The Word: Acts 17: 11(KJV)
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Dig Deeper: Acts 17: 11 – 12(LIV)
11 But the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and gladly listened to the message. They searched the Scriptures day by day to check up on Paul and Silas’ statements to see if they were really so. 12 As a result, many of them believed, including several prominent Greek women and many men also.
Think about it
ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTION
The principal key to developing a sustainable, hungry, consistent, balanced word study life is learning to ask the right questions. Someone might be surprised about this. It is the Holy Spirit that opens the scriptures to us so ideally the No 1 key to unlocking the scriptures should be the Holy Spirit. However if you want to develop a sustainable enriched study life, alongside the help of the Holy Spirit which you need, you must learn to ask the right questions. For every passage we read, We must be able to ask the right questions. Those questions will set us thinking. It will also lead to further searches of the word. That will usually bring clarity and hunger for more of God. In our text today we read of the Berean Christians. They had to major attributes:
1 – They were open minded
2 – They searched daily to confirm what they were taught, whether it was true or not.
Being open minded allows faith to be generated. This is very important. Studying allows you to get into the word. Ultimately the Holy Spirit is the one who opens the word to us but being open minded means our heart is right to a great extent. Studying demonstrates to the Lord that we are diligent.
What are some of the questions that we need to ask?
1. Is the passage a story, a narration, a poem / song, a prayer, an instruction, a prophetic utterance, a letter?
2. What is the background of the story?
3. Is there a literal lesson to be learnt?
4. Is there a deeper revelation embedded in the passage?
5. Is there a message relevant to my life and situation?
6. Is there a prayer I need to pray?
7. Is there an action I need to take?
The next time you are reading / studying the scriptures. Ask the questions above. You will be surprised that the word of God will come alive for you.
Nuggets:
Asking questions is a major key to unlock the scriptures
Our memory verse for April 2018
Psalm 119: 130
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Let’s take a few moment to learn our memory verse for this month by heart. It can be memorised in 2 lines:
Line 1: The entrance of thy words giveth light;
Line 2: It giveth understanding unto the simple.
Once you say it a few times it will stick.
Prayer focus: Our next level prayers:
Lord let your word be opened unto me
On the word: Recommended book
The Bible Study Methods – Rick Warren
The Word: Deuteronomy 2: 2 – 3(KJV)
2 And the Lord spake unto me, saying,
3 Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
Dig Deeper: Daniel 43: 18-19(KJV)
18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Think about it
REVISTING THE PROMISES FOR THIS YEAR
As we have come to a weekend of seeking God and in a month of focus on God’s word, it is important to appreciate that God’s prophecy or promises are equally as powerful or potent as the scriptures.
The bible is documented promises or words inspired by the Holy Spirit. A direct word to the house is a Rhema (word in real time) which is equally as powerful and relevant for our year.
Our father said this year is our year of NEXT LEVEL and we said NEXT LEVEL is changing position upwards, moving to the next stage spiritually, physically, maritally as a Church and in every spect of our lives. But for many of us and the church does it look like next level right now? Perhaps many will answer: NO
For some people it might even look like a lower level. But we must not forget that God said we should be expectant of four things.
– New things. He will do New things
– Restructuring. Our lives will need to be restructured and reorganised
– It’s OK to take a step back in order to leap forward
– He will take away all reproach.
Remember Haggai 2:9 The glory of the latter shall be greater than the former. It may not yet look like NEXT LEVEL but God’s word is settled forever. That is what he said. Let’s key in and align ourselves to this.
Nuggets:
God’s word is like the rain and the snow. It will accomplish what’s it’s been sent to do
Our memory verse for April 2018
Psalm 119: 130
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Let’s take a few moment to learn our memory verse for this month by heart. It can be memorised in 2 lines:
Line 1: The entrance of thy words giveth light;
Line 2: It giveth understanding unto the simple.
Once you say it a few times it will stick.
Prayer focus: Our next level prayers:
Lord help me to align myself to your word of prophecy
On the word: Recommended book
The Bible Study Methods – Rick Warren
