The Bible Is A Training Manual For Our Lives.

So many people don’t know this, of thing it bunch of lies, or it’s a old un-useful story book. It is such a shame.

How many of you can remember the instructions that your parents passed down to you? Another question is, how many of you are still following through on those instructions?

As a child, I didn’t get much instruction from my mother, she was full of foolish superstitions and such. Thank God I had my father’s instruction to go by.

More than likely it was passed down to them from their parents. My Father was raised in a Jewish family. The Bible tells us as parents to train up a child in the ways that they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it. -Proverbs 22:6-

Have you ever had a hard time reading or understanding how the Bible applies to your life? I have when I was not a follower of Christ and even times as a new follower. I spent many years thinking I was not faithful enough, because I wasn’t getting anything out of the scriptures outside of what the pastor told me. At first I didn’t enjoy reading it. Then it occurred to me, could it be because of the way I was reading the Bible? The Bible is God’s instruction manual, to teach me exactly how I’m supposed to live my life. Yet I didn’t see how I was supposed to be navigating things like the internet, social life in the middle of the pandemic. If the Bible is a instruction manual, should I be able to come to it with my problems and find the right answer! Of course I should, but of course this is not the way the Bible works. We need to add prayer, meditation, and worship, to know the right answers. We can learn a lot from the Bible. Without adding the extras that God says to add the approach to reading scripture is wrong and could be the very reason your not getting anything from it.

The instruction manual style reading is that you will go through the text with a particular problem and expect that the text will give you the answer. Think of trying to assemble anything from IKEA. You are sitting there with a bunch of parts with no idea of how to construct your purchase. Opening us the instructions will guide you along the very process you must go through to get the desired result. Instruction manuals give us a path the must be followed with 100% accuracy if we have any hope of attaining intended result. The Bible does not, and cannot, function in this way. Rather the Bible functions like many great pieces of literature, teaching us virtues and a mortality that is intended for us, in order to be the kind of people we were created to be. It teaches concepts, not processes. Approaching the Bible like an instruction manual would lead many people to make wrong choices, simply because it is in the Bible.

I hope we can all recognize that if we are unable to have children, husband still shouldn’t sleep with their wife’s servant in order to get one.

Another problem with approaching Scripture this way, is that it completely negates what the intention of the writing was. There is an entire discipline in the field of Biblical Studies, called literally criticism, that is devoted to figuring out exactly how the text works. The goal is not to diminish Scripture to being no more than reading the latest New York Bestseller, but rather a recognition that language has a particular genre. By focusing on the composition, structure, and style of a text, literary critics enables us to see the world of the text.

Nothing is more important that our ability to read a text closely and sympathetically, with both an eye and ear to the internal dynamics of a text. Like the difficult passage that says “My tears have been my food day and night, while people still say continually “Where is your God?” -Psalm 42:3- if my understanding is the Bible is an instruction manual. This kind of thought may lead you to believe that if anyone questions the existence of God, you may not consume anything but your own tears, because that would mean Jews and Christians would never been allowed to actually eat food.

If we come to the Bible expecting like spiritual owner’s manual complete. with handy index, a step-by-step field guide to the life of faith, and absolutely sure answer book to unlock the mystery of God and the meaning of life, then conflict and stress follow right behind and, like a leech, find a place in your heart and soul to latch on.

The Bible is made up of 66 separate pieces of literature. Each one has its own meaning and understanding behind it. That means that we have to approach each text differently, in order to understand what God is telling us through His Word.

If you approach the Bible as an instruction manual, you will almost certainly miss the meaning entirely and end up with a skewed view of God. Do not try to read the Bible as an instruction manual. God is teaching us things through His Word, but it not meant to be entirely prescriptive. It teaches us the morality of being a follower of Christ, but it doesn’t give us the instructions on putting that mortality into place every day throughout all time. Reading the Bible’s context provides for us a path to a deeper connection with God.

The Encourager

Barnabas

Many of us are familiar with the twelve apostles of Jesus, as well as with Saul, later named Paul, who is responsible for writing most of the books in the New Testament. But there great men and women of faith mentioned throughout scripture, and one of them Barnabas, was highly influential when it came to sharing the gospel.

In the New Testament, a man named Barnabas was all about encouragement, so much so that it was his nickname, and it stuck. Scripture tells us that he owned and put the profit from the sale at the apostle’s feet. -Acts 4:36-37-

These attributes of encouragement, support, and generosity would stay with Barnabas. When he saw how Paul has become a fervent follower of Christ, Barnabas took the then-unknown disciple under his wing and introduced him to the other apostles in Jerusalem.

The other apostles were afraid because of Paul past actions, but Barnabas vouched for him, and because of this, the new convert stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. Barnabas encouragement helped move Paul from the sidelines of Christianity and put him into play.

Later passages detail how Barnabas was doing the work of God in Antioch but decided to find Paul so the two could work together for their faith. The church grew steadily under their partnership and their efforts for Jesus netted tremendous results, helping spread the faith far and wide.

Barnabas truly was a “man of encouragement.” He gave life to the church and sacrificed much for the faith. He, along with Paul and other Christian leaders of his time, were instrumental in spreading the gospel across the land and converting great numbers, both Jew and Gentile. Because of others like him, we know Jesus today. We can honor Barnabas by sharing our testimonies and sharing the Good News near and far. Like Barnabas, we can be people of encouragement.

Fear Of Man

Constantly seeking the approval of others rather than resting in God’s approval leads to people pleasing. It involves us often being afraid of people’s reactions to our needs, wants and desires, and therefore we stop inviting others in and resist what we really need. We can all fall into the people pleasing trap.

Proverb 29:25 declares that this fear of man will prove to be a snare. The definition of the word snare in English means “a trap,” much like ones to catch an animal. But the word is used in this verse carries a meaning that goes far beyond critter-catching.

In the original Hebrew, the word translated in English as snare is the word moqesh. Moqesh doesn’t only mean a trap for pray; it also conveys the concept of bait or a lure. It indicates an animal, object or person that is enticing, causing another to stop what they’re doing and put themselves into a dangerous situation because of the “prize” in front of them. Before they know it, they’re caught!

From time to time we have all been caught in a moqesh. So what are we to do to free ourselves from this snare? We wiggle free when we realize we do not constantly need the approval of others. We have already secured the greatest approval of all: we are all children of God. He can grant us the courage to resist being caught in people pleasing.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, God wants us to discipline our minds to remember that we already have God’s approval from others. Ask God to help you make choices based on what He wants you to do rather than on someone else’s approval. We can learn to entrust our lives to God, giving responses that line up with His Word, carried out with confidence instead of timidity.

Spiritual Meanings Of The Hebrew Letters

I learned about this from my pastor at church. It is very interesting. I thought I would share what I learned.

How many people realize the Jesus was Jewish. So many church’s in America make Him out to look completely different.

Hebrew letters are not just ordinary letters. Each letter is a symbol, full of many inner meanings, from literal straightforward meaning, to deeper spiritual meaning. Understanding the letters provide essential insight into the deeper meanings of the Torah or the Bible.

After studying the letters in depth it is not uncommon for many people to feel that the letters express some direct spiritual communication that goes beyond words. In kabbalistic circles, (A guide to find meaning and purpose In your life) meditation on the letters is commonly practiced to encourage this type of rapport with the letters.

Looking into the deeper meanings of the letter can transform and deepen our learning and can lead us to deeper levels of spiritual experience. Kabbalist will study for many years to realize the great inner spiritual meanings of the letters, so it is important to realize that this one tiny point can deepen to a field of study, which could be followed for a lifetime.

For Example: I’m going to do my name using this method: Kathy

K or Khaf the Hebrew letter means literally the cupped palm of the hand, it is like a cupped outstretched palm, ready to receive. The shape of all containers- a bowl, a cup,a jar, is based on that basic curved shape and Khaf represents the idea of a container. A house is a form that contains the going on of the people inside it; a body is a form that contains the life and energy of the person. It also teaches us to shape ourselves to bend the ego and shape our character.

If you have a K or Khaf in your name. Do you contain worries or negative thoughts? Or do you contain what you most aspire to?

K- a cup ready to receive goodness. It is Paslm 11 in the Bible.

Since the vowels are silence in the Hebrew letters. It is only based on constances.

T- or Teith the literal meaning of basket or nest is the symbol of the good in all creation. It has todo with purity and impurity, teaching us to choose the good, and also the realization that even within the bad things that happen, there is hidden good. Teith also represents femininity. It includes the kindness and mercy of creation and the principle that everything is eternal and nothing is ever lost.

Teith’s essence is feminine, representing the number 9 for 9 months of pregnancy, and shaped like a womb, a spiral, a container where things change and transform. The infinite is contained in Teith and it brings about the finite.

The Teith contains the Hesed or kindness and mercy of creation. It teaches us to distinguish between the good and the bad, and by choosing the good to clean and purify and thereby to do that which is impossible, to erase the bad deed that was done. Nothing is lost, nothing wasted and all is eternal.

It is Psalm 9 in the Bible.

H or Heith is the letter of life. It represents infinite possibilities. It is undifferentiated substance and energy, containing all possibilities that could come into being. Heith indicates the ability of the human to rise and go beyond nature. It is related to the Neshama, the soul. It represents the power of choice which is given by the soul, as well as the qualities of charm and grace in which come from the soul.

Heith is like a revolving gateway, a power to enter a higher level, to enter the mysteries of one’s soul, and return to worldly consciousness. The ancient form of the letter looks like a 🪜 ladder, indicating the ability to go above and beyond limitations. It is the essence of the human being to break through nature, to spiritual realization. It is also in the word for prophecy and wisdom.

Is it Psalm 8 in the Bible.

Y or Yod is a dot or point. The Yod represents the Creature, the single point from which all of creation emerges, and the unity within multiplicity. It is the foundations, the hidden divine spark which caused everything to be. It represents the power of the spirit to govern and guide matter.

Yod is a symbol of the Holy One, the Creator, since the holy name starts with Yod as in Yahweh. The meaning of Yod is great. According to kabbalistic tradition, all of the creation came forth from a single point- a point which represents God’s infinite presence inside of the finite world.

As Yod represents the idea of Unity within Multiplicity of one whole that is comprised of parts. Yod as we see is a single point, but it’s value is 10 it shows us that many grains of sand are used to make one pot, many pages make up one book , many drops of water make up the ocean. There are many occurrences in the world, but they all stem from one God, perfect and indivisible.

It is Psalm 10 in the Bible.

I am planning on having my name in Hebrew spoke over me, by my pastor I sure there is more insight into may name I have not found.

The sight I used for this information was Kabbalah.comHebrew Letters Spiritual Meanings.

The Value Of Memorizing Scripture

I have been focusing on memorizing scripture lately. I know the Bible in and out, I know how to have morals and values. But I have a difficult time memorizing scripture. Yes, there are a few a can say word for word. But not as many as I would like to.

Jesus said in John 6:63. “My words are Spirit and they are life.” Thing about that for a minute.

The words of Jesus are unlike any other words ever spoken. When the Bible says that “man cannot live by bread alone, but man lives you everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord -Deuteronomy 8:3-, it likens the Word of God to Spirit food. It feeds our spiritual man just like natural food feeds our bodies. This is how we become partakes of Divine nature. This is how we become “the Word made flesh” in the world. -John 1:14-

The apostle James says “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save souls.” -James 1:21- It’s amazing isn’t it?

The word not only rearranges our thinking to align with ultimate reality, but it also gives us access to an alternate state of being.

Engraftment Scripture into your life so that it becomes a living and active extension of who you are.

Memorize and delight in God’s Word. You can engraft passages on peace in the midst of chaos. Engraft words on faith and fight off despair. Focus on joy or boldness any by doing so you become a partaker of the Devine nature contained in those very words!

By engrafting it into your way of thinking, you begin to interact with and become one with the mind of Christ.

The more you practice this process, the more your renewed mind becomes open words of knowledge, words of wisdom, discerning of spirits or any gift of the spirit.

Life in the spirit is always supernatural but not always spectacular. We all love the stories of healings, miracles, and dramatic public display of God’s Grace. Yet, there is another aspect of supernatural living. Continuous peace and joy will fill your soul as you experience divine appointments and ideas that prosper you, bless others and bring heaven to earth.

Focus on internal transformation and you’ll see results in every area of your life, both subtle and, at time spectacular.