The Bible seems like a big book but is actually a small library of 66 different books that immersed out of the history of the people of ancient Israel. Though it is many different books, they tell one unified story that leads to Jesus. It gives an account of God's perfect creation where Heaven and Earth were one, how mankind fell and corruption entered into the world. It goes on to show how God is working through a chosen people to re-establish order and beauty out of chaos.
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The Old Testament
The first 39 books of the Bible are called the Old Testament and it shares the journey of God making a covenant with the Israelites to be His blessing to the world. Time and time again, though God was faithful to His promises to prosper them, the chosen people would turn their back on God and give into their evil ways. Prophets would repeatedly urge them to return to God's better ways, to no prevail. The only hope was in a new leader, a Saviour that would come and renew all creation.
The New Testament
Centuries later, a Jewish prophet, who came from a lineage of kings, arrives and claims he is the long awaited leader who would restore the world! The remaining 27 books of the Bible, called the New Testament, share the redemptive works of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the establishment of His eternal Kingdom here on earth. Each book tells how God, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, is leading the world to the ultimate goal of renewed creation where Heaven and Earth are reunited!
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Jesus is the Son of God who became the human we were all created to be. He experienced all of the emotions, trials, temptations, ups and downs of this world yet never gave into sin (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus is the PERFECT example of how we as Sons and Daughters are to:
1. Depend Wholly On the Father
"I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way" John 5:19 AMPC
2. Be Led By the Holy Spirit
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed" Luke 4:18 AMPC
3. Walk In Love
"But love your enemies and continue to treat them well. When you lend money, don’t despair if you are never paid back, for it is not lost. You will receive a rich reward and you will be known as true children of the Most High God, having his same nature. For your Father is famous for his kindness to heal even the thankless and cruel." LUKE 6:35 TPT
4. Serve All
"Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (the price paid to set them free)." Matthew 20:28 AMPC
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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
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Rest is found when you come into agreement with who you were created to be- a child of God. Saying "Yes" to following Jesus means saying "No" to yourself and the plans you had made. You no longer have to wrestle trying to be someone you were never created to be and chase things that will never fulfill you!
Soul peace is found in knowing Jesus Christ!
The Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are all eye-witness accounts, given by Jesus’ followers and friends, found in the New Testament. In these four Gospels (Good News accounts), we learn about the birth, teachings, death, resurrection and redemptive power of our Lord and Saviour. The name "Christian" was given to those who associated themselves with Christ, as their lives reflected His teachings and characteristics. It is important that we get to know who the Son of God was as a man here on earth to better understand who The Father in Heaven is! Any one of these four books are a great place to start studying as a Born-Again Believer of Jesus Christ!
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"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 AMPC
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17 AMPC
"The Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you." John 14:26 AMPC
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The Bible is also referred to as "The Word of God". It is much more than a book full of history. The scriptures within the pages are alive, active and able to reach beyond our intellect and impact our
spirit - our inner most being when we invite and allow The Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) to release revelation. Every time you read
The Bible ask Holy Spirit to speak directly into your heart and expect God to help you through these living scriptures. As a follower of Jesus Christ, every promise that is written in the Bible is now a promise you can claim for your life! Get your inheritance by writing The Word of God on your heart!
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"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Romans 10:17 NKJ V