Reading the Bible is necessary for all believers; however, what is the point without understanding what you are reading? Therefore the actions of prayer and study are required and are indispensable for learning, understanding, and growth in your walk with YAHWEH. Without prayer, reflection, and study (research), your daily Bible reading can become mundane, tedious, or just another daily task you check off your daily to-do list and put no further thought into. Suppose you allow reading the word of YAHWEH to become uninteresting or dull to you. In that case, the risk of losing this line of communication is likely, as we learned in Pt.1.
In (Luke 24:45 HRB) Scriptures says, “Then He (Yahshua) opened up their mind to understand the Scriptures.” Accordingly, we should take action when reading these words and understand that our Elohim alone can open our minds to understand His Holy Scripture. So undoubtedly, before opening the Bible to read, asks YAHWEH in prayer to open your mind to understand His Holy Scriptures in the name of His son Yahshua (John 14:14, John 16:23, 24). Your prayer should be followed with a disciple’s heart and mindset to learn humbly and gain spiritual insight from the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) about the word of YAHWEH.
The 3 Scriptures below embody the meaning of studying the word (s) of YAHWEH, as all three deal with actions that we BBB (Bible Believing Believers) must strive to do.
Draw near to Elohim, and He will draw near to you…
And these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all readiness, daily examining the Scriptures if these things are so
And study to present yourself approved to Elohim, a workman unashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth
In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.
Today we will review the first scripture, followed next week with the other two YAHWEH willing.
James, the brother of Yahshua, shares one of the key elements to becoming a diligent Bible studier and a devoted believer. He says, “Draw near to Elohim, and He will draw near to you” meaning that if we gravitate or move toward YAHWEH, He will gravitate toward us or pull us into or closer to Himself. Let’s take a science break here and talk about gravity. Gravity is the force that attracts the center mass of a smaller object toward the center mass of a larger or greater object. An example would be how gravity attracts falling things downward toward the center mass of Earth. Gravitation also occurs between our Moon and Oceans. Water from the Earth bulges out toward the side closest to the Moon and the side farthest from the Moon during its rotation around the Earth, which is called tidal force. The tidal force or the Moon’s gravitational pull is what causes Earth’s high and low tides. Likewise, if you were an astronaut returning from space, you would notice the closer you got to the Earth, the stronger and stronger the gravitational pull from Earth would be. Once you get close enough and feel the weight of the gravitational force, you will undoubtedly realize that you can’t escape or avoid Earth’s gravity. So is the same with YAHWEH and you; the closer you move your center mass (your heart) toward Him, the stronger and stronger His pull will be toward you until you can’t avoid or sidestep Him. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true, the further you move away from YAHWEH, the weaker His pull will be in your life. If your distance becomes too great, you will eventually be floating weightlessly, disconnected from the Creator like an astronaut drifting in outer space. (Romans 1:28 – see Pt. 6 of To sin or not to sin series: Reprobate Mind.
So what does this have to do with studying the Word(s) of YAHWEH?
If you answered “YES” to any of the reasons presented in last week’s Pt. 1 list or “NO” but still don’t read and study the Bible, the answer is the same and lies within your abilities and actions. YAHWEH is not going to make you pray, read and study the Bible, or love Him. Drawing near to YAHWEH is a voluntary actionable step you must initiate on your own. You must start studying the Bible and praying daily, which would be you drawing near to Father. As you commit yourself daily, you need to remember that YAHWEH is also drawing near to you. Will, you immediately start understanding what you are reading, “NO”, but with prayer and study, YAHWEH will begin to provide you with the understanding.
Studying the word (s) of YAHWEH is more than just increasing your biblical knowledge; it’s about building your relationship with the Creator, learning who He is, and what He wants out of His creation (you), which is why it is essential not to become complacent about it. If not careful and purposeful, you will turn your daily studying into a mundane task of just reading the Bible to check the box off your daily list of things you had to do. Thinking this way will lead you back to the reason you were not reading and studying the Bible in the first place. No relationship is built overnight. The more you pray and study, the stronger the gravitational pull will be between you and YAHWEH.
This is the Bible I use and recommend:
coYHWHjerusalem
http://coyhwh.com/en/bibleDownloadPDF.php
Check this video out from our brother in faith, it has good info about following YAHWEH and studying the Bible.