The Power of Bible Study & Prayer | Healthy Habits
Healthy Habits
The Power of Bible Study and Prayer…
“Fasting is not about gritting yourself through a discipline to say that you’ve accomplished it. Fasting is about surrendering your appetites to God to feast on more of Him.” Pastor Chris Hodges
Whatever I starve dies. Whatever I feed thrives.
2 Corinthians 13:14 (MSG) 14The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.
SOUL TATTOO: Healthy habits pave the way for a Holy Spirit-led life, transforming us from the inside out.
Matthew 4:4 (NIV) 4Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
SOUL TATTOO: God’s Word recharges us, prayer connects us to the source of that power.
1.) The Bible charges my soul.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV) 105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Luke 4:4 (NKJV) 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”
Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV) 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
“The Bible is not merely a book—it is a living power, a message from God which transmits its own life to the soul.” Dwight L. Moody
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG) 16There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. 17Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
66 Separate Books that point to one subject, JESUS!
John 5:39 (NLT) “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!”
39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the Old testament:
Law Books (5) Genesis – Deuteronomy
History Books (12) Joshua – Esther
Poetry Books (5) Job – Song of Solomon
Prophecy Books (17) 5 Major Prophets: Isaiah – Daniel 12 Minor Prophets: Hosea – Malachi
The Gospels (4) Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
The Book of Acts: The historical record of the first Church
The Epistles (21) Romans – Jude
The Revelation: Prophecy of the last days and eternity
The Holy Bible:
Bible=Book, “Biblios”, it was actually a city that was known for exporting papyrus to make scrolls.
Holy=Set apart for a purpose, anointed, “Hagios”.
Colossians 3:16 (ESV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…
- Get a translation I like.
Word for Word translations – KJV, NKJV, NASB, and ESV
Thought for Thought translations – NLT, Good News, TEV, and NIV
Paraphrases – Living Bible, and The Message
1 Corinthians 13:4 (KJV) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13:4 (MSG) Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head.
- Get a Study Bible.
- Get in a Small Group.
Use the SOAP Method:
• S – Scripture: Write down a verse that stands out.
• O – Observation: What is happening in the passage?
• A – Application: How can you apply this to your life?
• P – Prayer: Pray about what you’ve read.
The Word of God is the bread that charges our faith.
“The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.” Martin Luther
2.) Prayer connects me to God’s power.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
James 5:16b (NIV) The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” Oswald Chambers
The ACTS Model:
• A – Adoration: Praise God for who He is.
• C – Confession: Admit your sins and shortcomings.
• T – Thanksgiving: Thank God for specific blessings.
• S – Supplication: Pray for your needs and others.
Prayer is the fuel for a life of purpose and peace.
“The most important thing about a man is not what he does in comparison to the potential of prayer in his life.” A.W. Tozer
3.) Bible Study and Prayer are a dynamic duo.
John 15:7 (NIV) 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
God’s Word examines our hearts, and prayer brings us to His throne of grace.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
God speaks to us through His Word, and we speak back through prayer.
The Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. The Lord is faithful to complete the good work that He begins in you. May you be rooted and grounded in the incomprehensible love of Jesus, complete in Him. O, the riches of God’s love for us!