Scripture is the infallible bedrock of the Christian faith. It is the Yah-breathed roadmap to eternal life. All, who with a sincere heart pursue Yahuwah and His righteousness, will make it a habit to study the Bible and commit the living words within to memory. To neglect the study of Yahuwah's word would be to choose death over life. It is that serious, for if we are not walking in the increasing light of His word, then we are left sitting in the increasing darkness of death's shadow.
In the imminent final crisis, the faith of Yahuwah's people will be tested like never before. When persecution is at its peak and catastrophic events are unfolding all around, those who are not anchored to the Scriptures will surrender hope and be swept away. Let us pledge to commit Yahuwah's promises to memory today, lest tomorrow we be overcome.
If we are to maintain a living connection with Father Yahuwah, we must heed the exhortation to study; we must commit His words to heart.
Study to shew thyself approved unto Yahuwah, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Hear, O Israel: Yahuwah our Elohim, Yahuwah is one! You shall love Yahuwah your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to Yahuwah. (Colossians 3:16)
Yahushua, while on earth, continually pointed His hearers to the Scriptures. Time and time again, He used the Scriptures to encourage the faithful and refute the ignorance of those who rejected Him as the Christ.
Yahushua saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is Yahuwah's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? (Matthew 21:42)
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"It cannot be that the people should grow in grace unless they give themselves to reading. A reading people will always be a knowing people." (John Wesley) |
Yahushua answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of Yahuwah. (Matthew 22:29)
In that same hour said Yahushua to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. (Matthew 26:55-56)
Then He took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. (Luke 18:31)
Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24:25-27)
And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44)
No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of Yahuwah. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. (John 6:44-45)
If we are to abide in the love of the Saviour, we must emulate Him in all things, including a fervent and habitual study of the Scriptures.
But whoso keepeth His [Yahushua's] word , in him verily is the love of Yahuwah perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked. (1 John 2:5-6)
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psalm 119:9)
Yahuwah's word has the power to transform lives and renew sin-darkened minds.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yahuwah. (Romans 12:2)
The Scriptures, when prayerfully studied, reveal weaknesses in our character, lay bare our thoughts, and make clear the true condition of our hearts in Heaven's sight:
For the word of Yahuwah is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
The Scriptures equip us with understanding, that we might through the power of the Holy Spirit bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through Yahuwah to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Yahuwah, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Yahushua, the sinless Son of the Most High, always used Scripture to combat temptation. How much more then do we, in our degraded and sinful condition, need to master this two-edged sword? If we are to be victorious, we must become intimately acquainted with Yahuwah's word.
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"The Bible in the memory is better than the Bible in the book case." (Charles Spurgeon) |
Then was Yahushua led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If thou be the Son of Yahuwah, command that these stones be made bread. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Yahuwah. Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of Yahuwah, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Yahushua said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt Yahuwah thy Elohim. Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Yahushua unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship Yahuwah thy Elohim, and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. (Matthew 4:1-11)
But sanctify Yahuwah Elohim in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. (1 Peter 3:15)
If we are to fulfill the great commission, we must commit to heart all that Yahuwah and His Son have commanded us.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations. . . Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Scripture is a wellspring of righteous instruction and an infallible source of sound doctrine.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of Yahuwah, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of Yahuwah may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16)
Committing Yahuwah's word to heart allows us to more effectively build up our brothers and sisters in the faith.
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living Elohim; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "TODAY," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:12-13)
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
In our pursuit of that imperishable crown, it is crucial that we keep the Father's word ever before us.
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"You should diligently learn the Word of . . . [Yahuwah] and by no means imagine that you know it. . . . The devil is a greater rascal than you think he is. You do as yet not know what sort of fellow he is and what a desperate rogue you are. His definite design is to get you tired of the Word and in this way to draw you away from it. This is his aim." (Martin Luther) |
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. (Psalm 119:15-16)
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. (Psalm 119:148)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)
Meditation upon Yahuwah's word is the key to true prosperity and success.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)
Feast upon the precious promises of Yahuwah today, that you may stand strong in the trials ahead!
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahuwah, He is my refuge and my fortress: my Elohim; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made Yahuwah, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation. (Psalm 91)
He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16)
But they that wait upon Yahuwah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy Elohim: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I Yahuwah thy Elohim will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. (Isaiah 41:10-13)
But now thus saith Yahuwah that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am Yahuwah thy Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west (Isaiah 43:1-5)
If we are to be found ready at the Master's coming, we must keep our vessels continually filled with oil. "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." (1 Thess. 5:6)
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Master, Master, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1-13)
Let us all, by the Father's enabling grace, commit ourselves daily to the study of His life-giving word, that we may with an honest heart say with Job,
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (Job 23:12)
