Studying the Bible in 52 Weeks

2 Tim. 3:16-17( ESV)

" 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Introduction

1. An Interactive Yearlong Journey Through the Bible for "ALL" who want to journey to me.

I use Josh Laxton's The Bible in 52 Weeks for Men as a blueprint. However, I will be guided by the

Holy Spirit to insert additional Manna, Living Water, and Bread of Life along the journey to enhance

the spiritual growth and maturity of all who join the journey, whether you are a "Seasoned Saint,"

"New Babe" in Christ, or just curious about God.

2. I hope something will be said along the "WAY" that leads you to "ACCEPT" Christ as your Lord and Savior. Maybe something is said, read, or commented on that "will' "Transform" you (Rom. 12:1-2) into becoming a "Christian Believer" as opposed to a Christian! Do you know the difference? Is there a difference? I will give you my theology that contrasts these two concepts later.

3. Now, a little bit about me. Like Josh Laxton, I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, which makes me smile as I realize we have this in common. The Holy Spirit can surprise us when we least expect it.

   In my First Phase Walk, as I call it now, I became a "Christian," accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at age thirteen. I left the church as a "New Babe" in Christ at the age of fifteen because my mom's "church hurt!"

   
   

   "Wandering Without a Family"

   
   

4. However, it was thirty-three years after wandering around in the "cultural climate" of the

   world. (the wilderness), before I ultimately committed to turning my life over entirely to Christ.

   It was thirty-three years of not having a committed relationship with the Lord and only attending corporate worship. The few occasions I entered a church were for funerals and weddings. I know now that my departure, lack of koinonia (Christian fellowship), and critical analytical thinking regarding what Christians were supposed to be in my teens.

   
   

5. I gave no grace in my 20's, 30's, or 40's. I always viewed the perpetrating of fraud because they did walk in perfection. I saw them having one moral standard Monday through Saturday and living by a different moral and ethical standard on Sunday. However, guided by the Spirit of God, which had neither matured beyond its infancy, what we call "a New Babe in Christ," I looked in the mirror and surmised I was just as much of a Christian as the ones in which I held a critical opinion. I needed to be washed in the text, Rom. 3:23. which says, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

   
   

6. I was no better, nor probably any worse than those who called themselves Christians. If we "keep it real," some were perhaps worse, and I know I was probably worse than others. However, it does not matter what degree of sin we are walking in; sin is sin! The only thing worse is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the worst sin "One" can commit. For the Christian believers and those who call themselves Christians, for us to be rightly aligned with God, we must repent (turn away our sins) and ask for forgiveness. I John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all. Don't you think we have a Mighty God waiting on us to enter a relationship with Him?

   
   

   "The Prodigal Son Finds His Way Home"

   
   

7. I don't know about you, but my "so-called" Christian life changed on March 8, 2008, after completing a "Forty-day" fast for anxiety, insomnia, and stress. In my Second Phase, Walk: "From Christianity to Becoming a Christian Believer:" I felt the Spirit of the Lord come upon me for the first time when I felt Him as that thirteen-year-old boy, which I had felt clean on the inside, and I had a newness inside my body. I felt this sensation again, telling me to go to a particular local church. Before attending the church, I had a vision (theophany) of joining the church. I joined that church two weeks later and served there for the next twelve years.

   
   

8. In my Third phase Walk as a Christian believer over the last fifteen years, I've learned that we must be "Transformed" into Christian believers; Rom. 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified; with the mouth, one confesses and is saved." Now that you are saved, the Holy Spirit dwells in you. But the work is NOT finished! At some point, as you start to mature spiritually, you will find a conflict brewing inside you, and your Spirit, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is in conflict with what appears to be your mind.

   
   

   "Winning the Battle to Position You as a Christian Believer"

   
   

9. We must understand that we are functioning daily with our individual "Trinity Man" being at odds with one another ( the mind, the Soul, and the Spirit). It is a conflict between your God-conscious of your Spirit, its dwelling place in your Soul, and your World-conscious in your body. They are at 'WAR" to control your mind, which controls your body. God orchestrates winning this battle by "Renewing" your mind. "Renewing your Mind requires "transitioning" out of a world state of mind (the world culture) and "transformation" into the Kingdom culture, where you will take on Christ-like characteristics in your spiritual growth and maturity.

   
   

10. The Apostle Paul provides for us the process of going from "transitioning to transformation" in Rom. 12:1-2 (ESV), where he says, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind so that by testing, you may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

    
    

11. Brothers and Sisters, I believe this process will deliver you from your Christian doctrines and traditions and rightly align you with Father Jehovah's desire for you to be walking, talking, and serving in His Kingdom." However, this process is NOT "One and Done" like a NCAA basketball player before going to the NBA. It becomes lifelong and part of your entire "Sanctification" (holiness) journey. As Father Jehovah increases our given territory of assignment and gives you new power and authority for your next assignment, you will have to again "transition" from where you are and be "transformed" for the new purpose (s) in your elevated calling.

    
    
    
    

12. Now, in the Fourth Phase of my journey as a Christian Believer and NOT a Christian practicing the traditions and doctrine of Christianity, let me first say they are NOT all bad. Two great mentors constantly implored me to "never toss the baby out with the bath water!" I understand that we always keep, teach, and share what is rightly aligned with God. The Holy Spirit has "functioned" to place me on exhibition as a vessel of what God can do! Father Jehovah will "orchestrate" your Christian believer's "walk" if you "surrender and submit" to enter into a relationship that He deems meaningful and purposeful for the benefit of His kingdom. Some would say Father Jehovah placed me on a divine "Fast Track" to do His Will. I know how some Christians view titles and positions. Still, I ask you to view what I am about to say to you as God's purpose and plans for His intentionality to simultaneously place many calls, positions, and assignments in my life. The very same 'Ones" He had destined for you!

    
    

13. Since 2008, I have been called to minister, licensed and ordained as a Preacher and Pastor, and consecrated as a Bishop and an Apostle. I completed seminary with a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry. I started a community-based and overseas outreach ministry specializing in and advocating for children and our elders in North Carolina, the Philippines, Freetown, Sierra Leon, and, most recently, Accra, Ghana; lastly, Vice President of a newly formed Bible to concentrate on getting the Gospel message to the people.

    
    

14. Now, let me share this last miracle with you! God has "orchestrated" this without me doing any "secular" work since 2017. Brothers and sisters, I want you to look and embrace what God can and will do in your life. He did it for me, and He will do it for you! I remain in "awe" of God every day. It is my mission, and I hope to educate, motivate, and invigorate these pages from afar over the next 52 weeks. Let us take this 52-week journey together. Remember, God loves you! Christ Jesus loves you! The Holy Spirit will guide, comfort, and protect you! And I love you, and you can do nothing about it!

    
    

    To God Be the Glory!

    Bishop (Dr) Joesph D. Cohen