Bible 101 (3)

~ Selected 10:1 References From Scripture ~

A Mini-Bible Course:  Some of the resources and directions which Christians have been given regarding their life on earth. 

Instruction for Life on Earth  ~  “Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again” (Mark 10:1).

   

Tasks to Accomplish on Earth  ~  “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, ‘The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest’” (Luke 10:1-2).

   

Power for Life on Earth  ~  “The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives” (Matthew 10:1, The Message).

Warnings & Assurances for Life on Earth  ~  “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers”  (John 10:1-5).

   

Examples of Effective Life on Earth  ~  “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:1-2).

additional comment:  Abundant Life Now has twice previously published “Bible 101” posts (also accessible from the index in the left column). Also other posts which utilize the same chapter & verse format of “Bible 210,” “Bible 316,” and “Bible 413.”

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Bible 101 (2)

~ The Basics for Daily Christian Living ~

A Mini-Bible Course:  How to live your life based on Psalm 101 where David, “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22), promises faithfulness to his God.

Psalm 101 (paraphrased for 2011 by Robert Lloyd Russell)

(1)  My theme song is God's love and justice, and I can’t help singing about You—my God!

(2)  I’m finding my way down the road of Christian living, but I long for You to show up and take me and the rest of your believers to be with You forever. I’m trying hard to do the very best I can, and I’m doing it in the trenches of my daily living—trying to make every day count for You.

(3)  I refuse to take a second look at corrupt people, tempting items, or to participate in degrading activities.  I reject making anything more important in my life than my relationship with You—I work hard at staying clear of contamination.

(4)  As a result some who have a deceptive heart stay clear of interaction with me.  I refuse to join in with those who plan evil or purposefully sin.

(5)  I do not repeat gossip which I hear.  I can no longer stand arrogance.

(6)  Now I enjoy genuine salt-of-the-earth people—they’re the ones I want to be with.  Men, women, children, and families who seek to follow You—those are the ones that I enjoy fellowship with.

(7)  Those who live a life of deception and lies do not receive favors from me.  I no longer have patience with liars and cheats.  As I find wickedness in my life, I confess my sin and turn from its practice.

(8)  I am purging all known sin from my life where Your Spirit lives and I seek to honor You in all that I do.

We could grow a lot by reading this psalm of David’s every morning and seeking to apply it throughout each day.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Bible 101

~ An Overview of Scripture ~  

First, we should note the extreme antiquity of the Bible. Did you know that the average life of a contemporary book is less than 10 years? Do you realize that 70 percent of all printed books are thrown out within 90 days? Throughout the centuries the Bible has withstood organized attack after attack—yet it remains a perennial best seller! Why?  

Christians believe the primary reason for the Bible’s survival and its popularity is its Author. The words in the Bible are not man’s but rather the very words of God Himself—just like it claims. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16a). Since its words are from the Creator of everything, they are worth reading, understanding, and following. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Second, consider some empirical evidence of the uniqueness of the Bible. The Bible is made up of 66 books written by more than 40 writers over a period of 1600 years. The writers were a diverse group which included fishermen, herdsmen, physicians, judges, priests, prophets, poets, scribes, scholars, and kings. 

There are two major sub-sections in the Word of God. The Old Testament contains 39 books and the New Testament contains 27 books. There was a period of about 400 “silent years” between the last writing of the Old Testament and the first writing of the New Testament. Even though there are two main sections of the Bible, it is truly only one book. 

The New Testament is CONCEALED in the Old Testament. The Old Testament is REVEALED in the New Testament.

Thought of slightly differently: the New Testament is CONTAINED in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament is EXPLAINED in the New Testament.

Still another way of stating this is: the New Testament LIES HIDDEN in the Old Testament. The Old Testament LIES OPEN in the New Testament.

The Old Testament PREDICTS a Person—Jesus Christ. The New Testament PRESENTS that Person—the Son of God.

Or one might say: the Old Testament ANTICIPATES the New Testament. The New Testament AUTHENTICATES the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament we find the revelation of God, revealing God’s righteousness and justice.

In the New Testament we see clearly the salvation of man and God’s mercy, His love, and His grace. 

It has been correctly stated that you cannot understand the last book of the New Testament, Revelation, unless you understand the Old Testament book of Daniel. Yet these two books were written 630 years apart and the writers were about 1,200 miles apart when they wrote. 

When the Son of God came to earth, His life and His words authenticated the reality of the “messianic” nature of the Old Testament (about the Messiah). For example, Jesus Christ quoted from 24 of the 39 books in the Old Testament. He quoted or made allusions to 66 portions of the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the Bible), 40 passages in Isaiah, 36 writings in the Psalms, 22 portions of the book of Daniel, as well as others. 

The Old Testament is largely about a nation—Israel. Yet the careful and analytical reader finds Jesus Christ throughout the Old Testament. For example: The Pentateuch presents FIGURES OF CHRIST. The Psalms present the FEELINGS OF CHRIST. Moving into the New Testament we find the Gospels (first 4 books) present the FACTS OF CHRIST. The epistles present the FRUITS OF CHRIST. 

The New Testament is about a person, Jesus Christ the Messiah. The Gospels are about HIS PERSON. The next book, Acts, is about HIS POWER. The epistles are about HIS PRECEPTS, and the last book, Revelation, is about HIS PROGRAM. 

“For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, 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 to whom we must give [a future] account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).