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.
Reading and studying the word of YAHWEH is essential in equipping ourselves with the whole armor of YAHWEH (Ephesians 6:11). The fact that we are behind enemy lines should prompt us to stay ready daily by reading and studying the word of YAHWEH versus having to get ready only after the launch of an attack. When Adam willingly sinned in the garden (Gen 3:6), he abdicated his position and domain over the earth to Satan, leaving it under the Devil’s regime, hence placing us behind enemy lines or making Satan the god or prince of this world (John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11, 2Cor 4:4, Eph 6:12).
“to those whose eyes have been blinded by the god of this world [Satan], because they did not believe, lest the light of the glorious good news of the Messiah, who is the image of YAHWEH, should shine on them.”
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.
Satan is not a fairy tale or a figment of our imagination but a real and vicious enemy of humanity that aims to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). Believers and non-believers alike worldwide regularly fall prey to Satan’s tricks, schemes, and attacks, unaware of the spiritual warfare that is taking place and how much ground they have given up in their lives to the Devil (Ephesians 6:12). One of his favorite battlefields is the human mind which can be distracted and is prone to internal influences (fears, abilities, ethnicity, etc.) and external influences (culture, friends, media, etc.). One of his primary campaigns on the battlefield of the mind is to cut off the lines of communication between you and YAHWEH. He wants to stop you from reading and studying the word of YAHWEH. Have you fallen prey to his deceptions? If you are not sure, review the list below to see if you have said, believed, or thought any of the following when it comes to reading and studying the Bible:
- I don’t have the time.
- I don’t understand the Bible.
- I can not get past Genesis.
- It’s boring.
- The Bible is for a particular race of people.
- Why do I need to read the Bible? I already have life figured out.
- The Bible is full of errors.
- I already know everything in the Bible.
- The Bible doesn’t work for me; it goes against my current lifestyle.
- The Bible is outdated.
- It’s the pastor’s, minister’s, priest’s, or preacher’s job to study the Bible and teach me, not mine.
- The denomination you belong to tells you not to read the Bible and that they will interpret it for you. (If this is you, you might need to reevaluate the denomination or congregation you have attached yourself to).
- It’s just a book of stories and ideas, nothing special.
- I’ve been meaning to.
- I’m not sure it’s real.
- If people see me reading the Bible, what will they think of me?
Most people will find themselves on the list. If your exact reason is not displayed and you are not reading and studying the word, examine yourself to find out why not.
We are at WAR
When at war, a military’s lines of communication are everything and, therefore, heavily guarded. If the lines are lost, defeat is almost certain to follow because of their profound importance to the operation. The lines of communication are not limited to transmissions via radio or encrypted network systems. They also include the network of roads and depots used to resupply the military, send messengers, and send reinforcements.
Loss lines of Communication:
- Loss of communications over radio transmissions and encrypted computer systems means the military loses command leadership, knowledge of the overall situation, and can easily be attacked or surprised by enemies.
- Loss of supply means the military has lost the ability to supply the fighting forces with ammunition, gas, food, water, or anything else needed to continue fighting and maintain high morale.
- Loss of reinforcement must be avoided at all costs as it could result in multiple casualties and be the fatal blow that loses the war. Imagine losing soldiers with no hope of reinforcements. You will undoubtedly find yourself outnumbered, overran, and forced to surrender or worst.
Just like a military can not afford to lose its lines of communication, neither can we. Though YAHWEH speaks in many different ways, He communicates most through His word, so we must read and study it daily. This line of communication must be guarded and protected daily. YAHWEH is capable of opening our minds to understand His words as He did for the disciple in (Luke 24:45) “Then He [thoroughly] opened up their minds to understand the Scriptures.”
Reading and studying His Word will allow us to remain:
- Connected to our source (John 15: 4, 5, 6, 7)
- “Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burnt in a fire. Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered.“
- Connected to our supplier (Matthew 6:33 HRB)
- “But seek first the kingdom of YAHWEH and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
- Connected to our reinforcement (Psalms 9, 10, 11, 12 HRB)
- “Because You, O YAHWEH, are My refuge; You make the Most High Your habitation, no evil shall happen to You, nor shall any plague come near Your tent. For He shall give His cherubs charge over You, to keep You in all Your ways. They shall bear You up in their hands, that You not dash Your foot on a stone.“
By David Edwards