Discipleship: Study

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Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105 (NCV)

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What was the greatest story you ever read? As a child I always looked forward to bedtime stories and whilst I have grown up considerably since then, you still can't beat a good story! Although now I must admit my choice has become more 'grown up' preferring stories of murder mystery over fantastical flying dragons. If you have ever loved a story so much that you want to read it again, even though you know the end, if you have ever read a story and wanted to tell everyone about it - that is how we should feel about the Bible. Only this story isn't merely fiction but rather the real life story of God's love shown through hundreds of generations.

For many though, it can seem that the Bible is outdated, irrelevant, and should be relegated to a historical reference book, purely for academics. But this couldn't be further from the truth. In the pages of the Bible is God's divine plan, lessons from generations before, and the ultimate triumph over evil. Yes, the Bible can use big words, and yes, at times it can be hard to see the relevance but through it all is the heart of God. If you look carefully enough, if you let Him guide you, and if it is His will for your life, there isn't a truth, peace or faith that can't be found. Allow His word to light your way, providing guidance in your time of need, providing faith when you can't see the way and giving you hope in times of despair.

Today in the resources page is some more documents which will hopefully help you to uncover what the Bible says and how it can be applied to your life today. Bible_Journal.pdf helps to give you a tangible path through difficult parts of Bible allowing you to look back, summarise key events, dig deeper and fundamentally grow in your understanding. Also, Bible_Study_Tools.pdf has two acronyms and explains how you can use them to help you better study the Bible.

As a follower of Christ yearning, learning and growing is a key part of your discipleship. The Bible is full of amazing stories and horrible stories but through it all, God is there. Understanding things of the past can help us to lead better lives for Him.

I love food. Any food I can lay my hands on will not last longer than a few minutes. Cake seems to be my weakness, that or biscuits. I have always been blessed to never know what hunger feels like. Food has always been there. Also, I have always liked roller coaster rides and quite often will use it as an analogy for my faith, in the peaks I experience God in a real and transforming way - I am fed, but in the troughs I can be far from Him, totally hungry. To try and prevent this vast difference, God gave us the Bible to help keep the food coming. To keep the passion alive.

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Jesus answered,“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:13-14 (NIV)

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In the Gospel we read of Jesus and the Samaritan women at the well. Through this story we see that only Jesus can provide 'real' food. Through studying the Bible, we are able to have our 'daily bread'. Since I began to take my discipleship seriously and God moved in my life, I have a different hunger, a new passion burning inside of me. I want to tell the world about Jesus! (Hallelujah!) Studying the Bible is only one part of discipleship and by itself would mean nothing and be pointless. But, when you merge it with your love for Jesus, prayer, and other disciplines like worship and fellowship to name just a few - that is when you become a real force for the Lord.

So I guess the question today is, where do you get your food from? The things of this world, or from the One whose plates are never empty?

Dear Lord,

Guide me by your word.

In times of uncertainty, provide comfort.

In times of unrest, give peace.

In times of trials, give faith.

Through the good times and the bad,

help me to rely on your word to get me through.

Provide me the wisdom to understand what I need to know,

give me the patience to wait for your timing,

give me the right questions to deepen my faith.

In all areas of my life give me strength to be your witness here on earth.

In Jesus' name we pray,

Amen

I will not forget

Your love for me and yet

My heart forever is wandering

Jesus be my guide

And hold me to your side

I will love you to the end

'Thy Word' - Amy Grant