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Ways Bible Study Changed My Life
Just a few days ago my fifteen year old grandson,
Michael, asked, “Granny, how can someone really know for sure that they’re
saved?”
That’s a heavy-duty question for this young man to come
up with, but I was glad he did. I told him his question was very common and
that I had wondered that myself in years past. I went on to tell him that the
best way to be confident that we’re saved is to read and study our Bibles.
In Scripture we can get to know God better—learn about
His character and His unfailing love. Also, there are many scripture verses
which express our eternal security. It’s truly life-changing to have this
assurance about our destiny when we take our last
breath.
Jesus said, “My Father who has given them to Me, is
greater than all; and no one is about to snatch them out of My Father’s hand”
(John 10:29 NKJV).
Paul wrote, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor
life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things
to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans
8:38-39 NKJV).
In addition to Scripture we have the Holy Spirit Himself,
who resides in every believer, bearing witness to our own spirit that we are
children of God (Romans 8:16).
I encouraged Michael to spend time getting to know his
Heavenly Father better by digging into God’s Word and see if it will help him
have more confidence in his Savior and the salvation he has received.
Hearing From God
Another question I’ve been asked deals with hearing from
God. People say, “Why have I never heard God speak to me? People talk about
hearing from God but He’s never said anything to me.”
My response: “Do you read and study your Bible?”
As best I recall, every time they answer, “No,” or “Not
much.”
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned through
in-depth Bible study is that through His Word, God speaks to me personally and specifically.
I’m often amazed—not surprised—but amazed—when I’m reading or studying a
passage of Scripture and it applies directly to something going on in my life
at that moment.
An example that comes to mind is when I bought a dress
from a friend. We agreed on a price and she handed over the dress and said,
“You can give me the money whenever—no rush.”
Two or three weeks went by and one morning, while
studying in Proverbs God spoke to me and said, “You need to give Dianne the
money for the dress.”
I didn’t hear an audible voice but the Holy Spirit spoke
very clearly to my spirit. I knew, without doubting, that God was speaking to
me.
“What was the passage?” you might ask. Here it is: “Do
not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your
hand” (Proverbs 3:27 NKJV).
When I read this I instantly knew I needed to pay that
debt sooner rather than later. I had the money but a convenient time had simply
not arisen. The situation could have dragged on for weeks but I was not to let
that happen. I gave Dianne her money within a couple days and told her how the
Lord had spoken to me about it. She got her money and was blessed by my
testimony regarding the situation.
This was a very simple situation regarding a relatively
insignificant matter but it was a great experience for me. It occurred many
years ago and was one of the first occasions when God spoke clearly and
directly through His Word to me concerning a specific matter in my life. I’ll
never forget it.
He
has spoken to me many times through His Word about life-changing matters as
well as simple day to day issues.
Our
Creator knows each of us better than we know ourselves and He knows what’s
best—what we should say and do and where we should go. Possibly His favorite
method of talking to us is through His Word. I’ve learned this by experience.
If this has not been your experience, I highly recommend you give it a try. I
believe you’ll be blessed, surprised and thrilled by the mysteries revealed, directions
laid out, and encouragement given by our omniscient Heavenly Father through His
own words to you.
Knowing the Father and Knowing Ourselves
A third way Bible study has changed my life is that it
has helped me overcome insecurity. The belief that I was inferior to everyone
around me plagued me much of my life. But there was something about getting to
know my Heavenly Father and Jesus, my Savior, through His Word that lifted me
out of the fear, discouragements and other negatives characteristic of being
insecure.
To anyone who wants to be the best they can be and live
the abundant life God desires for each of us, I say, “Get into Bible study! Get
to know your Creator well. Taste and see that the Lord is oh so good.”
As a comment, below, please share how Bible study has benefited you or changed your life.
As a comment, below, please share how Bible study has benefited you or changed your life.
©Copyright
2017 Connie Wohlford
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