Going Deeper Bible Study - Part 1

Throughout the previous pages at His Love for You we have desired to encourage hearts to look to the one true Savior of the world, Christ Jesus as their sure redeemer and eternal friend.  

For those new in their quest to know more about God, there is much to learn of the beautiful treasures of the depth of God’s love for you.  It is a daily discovery.

Jesus gave His disciples a commission, a mission, just before He ascended back into Heaven to be with the Father.

In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus tells His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”         

It is beyond the scope of this work to write all there is to say about the Christian walk.  There is much learning still going on and forever will be.   There are a great number of volumes written about God, along with more articles than one could ever count.  

What we will attempt to lay out here are some basic things to help you get started.  We will also provide a growing number of resources that will help give you access to more of the tools you need to make better choices for your heart and mind and, your life. Often times, those resources have resources. Yes, we will be going deeper. 

Jesus tells the story of a sower sowing seed in Matthew 13:3-9.  The seed fell on a path, on shallow ground, in thorny place and on good ground.  That seed is God’s Word reaching the hearts of people.  

Because many of those who heard the Word treated the message with little or no regard, God’s seed did not take root in their hearts. But some seed fell on good ground and it did take root. God's word grew deep in each of these people's heart.  Such seed produced an abundant crop. 

Every day we must determine within ourselves to let the Word of God dwell and grow in our hearts and minds. This cannot be emphasized enough.  If you do not have a Bible please, do get one.  

Read your Bible every day. Bathe your reading with prayer to God. It is good to ask God for help in understanding what you read.  There are some verses you will read that seemingly contradict other verses.  “Which is it God? I’m confused.”  

God will reveal what those differences are actually saying.  When we pray to God, ask Him for help in understanding. Do some deeper research and ask questions to those who have walked with God for a while.

Often times when we least expect it God turns the light on in our hearts about those verses, showing how there wasn’t any contradiction at all.  

James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  Be careful as you go. 2 Peter 3:16 tells us some things are hard to understand.  

If we do not learn with patience and seek God’s wisdom as we go, we can do ourselves spiritual harm.  What can happen is we can distort our perspective of God and ourselves.  Give yourself and God time to show you; what seems to be a contradiction actually ends up to be a beautifully woven tapestry. 

We have the world, our flesh and the devil that are power magnets trying to pull our affection away from God. We do have to live in this world, make a living, love our families and all of the things that come with life.  

But do not let those things pull your heart away from God.  Satan is a very convincing liar who will change his appearance to look like truth but whose sole purpose is to take you out of your love and walk with God and destroy you.  See 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 and 1 Peter 5:6-11. 

God didn’t give up on you.  God will continue to do life building things in your life.  He planned a good purpose for your life long before you were born. He simply needs your, “Yes God.  Keep doing what needs to be done. Not my will but yours be done.”

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”  

Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6 “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  God is bigger than our circumstances and it is why we need to look to Him, not our circumstances, each and every day.  

He is the God of all comfort, our ever-present help and our strength.  Because of Him, we are more than conqueror’s.  See Romans 8:37. 

A word of encouragement along with learning and discerning what may be going on in your heart as you grow. God’s Spirit and His leading in your thoughts and heart will draw you closer to Jesus.  Thoughts that tell you, “you are no good and you’ve gone past God’s love” are not from God.  Those thoughts are not to be listened to. Those thoughts are lies.  

As is true of every believer, we make mistakes.  Our flesh is still prone to wander and sin.  Do not let a downward turn make you believe it’s all over with.  It isn't over with.  It is during those times that we run to God, confess our sins to God and ask Him for His forgiveness.  He is the God who abundantly pardons and restores us. 

You have an advocate with God who helps you rebound and helps get you back on His purpose for your life.  I John 1:9 tells us that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  God wants each one of us back.  Every one of us needs to go to Him daily, sometimes hourly…or more.  

There is a beautiful story regarding this idea in Luke 15:13-32.  It is the story of a son who lost his way from his father.  Every heart should be encouraged we have such an incredible Heavenly Father.  

Such a merciful loving God should motivate us to serve and love Him back out of a humble and grateful heart.  The love relationship goes both ways.  God makes a way each and every day.  Also read Hebrews 4:12-16. 

• Is There a God?