[Faith-talk] FW: [URCTCPrayerGroup2] How to study the bible by Joyce Meyer

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: Donna Kiser <kiserdonna5 at gmail.com>
To: URCTCPrayerGroup2 at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [URCTCPrayerGroup2] How to study the bible by Joyce Meyer
Date: 
Tue, 7 Jun 2011 12:40:20 -0400

How to Study the Bible by Joyce Meyer - posted May 17, 2011

I've spent about 30 years studying God's Word, and it has totally changed
my
life. I thank God for what I know now, but it didn't come overnight. If
you
want to see areas of your life change, learn to truly study the Bible.

Why Should I Study the Bible?

The Bible is no ordinary book. The words within its pages are like
medicine
to your soul. It has the power to change your life because there is life
in
the Word! (See Hebrews
4:12<http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204:12&version=AMP>
.)
*And when you discover the power and truth of God's Word, you will begin
to
see changes in your life that only this truth can bring.* You will even
learn how to recognize what the enemy tries to bring against you.

The good news is, it won't take you 30 years to know what you need to
know.
Just begin where you are right now and determine to stick with it! *Every
time you study the Bible and pay attention to what you're reading, you're
learning something.*

Proverbs
4:20-22<http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%204:20-22&versio
n=AMP>says,
"My son attend to my words.for they are life to those who find them."
The word "attend" means to pay attention to, give some time to something.
To
attend to the Word of God is a lot more than just reading; it's
meditating
on it.

We need to get into agreement with what God wants us to do because, as
the
writer of Proverbs says, these words are life! When you need an
encouraging
word, or you're in a negative environment, it's good to know that you can
find life (plus healing and health) in God's Word.
What Do I Study?

There's really no wrong place to start.  You can study anything that's
going
to help you. If you're dealing with anger or fear, flip to the back of
your
Bible's concordance and locate those words to see which scriptures talk
about those things.
 *Recommended Study Tools*

   - *Thompson Chain Reference Bible* - cross references about different
   topics throughout the Bible
   - *Webster's Dictionary*
   - *Strong's Exhaustive Concordance* - listing of scriptures organized
by
   category/topic
   - *Vine's Expository Dictionary* - Greek and Hebrew definitions
   - *BibleGateway.com* <http://www.biblegateway.com/>
   - *Joyce's Teaching
Notes*<http://www.joycemeyer.org/productfamily.aspx?category=joycesteachingn
otes>

 If you can't think of anything right away, thumb through the concordance
in
the back of your Bible and pick one of words. Begin looking at all
scriptures referenced with this word and read them. Ask the Holy Spirit to
lead you, and He'll lead you and reveal things to you.

When I first started studying the Word, I didn't have very good
relationships. I didn't really understand what love was.

As I studied the subject of love, I learned that it's more than a gooey
feeling, It's a decision on how you're supposed to trust people. I didn't
know how to love people, or myself. By studying what the Bible says about
love, I learned how to love. Then my life began to change.

Being able to apply what you study to your life, like I did on the
subject
of love, is just one picture of what studying the Bible looks like.

Hopefully you understand why you should study with some ideas on what to
study. Here are four steps you can take to begin digging into God's Word
now:
Four Effective Steps to Studying the Bible

*1. Purposely set aside time.* I make an appointment with God in the
mornings, but if that doesn't work for you, find a time that does.even if
it's not every day. Whatever you can do, that's what you need to do. Just
start somewhere and you'll see the fruit that this time brings to your
life!

*2. Make preparation for your Bible study.* Have a place that you enjoy
being-a room in your house where you can be alone. Somewhere you are
comfortable and like to be.

*3. Have all your materials available.* You'll want of course your Bible,
but also get a good Bible dictionary, concordance, a pen and paper. That
way, you don't have to stop every few minutes to reference something or
write something down.

*4. Prepare your heart.* Talk to God about things you may need to
confess,
and enter your study time peacefully and without anything that may block
you
from receiving revelation during your study.

Make the time in your life to study because there is power in it to
change
your life and become the person God wants you to be. Once you do, you'll
experience the peace and joy to enjoy every day of your life!

[image: Donna - Anim Font Purple & Pink Flowers.gif]


-- 
*Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable
in
Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer. Ps
19:14*