Tomorrow we will begin 2 Corinthians

Don’t Just Roll the Dice

As you know, the Bible is not a random book of various stories, poetry, history, biographies, precepts and teachings. God, being the divine author, using human hands, minds and real situations, has constructed a purposeful collection of writings that tell God’s story. This one-of-a-kind book reveals His mind, His attributes and His purposes.

I’m a Bible geek for a reason!

Therefore, we are benefited less by randomly choosing verses for our devotions and applying our applications in an isolated fashion. I said benefited less which means random verse reading can benefit. However, sometimes it can be detrimental by misinterpreting and even mis-applying Bible verses that are isolated and used to prove a point (that they weren’t intended to prove).  Therefore, in my writings, you see attention given to the purpose and background of the Bible book holistically (the larger context) and the surrounding verses of a particular passage being studied (the immediate context). Once we understand what the passage says in context and what it means, we can be surer of how we should respond, apply and live accordingly. This is the true joy of systematic, devotional Bible Study.

(Almost) Daily

Fortunately, Gods Word is so deep, vast and immense that I never get tired of it. I also never have it all figured out. It is a journey of a lifetime that began for me in my teenage years but has had various levels of daily commitment over the years with some extended dry periods. However, thanks to the intense challenges of my Pastor, a couple of years ago I renewed my commitment to (almost) daily time in God’s Word and daily progress through Bible books systematically pursuing the true meaning of the passage and always asking “How then should I live?” This is what Systematic, Devotional Bible Study is all about.  So, as we move from into 2 Corinthians, there are some interesting background consideration that will give us a clearer picture of Paul’s purpose and intent in this writing. We’ll get into it tomorrow.

How should we live?

Lord, thank You for Your Word. It is simple, it is deep, it is available to all of us. Both in the past and even today, there are Christians that have little to no access to your Word. For those of us who do, Lord help us be faithful, diligent and dedicated to knowing Your truth and living scripture daily. May we following Paul’s instruction to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, ACCURATELY HANDLING THE WORD OF TRUTH,” 2 Timothy 2:15.  Amen!