There is a new craze in the world of Bible journaling which has created a back-order of up to six weeks or more for journaling Bibles, from major Christian booksellers. This new trend in studying and meditating on the Bible has a following that is growing by leaps and bounds. Sources such as the Illustrated Faith website or the Bible Art Journaling Community on Facebook, which teach the spiritual element and artistic process of this new art form based on scripture, are increasing in number. What has sparked this revolution in the way people are studying and journaling the Word? Many of the followers of this new movement, as seen on Facebook postings, attribute it to the spiritual connection that comes after reading scripture, meditating upon it, then recreating the verse with creative hand lettering and simple yet colorful art elements.

The tools needed to start are basic. First you can obtain a journaling Bible (preferably one with wide 2 "margins), or if you have objections to marking up a Bible, a simple mixed-media art journal pad, will do just fine. As you progress over time, you will start collecting different artist pens. These pens come in various colors and mediums, such as gel, metallic, fluorescent, watercolor and the all-time favorite -Micron pigma pen. ink that enhances hand lettering efforts because of the quality of the nib and consistent ink flow. For the addition of color to your lettering or artwork, color pencils are the favorite because they don't bleed through the thin Bible pages. watercolor, pastels and even acrylics can be used if the page is properly prepped beforehand with a gel medium like Gesso.

Now, you only have to gather yourself into a quiet place to begin your Bible study in whatever form you prefer; whether it's a formal study, a reading plan, or a daily devotional – this is where you begin. Prayerfully, as you think about what you have just studied, the Holy Spirit will convince you of a verse, a thought or something you need to do. These words or thoughts are what will become the basis of your artwork – hence "Bible Art Journaling".

Now is the time to put pencil to paper to create your personal piece of scripture art. Sketch lightly a paraphrase of the verse or your thoughts in a creative, even whimsical lettering style. Examples and tutorials overflow if you search for "creative hand lettering tutorials" on the Internet. These are simple fonts that are easy to construct and any imperfections in your efforts only add to the frank and honest portrayal of that which is flowing from your heart to God. After the written layout is satisfactory, you can make it permanent with your Micron pen or any ink-based pen is satisfactory.

Finally, embellishments with simple artwork, such as banners, scrolls, stylized flowers, etc. give your verse its inspirational style. Adding layers of color with pencil, crayons or watercolor to the letters and art add that final touch of beauty. As you explore this subject you will find beautifully simplistic work by some, right alongside brilliantly detailed artwork by others.

Bible Art Journaling will enhance your walk with the Lord as you glorify Him through art. It is an excellent tool to bring children into the Bible experience as well. Before you know it, you'll be using your Bible artwork to share the Word on social media or as a framed gift to a friend in need of a comforting and uplifting Word.

In the New Testament Mary is a young Virgin who has been impregnated by the so-called Holy Ghost. Finding herself in this state as an unmarried maid her embarrassment sends her off to her cousin, Elizabeth, who is also pregnant (Luke 1:1-43). They console each other and an angel intervenes to explain that their future children will be caught up to God. She then takes Joseph as her husband (Matthew 1:18,19) and the baby is born but no date is given.

We discover little more than this about Mary in the New Testament as the importance of her role was to produce the baby, Jesus. Only John 19:25-27 makes any mention of her at the cross when Jesus Christ is executed.

Neither Mark nor John make any mention of the way Mary is impregnated or of the birth of Jesus. Both Matthew and Luke, which do, are at odds with each other. In Matthew Mary gives birth in Matthew 2:11 it occurs in a house but in Luke 2:7 this happens in a stable.

In Matthew the parents are warned that Herod intends to kill the babies so they flee to Egypt Matthew 2:13-15. In Luke2:22-24 there is no such threat and at eight days the child is openly taken to a temple to be circumcised. The confusion over these things is what makes the entire story incredulous.

Other things that are not right is the role of Herod in the time when these events supposedly occurred. As no one has pinpointed the exact date of the confinement of Mary the Catholic Church posited the birth took place on December 25th, which is the date that most avatars are born. This aligns with the return of the sun after the summer solstice.

It also claims that Christ was born around the year 1 AD. Herod was dead some years before this date and had previously been confined to his palace far away from Jerusalem for some years previously due to illness. That make it impossible for him to have been in the city and ordering the death of children.

The king’s aids kept records of all that Herod did and in no place is such mentioned, according to recent research of those times. Without this to qualify the story the entire event loses credibility.

Other incorrect claims are the failure of the authors to know about genetic inheritance or how two parents donate chromosomes essential for birth of a human baby. The ‘Holy Ghost’ did not contribute any such material because it has no body.

There is another side to Mary that are not published in the New Testament but are in the Book of Revelation. The Spirit of the Universe, the real God, led me to understand her origin and why she is the Mother of God, according to Christian and other religious beliefs. This followed my reincarnation and link to it through which communication occurs.

My knowledge from that experience is that there is no heaven or hell and that the Trinity is a ploy instigated by Constantine, who established the catholic church in 325 AD. This Roman Caesar was a descendant of the Amor (Roma reversed) and they were Assyrian. Their capital was Babylon and Mary was the Mother God and the sun. The name mean ‘mother’s powerful eye’.

The ‘eye-man’ or ‘iman’ is one who has supposedly passed through the eye to become a god. He is, therefore, a teacher whose word is indisputable. Such men passed through it by dying on crosses at dawn to ‘marry Mary’. It is the reason why executions are still carried out at dawn in some places.

Anyone married to Mary knows what she thinks and wants of her people. That is they are the law-makers and enforcers. This gave the Bishops the right to kill in the name of their god and to carry out other atrocities. The Vatican’s insignia comprises the so-called keys to heaven because it purports to be able to open the door for anyone who practices its faith.

Of Mary we learn that she is BABYLON THE GREAT and the Mother of Harlots (Revelation 17:5). This is the only place in the bible where a description of someone is written in capital letters to emphasise the importance of it. She is also

“… drunken with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (ibid 17:6)

A martyr is one who has passed through the cross. ‘Ma-r-t’ means ‘mother’s powerful cross’ and the old ‘marts’ or ‘markets’ were recognised as places of exchange and crosses were erected in and around them for this reason. The dead man was called ‘d-o-l’, or ‘food from the circle of god’ because his body was consumed by observers. ‘Dol-or’ or the ‘dol-sun’ is the origin of ‘dollar’ for the unit of exchange in the market. ‘Or’ is an old term for ‘sun’.

Constantine ordered that anyone who did not worship the image he presented would be tortured and/or murdered. Thus, they became the ‘martyrs of Jesus’ because this is the so-called Son of God of his invention (ibid 12:15).

“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication” (ibid17:4).

The number of men who died in expectation of mating with her or who serve in religious institutions claiming such have given ‘her’ the title of ‘whore’ and qualifies the claim. The golden cup is the challis and the expectation that one is eating and drinking of the body of the dead god-man is the abomination. Dressed in purple means she is of royal concoction while the Bishops who serve her are in scarlet.

Mary is man’s stylised version of the sun-star of Babylon. They pretend to mate with her while hiding the women with whom they are genuinely mated. The idea of needing the god’s blessing on such a union is to appease the Mother God, Mary of Babylon.

Introduction

The term ‘morality’ has been defined in an explanatory way under two broad classifications in this article: (a) general description, (b) biblical description. The main reason for this classification is to be able to compare biblical system of morality, which is the focus of the study with other systems of morality. Scott B. Rae observed, ‘most people use the term morality and ethics interchangeably. Technically, morality refers to the actual content of right and wrong. Morality is the end result of ethical deliberations, the substance of right and wrong’.1 While noting this difference, the terms would be discussed as an inseparable pair in this paper.

General Definition of Morality

According to the New Bible Dictionary, the words ‘ethics’ and ‘morals’ according to the Greek and Latin books mean ‘customs’.2 The idea is to discover the things that are usually done and conclude that these are the things one ought to do. Logically, it follows that these are the things that will seem right to the individual and also to society. Scott B. Rae goes a bit further in stating what morality is primarily concerned about. He said that morality is primarily concerned about questions of right and wrong, the ability of distinguishing between the two, and the justification of the distinction.3 There may be norms in society, with reference to what is right and wrong. However, society faces so many new and challenging issues, that people are forced into ethical deliberations. Samuel Enoch Stumpf, in his book, ‘Elements of Philosophy’, possesses the following questions: Why can’t we do just what we want to do? What difference does it make to anyone how we behave? Why does the question of ethics arise in the first place? Why should we think that one way of behaving is better than the other? That telling the truth is better than trying to get ourselves out of trouble by telling a falsehood? And who has the authority to tell us what to do? He concludes by saying that one should study ethics in order to find answers to the questions, what should I do? And why should I do it?4 From Stumpf’s statement it can be seen that the main issue that divides people in their moral views is that of the ultimate source of moral authority.

Norman L. Geisler in the first seven chapters of his book, ‘Ethics: Options and Issues’ shows this division among people as he discussed the basic approaches to ethics. He states that ethical systems could be broadly divided into two main categories: deontological (duty centered) and teleological (end-centered). Deontological systems are systems that are based on principles in which actions (or character or even intentions) are inherently right or wrong. Teleological systems, on the other hand are system that are based on end result produced by an action.5 Scott B. Rae, in his discussion on ethical systems included one more division – relativism, to that already stated by Geisler. According to him ‘relativism’ refers to an ethical system in which rights and wrongs are not absolutes and unchanging, but relative to one’s culture (cultural relativism) or one’s own personal preferences (moral subjectivism).6 However, this third category can still fit under Geisler’s two divisions. Further, Geisler stated that there are six major ethical viewpoints: (i) Antinomianism – says there are no moral norms; (ii) Situationism – affirms that there is one absolute law (the law of love); (iii) Generalism – claims that there are some general laws but no ones; (iv) unqualified absolute laws that never conflicts; (v) conflicting absolutism – contends that there are many absolute norms that sometimes conflicts and one is obligated to do lesser evil; and (vi) graded absolutism – holds that many absolute laws sometimes conflict, but one is responsible to obey the higher law. Geisler pointed out these six sub-categories are based on a view of ethical approach, which revolves around norms – deontological.7 In contrast the other approach does not stress norms but ends – teleological, and is described as non-normative or utilitarian approach.

Biblical Definition

1. General Observations

D. H. Field observed that, ‘biblical ethics are God centered, instead of following majority opinion, or conforming to customary behaviour, the scripture encourages us to start with God and his requirement – not with man and his habits – when we look for moral guidelines’.8 In order to understand the Bible’s definition of morality, one needs to examine the scripture, as Field observed, to see what God says and requires. He points out five things from the Bible about biblical morality points us to the person of God to discover that nature of goodness. God alone is good and it is his will that expresses what is good and acceptable and perfect; ii) the source of moral knowledge is revelation. According to the Bible, Knowledge of right and wrong are not so much an object of philosophical inquiry as an acceptance of divine revelation; iii) moral teaching is phrase as commend not statements. With the exception of the OT wisdom literature, moral judgements are laid down flatly, not argued out reasonably. The philosophers on the other hand had to reason their moral judgment in order to convince people that they are good; iv) The basic ethical demand in biblical ethics is to imitate God. God sums up goodness in his own person. Man’s supreme ideal according to the Bible is to imitate him; v) Religion and ethics is theocentric. The moral teachings of scripture loose its credibility once the religious undergirding is removed. Religion and ethics are related as foundation to building. Biblical ethics spring from biblical doctrine and the two are inseparable. 9

2. Morality in the Old Testament

From a amore general overview of biblical morality, it is but proper to understand the concept as presented in the two testaments. In the OT a close understanding of the covenant, the Law and the Prophets can give one a clearer understanding of morality. These three aspects will now be examined individually examined.

a) The Covenant

The covenant God made with Israel through Moses (Exod. 24) had direct and far-reaching significance. God’s grace as seen in his actions of love and concern in delivering Israel from Egypt, supplies the chief motive for obedience to his commandments. The Israelites as God’s partners were united to respond gracefully to God’s prior acts of underserved love. They were called to his will in gratitude for his grace, rather than submit in terror to threats of punishment. For this reason, for example, slaves were to be treated generously because God treated the Hebrew slaves with generosity in Egypt.

The covenant also encourages an intense awareness of corporate solidarity in Israel. Its effect was not only to unite the individual to God, but also to bind all covenant members into a single community. A man’s transgression therefore can affect the whole community (josh 7), and everyone is under obligation to help a needy person. The strong emphasis on OT ethics hinges on social ethics.

b) The Law

The covenant provided the context for God’s law giving. A distinctive feature of the OT law was its stress on the maintenance of right relationships between people and between people and God. It can be noted that the most serious sequence of the law breaking was not any material punishment, but the resulting breakdown in relationships. (Ho 1:2). The Ten Commandments, which should be seen as the heart of the law, are concerned with the most fundamental of relationships. They set out the basic sanctity governing belief, worship and life.

c) The Prophets

Social conditions in Israel changed dramatically since Moses’ time, and the Israelites failed to see how the law required obedience in their daily dealings in society, which also affected their relationship with God. The Prophets made it their business to interpret the law by digging down to its basic principle and applying these to the concrete moral problems of their day.

2. Morality in the New Testament

Norman L. Geisler made the following observations about New Testament

Ethics:

1) That Christian ethics is based on God’s will. It is, as she puts it, a form of

divine command position; an ethical duty, which is something we ought to

do. It is prescriptive;

2) that Christian ethics is absolute. The fact that God’s moral character does

not change (Mal 3:16) means those moral obligations that flow from his nature are absolute. Geisler points out that whatever is traceable to God’s unchanging moral character is a moral absolute e.g. holiness, justice, love, truthfulness and mercy. Other commands flow from God’s will, but they are not absolute. That is, they must be obeyed because God prescribed them, but he did not prescribe them for all people, times and places. Absolute moral duties, on the contrary are binding on all people at all times and in all places;

3) That Christian ethics is based on God’s revelation. What God commands

has been revealed both generally (Rom. 1:19-20;2:12-15) in nature, and

specifically (Rom. 2:2-18;3:2) in scripture. God’s general revelation

contains his command for all people. His special revelation declares his

will for believer;

4) That Christian ethics is prescriptive since moral rightness is prescribed by

a Moral God. Geisler pointed out that there is no moral law without a

moral Lawgiver, or a moral legislation without a moral legislator. Therefore

Christian ethics is prescriptive not descriptive. Christians do not have their

ethics in the standard of Christians but in the standard for Christians – The

Bible; and

5) Christian ethics is deontological. That is, based on principles in which

actions (or character or even intentions) are inherently right or wrong.10

CONCLUSION

Morality, as defined in this paper is the actual content of right and wrong. The major issue however is how to determine it. The main question that arises out of this issue is: Where lies the ultimate source of moral authority? One group of people believes that authority is immanent, human beings have the authority to create their own moral rules and systems – they fall under the category of teleological ethics. The other group believes that moral authority is transcendent, that is, authority exists outside of ordinary human experience. In biblical morality, that authority is God, who has revealed himself to human beings through his special and general revelation. That makes biblical ethics unique. It is deontological. In both the old and New Testament it is seen that morality is grounded in the nature and character of God.

As was pointed out, ethics and morality are inseparable. For Christians, ethics is not so much of determining the good but of choosing it. For non-Christians it is more of determining the good. Whether one is a Christian or not as human being, one will certainly engage in ethical deliberations.

END NOTES

1Scott Rae, Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics (Michigan: Zondervan

Publishing House, 1995), p. 15.

2D.H. Field, Ethics: New Bible Dictionary. (Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1982),

p. 351 .

3Scott Rae, Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics (Michigan: Zondervan

Publishing House, 1995), p. 21.

4Enoch Stumpf, Elements of Philosophy (London: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1993), p. 21.

5Norman L. Geisler, Ethics: Options and Issues. Michigan: Baker Book House,

1989), p. 24.

6Scott Rae, Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics (Michigan: Zondervan

Publishing House, 1995), p. 16.

7Norman L. Geisler, Ethics: Options and Issues. Michigan: Baker Book House,

1989), p. 25.

8D.H. Field, Ethics: New Bible Dictionary. (Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1982),

p. 351 .

9Ibid, p. 351.

10Norman L. Geisler, Ethics: Options and Issues. Michigan: Baker Book House,

1989), pp. 22 -24.

In this age of digital book readers and e-books, the King James Bible is not far behind. For those of you who would rather own a digital version that you can carry with you everywhere, downloading this powerful book is so simple that you would find it hard to believe.

Downloading the Bible

You can download the King James Bible digital version from any website that allows online Bible downloads. Downloading is quick and simple as there is no need for any kind of additional software to be installed. Some websites might require you to become a registered user before you are allowed to begin the download. The downloaded version of the King James Bible comes with a fee of around $20.

Benefits of the downloaded version

When you opt for the King James Bible download you get instant access to it. You will be able to read your copy in as little as five minutes. The online version of the Bible comes with both the Old and the New Testament. It is also packed with features like a keyword search. This makes it easier for you to find a passage that you are looking for. Most websites that you can download the Bible from also give you additional bonuses to make your purchase worthwhile. Depending on the website that you use, you get up to 5 additional bonus items along with your purchase.

Payments

There is a fee that is applicable when you download Bible King James. You could get your copy for as little as $19.99. Most websites have various modes of payments that you can use. The most common ones are through your credit card or through PayPal. However before you make your payments, ensure that the site in question is a secure one.

There are many young Christians out there that have found the importance and reliability of using student bibles. These student bibles are perfect for teenagers and young adults in their quest for a better understanding of their faith in God.

There is no doubt that teens and young adults often have difficulty understanding and reconciling their faith compared to what they see in the world. They are the ones that are most bombarded with all the things that are happening outside that sometimes they find it difficult to simply hold their ground.

Getting a Bible that can help them relate and apply the verses to their everyday challenges can become a big help. It can assist them in growing with the Lord and help them gain a better understanding of the Christian lifestyle.

These study bibles usually contain plenty of great stories, along with lessons and bible references to help your teenager or a young adult relate to it. These types of bibles can deal with contemporary issues that most teenagers are going through.

This makes young folks able to relate to it and apply the lessons to their personal lives. Oftentimes, we hear young people say that they think that the Bible is too difficult to interpret, however, with the help of these great study bibles, that ideology should change.

Gaining a personal insight into the why and the how, and simply accepting and understanding everything will be one of the best benefits a study bible can provide.

Student bibles can serve as a great gift for your Christian teen or young adult. It is a great way for them to gain a better understanding about their faith.

There are many advantages to getting a student bible for your child or loved one. Or even maybe suggest having it for the members of your youth group since it helps to make studying the bible so much more fun and easier.

Young folks usually reject anything that's hailed as "old-fashion" and sometimes, for this same reason, they avoid reading the bible because they think the words are too complicated to understand. Moreover, that it's difficult to relate it to their everyday lives.

A student bible can help people understand the text and verses much better since it usually incorporates them into everyday use. They are usually equipped with stories and lessons that young people often encounter in their everyday life.

The features are carefully researched and written to ensure clarity and better understanding. As mentioned, it's often filled with lessons ranging from personal issues, overcoming everyday obstacles in life and being a Christian living in the world.

Most students will not have a hard time understanding and applying the verses in their everyday activities.

As you can see, student bibles are a great help to many young people who are longing to deepen their understanding of the Lord. They are able to better understand how they can cope and deal with their everyday problems and raise them up to the Lord.

“Persistence Spoons” is a wonderful Bible game for kids that can be used when telling the story of Jacob wrestling the Angel in Genesis 32. It’s going to become favorite Bible game because: 1) It’s Active 2) It’s inexpensive 3) it works for younger and older kids and 4) it has a powerful Bible-based message that persistence pays off.

Have children form two relay teams at one end of the room. If there is an odd number, the first child on the team with less people can go twice. Give the first two children on each team a large tablespoon or slotted spoon (that’s four big spoons in all). Put a piece of aluminum foil, rolled up like a baseball into one of the spoons on each time (that’s two aluminum baseballs).

Show the players how to toss the “ball” back and forth to each other, catching it on the spoon. Then, they have to start moving slowly to the other end of the room while tossing back and forth.

One catch without dropping the ball earns one step forward by both teammates. A dropped ball means they have to stay where they are and try again, until a caught ball earns them a step forward.

Once a team reaches the far wall, they can run back with the spoons and ball and deliver to the next set of players.

Which ever team finishes first wins. Ask the children: “Who should get the prize?” They should answer that the winning team should.

However remind them:

“God is not as interested in how fast or how slow we are. He is interested in those who show persistence. Therefore, everyone gets a prize.”

Pass out cookies, licorice sticks, or other available prizes for the winner of the Bible game.

First of all the fact that it comes with have choices in leather covers seemed very beneficial. Sometimes you feel like the sturdy leather and sometimes you feel like the soft leather. The one I am reviewing is the soft leather edition. It has impressed on the spine and the front in beautiful font “The Remnant Study Bible with E.G. White Comments”. Well enough with the outside lets judge the books by the interior contents and not by the cover shall we!

This particular bible hosts a bunch of features from the concordance all the way down to the maps in the back but that’s not what makes this review of the Ellen White Study Bible shine. The translation of this study bible is NKJV or New King James Version for those that do not know the abbreviation. This is in clear English and yet holds up to a more literal translation of the bible as a whole. I like the fact that the New King James has the updated vernacular for sharing with others and leading out in a group study but still enjoy the King James translation as well. The Words in Red are that of Jesus in this particular bible which makes it a little easier to discern things in the New Testament anyway.

One of the best features this bible has is the bible chain reference system. It goes through about twenty bible study lessons covering topics from Salvation from sin to bible prophecy. The good thing is that it is easy to follow and has some really beneficial cross references as well. In the back of the bible is also located a few extra study helps like the origin of sin and the prophecies of Daniel section. These detail the Great Controversy theme in the bible between good and evil and show the plan of salvation through the Hebrew Sanctuary and how Jesus fulfilled these things. It also breaks down classical prophecies like Daniel chapter 2 examining Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniels own parallel dream in chapter 7. Then it takes a stab at two of the most fought over interpretations in bible history that of the 70 weeks and 2300 days. I think the historical outline as well as the biblical facts incorporated blows away anything you may have heard on these prophecies before.

Probably the biggest feature of any study bible is its commentator. Unlike Scofield and Ryrie’s study bibles right away you get the feeling that the Ellen White Study Bible has somewhat of an edge to it. The comment boxes are in blue and tastefully put in place where the reference to the text or subject would make the most sense. Some of Ellen White’s best statements on Salvation by Faith from her books Steps to Christ and the Desire of Ages are woven into this study bible masterfully.

So what about the draw backs right? Well some would say that the fact it is not presently in the King James Version from Remnant Publications is one, while others would say that some of the better comments on tougher to discern texts were left out, but overall I would say that the Ellen White Study Bible hits more than misses.

The Bible is definitely one of the bestselling books of all time, hence, it’s no surprise that people are looking for an easier way to read it all in one year. Because of this, plenty of companies have made bible reading so much easier by creating a one year bible NIV or other similar versions.

Pretty much the concept is the same; the Bible is divided into 365 portions which allow the reader to take time out each day to read several passages in the Bible. Sometimes, it only takes as little as 15 minutes to read the passages and reflect on them throughout the day.

There are plenty of versions or translations for the Bible. Some of the most popular would include the NIV as well as the KJV. Each of these versions will have their own way of relating the verses to various stories that will help each reader understand the passages.

Sometimes these one year bibles will not have any supplemental stories, but just plainly divide the Bible into 365 parts enough to accommodate verses and passages for each and every single day of the entire year.

This self study method, however, is not for everyone. There are times when new Christians attempt to figure out answers on their own and they may come across verses that they cannot understand. Because of this, it’s always best to study with a group so that you can have answers to questions you cannot answer.

However, for those who have been going to church for a long time. They feel more confident in using these one year bibles to help them with their every day interaction with the Word.

A one year Bible NIV version is a great way to read the entire Bible without having to figure out too much on what it means. Over the years, the NIV version of the Bible has become as popular as the KJV version. However, there is still some controversy over which version of text people should go for.

For people who are leaning towards the NIV version, there are actually two notable features why the NIV translation is deemed as more reliable. First, the NIV translation is supposedly based from a much older and better text than compared to the one used in the KJV version.

Another notable feature that you can find in the NIV version is the principle applied by the translators, the principle of “dynamic equivalence.” In the NIV, the translators did not really translate the words inspired by the Holy Spirit, but instead he discovered what the meaning was behind those words and conveyed them into words and thoughts that are more appropriates and easily understood by modern people.

Although some people like the fact that they can better understand what certain passages mean this way, others feel that it’s robbing the Bible of its actual meaning.

Choosing your own personal bible is a subjective and objective decision, whether you choose to have a one year bible in KJV or a one year Bible NIV, what’s important is that you are getting in touch with your faith each and every day.

Everyone has problems. I don’t think I’ve ever met another human being without a problem in his or her life. Problems and complications–heartaches, headaches–are a part of life and the sign of a strong person is someone who knows how to deal with his or her problems and advise others on theirs.

But that doesn’t mean you should have a heart of stone. We all need a little help sometimes, an hand to rely on, a shoulder to cry on. But at times, and we all have this one time or another in our lives, when there’s no one we can turn to, there is always God’s words and teaching to provide strength and comfort – in the Bible. The Bible is the source of strength for a Christian. The Bible is always there when you need it, always giving the best advice.

Simply put, the Bible is inspirational. If you’re feeling a bit down and out and looking for something to cheer you up, the Bible is a great source of inspiring Bible Scriptures. Doubtful? Why don’t you get your personal copy of the Bible and start reading the books of Proverbs, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Job, and the Song of Songs – also known as the Song of Solomon.

For example, the story of Job’s trials. In one stroke, Job’s health was compromised, his wealth was taken from his, and worst of all his children were killed. Job underwent great pain and sorrow. But what he didn’t realize at the time was that he was being setup to become the centerpiece of God’s greater plans; Job held on to God as he went through his suffering. If you continue reading Job’s story in the Bible, you’ll find out that Job was the central character in a spiritual wager between Satan and God. In other words, Job’s experiences was instrumental to fulfill God’s plans.

God has good plans for all of us. It’s just that humans are sometimes too short-sighted to even glimpse the bigger picture of which is God’s wishes. You won’t find a more uplifting and inspiring message anywhere than Job’s story of tragedy, faith and divine redemption.

There are other inspiring stories found in the Bible. As a Christian, you just need to give it time and get into the habit of reading the Bible on a daily basis. You’ll find yourself having a more positive outlook in life as a reward of your dedication.

Hoping to get something from their time, millions of people read the Bible each year. Many seem not to get much out of their time. Learning how to make the most of your Bible study requires preparing well for, reading well during, and living well after your reading of Scripture.

Prepare Well

Good preparation is vital in learning how to make the most of your Bible study. Choose a time that you can spend free from distracting influences. A time that works on a regular basis is usually best. Select a place that is properly lit, has suitable furniture, and increases the chances of your time being as uninterrupted as possible.

Gather appropriate tools for making good use of your time. Some means of taking notes both in your Bible and in some other format is very helpful. Minimally, a fine point pen and blank paper or note cards should be used. Keep a good English dictionary handy as well as Bible reference works such as a concordance, Bible dictionary, and atlas.

Spend time in prayer before beginning your time in Scripture. Ask God to bless you with illumination of His Word. Consider singing a hymn from time to time before opening your Bible. From time to time, also look back over your recent notes to see patterns in what God has been saying to you recently.

Read Well

To learn how to make the most of your Bible study, give much attention to reading well. Reading aloud can be an excellent aid to getting greater understanding. Read thoughtfully and long enough for God to speak to you.

Pray for understanding while you study. Pray over things God shows you. Thank God for revealing Himself to you when He does. At least occasionally, pray specifically that God Himself would show you how to make the most of your Bible study.

Use Bible reference works during your reading to get the most of your time. Consult dictionaries for meanings of words that are unfamiliar and atlases for help with geographical references.

Record what God shows you from your study. Mark in your Bible key ideas that you see, especially cross references that help open your understanding of what you are reading. Take at least brief notes so that you can rehearse important insights later.

Think deeply about how what you read applies to life. Ask God to help you know what He wants you to do with what you have read.

Keep track of what you read so that you can monitor your progress through the Bible. Attempt to read the whole Bible through year after year.

Select at least from time to time something to memorize from what you read. Put that material on a note card or other resource that can be easily consulted throughout the day.

Finish your time in prayer. Thank God for what He has given you.

Live Well

After finishing your time in Scripture, planning what you will do with what you have read is a key element in learning how to make the most of your Bible study. Too often, little attention is given to this vital matter of applying Scripture to your life. Apart from living well as a result of your reading, you will not profit from your time the way God intends.

Rehearsing at different points during the day what you read and memorized earlier is very helpful. A good way to do that is to share with others the things that God showed you that day. Discussing with family and friends how you intend to change your thinking and living will help you to do what God revealed to you that day. Family devotional times and group Bible studies are great settings to share and discuss your insights.

Making yourself accountable to a prayer partner for doing what God wants is another good way to make the most of your time in Scripture. Organizing your insights from Scripture in a way that allows you to access them in future times of reading the same passages will help you preserve the insights that God gave you. Using electronic study tools to organize your insights is a great way to learn how to make the most of your Bible study.

By giving careful thought to how you spend your time before, during, and after your times in Scripture, you will learn how to make the most of your Bible study!