Holy Bible Study

If you truly want to know what God has said about any matter in your life, you must make a practice of studying the Bible.

I started delving into Bible study for the simple fact that I wanted to see for myself if what was being told to me through preaching and conversations was really true.

I've been rewarded many times by finding that what people nonchalantly (or not) spout on the pretense of being 'Scriptural' is either an interpretation of what they think the Bible verse means, or what they've been taught of another's interpretation of what they think that Bible verse means.

I've declared this statement in a few of my other pages here at Squidoo:

Man's Religion has failed me many times.
Man's Many Sectors of Churches have failed me many times.
My faith in God, His Holy Word, and the Holy Spirit have never failed me.
God's Word / The Bible and the Holy Spirit are my teachers, preachers, pastor, and Father.......not man. I very much believe and live by this last statement, which is based on 1 John 2:27, with other Scriptures I'll show you below.

I'd like to announce a recent personal milestone I'm proud of! I've had the honor of being called 'you people' in an email with disgust, and told that 'You speak about GOD.... yeah, okay! Save it!'. Why am I proud? Because I was following Gods Holy Spirit guidance, which finally brought to light this person's dark soul, (resulting in the angry email). I did pray for her after I received the email, as the Bible teaches.

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All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction of righteousness 2 Timothy 3:16

I don't take my salvation lightly. I want to learn if what I'm doing is wrong in God's eyes, or right.

There's only 3 ways I know of to find out if I'm living the life that was meant for me, the life I was created for.

#1 is through Bible study.
#2 is through hearing the Holy Spirit.
#3 is by keeping your spiritual eyes watchful of things that are happening in your life, because God can use everything to get your attention, and so can Satan in our present world.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby 1Peter 2:2

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8 The Bible's description of Depart=be removed. The Bible's description of Meditate=to ponder, to speak, to study.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalms 1:1-2 The Bible's description of Meditate=to ponder, to speak, to study.

Jesus said If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him John 14:23 How do you 'keep' Jesus' words? Well first, you must know what they are through Bible Study!

But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. 1John 2:27 The Bible's description of Annointing=the endowment of the Holy Spirit.

When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me John 15:26

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. John 16:13

The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1Corinthians 2:14

Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

I've been studying the Bible for many years. I believe my trial and errors of purchasing a book on Bible study, taking it home only to find I'd wasted my money, will help others; so I'd like to recommend the following Bible study resources to save you time.

The Bible answer man (Author Hank Hanegraaff) has stirred up controversy on many levels. I am promoting the 3 books below because I believe they are sound Mr Hanegraaff is the president of the Christian Research Institute and anchorman on The Bible Answer Man radio program.

Hank Hanegraaff was ordained by Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel in California. My brother has visited the Calvary Chapel, and attended Christian concerts when Chuck Smith has preached. He has gifted me with the cd bible studies of Chuck Smith.

The Bible answer man has been an outspoken opponent of the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, the Word of Faith movement, and charismatic movements like the Toronto Blessing (which I agree with). He has drawn opposition from leaders who disagree, including attacks on credibility and legal battles.

Biblical inerrancy is the belief that the original manuscripts which no longer exist, but can be inferred on the basis of extant copies - is entirely true in all it affirms, whether that relates to doctrines or ethics or to the social, physical, or life sciences. Hannegraaf believes that he can prove it on a rational basis. Inerrancy does not mean blind literalism, but allows for figurative, poetic and phenomenological language, as long as it is accurate.

If you wish to delve deeper into the author's life and views that's your choice. I agree with alot of topics he has denounced, but will leave you to your own interpretation and study of his other books and radio talk show, as I've neither listened nor read his other books.

The Bible Answer Book (Hardcover)

How can we be sure of the resurrection of Christ?
Are there apostles and prophets today?
Is the Allah of Islam the God of the Bible?
Are Jehovah Witnesses Christian?
Is Mormonism Christian?
What is a cult?
Don't all religions lead to God?
Does homosexuality demonstrate that the Bible is antiquated and irrelevant?
Can 'chance' account for the universe?
Why should I believe in Hell?

These are just a few of the 81 questions that are addressed in the first book of ministry questions asked to Hank Hangegraaff, the Bible answer man.

The Bible Answer Book, Volume 2 (Hardcover)

The Bible Answer Man Volume II questions and answers were selected to include more topics of family, faith, fear, sin, salvation, plus issues vital to better understanding God.

The Bible Answer Book for Students (Hardcover)

Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man, brings his straightforward style to address crucial questions for students ranging from middle school through college undergraduates. Chapters include answers about Real Life, Sex, Friends Needing Help, Christianity (the basics) and Other Religions (Wicca, Buddhism, Mormonism, Islam, atheism, etc.)

The Jesus Person Pocket Promise Book:800 Promises From the Word of God (Paperback)

800 of Gods Promises are quoted within 3 Chapters:
Gods Promises for your Spiritual Needs
Gods Promises for your Personal Needs
Gods Promises for your Future
plus the Bible verse location where it was found

Walking with God: Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really. (Hardcover)

Walking with God shows readers that walking intimately with Him can be a normal part of the Christian life. Walking with God moves through a year in the life of John Eldredge showing and teaching what an intimate relationship with God looks like day to day.

Also available in a 7 hour audio Walking with God: Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really. [AUDIOBOOK] [UNABRIDGED] (Audio CD)

The above books are quick and easy ways to start learning of the Bible. But the ultimate practice of Bible study is to actually read and study the Bible, letting the Holy Spirit interpret difficult passages for you and answer your questions.

I personally use the FREE bible study software called e-Sword. It really is the absolute BEST. You'll be amazed at all the different bible versions you can attach to the software, plus commentaries, classic christian books, and so much more, FREE.

The e-Sword Bible Study software has experienced over 5 million downloads world-wide.

I spend so much time on the computer, and now alot of that time is used chating with my friends at our forum or in emails. Many times I've come across a post, and am reminded of a piece of a verse of Scripture. I don't want to be incorrect if I quote a verse of the Bible to someone, so I use my e-Sword program. I can quickly do a search, and find the exact Scripture that I was thinking of.

It's a very rare thing to not have my computer on, so if I have a visitor at my home, and we get into a Christian conversation, I can just as easily, and many times much faster, look for the Bible verse with my e-Sword software rather than one of my many physical Bibles.

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I found out something new on the e-Sword website when I went there to get the above banner. The creator of this great Bible study software now has it available for pocket pc's, and there's been over 1 million free downloads!

Some people may not be able to read, for those that want to hear just God's Word spoken (by many wonderful blessed famous people), the Audio Bible below is an awesome way to do that.

Throughout the years I've studied the Bible, I've grown so much in my knowledge of the Bible.......but I would never attempt to claim that I'm an expert, or even an exceptional teacher.

In the past, I have put together a few Bible studies, and published them online; but the motivation and urging from God to do that comes and goes.

I've been online since 1994. Within that time I think I've probably received every Bible Study newsletter that's been available.

If God moves and urges you to start searching for good teachers, clarification, and answers, I'd like to recommend the only 3 I use. I'm sure that there must be more websites that teach only from God's Word, but I must warn you that searching for them can become a trying time, especially if you're not mature enough in the Word to decifer good from evil.

I am happy to say that I have read and studied everything these websites offer freely. Now, I can just wait for my 3 newsletters to arrive, so I can stay caught up with their new articles.

I'd like to offer them to you. As I was objectively looking at the 3, I realized that they seem to be on different levels of Bible study. Each one goes further and deeper into the Bible than the other.

#1 is an easy one: Revelant Bible Teaching. Click on the 'Bible Study' tab at the top of the page.

#2 I adore The Berean Call. Based on Acts 17:11, which states (The Bereans)...Searched the Scriptures daily (to see) whether those things were so. You can click on 'newsletters' to read interesting and very in-depth Bible studies on many different topics. They even have a radio talk show that you can listen to.

#3 will make your mind spin, Cephas Ministry is huge. I think it took me a week just to learn how to navigate the site. Their Bible Studies are also very in-depth. I had my eyes opened by many of the topics. Another link on the site, Leaven, offers information about the strategies used in today's world to neutralize the truth that we only accept one God, who is in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Cephas Ministry also has a co-contributor who sends out newsletters I anxiously wait for, called Nicholas Scrolls.