The Disciple - Prayer and the Bible

God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:1-18). The Old Testament of the Bible points to Jesus (Luke 24:25-27). The Gospels are eye-witness accounts of the life of Jesus. The Book of Acts is an eye-witness account of the early days of the Church. The rest of the New Testament are the letters and writings of the original Apostles concerning the Christian life. Meditating on these records of God revealing Himself to us will teach us how to be followers of Christ. Here are some helpful tips as you meditate on the Scriptures and grow in your relationship with the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

• PRAYER is the foundation of your relationship with Christ. You can pray anywhere! When you come to meditate on the Bible, find a quiet place where you will not be distracted and simply begin to have a conversation with God. Ask Him to open the eyes of your heart to see what He wants to reveal to you. (Matthew 6:5-15; 14:23; 26:41; Luke 6:12; 9:28; 18:1-8; 21:36; John 17:9,20; Acts 10:9; 21:5; Romans 8:26-27; Romans 15:31-32)
• Have a modern translation of the BIBLE with you, especially the New Testament. The best place for you to start reading is the eye-witness accounts of the life of Jesus by Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. (Joshua 1:6-9; Matthew 4:4; 5:17; 24:35; Luke 4:4,16-21; 24:25-27; 6:35,63,68; 15:5-8; John 20:31; Acts 24: 14-16; Romans 1:1-7; 15:4; 16:25-27; Colossians 3:15-17; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17; Hebrews 4:12-13; James 1:22-25; 1 Peter 1:22-25; 2 Peter 1:12-21; 1 John 1:1-4; Revelation 1:1-3
• MEDITATE on the things that you read and be sure that you understand what you have read. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; 119:1f; Philippians 4:8; 2 Peter 1:12-15)
• Keep a JOURNAL and record the things you learn... the things that the Lord reveals to you personally... the things He says to you! Let God write His word on your heart... into the very core of your being. Record the Scripture references that have special meaning to you. This way you can refer back to what he has shown you and remember it. It will help you enjoy an ongoing conversation with God. Be thankful that God's prophets and Apostles recorded the truth about God as it was revealed to them (the Bible). Writing a journal will help the Holy Spirit write the truth into your heart. (Mark 1:1-3; 11:17; Luke 1:1-4; John 6:45; 21:25; Acts 13: 29-31; Romans 15:4, 14-16; 2 Corinthians 3:1-3: Galatians 6:11; Ephesians 3:2-6; Philippians 3:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 2 Thessalonians 3:17; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16; 1 Peter 5:12; 2 Peter 3:1-2; 1 John 2:7-8; 1 John 5:13-15
• He will show you many things. The purpose of this is that you will know how to live so that you can follow through in OBEDIENCE with the things he convicts you about. (John 14:10-14, 23-24; 15:9-11; Romans 12:f; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 12:1f; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Galations 5:16-26; Ephesians 2:8-10;4:1-7, 11-16; 5:1-2; 6:10-20; Philippians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:13-16; 2:1-3
• Know that you can walk in DEPENDANCE upon the power & presence of His Holy Spirit to ENABLE you to live life and serve Christ as you call upon him in prayer. (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:4-5; 2:38-41; John 4:23-24; 7:37-39; 14:25-27; 16:12-15; 20:21-23; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 12:1f; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:19-22; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)