Students of the Word

The transcription is a prayer followed by a devotion on being students of the Word. It emphasizes the importance of studying and understanding the Bible in order to excel in life's challenges. It uses the analogy of a cow chewing its food multiple times for digestion as a metaphor for studying and absorbing information. The devotion encourages Christians to make time for studying the Bible, asking questions, and applying what they learn to their daily lives. It also highlights the importance of discernment and examining the Scriptures to ensure accuracy in teachings. The devotion concludes with a reminder to hold onto the instructions of the Word and to immerse oneself in it daily for spiritual growth. Oh Lord our God, how majestic is your ways in all the earth. Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for this morning. Thank you for the honor and the privilege to commune with you in your word. We pray, oh God, that you open our eyes, that we may see wonderful things in your law. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray with thanksgiving. Amen. Shalom, beloved. God richly bless you for partaking in our just ended prayer startup. It is time for us to look into the word of God and facilitating this morning's glorious devotion is Pastor and Mrs. Bruce Smith from Harvest Chapel International, Kumasi. Let's take our confession together from Joshua chapter 1 verse 8. Joshua chapter 1 verse 8. This book of the law shall not depart out of my mouth, but I shall meditate in it day and night, that I may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then I will make my way prosperous, and then I will have good success. Amen. Indeed, you and I are marked out for good success. If you believe it, you want to shout a big Amen. The theme for this morning's devotion is Students of the Word. Students of the Word. And our scripture reading shall be taken from the book of Acts chapter 17 verse 10 to 15. Acts chapter 17 verse 10 to 15. And I'll be reading from the NIV. As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received their message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. Beloved, here ends the reading of the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Student of the Word Have you ever come across cattle, sheep, goats or other animals lying down quietly and moving their jaws? A cow after feeding on grass does not chew it at once, it swallows it. The grass goes into the festoon of where it is stored for re-chewing. It often lies down after feeding and brings up a little grass from its first stomach into its mouth and chews it for a long time. The grass does not go back into the first stomach, but into the second where it is digested. From the second, it moves further into the third and fourth stomachs, an interstice for further digestion and absorption of nutrients for growth and development. Likewise, in our educational system, we go to school, spend long hours studying different subjects, return home, do assignments, projects, revise, study and memorize lesson notes and other relevant pamphlets for better understanding, digestion and absorption of the relevant information received. It is a proven fact that the more we keep reading and practicing, the better we become acquainted with the subject matter and the better our chances of excelling in examination on this matter. As Christians, our exams include our daily challenges, setbacks, hindrances and temptations that come our way in our response to these circumstances. Every serious student recognizes the need to be fully prepared before sitting an exam, and this is no different for the believer. As a matter of fact, we are admonished to be prepared in and out of season, as we can be examined at any moment in time and excuses will not be tolerated. Many Christians have not come to the realization of this fact. We are students of the supernatural, and as students, it is mandatory for us to make time to study, though little believer ever made the mark. We must make it a practice to constantly study the Bible, which is our main reference material or syllable, references to Sunday and midweek messages or sermons, lesson notes from our quiet times, to be adequately prepared for the test that comes our way. We must be intentional about learning and studying the rudiments of our faith, just like we clear off distractions, ask questions if we don't understand, make study schedules and timetables, review notes from class every evening, simplify notes, memorize, practice what we learn, write out on sticky notes, closing our books and trying to recall what we have studied, writing out or reciting what we can remember from the topic lens, trying to relate the subject matter to everyday life activities so as to easily remember, we must do same with the Word of God. Whatever learning approach works best for you, you must apply it to the study of the Word. By all means, we must acquaint ourselves with God's story. God commends and is pleased with people of such character. Tiberians were acknowledged to be of more liberal character than those of Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined, searched the Scripture every day to see even what Paul said was true. This is a lost art and act in our world now and the Lord is calling us back to a place of learning to be taught by the Holy Spirit, His ways and His truths as false teachings and doctrines are on the rise. Let us spend time to study and revisit the Word and allow God renew and transform us to the agency of the Word. Let the Holy Spirit convict you of your beliefs and empower you to share the Gospel with the world so that others will believe through your testimony. Proverbs 4 verse 13 says, Hold on to the instructions, do not let it go, guard it well, for it is your life. Let the joy of the Lord be stirred up in us, bringing forth health and life as we make it a habit to immerse ourselves in the Word daily. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. Beloved, let us take our memory verse from Acts chapter 17 verse 11. Now, Tiberians were of more liberal character than those in Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scripture every day to see even what Paul said was true. Acts chapter 17 verse 11. Now, Tiberians were of more liberal character than those in Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scripture every day to see even what Paul said was true. Beloved, let's say a word of prayer. Thank you, Father, for your Word. Please help us search and identify the hidden treasure in your Word. Help us keep it in our hearts and share the glorious message of your salvation in Jesus Christ's name. Amen. Beloved, we are students of the Word. Let us not approach the study of the Word casually. Attach all seriousness to it, for by it we shall be prepared for all life's exams. Remember, no lazy believer ever made the mark. Shalom and God richly bless you. Let us stay tuned to Radio HCI today as we have programs lined up for our nourishment. Shalom and God richly bless you. .