CHAPTER 1 - THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD.

FROM THE SHEPHERDS STAFF

The Bible is the Word of God

My dear brothers and sisters, I have not sent a Newsletter since I moved to Cochin from Ooty. Ministering to others while my own life was in a state of constant ux was detrimental to everyone involved. Here and now, sorted and sifted, I stand humbled in the presence of God, but stronger in my reliance in His grace. When I accepted Jesus as my savior, though I did not know it as scripture, I had said to my heart that if I live, I live for Jesus. and if I die, I die for Him. However, years had gone by and the waves of compromises had eroded my rst love for the Lord. Last year, when confronted by the consequences of the God given decisions, challenged by those who as David said shared the table with me, giving in and tting into their mould seemed to hold the only keys to acceptance and redemption. When that which I hold dear in this world; my children, were struck by illness and pain, I had to ght bitterness o from settling in with everything that I had. When all my strength was gone, and I thought I had no more ght left in me, that my walk was over, Jesus stepped in and proved himself to be my faithful friend and the Captain of the Lord of hosts. I was born again in 1997, but I died again in 2008. What remains is determination to take my heavenly Fathers kingdom by violence. Ive counted the cost. Nothing compares to the Pearl of great price. Those who share my walk with Christ do not need a newsletter to know what I am doing. So I am using this platform to post the fundamentals of my faith in Jesus. If this oends you, please let me know, I will take you o the mailing list. In a world troubled by recession, those who serve, strive for, and covet wealth will perish with it, but those who serve God will lack nothing. Jesus is not the author of competitive one-upmanship or the architect of the rat-race, but is the author, pioneer, perfecter of our faith in him. So how do we shift from serving money to serving God? How do we translate all the thousand sermons preached from a million pulpits into step we can take to achieve this? The answer can only be found in the Word of the Living God, the Holy Bible. This is where I start. Share it freely with those in need. I am not the author of this, just the facilitator, I mean that literally. If you have any questions or doubts, or just want to say hello, please email. I would love to heard from you. with love in Jesus, John Kodiyil

A. GOD'S SPECIAL BOOK

The Word of God the Holy Bible is Gods special Book. It is not like other books, but is a supernatural Book. It was written by many different people, who wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (see 2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is the worlds best seller. It consistently outsells any other book.
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CHAPTER 1 - THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD.

FROM THE SHEPHERDS STAFF

The Bible has been translated into more languages than any other book in the world. It was originally written in three languages Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. The Bible you have has been translated by dedicated people so that you can have Gods words, thoughts and plans. The Bible is also one of the oldest books in the world. The most ancient portions of the Bible date back almost 4,000 years. Yet it is still the most modern book in the world today; for in it we find the answers to lifes greatest questions:
Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where will I go?

Even though the Bible is made up of 66 smaller books, it has only one central theme: Gods loving plan to rescue mankind. At the front of the Bible you will find a list of the 66 books that can be found in the Bible. The Bible is divided into two sections:
The Old Testament and The New Testament.

The Old Testament tells us about Gods work with His people before the birth of Jesus. The New Testament tells us about Jesus birth, His life, His great ministry of healing and forgiveness for sick and sinful people, His death on a cross, His being raised from the dead and His ascension (going back to Heaven). It also tells us about the continuation of His healing, forgiving ministry through those who saw Him after His resurrection. Those who follow Jesus teaching do many miraculous works just as He said they would (see John 14:12) The teaching of those who saw Him after He was raised from the dead is contained in the Epistles (Letters). These were written within the first fifty years after Jesus resurrection. These make up about half the New Testament.

B. STUDY THE BIBLE

The most important relationship you can have in this life is with God. Through reading the Bible you come to understand what God is like His thoughts, His plans and His promises for you. The list (index) in the front of the Bible will help you find the page number of the part of the Bible you may wish to study. To help you find specific parts of the Bible, the translators organized the text into:
Books. Chapters within the Books, and Verses within the Chapters.

For instance, if you see a reference like Genesis 3:15, this would mean
The BOOK of Genesis, CHAPTER three, and VERSE fifteen.
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CHAPTER 1 - THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD.

FROM THE SHEPHERDS STAFF

C. HERE IS THE WORLDS GREATEST PROMISE

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life(John 3:16)

D. THE PURPOSE OF THE WORD OF GOD

the Holy Scriptures . are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:15, 16). His divine power has given us every thing we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that trough them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by even desires.(2Pet 1:3,4).

E. THE WORD OF GOD PRODUCES LIFE

The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life (John 6:63).
1. It Is Creative

By the WORD OF THE LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth For he spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm (Ps.33:6,9). See also Hebrews 11.3.

F. THE WORD OF GOD IS LIKE WATER

1. It cleanses

We start life in the Kingdom of God totally washed clean by the Word of God. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you (John 15:3). See also Ephesians 5:25-27.
2. It Keeps Clean

The Word of God, planted in our hearts, keeps us free from sin. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Ps.119: 9,11).

G. THE WORD OF GOD IS LIGHT FOR OUR LIVES

And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (2 Pet 1:19).
1. It Gives Understanding In A Dark World

.. the commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes(19:8)

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GILEAD RISING MINISTRIES

CHAPTER 1 - THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD.

FROM THE SHEPHERDS STAFF

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple (Ps.119:105, 130)

H. THE WORD OF GOD IS SPIRITUAL FOOD

Jesus answered. It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt 4:4). I.It Causes Spiritual Growth Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ. I gave milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it (1Cor.3:1:2). Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation (1 Pet 2:2). Gods aim for each of us is expressed in Ephesians 4:12-15: that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

I . THE WORD OF GOD IS SEED

In Luke 8:14, 15, Jesus told His disciples the parable of the sower. In verse 11 He said: The seed is the word of God Gods will for our lives is fruitfulness (Ps.1:3). Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.(2 Cor.9:10)

J. THE WORD OF GOD IS LIKE A SWORD

Take. The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God (Eph 6:17). See also Hebrews 4:12. Note how Jesus used the sword against Satan in His temptation in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-14)

K. THE WORD OF GOD HELPS US TO PRAY

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you(John 15:7). Ask whatever you wish literally means to ask as one who has the right with authority (to command). Now the creative word is in OUR MOUTH!

L. THE WORD OF GOD IS STRONG IN US

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain come down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundations on the rock (Matt 7:24, 25). See also verses 26, 27. Jesus said that the wise man who built his house on the rock was a picture of those who hear His Word and obey it. The word of God builds inner concrete within our lives so that no matter what may come against us we will stand strong.
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