Why You Should Listen To The Bible

The Bible is part historical document, part divine revelation, and completely inspiring. This amazing piece of literature is a cornerstone of civilization-and the foundation of our faith.

However, with 66 books, written by at least 39 authors over a period of 1,500 years, the Bible can be a bit intimidating to study. Where to begin? How to study? What are the most important parts of it?

And most importantly, with a book so long, and so full of valuable information, how can one possibly get through it quickly?

In the New Testament, Jesus and His apostles were often found teaching in the temple. In a very powerful passage in the book of Luke, chapter 4 verses 16-19, Jesus reveals Himself as Messiah by reading aloud from the book of Isiah.

It says that, “And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.”

In those days, as in essentially every period of history up until the invention of the printing press, the people heard the Word of God read aloud in the temples. The foundational stories contained in the book of Genesis were also passed down by oral tradition, to be finally written down by Moses.

Throughout the Bible we see that God uses the spoken word of His prophets to speak to His people, and the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans that “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom 10:17).

Listening to the Bible is an incredible experience. After all, the words were meant to be heard, not necessarily only read. It can also help you learn better. Many people absorb and retain information better when hearing it. It can also save you time, as you commute, clean the house or go for a walk, you can take the Word of God with you.

And right now is the perfect time to experience the incredible production, NIV Live-A Bible Experience. This is a multi-sensory digital masterpiece, a study tool that features an award-winning cast reading through the Bible with you. And it can currently be yours for only $15.

Or better yet, you can get NIV Live completely free if you sign up for Zoe Life Academy.

The Bible is our spiritual bread, and the words contained within are powerful. When spoken aloud, they can move you and let you experience the Bible in a new way. To learn more about how to experience the Bible with all your senses, follow this link: NIV Live Bible on Audio Collection.

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Hitting A Wall

Several years ago, I decided to hire a voice coach. I only went once, because I was so discouraged after my first lesson. I walked in thinking I was “the man”, but by the time she was finished with me, I was frustrated. I convinced myself it wasn’t worth going because the drive was too long, but I have to admit I was also nervous, perhaps because I deep down, I was convinced I wouldn’t be good enough.

In my first session, the song we worked on was Kyrie by Mr. Mister. I could hit all of the notes except for one. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t hit the note.

We continued that first session by doing additional exercises where she would ask me to test my range, and would push me beyond what I was able to do. I grew frustrated. What I didn’t realize was that while I was hitting a wall, she was trying to push me beyond it.

The children of Egypt experienced the same thing, whether it was facing the Red Sea or coming out of the desert facing the Jordan. In both circumstance, they “hit a wall”. A wall of water that stood between where they were and where they needed to go. A wall that confined them from their destiny.

God creates each and every one of us with so much potential, so many different talents and abilities, but many of us have buried this potential beneath a pile of doubt and worldly lies. We hit the walls life slams down before us, unconvinced they can be broken down.

If you feel like you’ve hit a wall in your life, like success is just not for you, that you’re too poor or sick or don’t have any talent, then I urge you to hear what Apostle Ronald Hamm has to say.

Apostle Hamm explains in his book, Destroying the Spirit of Limitations, that these walls we hit, these barriers we experience are actually spirits. They need to be identified-and destroyed.

“The spirit of limitation is a force whose purpose is to restrict, resist and restrain you from reaching your destiny”, he writes. These spirits convince us to believe the mental constructs and lies we hear over and over-most often from ourselves-that we’re not good enough, we don’t have the talent or potential.

We can’t keep committing to defeat, or letting the world’s way of thinking keep us from success any longer. We can’t let ourselves be convinced that our limitations are permanent or binding. Rather, we need to bind this spirit of limitations, to tap into the Kingdom’s way of thinking.

As Apostle Hamm writes, “The Scripture says that you should LET the same mindset that Christ had be in you. (Phil 2:5-9) By virtue of the fact that it says LET, indicates that you can do it. You have full function of your mind to cause it to change the way it thinks.” The pages of Destroying the Spirit of Limitations are full of wisdom such as this: how to take your thoughts captive to Christ and change them from the world’s way of thinking into God’s way of thinking.

When I was working with my voice coach, getting frustrated, what I didn’t realize at the time is that she was purposely trying to find my limits. She was more interested in quickly identifying what I could not do, than listen to what I can do. She intentionally continued to bring me to a place where my voice would fail.

As I left that day, I am sure she sensed my frustration with her. She pulled me aside and said, “You hired me. I don’t need your money. If you are here, we need to have an agreement, what kind of student are you going to be?”

Looking back, I see what she was really saying… are you going to trust me that I have your best interest in mind? This is what we do with God. He knows darn well what he is doing. Can we trust Him enough to face our own limits, to break down our own walls?

My prayer is that you are able to stop listening to the world’s pessimistic view of physical, cultural or economic limitations, and start destroying our spiritual limitations. I urge you to trust the potential God has given us to create, to lead, to invent or discover. God designed us with amazing minds, talents and potential. I challenge you today to push beyond the limitations placed on your life, to break down the walls you’ve hit and to begin trusting the plan God has for you.

Winning with you,

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Host the Presence of God

There is a scripture that I see all of the time and yet, it wasn’t until recently that God revealed to me a deeper revelation.

And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. – Ezekiel 36:27

You see, God has put His Spirit WITHIN us! That’s powerful, that means we are truly hosting the presence of God

What would happen to your life and the lives of those around us if we were more aware of the revelation knowledge that we are hosts to the presence of God? It would be like enjoying His voice, His goodness, and His mercy every moment of your life!

It didn’t seem like a life like this is possible; well, until I met my new friends, John and Heidi White!

You see, John and Heidi are the executive producers of a groundbreaking, audio-visual experience called The Presence. They have made it their life’s work to teach and train people how to host the presence of God. The Presence is a breathtaking presentation full of music, insight, and revelation designed to equip sons and daughters to experience God’s presence all of the time by highlighting men and women — all around the world and from all walks of life — who are living daily in His Presence and experiencing the wonder and friendship of the Holy Spirit.

Everyone can have a deeper and more abiding relationship with God. His presence is what helps us through the trials, struggles, and storms of life so we can have the joy and peace His Word promises. The more of Him we see, the more we desire Him. The more we desire, the more He pours out, transforming and maturing us in His Love.

While God is omnipresent, and His Presence is always with us, we long to experience Him in a real, tangible way. We all have access on a daily basis to His Presence, living and moving in our lives. As we become sure of His Presence, others will take notice of that change within us and respond to it.

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re at in life — you need God’s Presence to experience peace, hope, encouragement, and fulfillment in life. If you want a deeper life and walk with God, if you’re ready to be conformed to the image of Christ, then experiencing The Presence for yourself is the breakthrough moment you’re looking for.

Winning with you,

 

 

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