Can we celebrate Jehovah Jireh! The God who sees and the God who provides.

As it is Legacy Sunday, we get to celebrate Jehovah Jireh.

This year, 2025, is the year we Engage with God and Engage our Faith. We are going after the detached, the drifted, and those who Don't Know!

Hebrews 1:3 “3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the Word of his power.

God is a God of Covenants, and the Bible is a book of Covenants between God and man. The Covenant with Adam (Adamic), The Covenant of Abraham (Abrahamic), The Covenant with Moses (Mosaic), The Old Covenant, The New Covenant, and several blood covenants. Throughout the Bible, we reading about Covenants.

Therefore, this automatically disqualifies the Bible as a "self-help" book. The Bible is God's love expressed in Word form, saying, "You Need My Help!!!"

Covenant - A covenant includes a contract, but it involves a relationship, with the priority being the relationship itself, not the contract. 

This is why buying a car is different than marrying your spouse.

The purpose of a covenant is so that you have a covering. This is why the Holy Spirit is so important in the New Testament.

Why should we study God’s word? Because we live in the last days!

Daniel 12:4 (NASB95): “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”

The “Knowledge Doubling Curve” at the end of 1945 had a rate of every 25 years. As of 2020, it was doubling every 12 hours. Now, with the advancement of AI there, we are on an unprecedented curve.

Why should we learn the Bible? To avoid being deceived.

Acts 20:28-30

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,[e] which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

2 Timothy 3:13-14

13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it. 

Finally, because Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-5), why should we trust him?

Galatians 4:4-5

4 But when the fullness of time had come, (at just the right time) God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 

Engaging with the Bible is one of the most powerful ways to engage with God and engage your faith.

1. Start with Prayer – because you are not reading for information, you are reading for transformation!

Before you open your Bible, take a moment to pray. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, helping you to understand and apply the insights you gain. Jesus often modeled this practice by retreating to pray.

Mark 1:35 - 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

In John 16:13, He assures us that the Spirit will guide us into all truth.

This step recognizes our dependence on God for wisdom—much like a student preparing for a test would first seek their teacher's help.

Praying before you read is the difference between FM vs. XM. Consider tuning a radio to hear your favorite station clearly; prayer ensures your heart is in the right frequency to receive God's message.

2. Choose a Bible Translation You Understand, but challenge yourself by studying what you don't understand.

Selecting a translation that resonates with you is crucial. Options like the New International Version (NIV) or New Living Translation (NLT) are designed for clarity and accessibility. In Acts 8:30-31, the Ethiopian eunuch struggles to comprehend the Scriptures until Philip clarifies them, highlighting the need for a translation that speaks to you personally.

I prefer Word-for-Word translations because I want them to be as close to the exact text as possible.

A great exercise to explore a familiar passage in different translations, like Philippians 4:13.

Amplified Bible:

Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]."

Noticing the nuances can illuminate new insights and strengthen your understanding.

3. Set Regular Reading Times and Reading Rhythms. 

Establishing a consistent time demonstrates a commitment to nurturing your relationship with God, just as Jesus prioritized His communication with the Father.

Just as Daniel maintained his prayer routine (Daniel 6:10), daily time with God cultivates spiritual growth and consistency.

Daniel 6:10: "When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

• Reduced feelings of loneliness: Studies show a 30% decrease in loneliness among those who read the Bible frequently. 
• Lowered anger issues: A 32% reduction in anger-related struggles has been reported. 
• Decreased bitterness in relationships: Those reading the Bible regularly experience a 40% decrease in bitterness. 
• Improved mental health: Studies indicate a correlation between frequent Bible reading and a decrease in instances of destructive thoughts. 
• Reduced likelihood of harmful behaviors: Individuals who engage with the Bible regularly are less likely to participate in behaviors like sex outside of marriage, pornography, and gambling. 
• Increased spiritual growth: Frequent Bible reading is linked to a greater desire to share one's faith and disciple others. 
• Improved emotional well-being: Reduced feelings of discouragement and anxiety have also been noted. 

Identify a specific time each day that works best for you. Use reminders, alarms, or a planner to make this time non-negotiable. A structured approach fosters deeper engagement with His Word.