'For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart' (Hebrews 4:12, AMP)
As I studied the scriptures today, I found myself in Luke 4. I realised once again that the devil twisted Psalm 91:4 to suit his purpose while tempting Jesus. Jesus did not fall for his tricks because Jesus knew the Scriptures. Jesus' response to the devil was in Deuteronomy 6:16.
I remember a service where a pastor was talking about breaking the covenant of death. He read a passage in Jeremiah or so (I can't find it now). For some reason, I chose to read a few verses before the verse he read out. I realised that what the pastor was saying was the direct opposite of what the scriptures was talking about.
You need to spend time STUDYING the scriptures. There is too much at stake for you to contract that part of your life out...
I consider it an abuse of the pastoral office to indirectly delegate the task of personal study to your pastor(s). They labour for you in prayers and doctrine. Don't add to their already challenging roles by not studying...If you faint in the day of adversity, it wasn't your pastor's fault; there wasn't much to you in the first place. So says the Bible....
'If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to
you in the first place' says Proverbs 24:10 'Study and be eager and do your
utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has
no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly
handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.' says 2Timothy 2: 15 (AMP)
I had a lecturer that would tell us that everything he was teaching us was a
rumour until we found some printed evidence for whatever he was saying (he
happened to be a Reverend too). As I grow older, I tend to agree more with him.
He put us through the rigour of searching for answers. He once gave us an
assignment that involved going to the library to find some old newspapers to
copy out what we considered to be useless information that did not relate at
all to the course of study. Of course, we were deeply annoyed by the assignment
but with the benefit of hindsight, I realise what message he was passing
across.
A wise person once said that precious stones/metals are
not found on the surface, you need to dig for them...
Have a blessed and productive day.
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