Using some of the most beautiful words ever spoken, Jesus lovingly calls:
 
            “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn 
              from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My                       burden is light.” (Matthew 11:18-30)

What an invitation! Jesus, the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6), offers comfort and rest to “all” who will come. But Jesus not only said “come to Me”, He also said, “learn of Me.” To be a “disciple” is to be a “learner” (lit.), a pupil, a student of Jesus. He is the pattern for every Christian (1 Cor 11:1), the focus of every sermon (Acts 8:35), the motive for every decision (2 Cor 5:14), and the source of every blessing (Eph 1:3). To find rest, one must not only “come” to Him, but “learn” of Him.

I recently read an article that told of a Christian revival in Rwanda years ago. In describing things that contributed to it’s success, the article claimed, “Christians were known for asking one another, ‘What have you learned about Jesus today?’”

What an outstanding question! The pursuit of Jesus is essential to spiritual blessing. Change will not happen without it (Rom 10:17, 12:1-2). True growth can not occur in its absence. The Apostle Peter proclaimed, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). Are you pursing this knowledge? In other words, “What have you learned about Jesus today?”

- Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY)

I hear the question, “Have you eaten yet?” on most days. It is a call to fellowship because it is usually precedes a lunch invitation. At other times is a loving reminder from my wife who believes I skip too many meals. So, it is her reminder to not get distracted and pass up on something needed.

Have you ever noticed how often the Bible is referred to in edible terms? 

• Job declared, “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12)
• David believed the law of the Lord was “"sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:10)
• Peter encourages Christians, "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (1 Peter 2:2-3)
• Jesus taught that the Word is more essential than our daily bread. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Mt 4:4, Dt 8:3)
• Jeremiah said, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart...” (Jeremiah 15:16)
• The Hebrews writer spoke of the meat of the word, "...you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled” (Mt 5:6). So to you friend, I lovingly ask, “Have you eaten yet?”

- Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY)

Someone recently asked, “How can I get more out my Bible Study?” This is an important question to consider. Many books have been written concerning this very question, however, one does not have to read a book to be able to read the good Book. Here are a few simple suggestions:

PRAY FOR UNDERSTANDING. The Psalmist declares, “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130). The purpose of His Word is to guide and enlighten all men. As one seeks this understanding, let us not forget to ask the Father for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7).

THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT WHAT YOU READ. The Bible cannot be read in the same way someone would flip through a magazine. It must be carefully examined. In relation to study, the Bible itself uses words such as “to reason” (Acts 17:2, 17, 18:4, 19:8) and “to search” (Acts 17:11). These terms bring with them the idea of using one’s mind to investigate, discern, and examine. One has said, “Read through the text once to become familiar with it, and then read it again for a deeper look.” It is a misconception to think that just reading through the Bible will make one wise. A good student of the Bible will be careful and diligent in his/her study with the goal of rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

DO NOT ABUSE FAMILIAR PASSAGES. A person can easily skim through a familiar text and miss the great truths found within. Familiarity can cause one to overlook certain elements of the scripture. One can also bring certain misconceptions to familiar verses. It is an easy trap to make certain assumptions about familiar verses, however, close examination of it’s context is always needed to reveal truth.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS. Understanding the context is vital to the study of any text. One must consider who is speaking, who is being addressed, and the circumstances that gave rise to the passage under consideration. Most verses are part of a larger thought or argument. To understand the context sometimes it is necessary to back up to a previous verse or chapter. One seeking truth will desire to know the entire thought not simply a part of it. Paying close attention to these details will greatly help in conquering the text.

MAKE PRACTICAL APPLICATION. The Bible is meant to be applied to our lives. A successful study of it will end with one comparing the commands and principles that they have found with how they are living. “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22)

REMEMBER IT IS GOD’S BOOK. By studying the Bible you are peering into the mind of God. This is not the product of man’s imaginations, but the revelations of God. Paul praised the Thessalonians for their understanding of this, when he said, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). This is no ordinary book! Therefore the study of it must be done with much care and diligence.

 - Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY)