 
# HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

Jack and Judy Hartman

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 Jack Hartman

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Scripture quotations taken from _The Amplified Bible_ , _Old Testament_ , Copyright 1962, 1964 by Zondervan Publishing House used by permission.

Scripture quotations taken from _The Amplified Bible_ , _New Testament_ , Copyright 1954, 1958 the Lockman Foundation used by permission.

Scripture quotations taken from _The Living Bible_ , Copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers used by permission.

Scripture quotations taken from _The New International Version_ _of the Bible_ , Copyright 1973, 1978 by the International Bible Society used by permission.

Scripture quotations taken from _The New American Standard Version of the Bible_ , Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by the Lockman Foundation used by permission.

All italics in verses of Scripture in this book are the author's and are used solely for the purpose of emphasis, regardless of the usage in different versions.

# Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1. Every Word in the Bible Comes from God

Chapter 2. The Foundation for Understanding God's Word

Chapter 3. Starting a Specific Program of Bible Study

Chapter 4. Studying a Subject in the Word of God

Chapter 5. Meditating on the Word of God

Chapter 6. Our Hearts – the Key to Our Lives

Chapter 7. From Our Hearts to Our Mouths

Chapter 8. The Continual Release of Spiritual Power

Chapter 9. The Final Step – Obeying God's Instructions

Conclusion

What Did You Learn from This Book?

Appendix

# Introduction

Most Christians and many non-Christians try to study the Bible at one time or another, only to give up in despair a few days or a few weeks later because they are confused and frustrated. The Bible seems very complicated, but it really isn't. In this book my primary goal is to show the reader a definite, workable and easily understandable system for studying the Bible.

I have referred to five different versions of the Bible in this book. For purposes of simplicity and clarity, the following abbreviations have been used:

KJV – _The King James Version_

AMP – _The Amplified Bible_

TLB – _The Living Bible_

NAS – _The New American Standard Bible_

NIV – _The New International Version_

This book is written for three groups of people:

First, this book is for anyone who has recently received Jesus Christ as their Savior. You are babies in the spiritual realm and your spiritual "milk" will come from studying the Word of God. "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good" (I Peter 2:2-3, NIV).

Second, it is written for people who have been Christians for some time, but never have been able to get into a consistent program of study and meditation in the Holy Bible – the Word of God. I pray that the clear, concise method outlined in this book will be the Bible study system that you have needed since you first became a Christian.

Third, I believe that this book will be read by many people who have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. I pray that this book and its companion book, One Hundred Years From Today, will help you make the decision to receive Jesus as your Savior and start on an eternity of glorious spiritual growth, meaning and fulfillment.

# Chapter 1  
Every Word in the Bible Comes from God

At the age of 43, I found myself on the verge of bankruptcy and a complete emotional breakdown. I couldn't sleep at night. I worried constantly. There didn't seem to be any way out but, by the grace of God, I found the answer that I had to have.

When I hit rock bottom, a friend from Oklahoma told me that there was only one way out and that was to let God solve my problems. He explained why I needed to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and I did this. (See the Appendix of this book and my book, _One Hundred Years from Today_ , for a complete explanation.)

Then he said the words that led me on the path that has changed my life and the lives of many others. He said, "Jack, you have read many, many books written by men and women, _but you have never read the Bible – the one Book that is written by God_. Every word in that Book is inspired by God Himself and the only way you'll ever get out of this mess is to _saturate_ yourself in that Book, learn what it says and then do it."

Every Bible study program should be based upon the foundation that the Bible is the Book with God inside it. When we study the Bible, our Creator talks to us. He gave us this Book as a means of daily contact with Him. He gave us this Book to instruct us, correct us and give us definite guidelines to follow:

"The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from Goal and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone" (II Timothy 3:16-17, TLB).

We should approach the Bible each day with awe and reverence, with the attitude that God and His Word cannot be separated. We should spend our time in God's Word daily exactly the way we would treat God Himself if He came to us each day and spent time with us.

The Word of God tells us everything that we'll ever need to know about how to live our lives here on earth. The reason why the Bible contains so much information about life is that the Bible has the same Author that life does. The more we learn from the Bible, the better we will get to know the Author.

This is the one Book that will absolutely _transform_ our lives if we know what it says, believe what it says and do what it says to do. The apostle Paul explained this to the Thessalonians when he said: "...when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men but as what it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it]." (I Thessalonians 2:13, AMP).

God's Word gives us everything that we'll ever need. It is overflowing with His great and precious promises to us. If we believe deeply in these promises and act in faith on them, we will take part in His divine nature and escape the problems caused by evil desires. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" (II Peter 1:3-4, NIV).

We live in the midst of a very corrupt world. However, if we continually study and meditate in God's Word and fill our minds and hearts with His great, precious promises, we will have the spiritual strength needed to escape the temptations of our corrupt world.

We must recognize the need to feed ourselves spiritually just as much as we recognize the need to feed ourselves physically. "...Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4, AMP).

The key word in this verse is the word "every." We aren't told that we should feed ourselves with only a few of God's promises. We are told that we should sustain ourselves by every word that God has given us. Clearly we are called to a lifetime of study and meditation in God's Word in order to receive the continuing spiritual strength and energy that we need.

In the physical world, we repeatedly eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and this food is transformed into physical _energy_. In the spiritual realm, when we feed ourselves regularly with spiritual food from God's Word and then act on it by continually speaking it with our mouths and living by it in our lives, we produce the spiritual strength and energy that is called _faith_.

We wouldn't expect to live well in the physical realm on one or two meals a week, yet this is exactly what many of us do in the spiritual realm! Many of us hear the Word of God once or twice each week and that's "it" for us. If we just partake of spiritual food once or twice each week, we won't have the spiritual strength and energy needed to survive the crisis times of life.

Instead of just "nibbling," we need to "feast" on the Word of God. If we do, our hearts will overflow with joy from the spiritual strength and energy that will surge through us. "Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16, AMP).

In the natural realm, honey tastes good. In the spiritual realm, the Word of God tastes much better. The more we taste the wonderful Word of God, the more we'll understand it. As a result, we'll be able to stay off the dark roads of life which will eventually cause us serious problems. "How sweet are your words to my taste, _sweeter than honey_ to my mouth! I _gain understanding_ from your precepts; _therefore I hate every wrong path_ " (Psalm 119:103-104, NIV)

God's Word is a seed. "...The _seed_ is the word of God" (Luke 8:11, KJV). In the natural world, we wouldn't expect to reap if we didn't sow. We shouldn't expect this in the spiritual realm either. If we continually plant the seed of God's Word in our minds and hearts, we will experience a bountiful harvest.

Our Father has given us a rule book to live by and a map to guide us every step of the way. This combination rule book and map is His Word. When we're at a crossroad and don't know which way to go, God's Word will show us. "This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and _look_ ; ask for the _ancient paths,_ ask where the _good way_ is, and _walk in it_ , and _you will find rest for your souls_ ..." (Jeremiah 6:16, NIV).

What would we think if someone was coming to visit us and they arrived several hours late because they never took the time to study the map and directions that we gave them? This isn't very intelligent is it? Yet, isn't this exactly what many of us do? Many of us think that we're good Christians, but we travel down many wrong roads and we're confronted with many problems in our lives simply because we haven't continually studied the directions that our Father has given to us.

God's Word is like a bright light. The more we study it, the more clearly we will grasp spiritual concepts that we never understood before. "The entrance and unfolding of Your words _gives light_ ; their unfolding _gives understanding_ (discernment and comprehension) to the simple." (Psalm 119:130, AMP).

Non-Christians are in spiritual darkness. They stumble and don't know why. We were in darkness, too, but we came out of it and into the light when we became Christians. We can continue to walk in this light if we stay on the path that God has laid out for us. "...you were formerly darkness, but _now you are light_ in the Lord; _walk_ as children of light..." (Ephesians 5:8, NAS).

If we continually study and meditate in God's Word we will see our way more and more clearly and we won't stumble as we go down the road of life. "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, _shining ever brighter_ till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they _do not know_ what makes them stumble" (Proverbs 4:18-19, NIV).

God's Word is a lamp that casts light on the road of life. "Thy word is a _lamp_ unto my feet, and a _light_ unto my path" (Psalm 119:105, KJV).

We need to follow the explicit, precise instructions that our Father has given us. If we do, no matter how fast the pace gets, we won't stumble. "When you walk, your steps will _not_ be hampered; when you run, you will _not_ stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for _it is your life_ " (Proverbs 4:12-13, NIV)

We can't begin to comprehend how pure and clean life can be until we live in complete obedience to the magnificent, purified Word of God. "The words and promises of the Lord are _pure words_ , like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over" (Psalm 12:6, AMP).

The purity of God's Word has been tried and proven true again and again. It will shield us if we'll trust it. " _Every word_ of God is _tried_ and _purified_ ; He is a _shield_ to those who trust and take refuge in Him" (Proverbs 30:5, AMP).

God's precious promises belong to us. If we study and meditate on them continually, they will _cleanse_ us. "...since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, _let us cleanse ourselves_ from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit..." (II Corinthians 7:1, AMP.).

In addition to being pure and clean, God's Word is _supernaturally alive and full of spiritual power and energy_. If we immerse ourselves in it continually, it will pierce to the very center of our personality. It will go into our hearts. If anything bad is buried there from childhood or other times in the past, God's Word will identify the problem and show us how to cure it:

"For the Word that God speaks is _alive and full of power_ [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is _sharper_ than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and _sifting_ and _analyzing_ and _judging_ the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, AMP).

God's Word has enormous supernatural power. If we believe totally in it, its power will break down and consume anything and everything that might harm us. "Is not My word like _fire_ [that _consumes_ all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that _breaks in pieces_ the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?" (Jeremiah 23:29, AMP).

The depth of God's Word is amazing. It is full of spiritual treasures. The more we dig, the more we'll realize this. The more we learn, the more we'll be aware of how much we still have to learn. "Oh, the _depth_ of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How _unsearchable_ his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" (Romans 11:33, NIV).

No other book can even begin to compare with the Bible because no other author can even begin to compare with the Author of the Bible. God's thoughts are amazingly profound. "How _great_ are your works, O Lord, how _profound_ your thoughts!" (Psalm 92:5, NIV).

I have studied and meditated continually in God's Word for the past eleven years and I haven't even come close to scratching the surface of it. Many people have studied the Bible every day for 30, 40, 50 and more years and have never come close to comprehending everything in that wonderful Book. Who else but God could have written a Book that we can never get enough of? What other book can we study month after month, year after year and never stop learning from it?

We'll never outgrow the Word of God. It's in a class by itself. All of the answers are in there just waiting for us to find them, understand them and act in faith on them. We can't approach the limits of this Book because there aren't any. The more we learn, the more God will open new spiritual horizons to us.

God's Book is vastly different from any other book. Most books last only a few years and are then forgotten. The very best books written by men and women have lasted for a few hundred years. God's Book has stood the test of time. Parts of it were written more than three thousand years ago. This Book will never fade – it will last forever. "... _man_ is like the grass that _dies away_ , and all his beauty _fades_ like dying flowers. The grass _withers_ , the flower fades beneath the breath of God. And so it is with fragile man. The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of our God shall stand _forever_ " (Isaiah 40:6-8, TLB).

The Word of God is eternal. It will last longer than heaven or earth. "Heaven and earth will _pass away_ , but My words _shall not pass away_ " (Matthew 24:35, NAS).

God's instructions will always be there to guide us. "...the Word of the Lord [divine instruction, the Gospel ] _endures forever_ ..." (I Peter 1:25, AMP).

The eternal, unchanging truth of God's Word is not affected in the least by recession, depression, unemployment, sickness, wars or any other conditions of this world. God's promises give us the permanence and certainty that we need in these rapidly changing times.

When God's Word says something, we _can_ depend on it _completely_ because "...it is _impossible_ for God to tell a lie..." (Hebrews 6:18, TLB).

His promises never fail. "... _there hath not failed one word_ of all his good promise..." (I Kings 8:56, KJV).

God's Word is the rock-solid foundation that we need. "...God's truth stands firm like a great rock, and _nothing_ can shake it. It is a foundation stone..." (II Timothy 2:19, TLB).

Nothing can compare with the value of learning from the Word of God. "Receive my instruction, and _not silver_ ; and knowledge _rather than choice gold_. For wisdom is _better_ than rubies; and _all_ the things that may be desired are _not_ to be compared to it" (Proverbs 8:10-11, KJV).

Our Father has given us complete instructions for every area of our lives. We'd better pay close attention to what He has told us. "A _wise son heareth_ his father's instruction..." (Proverbs 13:1, KJV). We're foolish if we don't. "A _fool despiseth_ his father's instruction..." (Proverbs 15:5, KJV).

Our Father wants very much to bless us and He will pour out His blessings on us if we'll pay the price of learning how He wants us to live our lives and then follow the specific instructions that He has given us.

# Chapter 2  
The Foundation for Understanding God's Word

We have seen _why_ it is so important to study the Word of God. Now we need to consider _how_ to study His precious Book.

We must realize that spiritual rebirth is absolutely necessary in order to understand the Word of God. Satan, the god of the world, blinds the eyes of people who are not reborn spiritually so they cannot understand the amazing truths in God's Word. "If the Good News we preach is hidden to anyone, it is hidden from the one who is on the road to eternal death. Satan, who is the god of this evil world, _has made him blind_ , _unable to see_ the glorious light of the Gospel that is shining upon him, or to understand the amazing message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is God" (II Corinthians 4:3-4, TLB).

We cannot understand the Word of God until we have experienced spiritual rebirth. Also, in order to really understand God's Word, we must have received the fullness of the Holy Spirit who is our Father's gift to us. We need to _ask_ Him for this gift. "...how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to _them that ask him_?" (Luke 11:13, KJV).

Once we have asked for this gift, we need to receive it by faith. "...as thou hast believed, _so be it done unto thee_ ..." (Matthew 8:13, KJV).

It is then our responsibility to believe that He has given Him to us and to act accordingly – always being totally conscious of his presence within us. "...out of his glorious, unlimited resources _he will give you_ the mighty inner strengthening of his Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 3:16, TLB).

The same Holy Spirit who had the mighty power to raise Jesus from the dead can live inside of us. "...the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, _lives in you_ ..." (Romans 8:11, TLB). He will guide us in every area of our lives – especially in studying and obeying the Word of God.

God's Word is the truth. "... _Your Word is Truth_ " (John 17:17, AMP). Jesus told His disciples that, after He had ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, would come and that He would guide us to all truth. "...when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He _will guide you into all the Truth_ (the whole, full Truth)...." (John 16:13, AMP).

Our Teacher lives inside of us. He is with us all day long, every day of our lives, just waiting to teach us God's great truths. He is able to guide us into areas of comprehension of God's Word that are beyond our fondest dreams. "...The man who isn't a Christian _can't understand_ and _can't accept_ these thoughts from God, which _the Holy Spirit teaches us_. They sound foolish to him, because _only those who have the Holy Spirit within them can understand_ what the Holy Spirit means. Others just can't take it in. But the spiritual man has _insight into everything_ , and that bothers and baffles the man of the world, who can't understand him at all" (I Corinthians 2:14-15, TLB).

The Holy Spirit understands what God wants us to learn and He will teach this to us. "...the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now _we have received_ , not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, _that we might know the things freely given to us by God_ , which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words" (I Corinthians 2:11-13, NAS).

The Holy Spirit can make the Bible come alive to us because the same Holy Spirit who lives inside of us is the Author of the Bible! Look again at the first eight words of II Timothy 3:16. " _All scripture is given by inspiration of God_ ..." Every word in the Bible was inspired by God. The Holy Spirit is the One who gave this inspiration to each of the human authors of the Bible. The Bible is more than one book. It is a Library consisting of 66 different books by 40 different authors, each of whom was inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The Bible seems dull to many people. They can read the same words that light up my life and receive nothing from them. This is because they have not prayed with faith for great _illumination_ of the Word of God by the Holy Spirit. He _can_ and will make the Word of God come alive to us _if we'll go to Him in prayer each time before we study the Bible._

We should admit that we don't have the knowledge that we need and we should ask Him to open our spiritual eyes so that we can understand God's wonderful truths. " _Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things_ out of Your law. I am a stranger and a temporary resident on the earth; _hide not_ Your commandments from me" (Psalm 119:18-19, AMP).

God _will_ answer this prayer if we believe He will. "And _whatever_ you ask for in prayer, _having faith and [really] believing, you will receive_ " (Matthew 21:22, AMP).

God will always _answer_ our prayer _if_ , (a) it is according to His will for our lives and, (b) we strongly and deeply believe that He will answer. "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that _if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us_. And if we _know_ that he hears us – whatever we ask – _we know that we have_ what we asked of him." (I John 5:14-15, NIV).

The Holy Spirit will guide us to understanding the truth of God's Word. As we study diligently, He also will cause us to want to obey the instructions that we receive. "...I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to _walk_ in My statutes, and you shall _heed_ My ordinances, and _do_ them" (Ezekiel 36:27, AMP).

This is so clear! First, in order to be able to understand the truths of God, we must be reborn spiritually. Second, we need to accept by faith that the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Truth – lives inside of us. Third, we should turn quietly and confidently to the Spirit of Truth each day and ask Him to guide us as we study the Bible.

It is very important to study God's Word each day in order to " _renew_ " our minds – to _change_ our thought processes so that we will think, speak and act more and more the way that God thinks, speaks and acts. The ways of this world are very different from God's ways. His thoughts and His way of doing things are on a much higher plane than men's thoughts and ways. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, _so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts_ " (Isaiah 55:8-9, KJV).

Our Father doesn't want His children behaving the way the world behaves. He wants us to renew our minds so that we'll change from the world's ways to His ways. " _Do not be conformed to this world_ (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but _be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind_ [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may _prove_ [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]." (Romans 12:2, AMP).

Most of us renew our bodies each day with breakfast, lunch and dinner. We also renew ourselves each night when we sleep. Most of us realize the importance of renewing our bodies in order to keep them in good physical condition. It is even more important to renew our minds and keep them in good spiritual condition.

We all grow older with each day that passes. God's Word tells us that we can offset the aging process of the "outer man" by continually renewing the "inner man" – by restoring him and keeping him refreshed at all times. If we do this, we'll remain strong within ourselves and we won't be worn down by worry and fear. "... _we do not become discouraged_ (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our _outer man_ is [progressively] _decaying_ and _wasting_ away, yet our _inner self_ is being [progressively] _renewed day after day_." (II Corinthians 4:16, AMP).

It's very obvious that our Father wants us to renew our minds each and every day. However, many Christians fail in this area. Why does this happen? One reason is that Satan comes hard against us when he sees us starting on a continuing, daily program to renew our minds in the Word of God. Our mind is his battlefield. He continually tries to fill our mind with destructive thoughts. He is a thief. He wants to steal the precious inheritance that we have received from Jesus Christ. He wants to hurt us badly. "The thief comes only to _steal_ and _kill_ and _destroy_ ..." (John 10:10, NIV).

These are his goals. He doesn't kid around. He means business and he plays for keeps. We shouldn't play around either. This is serious business. Our Father has given us a Book of Instructions that tells us everything that we'll ever need to know in order to confront Satan and defeat him. If we are going to manifest the glorious victory that Jesus has given us, we need to study this Book continually in order to learn how to do this.

How can we expect our Father to bless us if we don't take time to study in detail the Book of Instructions that He has provided? However, this is exactly what many Christians do and this is exactly what Satan wants us to do. He doesn't want us to strengthen ourselves spiritually by renewing our minds in God's Word each day. He doesn't want us to identify our weakest areas—the areas where he is making inroads—and then strengthen these weak areas through continual study and meditation in God's Word.

Satan hates to see our hearts filled with God's Word because he knows that this means big trouble for him. "...the word of God _abideth in you_ , and ye have _overcome the wicked one_ " (I John 2:14, KJV). Because of this, if God's Word starts to get down into our hearts, Satan comes immediately and, in any way that he can, he tries to take God's Word out of our hearts before it has a chance to take root. "...Satan cometh immediately, and _taketh away_ the word that was sown in their hearts" (Mark 4:15, KJV).

Satan simply can't afford to let our minds and hearts and mouths become filled with God's Word because this keeps him away from us. "...by the Word of Your lips I have _avoided_ the ways of the violent (the paths of the destroyer)." (Psalm 17:4, AMP).

If we live our lives exactly the way God's Word tells us to, Satan can't touch us. "...he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and _that wicked one toucheth him not_ " (I John 5:18, KJV).

It is extremely important for us to realize that Satan is going to come at us relentlessly if we undertake a continuing program of daily Bible study and meditation. Many Christians start, but few continue and thereby receive complete victory over Satan's attacks.

We'll never "find time" to study God's Word. We have to _make_ time! We need to put this first ahead of everything else. Our primary goal should be to learn our Father's way of doing things and then to obey these instructions. If we do this, everything else will fall into place.

Now that we have laid the foundation for a regular program of Bible study, we're ready to get into specifics – exactly how to study the Bible. We must start with a strong desire to learn our Father's instructions and a definite commitment to stick to this program on a daily basis. It's not going to be easy at first and we must be determined to persevere.

# Chapter 3  
Starting a Specific Program of Bible Study

Now that we have laid the foundation for a regular program of Bible study, we're ready to get into specifics – exactly how to study the Bible. We must start with a strong desire to learn our Father's instructions and a definite commitment to stick to this program on a daily basis. It's not going to be easy at first and we must be determined to persevere.

The crucial period is the first few months. This process gets easier as the months go by because our good habits can be made to work for us in the same way that our bad habits work against us. The more we get into the habit of studying and meditating in God's Word on a daily basis, the stronger the habit will become and the harder it will be for Satan to get us to break it.

Are you determined to start a program of renewing your mind through studying and meditating in God's Word on a daily basis? Are you able to persevere against the attacks of Satan that you know will come? If you are, we are now ready to start on a specific, detailed program of Bible study.

Obviously, we have to start with the Bible itself. I'm going to assume that each reader of this book has never followed a regular program of Bible study. Those of you who have can adjust accordingly. I'm going to recommend specific Bibles and give their approximate retail prices at the time this book is published. Please realize that new versions of the Bible are coming out constantly and that the prices of Bibles change. Because of this, the prices I have shown could vary somewhat depending upon when you read this book.

If a new Christian came to me and asked exactly what to purchase in order to start a systematic program of daily Bible study and meditation, I would advise starting with two Bibles – _The Living Bible_ (published by Tyndale House Publishers, approximate price $15) and _The Comparative Study Bible_ (published by Zondervan Bible Publishers, approximate price $38). Sometimes Bibles are available for lower prices in a paperback edition, but if there ever was a book that I'd hesitate to buy in paperback it would be the Bible which we should plan to use every day for the rest of our lives.

_The Living Bible_ has sold a tremendous number of copies. This Bible is a paraphrase of the _King James Version_ of the Bible. The word "paraphrase" means "to repeat the meaning of something in other words." This means that _The Living Bible_ is not a translation of the _King James Version_. Instead of translating, the author, Dr. Kenneth Taylor, paraphrased throughout, continually interpreting the _King James Version_ as he understood it. His words are clear and easy to understand because they are written the way that we speak today.

The contemporary wording makes this version of the Bible very easy to understand, particularly for newer Christians. The disadvantage of this version is that some Bible scholars disagree with some of Dr. Taylor's paraphrasing. They say that it is not an accurate portrayal of the original Hebrew and Greek. I believe that _The Living Bible_ is excellent for a new Christian, but I don't believe it should be the only Bible that someone should own. (Instead of _The Living Bible_ , your bookstore might recommend _The Book_ – a modern language Bible that has been highly recommended by many prominent Christians. I haven't used this version, but you might want to look into it.)

I also recommend _The Comparative Study Bible_ which will enable you to easily compare any verse of Scripture in several different versions of the Bible. Then you can easily draw your own conclusions about the meaning of any particular verse or verses of Scripture. _The Comparative Study Bible_ actually is four different Bibles in one – _The King James Version, The Amplified Bible, The New American Standard Bible_ and _The New International Version._

This particular parallel Bible is my most valued possession. If I was told that I could keep only one item that I own and this "something" could not be duplicated at a later date, it would not be our home, our automobiles, our financial assets or anything else. I would take _The Comparative Study Bible_ which is more valuable to me than any other possession. I use it on several occasions almost every day of my life. I can't imagine living without it.

Let's take a brief look at the four different versions of the Bible that are contained in _The Comparative Study Bible_. The _King James Version_ is the "standard." It was translated in England approximately 400 years ago. It has stood the test of time and has been widely accepted by Christians for many, many years.

_The Amplified Bible_ "amplifies" the Bible for us. _Webster's New World Dictionary_ says that the word "amplify" means "to develop more fully." A group of Bible scholars spent many years in research and study of many versions of the Bible and then carefully amplified it with various shades of meaning, always being certain that their expanded version remained true to the original Hebrew and Greek.

I turn to this version of the Bible more than any other. The amplification is magnificent and has given me a much better understanding of the Word of God. When _The Amplified New Testament_ first came out, Dr. Billy Graham said that it was "...the best study testament on the market. It is a magnificent translation. I use it continually."

The New American Standard _Bible_ is an updated translation of _The American Standard Version_ of the Bible which was published in 1901. This 1901 version received wide acceptance and a large group of Bible scholars reviewed, modernized and updated it in the 1960s. I have found it to be an excellent translation.

The _New International Version_ is a contemporary English translation of the Bible that was made by over a hundred Bible scholars who diligently studied Hebrew and Greek texts. This group consisted of participants from many different denominations. They spent many thousands of hours working to provide a very accurate translation which was also clear and understandable. I believe that this is also an excellent translation.

The beauty of _The Comparative Study Bible_ is that the reader can open it to any page and _see all four of the translations side by side_. _The King James Version_ and _The Amplified Bible_ are side by side on the left-hand page and _The New American Standard Bible_ and _The New International Version_ are directly opposite side by side on the right-hand page.

How I rejoiced when this Bible was published! It is tremendous having these four translations parallel to one another. This Bible has greatly increased my understanding of the Holy Scriptures and I'm confident that it will be of great benefit to anyone who is seriously interested in learning more from the Word of God.

Another Bible that serious Bible students should consider is _The Thompson Chain Reference Bible_ ($27). It features a numerical chain reference system. Dr. Frank Thompson spent over 30 years exhaustively grouping Scripture verses into "chains" and putting numerical references throughout the Bible for thousands of verses of Scripture. Because of this, the reader can go to the topical listing in the back of the Bible and see other verses of Scripture under the same topic, as well as a listing of similar topics.

I'm not in any way suggesting that the versions of the Bible that I've mentioned are the only versions or the best versions for the reader to use. I have recommended them simply because they have worked successfully for me over the years.

The next item that any serious Bible student should purchase is a Bible concordance. I don't see how anyone can seriously study the Bible without one. A "concordance" is a book that lists every word in the Bible in alphabetical order. I use _Strong's Exhaustive Concordance_ (approximately $23 in hard cover) and the word "exhaustive" describes it perfectly. This book contains over 1500 pages. Every word in the Bible is included.

For example, the word "love" is used 304 times in the Bible. This concordance gives the Scripture verse for each of the 304 times that this word is mentioned, along with a numerical listing for looking up these words in the original Hebrew or Greek. This concordance is invaluable. I use it constantly. I don't believe that it is an option. It is a "must."

Along the same line, a topical Bible is very helpful. If you have a chain reference Bible, you might feel that is sufficient. However, I have found a topical Bible to be valuable also. I use _Nave's Topical Bible_ (approximately $15). A condensed paperback edition is available for $3.95. If you can't afford the hard-cover edition, at least consider the paperback version. (However, as you read further in this book, you'll see how much we're going to use the topical Bible. If at all possible, get the larger edition.)

On the cover of my topical Bible is a quote from Dr. Billy Graham which says, "Outside of the Bible this is the book that I depend on more than any other. Certainly there has been no book that has helped me more in my study." This 1,464-page book exhaustively lists topics and has many verses of Scripture on each topic. It is a wonderful study aid that offers numerous listings of Scripture verses on any topic imaginable. This, plus a chain reference Bible, connects the various topics of the Bible beautifully.

Another Bible study aid that is optional, but very good, is a Bible dictionary. If we don't understand the meaning of certain words in the Bible, this is where we can find the answer. A good Bible dictionary will assist us in comprehending and understanding many of the words, people and places referred to in the Bible.

I use _The New Compact Bible Dictionary_ (approximately $10) published by Zondervan Publishing House. There are over one million copies of this dictionary in print. I'm sure that there are other good Bible dictionaries. Ask your Christian bookstore which dictionaries are their best sellers, look them over and draw your own conclusions.

This completes the listing of Bibles and Bible study aids that I personally believe are necessary to study the Bible effectively. Many other study aids are available – expository dictionaries, Bible commentaries, Greek-English lexicons, Bible handbooks and many more. If you are interested in these, inquire at your Christian bookstore.

Now that we have reviewed the basic "tools" that are needed to start a Bible study program, we're ready to put these tools to work. At this point I want to make it very clear that _there is no one method of studying the Bible_. There are definite scriptural principles on how to study God's Word, but there are many different _methods_.

In the following chapters I'm going to explain the specific method that I use to study and meditate in the Word of God. This method has worked very well for me, for students in our Bible study classes during the past ten years and for other people all over the world. I have received numerous letters commenting on this method. Let me share excerpts from just a few of these with you:

"Your method of study is neat and I will use it. Thanks for your refreshing, helpful and strengthening direction." (D.S.—Arizona)

"I am using your system of 3x5 cards daily. I study the Bible every morning about 1- 1/2 hours. I have outlined your system and I am using the study tools that you recommend. Your teaching is sound. It witnesses strongly to me." (D.H.—Ohio)

"I am indebted to you for opening the doors of my mind further than they have ever been before. I think of God constantly." (D.S.— Colorado)

"We are following the biblical principles which you outlined and the Lord is blessing us in many ways." (R.S.—British West Indies)

"I'm following your suggestions on meditation and it's amazing to see how I can concentrate on God all day long instead of only once in awhile." (G.B.—Canada)

"You have spelled the principles out so simply. I am now meditating in the Word daily. You did a great job." (D.K.—Georgia)

"I never could understand 'meditate day and night' but praise the Lord, I do now. Thank you and God bless you." (L.H.—New York)

We have other similar letters on file. I can guarantee you that this system does work!

For the past eleven years I have studied the Bible _by subject_. This method helps us to overcome specific problems in any one area of our lives. Studying one particular book of the Bible can enrich us and studying Bible history can increase our understanding of the Bible as a whole. At one time or another in our Bible study, we should follow these methods. However, at the start, these methods will not help us to overcome problems in our lives to the degree that the "subject method" does.

I started using this method because of necessity. My Bible study started because I was on the verge of bankruptcy and an emotional breakdown. I avoided both of these problems by "saturating" myself in the Word of God and learning everything I possibly could about the instructions our Father has given us on these two specific subjects.

It worked! Not only did this work in my life, but I then taught on both of these subjects in the Bible study class that I teach. These Bible studies later became books, _Trust God for Your Finances_ and _Deep Inner Peace_ , which have helped many people all over the world.

For the past ten years I have taught a Bible study class on many different subjects. When I discovered the problems that were caused by my impatience, I studied what the Bible had to say on patience. I learned how to overcome anger, how to become more loving, how to appropriate the strength of God, how to increase faith and decrease fear, etc. Much of what I have learned has been shared with many other people and it has helped them.

I observe many people trying to study the Bible and, actually, they're just reading it – one chapter after another after another – with no particular goals in mind. There isn't anything wrong with reading the Bible from cover to cover. However, many people never even come close to reaching the end of the Bible. They quit in frustration soon after they start because they find that the effort put into their Bible study isn't producing any results that are helpful to them.

The Bible isn't a theoretical book. _It is an immensely practical book._ Our Father gave it to us to show us how to deal with the everyday problems that we have to face. The Bible can be used effectively in each of our lives right now — today! No matter what our problems might be, God's Word has the answer.

If we learn how to use the subject method of studying the Bible, we'll find many specific answers to our problems. Continual study and meditation in this particular area will draw us closer and closer to the Author of these verses of Scripture. If we want to know someone well, we spend a lot of time with that person. If we want to know the Lord better, we need to spend a lot of time with the Book that He has written. His wisdom is available to us in any area where we need it.

Long ago I learned that the first step in solving any problem is to define exactly what the problem is. A problem well defined is half solved. I ask each reader to stop right here and ask yourself, "What are my biggest problems? What are my specific goals? What subjects do I need to study in God's Word?" It is very important to define our specific problems and/or goals and then to aim our Bible study in that particular direction.

I have compiled the following alphabetical list of typical problem areas that concern most of us at one time or another. Look over this list. Perhaps it will help you to decide what subject you need to study in God's Word:

  1. Anger: I knew I got angry too often, so I studied this subject in detail. It's fascinating to see all that God's Word has to say on this subject.

  2. Children: Exactly what does the Bible teach us about bringing up children?

  3. Faith: What exactly should we do to build stronger faith in God?

  4. Fear: What specifically must be done in order to overcome fear in our lives?

  5. Forgiveness: Most Christians know that we need to forgive others, but this is easier said than done. Why should we forgive someone who has hurt us very badly? How can we do this?

  6. God: How can we know Him better? Exactly what does His Word say about developing a closer relationship with Him?

  7. Heaven (and hell): What is heaven really like? How can we know if we're going there? Is there really a hell? What is it like? Why would a loving God allow anyone to go to hell?

  8. Healing: When we are sick and need healing, exactly what should we do? Jesus healed many people in His earthly ministry. Is healing still available today? Why are some people healed and not others?

  9. Holy Spirit: Who is the Holy Spirit? What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What exactly is required in order to release the power, love and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

  10. Jesus Christ: Some Christians really don't know Jesus Christ very well. Sometimes we hear people talking about a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ. How can we get to know Him better?

  11. Joy: Some of us need to know how to experience more joy and happiness in our lives. What does the Bible teach about how to experience more joy and happiness?

  12. Love: Some of us aren't as loving as we should be. If we want very much to be more loving, how is this accomplished?

  13. Marriage: Some Christians have problems with their marriage. What does the Bible teach us about how to get along better with our spouse?

  14. Patience: Some of us are impatient and we know that we need to become more patient. We might try and fail because we don't know how to develop more patience. What does God's Word say about this?

  15. Peace: Some of us need to calm down and relax. Some of us are quite tense. How can we quiet ourselves and experience the peace of God?

  16. Prayer: Some of us aren't getting many answers to our prayers. We don't really know how to pray. Exactly what does the Bible teach about how to pray to God?

  17. Pride (and Humility): Some of us are too proud, stubborn and self-centered. We'd like to overcome these traits, but we don't know how. How can we lick these problems and become more humble?

  18. Prosperity (and Money Management): Some Christians have financial problems and don't know how to solve them. What does the Bible teach us about overcoming financial problems?

  19. Satan: Some of us realize that Satan has a hold on certain areas of our lives. We don't want to be in bondage to him. We want to escape from this bondage and we need to know exactly how to do this.

  20. Spiritual Growth: Some of us haven't experienced significant spiritual growth since we became Christians. We know that we need to grow more, but we don't know how to do this.

  21. Strength: Some of us aren't as strong spiritually as we should be. When we're under pressure we give in far too easily. We know that we need more strength, but we don't know how to develop it.

  22. Witnessing: Some of our friends and loved ones are not saved. We don't want them to go to hell. More than anything else we want to help them find Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. How do we do this?

  23. Worry: Some Christians worry a lot. Some of us are always anxious about something. ` What does the Bible teach about overcoming worry and tension?

This isn't a complete list and some of the problem areas overlap. However, I believe that this demonstrates what I mean about identifying specific problems and goals. If you are interested in expanding to many other topics, you might be interested in other sources of topical information.

Your Christian bookstore might have good suggestions on other topical Bibles, topical Bible dictionaries and other books arranged by topic. I have been impressed by _Thus Saith God's Word_ by Dorothy Weymann. For information write MD Publications, P.O. Box 636, Greensboro, NC 27402. This book has many topics in addition to the samples I've given such as Alcohol, Drugs, Loneliness, Obedience, Religions – False, Sexual Sins, Suicide.

I also often refer to _The CBN Counselor's Handbook_. Write the Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. Virginia Beach, VA 23463. This is the handbook that the counselors on "The 700 Club" use when people call them. Beside subjects already mentioned, it has Scripture references on: Abortion, Baptism—Water, Bitterness & Resentment, Child Abuse, Compulsiveness, Covetousness, Depression/Discouragement, Divorce, Envy/Jealousy, Fasting, Gossip, Grief—Death, Homosexuality, Insomnia, Lust, Mental Illness, Praise, Smoking.

Other excellent Scripture notebooks are: _Scripture Keys for Kingdom Living_ by June Newman Davis (P.O. Box 6559, Denver, Colorado 80206) and _God's Promises for Every Need_ (P.O. Box 90776, Houston, Texas 77290). I'm sure there are many other excellent topical Scripture books. You'll find that a wealth of topical information is available for Christians who really want to study specific subjects in the Word of God.

Before you go any further, please stop right here and put this book down. I ask each reader to prayerfully decide the areas where you need help. This might take you just a few minutes, but it should take longer. It could even take several days. _Before any of us start a Bible study program, it is important to know exactly what we need to study_. Too many people try to study the Bible without having any specific goals and they give up because it doesn't help them.

Have you defined the specific subject or subjects that you want to study? Once this has been accomplished, we are then ready to go ahead with a specific plan to study the Bible in order to solve these problems and accomplish these goals.

# Chapter 4  
Studying a Subject in the Word of God

We now have picked a specific subject of study in the Bible. We have the Bible study tools that we need. Now we're ready to use these tools in order to find the answers that we're seeking. How do we go about this?

Before starting, it is important to know exactly what it means to _study_ the Word of God. There is a great deal of difference between "studying" God's Word and "reading" God's Word.

One time I was discussing this with my business partner and he gave me an interesting comparison between reading the Bible and studying the Bible. He said that he could have a book titled _How to Survive When You're Lost in the Woods_ and read it casually in his home. However, if he actually was lost in the middle of a large forest and had this book with him, he'd do much more than just read it. He'd _study_ it. He'd _devour_ it. _He'd pay close attention to every word because his life would depend on it._

That is what we need to do as we study the Bible on the particular subject that we have chosen. We must be willing to work very hard. Our lives will be transformed _if_ we're willing to pay the price of hard work as we study the Bible day after day, week after week and month after month.

Studying the Bible isn't always a high-flying, supernatural experience. Such glorious moments are always preceded by a period of hard, tedious work. This is especially true for someone who is just starting this system of Bible study. We can't expect to learn the intricacies of studying God's Word without paying a very definite price.

God's Word will reveal its wonderful secrets to us only if we are willing to pay the price of persistent, determined, hard work. God usually doesn't unfold His truths quickly. We can't receive from Him without paying the price.

He has done His part. He has given us His Son. He has given us the Holy Spirit. He has given us His Word. We have everything that we need. Now it's up to us. Will we do our part?

Our part is to pay the price of hard, tedious work. II Timothy 2:15 has been my guiding light ever since I started studying the Bible. It tells us that we need to _study_ God's Word diligently. We need to _work hard_ at this, " _rightly dividing_ " God's Word to find each of His precious nuggets on whatever subject we might be studying. When we do these things, this will win our Father's approval: " _Study_ to show thyself approved unto God, a _workman_ that needeth not to be ashamed, _rightly dividing_ the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15, KJV).

This is what we're going to do in this chapter. We're going to learn how to study God's Word by "rightly dividing" it. I warn you – this isn't easy. It requires a tremendous amount of hard work. _Are you willing to pay this price_ to find the answers that you need on the particular subject that you have chosen?

Let's look more deeply into the subject of studying the Bible. What does this mean? _Webster's New World Dictionary_ says that to "study" means "careful attention to, and critical examination and investigation of, any subject, event, etc.; to apply one's mind to think attentively; try to learn or understand by reading, thinking, etc."

_This_ is what our Father wants us to do with His Word. He wants us to examine it closely and to pay very careful attention to what it says. He wants us to dig, dig and dig some more, always searching for valuable bits of truth. He wants us to reflect and think deeply about what He is saying to us in His Word.

If we sincerely believe that _every_ word in the Bible is inspired by God, why wouldn't we be willing to spend long hours learning everything that we possibly can about what our Father has to teach? It isn't easy. The good things in life never are.

In order to learn how to study a specific subject, let's take an actual subject and go through it one step at a time. I have used this procedure with the subject of "patience," so we'll use this as our example. How can we learn what God's Word teaches about becoming more patient?

We should start by collecting _every_ possible verse of Scripture on this subject. The first thing I do is to get out a dictionary to find other words that go along with patience. _Webster's New World Dictionary_ mentions the words "steadfastness," "endurance" and "perseverance" in its definition of patience.

We now have expanded from one word to four. Our next step is to look up all possible verses of Scripture on these four words. In _Nave's Topical Bible_ we find 35 different Scripture references under the subject of patience. At the end of those references we are also referred to the topics of "longsuffering" and "meekness."

At this stage of developing our subject, I would recommend just listing for now the chapter and verse references for each of the 35 references. Don't copy the text of the Scripture yet because all of these references are in _The King James Version_. Once we have all of our Scripture references listed, we're going to look them up in _The Comparative Study Bible_ and in _The Living Bible_. We'll then be able to look at five different translations for each verse before choosing the verses that we want to use.

Once we have the 35 references listed, we should then turn in our topical Bible to the recommended subjects of "longsuffering" and "meekness." We find nine references under "longsuffering" and 54 references under "meekness." These references also should be written down. We should eliminate all duplications of Scripture previously listed.

Additional references are also given at the end of "longsuffering" and "meekness." Each reader will have to decide just how far to go with these additional references. You'll soon find that you will have a _tremendous_ number of verses of Scripture.

We still haven't done anything with our other words — "steadfastness," "endurance" and "perseverance." Looking these up in the topical Bible, we find nothing listed under "steadfastness" and "endurance," but both of these refer us to "perseverance." When we look there we find a "gold mine" of 66 Scripture references plus references to other topics.

We should then list the chapter and verses of Scripture references, once again eliminating the duplicates. We're finished with the topical Bible for now. Next, we should go to the concordance and look up the same subjects.

When we do this, we'll usually find that at least 90% of these Scripture references have already been listed. However, it's usually worth the effort to acquire a few additional verses. Next, if you have other topical references, follow this same procedure. When this is done, we are then ready to go to a chain reference Bible and look up each of the verses of Scripture that we have listed.

_This is tedious. It requires a tremendous willingness to "grind it out."_ It requires a willingness to search and search and search, often going over the same ground many times in order to come up with a few more precious "gems." This method of Bible study is simple to understand, but it isn't easy. There are no "shortcuts." We must be willing to work very hard for a long period of time. _If we're hurting badly in a particular area, we will pay the necessary price to find the answers that God has for us._

Each of us has to decide how many references we want to write down. Personally, I like to exhaust every possible resource. It's not at all unusual for me to have at least a hundred references. On some subjects I have found several hundred references. Once we have all of these references listed, what do we do next?

I normally get out _The Living Bible_ and _The Comparative Study Bible_ and look up each of these verses of Scripture in five different versions of the Bible. As I do this, I leave out the references I don't want. I write each one I want to keep on a 3x5 plain file card or in a notebook, printing each of them neatly and carefully listing the Scripture reference and the version of the Bible. I also add any of my own comments or notes on the other side of the card or in a notebook. (It is important to only write on one side of the page in the notebook. You might want to cut up these notes and Scriptures to categorize them later. This won't work if you have written on both sides of the page.)

In addition to deciding on a subject and researching it thoroughly using the system that I have explained, it often is a good idea to consider books and cassette tapes on this subject for additional verses of Scripture, comments and notes. Most Christian bookstores have a fine selection of books on many subjects. Ask them what books are available on the specific subjects that you're interested in. Then prayerfully review these books.

Be careful about the Christian books that you read! Some of them can mislead you. I always browse through a Christian book to make sure the author has used many Scripture references. This isn't an infallible gauge, but I'm not interested in a lot of personal opinions by an author. I'm only interested in Christian books that help me to understand God's Word better.

Scan the book thoroughly in the bookstore. Pray and ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance. If you feel led to buy a particular book, read it prayerfully and carefully. A great deal of knowledge is found in books written by anointed authors that isn't available elsewhere. On the other hand, I have read many Christian books that contain errors, so it is important to be cautious.

Christian cassette tapes are another great source of Scriptural knowledge. _I have learned more from Christian cassette tapes than from any source except the Bible_. They are excellent because many times when people get up before an audience to teach God's Word, the anointing of the Holy Spirit falls upon them and every word of their anointed teaching is captured on tape.

I believe the cassette tape is a gift from God. By listening to them we can attend Christian meetings all over the world. We can listen continually to the most anointed Christian teachers speaking before live audiences and we can do this at a very low cost.

I advise every Christian who truly wants to learn the Word of God to accumulate a substantial number of catalogs of Christian cassette tapes. The best way to decide what catalogs to get is to listen carefully for several weeks to the Christian radio and television programming in your area.

Listen to each teacher. Do you believe they are anointed by the Holy Spirit? Do they stick closely to the Word of God in all of their teaching? If you can answer "yes" to these two questions, write and ask them for a catalog of their cassette tapes. At least 90% of the teachers on Christian radio and television have extensive catalogs.

If you work hard at this, it won't be long before you have at least ten to twenty tape catalogs. Then, using the "subject method" of Bible study, go through each of them and pick out one or more tapes on the subject that you are interested in. Order only one or two tapes from each teacher until you are fully confident of their anointing and Scriptural foundation. Sometimes the teaching on these tapes does not line up with the Word of God. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you discernment between truth and error. The more we learn about God's Word, the easier it will be to spot teaching that doesn't line up with it.

I have many catalogs of Christian tapes and more than one thousand anointed teaching tapes by various teachers. I rarely get into my automobile without listening to Christian tapes. If you would like our list of recommended Christian cassette catalogs, write to me c/o the publisher and enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. We'll send this list by return mail. (While you're writing, we'd appreciate receiving your comments on this book.)

I don't in any way imply that my list of tapes is complete because it isn't. We're constantly adding new names. However, I am satisfied that every teacher on this list is anointed by the Holy Spirit and that all (or virtually all) of the teaching that I have heard is in line with the truth of God's Word.

If you can't afford to build a cassette tape library of your own, enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope and ask for our list of Christian cassette lending libraries. We will give you the names of devoted Christian servants who will lend you Christian tapes at a very low cost. This enables any Christian on a moderate budget to listen continually to Christian tapes.

Listen carefully to these tapes. Take notes from them. Many times the speaker will give us verses of Scripture that we didn't know before and also many fresh new insights into verses of Scripture that we thought we knew well.

It is very important to spend a great deal of time accumulating Scripture from every possible source on the subject we're studying. We shouldn't take any shortcuts. We need to be thorough and diligent. We need to keep digging and searching. " _Search_ the Book of the Lord and see _all_ that he will do; _not one detail_ will he miss..." (Isaiah 34:16, TLB).

I have an unquenchable thirst for wisdom and knowledge. I can't think of anything more thrilling or fulfilling than to get into God's Word to dig out every possible bit of information on one subject after another. I look at God's Word somewhat like a gigantic puzzle. All of the pieces are there. It's up to us to find them and fit them together until they form a solid, cohesive whole.

We need to persist. We'll find a little bit here and a little bit there. We need to keep fitting the pieces together. It is thrilling and fulfilling to see all of these pieces from the Creator of the universe come together from many different sources. "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little..." (Isaiah 28:10, KJV).

This system of Bible study is very similar to constructing a house. We start with a solid foundation — the Word of God. There is no more solid foundation than this! Then, we build on this foundation, one piece at a time, fitting the pieces together until they make a solid whole.

So far, we have only done one thing and that is to collect a large number of verses of Scripture on a particular subject that we have chosen. Our next step is to make some sort of correlation between all of these verses of Scripture. I have done this many times.

Anyone who has followed our system will have several 3x5 cards on a given subject (or a notebook filled with several pages of Scripture references on the same subject). When this is completed, the next step is to wait until we're fresh at the start of a new day of Bible study and then to pray, asking the Holy Spirit to guide us to "rightly divide" this subject.

Then, we need to get all our verses of Scripture and go through them, trying to label each with a subtopic – a title with just a few words. This will get all of the material into workable categories for when we meditate on the Scriptures later on. If a few words that describe a particular portion of Scripture come to mind, we should write these words down. We should continue this process until we have gone through every verse of Scripture that has been listed.

The best way to show you how to do this is to give you an example from the subject of patience. After I had looked up every possible verse of Scripture on the subject of patience, I went through the Scriptures I had copied and wrote out the following list of topical subheadings:

  1. What does patience mean?

  2. Why are so many of us impatient?

  3. What does it mean "to take possession of our souls?"

  4. How do we take possession of our souls?

  5. How does patience relate to endurance?

  6. How does hurry relate to patience?

  7. How does worry relate to patience?

  8. How can we calm down and slow down?

  9. What does it mean to wait on the Lord?

  10. How does pride affect patience?

  11. Why is God's timing different from ours?

  12. What is the relationship between prayer and patience?

  13. How can we develop more endurance?

  14. Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. What is required for this fruit to be practiced in our lives?

  15. What is the relationship between faith and patience?

  16. What should we do when it seems as though we can't be patient any longer?

  17. How can we keep our attention off the problem and keep it focused on Jesus?

_Please don't be frustrated if you come up with an entirely different set of subheadings than I did._ I have used this procedure several dozen times over the past eleven years and I'll undoubtedly come up with many different subtopics than you will. (If you want to see this particular subject developed in its final form, listen to my tape "Taking Possession of Our Souls." My other cassette tapes are also good examples of using the "subject" method of studying the Bible.)

_Methods will differ, but principles always stay the same_. There are two principles here that we all should follow. First, collect all possible verses of Scripture on a particular subject using every conceivable source – topical Bible, concordance, reference Bible, study Bible, books, cassette tapes, etc. Second, once all of these verses of Scripture have been collected, try to subcategorize at least to some degree.

As we go through this process, much of the material that we have accumulated probably will be discarded. There isn't anything wrong with this. Our goal is to find everything that we possibly can on a given subject and then to "whittle it down to size" — to get it into some kind of order that we can work with.

This finishes the "accumulation stage." Now that we have paid the price of hard work, digging out many verses of Scripture on a particular subject and doing the best possible job that we can of categorizing these verses under subtopics, we're ready to move on to the next step —meditating day and night on the Scripture that we have found.

# Chapter 5  
Meditating on the Word of God

At this point, we have "collected" a great deal of scriptural material on the subject that we have decided to study. This consists of a big stack of 3x5 cards or a notebook filled with many pages of handwritten notes. Each of these cards or each numbered item in the notebook consists of a portion of Scripture with perhaps a few notes or comments. These have been grouped together into categories. To categorize the material in the notebook, simply cut up each item on every page and then group them.

What do we do with this mess of information? The answer is to _meditate_ on it. When we _study_ God's Word, we _feed_ ourselves with spiritual food. When we meditate on God's Word, we _digest_ this spiritual food. If we have carefully followed the process that has been outlined, we have "eaten" a great deal of spiritual food. Now we need to learn how to digest it so that we can put it to use.

The Word of God places tremendous emphasis on meditation. God's Word says that _we succeed by meditating on His Word day and night_. "This book of the law shall _not_ depart from your mouth, but you shall _meditate on it day and night_ , so that you may be careful to _do_ according to all that is written in it; for _then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success_ " (Joshua 1:8, NAS).

Let's study this verse of Scripture on meditation in detail and actually meditate on it — turning it over and over, looking at it from every angle to see how it applies in our own lives.

At the end of this verse of Scripture, God gives us His promise. He says that, if we meet the conditions of this verse of Scripture, we will be prosperous and successful. The Hebrew word that is translated "prosperous" isn't limited to financial prosperity. It means spiritual prosperity — prosperity in every area of our lives.

This verse of Scripture tells us that "this book of the law" (the Word of God) shall not depart out of our mouths. If something doesn't depart out of our mouths, this means that it is in our mouths continually. When we "meditate day and night" on a verse of Scripture, we need to open our mouths and speak this verse of Scripture continually – over and over and over again throughout the day and night.

_Spiritual power is released by speaking the Word of God._ In fact, the Hebrew word that is translated "meditate" in Joshua 1:8 actually means "to murmur" or " _to mutter_ " – to speak the Word of God constantly. There is a very close connection between meditating in God's Word and speaking it continually.

Joshua 1:8 tells us to meditate on God's Word day and night. We have already seen that meditation means to speak God's Word continually. What else do we do when we meditate on God's Word?

My definition of meditation is "to reflect quietly, deeply and thoroughly on a subject over a period of time." When we meditate on the Word of God, we take one portion of Scripture and meditate on this throughout at least one day and night.

Before we start this process, we should ask the Holy Spirit to cause this portion of Scripture to come alive. We should ask Him to personalize it – to show us exactly how it applies to us and how it can be used in our lives. We should ask Him to expand this portion of Scripture – to show us new shades of meaning that we haven't seen before.

Most of us have jobs that require us to work eight hours or more each day. We also have family, church and community responsibilities. Because of these commitments, we obviously can't _study_ God's Word throughout the day and night.

As I have mentioned in my previous books, God's Word tells us that the best time to _study_ His Word is in the early morning. When we have finished our morning study on whatever the Lord leads us to study on this particular subject, then we should spend the _rest_ of the day and night _meditating_ on Scripture. We may not be able to study God's Word throughout the day and night, but we certainly can meditate on one portion of Scripture during that time.

We can meditate on it while we're showering, while we're driving to work, whenever possible while we're at work, on our breaks, on our lunch hour, when we drive home from work and during quiet time in the evening. Housewives can meditate on specific verses of Scripture while they're cooking, washing and ironing clothes, washing dishes, cleaning the house, buying groceries, etc.

Not only can we meditate throughout the day and night of our work week, but we have even more time to meditate on God's Word on weekends, holidays and vacations. If we stop to think about it, most of us have an abundance of time to meditate on the Word of God!

_Continual meditation on the Word of God is the key that unlocks the door of success in our lives._ Our Father wants us to meditate on His Word throughout the day and night. Let's be very honest. How many of us actually do this? How many of us even come close? If we don't do this, we shouldn't wonder why we're not very successful in overcoming the problems in our lives. The answer is simple. Many of us fail to solve problems because we don't do what the Word of God tells us to do. If our Father gives us instructions and we ignore them, we can't expect Him to bless us to the fullest.

Many of us allow other things to come ahead of studying and meditating on the Word of God. God's Word doesn't even come close to getting first place in most of our lives. This is wrong! God's Word clearly tells us that, if we put Him first and keep Him first, _everything else will be taken care of_. "...seek for (aim at and strive after) _first of all_ His kingdom, and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right], and _then all these things taken together will be given you besides_ " (Matthew 6:33, AMP).

Some of us have our priorities completely backward. We're all caught up in this, that and the other thing when we should be putting God's Word in first place – far, far ahead of anything else that we concern ourselves with. If we do this and keep on doing this, He promises that He'll take care of all of those other things for us!

Are we honestly getting up in the morning to study the Word of God? Are we passing up precious moments when we could be meditating – while driving our automobiles, while exercising, while doing routine tasks which leave our minds free and when we have breaks during the day and night? Are we really giving large amounts of time to meditation on God's Word?

We should discipline ourselves to take advantage of every minute of discretionary time. Some of us are passing up many opportunities. This is a "luxury" that we cannot afford. If we meditate continually on God's Word, our lives will be transformed! Give this system a fair trial and see for yourself.

Before getting into specific procedures for meditation on God's Word, I'd like to say one last word on the subject of meditating "day and night." It is very important to meditate on God's Word at night, especially just before we go to bed. What do many of us do instead? We watch some of the poor television programs that are on today and then top it off by watching the late news. What a way to prepare ourselves for a good night's sleep!

Some of us need to change our habits and cut down on the television and cut out the late evening news. It can wait until morning – in fact, much of it can be ignored. Instead, we should spend a good amount of time each evening meditating on God's Word. This is especially important just before we go to sleep. If we do this in the evening, many of us will sleep a lot better and we'll wake up much more refreshed. If we meditate on God's Word just before we go to sleep, our inner person can turn it over and over throughout the night while the outer person sleeps. This is extremely beneficial to us.

Now that we have laid the foundation for meditating on God's Word, let's get very specific. Exactly how do we go about meditating day and night? As with the study of the Bible, there isn't any one method. However, I know that the method that I use works. So, let me show you this specific method of meditating on the Word of God.

Meditation is the " _bridge_ " between studying God's Word and acting on God's Word. I believe that 3x5 file cards are excellent for meditation. The verse or verses of Scripture that we want to meditate on should be printed neatly on a 3x5 card. A few brief comments can be added on the other side of the card. If you copied the Scriptures in a notebook, now is a good time to copy them on to file cards for meditation.

We should take this card with us for at least 24 hours. Men can carry it in their shirt pocket. Working women can carry it in their purse. Housewives can keep it in front of them as they work at home.

Throughout the day, we should meditate on this Scripture every chance we get. We should speak it out loud over and over and over. We should pray, asking God, "Exactly how does this verse of Scripture apply to me? Show me how You want me to change so that I can live my life more in accordance with the way these verses of Scripture tell me to live it."

This system works beautifully! There aren't any shortcuts. We shouldn't try to rush it. We shouldn't give ourselves "spiritual indigestion" by trying to gobble down more than one Scripture per day. We need to "chew" this slowly. We need to turn it over and over, think about it and personalize it. If we "only" do one verse of Scripture each day, we still will have meditated on 30 separate verses each month and more than 350 each year!

God never hurries. He doesn't want us to, either. He wants us to chew our spiritual food slowly. He wants us to digest it properly. If we do this, we'll get maximum spiritual nutrition from each precious morsel.

# Chapter 6  
Our Hearts – the Key to Our Lives

God's Word isn't effective in our lives until we pay the price of getting it off the printed pages, into our minds and then down into our hearts. How do we do this? We do this by meditating continually on the Word of God.

Continual meditation in God's Word will cause the Holy Scriptures to become firmly established in our _minds_. As we _continue_ to meditate, this will then cause the Scripture to _drop down into our hearts_. _This is the key to life_. Our lives center around _what we really believe in our hearts_. We should be willing to work diligently, each day meditating on God's Word so that it will come alive in our hearts. Nothing is more important. " _Keep your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life_ " (Proverbs 4:23, AMP).

I don't believe that memorizing God's Word is very effective by itself. We must go farther. Memorization takes place in the mind. As we meditate over and over and over on a verse of Scripture, _this_ is what causes it to drop 18 inches from our minds into our hearts – into the very center of our being. God's Word places a very high priority on what is in our hearts. He knows exactly what we believe deep down inside of our hearts. "...God knoweth your hearts..." (Luke 16:15, KJV).

This is where the Holy Spirit lives. When we get God's Word into our hearts, it goes into storage. It is there just waiting to be used. When a problem comes up in our lives and we need a particular verse of Scripture, the Holy Spirit will bring it to our minds. Jesus said, "...And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you." (John 14:26, AMP).

This is the key to life! Our Father wants us to fill our hearts with Scripture. When our hearts are filled with His Word, this aligns us properly with the Holy Spirit in us. He's the Author of God's Word. He cannot work effectively in our lives until our hearts are lined up with Him.

Our hearts will store as many verses of Scripture as we can put in them. When Satan tries to get into our minds with a negative thought or when a negative situation arises, our minds should search our "computers" to see what we have stored there. If our spiritual computers have been programmed properly, our hearts will be filled with a wide variety of Scripture that will cover every conceivable area where Satan could attack us. When we fill our hearts with instructions from His Word, this gives us strength and opens the door for Him to bless us. "How blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the highways to Zion!" (Psalm 84:5, NAS).

The more we fill our hearts with God's Word, the more we'll rejoice because when our hearts are filled with the pure truth of God's Word this will give us great spiritual insight when we need it. "The precepts of the Lord are right, _rejoicing the heart_ ; the commandment of the Lord is _pure and bright, enlightening the eyes_ ..." (Psalm 19:8, AMP).

The more we meditate on God's Word, the more it will come alive to us. With each passing week, the Holy Spirit will unveil more and more of God's magnificent truth to us. Our hearts will be in awe of the magnificent spiritual truth of God's Word. "...my heart stands in awe of Your words..." (Psalm 119:161, AMP).

As we meditate more and more on the verses of Scripture that we have selected, we'll realize that they are _much more_ than just a few words on a small card. These words will come alive! We'll realize that these verses of Scripture actually reveal the living God – the Creator of the entire universe – speaking directly to us, personalizing His instructions to us, showing us exactly how He wants us to use them in our lives.

Many people try to stockpile money and possessions for security in a time of emergency. We instinctively understand the need to "store up," but God doesn't want us to hoard material things. In fact, His Word specifically warns us against this. _He wants us to store up His Word_. If we store up God's Word in our hearts, our spiritual ears will be open to His wisdom and we'll understand how He wants us to live our lives. "...accept my words and _store up my commands within you_ , turning your ear to _wisdom_ and applying your heart to _understanding_ ..." (Proverbs 2:1-2, NIV).

_There is no greater security on the face of this earth than a heart that is filled to overflowing with the Word of God_. Our Father wants us to work diligently at the process of meditating on His Word so that these verses of Scripture will remain in our hearts for the rest of our lives, always being available to us. "... _Let thine heart retain my words_ ..." (Proverbs 4:4, KJV).

Every aspect of our lives should revolve around His Word living in our hearts. "...lay up these My words in your [mind and ] heart and in your [entire] being..." (Deuteronomy 11:18, AMP).

Our Father wants very much for us to write His Word down and then to keep it deep within our hearts. "... _Guard my words as your most precious possession. Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart_ " (Proverbs 7:2-3, TLB).

God's Word has a home – a place where it is meant to be – and that place is in the very center of our hearts. "Let the word [spoken by] the Christ, the Messiah, _have its home (in your hearts and minds) and dwell in you in [all its] richness_ ..." (Colossians 3:16, AMP).

The key to our lives here on earth is for God's Word and the Holy Spirit to live side by side in our hearts, controlling our words, thoughts and actions. When we grasp the tremendous significance of this truth, we'll realize the importance of meditating continually on God's Word. This should be a constant process, day and night, every day of our lives. " _My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart_ " (Proverbs 4:20-21, AMP).

Our Father wants very much to make His wisdom available to us. However, He'll never force it on us. He has given us freedom to choose. If we decide to study and meditate continually in His Word in order to fill our hearts with His wisdom, He is very pleased. "My son, if your heart is wise, My own heart also will be glad..." (Proverbs 23:15, NAS).

Some people think that Bible study is dry. They are wrong. Nothing is more exciting than to have God's Word continually flowing into our hearts! When this happens, we come alive spiritually. We understand great truths that were hidden in the past. If we continually fill our hearts with the Word of God, we will be guided to a long, full, successful life. "... _keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity_ " (Proverbs 3:1-2, NIV).

If every area of our lives revolves around the Lord Jesus Christ and if His Word fills our hearts, answers to our prayers will be assured. " _If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you a_ _nd_ _continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you_." (John 15:7, AMP).

The more we meditate on God's Word, the more firmly it will establish itself in our hearts. Our faith in it will be extremely solid. Nothing will shake us. No matter what comes at us, we won't be afraid. Our faith in God's promises will be so strong that fear won't be able to get a foothold. Our faith will cause us to be triumphant. " _He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes_ " (Psalm 112:7-8, NIV).

It is possible to go through life with a very high degree of spiritual success. No matter what comes at us, if our hearts are full of God's Word, it will not be able to knock us off our feet. " _The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide_ " (Psalm 37:31, KJV).

Many of us go to church regularly and sing and praise the Lord, but our hearts aren't filled with God's Word. It's good to honor God with our lips, but this won't help us if we haven't filled our hearts with His Word. "These people honor me with their lips, _but their hearts are far from me_ " (Matthew 15:8, NIV).

It is very obvious that the key to life is what we really believe deep down in our hearts. If we will meditate continually in God's Word, our hearts will be centered around Him and we'll draw closer to Him. We'll experience some of the close relationship that we're going to have in heaven right here on earth.

# Chapter 7  
From Our Hearts to Our Mouths

Next, I'd like to take a good look at a subject that isn't usually connected with studying the Bible – continually speaking God's Word with our mouths. As we'll soon see, God's Word clearly shows us that this is essential if our Bible study is to have practical application in our lives.

As a Bible teacher and Christian counselor for the past ten years, I have seen many Christians attend church regularly and study the Bible faithfully and still not walk in victory. Many sincere, devoted, caring Christians fail to live victorious lives because of a lack of understanding of the facts that will be brought out in this chapter.

If we don't control our words the way that God's Word tells us to, our walk with the Lord will not bear fruit. " _If anyone considers himself religions and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless_ " (James 1:26, NIV).

If we want to receive God's blessings, it is extremely important to line up the words that come out of our mouths with the words of God in the Holy Scriptures. "From the fruit of a man's mouth he enjoys good..." (Proverbs 13:2, NAS).

Unfortunately, this subject of speaking the Word of God is very controversial. The controversy has been caused by the widespread "name it and claim it" teaching that has been prevalent in recent years. Some of this teaching is sound and balanced, but much of it has been badly twisted. It has often been taught as a way to manipulate God by "saying the right thing."

This is wrong. Speaking the Word of God is not enough. When we speak God's Word, we can release significant amounts of spiritual power, but this can be done only if all the principles explained in this book are brought into manifestation. "...the kingdom of God consists of and is based on _not talk_ but power (moral power and excellence of soul)." (I Corinthians 4:20, AMP).

We need to do more than just speak God's Word. In order to release spiritual power, we also must believe deeply in what we say. Words that aren't backed by strong faith have little or no spiritual power. Many "name it and claim it" teachers emphasize the truth about speaking God's Word, but fail to stress the need for hard hours of Bible study and meditation that are needed to get God's Word solidly established in our hearts before we speak it with our mouths.

_God's laws pertaining to the positive release of spiritual power by the words we speak do not go into effect until they are based upon the solid foundation of a believing heart filled with the Word of God._ The principles of speaking God's Word will not work on our behalf if this confession comes from our _minds_. Confession is a spiritual principle and it will bring results in the spiritual realm only to the degree that it comes out of our hearts. Let's take a close look at what the Scriptures teach about the correlation between what we believe in our hearts and the words that come out of our mouths.

We have to fill our hearts with God's Word before its power can be released through our mouths. " _The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips_." (Proverbs 16:23, KJV).

God's Word often correlates the relationship between believing in our hearts and speaking with our mouths. "...with the _heart_ man believeth ... and with the _mouth_ confession is made..." (Romans 10:10, KJV).

If you'd like to spend some time studying and meditating on this principle, take a good look at the well-known verses of Scripture, Romans 10:8-10. On three different occasions these verses point out the connection that God makes between our hearts and our mouths.

These verses of Scripture are the foundation for our salvation. Before we can be reborn spiritually, we must believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus Christ is our Savior. _This same principle that starts our lives as Christians must be applied throughout our lives in order to bring the glorious victory of Jesus Christ into full manifestation in our lives._

If we believe God's Word and don't continually release this faith with our mouths, this is similar to having a high-powered automobile in the driveway without ever turning the key in the ignition. Until God's Word comes out of a deeply believing heart, we're just hoping and wishing in vain. It is very important to pay the price of getting God's Word deep into our hearts. If we work diligently at this, we can be assured that this belief in our hearts will come pouring out of our mouths.

Jesus explained this when He said, "...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth _speaketh_ " (Matthew 12:34, KJV).

When we are in a crisis situation, _whatever our hearts are filled with_ – positive or negative – _will_ pour out of our mouths. If our hearts are filled with something and we believe deeply in it, we _cannot stop it_ from coming out of our mouths even if we want to. "... _the human tongue can be tamed by no man_ ..." (James 3:8, AMP).

In other words, we _cannot_ control our tongues with willpower. In a crisis situation, sooner or later we'll blurt out what we really believe. The key to our tongues is what we really believe in our hearts. The secret to releasing what we believe in our hearts is to fill them so abundantly with this belief that it cannot help but pour out of our mouths.

Again and again, this principle is taught in God's Word. Jesus said, "...those things which proceed out of the mouth _come forth from the heart_ ..." (Matthew 15:18, KJV).

We can clearly see this by taking a careful look at the following well-known words from Jesus Christ. "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall _say_ unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; _and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith_." (Mark 11:23, KJV).

Whenever we are faced with a "mountain" – any difficult problem that must be overcome – we need to open our mouths and speak to that problem by releasing the spiritual power of God's Word. However, as Jesus pointed out, speaking God's Word must be backed up by deep belief in our hearts – belief that is based upon long hours of diligent study and meditation in God's Word.

If we deeply believe God's Word and do not doubt it in the least, this rock-solid faith will just pour out of our mouths. It will be greater than any problem that will ever come at us. The _combination_ of deeply believing in our hearts and then speaking what we believe with our mouths releases spiritual power. This gives us victory over the "mountains" in our lives – the difficult problems that seem too high to climb but really aren't when we understand and apply this rock-solid spiritual principle of deep belief in our hearts combined with continually speaking this belief with our mouths.

How can anyone deny that the Word of God clearly tells us that the step after believing in the heart is confessing with the mouth? If any reader has a problem in this area because of the "name it and claim it" teaching, please go over these past few pages. _See that this teaching is only valid to the degree that it is based upon a heart that has been filled as a result of diligent study and meditation in the Word of God._

If God's Word is in our hearts, it is very important for us to speak it with faith. "...he who has My word, _let him speak My word faithfully_ ..." (Jeremiah 23:28, AMP).

When we are in right standing with God, as a result of being in harmony with Him through obeying the instructions in His Word, we need to open our mouths and allow the wisdom that is deep in our hearts to come out. " _The mouth of the righteous_ [ _those harmonious with God_ ] _brings forth skillful and godly Wisdom_ ..." (Proverbs 10:31, AMP).

In the natural world, power is released physically and financially. I _n the spiritual realm, power is released by the words we speak_. The Word of God is full of spiritual power. "... _no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment_ " (Luke 1:37, AMP).

If God's Word says that something can be done, it _can_ be done and it will be done _if_ we deeply believe it, continually confess it and then act on it in faith, persevering and refusing to budge one inch until God brings into manifestation that which He has promised in His Word! Study and meditation in God's Word _stores up spiritual power_. Speaking God's Word out of a faith-filled heart is the _first step_ to the release of this spiritual power.

God's Word is supernaturally alive. When we speak His Word out of a faith-filled heart, this releases the power of Almighty God! In the spiritual realm, we come alive by what we say. Also, spiritual death can be brought into manifestation as a result of what we say ... or don't say. " _The tongue has the power of life and death_ ..." (Proverbs 18:21, NIV).

Many of us continually release negative power and then we wonder why God doesn't bless us. This will always happen when we continually speak spiritual death instead of spiritual life. God's Word is spiritually alive. Words of worry, fear and doubt are spiritually dead.

No matter how bad a crisis might seem, if we refuse to waver and keep on speaking God's Word backed by unwavering faith, we will come out on top. "... _the speech of the upright rescues them_ " (Proverbs 12:6, NIV).

No matter what subject we decide to study in the Bible, we must get the Scripture pertaining to it into our hearts and coming out of our mouths in order to experience victory.

God gave us a clear example of this in the first chapter of the Bible. Anyone who takes the time to study this chapter to see how many times it reads " _God says_ " will get a glimpse at the power of the spoken Word of God. If we study the four gospels carefully, we'll see how Jesus spoke His miracles into being before they were manifested. The power of God's Word is amazing. " _How forcible are right words_!..." (Job 6:25, KJV).

Our mouths are like fountains. If our hearts are right with the Word of God, spiritual power will pour out of those fountains. "The mouth of the righteous is a _fountain of life_ ..." (Proverbs 10:11, NIV).

Our words are seeds and they will produce the fruit of blessings to the degree that they line up with His Word. "From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things..." (Proverbs 12:14, NIV).

If we have paid the price of continual study and meditation on God's Word, we'll _know_ what we should and shouldn't say and we _won't_ speak words that will _block_ the power of God. "The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous know [ _and therefore utter_ ] _what is acceptable_ ..." (Proverbs 10:32, AMP).

When we continually speak God's Word, this edifies us – it builds us up and strengthens us. This also edifies other people. "Let _no_ unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but _only_ such a word as is _good for edification_ according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear" (Ephesians 4:29, NAS).

As we go through this process of carefully examining the areas in our lives that are giving us problems and then studying and meditating on that particular subject in God's Word, it is very important to check the words coming out of our mouths. _Are_ we continually speaking words that emphasize the solution? Or, do our words give more power to the _problem_?

Every time we speak negatively about problems, _we magnify the power of those problems_. Every time we boldly speak the Word of God out of a faith-filled, Word-filled heart, _we magnify the solution to these problems_. The more we speak negatively, _the more our unbelief grows_ and the more we put ourselves in _bondage_ to the problems that are bothering us. Conversely, the more we speak _positively_ based upon God's Word, _the more our faith will grow_ and we will _escape_ from the bondage of the problems that are affecting us.

_This_ is why God's Word says, "... _faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God_." (Romans 10:17, KJV).

Romans 10:17 does _not_ say that faith comes from _studying_ or _meditating_ on the Word of God. It _is_ necessary to study God's Word to get it into our minds. It is necessary to meditate on God's Word to get it down into our hearts. However, _we must not stop there_.

We need to have such an abundance of God's Word in our hearts that it will overflow continually out of our mouths. We must realize that faith grows from the _spoken_ word of God ("rhema") and _not_ from the _written_ word of God ("logos"). It is our responsibility to study and meditate continually in God's Word in order to put the "logos" into our minds and hearts. If this job is done correctly, _then_ the "rhema" will flow out of our mouths.

_Faith comes from hearing the Word of God._ Faith _will_ grow from continually hearing _others_ speak the Word of God, but I have found that _faith grows much more rapidly when our ears continually hear our lips speaking the Word of God_! When our hearts are full of God's Word and our mouths speak it continually, a supernatural effect takes place in our spirits.

Many Christians study God's Word faithfully, but seldom speak it. It is very important to take the verses of Scripture that we have collected on any given subject and speak these verses of Scripture again ... and again ... and again.

I don't let a day go by without opening my mouth several times to speak the Word of God. If we get into the habit of continuously filling our hearts with the truth of God's Word and then speaking this powerful truth with our mouths several times each day, this will transform our lives! When our ears continually hear our mouths say the same words that God says, our faith will grow tremendously.

# Chapter 8  
The Continual Release of Spiritual Power

It is very important for us to say what God says and to say it again ... and again ... and again. Negative confession blocks the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. Continual positive confession releases His mighty power. He cannot release His power through us if our words continually fail to line up with His Book. If He released His power in response to negative confession, He'd be going against His own Word.

I'm not saying that, if any negative words ever come out of our mouths, God won't act on our behalf. Of course He can make exceptions. Almighty God can do whatever He wants. Also, if we realize that we have sinned by confessing negatively and go to Him and ask His forgiveness, He will forgive us. However, it is very important for each of us to concentrate regularly on filling our hearts with God's Word so that faith-filled words continually pour out of our mouths, thus releasing God's power on our behalf.

Faith-filled words also release the power of angels. God has provided each of us with angels to work for us. They continually work on our behalf when faith-filled words from God's Word continually pour out of our mouths. "...you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, _hearkening to the voice of His word_ " (Psalm 103:20, AMP).

We loose the power of the Holy Spirit and His angels when we continually speak the Word of God out of a faith-filled heart. In fact, the words that we speak actually are the keys that open up the kingdom of heaven. "I will give you _the keys of the kingdom of heaven_ ; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19, AMP).

Of all the creatures that God has created, only man has been given the opportunity to choose and speak words. When Satan and his angels – the evil spirits – try to come at us, we can bind them – stop them dead in their tracks by boldly speaking God's Word out of a faith- filled heart.

When we make proper use of the spiritual weapons that we have been given, Satan and his evil spirits are powerless. Jesus took away _every bit_ of their power and gave it all to us. "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy [possesses], and _nothing_ shall in any way harm you" (Luke 10:19, AMP).

We must realize what Jesus said here. When He spoke of serpents and scorpions, He referred to Satan and his demon spirits. The victory that Jesus won for us has given us the authority to _walk all over them_ – to _trample_ them under our feet. He has given us authority over _all_ of their power and _nothing_ that they try to do to us can harm us if we react properly with the weapons that we have been given – the Word of God, the Spirit of God and the angels of God.

If we work diligently at filling our hearts to overflowing with the supernatural power of God's Word, we will have this power stored up and available to be released whenever Satan and his angels try to come at us. If we speak God's Word continually, our faith will grow so strong that our shield of faith will be able to put out every flaming arrow that Satan fires at us. "...take up _the shield of faith_ , with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16, NIV).

We are able to bind the power of Satan and his fallen angels with our words. We are able to loose the power of the Holy Spirit and His angels with our words. There are no limits to what we can do except those that we set by lack of faith in our hearts or lack of spiritual power coming out of our mouths.

_Too many of us are saying what Satan wants us to say instead of what God wants us to say_. Too many of us repeat the negative thoughts that Satan's evil spirits whisper into our ears instead of denying every one of them, and, instead, boldly speaking the Word of God.

If we boldly and continually speak God's Word regarding our problem, we will break Satan's hold on our lives in this area! This often takes a great deal of time and perseverance, but it will work if we refuse to waver and keep on boldly speaking God's Word.

When God speaks a word, it cannot return to Him without producing results. When we speak His Word and hang on with the faith of God – unwavering faith and perseverance – it's the same as God speaking. His Word will produce success. "So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it _shall_ accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it _shall_ prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11, AMP).

The words that we continually speak give Satan and his evil spirits a clear indication of exactly how strong our faith is. Our words show them exactly where we are in the spiritual realm and in exactly what areas of our lives they should apply more pressure. _If we realize this, we'll stop giving them tips on our weak points_. Instead, we need to find the areas where we're weak, learn what God's Word says about that area, fill our hearts with it and boldly speak this with our mouths.

When we speak negative, doubting, fearful words, we're actually opening the door to Satan and saying, "Come on in. Make yourself at home." When we continually speak positive, faith-filled words from God's Word, we slam the door in Satan's face and lock it!

When we're dealing with a difficult problem and we allow negative, doubting, fearful words to come out of our mouths, what we're actually doing – although most of us don't realize it – is to deny the victory of Jesus Christ and acknowledge the supremacy of Satan. Most Christians would deny this vehemently, but Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do _all_ things through the strength of Jesus Christ.

Any negative, doubting, fearful words that come out of our mouths deny this great spiritual truth and thereby give power to Satan that he cannot get in any other way. Negative words drain our emotions. What a waste it is to speak words that deny God's Word!

We can defeat our enemy in every area if we use our hearts and mouths properly against him. Conversely, we can forfeit the victory that Jesus Christ gave us if we use our hearts and mouths improperly. Our words can lift us above any influence from the enemy, but they can also lift him up and give him power that he cannot get in any other way.

All of us make this decision every day of our lives by the amount of time we spend studying and meditating in God's Word and by the words that come out of our mouths. Satan is very cunning. Many Christians do not study and meditate in God's Word each day and do not boldly speak God's Word each day and, yet, everything seems to go well in their lives. Many of us rationalize and think that we don't have to study and meditate continually in God's Word. We must not become complacent! Satan can bide his time for many years and then "lower the boom."

We have already seen in the sixth chapter of Ephesians where God has given us a shield of faith to resist every arrow that Satan fires at us. This chapter describes the other defensive weapons that our Father has given us to use against Satan. It also tells us about our one offensive weapon. "...the _sword_ of the Spirit, which is the word of God..." (Ephesians 6:17, KJV).

God's Word is our sword – the only offensive weapon He has given us to use against Satan in every confrontation. If we continually speak God's Word, its wisdom will protect us. "...the lips of the wise _protect them_ " (Proverbs 14:3, NIV).

Satan can't get at us when we continually submit to the Lord and fire God's Word at him. Instead, he turns away and runs. "...be subject to _God_. Resist the devil [stand _firm_ against him], and _he will flee from you_." (James 4:7, AMP).

Satan cannot stand up against the Word of God when it is backed by bold, persistent, unwavering, enduring faith. Matthew 4:4, 7 and 10 tell us exactly how Jesus used the Word of God to overcome Satan. Each time He said, "It is written" and then spoke the Word of God. When Jesus returns to earth, once again He will use His mouth as a sword. " _From His mouth goes forth at sharp sword_ ..." (Revelation 19:15, AMP).

When Satan comes hard at us in any area of our lives, we need to come back at him even harder. We do this by opening our mouths and sticking him hard with our swords – appropriate verses of Scripture from God's Word.

I ask each reader of this book to ask yourself these questions, "How much 'attacking' am I doing? How much time do I spend on the offensive, boldly attacking the enemy with the Sword of God's Word that fills my heart?"

Instead, are you usually on the defensive? Many Christians seldom, if ever, go on the offensive against Satan because many of us seldom, if ever, open our mouths to boldly and persistently speak the Word of God out of a faith-filled heart.

We must realize the immense power of the Word of God. God controls the entire universe by His Word. "... _upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power_ ..." (Hebrews 1:3, AMP).

If God's Word is powerful enough to control the entire universe, it certainly is powerful enough to defeat Satan in any area where he is trying to attack us!

Sinners get into trouble with the words they speak, but our Father wants us to learn what His Word says and to _refuse to compromise_ on the words we speak. He wants us to realize fully that carefully chosen words lined up with His Word will get us out of trouble. "The wicked is [dangerously] snared by the transgression of his lips, _but the_ [ _uncompromisingly_ ] _righteous shall come out of trouble_." (Proverbs 12:13, AMP). "He who guards his mouth and his tongue _keeps himself from troubles_ " (Proverbs 21:23, AMP).

What a tragedy it is to see so many Christians caught in the same trap as sinners – speaking words that do not line up with God's Word. Romans 12:2 tells us that we should not conform to the world's way of doing things. Instead, we should be _transformed_ by continually renewing our minds in God's Word. If we do this properly, our hearts will be filled with God's Word and it will pour abundantly out of our lips, thereby delivering us from trouble.

The more we speak God's Word, the more He speaks through us and the more His power is released. When we get to the point where His Word flows out of our mouths just as naturally as our own words come out of our mouths, we will fully experience the total victory that Jesus Christ has given us. "For we _all_ often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does _not_ offend in speech [ _never says the wrong things_ ], _he is a fully developed character_ _and_ _a perfect man, able to control his whole body_ _and_ _to curb his entire nature._ " (James 3:2, AMP).

# Chapter 9  
The Final Step – Obeying God's Instructions

Would it make any sense for someone to go through medical school, become an M.D. and never practice medicine? Would it make any sense for someone to go through college, study architecture, become an architect and never design a building? Does it make any sense to study the Bible, learn exactly what it ways to do and _not obey its instructions_?

Any book that tells us how to study the Bible also should tell us how important it is to _do_ what the Word of God tells us to do. In this book we have discussed how to study and meditate on God's Word, how to fill our hearts with it and speak it with our mouths. What is the purpose of all this effort? "... _the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind_ _and_ _in your heart, so that you can do it_." (Deuteronomy 30:14 AMP).

The whole reason for getting God's Word in our minds, in our hearts and in our mouths is so we will _do what it says to do_!

Let's look again at Joshua 1:8, the verse of Scripture that tells us how to be successful in everything we do. We have already looked at this verse of Scripture in regard to its instructions to meditate in God's Word day and night and to speak it continually. We do these two things so that we can carefully _do_ everything that God's Word tells us to do. "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, _so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it_ ; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success" (Joshua 1:8, NAS).

Meditating on and speaking God's Word continually builds the foundation. Success and prosperity are the final result. The connecting link between the foundation and the end result is to be very careful to do exactly what God's Word tells us to do. Please study and meditate carefully on this verse of Scripture until you clearly see the absolute importance that our heavenly Father places on this.

We will succeed in the various activities in our lives to the degree that we actually follow all of the instructions that God's Word gives us. " _Keep_ the charge of the Lord your God, to _walk_ in His ways, to _keep_ His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and _wherever_ you turn" (I Kings 2:3 NAS)

Our Father doesn't place any limits on us. He doesn't say we can succeed in some things and not in others. _He says that we can succeed in everything we do_. This is a conditional promise, however. He will do His part if we do ours. _What is our part_? It is to _follow exactly_ _the instructions_ He has given in His Word.

We become disciples of Jesus Christ by "abiding" in His Word – by "saturating" ourselves in it, studying and meditating on it continually. When we do this, we'll learn how He wants us to live our lives. Then we have the ability to live in accordance with His instructions. The words "disciple" and "discipline" come from the same root. We must have the discipline to follow these instructions before we can become disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If we "abide" in God's Word, we'll learn its great truths. If we live in accordance with these truths, we will be set free from all bondage. "... _If you abide in My word_ [ _hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them_ ], _you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free_." (John 8:31-32 AMP)

This is so clear! Many of us are in bondage to Satan in one or more areas. Usually, we are in bondage because we don't know what God's Word says or because we're not doing what God's Word tells us to do in regard to this particular area. We can become free from bondage if we will _learn_ the truth from God's Word and _do_ what our Father tells us. Nothing makes Him happier. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children _walk in truth_." (III John 4 KJV).

None of us will do what God's Word tells us to do unless we study and meditate continually in His Book of Instructions. Only then will it become automatic. Only then will our "computers" be programmed with the Word of God so that no matter what situation comes up, we will have the solution "programmed" into our hearts. As a result, we'll _do_ what God's Word tells us to. This will cause our Father to bless us in _everything_ that we do. "...if anyone _keeps looking steadily_ into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but _he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does_." (James 1:25 TLB)

Again and again, God's Word tells us that we can succeed in every area of our lives if we'll learn what He tells us to do in this particular area and then _do_ it.

In His marvelous Sermon on the Munt, Jesus placed great emphasis on _doing_ what He tells us to do. He said that if we learn what God's Word says and then _do_ it, our lives will be built on a solid, rock-like foundation and we will be able to stand up against any storms that come against us. However, if we hear the Word of God _without doing what it says_ , our lives will be built on a foundation that is like sand and we'll crumble and fall apart when the storms of life come against us:

"...everyone who hears these words of mine _and puts them into practice_ is like a wise man who built his house on the _rock_. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; _yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock_. But everyone who hears these words of mine and _does not put them into practice_ is like a foolish man who built his house on _sand_. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and _it fell with a great crash_." (Matthew 7:24-27 NIV).

Again and again we see that when the going gets tough, the keys to success are, (a) to _know_ what God's Word says about that particular area and then, (b) to _do_ what God's Word says to do. When we don't do these two things, Satan is able to get us to betray the victory that Jesus has given us. He is able to deceive us into doing what we think is right instead of _doing what God's Word says to do_. "... _be doers of the Word_ [ _obey the message_ ], _and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves_ [ _into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth_ ]." (James 1:22 AMP).

_The Amplified Bible_ explains this beautifully! We betray ourselves if we follow our human reasoning which may seem right to us, but actually does not line up with God's Word. God's ways are usually very different from our ways. What seems logical to us is often very different from what God wants us to do. That's why it is so important to learn exactly what His Word says to do and then to follow His instructions.

Jesus placed great emphasis on doing what He tells us to do. He pointed out that many of us say that He is our Lord, go to church and think we lead good lives, but then don't do what He tells us to do. "...why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and _do not the things which I say_?" (Luke 6:46 KJV).

We can't honestly say that Jesus is our Lord unless we're doing what His Word tells us to do. He showed this clearly by His reaction when His mother and His brothers wanted to see Him and couldn't get close because of the crowd. "Then Jesus' mother and His brothers came along toward Him, but they could not get to Him because of the crowd. And it was told Him, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to have an interview with You. But He answered them, _My mother and My brothers are those who listen to the Word of God and do it_!" (Luke 8:19-21 AMP)

If we are going to be members of the family of God, we obviously must learn what His Word says and then do it. It is a sin to know what God's Word says and not to do it. "... _any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin_." (James 4:17 AMP).

Compare this to a situation in the natural world. Suppose that a well-known person had written a book in an area where he was an acknowledged expert. Presume that each reader of this book had a problem in this particular area and asked for an appointment with him.

Suppose that he said he would only grant this appointment if we would guarantee that we had read his book and were doing our best to follow its instructions. If we really wanted his help, how could we possibly justify asking him to help us if we refused to study the book that he had written and if we refused to do our best to follow the instructions that were given in that book?

Our heavenly Father is no different. He has given us a Book containing every answer that any of us will ever need. However, each day, large numbers of His children come to Him in prayer, begging and pleading with Him to help them in a specific area _without_ ever having studied what His Book says about that particular area and then following the instructions.

If we want to receive blessings from our Father, we need to approach His Book with reverent awe, do our very best to learn what it says to do and then do our best to follow these instructions. _This_ is how we receive His blessings. " _Blessed_ ( _happy, fortunate, to be envied_ ) _is everyone who fears, reveres,_ _and_ _worships the Lord, who walks in His ways_ _and_ _lives according to His commandments._ " (Psalm 128:1 AMP)

We should give the Bible the same reverent awe that we give to God. God and His Book cannot be separated. We have the opportunity to study continually in this magnificent Book that He has given us, yet many of us honestly don't study and meditate in it continually and do exactly what it says to do. If we do this, He will bless us. "Now that you _know_ these things, _you will be blessed if you do them_." (John 13:17 NIV)

Obedience is the key to receiving God's blessings. "... _blessed_ are those who _hear_ the word of God and _observe_ it." (Luke 11:28 NAS). If we don't learn and obey the instructions that our Father has given us, how can we say honestly that we love Him? If we love someone, we will do what they ask us to do. "... _this is love for God: to keep his commands_ ..." (I John 5:3 NIV)

Our Father wants very much to bless us. It makes Him happy to do this. "...it is your Father's _good pleasure_ to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32 KJV).

He wants to bless all of His children. In His permissive will, He can bless us any time He wants to, but in His perfect will, His blessings are received to the degree that we _obey_ the instructions that He has given us in His Word. He still loves us if we don't follow His instructions, but the surest way to receive blessings from our heavenly Father is to obey His instructions.

He won't hold anything back from His children who do follow His instructions. "... _No good thing will he withhold from those who walk along his paths_." (Psalm 84:11 TLB).

How do we walk along God's paths? We do this by obeying the instructions in His Word. If we live the way His Word tells us to, no good thing will be withheld from us.

_There is no greater security than to live in complete obedience to God's instructions_. The deep, unshakable security that all of us long for is found in complete obedience to God's Word. "... _whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected_ ..." (I John 2:5 NAS)

The more we obey our Father's instructions, the closer we draw to Him. Perfect love provides the security that we all crave. How is love perfected? We have just seen the answer – _love is perfected by living our lives in accordance with the instructions in God's Word._

If we do this, _fear will be driven out of our lives_. Fear cannot exist in the midst of God's perfect love. "There is _no fear_ in love. But _perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment_. _The one who fears is not made perfect in love_." (I John 4:18 NIV)

These are beautiful words! It is possible to live a life without fear! How do we live such a life? We do it in perfect love. How do we live lives of perfect love? We do this by doing our very best to learn all that we can from God's Word and then doing our very best to follow His instructions.

This all fits together beautifully. The more we obey our Father's instructions, the closer we will draw to Him. The closer we are to Him, the more His love will dominate our thoughts, emotions, words and actions. The more His love dominates our lives, the less chance fear has of establishing a foothold.

The key to receiving God's blessings is to know what His Word says to do in every area of our lives and then to do what His Word says to do. His power and blessing are released through obedience to His Word. They are blocked by failure to obey. It's just that simple. The fully obedient life is a jubilant, delightful life – a life that is free from fear and full of peace, joy and security.

# Conclusion

In this book we have covered the subject of Bible study from the beginning to end. We started with the different types of bibles that we need and the aids that we need to us in order to study the Bible, how to meditate on the Word of God, how to get it from our minds into our hearts and, from there, coming out of our mouths. Finally, we closed with a Scripture-packed chapter on the absolute necessity of doing exactly what God's Word tells us to do.

_This system does work_. Every bit of it is based solidly upon the Word of God. This system will enable us to keep busy studying God's Word for the rest of our lives.

We need to pick the area where we need the most help. Then we need to follow these instructions exactly. Soon we will have pages of notes and dozens of 3x5 cards. Then we need to meditate on the verses on these cards in order to transfer the meaning from the cards to our minds and hearts.

When our hearts are filled with God's Word, this abundance will overflow continually out of our mouths. This will build our faith to the point where we dare to step out in faith and do exactly what God's Word says. Then we will receive tremendous blessings from our Father and fear will disappear from our lives.

Once we have followed these instructions in the first area where we need the most help, then we're ready to follow this system in another area ... then another ... and another ... and another. The possibilities are endless. Bible study is infinite. The more we learn, the more we'll realize how much there still is to learn. We'll never come close to learning what our Father wants to teach us. We'll just get started here on earth and we'll continue this fascinating growth when we get to heaven.

I have been following this system for 11 years and I haven't even come close to scratching the surface. I now have intensive files on dozens of subjects. All of this material is available for review whenever I want to review it. Much of it has been programmed so deeply into my heart that it goes with me every day of my life, ready to be called upon when needed.

Bible study is an exciting adventure. I pray that each reader of this book will follow its instructions exactly. Please write and let me know how this system of Bible study works for you. Thank you and God bless you.

# What Did You Learn from This Book?

One way of finding out how much you have retained from this book is to take the following test. How many answers to you know now – while this book is still fresh in your mind? I suggest that you also mark your calendar to take this test again on a specific date – 30 to 90 days from now – to check your retention after a period of time.

This book will only help you to the degree that you change your habits to become faithful in the study of God's Word. How many answers do you know to the following questions?

  1. What three things do we need to do so that God's Word will transform our lives?

  2. How can we obtain the necessary spiritual strength to escape the temptations of our corrupt world?

  3. What is the spiritual energy that is produced from spiritual food called?

  4. Where do we plant the seed of God's Word?

  5. What can we do so that, no matter how fast the pace gets, we won't stumble?

  6. Why is God's Word completely dependable?

  7. What one requirement is absolutely necessary in order to understand the Word of God?

  8. What blinds unbelievers from understanding the Word of God?

  9. What gift has God given us to help us understand His Word?

  10. Why is it so important to receive guidance from the Holy Spirit when we study the Bible?

  11. What is it important to pray before we study God's Word?

  12. What does it mean to "renew" our minds?

  13. Why do many Christians fail to stick with a definite program to renew their minds?

  14. Why does Satan hate to see our hearts filled with God's Word?

  15. Why does Bible study often get easier as the months go by?

  16. What two bibles does this book recommend in order to start a systematic program of daily Bible study and meditation?

  17. What does the word "paraphrase" mean?

  18. What four versions of the Bible are found in the _Comparative Study Bible_?

  19. What is the name of the Bible study aid that lists every word of the Bible in alphabetical order?

  20. Why is the "subject method" of Bible study so effective?

  21. Why do so many people never finish reading the Bible from cover to cover?

  22. What is the first step in solving any problem?

  23. What specific areas have you decided to study?

  24. What is the difference between studying and reading God's Word?

  25. What does the word "study" mean?

  26. Once we have decided on a subject to study, what is the first thing we should do?

  27. What should we do with Scripture verses that we want to keep for future reference?

  28. What should we do before deciding whether or not to buy a particular Christian book?

  29. Why are cassette tapes often an excellent Bible study aid?

  30. What is the best source of cassette tape catalogs?

  31. What do we do next after accumulating a large number of Scripture verses?

  32. When we study God's Word, we feed ourselves with spiritual food. What happens to this spiritual food when we meditate on God's Word?

  33. What does the Hebrew word that is translated "meditate" mean?

  34. When is the best time to study God's Word?

  35. When is the best time to meditate on God's Word?

  36. Why is it especially helpful to meditate on God's Word before we go to sleep?

  37. How do some of us give ourselves "spiritual indigestion?"

  38. What movement takes place after we meditate over and over on a portion of Scripture?

  39. When Satan comes at us with negative thoughts, what will our minds do if we have been meditating on God's Word?

  40. Why do many people have a craving to "store up" worldly possessions?

  41. What does God want us to store up?

  42. Where the "home" for God's Word?

  43. We have a magnificent promise based upon our lives revolving around the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word filling our hearts? What is this promise?

  44. Why does continual meditation in God's Word help us to draw closer to Him?

  45. Why do some Christians study the Bible and attend church regularly and still fail to live victorious lives?

  46. Just speaking God's Word isn't enough. What must go along with this before spiritual power can be released?

  47. When we are in a crisis situation, what determines how we will react?

  48. When we are faced with a "mountain" –a very difficult problem – what should we do?

  49. Study and meditation stores up spiritual power. How is this power released?

  50. What happens when we continually speak negatively about problems?

  51. Faith will grow from hearing others speak God's Word. How can it grow more rapidly?

  52. How can we release the power of angels to work on our behalf?

  53. What are the "keys to the kingdom of heaven?"

  54. How much spiritual authority do we have over Satan and his evil spirits?

  55. What do the words we speak indicate to Satan and his evil spirits?

  56. What are we actually doing when we allow negative, doubting, fearful words to come out of our mouths?

  57. Some Christians don't study and meditate and speak God's Word, yet everything seems to go well in their lives. Is this liable to last indefinitely?

  58. What offensive weapon has God given us to use against Satan?

  59. How do we release the power of this offensive weapon?

  60. How can our words get us out of trouble?

  61. What is the next step after study, meditation and speaking God's Word?

  62. Our heavenly Father promises that we can succeed in everything that we do if we do our part. What specifically do we have to do?

  63. God's Word tells us exactly what to do in order to become disciples of Jesus Christ. What is this?

  64. If we learn what God's Word says to do and then do this, what will happen when the storms of life come against us?

  65. How do some Christians betray themselves by doing what seems logical to them?

  66. What exactly does God's Word tell us to do in order to receive blessings from Him?

  67. Perfect love provides the security that we crave. What specifically is required for love to be perfected?

  68. How do many of us block God's power and blessing from being released in our lives?

# Appendix  
Have You Entered Into The Kingdom Of God?

You have just read a complete summary of what God says about studying His Word. These are instructions that our Father has written for His children – those human beings who have entered into His kingdom. I ask each reader of this book, "Have you entered into the kingdom of God?"

Jesus Christ said, "...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Jesus went on to say, "...ye must be born again" (John 3:7). It is very clear that there is only one way to enter into the kingdom of God and that is to be "born again."

We don't enter into God's kingdom by church attendance, by teaching Sunday School, by baptism, by confirmation or by living a good life. Jesus Christ paid the price for every one of us to enter into God's kingdom, but this is not "automatic." Many people are so caught up with their own religious denomination or their own personal beliefs that they completely miss God's specific instructions as to how to enter into His kingdom – for the rest of our lives on earth and also for eternity in heaven.

In order to become a born-again Christian, we first of all must admit that we are sinners (Romans 3:23, James 2:10). We must admit that there is absolutely no way that we can enter into God's kingdom based upon our own merits. Next, we have to genuinely repent of our sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 3:19).

After this admission of sin and repentance, there is one additional step that must be taken in order to become a born-again Christian. "For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your own heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God; and with his mouth he tells others of his faith, confirming his salvation" (Romans 10:9-10, TLB).

Many people know that Jesus Christ died for our sins. However, knowledge isn't enough. Intellectual agreement isn't enough. In order to be born again, we have to accept Jesus as our Savior in our hearts and not just in our heads. We're not born again until we come to Him as admitted sinners and trust Him deep down in our hearts as the only way that we can enter into the kingdom of God. God knows exactly what we believe deep down in our hearts (I Samuel 16:7, I Chronicles 28:9, Hebrews 4:13).

We must believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He was born of a virgin, that He died on the cross to pay for our sins, that He rose again from the dead and that He lives today. In order to be a born-again Christian, Romans 10:9-10 tells us that we must not only believe this in our hearts, but we also must open our mouths and tell others of this belief. This confirms our salvation.

When you believe this in your heart and tell others of this belief with your mouth, then you are a born-again Christian. All of us were born naturally on the day that our mothers gave birth to us. We must have a second birth – a spiritual birth – in order to enter into God's kingdom. "For you have a new life. It was not passed on to you from your parents, for the life they gave you will fade away. This new one will last forever, for it comes from Christ, God's ever-living Message to men" (l Peter 1:23, TLB).

God wants us to come to Him, not as intellectuals, but as little children. God doesn't reveal Himself to us through our intellects. He reveals Himself to us through our hearts and, in order to enter into His kingdom, we must come to Him as little children. We may be adults in the natural world, but in the spiritual world we have to start all over. We have to be born again as spiritual babies. Jesus said, "...except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3, KJV).

The following prayer will cause you to become born again if you believe this in your heart and open your mouth and tell others of this belief:

"Dear Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ. I admit that I am a sinner and I know there is no way that I can enter into Your kingdom based upon the sinful life that I have led. I'm genuinely sorry for my sins and I ask for Your mercy. I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son – that He was born of a virgin, that He died on the cross to pay for my sins, that You raised Him from the dead and that He is alive today. I trust in Him as my only way of entering into Your kingdom. I confess now to You, Father, that Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Lord and I will tell others of this decision now and in the future. Thank You, Father. Amen."

When you believe this in your heart and confess this to others with your mouth, you have been reborn spiritually. You are brand new in the spiritual realm. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new" (II Corinthians 5:17, KJV).

Now that you have a new, recreated spirit, you are ready to study, understand and obey God's laws pertaining to peace and all of His other laws. This will transform the rest of your life on earth and you also will live forever in heaven. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, KJV).

# A Few Words about Lamplight Ministries

Lamplight Ministries, Inc. originally began in 1983 as Lamplight Publications. After ten years as a publishing firm with a goal of selling Christian books Lamplight Ministries was founded in 1993. Jack and Judy Hartman founded Lamplight Ministries with a mission of continuing to sell their publications and also to give large numbers of these publications free of charge to needy people all over the world.

Lamplight Ministries was created to allow people who have been blessed by our publications to share in financing the translation, printing and distribution of our books into other languages and also to distribute our publications free of charge to jails and prisons. Over the years many partners of Lamplight Ministries have shared Jack and Judy's vision. As the years have gone by Lamplight Ministries' giving has increased with each passing year. Thousands of people in jails and prisons and in Third World countries have received our publications free of charge.

Our books and Scripture Meditation Cards have been translated into eleven foreign languages – Armenian, Danish, Greek, Hebrew, German, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and the Tamil dialect in India. The translations in these languages are not available from Lamplight Ministries in the United States. These translations can only be obtained in the countries where they have been printed.

The pastors of many churches in Third World countries have written to say that they consistently preach sermons in their churches based on the scriptural contents of our publications. We believe that people in several churches in many different countries consistently hear sermons that are based on the scriptural contents of our publications. Praise the Lord!

Jack Hartman was the sole author of twelve Christian books. After co-authoring one book with Judy, Jack and Judy co-authored ten sets of Scripture Meditation Cards. Judy's contributions to _God's Wisdom Is Available To You, Exchange Your Worries for God's Perfect Peace, Unshakable Faith in Almighty God, Receive Healing from the Lord, What Does God Say?, Victory over Adversity_ and _God's Joy Regardless of Circumstances_ were so significant that she is the co-author of these books. Jack and Judy currently are working on other books that they believe the Lord is leading them to write as co-authors.

We invite you to request our newsletters to stay in touch with us, to learn of our latest publications and to read comments from people all over the world. Please write, fax, call or email us. You are very special to us. We love you and thank God for you. Our heart is to take the gospel to the world and for our books to be available in every known language. Hallelujah!

Lamplight Ministries, Inc.,

PO Box 1307 - Dunedin, Florida, 34697. USA

Phone: 1-800-540-1597 • Fax: 1-727-784-2980

website: lamplight.net • email: lamplight@lamplight.net

# A request to our readers

If this book has helped you, we would like to receive your comments so that we can share them with others. Your comments can encourage other people to study our publications to learn from the scriptural contents of these publications.

When we receive a letter containing comments on any of our books, cassette tapes or Scripture Meditation Cards, we prayerfully take out excerpts from these letters. These selected excerpts are included in our newsletters and occasionally in our advertising and promotional materials.

If any of our publications have been a blessing to you, please share your comments with us so that we can share them with others. Tell us in your own words what a specific publication has meant to you and why you would recommend it to others. Please give as much specific information as possible. We prefer three or four paragraphs so that we can condense this into one paragraph.

Thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to encourage other people to learn from the scripture references in our publications.

# Books written by Jack Hartman

Trust God for Your Finances

What Will Heaven Be Like?

Never, Never Give Up

How to Study the Bible

Quiet Confidence in the Lord

One Hundred Years from Today

Nuggets of Faith

God's Will for Your Life

Deep Inner Peace

# Books co-authored by Jack and Judy Hartman

Reverent Awe of God

You Can Hear the Voice of God

God's Plan for Your Life

God's Instructions for Growing Older

Effective Prayer

Overcoming Fear

A Close and Intimate Relationship with God

God's Joy Regardless of Circumstances

Victory over Adversity

What Does God Say?

Receive Healing from the Lord

Unshakable Faith in Almighty God

Exchange Your Worries for God's Perfect Peace

God's Wisdom Is Available to You

Increased Energy and Vitality

# Scripture Meditation Cards co-authored by Jack and Judy Hartman

Receive Healing from the Lord

Freedom from Worry and Fear

Enjoy God's Wonderful Peace

God Is Always with You

Continually Increasing Faith in God

Receive God's Blessings in Adversity

Financial Instructions from God

Find God's Will for Your Life

A Closer Relationship with the Lord

Our Father's Wonderful Love

Effective Prayer

We invite you to visit our website: http://www.lamplight.net. You also can see all of our other Bible-based books with the first chapter of each book free for you to read. You can sign up to receive our free monthly newsletter either by mail or by email, to receive a daily Devotional from one of our Scripture Meditation Cards or a free weekly download of a Bible teaching.

Jack and Judy Hartman

Lamplight Ministries Inc.

PO Box 1307

Dunedin, Florida 34697-2921

Telephone: 1-800-540-1597

FAX: 1-727-784-2980

Website: lamplight.net

Email: lamplight@lamplight.net

