How to Understand the Bible

How to Understand the Bible

Getting Started Some people think that the Bible is so difficult to understand that they are afraid even to try. Others wonder why, if the Bible really can be understood, there are so many different churches, all claiming to believe the Bible and yet teaching so many different things. The reason for so many different beliefs is that, although many people claim to believe the Bible, they have not studied it in the way that God has told them to. God has told us how to understand the Bible. If we will just follow the method He has outlined we can know exactly what it means. We can know truth! We can have eternal life! In this lesson we will learn how God tells us to study the Bible.

1. What claim does the Bible make about itself?"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3:16).
Faith in the Bible as the Inspired Word of God is developed by studying it. Every part of the Bible is given by inspiration of God and is profitable. The Old Testament no less than the New should receive attention. As we study the Old Testament we shall find living springs bubbling up where the careless reader discerns only a desert. When a love for the Bible is awakened and the student begins to realize how vast is the field and how precious its treasure, he will desire to seize upon every opportunity for acquainting himself with God's word. See 2 Peter 1:20, 21.

2. Why were God's people in ancient times destroyed?"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6).
"Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst" (Isaiah 5:13).
In our day, as in times past, the Holy Scriptures are almost unknown, not only by the people but by the teachers and pastors as well. As in the time of Christ the Pharisees kept the truth from the people because it would reveal their sins, so it was through the dark ages and now in our time. As a result His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. It is through lack of knowledge of the Scriptures that people do not know the will of God, nor the plan of salvation, nor of His great love for them.

3. What portion of God's Word is needed for real spiritual life?"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
Like the Saviour, we are to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. As our physical life is sustained by food so our spiritual life is sustained by the Word of God and everyone is to receive life from God's Word for himself. We cannot set aside any portion of Scripture as being unnecessary (Deuteronomy 8:3). We cannot serve God and the world for we are to live by every word which proceeds from God.

4. What did Jesus say was the basic theme of the Scriptures?"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39).
The only part of the Bible written at the time of Jesus was the Old Testament. In every page, whether history or precept or prophecy, the Old Testament Scriptures are radiant with the glory of the Son of God. It is a compacted prophecy of the Gospel and all its prophets give witness to Christ. From the promise given to Adam, down through the patriarchs and prophets, the footsteps of the Redeemer are made plain.

5. What did Jesus call those who do not believe all that the Bible says?"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken" (Luke 24:25).
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29).
The great themes of the Old Testament were not understood and Christ's work was to explain the truth to those to whom it was given. The truth is constantly unfolding to minds. After the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ His disciples listened with wonder and amazement to His lessons of truth, for they seemed as new ideas to them, but He told them "These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you. Then He opened their understanding."

6. Why did Paul commend the Bereans?"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:10, 11).
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
The minds of the Bereans were not narrowed by prejudice. They were willing to investigate the truthfulness of the doctrines preached by the apostles. They studied the Bible, not from curiosity but in order that they might learn what had been written concerning the promised Messiah. Daily they searched the Scriptures and compared Scripture with Scripture. Wherever the truths of the Gospel are proclaimed those who honestly desire to do right are led to a diligent searching of the Scriptures.
As we have seen, if we are going to understand the Bible, we must recognize that all is important and none is to be neglected. If we study the whole Bible as God directs us, we will find the truth.
SIX PRINCIPLES FOR STUDYING THE BIBLE

7. What is one condition that God sets forth for understanding the Bible?"At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes" (Matthew 11:25).
"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Corinthians 1:21).
The Saviour rejoiced that the plan of salvation is such that those who are wise in their own estimation, who are puffed up by the teachings of vain philosophy, cannot see the beauty, power and hidden mystery of the Gospel. But to all those who are of a humble heart, who have a teachable, honest, childlike desire to know and to do the will of their heavenly Father, His Word is revealed as the power of God unto salvation.

8. What is a second condition that God gives for understanding the Bible?"Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" (Isaiah 28:9-10).
In order to understand the Bible correctly we must allow the Bible to interpret itself by comparing Scripture with Scripture. We should study all that the Bible says on the subject to make sure we are not misinterpreting a given passage. We cannot teach those who cling to preconceived ideas. It is the submissive, teachable spirit that God wants.

9. What is a third condition for understanding the Bible?"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:7, 10-14).
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come" (John 16:13).
At all times we must ask the Holy Spirit to guide us. Because of the sinfulness of the lives of the people, they did not have the Holy Spirit's indwelling and as a result Paul realized that he would have to be most careful about what he desired to teach. Paul did not use flattery to teach the people but spoke as the Holy Spirit showed him. So too, we, as we study, need the Holy Spirit to guide us. We cannot discern the truth without the Spirit's help.

10. What is a fourth condition God sets forth for understanding the Bible?"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
We must really want to know truth. Some look for excuses not to believe the truth. If they look hard enough God will let them be deceived, but they will still be lost. The Bible and the Bible only should be the standard of all teachings, but sadly there will be those who do not love the truth and will not want to hear it (2 Timothy 4:3). Truth is more precious than all besides and many will love it and take their stand for it.

11. What is a fifth condition God gives for understanding the Bible?"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).
We must really search for truth. We must spend sufficient time in study. Even if we have all the principles, we will not find the truth for today without study. We are, as David said, to search for truth as the hart panteth after the water brooks. If we desire truth, we must pray and ask for an understanding just as a thirsty person will really ask for a drink of water.

12. What is a sixth condition for understanding the Bible?"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31, 32).
We must follow and live by what we know to be truth. God will not reveal more truth if we are not obeying what we already know. The means by which we can overcome the wicked one are those by which Christ overcame. The power of the Word of God does not control our minds without our consent, but if we desire to know and to do His will His promises are ours. Through faith in these promises every man may be delivered from the snare of error and the control of sin.

Commitment Is it your desire to let Jesus teach you truth through His Word? Will you endeavor to study His word every day in the way God has told us to study it?

4 G I V E

Vegetable Frittata

Vegetable Frittata

Makes 4 servings
You can serve this filling and attractive dish right from the pan.

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced 1 medium zucchini, cut into thin half-moon slices 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into thin strips, strips cut in half crosswise1 cup frozen peas 2 large eggs 4 large egg whites 2 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided 2 tablespoons slivered fresh basil, divided 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

To Make:Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Heat the oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. (If the skillet handle is not ovenproof, wrap it in heavy-duty foil.)

Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring often, until tender and starting to brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in the zucchini and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 4 minutes. Add the peas and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes, until heated through. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat the eggs, egg whites, water, 1 tablespoon Parmesan, 1 tablespoon basil, salt, and black pepper until well blended.

Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and reduce the heat. Cook, tilting the pan and lifting up the edges of the frittata to allow uncooked egg to flow underneath, until the edges are firm but the center is very soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon Parmesan.
Transfer to the oven and bake about 5 minutes, or until set. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon basil. Cut into wedges and serve hot or warm.

Flat Tummy

Perfect Posture=Flat Tummy: 6 Tips

1. Stand up straight. Heeding Mom's advice can make you look 5 pounds thinner (and your abs flatter) instantly. To straighten up, imagine a string tugging you from the top of your head toward the ceiling.
2. Sit like a royal. Slumping accentuates your stomach. To improve your posture while sitting, start with your chair. If your chair seat is too high to let your feet touch the ground without slumping, find a footstool about 4 inches high to let you sit up straight. Or place a pillow at the small of your back to help bring you forward in your chair.

3. Strengthen your shoulders. Strong shoulders will prevent you from hunching forward. To target this area, try the overhead press. Start with dumbbells at shoulder height, feet firmly on the floor. Slowly press the dumbbells straight up until your arms are fully extended. Don't arch your back. Hold, and then lower.
4. Build your chest. Good posture is easier when you have strong upper body muscles. For the chest, do the bench press: Lie on an exercise bench with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor or on the bench. Hold dumbbells or a barbell at chest height with your hands slightly more than shoulder-width apart. Slowly press the weight straight up until your arms are fully extended, elbows almost locked. Hold, and then lower.
5. Work your mid-to upper back. These muscles are also important for good posture. The bent-over row exercise is a great way to strengthen them. To do it: Place your left knee and left hand on a flat bench or chair so your back is parallel to the floor. Holding a dumbbell in your right hand, start with your right arm directly under your shoulder and extended toward the floor. Bending your elbow so that it's pointing toward the ceiling, pull the dumbbell up until it touches your rib cage. Hold, and slowly lower. (The movement is like starting a power lawn mower, only slower and smoother.)
6. Target your lower back. To stand tall, you need to strengthen the muscles that support your spine. To do that, try this exercise: Lie on your stomach with a rolled towel under your forehead. Clasp your hands behind your waist and slowly lift your head and shoulders off the floor, pinching the shoulder blades together. Only go as far as comfortable. Hold, then release.

10 Habits That Will Shrink Your Middle

So you want to trim your middle. Time to hit the floor for a zillion crunches, right? Not so fast. Power crunching alone isn't necessarily the best—and certainly not the most enjoyable—way to flatten your belly. When we talked to dozens of people, just like you, who've toned their abs, we discovered their secrets include fun activities such as gardening, tennis, and dancing—with some crunches in between for good measure. Leading weight loss and fitness experts also suggest some simple lifestyle changes to provide you with a complete belly-flattening program
So if you're sick of crunches—or not getting the results you want—read on for 41 surprising ways to get a belly worth baring this summer.


10 Habits That Will Shrink Your Middle


1. Calm down. Too much stress can contribute to a potbelly. Stress increases levels of cortisol, a hormone that seems to direct fat to our middle, says Jacob Seidell, PhD, of the National Institute of Public Health in Bilthoven, Netherlands. To keep levels low, try this 5- to 10-minute stress reducer: Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit. Next, take several slow, deep breaths to help clear your mind. Continue breathing deeply and repeat the word "one" to yourself as you exhale. (If you get distracted, just bring your focus back to the word "one.") Practice this for 5 to 10 minutes once or twice a day.



2. Skip the alcohol. That glass of wine with dinner may be part of the reason your jeans are too tight. Alcohol also tends to raise cortisol levels, sending fat to your belly, Dr. Seidell says.


3. Stop smoking. "It keeps me thin," proclaim many smokers. But the truth is that smokers tend to have more abdominal fat than nonsmokers, says Dr. Seidell. (The stress hormone cortisol seems to be the culprit here too.) "When people stop smoking, the amount of abdominal fat actually decreases," he says.


4. Eat more fiber. Not only is fiber great for overall weight loss (it fills you up so you don't eat as much), it also prevents constipation, which can cause your tummy to bulge, says Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD, a gastroenterologist and director of the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center in Baltimore. To stay regular, aim for 25 to 35 g of fiber a day by eating more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; or try a fiber supplement such as Metamucil.


5. Drink up. For premenstrual bloating, drink lots and lots of water. This will actually help flush away bloating, not make it worse.


6. Keep bones strong. Osteoporosis can lead to fractured bones in your spine, causing you to slump. That shortens your abdominal cavity, giving your belly no place to go but out, says Willibald Nagler, MD, physiatrist in chief at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York City. If you're age 50 or over, be sure to get 1,500 mg of calcium every day from the foods you eat and/or from supplements. (If you're younger than 50, 1,000 mg a day is the ticket.)


7. Get your heart rate up. All the ab exercises in the world won't do a thing unless you get rid of the fat hiding your abdominal muscles. The best way is aerobic exercise for 45 to 60 minutes, five times a week. When Barbara Taylor, 42, of Pasadena, CA, started running, walking, or stairclimbing for about 1 hour, five days a week, she did more than just uncover her abs. She went from a size 16 to a size 4 and lost more than 60 pounds.


8. Tuck that tummy. Jeanette Friedman, 46, of Austin, TX, suggests imagining there's a "magnet pulling your belly button back toward your spine. Practice the tuck until it becomes comfortable, and soon it will come naturally—like breathing," she says. "Do it every chance you get. That's how habits start."


9. Hit the weights. That's what worked for Angela Susi, 42, of Vancouver, BC, who lost about 5 inches from her waist and plummeted from a size 12 to a size 3. "Last April, I wore my first bikini in 20 years," she says. "It was like a great unveiling! My abs are leaner, with more definition." For similar results, aim for two or three weight workouts a week.


10. Get a bonus ab workout. Stand as much as possible when doing weight-lifting exercises. That way your abs work too. "They help to balance and stabilize your body," says Tammy Strunk, an Emmaus, PA, fitness instructor. Concentrate on keeping your abs tight and maintaining good posture, but don't hold your breath.

S M I L E

Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody's heart.
A smile happens in a flash, but its memory can last a lifetime
There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile canbe the source of your joy.

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness
Smiling makes you feel better about yourself, even if you don't feel likeit. And it always makes other people think better of you.

A smile is a light in the window of a face that signifies the heart is athome and waiting
Life is like a mirror, we get the best results when we smile at it
You are never fully dressed until you wear a smile
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks
Beauty is power; a smile is its sword.

Keep smiling - it makes people wonder what you've been up to
Peace begins with a smile
Every tear has a smile behind it.
Keep a smile on your face and let your personality be your autograph

Geely G T

Bushomania

This is my absolute favorite - Bush would make a cute Queen.






Those are some classics

I made Crab Cakes

How I made Crab Cakes ?

Ingredients :

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup small diced yellow onions

1/4 cup small diced red bell peppers

Salt and pepper

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

1 pound lump crabmeat, cleaned and picked over for shells

2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley leaves

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, (juice of 2 lemons), in all 2 eggs,

in all 3 1/2 cups vegetable oil,

1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

1 1/2 cups fine bread crumbs,

in all 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Crab Meat
Mixed the crab Meat
Egg Beat

Bread Crumbs
Preparation : Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions, and peppers. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to saute for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and cool for 5 minutes.
Sauted Onions and Red Bell Peppers.
Mix the crab meat and sauted bell peppers and Onions


I mixed up Crab meat , Sauted Onions and Bell peppers , Salt & Pepper , 2 tbps lemon Juice and I added some Indian Red Peppers.

After mixing well. Made small balls and then flattened to make patties.

Heated oil in a Pan and then the next pictures explains it all.



Turned the patties to the other side.


Sauce for the Crab Cakes :

2 Spoons Lite Mayo
2 tbsp lemon Juice
pinch of Oregano
Pinch of black Pepper
some Capers

Mix it up well.








Crab Cakes all done with the Sauce .


I made some Shrimp Fajitas too ...so this was my saturday night dinner.

Hope you enjoyed.

Pierce Brendan Brosnan

Pierce Brendan Brosnan (Honorary) OBE (born May 16, 1953) is an Irish actor and producer, who currently has United States citizenship. He is best known for portraying James Bond in four films: GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day. His fans credit him with reviving the James Bond film series after a six year hiatus caused by the major legal and financial issues of MGM, the distributor of the series.

Low-Fat Macaroni and Cheese

Low-Fat Macaroni and Cheese

Nutritional Info (Per serving): Calories: 112, Saturated Fat: 1.5g, Sodium: 82mg, Dietary Fiber: 3g, Total Fat: 10g, Carbs: 6.5g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Protein: 1.5g Carb Choices: 0.5 Prep Time: 10 mins

Ingredients1 avocado, seeded and diced 1/2 cup(s) cucumber(s), diced 1/2 cup(s) tomato(es), grape, or cherry tomatoes, quartered 2 tablespoon onion(s), chopped 2 tablespoon lime juice, fresh 2 teaspoon oil, olive 1/4 teaspoon cumin, ground 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon pepper, black ground, freshly ground 1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl, tossing gently. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup).

Avocado Salad

Avocado Salad

Nutritional Info (Per serving): Calories: 112, Saturated Fat: 1.5g, Sodium: 82mg, Dietary Fiber: 3g, Total Fat: 10g, Carbs: 6.5g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Protein: 1.5g Carb Choices: 0.5

Prep Time: 10 Mins

Ingredients1 avocado, seeded and diced 1/2 cup(s) cucumber(s), diced 1/2 cup(s) tomato(es), grape, or cherry tomatoes, quartered 2 tablespoon onion(s), chopped 2 tablespoon lime juice, fresh 2 teaspoon oil, olive 1/4 teaspoon cumin, ground 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon pepper, black ground, freshly ground 1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation
1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl, tossing gently. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup).

Classic Brit Cars