Personal Bible Study and Books I am currently reading

[Mark L Shaver]

I have found that the holy spirit will lead you down different paths to learn the truth about God's word if you ask for wisdom. Proverbs 2:6 states "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." So if you ask for wisdom, God will give it to you. There are 5 examples of getting wisdom in the Bible: Joseph
(Gen 41:38-39), Moses (Ex 4:12), Solomon (1Ki 3:12; 4:29), Daniel (1:17; 2:23) and Stephen (Acts 6:5, 10). On a side note, I read a book many years ago about Biblical Mathematics, Keys to Scripture Numerics by Ed F. Vallowe. I am really into numbers and their spiritual meaning. Anyway, the number 5 is the number of GRACE; the goodness of God or the grace of God. Very interesting..but I digress.

Interestingly, what does the rest of the verse say. I noticed that there are two equal parts to getting wisdom; asking for it and studying for it.The rest of the verse says that out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. What comes out of the Lord's mouth: the words of God the Father IE: Scripture. Reading, Listening and Studying the words of God will give you knowledge and understanding. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God".

Since I am a avid reader of God's word, Malachi 3:10-11 are very special verses to me. Just like the tithe of 10 % of first fruits (income), I tithe 2.4 hours per day reading the word of God. I believe we can tithe many different things to God and He will honor our giving. Therefore, I read many things related to God's word. Currently I am reading 4 books in addition to my Dake's annotated Reference Bible, my Jack Van Impe Prophecy Bible and my King James Amplified Bible.

Because I wanted to gain knowledge and understanding of the truth of God's word, I am reading John MacArthur's book "The Truth War" fighting for certainty in an age of deception. Today, truth is under attack and much is at stake. Deception is the result of the elimination of absolute Biblical truth. Great read.

Because I wanted to gain knowledge and understanding of Spiritual Warfare, I am reading a book called "Strongman's His Name, What's His Game II by Drs. Jerry & Carol Robeson. With over 20 years in the mission field, their primary ministry was to take new converts from open air crusades and mold them into a new church body that would carry on the ministry of the new church after they were gone. Believe me, this is the Bible on Spiritual Warfare and I have read many books on this subject matter. In addition to this book I am reading "How to Conduct Spiritual Warfare as I see it" by Mary Garrison. Although Mary wrote this over 30 years ago, it is perhaps more vital today; full of God's word about spiritual warfare. Interestingly, she uses a quote in her book that was especially telling; we must learn how to try a spirit so that we can "eat the meat and spit out the bones". If you want to know what this means, you will have to read the book.

Lastly, because I wanted to understand the relationship between Hebraic and Christian "Sod" or secrets found in the Bible, the holy spirit lead me to the book called "Lord I want to Know You" a devotional study on the names of God by Kay Arthur. Therefore, I have been studying the Hebraic names of God and their meanings. Fantastic study.

I wanted to share this reading list with anyone hungry for knowledge and understanding. You will not be disappointed.

[Lori Calman]

That's a lot of reading. Thanks for sharing. Scott is into numbers too. I will have to tell him about that book.