Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Tuesday June 9, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Nehemiah. Please read chapters 7-8 in your Bible or Click Here to read them.
https://www.allonlinebible.com/Nehemiah/7,1-8,last/7.html

Today's Message: Cover to Cover
From cover to cover the Bible has everything we need to live a long, prosperous, joyful life, but we must be willing to learn all of it to enjoy all of these blessings.

God's Word is given to us in order to give us instructions on how we can live the best life possible, it teaches us about love, honor, discipline, and even how to obtain our desires. The key is to read and learn all of God's Word, not part of it.

After the walls of Jerusalem were complete all of the Israelites gathered together to hear Ezra read the Book of Law. Thousands of Jews assembled in Jerusalem day after day from sunrise until noon to hear Ezra and the Levites read and explain the Book of the Law. This resulted in a renewal of the Covenant relationship of the Israelites with God and the restoration of scriptural worship. "And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law." (Nehemiah 8:1-3). Do you see how the people were eager to hear God's Word? It's not enough to read His Word, we must want to hear it. Otherwise we will never understand the true meaning of what He wants us to know. God speaks to us through His Word and, as we read it, our various acts of disobedience, whether by ignorance, omission or commission, are brought to mind. This will lead to our conviction, confession, and cleansing. We will then become not only hearers of the Word, but doers as well. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:" (James 1:22-23).

After Ezra and the other Levites explained the Scriptures, a marvelous revival took place. The people, overwhelmed by what they were taught, wept as they realized that they had forsaken God's commands. "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (8:8-10). Ezra told the people that they no longer needed to mourn or cry over their sins because God had forgiven them. They were to rejoice as God had forgiven them and given them the strength to live for Him. We too need to be reminded that once we confess our sins we are forgiven and no longer need to mourn or cry over them. Rejoice! You are forgiven and are cleansed from all of your sins!

A growing number of Christian's are relying on others to tell them about God's Word or even worse, reading books that claim to be the Bible, yet have taken out or even added to God's Word, which God's warns deeply against. "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:18-19).

You say you do not understand the Bible and that is why you do not read it? Well, there are one of two reasons why you can not understand it.

1. You are not saved.
In order to understand God's Word you must have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (I Corinthians 2:12). The only way to receive the Holy Spirit is by accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38).

2. You are not reading with your heart.
It's not enough to read the Bible, you have to want to read it. I can understand that there might be some gruesome events recorded in the Bible, but unless you read all of it you will never know how those things came to play. Think about life today, we face all types of issues, including war, famine, poverty, and even homosexuality. The Bible is no different than what we deal with on a daily bases, except it takes place centuries ago.

Take the time to read the Bible daily, read it cover to cover and do not stop after that. God designed the book so that you are about to learn something new every time you re-read a verse. Take you time, you do not have to rush, God is with you and will help you understand. Of course, it's perfectly fine to meet with others for Bible study or read messages like these to help you understand as well, but never underestimate the power of reading God's Word for yourself.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night.
God Bless you,
Christina

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