#understanding scripture

[thelordismylightandmysalvation]

By Yvonne Pratt

Why Is The Bible So Difficult To Understand? - StoneGable

[volumeguide2]

5 STEPS TO UNDERSTANDING SCRIPTURE

Not just to read them, but grow from them. 1. Pray Before You Read Ask God for understanding, wisdom, and discernment before opening Scripture. The Bible is spiritual truth, and prayer helps prepare your heart to receive it. A simple prayer: “Lord, open my eyes to understand Your truth and help me apply it to my life.” Biblical foundation: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…” —…

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[pastorhogg]

Opened Minds and Sent Hearts

A Day in the Life of Jesus There are moments in the life of Jesus that feel quietly decisive, moments where the future of the Church turns not on spectacle but on understanding. Luke 24:44–49 places us in one of those sacred rooms in Jerusalem, where fear still lingers, confusion still clouds the heart, and yet resurrection life has already begun to break through. As I walk through this scene…

Opened Minds and Sent Hearts

[wakingeve]

The Power of Love

The Power of Love

“Before we can experience the Glory we must experience the power that brought it; Christ did not first ascend in Glory but first ascended in Love; it is the Power of Love which brings the Glory.”Bishop Gerald Barbarito, Good Friday address, 2 April 2021 John’s account of Christ’s Passion is the only one of the four gospels which places the Lord’s Mockery with the Guards, Crowning of Thorns, and…

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[grace2build]

Not only is judging permissible, it is our responsibility. Nobody’s teachings are above sound judgment—especially those of influential leaders! Biblically, authority and accountability go hand in hand (cf. Luke 12:48). The greater the responsibility one holds, the greater the accountability (cf. James 3:1). First, the precedent for making right judgments comes from Scripture itself. In …

[adventprepwithmo]

Simply Scripture

“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to you flesh and refreshment to your bones.”                                                                                                   -Prov. 3:7-8

When I read this I was reminded of how often my pursuit of God is disrupted when I instead walk towards the desires of my flesh for temporary gratification. This scripture reminds me of the Truth which states that God’s way will even address your flesh! That which you have desperately been trying to satisfy yourself will be healed and refreshed if you continue to walk with God. 

Forgive me Lord and show me how you are a healer to my flesh and a refresher to my bones.  

Mo

[bitesizedbiblestudies-blog]

John 6:31-36

The crowd opens this passage, continuing from last time: "'Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: "He gave them bread from heaven to eat."' Jesus said to them, 'I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' 'Sir,' they said, 'from now on give us this bread.' Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.'" -- John 6:31-36

This passage continues on a line of thought initiated several verses earlier, when Jesus says that these people a) came to Him because He gave them bread, and b) that they should work for food that doesn't spoil. (For more about these two incidences, see previous Bite Sized Bible Studies.) That is why the people bring up the manna that God provided during the wanderings in the desert following the exodus from Egypt. This shows that these people are still caught up on physical bread, which is why they have a hard time understanding what Jesus has been talking about. What He has been talking about is spiritual nourishment, not physical; food and water for the soul, not the body. Jesus also reminds the crowd that they have seen Him and what He has done, and yet they don't believe Him. They lack an understanding of these matters, and so what He says doesn't make sense to them. God has to enable us to understand spiritual things. There can be any number of reasons that God doesn't let us understand something; for example, perhaps He wants us to be more spiritually mature first, or maybe He is using the lack of understand to grow us in some way. If you don't understand scripture, there are many things you can do. The most important is to pray about it. Additionally, you can also ask others about the passage or look up what has been written about it; a variety of thoughts on a passage can be quite helpful. But remember, God ultimately is the one who will enable you to understand the passage; that is why prayer on it is so important.