| I don't know what Bible you have, but if you're looking for a study
Bible, I suggest the "Life Application Bible", which is not very
limited, and rather extensive.
They ain't cheap, but they is good.
Nancy
|
| Hi Doug,
While there are a lot of indexes available to help find Biblical references
in time of need, the most effective way is to put it in your heart. I'm
not saying you don't already; just that with all the 'helps' that are
available, the most important way is often overlooked.
You don't need to be able to quote long passages (though some people find
it helps, and if you can - well and good). Rather, soak yourself in it!
There's different ways of reading, all of which are useful and needed at
different times. One way is to read a very few verses - maybe just one,
going through a regular reading pattern (maybe working through a book)
until you find something which speaks to you particularly. Maybe highlight
it. Hold it in your heart. Thank the LORD for it. Let Him apply it....
Another way is to read quickly - skim, even, through several chapters. It
helps to get an overview, and even then, some little gems will leap out to
you.
Then you find Psalm 119:11 coming alive for you:
"Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee..."
And John 14:26
"The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name, will
teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you."
Once you have put these things in your heart, the Holy Spirit can bring
them to remembrance, even when you didn't think you'd 'learnt' tham.
He can also apply a much wider range than any key reference would offer,
and it's the more precious for the awareness that it has come from Him to
your heart.
btw - this was also the way God commanded the kings of Israel to follow Him
- once they had written it all out for themselves (Deuteronomy 17:18-19)!
OK, so they didn't have so much to copy then - just the Pentateuch, but I
wouldn't like to miss out the rest too.... Maybe I'll try writing it all
out some time, but the trouble is my writing's so bad, I can hardly read
it... ;-}
God bless
Andrew
|
|
One of my personal favourites for seeking God's wisdom in times of
need is the "Bible Promises book", it's a little book that
contains some of God's promises on various topics (e.g.
loneliness, poverty, salvation etc.).
For serious study, I use Thompson chain reference, my NIV
exhaustive concordance and my NIV Nave's topical Bible.
Graham
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