"How to Start Your 52 Week Journey"

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

Introduction

1. When taking a "Journey into Studying the Bible," I recommend following Dr. Laxton's

   prescribes an aerial view. I have also found it most informative, motivating, and invigorating.

   
   

2. In the aerial view, the Holy Bible includes 66 books, thirty-nine (39) Old Testament and

   Thirty-seven New Testament books. All of the books have been orchestrated to be revealed by God to humanity. 2 Tim. 3:16 says, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God

   may be complete, equipped for every good work."

   
   

3. The Old Testament books include the Law, historical writings, books of Poetry, and Major and Minor Prophets. The New Testament books include the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), the Book of Acts, Paul's epistles, other genera, letters and epistles, and the apocalyptic and prophetic book Revelation.

   
   

4. When journeying into the Bible, you, as an infant theologian or "Season Saint," need several Bible translations. While the Bible, as God's Word, is written to be perfect and without error, I have found that several translations have been written in error. This "Is NOT" a God problem, but a man and translation problem because God is perfect, and everything he does is perfect.

   
   

5. For this reason, I recommend the KJV (King James Version), RSV (Revised Standard Version)

   ESV (English Standard Version), NIV (New International Version), ASB (Amplified Study Bible),

   and, for easier reading, the Message Bible and NLT (New Living Translation). The Motivated

   Bible scholars should study three or more translations of each verse and realize that the NLT and

   Message Bibles provide an overview of the text while leaving out some words. You can also use audio versions of the recommended Bibles.

   
   

6. I've been blessed to live worldwide while serving for twenty-four in the United States, deploying healthcare facilities to care for our soldiers, civilians, and host country civilians. These beautiful experiences made me an expert in Missionary work and trained me as a leader, and the Holy Spirit has "Transformed" me to assume leadership roles in the Army of God. As I reflect on my life now, I agree with Dr. Laxton: God is on a mission to create (or redeem) a people (His Kingdom) for Himself to reflect His glory in all spheres of life.

   
   

7. Furthermore, if we take another aerial view, God's mission is seen in the Garden of Eden, Israel, Jesus, the Church, and the New City of Jerusalem. God's Kingdom is initiated in the Garden of Eden, where it is undetermined undetermined by man's sin. It is then foreshowed in the nation of Israel, where they fail to live under the rule and reign of God. Jesus comes on the scene, declaring,

   "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 4:17).

8. So, the Kingdom of God is inaugurated with King Jesus. Jesus then sends His people (the Church) to all nations as signposts (ambassadors) of the Kingdom that is already but not yet. However, in the last two chapters of Revelation, God paints an eschatological (end-of-the-world) vision of the New City coming down from heaven, where God will consummate His Kingdom (Rev. 21:1-5).

9. Moreover, the New Testament teaches that the people are "saved" in Christ by "grace" through "faith." As God "redeems" a people for Himself, they join in His mission. But what does it mean to participate in Go's mission? As followers of Christ, we participate in God's mission of "redeeming" a people from all peoples on planet Earth by "sharing and showing" the Gospel of King Jesus in the power of the Spirit of God. Amen! Somebody!

10. I know many of you have heard the term discipleship," which the Great Commission Christ leaves in our hands to do (Matt.28:19-20). Saving people for Himself is the derivative of "discipleship, which means to share with others what it means to be "made" into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ.

    I want you to get this! God creates you as a human being, but it requires enlightenment under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be "made into the likeness and image of Christ," and that requires one who walks in the "Calling" of a "disciple." Praise the Lord! Somebody!

10. Allow me to close and leave you with this: There are four facets of "discipleship:" the Tool (the Word of God), the Power (the Holy Spirit), the Environment (the Community of Blievers), and the Exercises (the Spiritual Disciplines). Remember, as God spoke Creation into existence, His Word "speaks" new Creation into existence. The "Word" gives shape and formation to God's people.

12. Remember: God loves you! The anointed Messiah loves you! The Holy Spirit will guide you, comfort you, provide for you, and protect you! And I love you, and there" is nothing you can do about it!