The wisdom of God's Word speaks for itself in 24 major life-topics, each with related Scriptures grouped together into a simple, easy-to-read, condensed format. Gathered from various books of the Bible, the life-topics explain God's principles for the most important subjects pertaining to life and death on planet earth--principles given only by God in the best interests of his creation. They are able to edify and enlighten, and will establish a strong self-identity and sense of purpose for anybody who learns from them. Readers will quickly understand the highlights of God's work throughout history to reconcile the human race back to himself, including the central focus of the Bible...the grace and peace offered to all people through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is truly sad and regretful that most people are not taught these basic truths prior to adulthood, saving millions of us from countless years or whole lifetimes mainly in pursuit of what is temporary; what will pass away. But, young or old, now is surely a better time to start than never. So, for anyone interested in gaining an inner spirit of peace and fulfillment, let the light from these pages shine into your heart. Everything needed to be accepted and personally known by God himself is included.
Bible Basics
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"-John 8:32By Sam ShepherdAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Sam Shepherd
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4490-6876-9 Contents
1. Bible = Word of God.............................................12. Evidence God exists.............................................63. Satan - darkness and death......................................114. Innocence lost - fall of Mankind................................165. Why God is invisible............................................246. All people fall short of God's expectations.....................277. Blood = atonement and pardon....................................328. Jesus Christ - God in human form................................369. Jesus Christ - Savior for all people............................4110. Confess and Forsake............................................4611. What God requires of Mankind...................................5112. How to know the invisible God personally.......................5513. Principles for daily life......................................5914. Forgiveness - judging others...................................6515. Prayer guidelines..............................................7016. Faith and Trust - promises of God..............................7517. Life on earth temporary........................................8018. Trials and Tribulations........................................8519. God is omnipresent and all-knowing.............................8920. God's discipline and reproof...................................9321. Hell - reality and agony.......................................9822. Resurrection of dead - eternal life............................10323. End of the age - new earth.....................................10824. God is Sovereign Ruler.........................................116
Chapter One
Bible = Word Of God
Heb 1:1-3
1) In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
3) The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purication for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
2Pet 3:1-2
1) Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.
2) I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
(the 12 apostles lived and traveled with Christ for about 3 years, "up close and personal". Ample opportunities to write down his words)
Luke 1:1-4
1) Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
2) just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3) Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
4) so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
(Luke, a doctor who sometimes traveled with Paul, assures us his account came from eyewitnesses of Christ and that its teachings were orderly and certain) see next entry.
2Pet 1:16-18 & 20-21
16) We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17) For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
18) We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
... 20) Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.
21) For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2Tim 3:16-17
16) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17) so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Rom 15:4
4) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
John 19:26-27
26) When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"
27) and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
(John, the disciple above, had direct dialogue with Christ's mother after his crucifixion, the only person who knew him from birth and for all 33 years of his life on earth)
John 21:24
24) This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
(also John, testifying that the writings in his book are accurate. Similar to Luke 1:1-4 above)
Gal 1:11-12
11) I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.
12) I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
(Paul, the "13th apostle" because he was chosen after Christ's death and resurrection, is the writer here)
1Ths 2:13
13) And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
Isa 55:10-11
10) As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11) so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
1Cor 4:6
6) Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.
(many voices and opinions are going forth in today's world of computers, news and entertainment media. The Apostle Paul reminds us to compare what is seen, heard, and read to the Scriptures in order to discern real truth)
Heb 4:12-13
12) For the word of God is living 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.
13) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
2Tim 2:15
15) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
John 8:32
32) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 20:30-31
30) Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
31) But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
1Cor 1:18
18) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Col 3:16
16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
1Pet 1:24-25
24) For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25) but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
Chapter Two
Evidence God Exists
Psa 19:1-4
1) The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2) Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
3) There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
4) Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
Psa 8:3-4
3) When I consider your heavens, the work of your ngers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4) what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
Act 14:16-17
16) In the past, he let all nations go their own way.
17) Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and lls your hearts with joy."
Rom 1:18-21
18) The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
19) since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20) For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21) For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Eccl 11:5
5) As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. (see next entry)
Psa 139:13-14
13) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
(just reflect on the inner intricacy of the human body. Then imagine yourself or anyone else attempting to create a "living, breathing" human being, not a metal-and-wires robot, plus all the other animals, fish, birds, and insects. Then add in outdoor nature such as trees, flowers, and grass which also have life in them and are not man-made from plastic.
If Mankind is known to have the highest intelligence on earth, yet we cannot create anything with life-giving blood or sap owing through it, can the thousands upon thousands of species truly have evolved from microscopic amoebas simply by chance?
Without a higher-power Creator, common sense makes the question seem foolish to even ask. The amoebas would have had to be smarter than humans to end up as all the "alive" species on earth which do contain life-giving blood or sap in them. And if they are smarter, from where did amoebas originate? Quite a guessing game, or perhaps imagination) see entries below.
Psa 104:24
24) How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
Col 1:16
16) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Heb 11:6
6) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Job 38:1-11
1) Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
2) "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?
3) Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
4) "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
5) Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6) On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-
7) while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
8) "Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,
9) when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10) when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place,
11) when I said, 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt'?
Job 38:18-41
18) Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.
19) "What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside?
20) Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21) Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!
22) "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail,
23) which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle?
24) What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?
25) Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm,
26) to water a land where no man lives, a desert with no one in it,
27) to satisfy a desolate wasteland and make it sprout with grass?
28) Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew?
29) From whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens
30) when the waters become hard as stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen?
31) "Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades? Can you loose the cords of Orion?
32) Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs?
33) Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God's dominion over the earth?
34) "Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water?
35) Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, 'Here we are'?
36) Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?
37) Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens
38) when the dust becomes hard and the clods of earth stick together?
39) "Do you hunt the prey for the lioness and satisfy the hunger of the lions
40) when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in a thicket?
41) Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?
(it is abundantly clear ... "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge". Prov 1:7)
Chapter Three
Satan - Darkness And Death
Ezek 28:12-17
12) "Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13) You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
14) You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
15) You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
16) Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.
17) Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.
(most Bible students regard these verses in Ezekiel and the next entry in Isaiah to be symbolic descriptions of God expelling the former morning star, Satan, from heaven down to earth as his new place of habitation ... see Job 1: 6-7 below. He could no longer remain in God's presence due to his ego and pride to be "The Boss", #1 in the universe above God.)
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Bible Basicsby Sam Shepherd Copyright © 2010 by Sam Shepherd. Excerpted by permission.
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