Study Notes for 9/9/08

Passion for God’s Word
1. The Why of God’s Word
a. God’s word is POWERFUL.
John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
· Jesus is the Word. He is our lifeline to God. He is the ultimate communication of God’s love for us (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8; 1 John 3:16) and the link for us to be able to communicate with God (Ephesians 5:19-20; Colossians 3:17; 1 John 2:1).
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
· God’s Word is not just a book. It’s the Word God has used to give us everything that we need and through which He talks to us, with the Holy Spirit, and gives us the answer to every question we will ever have. His Word accomplishes things in our life. He will changes our thoughts, our understanding, our emotions, our lives, through His Word.
Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
b. God’s Word is PERFECT.
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. (2 Samuel 22:31, Psalm 18:30 & Proverbs 30:5)
Psalm 12:6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
c. God’s Word is PROFITABLE.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the nam of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
· As we learn more of God’s Word we will become more equipped to:
o Function with peace, joy and contentment on a day-to-day basis
o Gain wisdom for life
o Mature spiritually
o Know and fulfill God’s call on our life
o Teach others about God
o Accept God’s conviction without condemnation
o Live in obedience
o Love God, love others, and love ourselves
· “If you follow God hard, He will cause things to happen that you could never expect or think possible.” Beth Moore
2. The What of God’s Word
· The what of God’s Word is probably the most straight forward. The Bible, and nothing but the Bible. That doesn’t mean that you don’t read anything else, but that you recognize and acknowledge the Bible, and only the Bible, as the Word of God. There are a lot of good books out there, and many godly, inspired books – but there is only one book that is God-breathed. We can look to godly teachers and writers to foster our spiritual growth, but we should never give them more time or weight than the Bible. We also need to beware of anyone trying to add to or take away from scripture.
Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
3. The How of God’s Word
· There are many methods of receiving God’s Word. Many people like a regimented plan where they read through the Bible in a year, and/or read Psalms and a Proverb every day, or follow a topical study guide. Others like to read from where the Bible opens up. Some follow others’ study guides on topical or book studies. Some pick a book or topic and study independently. Some pick a verse or group of scriptures to memorize. Some listen to the Bible on audio. Some have scripture come via email. Some post verses throughout their house. – I have done each of these at some point in time, and sometimes more than one at a time. There is a benefit to each o these methods and that a combination of methods help us to gain a fuller and clearer understanding of scripture when we feed on it in a variety of ways. (Some days I nibble, some days I graze, some days I feast – on God’s Word. Any Word is nutritions, but guess which days I have more spiritual energy.) The method we use to learn and study God’s Word is not the primary concern. There is value in what you learn from doing Bible Studies by others, but getting in the Word yourself – just you and God – is INVALUABLE.
· How we approach God’s Word, however, is important. The following are my notes from Beth Moore’s teaching on how we should approach God’s Word (part of the Wednesdays’ with Beth on LIfeToday)
a. We are to approach God’s Word and GOD-BREATHED – we can never separate the Word of God from the breath of God
b. We are to approach God’s Word with the SPIRIT’S FILLING
“For the Word to be most effective in our lives, for us to clearly understand what God has to say to us, we must seek His presences and the direction of the Holy Spirit when approaching scripture”
1 Corinthians 2: 11b-12 In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
c. We should approach God’s Word as an INVITATION TO DIALOGUE.
“Having your own relationship with Christ – not just reading it, but responding to it.”
“When God talks, talk back – pray scripture”
d. We should approach God’s Word as HEALING.
“We are not to take our baggage, our pain, our grief and press it down and move on, we are to bring it to God for healing.”
Psalm 107:20 He sent forth his word and healed them, and rescued them from the pit and destruction.
1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
e. We should approach God’s Word as a WEAPON.
“The more you study God’s Word, the more equipped you become”
Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.
4. The who of God’s Word
Our relationship with God is about us and Him. Although Biblically sound leaders and teachers can foster our spiritual growth, we need to make sure that no one has undue influence on how we view God’s Word or gets in between us and God’s Word. We are all influenced by what and how we’ve been taught about God and Scripture. We need to make sure that as we read and study His Word we recognize that our beliefs impact how we interpret and view scripture. We need to test all teaching and understanding of scripture with other scripture and prayer for guidance from the Holy Spirit.
1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
5. The When of God’s Word
The beginning of your day really is the best time to seek God. Just as your body functions better throughout the day when you eat a healthy breakfast, your spirit will thrive on the meal of God’s Word first thing.
Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you’ my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is not water.
The word translated earnestly is skachar and means to “be early at any task, inquire early, seek (diligently) early, in the morning
If you don’t believe you have time, then you need to reevaluate your priorities. (I have more time for God as a homeschooling mom of three, writing a book, and taking care of my relationship with my husband and home than I did when I was single, unmarried, not a homeowner, and had no children – it truly is about prioritizing.) If you earnestly seek God and desire to grow in your relationship with Him, He will provide you the time, desire and ability to be in His Word. It can start with as little as reading one verse and focusing on it throughout your day. As you get into the Word more and experience its power, you will find that you will crave more. As you spend more time with God in His Word and in prayer your will find that He will order your days to get done everything He’s called you to do. If you don’t have enough time for God, then you most likely have/are doing some things that He did not call you to do.
It’s great to start the day with God’s Word, but sometimes my days are so long, that I need a refresher, a snack or two, during the day. Whether I catch a verse I have posted somewhere or actually get a chance to sit down with my Bible, the Word always keeps me going (or gets me back on) the right track.
Psalm 119:97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
6. The Where of God’s Word
Many authors I’ve read have encouraged having a specific place to do Bible Study. Some even list a set of tools and resources to have on hand as study aids. I do have a table at which I typically study the Bible with my pens and notebooks and concordance close by, but I certainly didn’t start out that way and most definitely don’t confine myself there. For many, I think that would be too restrictive and overwhelming. I also read/study scripture at the kitchen table, in the bathroom getting ready for the day, at my computer, in the Dr’s office, outside watching my children play, and in my car (listening, not reading.) Just as getting into God’s word can happen any time, it can also happen anywhere. Especially in our multi-media culture, the Bible and good Biblical teaching are just a click or push of the button away.
But, we must be careful to not let the convenience of God’ Word diminish its power. Sometimes it’s so accessible that we forget that it’s the very breath of God. No matter when or where, we need to stay mindful of the why, who, what, and how of God’s Word.

A Passion for Prayer
1. The Why of Prayer
a. Prayer brings us closer to God
o Prayer is communication with God and communication (healthy communication) is two-sided and is essential for relationship
o When we are praying scripturally, prayer allows us to
§ Hear God
§ Follow God
§ Keep our focus on God and His will for us
§ Strengthens us to have the riches in Christ
§ Gives us knowledge, wisdom and understanding
§ Grow in our faith
§ Make right decisions
Colossians 1:9-11 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and (joy)
b. Prayer is understood as a given – prayer is used from Genesis to Revelation, there’s no “if” to prayer
Revelation 5:8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
c. Prayer is powerful – prayer facilitates healing
Genesis 20:17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children.
Isaiah 19:22b For the Egyptians will turn to the LORD, and he will listen to their please and heal them.
Hosea 14:2,4 Bring your confessions, and return to the LORD. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises.” The LORD says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.”
d. God hears us when we pray with a right heart
James 5:15,16 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
earnest is translated from the word energeo, meaning: equitable (in character or act), by implication innocent, holy, just, right(eous)
no one is righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10)
Romans 3:22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
1 John 5:14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.
2. The How of Prayer
a. Respectfully/Reverently – our prayers should acknowledge God and the wholeness of His character – He is holy, all-knowing, all-popwerful, perfect love, our Father, almighty, faithful, without flaw, magnificent, wonderful…….
b. Regularly – without ceasing
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Never stop praying.
Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
c. Persistent (the parable of the woman who was given what she asked because she kept on asking – let me know if anyone finds the scripture where this is)
d. Scripturally
e. Humbly – when we acknowledge who God is, we also need to acknowledge who we are and how far we fall short of His perfection and how much we need Him
Luke 18:10-14Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself. ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat this breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
God opposes the proud, but favors the humble. (James 4:6b, Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:6)
f. About everything and in everything
Philippians 4:6a Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything.
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on al occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
g. Boldly/expectantly
Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. Then we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
h. Spirit-led – we can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in what to pray and how to pray
Romans 8:26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with grownings that cannot be expressed in word.
3. The What of Prayer · Anything and everything means ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING
a. For ourselves – God cares about the small things and big things; everything is small to God because He can do anything – He spoke the world into being and breaths life into every person.
o Our health (physical, mental, and emotional)
o Our relationships
o Our time (how we spend it)
o Our jobs
o Our parenting
o Our concerns
b. For others
o Leaders (government, church, family, work)
o Fellow Christians
o The lost
o Our enemies
o Our children
c. Things
o Peace
o Wisdom
o Joy
o Knowledge
o Direction
o Blessing
o Prosperity (to the glory of God)
o Favor
o Forgiveness
4. The who of Prayer
· Prayer is first and foremost about our relationship with God
· It is second about our relationship with others
· It is for our spiritual health
5. The when of prayer
· Anytime!
6. The where of prayer
· In our beds
· In the shower
· On the floor
· In our cars
· In the kitchen
· Outside
· On our face on our knees
· Standing up
· Walking