understanding Archives - Page 4 of 4

Andy Sochor September 17, 2012

"From the First Day That You Set Your Heart on Understanding" (9/17)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Daniel 10-12.

Daniel received a vision regarding what would happen “in the latter days” (Daniel 10:14). The text indicated that “he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision” (Daniel 10:1). How could he have such an understanding of this revelation? Notice what the messenger told him:

“Then he said to me, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words’” (Daniel 10:12).

From the first day Daniel set his heart, he was heard; and the revelation was sent to him. It is important to notice what he set his heart to do, because these things are necessary if we wish to understand the will of God today.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: humility, understanding, word of God

Andy Sochor April 28, 2012

What a Stupid Man Does Not Understand (4/28)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 81, 88, 92-93.

“How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man has no knowledge, nor does a stupid man understand this: that when the wicked sprouted up like grass and all who did iniquity flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.

“But You, O Lord, are on high forever. For, behold, Your enemies, O Lord, for, behold, Your enemies will perish; all who do iniquity will be scattered” (Psalm 92:5-9).

The term stupid is not one that is typically used to describe someone in polite conversation. Yet we find the term being used here to describe certain individuals. It is not necessarily meant to be an insult, just an identification of those who are uninformed and lacking sense.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: God, punishment, understanding

Andy Sochor July 1, 2009

Making the Most of Your Time

Each one of us is busy with obligations and responsibilities that have been placed upon us and that we have taken upon ourselves. Our lives can be hectic and we sometimes wonder how we will ever have time to do what we need to do. This is just as much of a challenge for Christians as it is for anyone else.

Paul provided some instructions about time management that would be good for us to heed:

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: alcohol, Christian life, Holy Spirit, prayer, singing, study, thanksgiving, time, understanding, worship

Andy Sochor March 1, 2008

How to Approach the Bible

Paul told Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The instruction to accurately handle the word implies the need to study and learn the word of God (the King James Version actually uses the word study at the beginning of the verse). Timothy was to give diligence to the study and learning of God’s word.

This instruction applies to us as well. Therefore, it is good for us to read and study the Bible on different occasions: Bible classes, sermons, home Bible studies, our own personal reading and study, etc. It is something that we ought to do our whole life. So it is good to be reminded from time to time how we are to approach the Bible. We must approach it properly so we will benefit from our time studying.
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Bible study, context, inspiration, judgment, obedience, understanding

Andy Sochor June 1, 2007

The Bible

The Bible is the best selling book of all time. In reality, it is a collection of books. There are thirty-nine books in the Old Testament containing law, history, poetry, and prophecy. The twenty-seven books in the New Testament include the four gospels that record the life of Christ, the book of Acts which is a history of the early church and the spread of the gospel, and letters to churches and individual Christians. It tells of God’s great scheme of redemption to save man from his sins. Is it just another book, or is it something more? It is important we understand what the Bible is.
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: authority, inspiration, revelation, truth, understanding, word of God

Andy Sochor January 1, 2007

We Can Understand the Bible

Many say we cannot understand the Bible. Though if we could, they would certainly believe that we cannot understand the Bible alike. This belief is often used to justify the myriad doctrines and denominations we see in the religious world. But is the assertion true that we cannot understand the Bible? Can we even say we understand the Bible if we do not understand it alike?

God’s will is revealed in the Bible (1 Corinthians 2:7-10). The word of God has been revealed in such a way that we can understand it. Paul wrote to the Ephesians concerning the mystery which he had revealed and said, “When you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4). The Ephesians were not to come to a different understanding than Paul. The message was revealed in such a way that they could have the same understanding that Paul had. Since we have the word of God today, we can have the same understanding as well.
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