture: II Peter 3:1,2

1. Words of the Prophets
2. Words of the Apostles
3. Words of Jesus

• Paul's writings are inspired: II Peter 3:15,16

Scriptures are the inspiration of our life:

1. Living and active- Hebrews 4:12
2. Received as the Word- I Thessalonians 2:13
3. Works Faith- Romans 10:17
4. Works a new birth in us-James 1:18, I Peter 1:23
5. Spiritual nourishment:

• milk-I Peter 2:1,2
• food- Matthew 4:4
• builds- Acts 20:32

6. Health & Strength:

• Spiritual meat- Psalm 107:17-20
• doesn't return void- Isaiah 55:10,11
• health to flesh- Proverbs 4:20-22

7. Victory over Satan:

• hid in heart- Psalm 119:11
• kept from destroyers path- Psalm 17:4

8. Brings cleansing

• washes like water- Ephsians5:25-27
• spiritual cleansing- Exodus 30:17-21

9. Mirror- James 1:21-25

10. Our Judge- I Peter 1:17, John 5:22, John 12:47,48

11. Partake of His nature- II Peter 1:2-4

Read God's Word because we want to know God. Reading-mentally absorbing knowledge.
John 1:1, John 5:39, Luke 24,27

Why meditate on the Word? So we can know and do His Word- Joshua 1:8. So we can prosper in the Word- Psalm 1:3, I Timothy 4:15

There, that should give us something to chew on for a while. I welcome your comments and suggestions. See if your friends may want to join us.

God bless and keep you until we meet, speak again. dc

Please take a moment and pray with me: Father God and Lord of all I ask that as we begin to look into Your Holy Word; You will reveal yourself to those that don't know You and strengthen those that do. I pray for an Awakening to Your will and Your ways. We are living in times like there have never been, with things happening around us that are confusing, out of order, and just plain scary. Lord use us to bring order and peace into our lives and the lives of those we work, play, and live with. Please make Your Word alive and new deep within our being, in Jesus name.

On April 1st, 1981 an incredible thing happened. I was saved. I'm not going into that particular day at this time but I will tell you it was a move from hell to heaven in an instant. That day ended with me going to a book store and buying a Revised Standard Bible for sixteen bucks. With very little exposure, in thiry four years, to spiritual or religious matters it was somehow impressed in my mind that the Bible was God's written word. You can imagine my surprise when I learned, very shortly, that everyone didn't share my thought or wasn't as excited about reading the Word as I was. I thank God for Pastor Wayne and Sharon Dent who helped raise me in Christ and exposed me to "Foundational Truths of the Bible". Without first learning the basics I can't imagine where this hard headed child of God would be.

If much of what is written in the next 8-10 weeks is old stuff to you please take the time to review. Also pray that those who may not have heard these things are drawn to study God's Word.

I will try to give credit to the things I write about but frankly don't usually remember. I will say this, I don't have many original thoughts so I probably got it from somewhere. Let me thank everyone, at this time, for all the neat things they have shared with me and all the insights. Your rewards are in heaven. Glad that's out of the way. Also, to those who don't know me very well, there is almost always humor behind anything I say or write. So lighten up, OK?

I pray that the truths presented in the next few weeks are received in love; that above all they bring glory and honor to the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Hebrews 6:1-3
1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and faith toward God,
2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3) And this we will do, if God permit.

BIBLE

The Word of God speaks to every issue of life, if not in point at least in principle. Our lives are to be lived to please God, which is impossible without faith (Hebrews 11:6), and faith comes by hearing God's Word (Romans 10:17).
Note: please take the time to find and read these scriptures. If you don't establish in your heart that the Bible is God's Written Word you are in danger of becoming cynical of the Word. That can take you up many roads such as finding fault or supposed contradictions. It's OK ask God right now to reveal Himself to you.

The Bible is the only authentic source from which instruction can be derived in relation to the knowledge of God, His dispensations to men, and duties required of men by their Creator.
Note: You are pretty sure I didn't come up with that aren't you? More than likely came from: "Understanding God" by Patricia Beall Gruits.

Three rules that God gave us to order our lives: (I Corinthians 10:31)(Colosians 3:17).
1-All to the glory of God
2-in the name of Jesus
3-Giving thanks
If you can't do these things in what you are doing, don't do it. (II Peter 1:2-4).

Scripture, The Word of God, Canon- means rule or straight rod.

Common division of the Bible: Testament- covenant or agreement

Until next time Leslie and I want you to know that we love you. If anyone who reads this doesn't know Jesus I beg you to not wait one hour but accept His Salvation today. Contact me and let me know how you are doing. dc

The Lees Chapel blog is brand new and under construction. Please give me a few days to get up to speed and we will begin to explore God's Word together. dc