“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV)

Bible study

There are different methods of studying the Bible and learning Bible truths. To begin, you should read the Bible from cover to cover to get basic Bible knowledge. Then you can study books of the Bible as well as do topical studies. Whichever type of study you are doing, follow these basic steps: 1-Observation-what does the Bible say? 2-Interpretation-What does the Bible mean? and 3-Application-How does this biblical truth apply to your life, or how is this passage relevant today? No matter what method of Bible study you do, be careful to rightly divide the Word of God so that you are “workmen that need not be ashamed.” (2 Tim. 2:2).

Bible study gives light and understanding

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130 NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV)

And put the words into practice

“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.” (Matt. 7:24 NIV)

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” (2 Peter 1:10 ESV)

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James. 1:22 NIV)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:1-2 ESV)

We’re all running a “race”

We are each uniquely made with differing gifts and talents that God has created within us to help us do what He created us to do In life. We’re all running a “race” that is set out before each of us. In the above passage we are exhorted to lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely to us, and look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

Run your race with discipline to win

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Cor. 9:24-27 ESV)

Press on towards the prize

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:12-14 ESV)

Therefore…

“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:8 ESV)

In the Old Testament, 2 Chron. 20:1-30, Is a remarkable story showing what to do if you come under attack and it looks completely hopeless. King Jehoshaphat’s story is worth reading to see how he responded correctly and successfully to an impossible situation. What he did is a great pattern to follow whenever any kind of “impossible” problem comes your way.

A vast army wages war against King Jehoshaphat and it looks hopeless

“…the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar’ (that is, En Gedi).” (2 Chron. 20:1-2 NIV)

What Jehoshaphat did

• Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord and he proclaimed a fast

“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.” (2 Chron. 20:3-4 NIV)

• Jehoshaphat took his problem to God in prayer

“Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said:” (2 Chron. 20:5)

• Jehoshaphat acknowledged God’s power and authority

“Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” (2 Chron. 20:6 NIV)

• Jehoshaphat acknowledged what God had done in the past

“Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’” (2 Chron. 20:7-9)

• Jehoshaphat acknowledged that they had no power to face the vast army and didn’t know what to do, and said to God, “our eyes are on you”

“But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chron. 20:10-12)

• After praying, they waited on God to answer

“All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.” (2 Chron. 20:13)

God answered Jehoshaphat’s prayer

• Then, God spoke and told them not to be afraid because “For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

“Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chron. 20:14-15)

• Then, God told them what to do

“Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” (2 Chron. 20:16-17)

• Then, Jehoshaphat and his people worshipped the Lord

“Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.” (2 Chron. 20:18-19)

• Then, Jehoshaphat set out to follow God’s instruction with faith and praises

“Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his[c] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” (2 Chron. 20:20-21)

• Then, God defeated Jehoshaphat’s enemies

“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.” (2 Chron. 20:22-24)

• Then, Jehoshaphat and his men carried off the plunder of their defeated enemies

“So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it.” (2 Chron. 20:25)

• Then, Jehoshaphat and his men met after the victory to praise the Lord

“On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.” (2 Chron. 20:26)

• Then, Jehoshaphat and his men returned home and to the temple of God and made music

“Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets.” (2 Chron. 20:27-28)

• Finally, God gave the kingdom of Jehoshaphat peace and rest on every side

“The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.” (2 Chron. 20:29-30)

Therefore…

To recap: What to do when impossible problem comes

• Turn to God in prayer and fast, even while your problem is looming before you.

• Acknowledge that you don’t have the answer and you don’t know what to do. That’s why you’re coming to Him for help.

• Acknowledge God’s power and authority. He can do the impossible.

• Remember God’s faithfulness in the past. “You’ve helped us in the past. Please do it again!”

• Request God’s help. Come right out clearly with your request. “Come boldly to the throne of grace in the time of need.”

• Wait expectantly for God to answer.

• Do what God tells you to do, even if it’s scary or difficult.

• Praise and worship God continually throughout the process.

Jehoshaphat was faithful to worship the Lord and ask him for help, and God delivered him from his enemies. God will do the same for you.

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isa. 61:10 ESV)

He became sin for us so we could become the righteousness of God

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21 ESV)

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)

Put on righteousness

“I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban.” (Job 28:14 ESV

Therefore…

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matt. 5:6 ESV)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33 ESV)

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27 NLT).

It’s God’s gift to you!

God’s peace of mind and heart is a gift that you receive by faith — you don’t have to work for it, or beg for it. You get it as a free gift of grace that only God can provide (the world cannot). So, even though troubles may come your way, you don’t have to be troubled or afraid! You take it to God and he will provide peace that surpasses all understanding to guard your heart and mind.

Do not be anxious about anything

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV)

Because Jesus said…

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

Therefore…

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isa. 26:3 ESV)

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20)

People loved the darkness rather than the light

“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” (John 3:19 ESV)

What fellowship has light with darkness?

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” ( 2 Cor. 6:14)

“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:9-11ESV)

Therefore…

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7 ESV)

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2 NIV)

Even darkness is not dark to God

“Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day Darkness and light are alike to You.” (Psalm 139:12)

Jesus is the light of the world

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV)

The light shines in the darkness

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1;5 ESV

Out of the darkness into His marvelous light

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6 ESV)

“… since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.” (Col. 1:9-11 NIV)

The above passage of Scripture is a pattern you can follow when praying for others. Let’s look at the passage a little piece at a time.

• Pray continually for them

“… since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. Col 1:9)

• Pray that God will fill them with the knowledge of His will

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives…” (Col 1:9)

• Pray that they will live a life worthy of the Lord

“... so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord…” (Col 1:10)

• Pray that they will please the Lord in every way

“… and please him in every way… “ (Col. 1:10)

• Pray that they will bear fruit in every good work

“… bearing fruit in every good work…” (Col. 1:10)

• Pray that they will grow in the knowledge of God

“… growing in the knowledge of God.” (Col 1:10 )

• Pray that they would be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might

“…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might…” (Col. 1:11)

• Pray that they will have great endurance

“… so that you may have great endurance…” (Col. 1:11)

• Pray that they will have patience

“… and patience…” (Col. 1:11)

And finally…

The above passage continues with following exhortation to end your prayers with joyful thanksgiving because God has rescued them from sin and redeemed them.

“… and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:12-14 NIV)

“He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.” (Acts 17:26 NASB)

In the above passage we learn that God made us all from one man to live on the face of the earth. He determined all our appointed times (when we were to be born) and all our boundaries (where we were to live). We are all connected!

Six degrees of separation

Six degrees of separation is the idea that all people are six, or fewer, social connections away from each other. As a result, a chain of "a friend of a friend" statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps. It was originally set out by Frigyes Karinthy in 1929 and popularized in a 1990 play written by John Guare. A 2007 study by Jure Leskovec and Eric Horvitz examined a data set of instant messages composed of 30 billion conversations among 240 million people. They found the average path length among Microsoft Messenger users to be 6. It has been suggested by some commentators that interlocking networks of computer mediated lateral communication could diffuse single messages to all interested users worldwide as per the 6 degrees of separation principle via Information Routing Groups, which are networks specifically designed to exploit this principle and lateral diffusion. However, some have argued that the existence of isolated groups of humans, for example the Korubo and other native Brazilian populations, would tend to invalidate the strictest interpretation of the hypothesis. Yet, the point is still true that most of the world is just a few steps connection from each other. Think of what this means! You are only a few connections away from just about anybody in the world!

Pray about your connections

Do you pray for God to connect you to the right people? You should! As Christians, we are definitely connected to the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit!

“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” (Rom. 12:5)