Introduction
Hi! My name is Austin. I am a fully believer of Christ and God the Father. I was converted to Christianity as of last year of August 2013. Just last year, during the month of April 1st, 2013. I was sent to the hospital. Some would say that I died in the arms of my mother and my dear friend(adopted brother). As I was pleading to God for my life, I begged for mercy and promised HIM that I would serve HIM as long as I live. I suffered an allergic reaction to some testosterone pills that I had bought from a vitamin store and ate muffins from a friend of mine, which I didn't know if was laced or not. And on that day, I had eaten dinner that was high in cholesterol and fat. What I felt that day, was a feeling of lightheaded-ness. A feeling that I wasn't familiar with. Then I felt a sensation of heat around my body. As decided to go out to the drive way to catch some air and prayed to God (in private), then I felt a jolt. As I made my way to the front door of the house, I felt my heart gave way. Then I cried out to my mother and yelled at her to call 911. My dear friend came to me and held me up as he tried to hold me up, my body was starting to come limp. At the time I couldn't feel my legs nor my arms, life flashed before my eyes that day, I cried out and pleaded to God to forgive me and I made a promise to God that I would serve HIM and only HIM as long as I live. My mother and my friend were crying with me until the EMT's (Emergency Medical Teams) arrived. When I got to the hospital, my blood pressure was high, pulse was high, my breathing wasn't normal, I was crying on the way to the hospital and in the emergency room. The doctors took great care for me and tried to diagnose my symptoms and calm me down. I had explained to them that I was taking testosterone pills to boost my testosterone and ate muffins and dinner (which was Vienna sausage, rice and veggies) with wine. Later they released me from the hospital, but during my stay, the EMT's gave me medication to lower my heart rate and blood pressure and advised me to stay away from caffeine products and eat healthy, exercise. And Now, I am writing this blog to you as my confession.
Bible Studying
What is bible studying? How do you study the bible? What is the first thing that you have to do to start studying the bible? Well, what is bible studying? Bible studying is basically reading the bible taking notes of the scriptures that captures your attention or you can read the bible and write a journal of what you have read or write prayers in your journal. How do you study the bible? There are so many ways to studying the bible. You can from front to back, by reading the first book of Genesis to the last book of Revelation and take notes or write your journal (or prayers). You can also go through the pages and skim through the scriptures and write down the scriptures that captures your eye. What is the first thing that you have to do to start studying the bible? Well, the first thing that you have to do is; baptize yourself. I would suggest that you be clean, cleanse yourself first. When doing this, you have made your first step in knowing God (the Father) and knowing the Lord (Christ Je'sus).
As for me, I didn't do that before. I had gotten myself with my dear friend and his cousin and started studying the bible. Before I began my journey, I was a Catholic Christian. In the Catholic Order, you had to do sacraments and such, just to read the bible and take part of the order. I later learned that, that wasn't faith. That was religion. And on faith, I will explain later in this blog. Therefore, as I was studying, I had learned a lot. Prior to me going to the hospital, I knew that there was more that God wanted me to do on Earth. Then as I was growing up, I had visions in my dreams. Most of them had come to pass. Some of those dreams were about going to Church (which I later learned that the church is the body, your body). In which is the congregation, I had to volunteer my time and devote myself to God. Then I had made a public proclamation that I am a devoted follower of Christ, so I was baptized.
Baptism
Baptism is not a form of being branded into a belief system. Baptism is a form of cleansing oneself of any impurities that one has. Once you've done this, the next part is; anointment or atonement.
Anointment or Atonement
Anointment or Atonement is a form of a ritual that you must make. It is done by with holy water (iodized salt) or holy oil (preferably olive oil). That way, you consecrate yourself upon which you are the owner of God or God possesses you, which you're a child of God. Yet, some would differ from this, since we are all children of God. But, when one is anointed with oil, you are dedicating yourself to God and only HIM alone.
By doing this, you are showing your dedication to God. To be anointed, you have to be anointed by an anointed person.
Bible Studying Continued
Here are the steps when studying the bible.
- Scripture
- Observation
- Application
- Prayer
Scripture
Scripture can be any part of the Holy Bible. It can be from the first Chapter of Genesis or the first Chapter of Revelation. Or any verses of the bible too.
Observation
Observation is basically knowing what you are reading and what it means to you and your life. For example; Genesis Chapter One verse 1-3: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2) And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3) And God said, Let there be light. And there was light.
What does this scripture mean to you? Do you know what it means? Does it apply to your life?
Lets answer the first question. What does this scripture mean to you? If you've said that the scripture means about life and how it began. Then, you're right! Lets answer the second question. Do you know what it means? If you answered; God created the world. Then you're right! Let's answer the last question. Does it apply to your life? If you answered; Yes, it applies to me. Because I know that I am a child of God. Then you're right!
Application
Application is the part that we as Christians must not act the part. We must do the part. As Lord Je'sus had said it; The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel(the people of the world); The Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:29-31 KJV Holy Bible.
Once we do these things as the Lord has spoken. We will have a place in heaven. Yet, most of us are separated by the facts than from the truth. We hear only from the mouth of man. Therefore, we aren't hearing the voice of God. To hear the voice of God and the voice of the Lord is to get into the word of God.
Prayer
Prayers are alms to God and to Christ our Lord. Here are some examples of prayer;
- The Lords Prayer
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven. Hollowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
Matt 6:1-13 KJV Holy Bible
Broken Down:
- Our Father which art in heaven.
- Hollowed be thy name.
- Thy kingdom come.
- Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
- Give us this day our daily bread.
- And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
- And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
- For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever.
- A'men.
Here's another one which was written by King David;
- David's Prayer
Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. And enter not into judgement with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant. Psalms 143 KJV Holy Bible
Yet, King David had made many prayer's to God our Father. Therefore, these prayers are an example of speaking to God with an open heart. Je'sus commanded his followers to open a prayer when we pray in secret. Moreover, David prayed as a communication with a person. Speaking one-to-one, not by mire repetition like what Christ said.
When we as Christians are believers and become believers, we do not boast ourselves greater than any man nor woman. We as Christians have to walk humbly, we have to walk with our heads held high (straight forward, not looking to the right or to the left) like marching in a parade. Or more so by knowing the dangers that lurk around every corner and being confident that you know you won't be harmed because you are a child of God.
Imagine walking on a dirt road in Africa. Where there are lions and hyena's everywhere. Hiding in the tall grass, waiting to leap and devour you. And with faith, you walk because you trust in God.
Conclusion
If you are reading this the first-time. Be sure to find a solemn sanctuary that you can go to. Yet, remember; your closet or a secret place is where you can find solitary with God. When studying the bible, have a notebook at your side so you can jot down what you've read and learned. Think of it as a book report, write down who, what, when, where, why and how. Therefore, you'll grasp the essence of God and what he is trying to say. Later on I will explain briefly about preaching. Also, use SOAP. It works! I hope you have enjoyed this blog and many more. God bless and have a great day!
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