Word of Encouragement

This passage was shared during one of Canny Lao shi's Sermons. Very POWERFUL and great is the message. In our pursuit of Understanding God through reading the bible, this paragraph of bible truths is really encouraging for me. I bolded and enlarged the key points k. Please read this carefully that we might have the right spirit toward reading the bible and be greatly motivated by its words.

Great Controversy

chap37 The scriptures a Safeguard

pg 599

The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed. Christ has given the promise: "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine." John 7:17.

(We, who are searching for God's will, will know His teachings.YAY!)

If men would but take the Bible as it reads, if there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse their minds, a work would be accomplished that would make angels glad and that would bring into the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now wandering in error.

(just by the bible and the Holy Spirit as our guide we can spread God's word and save many souls. powerful!)

We should exert all the powers of the mind in the study of the Scriptures and should task the understanding to comprehend, as far as mortals can, the deep things of God;

(which we are doing;))

yet we must not forget that the docility and submission of a child is the true spirit of the learner. Scriptural difficulties can never be mastered by the same methods that are employed in grappling with philosophical problems. We should not engage in the study of the Bible with that self-reliance with which so many enter the domains of science, but with a prayerful dependence upon God and a sincere desire to learn His will. We must come with a humble and teachable spirit to obtain knowledge from the great I AM. Otherwise, evil angels will so blind our minds and harden our hearts that we shall not be impressed by the truth. Many a portion of Scripture which learned men pronounce a mystery, or pass over as unimportant, is full of comfort and instruction to him who has been taught in the school of Christ. One reason why many theologians have no clearer understanding of God's word is, they close their eyes to truths which they do not wish to practice.

As understanding of Bible truth depends not so much on the power of intellect brought to the search as on the singleness of purpose, the earnest longing after righteousness.

The Bible should never be studied without prayer.

The Holy Spirit ALONE can cause us to feel the importance of those things easy to be understood, or prevent us from wresting truths difficult of comprehension.

It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the heart so to comprehend God's word that we shall be charmed with its beauty, admonished by its warnings, or animated and strengthened by its promises. We should make the psalmist's petition our own: "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." Psalm 119:18.

Temptations often APPEAR irresistible because, through neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one cannot readily remember God's promises and meet Satan with the Scripture weapons.

(Time to Start memorsing Favourite bible Verses!!!)

But angels are round about those who are willing to be taught in divine things; and in the time of great necessity they will bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed. Thus "when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." Isaiah 59:19. {GC 599.3} Jesus promised His disciples:

"The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26.

But the teachings of Christ must previously have been stored in the mind in order for the Spirit of God to bring them to our remembrance in the time of peril. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart," said David, "that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11.

It is my prayer that we the Bible Reading Bloggers will be faithful and understand a whole lot about God that in the last days when trials and temptations come, we will stand strong and faithful holding up the banner of Christ.

AMEN!