On 4th of July, 2012, we went for Skydiving near Chicago. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of our life. Skydiving jump was at thirteen thousand feet, with free fall for about 40-50 seconds at about 120 mph. To jump out of plane at such height requires great courage. Yet your tandem instructor is right there with you, holding you tightly with all the harnesses, gears and most importantly parachutes. (Two of them, one as a backup). To jump from the plane is to trust him for your life, believing that even if you will fail to open the parachute, he will do it at the right time. When you are at such a height in plane with open doors and when you look down, all your senses may tell you, “This is not a good idea!” Your common sense look for safety and security…

Now Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith in some ways is similar to this experience. When you are in an extreme situation, all your senses would tell you to look for a safer route (to stay in the plane). But you need to trust your Savior and jump in the unknown, believing that He will do the right things at the right time. This can be the most scary, yet the most amazing experience of your life. One that cannot be described, unless you do it yourself. (Also read: Jesus heals Jairus’ daughter)

We walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthian 5:7)

• To walk by faith is to look beyond sight. It does not always mean not to use your common sense. But it means to look beyond your current circumstances.
  • Sight looks at the circumstances and common sense. Faith looks at the person of God and His Promises.
  • Sight looks for safety but faith goes into the Unknown.
  • sight evaluates the present, but faith looks forward to the future.

And without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

• Nothing pleases God more than faith in Him.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

Are you willing to live your life by faith or by sight? Please share your comments here.

Bible Study Topic on Luke 10: 38-42

We often host many international students from the University at our home. My wife usually prepares a wonderful, delicious and hot meal that all students would relish. But one thing that always bothers me is the time she would spend in the kitchen preparing for the food, snacks, coffee or tea, when the students are over. She has a wonderful personality, along with great leadership and communication skills. She can bring many insights in our conversations which I usually have with students. But because of her work in the kitchen she would miss out on all these opportunities.

Similar story was played out when Jesus came to Martha and Mary’s home. It seems likely that Martha was the elder sister, and she being the host was busy with all the preparations that needed to be done.

Distracted, Dissatisfied, Disturbed

Martha was disturbed that she was doing all the hard work while her sister was idly sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to him. So she went to Jesus and complained to Jesus about her. She thought that Jesus would tell Mary to get up and do some real work!

 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40)

Better Choice

What was Jesus’ reply? Jesus did not take Mary’s side. He lovingly asked Martha to set her priority right. He answered.

“few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10: 42)

Today, we live in an extremely busy life style. We have to constantly juggle between work pressures, home projects, church responsibilities, Kids schedules and many more. And in all these, we often compromise (or sacrifice) our daily time with the Lord. We often think that God knows what we are going through, He understands our pressures.

Surely, God knows an understands everything. But this story is a reminder that we need to set our priorities right. Our first and foremost choice must be our daily quiet time with God, everything else can come after that. Everything else can wait. This is not some legalistic thing that we need to follow. But we need to do so because it is a “better choice”.

Time spent at the feet of Jesus is never wasted time. It is an incredibly invested time. It is my own personal experience, when I allocate time with the Lord from my busy schedule, Lord always returns back even more time. All of sudden, I seem to have that little extra time for other chores. The clock seems to be ticking little slower! The problems or issues that I am working on, gets fixed quickly. It might just be my perception or a coincidence, but I have noticed that more time I spend with God, more of these coincidences happen! Jesus emphasized the similar approach in Matthew 6:33.

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Application

What about you? Are you ‘distracted’ by the work for the Lord, that you don’t have time to sit at his feet and listen to him? Will you take time from your busy schedule daily to be with God in his words?

Bible Study Lesson:

• Mark 10: 17-27
• Matthew 19:16-27
• Luke 18:18-27

Q. What can we know about the young rich ruler from these passages?

• Young man
• Very rich (Luke 18:18)
• Ruler, respected in society
• Sincere, very well mannered
• Religious Jew from his childhood
• Seeker, enthusiastic, willing and eager to learn (Mark 10:17)
• He had a great question to ask. After all, what can be a better way than to start a conversation with the question about Eternal life!
• This was not the only time, Jesus was asked this question. In Luke 10:25-37, One of the teachers of the Law, asked similar question to Jesus. However his intention was to test and trap Jesus. (check out – Authority of Jesus questioned by Teachers of the Law)
• The young rich ruler had no such hidden agenda, he was sincere in his request.

Q. What can we infer from his question about eternal life to Jesus?

• He presumed that there is an ‘eternal life’ and it is worth receiving or inheriting!
• Jews always believed that one can be justified and saved through their works according to the Law. So, he assumed that he can do something to inherit the eternal life.
• He was sincerely following all the commandments form childhood (according to him), but he still wanted to be assured of his destiny.
• There is a deep conviction in all of us, that there is an eternal life; and it is to be greatly desired. King Solomon has put it in Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 3:11:”He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Q. How did he address to Jesus?

• He called him, a “good” teacher/master. It was a common title used by the Jews to call their religious leaders or teachers, meaning – “most excellent”. The expression (‘Good’) was used to show the reverence or respect to the teacher.

Q. What did Jesus answer?

• First, he dealt with his address, “why do you call me good?”. In Matthew, the question is little different from Mark and Luke, “Why do you ask me about what is good?”
• Jesus’ intention was not to deny his divinity. Jesus was not saying, “I am not God, so don’t call me good, which applies only to God!” (Many people, especially Muslim scholars, have falsely used this verse to disprove Jesus’ divinity.)
• Secondly, he did not intend to say that everything else is bad or evil, and one should not use word “good” except for God!
• His intention was to raise the standard with which God measures ‘goodness’. This was not the only time, he raised the bar. In his sermon on the mount, he told his audience, that according to God’s standard, even an anger could be as grievous as murder and lustful eyes are as sinful as adultery. God judges not only by the external actions, but the motives and intent of heart also. (Matthew 5:21,22,27,28) Our standard of goodness falls far shorter than absolute Good, God is and desires.
• The rich ruler was convinced that he had followed the Law from his childhood, but in a moment, Jesus showed him that he was guilty of Greed. (Exodus 20:17). He loved money more than following God, and in that sense, he was guilty of breaking the first of ten commandments. (Exodus 20:3 – “You shall have no other gods before me.”)

Q. What was man’s response?

• He went away sad. He choose to hold on to his earthly treasures and security.
• Jesus loved him for his question and zeal. (Mk 10:21) But he did not call him back or lower his demands for discipleship. (check out Seven Conditions of Christian Discipleship)
• (I strongly believe that Jesus was testing his heart, and if he would have repented for his love for money and failures, Jesus would have accepted him.)
• He had a choice to accept his shortcomings, but he rather decided to went away, sad.

Life Applications:

• So often, when we read this passage of Jesus and the rich young ruler and we ask ourselves, “does Jesus require such a strict call for all the Christians?” We often try to lessen the demands and cost of christian discipleship. But this was not the only time, Jesus asked his disciples for such radical call. in New Testament, we find numerous accounts of people leaving all behind, for following Jesus.
  • Luke 5:11 – Peter and Andrew left everything to follow Jesus
  • Luke 5:27-28 – Matthew (Levi), the tax collector left everything. (He must be rich!)
  • Luke 19:1-10 – Zacchaeus (Again, rich tax collector), gave bulk of his wealth to the poor and needy. (Even without Jesus asking!)  (Jesus and Zacchaeus – The Guest of Sinner)
  • Acts 2:44-45 – First Christians sold everything and gave it to the needy.
• Not only, first century Christians, but Christians throughout the history have gladly given up their family, home, country, careers, even their own lives in following Jesus.
• This is a Radical Call. Perhaps, the mandate for voluntary poverty is not for all, but the readiness to forsake anything and everything that can hinder ‘following Christ’ is for every Christian.
• What are the things, God is asking you to give up for him?

——————————

If you are blessed with this Bible study, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by sharing it on Twitter, Facebook or your preferred social media network. Thank you!

—Amit Christian (BibleSEO Editor)

[sociable/]

What does the bible say about Hell? What is the definition of the Hell in the Bible?

• Hell is the place of eternal punishment after death for all those who refuse to repent.
• Matthew 25:46 – “They will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to the eternal life.”

•  There are three words used for Hell in the Bible. Here are their descriptions with reference bible verses.

1.  Sheol: The meaning of Sheol is ‘the grave’ or ‘place of the dead’. The word is only used in Old testaments.
   •  Job 24:19 – “Drought and heat consume the snow waters, so does Sheol those who have sinned.”
   •  Psalms 16:10 – “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.”
   •  Isaiah 36:10 – “I said, “ In the middle of my life, I am to enter the gates of Sheol; I am to be deprived of the rest of my years.”
   •  Other Bible references on Sheol: Psalms 9:17, Isaiah 14:9

1.  Hades: Hades is the Greek word for the under world, the realm of the dead. It is only used in New Testament.
   •  Matthew 16:18 – “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
   •  Revelation 1:17b, 18 – “I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”
   •  Revelation 20:13-14 – “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”
2.  Hell or Gehenna- It was named after the valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem where children were sacrificed by fire to the pagan gods. (2 Kings 23:10, 2 Chronicles 28:3)
   •  It is described as place of eternal fire, prepared for Satan, his angels and those who do not believe in God. Here are some of the bible verses on Hell (Hades).
   •  Matthew 5:22 – “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”
   •  Mark 9:43 – “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable.”
   •  Matthew 25:46 – “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
   •  Revelation 20:10 – “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
   •  Other Bible verses on Hell: Matthew 10:28, James 3:6, Revelation 19:20

——————————

If you have enjoyed this Bible study, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by sharing it on Twitter, Facebook or your preferred social media network. Thank you!

—Amit Christian (BibleSEO Editor)

[sociable/]

Psalms 27:4 – “One thing I ask of the Lord, and this is what I seek that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in His temple.”

In one of our gatherings with new college students, we started with an ice-breaker; a question, “If you are to have one last meal, what would you pick? What will be your favorite food that you want to have one last time?” The answers were funny and surprising. It ranged from  mother’s home cooked food to some exotic food one had a long time ago.

What if we ask a similar question for our spiritual walk. “If we are to ask one thing from the Lord, what you will ask of the Lord?” What will be your answer? Will that be a wisdom, strength, some physical or emotional healing or some special blessing for your life? In Psalm 27:4, David summarizes his quest, his pursuit of God in this one prayer. So what is his prayer?

There are three aspects of his prayers:

1. That he may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life:
   To dwell in the house of the Lord is to be in the presence of God. in Old testament, God’s presence resided in the temple of God. So David’s desire is to be in a continuous, close presence of God all the days of his life.
2. To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord:
   To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord is to witness the glory of God. There is nothing more glorious than the glory of God. We often marvel at the physical things that we see, but when we experience the glory of God, our lives will be changed forever.
3. To seek Him in His temple:
   Seeking God in his temple is to seek God and his righteousness. (Matthew 6:33)

So to summarize, David’s prayer in Psalms 27:4 is

• Ever increasing Presence of God
• All compassing Glory of God
• All consuming pursuit of God and his righteousness

So, Is this a unique request in the bible or do we see another similar requests from people of God?

We find a similar request from Moses as well. When God told Moses to lead the Israelite to the promised land in the wilderness. This is what Moses asked Lord. (check out Life of Moses- character study)

Exodus 33:12 -23
¹² Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ ¹³ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

¹⁴ The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

¹⁵ Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. ¹⁶ How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

¹⁷ And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

¹⁸ Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

¹⁹ And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. ²⁰ But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

²¹ Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. ²² When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ²³ Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

These two great men of God were not perfect, they made mistakes, committed sin that cost them dearly (Numbers 20:8-13), (2 Samuel 11:1-15). Yet, they were considered giants of faith. David is called a “man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22), Moses is called a “man who spoke to God face to face” (Exodus 33:11). There lives were defined by their pursuit for God.

Life Application:

What about you? What is the most important thing in your life? What is that “one” aspect of your life that defines you and put everything else into perspective? What will be your “One” Prayer to the Lord?

——————————

If you are blessed with this Bible study, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by sharing it on Twitter, Facebook or your preferred social media network. Thank you!

—Amit Christian (BibleSEO Editor)

[sociable/]

Original word for ‘man’ in the bible:

• In Hebrew: ‘adham’, ‘Ish’
• in Greek: ‘aner’, ‘anthropos’
• There are more than 3000 instances of word used for ‘man’! There is no doubt that man is the one of the central theme of bible.

Four fundamental aspects concerning Man:

1. Origin
2. Present Condition
3. Salvation
4. Destiny

• These are four principle aspects of the doctrine of man in the bible. You may go to any part of the world, culture, society, religion, past and present, and you will encounter these four aspects concerning man. Every religion, culture or society will try to answer these questions in various ways. Their answers shapes every area of one’s life and worldview, how they relate to themselves, to God and to other people.
• This bible study guide discusses the doctrine the origin of man according to bible (Christianity).

Q. Who created man according to the bible?

• It is very clear from the beginning of the bible that God created man and woman. (Gen 2:7)
• Man did not evolve (emerge) from the lower forms of life. But God is the creator of man. Gen 2:7 -”the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
• Bible does not explain just ‘how’ God created man and ‘how much’ time it took. But it is sure that the moment, God breathed into his nostril, he became alive, before he wasn’t.
• Science may explain millions of years of evolution process and gradual formation of the earth and its beings. But Bible is very clear that  man started to exist, when God breathed life into lifeless form made of dust of the ground.

Q. What are the three chief ingredients of man according to bible?

1. Body (Gen 2:7)
2. Soul: ability to reason and think (mind) and ability to feel (emotion) (Rev 6:9, Hebrew 12:23)
3. Spirit: Moral nature, free will to choose (Pr 26:27, 1 Cor 2:11)

• (1 Thes. 5:23 – “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”)
• The difference between man and animals is not that we have soul and spirit and animals don’t. (Eccl 3:21 -”Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”) But the fact that we are created in the ‘Image of God’ and animals aren’t.
• Man was created with highly developed intellect, knowledge, reasoning and moral character. Many people have a picture of a cave man (with no sense of understanding), when they think of first humans. But bible teaches that man was endowed with these qualities from the beginning. (Think of our great grand parents, they were by no means, less intellectual or knowledgeable than we are. Off course, their understanding and knowledge were less technical and scientific.)

Q. What is the chief purpose of man?

• Dominion: God has given man dominion over the earth and nature. (Gen 1:28-29)
• Stewards: The dominion however, does not mean to abuse the earth, but men are  to be faithful stewards of the authority given by God. (Gen 1:29)
• Seek their creator: (Acts 17:27: – God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”)

Q. Created in the Image of God:

• Man is created in the image of God. (Gen 1:26-27, 2:7, 5:1, 9:6, Eph 4:24, Col 3:10)
• Group exercise: Take a portrait or an image of someone (with some fine details) and ask the group, “what do they see?” The image will reflects the attributes of the actual person in the picture.
• When God created man in His image, man reflects what or who God is like, His attributes, His reflection. Following are few attributes:
  • Personality: Ability to reason, think, choice, wisdom
  • Authority: Just as God has the ultimate authority over all things, God have man an authority to rule and dominion over the earth and nature. (Gen 1:28-29)
  • Creativity: God gave man ability to create. Man can procreate.
  • Moral character: Ability to choose from right and wrong, good and evil, ability to distinguish.

This summarize the biblical doctrine of the origin of man. The doctrine of sin and consequences (present condition, salvation and destiny) will be discussed in the later part of this series.

If you like this bible exposition, please share it with others.

——————————

If you are blessed with this Bible study, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by sharing it on Twitter, Facebook or your preferred social media network. Thank you!

—Amit Christian (BibleSEO Editor)

[sociable/]

Dear BibleSEO Readers,

This is a brief post to let our readers know that we are switching from Feedburner Email service to AWeber to handle sending out new bible study updates and other content via email.

Why are we switching to Aweber?

• Aweber offers many usful features that we plan to use to better inform and serve our readers. This change will only affect email subscribers.
• BibleSEO RSS Feed will still be handled by Feedburner.

What should you be expecting in about a week?

• You will receive an email asking you to confirm the subscription. Unless you click on the activation link in the email, you will not be added to new newsletter service. And you will not receive any further bible study notification in your email.
• So, if you want to continue receiving bible study updates, please confirm the subscription. This is just one time process which allows us to switch to Aweber.

Thank you for your support and consideration. Feel free to share your comments, questions or feedback.

In His Service,

Christian, Amit.

BibleSEO Editor

“Blessed is the Man” bible study guide on Psalm 1 explores the contrast between the way of the righteous and the wicked. The participant study guide can be downloaded here.

Q. What are the  actions not associated with the righteous man (person) in v 1, 2?

• The righteous man does not walk – in the counsel of the wicked.
• He does not stand – in the paths (ways) of the sinners.
• He does not sit – in the seats of mockers.
• He does not participate in the sinful acts of others. It does not mean he does not befriend or talk with them.

Q. What was Jesus accused of, in Matthew 9:10, 11 and Matthew 11:19?

• Jesus was accused many times by the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of being a friend of tax collectors and sinners, and of spending a lot of His time with them. ( also check out The Scribes Questions Jesus’ Authority)

Q. Compare Psalms 1:1-2 with Matthew 9:10,11 and 11:19? How do we  follow instruction given in Psalms 1:1-2?

• It means that the righteous,
  • Must not follow (walk) in the counsel of the wicked.
  • Must not participate (stand) in the sinful acts of wicked.
  • Must not join (sit) with the mockers.
• Even though Jesus spent a lot of time with the sinners and tax collectors, His presence brought light and redemption (salvation) to those dark places and lives.

What is the joy of a righteous man?

• To meditate on the Word of the Lord day and night.
• To learn and obey the word of God. (How to do daily Quiet Time)

Q. What are the characteristics of the tree planted by the rivers (streams) of water?

• It is alive and gives us food, shelter and is useful in many other ways.
• Its leaves do not wither. (No fall!)
• It gets its nourishment from water. Its roots are planted near the source of life, which is water.
• It bears fruits in its appropriate season. (The fruits are useful to others and not for itself.)

Q. How does the example of the  tree relate to the righteous person?

• He is always growing in the Lord and is rooted in the firm foundation of the Word of God. (Ephesians 3:17)
• He bears much fruit. (John 15:8 – “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”)
• Galatians 5: 22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.”

Q. What are the characteristics of chaff?

• Aimless, directionless, without purpose. It has no utility.

Q What is the destiny of the wicked as described in v. 5-6?

• They will not stand in the judgment of God.
• They will not sit in the assembly of the righteous.
• They will perish.

Application Questions:

1. What is your standing in the judgment of God? Have you received Christ and His righteousness?
2. Are you firmly rooted in the word of God? (Ephesians 3: 17)
3. Do you meditate on the Word of God every day?
4. Do you manifest the fruits of the spirit? (Galatians 5:22)

——————————

If you are blessed with this Bible study, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by sharing it on Twitter, Facebook or your preferred social media network. Thank you!

—Amit Christian (BibleSEO Editor)

[sociable/]

This bible devotional describes bible verses for trusting the Lord with various practical areas of our life. As you read, reflect on the question and bible verse for each of these areas.

Do I trust in the Lord…

Bible Study on Joshua 1:1-9 – Biblical Principle of Prosperity and Success

Q) What are the keys to prosperity and success, according to you?

• Hard work
• Self-motivation
• Power
• Influence
• Relentless desire and drive to succeed.

This bible study guide on Joshua 1:6-9 explores the key biblical principle of prosperity and success according to Bible. The participant study guide can be downloaded from here. Read Joshua 1: 1-9, we will focus our study on 1:6-9.

Q) Read Joshua 1:1-5. What is the background of this event?

• The Israelites were finally at the bank of Jordan river ready to enter the promise land, after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.
• Moses, the great leader of Israel was dead. (Joshua 1:1)
• God had previously chosen Joshua to be the successor of Moses. (Numbers 27: 18-23) He was about the lead the Israelite into the promise land.

Q) Which of the command did the Lord God give to Joshua three times?

• “Be strong and Courageous.” (v. 6, 7, 9)

Q) What do you think about Joshua’s mindset from this passage?

• He may be overwhelmed by the occasion, terrified at the thought of leading the Israelites.
• He had been the apprentice of Moses. He had seen how Moses dealt with the people. He had seen the constant threats from the outside and continuous grumbling and complaints from within. Perhaps it was first time, it dawned on him that he was going to lead these people to the promise land.

Q) What commands did the Lord God give to Joshua? (Identify the commands with “to be” or “not to be”.)

• Be strong and courageous to lead these people.
• Be careful to obey all the Law of Moses.
• Do not be terrified and discouraged.
• Do not let the book of the Law depart from your mouth.
• Meditate on it day and night.
• Be careful to do everything written in it.

Q) What promises did the Lord God give to Joshua?

• I will never leave you nor forsake you. (v.5)
• The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (v. 5, 9)

Q) What are the conditions to success and prosperity according to verse 7, 8?

• Obey the word of God wholeheartedly.
• Do not turn from it to the right or to the left. Do not compromise on the word of God.
• Keep the word of God (bible) always on your lips. Memorize it. Immerse yourself with the word of God.
• Meditate on it day and night. This means not only read but study the bible.
• If you follow the above conditions, “then you will be prosperous and successful.” (v.8)

Q) What are the practical tips on these biblical principles?

We all want to be successful in what we do. Verse 7 & 8 describes some of the conditions to be successful in our life. But you may be wondering, how can I meditate on the word of God day and night, my schedule is too busy, there are too many things on my plate, I hardly find time for myself. How can I spend this much of time in Bible? Here are some of the practical tips for getting immersed with the word of God in your busy schedule.

Meditate:

• Take at least 10-15 minutes to do your daily quiet time. There is no alternative to it. If Jesus could spare some time from his busy schedule to be with His Father, we all can do too. (Here is a simple guide on how to do your quiet time.)
• If you commute, get the Bible on Audio and hear it on your way to work. (It is ok not to hear Christian music radio every once in a while.) In fact, you can have bible on audio pretty much anywhere. (There are some great dramatized audio bible available on Amazon.)
• For those of you with smart phones, you can download some free apps which sends you bible verses daily.
• Above all these tips, the old-fashioned Bible, notebook and coffee approach in your study closet always works.

Memorize:

• Think of at least one verse that you can remember from every book of Bible (first from NT and then from OT). That is the total of 66 bible verses! You may say I am not good at memorizing. With little bit of creativity, we can do so. ( If we can remember the stock prices or sports score or shopping list or home or TV schedule, we can remember the bible verses too!)
• Start your day with writing a bible verse in your daily calendar or schedule.
• Help your kids to memorize some bible verses. (It will also force you to memorize as well.) Have a fun Bible memory verse competition in your family.

These are some of the tips that we have discovered over time. Please share/comment any practical tips you may have about meditating/memorizing the word of God, and we will add here to the list.

To summarize these, the keys to success and prosperity are not hard work or self-driven life or anything else, but it is the continual, ever growing, daily fellowship with God through His Words and if you follow these timeless biblical principles, you will be Prosperous and Successful.

——————————

If you are blessed with this Bible study, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by sharing it on Twitter, Facebook or your preferred social media network. Thank you!

—Amit Christian (BibleSEO Editor)

[sociable/]