How can we better understand the Bible? I've been asked this question many times. We should realize that God intends for us to understand His word. “Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17) In chapter 3 of Ephesians Paul said, "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

Following are some simple yet indispensable principles:

1. Ask yourself, "Who is speaking?" Sometimes the Bible records the words of liars (I Kings 13). Of course the Bible is recording the "truth" about the fact of the lie. We should determine if the Bible is recording what God said or what the devil said. Was the statement made by an inspired man or uninspired man? For example, the statement made in John 9:31 is no doubt true (based upon Proverbs 28:9), but it is made by an uninspired man.

2. Ask yourself, "To whom is the statement addressed?" Good illustration is found by comparing Acts 2:38 with Acts 8:22. In the first text the people are commanded to "repent and be baptized." In the second text a man is commanded to "repent and pray." In the first situation non-Christians were asking what to do to be saved (Acts 2:36-38). In the second, a man who was already a Christian (Acts 8:12-13) was being told what to do as a Christian who had sinned.

3. Ask yourself, "When was the statement made?" For example, under the Old Testament Law the Jews were commanded to keep the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8). However, the Old Testament was revealed as a binding law when Jesus died on the cross (Colossians 2:14- 16; Galatians 3:19-26) and today Christians worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

4. Clearly, there are passages that are very difficult, such as portions of the book of Revelation. However, the things essential to gain and maintain a right relationship with God are set out in very clear and plain language.

5. David said, "Thy word Have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalms 119: 11) "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. " (Psalm 119: 105)

6. Read your Bible daily (Psalm 1: 1-3; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17).

Restored
We apologize that through an oversight we failed to run the announcement last week that Robert Black was restored to faithful service and asked for the prayers of the church. We are confident that God will cleanse the penitent heart and it our prayer that brother Black will have the strength and courage to run the race set before him. We will run his directory information when it is available.

Youth Day
The South Seminole church of Christ in Winter Park, is hosting a “Youth Day” this coming Saturday, August 27th, at 8:30 a.m. – 3:25 p.m. The subject is “Issues of Morality” and the scheduled speakers include: Jerry Murrell; Jason Roberts; Gene Burgett; Gary Summers; David Sproule; Rick Kenyon; Chris Steele; Brian Kenyon.

Ladies Work Group
The Ladies Work Group is scheduled to meet tomorrow evening (Mon) at 7pm in the workroom behind the annex.

Bible Lab Teachers
There is still a need for Bible Lab teachers and assistants. Please see Greg Littleton if you can help out in this area or if you would like more information.

This Week....

Monday (22nd) is the shipping date for the towels and sheets to the Village of Hope in Ghana. Items should be at the building today (Sunday).
Wednesday (24th) is the fourth Wednesday of the month and the night set aside for our monthly singing class. Chad Tagtow is the scheduled instructor.
Thursday (25th) is the second meeting of the new Florida School of Preaching extension class on the book of “Revelation”, held each Thursday evening in the annex. It is not too late to enroll. See Bob Bauer for more info.

The people who really want to serve God, always find a way to do it. This is because they want to do this more than they want to do anything else. Faithful Christians have just as many excuses at hand as those who are not faithful -- the difference is in the desire.