The Best Commentary On The Bible Is The Bible Itself The Reflections Newsletter Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Editor's Note:              We invite you to view the CSM website.                                   http://www.creationscienceministries.org **In This Issue**   Welcome to the Reflections Newsletter from Reflect His Glory.  RHG is a co-ministry with Creation Science Ministries.  Feel free to send this to your relatives and friends. Probing God's Word What Does the Bible Say About...? Probing God's Word We all talk about seeking spiritual growth.  But are we really serious about it?  How serious are you when it comes to dive into the Bible?   Let's assume that you already have made a personal commitment to Christ Jesus.  What now?  Well, you began to study the Word of God, and began to seek real growth "in the grace and knowledge" of our Savior.  How has it been going?  Allow me to let you in on a "secret."  One of the most rewarding things that you can do, and one that is virtually guaranteed to help you on your path of true spiritual growth, is a home Bible study.  This type of home Bible study is known as a Small Group Bible study.  The intimacy, the family atmosphere, and the personal accountability all combine to create an environment of spiritual growth unequaled in more formal settings. There are three key components to keep in mind for our walk in Christ: we must study of the scriptures, we must prayer, and we need the fellowship of other believers.  While the facilities and formalities of Sunday services have become the norm for many, it was not always so.  In the early church, the fellowships were in the homes of the believers.  The church in the house of Philemon grew into the church of Colossae (Philemon 2).  The church in the house of Nymphas became the church of Laodicea (Colossians 4:15).  The churches in the house of Aquila and Priscilla, who seem to have made it their primary commitment, became the churches of both Ephesus and Rome (1 Corinthians 16:19; Romans 16:5). If you are having a difficult time finding a group, I encourage you to pray about starting one of your own.  For those of you who might like to undertake leading a home Bible study, keep in mind that it does not have to be done at your house.  Very often, a home Bible study can be held at another believer's home. A great place to start is with a verse-by-verse study of a book of the Bible.  Pick a book of Bible that interests you and acquire several commentaries on that particular book.  After reading the introductory background, it is not hard to stay ahead of your group.  The speed at which the group moves through each book will vary.  From time to time, a particular background item, or special issue, will emerge which can give rise to a little extra research.  A home library which might include a concordance, a Bible dictionary or encyclopedia, etc., will be helpful.  Outfitting a basic home library is not that expensive and can be one of the most rewarding things you can do.  By the time you have completed a particular book in such a program, you will know that book better than you ever dreamed possible.  The commitment that you make of teaching a home Bible study group each week may be just the self-imposed 'pressure' you need to really dig into the Word. In all of my Bible studies, I begin by saying, "As always, Acts 17:11 applies.  Acts 17:11 says: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." What Does the Bible Say About...?       In this section of the Reflections Newsletter we answer questions that have been asked.  If you have a question that you would like ask, and do not mind having printed in the newsletter, (your name will not be mentioned), feel free to send your question in an email to me at biblequestions@reflecthisglory.org.  Of course, you may call me anytime by phone at 801.302-1111. The question for this issue is, "How could Satan have fallen into sin if he was in a state of innocence and perfection?  And how could he tempt Adam and Eve to fall, given that he fell himself?" Like man, Lucifer, aka Satan, and the angels were given free will to either follow God or rebel against HIm.  The fall of Satan is recorder in Isaiah 14:12-17.  of particular interest is that within those 6 verses are the five "I will" statements of Satan: "For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.  Isaiah 14:13:14  KJVER These statements, in addition to demonstrating the pride of Satan, also show us us that he was a free moral agent, capable of making a decision to either follow or rebel against God.  If this was not the case, he would not have been able to make the declarations. God has given man free will.  He wants man to follow Him out of love, and not because man has been programmed to do so.  When God forbid Adam and Eve from eating of the fruit of the tree of tree of knowledge of good and evil, found in Genesis 2:16-17, there would have been no reason to impose this restriction if there was no chance of their giving in to it. Now at that point in time, Satan was the only source of sin in the world.  This being the case, it was up to Satan to pose the temptation.  Adam and Eve had the option and capability of just saying "NO".  However, that was not what they did.  We all have the same choice. **MEMORY VERSE OF THE MONTH** And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made. Genesis 2:3     KJVER We solicit your prayers and support of this ministry. God Bless. If you received this email from a friend, you can get a FREE subscription by signing up at         enews@reflecthisglory.org. You received this newsletter by request from Reflect His Glory, a co-ministry with Creation Science Ministries. Web site:       http://www.reflecthisglory.org/ Online Store: TBA Email:            questions@reflecthisglory.org For more information: info@reflecthisglory.org Subscribe online:        enews@reflecthisglory.org Un-subscribe:             nonews@reflecthisglory.org To change your email address in our database, please unsubscribe your old address and then subscribe your new address.     "Then Jesus said to those Jews which believed on him, "If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32 Copyright © 2002-2008 by Reflect His Glory 414 NW Knights Ave Suite 642, Lake City, FL 32055 Phone: 801 302-1111