2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]”
Romans 15:4-5 (NIV)
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,
Psalm 119:11-18 (NIV)
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
For the past few days, during my quiet time I have been journeying through the book of Mark. I have really enjoyed reading and studying about Jesus and His teachings, while He was here on earth.
While reading I came to a passage of scripture that I have read before, but for some reason this time it really got my attention in a different way. This particular passage was Mark !2:20-24.
The words Jesus replied were no doubt a rebuke. His response was also a validation of their lack of understanding of who Jesus was. They also did not fully understand , that there is a correlation between knowing the scriptures and knowing God. The same is true for us today. When we study and search the scriptures for answers, we start to have a better understanding of the character of God. We also start to understand how He works through situations and circumstances, because all of this is taught in His word. The more we study His word, the more He becomes a priority in our lives. His power to work in our lives is revealed through prayer and studying the scriptures, and standing faithfully on His promises.
Its probably safe to say, that none of us know the scriptures as we should, but we can certainly know them better today than we did on yesterday. A great way to start this process, is to start writing scriptures that strengthen you on note cards, and spend a few minutes each day memorizing them. Make it a point to carry some note cards with scriptures on them in your purse, so that you can review them when you have one to two free minutes during your day.
As you study and memorize God’s word, trust that His words are true. Have faith that His promises will empower you to live a bold and courageous life. Know that God will be able to do some amazing things through you, as your faith in Him and His promises grow.
Just as a test, you may want to ask yourself, if Jesus came back today, would He be able to look at me and say; ” your mistake is that you don’t know the scriptures”? If you are not happy with your answer to this question, start today making a plan to have an appointment to meet God on the pages of His word a few minutes each day. There you will start to become aware of where your true power source is. I encourage you not to make the mistake, of not knowing the scriptures, because knowing the scriptures is vital to living a totally victorious life. Don’t miss out on this amazing blessing from God!
John 15:7 (NIV)
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Part II
15 Benefits Of Reading And Studying The Scriptures
The Scriptures:
1. Answer questions regarding our salvation.
1 Peter 1:8 (NLT)
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
1st Peter 1:23-25
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
24 As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.”[f]
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
2. Gives us guidance and directions.
Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:130
The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.
Psalm 119:133
133 Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.
Psalm 119:124
24 I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your decrees.
3. Comforts Us.
John 16:33
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Psalm 119:76
Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.
Psalm 119:48-52
48 I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees.
49 Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope.
50 Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.
51 The proud hold me in utter contempt, but I do not turn away from your instructions.
52 I meditate on your age-old regulations; O Lord, they comfort me.
4. Is useful to teach, reproof, correct and train.
2nd Timothy 3:16
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
5. Matures us spiritually, it transforms us.
Ezekiel 36:26
26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.[a]
Romans 12:2
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
6. Gives us a deeper understanding of God’s character.
Matthew 22:29
29 Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.
7. Increases our faith.
Romans 10:17
17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
8. It exposes our inner most thoughts and desires.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
9. It gives us peace.
Psalm 119:165
Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.
10. God’s word brings Joy.
Psalm 119.111
Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight.
11. It encourages us.
Psalms 119:28-29
I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word.
29 Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
12. It gives us hope.
Hebrews 7:19
19 For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
1st John 5:3
3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.
Psalm 119:114
You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.
13. Makes us wise.
Psalm 119:97-104
97 Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.
99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws.
100 I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.
101 I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word.
102 I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well.
103 How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.
104 Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.
14. Are the path to prosperity and success.
Joshua 1:8
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do
15. Helps us avoid temptations.
Matthew 4; 1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.3 During that time the devil[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’[d]”
8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’[e]”
11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
