Peace Part Two

You may be wondering why this article is entitled, "Peace Part Two", where was part one?  Well, I posted it on my other blog.  My focus in that article was that in order to have true peace, you need God. But some of you are thinking, "I have God in my life, why don't I have peace?!?"

This article is for you.

I know what you are feeling. It's almost embarrassing to admit this, but if it helps someone, it is worth it. I got saved at the age of 3. I don't actually remember it. I was just always told by my parents. When I hit my teenage years I really started questioning whether I was really saved. I went forward during an altar call at teen camp one year, but later I still questioned my salvation. I grew up in church from the age of 2. We went to churches that taught the Word. I had a good grasp of a lot of doctrine, but still didn't have peace. I wasn't unhappy, I just had this ever-present nagging inside. Every now and then I would repeat the sinner's prayer to "make sure" I was saved, but it still didn't make the nagging go away. I think it came down to thinking I had to be perfect to be right in God's eyes. I would go over my past and think about things I had done wrong and question whether I was good enough to go to heaven.

Four years ago, I sat down and decided to start a Bible-reading schedule. I was 29 years old and had been saved for 26 years, but had NEVER really read my Bible!!! I know, shocking, but true! I had never done consistent devotions. I would go to church, but never bothered to look up the passages and see for myself if the pastor was right or not. Occasionally, I would feel guilty about my lack of Bible study, so I would randomly open up my Bible and read a bit, but didn't get much out of it, because I didn't understand much of what I was reading. I kept thinking that it would be great if there was a book or something out there that would teach me, without actually having to go to Bible school. But I didn't really seek anything out.

Well, now I realize that I had to take the first step. I started with a One-Year schedule that was printed in my Charisma magazine. Every day was a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament and either Psalms or Proverbs. After a couple weeks of reading, it was starting to make sense. And the desire to know more was growing in me. I wanted to know the history behind things happening in the Old Testament, so I would check out books from the library. I started seeing the big picture of the Bible. And I'm happy to say that in the last four years I have been consistent. I may not study or read every single day, but most days of the week. It was only when I stepped out in obedience to God to seek first His kingdom and start a study of His Word that the peace came! And that peace has grown and grown. First came the peace about my eternal security, no more questioning whether I was really saved. Next came peace in other areas of life. I detailed one of those here. No more nagging sense that something isn't right! I'm at peace and truly free!

This is partly why this blog was born. I want to tell everyone that you MUST read your Bible!!!! But it sounds so legalistic. I am not telling you that you HAVE to read your Bible. God is not going to love you any more whether you ever read your Bible or not. But He can't help you unless you do! The abundant life that Jesus promised us in John 10:10 is available to ALL, but only SOME will partake! Many are saved, but FEW are walking in prosperity, peace, and joy! Why? Because they are not seeking His kingdom first. This is why that is my banner verse at the top of my blog.

It is the devil that will beat you over the head with guilt and condemnation and tell you that you're not a good Christian because you aren't reading your Bible. He may make you question your salvation because you're not reading your Bible, as he did with me. Romans 8:1 tells us that there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus. Condemnation will pull you away from God. All those times I felt the guilt and condemnation for not reading my Bible, it didn't motivate me form the habit. It is the working of the Holy Spirit (I wrote about this before here) that pulls you closer to God. I started the habit of Bible reading because I knew I needed to, not because I felt guilty, and that was the gentle pushing of the Holy Spirit. If you're ever feeling down, just read the whole chapter of Romans 8. I especially love the last verse - there is NOTHING that can separate us from the love of God!!! That is good news!

Looking back now over the four years of my Bible study, I can see how beneficial it has been for me. The biggest benefit is to see God's Word come to my mind, come from my heart, when it is needed. In time of trial is when it is needed most and that is often not the time to sit down and search for a scripture.

Most of my life I have lived a blessed life, there were no real bumps. But you never really know when a trial will hit. I have had things these last 6 months that have really tried my faith and patience. If it were not for God's Word ALREADY planted deep in my heart, I would not have peace! You NEVER know when you will need it--why not prepare! Someone close to me found themselves in the hospital this last year with a life-threatening condition. There's no time like time in the hospital to stand on the promises of God! But this person didn't have any scriptures to stand in faith on. The answer was that they just didn't think something like this would happen! We can't predict that life is going to be smooth sailing, but you can have the peace of God amidst adversity, IF you have His Word planted in your heart. It will spring forth to your mind at your hour of need! And that will bring you needed peace!

At some point a few years ago, I started having my son memorize passages of scripture. Inevitably, this made me memorize them as well. This has been a big boost to my peace! When you memorize scriptures, the Holy Spirit will bring them back to your mind in times of need. John 14:26 So, I really recommend, as part of your new study, that you incorporate some memorization. It may sound like the stuff of children's Sunday school classes, but it will help you!

I could tell you until I'm blue in the face about all the benefits of starting a personal Bible study, but you will just have to experience it for yourself. Are you experiencing turmoil in your finances, your marriage, your child-rearing, or even about your eternal destiny? First and foremost you must accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, but THEN you must LET Him teach you and correct you and instruct you in righteous living (II Tim. 3:16). This only happens when you let him IN through His Word. Your pastor can speak into your life to a degree, but to REALLY, really experience the abundant life that Jesus promised you, you HAVE to get into the Word! Verse 17 of II Timothy 3 tells us the end result - ...that the man of God may be complete! Salvation is not the end, but the beginning! The beginning of a work, that doesn't end until Christ returns! But YOU must LET God work in your life!  You can read more about that here.

What it really boils down to is obedience. You may be doing devotional reading daily, perhaps you need to start a deeper study. Perhaps you need to start tithing! (Oooh, hot button!) Perhaps there is an area you need to practice self control in. Perhaps, you are just hearing the Word, but aren't doing it? (James 1:22)

What if you don't know what areas God wants you to step out in obedience in? Start reading His Word and see what sticks out to you. You'll know it, when you read it.

Whatever area you feel you need to be obedient in, make Bible study a part of it. How else will you know what God's will is for you and how else could you obey? God's Word IS His will! For me, obedience was to simply start with a daily reading schedule. (Not to say that is the only thing--we never arrive, it is a life-long journey of obedience.)  God knew that I would dig deeper, He knew that with any area of interest I have, whether it's health or history, I dig as deep as I can.

Now, don't tell me you don't have time! You have time for whatever is important to you. You can MAKE time for anything you want! It's a matter of priorities. Shut off the TV for 30 minutes!

I want to be here to help you. I want to give you some resources with this blog. I mentioned above that I wished there were books or teaching tapes out there that would give me an in-depth "Bible School" education.  I always felt that if someone would educate me, THEN I could understand what I was reading and I would make Bible study a habit!  Now I know it's the other way around, I was to start the study myself and THEN the understanding would come.  And I have found some great resources along the way, as well.  Dr. Chuck Missler offers detailed, in-depth commentaries on practically every book of the Bible. He will teach you verse by verse and at the same give you a big picture perspective of the Bible. I highly recommend his Learn the Bible in 24 Hours study, as a start. I also have really enjoyed his study of Philippians, Isaiah, and Galatians. These commentaries are available for download, or on CD, and many are available to listen to direct from his website for free. He also puts the current broadcasts out on iTunes for free download. They are only available on iTunes for 2 weeks at a time, though.
On the right-hand bar of this blog you will find other links to ministries that I like. And I am trying to give you plenty of study ideas, on here, by posting what I am studying.

So, don't delay, start today!

Here is a Bible-reading schedule.

I would love to hear your comments and questions on this topic.

Update 1/30/09 - For more information on this topic, read my article on Grace, here.