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wholewheatonline.com Search The Secret of Perpetual Motion The God of heaven and earth promises a glorified body that will never die or cease moving to everyone who believes and lives in Him. If that is not perpetual motion, what is? The only thing you need to do to accomplish this is repent from a life of perpetual evil and live a life of perpetual good, as Jesus Christ, our perfect example, did. Paul, Peter and other apostles were continually admonishing people to practice being good by perpetually practicing those things that are good (Matt. 25:33-40). Paul also told people, including us, that Jesus Christ is purifying for Himself a people who are perpetually zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). Christ is now ascended on high, where He perpetually does good in heaven. A true follower of Jesus Christ perpetually does good on earth as it is perpetually done in heaven because he is following Christ’s perpetual example (Matt. 6:10). Now if you are not learning to be good by perpetually doing good and glorifying God in heaven by doing good works daily, as Christ did, what are you doing with your free time (Matt. 5:16)? Are you still indulging in a little sin? Heaven forbid! If you are, then you are serving two gods, the god of this world - Satan, and the God of heaven - Jesus Christ (Matt. 6:24; 1 John 5:19; John 14:30). We are not to live to the flesh any longer, but only to the Spirit, so we do not carry out the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). We put to death the unclean deeds and habits of the flesh by perpetually living to please God (Rom. 8:13). So, if you want your wheels to perpetually turn, perpetually do good for God and He will perfect you (Rom. 12:1-2; Matt. 5:48). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

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wholewheatonline.com Search Spiritually in Tune With God Have you ever telephoned someone you had on your mind and discovered that person was also thinking of you just before the phone rang? How much more spiritually in tune is God to our every thought (Psalm 94:8-11; 125:4; 1 Cor. 3:20)? There is a way to become spiritually in tune with God, just as there is a way to become spiritually out of tune with God. When we live in sin, we are spiritually out of tune with God. We are in tune with Satan’s wavelengths and we are doing Satan’s will (2 Tim. 2:26). When we repent and come out of a life of sin by living a life of righteousness, we become in tune with the Father, who is righteous (Psalm 11:7; 145:17). All unrighteousness is lawlessness or sin (Rom. 3:23; 1 John 3:4; 5:17). This is why the one who repents is to imitate what is good by doing good (3 John 11). We are to imitate God daily instead of Satan (Eph. 5:1). We are to do good daily instead of evil. Instead of being slaves to unrighteousness, God wants us to repent and become slaves to righteousness (Rom. 6:13, 17-19). God’s Will is righteousness (Psalm 106:3). Satan’s will is lawlessness or unrighteousness. God is righteous and He wants us to imitate Him by practicing righteousness daily (Eph. 5:1). He wants us to glorify His name with good works (Matt. 5:16). Jesus laid out those works in the parable of the sheep and goats found in Matthew 25:33-46. Satan is an enemy of all righteousness and good works when they are done in secret for the glory of God (Matt. 6:1; Eph. 6:6). Why? Because that is how he is crushed in our natures and put under our feet by God (Rom. 16:20). Good works and righteous deeds are God’s Will. When we do good works daily on earth as they are done in heaven, we are in tune with God (Matt. 6:10). Now, all we need to do is stay in tune with God (Matt. 24:13). We will have Jesus’ nature formed in us (Gal. 4:19). We will overcome the evil in our lives by continually doing good toward others for God (Rom. 12:21; 1 Peter 3:10-11, 13). We will have our prayers answered because we are doing God’s Will and pleasing Him in all we do (1 John 3:22; John 8:29; 9:31). Not only that, because we are seeking first God’s kingdom by practicing righteousness for God, the Lord will give us all the things we need (Matt. 6:33; John 8:51). So, what are you waiting for? The Lord is waiting for you to become spiritually in tune with Him. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Practice Makes Perfect Psalm 4:4 says, “Tremble and do not sin.” Generally, religious people today do not fear God to such an extent that they tremble when they sin. People claim they cannot help but sin, because we are all sinners and people who say they have no sins are liars. They use 1 John 1:8, as an excuse to continue sinning. Yet, at the same time, Jesus says we are to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48). Jesus also commanded one person to go and sin no more lest something worse would come upon him. Was Jesus’ command unreasonable, or can we be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect? Did Jesus teach this seemingly unreasonable doctrine about not sinning and being perfect to His disciples? One thing for sure is, not many people know the answer to this Bible mystery. The apostle Paul had the attitude that he had not obtained the state of perfection yet and therefore, he felt he wasn’t worthy to come up in a resurrection to eternal life (Phil. 3:11, 14). What a far cry his gospel is from those today who preach, “Give your heart to the Lord and just believe; you’ll be saved.” Some even go so far as to say you cannot lose your salvation once you have it. They use only certain Scriptures and avoid others that will not back up their false doctrines of half truths. Jesus Himself, who cannot lie, said you have to be considered worthy to attain to the age of the resurrection (Luke 20:35). Doesn’t He know what He’s talking about? Jesus told those who follow Him to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees (Matt. 16:6-12). Those Pharisees, or hypocrites, exist today much more than they did in Jesus’ day. Remember, there is only one true teaching and that comes from Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6). Let’s see what God’s word, the Bible, has to say about being perfect and not sinning. There is a word that is not used much or understood in God’s word. It is a word that few people realize is a key that unlocks the true gospel. That word is practice. We’ve all heard the expression, “Practice makes perfect,” but not many people take that phrase seriously. Yes, practice, when it is connected to righteousness, does make one perfect, as Jesus said in Matthew 5:48. Ironically, the key word “practicing” is used for the first time, in the New Testament, in the very next verse. In Matthew 6:1, Jesus Christ Himself says to His true disciples; “Beware of practicing your righteousness to be noticed by men.” These words show that true disciples of Jesus Christ practice righteousness, and it isn’t just a few hours a week. It’s all the time. Why are true followers of Jesus Christ continually practicing righteousness—continually doing good? The first reason is, they are imitating their Savior, Jesus Christ, who continually went about doing good (Acts 10:38). Were Jesus Christ’s true disciples abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which they continually did? The answer is, yes (Acts 9:36)! This is how the Father in heaven is glorified and it is the Way a true disciple, or overcomer, let’s his light shine before others (Matt. 5:16). The second reason disciples of Jesus Christ are practicing righteousness is, for overcoming. You see, they are disciplining themselves daily for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). Jesus gave His true followers instructions on righteousness and warned them that the righteousness they were practicing had to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees, or they would not be converted. In other words, they would not enter the kingdom of God within until their righteousness came from their hearts. They would not receive the new nature, Jesus Christ’s nature formed in them, until their righteousness was no longer done hypocritically (Matt. 5:20; Gal. 4:19; Luke 17:21). All God’s Ways are righteous (Psalm 145:17). All Jesus’ Ways were righteous. All our ways must be made righteous before God. How can this be? God’s Ways are God’s Will, so then, God’s Will is righteousness. God says we are to do His Will from the heart, and then we will have His nature formed in us (Eph. 6:6; 1 Peter 5:10). There will be a certain amount of testing or suffering, but you can be sure it is nothing compared to the new nature and the revelation of His glory (1 Peter 4:12-13). In effect, when you practice righteousness each day for God, you are overcoming the evil one, overcoming your evil side, your evil nature, your satanic nature. Every time you resist the evil impulses of your snake-like nature, the snake and the evil impulses grow weaker. The food that keeps the snake strong and healthy in your body is sin (Gen. 4:7). Satan is put to death in your body by practicing righteousness for God and His glory (Rom. 12:21). This allows God to crush Satan and put him under your heel or authority (Rom. 16:20). Psalm 37:27 puts it all together when it says, “Overcome evil by doing good, so you will abide forever [live forever].” Many do not know that being born again is the overcoming process. The one Scripture that is never mentioned by those who falsely say they are born again is 1 John 2:29. It is saying if you know that Jesus Christ is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is truly born of Him. True disciples practice righteousness daily for God’s glory, for God’s blessings and rewards, and for overcoming their evil natures. They practice righteousness so they can have Christ’s nature formed in them, and enter God’s rest as mentioned in Hebrews 4:10 and Galatians 4:19. Now, here is a point on righteousness about which many remain deceived. First John 3:7 says, “The one who practices righteousness [for God] is [considered] righteous just as God is righteous.” God’s word said it, we believe it, and that settles it. You are righteous in God’s eyes when you practice righteousness to please Him each day. What about those who will not overcome by practicing righteousness daily for God? They remain of the devil, according to God’s word, which cannot lie (1 John 3:10; Heb. 6:18). Jesus overcame the world. He was tested in all things and Satan could not find any fault in Him (John 14:30; 16:33). We, too, are to overcome the evil pulls of the flesh and put them to death with the help of God’s Spirit (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:16). If we don’t or won’t obey Jesus Christ, we won’t be covered by the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:2). God gives His Spirit only to those who will obey Him (Acts 5:32). We must live as Jesus Christ gave us example to live, and overcome our evil natures by keeping His works. We must endure to the end keeping them, if we are to be covered by His blood (John 14:12; Rev. 2:26; 3:21; 21:7). The only exception for anyone is a situation similar to that of the thief who was dying on a cross. Otherwise, there is no excuse for refusing to overcome. The word perfect, in the Bible, means spiritually mature. See the margin note in Philippians 3:15. Mature followers of Jesus Christ no longer practice sin in their lives, but only practice righteousness toward God for His glory. They do all the good that they do in the name of Jesus Christ as they have been commanded in Colossians 3:17. They do not hold out on God in certain areas of their lives, but are wholeheartedly devoted to pleasing God. They are perfect in attitude, perfect in gratitude. They have developed honest and good hearts, if they didn’t have them to begin with (Luke 8:15). They have been made complete (2 Cor. 13:9, 11). They have rested from all their works of the flesh and have entered the kingdom of God within, which is God’s rest (Heb. 4:10; Luke 17:21). Yes, practice does make perfect and idleness is the devil’s hand tool. That fact has been explained, and proven in great detail, in this study. If you want to be perfect, then you had better start to practice the faith of Jesus Christ, because there is only one faith (Eph. 4:5). God bless you in your walk with God. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Forgive & Forget: A Woman to Woman Article I was talking to a friend the other day. We were discussing how we feel when we are wronged or offended. My friend said, “I forgive but I never forget. I know that’s not right but I cannot help it. That’s the way I am.” Let’s look at God’s word and see if He forgives and forgets. Starting with “The Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:12 and 14, we find that if we forgive others for their transgressions, then our heavenly Father will also forgive ours. Matthew 6:15 tells us very plainly that if we do not forgive others, our heavenly Father will not forgive our transgressions. Read it for yourself! “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt. 6:15). Mark 11:26 says again, “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.” A valuable lesson is found in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11. “If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” Who wants us to dwell on the wrongs and offenses done to us and not forgive each other? Satan! He promotes dissension and evil schemes among people. He wants confusion and disharmony among God’s people. We are reminded in Ephesians 4:32 to be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven us. Colossians 2:13-14 clearly tells us that we are dead when we are in our sins or transgressions, but when the Lord forgives us all our transgressions, the certificate of debt against us is canceled and taken away. Jesus Christ’s death assures us this when we live to please Him daily by practicing righteousness. 1 John 1:9 tells us again that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I strive to imitate God’s example of forgiveness daily. “For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon Thee” (Psalm 86:5). Now we see how forgiving our heavenly Father is. But does He forget? Let’s look at Hebrews 10:17. “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Does God forgive and forget? Yes, indeed! So let’s imitate Him daily by forgiving and forgetting the wrongs and offenses that have been done to us, just as Jesus Christ Himself would do. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children”—Ephesians 5:1. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Why Did Jesus Have to Die? Jesus Christ was sent to this world by God, the Father, to show the world how to live. He was sent to be an example for us of how to please and imitate God daily (Eph. 5:1). All He did while on this earth was serve God by doing God's Will (Matt. 5:16; 4:10). He went about continually doing good (Acts 10:38). At the end, He made the ultimate sacrifice. He laid down His life for the world. He humbled Himself to the point of being tortured, beaten and battered because He stood up for what was right. He knew he had to be the ultimate example. He loved us so much, that He died for us that we would receive forgiveness for our sins, should we repent and live the life He came to show us (1 Peter 1:2). We would also receive His Holy Spirit so we could overcome (Acts 5:32). We are to no longer live disgraceful lives before our Maker, but we are to overcome the evil in our lives by doing good (Rom. 12:21; 1 Peter 3:10-11; Rev. 2:26). For it is written, "Sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace (Rom. 6:14). Christ is the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2; 4:10). That means, through Jesus Christ we are able to return to God and have a good personal relationship with Him, even though we have sin. Through Jesus Christ's blood, our sins are forgiven. Why does there have to be blood to cover sins? According to the word of God, without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Heb. 9:22). Before Jesus, God's people were under the Law of Moses. Whenever they sinned, they had to bring sacrifices to the altar. Once a year, the high priest would take the blood of an animal into the holy place and offer it for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance (Heb. 9:7). Jesus Christ is the better sacrifice, for with the sacrifice of His life, He entered heaven to appear before God for us (Heb. 9:23-24). He didn't need to die a number of times, just once. He put away sin for all time because He showed us, by His actions, that we, too, can overcome sin in our bodies and become brand new creatures who want to serve God by serving others daily (Heb. 2:17-18). We only need to believe the words of Jesus Christ and then act on them daily (John 3:36). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search What is Fornication? Sin will shorten a man’s lifespan, while righteousness prolongs it. Sin hardens one’s heart toward righteousness. As an example, a harlot eventually wears a hard countenance, while a virgin preserves purity and a softness of spirit. A person can actually reach a point of such hardness that it becomes impossible to repent (Heb. 2:1; 6:4-6; Rom. 1:25-26). When we are obeying God and living to please Him, we have an inner sense of peace that is always present. Yet, if we sin, we lose our peace toward God. We must immediately repent of our transgression and continue to forsake it, so our peace will return. Adam transgressed God’s covenant by hiding his sin in his bosom (Hosea 6:7; Job 31:33). He would not repent. Whereas, David, after committing adultery with another man’s wife and then ordering the man’s premeditated murder, was totally forgiven by God when he repented (2 Sam. 12:13). His transgressions were forgiven and he was restored to the position of God’s friend (Psalm 32:1-5; 51:1-17; Acts 13:22). Our bodies are not to be used for fornication (1 Cor. 6:13). Fornication is defined as; the free or uncontrolled indulgence of the passions or sexual appetites, voluntary sexual intercourse outside of marriage of any kind. The indulgence of lust, which is to desire eagerly or to long after. To have a carnal appetite, which is giving in to sensual and fleshly indulgence. It is also considered lewdness which is the indulgence of lust, fornication or adultery. It is also defined as living in sin, immorality, indecent, impure, unclean and unchaste. Fornication is a sin against our own bodies (1 Cor. 6:18). How is it a sin against the body? How is life shortened because of fornication? Just how much damage does it do to fornicate and masturbate? Adrenaline is a chemical substance manufactured by the body in time of stress or need. Adrenaline makes the heart beat faster and is used to revive people who have had heart attacks or whose hearts have stopped beating. Adrenaline is used for emergency situations such as: running from a bear or a wild bull in the pasture, swimming to shore when a boat sinks or to lift a car by hand so that it doesn’t crush someone pinned underneath. Adrenaline is used in fighting and many other physical activities. Humans use less than two percent of their strength, but when adrenaline is introduced into the body tissue, a far greater amount of strength is obtained. Adrenaline is also secreted as a result of stress and guilt. If a person steals apples out of an orchard protected by a farmer with a shotgun and a mean dog, adrenaline will be produced in the system. It’s a natural result. Fornication and masturbation are done with a sense of guilt. That guilt produces adrenaline and that adrenaline shortens our lives. When we sin, we feel guilty. This activates the adrenaline flow and the end result is that sin shortens life. God says, “Thou shalt not commit adultery [fornicate]” (Ex. 20:14). Fornication includes all improper sexual behavior, including masturbation. Masturbation is done in response to an impulse of the flesh. Eating, drinking, sleeping and crying are also responses to impulses of the flesh. Some are okay and others are not. For example, dirty thoughts are improper thoughts. These evil thoughts turn into bad actions when they are constantly or even occasionally dwelled upon, especially if there is little character or self-control in that area of your life. Having a desire to want to use one’s organs for enjoyment or sensation is quite normal, but, we are admonished by the word of God to control our vessels (sexual organs) in honor (Rom. 6:12-13; 12:1). Your sex glands are designed in such a way that if they are left alone before marriage, they will remain in a sleeping state. Many times, because of ignorance, teenagers talk about masturbation, and experimentation occurs with their glands that were asleep. After the glands are awakened, those who masturbate begin to think of members of the opposite sex in an improper manner, which is the beginning of thought patterns that are not good. Then they might begin looking at pornography or dirty magazines and they are constantly thinking about and dwelling on sexual thoughts. We can see, then, how a little sin begins to grow and grow, until it fills the body and the mind (1 Cor. 5:6). A person who has never masturbated before does not have the same temptations as one who has. If you have slipped and recently awakened those glands, ask God to forgive you and put your glands back to sleep and He will. The one who hasn’t slipped remains in a purer state of mind and can use his or her mind and energy on productive thoughts and actions. The person who is caught up in masturbation is using much of his or her thinking on non-productive thoughts—dirty thoughts. These thoughts conceive lust and wrong desire, and are sins that destroy not only the character of the person but also the mind. Consider, if you will, a society where everyone—boys and girls, men and women—controlled their vessels in an honorable way before God. Human character would be at an all-time high. Everyone would be concerned about the rights and feelings of others in all honesty, morality and integrity, keeping themselves chaste for the honor of God (2 Cor. 12:21). The Bible says that we are better off if we can remain unmarried so as to devote ourselves to the Lord, however, if we burn with (sexual) passion than it is better to marry than to burn. In this case God would have us find a mate, in the Lord, and be married (1 Cor. 7:8-9; 25-28; 32-35). Now consider a society in which everyone was ignorant of decent and moral behavior. This society would be filled with crime, movies and television filled with sex and indecent behavior, adultery and foul language. Pornography would be everywhere and easily accessible. Fornication would be commonly practiced and people would sleep with whomever they wanted, whenever they wanted without thought or concern. Prostitution would be common-place. You would find insanity, suicide, venereal disease and incest. This would all be found because they would not and did not glorify God with their vessels. Instead they ignored God’s Ways and did not glorify Him with their bodies following their fleshly desires instead (1 Cor. 6:20). GOD’S SOLUTIONS God says to discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). Our existence in the flesh is temporal, whereas our existence in the spiritual state is eternal. Living spiritual lives while on earth simply means being concerned about and practicing spiritual values, while we are presently living in fleshly bodies. The Bible is very clear about living spiritual lives. If you live a spiritual life while on this earth you will live forever, eternally (Rom. 8:6). But if you choose daily to live to the flesh by masturbating, fornicating, watching pornography, abusing alcohol or other drugs, you must die (Rom. 8:13). Living to the Spirit, then, is living to please God daily while we are in our fleshly bodies, habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body. People who live spiritual lives are concerned with spiritual values (Rom. 8:5). Spiritual values uphold moral character and dignity, with decency, charity, kindness, nobility, integrity, wholeness, patience, virtue, forgiveness, thankfulness, service and chastity. In short, living to the Spirit is living as God lives daily (Eph. 5:1). Living to the Spirit means imitating the fruits of the Spirit by practicing righteousness. We do this until God has had a chance to make His character traits a part of our character traits, implementing them in our lives through daily testing and trials (Heb. 12:10-11). The spiritual life is easy, but it requires diligence and alertness (Matt. 11:30). Living to the flesh requires nothing more than giving in to the pulls of the flesh, which is living a carnal and profane life. This is Satan’s will (2 Tim. 2:26). Those who live to the flesh are concerned about the things of the flesh, such as material acquisition, lust of the eye and covetousness. For example, those who have a lot of material substance and who do not pay their bills are controlled by improper desires, such as coveting, stealing and never having enough. But those who have been blessed by God and who share what they have with others, help the unfortunate by providing them with clothes, food and lodging (1 Tim. 6:18-19). They are living spiritually by living unselfish lives to be pleasing to God, and not to man (Eph. 6:6-7). Righteousness gives peace of mind and, when done in Christ’s name for the glory of the Father, it produces a change of character. It produces godly character (1 Tim. 6:11; Col. 3:17). God in heaven wants us to come before Him daily in a purity of heart that comes from purity of character (Gal. 5:19-26). He wants us to love Him and others to such an extent that we come out of a life of sin and into a life of love. Perfect love casts out all fear or guilt (1 John 4:18). Those who are fearful or guilt-ridden are not made complete in love. Fear and guilt involve punishment, but when they are gone because of continued service in love, we have been made complete by God (James 1:4; Gal. 4:19). Daily righteousness, acts of love and charity, kindness, forgiveness and long-suffering produce patience and all the fruits of the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:22-23). If these qualities are in us and are increasing, we will bear fruit (2 Peter 1:8). It is righteous men who are made perfect, righteous men who are saved and righteous men who enter the kingdom (Heb. 12:23). The Way of righteousness is full of rewards and blessings. All we need to do is practice what God wants us to become—holy, blameless and perfect (Matt. 5:48; Phil. 3:12; 2:15; 1 John 3:7). It is so easy and pleasant; such a beautiful Way of life (Matt. 11:30: 1 John 5:3). So, let’s imitate God instead of Satan and enter into God’s rest (Eph. 5:1; Heb. 4:10-11). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search How to Accept Jesus Christ How can we accept Jesus Christ and be certain that He lives in us? Jesus makes a plain statement in John 14:23-24 that if we keep His words, His Father loves us, and He and His Father will come to us and make their abode with us. He also makes it abundantly clear that if we won’t or don’t put His words—which He received from the Father—into daily practice, we definitely do not love Him. It should be clear, then, that Jesus lives only in those who keep His words and put them into daily practice. The words Jesus spoke are spiritual, and continually abiding in them—doing what He said—is the only way to assure that you have eternal life (John 15:6-7; Luke 6:45-48). “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63). Jesus’ spiritual words are the directions to eternal life, as well as how to live a blessed life while here on earth (Acts 3:26). Jesus said plainly that He could do nothing by Himself, unless it was something He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). No wonder we are to imitate Him daily (1 Cor. 11:1)! We are to be pleasing in God’s sight, just as Jesus was, by living the Way He gave us example to live (Jer. 27:5; Eph. 5:10). If we were to write down all the things Jesus told those who follow Him to live, we would have the exact directions and requirements for eternal life. We would know exactly what is expected of us as true disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus says plainly, if we keep His words, by living them daily, we will never see spiritual death (John 8:51). Then, whatever Jesus did or said must be the Will of the Father, that we must imitate daily, if we are to abide forever. “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the Will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). If we say we believe in Jesus and expect to never die, we must live the life that Jesus lived as our example. Jesus said, “Everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). Many do not. Many are taught they need do nothing to be saved. The word “believe” means obey and adhere to the teachings of Jesus Christ (John 3:36). In order to accept Jesus Christ and be sure He is living in you, you must obey Him daily. You must live as He lived. It’s just that plain and simple! PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search An Honest and Good Heart This is the seed that fell on good soil: “The ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance” (Luke 8:15). This parable is talking about the many ways a person can receive the true message of the kingdom when heard for the first time. People who have an honest and good heart immediately put the message into action, which means they immediately repent. They hold fast to the message by studying their Bibles in a systematic way so as to prove all the things they are learning about the true kingdom message (James 1:25). They persevere in doing this, which means they are consistent in their study of the Bible. They are consistent with their bearing fruit and, as a result, their personal growth as new disciples of Jesus Christ is excellent. They are excellent examples in the eyes of God from the very first day. Because of this beautiful attitude toward God’s true message, they become effectual doers and are blessed by God in everything they do. Because they seek the kingdom by practicing righteousness for God daily (that makes it God’s righteousness), all things are added to them—clothes, food, good jobs, prosperity and many other wonderful blessings (Matt. 6:33). They are not living for self any longer but now live only to do the Will of God. Their prayers are answered because they do only those things which are pleasing in God’s sight (John 9:31; 1 John 3:22). They consistently discipline themselves for the purpose of godliness and as a result, they are forcing themselves into the kingdom within (1 Tim. 4:7; Luke 16:16; 17:21). Because of their honest and good hearts, they are constantly good examples for God. They know it pleases God to be good examples for Him and to constantly provoke others to do more works of love for His glory (Heb. 10:24; Matt. 5:16). Because of this constant condition of maintaining an honest and a good heart, their righteousness quickly surpasses that of the scribes and the Pharisees and, as happy slaves of Jesus Christ, they do the Will of God from the heart and they enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:20; Eph. 6:6). We can see that receiving this message with an honest and a good heart and then holding fast to this true message and bearing fruit in every good work with perseverance is the narrow attitude we must have to enter the kingdom of God (Luke 8:15; Col. 1:10). This is the narrow Way that very few find. It is the narrow Way which few who strive to enter, succeed in entering (Luke 13:24). The key to the true message of the kingdom is attitude. Many of the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus Christ’s day did not accept the message of the kingdom because they had bad attitudes. The examples given to us in the parable of the sower are all the attitudes fatal to the message, followed by the attitude that will cause one to grow and grow in the message. The last attitude, striving to maintain an honest and good heart before God daily, is the attitude that leads to life eternal. Therefore, let us fear (be sober) while a promise of entering His rest by entering the kingdom within still remains, lest any one of us should come short of entering (Heb. 4:1). We should all want to receive God’s message with a good attitude. We should receive the message with an attitude of gratefulness, an attitude of humbleness. Jesus assures us His Way is very easy and pleasant so let’s not make it difficult by having a wrong attitude about the Way of righteousness (Matt. 11:30; 21:32). Let us persevere in being servants to others for the glory of the Father, as Jesus Christ gave us commandment to do (Col. 3:17). In all things, let us show ourselves to be examples of good works (Titus 2:7, 14). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Did Jesus Faith Have Good Works? Jesus said, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working; My food is to do the Will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work" (John 5:17; 4:34). These verses say Jesus did the Will of the Father on earth as it is being done in heaven (Matt. 6:10). He was doing the Father’s works, which are all righteous (Rom. 10:3). Jesus Christ and His disciples subjected themselves to the righteousness of God. Jesus even said some who followed Him would do greater works than He did (John 14:12). A lot of people are ready to receive the message of the Way of righteousness today (John 4:35). They are hungry for it. John 4:36 says anyone who is living this Way is already receiving blessings and bearing fruit for eternal life (Matt. 5:19; 3:10; 1 John 3:7, 10, 17-20). Jesus Christ’s faith had works of righteousness (John 10:32, 37-38). He helped people in need of clothing or daily food (James 2:15-17). His faith was not dead but alive because of His good works (James 2:26). Jesus knew that a man is not justified by faith alone, nor by works based on the law of Moses, but by works of righteousness done for God’s glory (James 2:24; Rom. 3:20; Matt. 5:16). Jesus’ works were not based on self-righteousness, which is righteousness of the flesh, but on the righteousness of faith (Rom. 3:27). So also, our works are to be based on the righteousness of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. By doing these works of righteousness, our faith is perfected (James 2:22). Yes, faith without works - daily good works - is dead (James 2:26)! We glorify God by doing good deeds - deeds of charity, deeds of love, lending and giving to those in need and expecting nothing in return, entertaining strangers (which is opening our homes to those in need), visiting the sick, helping the poor, feeding the hungry and never returning evil for evil (Matt. 25:33-40). We must overcome our natures by doing all these good deeds or works for God on a daily basis (Rom. 12:21; Rev. 2:26; 1 Peter 3:13). Begin today to suffocate your old nature and its evil ways. This will allow God to put it to death and give you His nature (Rom. 16:20; Gal. 4:19). As you do, you will begin to realize why a faith without good works is dead, yes, truly dead! PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search What is the Best Way to Study Your Bible? If you’re going to be a competent barber, carpenter or electrician you’re going to need the proper tools. It’s the same if you want to learn and understand the biggest mystery book on earth. The Bible is the most quoted, least read and least understood book of any on the face of the earth; and the book that people have the most opinions about, but do not know what they are talking about. It is not head knowledge alone that makes a good carpenter but actual experience in performing the trade, coupled with head knowledge that makes a competent carpenter. The very same thing is true for a person who seeks to know God’s word. God in heaven is a just, charitable, loving, giving, forgiving God who is constantly serving His creation (Deut. 10:18). He helps widows and orphans and others who have no helper (Deut. 27:19). He even does good unto His enemies and associates with the lowly. You could rightly call Him the servant of the most. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to show us how to be servants of the most. We seek Him when we begin to imitate Him and His Son (Matt. 23:11; Eph. 5:1). Now, to do this, you must know how to study your Bible in order to draw out the truth of God from it. I have been studying the Bible for over 41 years now and by trial and error, have learned what I feel is the simplest, and best way, to study the Bible. I have found that the 1977 New American Standard Bible is the most accurate and reliable to the Greek, and suggest getting the kind with margin notes and references on the sides or down the middle of each page. The concordances found in the back of many Bibles are not complete enough and therefore, are totally inadequate for good Bible research study, so I suggest a New American Standard Bible Concordance also. You can purchase these many times in a used book store. It is wise to have a King James version of these also, to refer to and compare. I have found that the newer the translation, the more it is watered down from the original Greek and Hebrew, which is why I suggest the above. Of course, if you have a Bible you already use and love, by all means, use it. I am simply trying to help you get started with what I know, and have proven to be the most accurate, giving the fullest meaning of God's Word, so you can increase your biblical knowledge in the fastest way possible. In addition, it is helpful to have a good dictionary. The most reliable dictionary I have found is Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. This dictionary actually has more in-depth meanings to words, than some of the watered down dictionaries today. It also includes Biblical references. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionaries can be found at old used book stores, some Bible stores have the reprinted version, or it is available online now and in app form. Looking up the definition of a word can be very helpful in understanding Scripture better. Sometimes we have only a limited understanding of a word and looking up the meaning will broaden our ability to better discern Scripture. You will also need a study notebook. When you purchase a notebook for this purpose, try to get the five subject notebook that contains the most paper and is the best buy. You will also need something to mark the Scriptures in your Bible as well as your concordance. There are a variety of highIighters out there and I find the gel or dry highlighters are best and will not bleed through the pages, but you can also use ordinary crayons. You will also want to have a fine-point pen for writing notes in the margins of your Bible. Many people find using a color-coded system is helpful in coloring their Bible. If you decide to do that, you can make an index card of which colors you are using, what they reference, and keep it in your Bible to help you remember. You will be blessed by God for acquiring the things necessary to make your study time more productive and valuable. You will also be showing love and respect to God. If you cannot afford to buy these items, pray to God and ask Him to make it come about. Note: You should go no further with this information until you have all the things you need for proper Bible study right in front of you. Before you begin studying your Bible, you should pray. Ask God to help you understand His word, and show you the things He would have you learn from your time studying the Bible. Ask His Spirit to guide you and reveal the truth of His Word to your heart and mind, so that you may put it into action in your life (Luke 24:45; Matt. 4:4). You are allowing God to speak to you when you study your Bible and teach you directly (Ps. 25:4-5; Ps. 86:11; Ps. 119:66; Ps. 143:10; Deut. 4:29). One of the biggest secrets to successful studying is to begin by subject. As an example, begin by writing the subject “What is God’s Will?” at the top of the first page of your notebook. Remember chapter 51, verse 23 will look like this in the concordance: 51:23. The chapter is followed by a colon, which is followed by the verse. So keep your eye on the colon. If you are studying a more general subject like, hope, love, faith, then this would be a good time to look up the word in your dictionary and write down the meaning under your subject title. This way you will be reminded of its meaning while you are studying the Scriptures on that subject. Upon opening your large concordance, you will find that there are twelve pages of references for the word “will.” Now you must ask a series of questions that will give you a logical direction of where to look or how to start. Question number 1 is: What does the New Testament have to say on the Will of God? Maybe you would like to find out what the Old Testament has to say on the Will of God, but this could be a vast subject so it would be better to start from the New Testament. Then if you should need or want more references, you can always go into the Old Testament. Another example is this; if you can answer your question fully with what information is found in the New Testament, then there is no need to go further. There will be times, in order to understand a subject, it will be necessary to go to the Old Testament for more clarity on the subject. Now, let’s proceed by going to the last page and to the end of the last column and find where “Will” is mentioned in Revelation. After quickly glancing through Revelation, Jude and 3 John, stop at 1 John 5:14. Color this reference in your concordance yellow by using a highlighter or coloring crayon. Then color 1 John 2:17; then 1 Peter 4:19; then 1 Peter 4:2; 1 Peter 2:15; James 4:15; Heb. 13:21; 10:36; 10:10, 9, 7; 2 Tim. 2:26; 1 Thess. 5:18; 4:3; Col. 4:12; 1:9; Eph. 6:6; 5:17; 1:5, 9, 11; 1 Cor. 4:19; Rom. 12:2; Acts 22:14; 13:22; John 9:31; 7:17; 6:38; 5:30; 4:34; Luke 22:42; Mark 3:35; Matt. 21:31; 12:50; 7:21; 6:10. Now you have extracted from the concordance enough Scriptures on the Will of God to give you an excellent start on the subject. That’s good enough for a day’s Bible study, unless you are extremely curious as to what you will find. The next step is to look up each Scripture and write out the entire verse in your Bible research study notebook. As you begin to write and compile Scriptures on various subjects, you will begin to make sound biblical deductions based on the Scriptures you are reading and what understanding is to be had on that subject. Remember, one does not interpret the Bible, as the Bible interprets itself. At this point, write a small essay or article on the subject in 300 words or less. Attempt to explain the subject in terms that small children would have no trouble understanding. Then you know you will understand it too. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well, it’s more than simple. I have found that it’s fun, rewarding, informative, instructive, Spirit-filled and I love it. Not only that, but I am fulfilling God’s Will by doing so. I am studying God's word to show myself approved to Him. I have learned that God’s Will is Jesus Christ’s words as well as other sayings in the word of God (John 8:51; 12:48). I am fulfilling the Scriptures, “Study to show yourself approved” and “The mouth of the righteous studies to give a good answer” (Prov. 15:28). I am ready always ready to give a good answer to those who ask a question about God’s word. Let’s try another subject. What does the Bible have to say on the subject of good works? There are approximately two columns on “works” in the New American Standard Concordance. It begins with Exodus in the Old Testament and ends with Revelation in the New Testament. Remember, we want to find out what the New Testament says about the subject of works first—good works, bad works, deeds, etc.—so let’s start with Revelation and work back to Matthew. Begin by coloring the following Scriptures in your concordance with YELLOW: Rev. 20:12-13; 14:13; 3:15; 2:26, 23, 19, 5, 2; James 2:1-26; Heb. 10:24; 6:1; Titus 3:8, 14; 2:7,14; 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:17; 1 Tim. 6:18; 5:10; 2:10; Eph. 2:9-10; 2 Cor. 11:15; Acts 26:20; 9:36; John 14:12; 8:39; 5:29; Matt. 16:27; 5:16,. You soon will be an expert on what the Bible has to say on the subject of “works.” Here is another system you might try. Color all the potential Scriptures you wish to look up with a yellow marker in your concordance. Then go back with a different color, maybe green and make a mark on the ones you feel would be the stronger verses. Then go back once again, maybe with a red marker and mark all those Scriptures you consider a must to put in your research article on the subject of works. Now use the process of elimination. Look up and write down all the “must” Scriptures first—those you have colored red. After you are done reviewing those Scriptures ask yourself, “Do I know what the Bible says about this subject at this point, or do I need more clarification from the word of God?” If so, look up the Scriptures that you colored green in your concordance the second time through. Now you are looking up the “stronger ones” category. After this is done, if you feel you still need more information on the subject to nail it down, look up the ones you first colored yellow. There will be times when you might want to extend that list into the Old Testament. Simply take your yellow marker and concordance and begin to scan through the Old Testament Scriptures in the concordance that would give information to your subject. Hint: I will sometimes jump to the book of Proverbs or Psalms. Next, look at what the minor prophets had to say from Daniel to Malachi. Then, try Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. From there you can go where you want to go. The Old Testament is pretty massive in its context. You do not want to overcome yourself with study, but do it in such a way, that you draw out from God’s word those areas you want to study. Make it fun! Study with a purpose. Do not be like so many who let the Bible fall open to a certain page and then begin reading—that is witchcraft. Remember, you, like many others, do not know the word of God and you are going to have to study with a purpose in order to reach your goal of knowing God’s word. Remember, God’s opinion is the only one that counts. Don’t worry about, or seek, what other books say the Bible says, that are written by man (Eccl. 12:12). If they are wrong in what they say—and a great percentage of them are—you will most likely end up tragically confused and deluded by their confusion. There are rarely two books that agree on the rapture, healing, divorce and remarriage, the gifts of the Spirit, etc. Do your own research, in the Bible, and you will obtain your own confidence from it, and what God says, not someone else’s persuasion or confusion. God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). This world is in a state of religious confusion but this does not have to be true for you. If you will go only to God for the answers and ask Him to show you His Ways and His Will so you can begin to live to please Him daily more perfectly, He will not let you down, but man will (Is. 2:22). The world is spiritually blinded because it follows man instead of God. People who go to church faithfully for years and years continue to remain ignorant about what the Bible says because they feel they are listening to someone they can trust, their preacher. They look up to him as being righteous and holy. Many do this to such an extent that they no longer bring their Bibles to church. They just put their trust in a man to tell them what the Bible says (Isa. 9:16-17). As you do your own personal Bible study, by studying in depth what the Bible has to say on these and other subjects, you may be shocked to find that the Bible says quite the opposite of what is being taught by many today. God the Father and Jesus Christ have only wanted simple, daily obedience to God’s beautiful Ways of peace and righteousness. He wants new creatures who are completely changed people, who have Christ formed in them as a result of living for Him and the Father daily (Gal. 4:19; 6:9-15). Overcome evil by doing good for God daily by doing His Will on earth daily as it is being done in heaven if you want to live forever (Psalm 37:27; 1 Peter 3:10-11; Rom. 12:21). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search The Missing Key What is the truth? We could guess and say that it represents all that is good, and that would be true. But what represents all that is good? God does. Furthermore, if God represents good, then His laws, commandments, precepts and judgments represent only what is good, because they come from God (Psalm 119:142, 30, 151). By practicing mercy and truth, your sins are forgiven. This is how you show reverence and respect to God, thereby departing from evil and living a life of love and charity (Prov. 16:6). Practicing truth, then, is how one departs from evil (Is. 59:15; John 3:21; Psalm 37:27). This “missing key” is what keeps the gospel locked. It keeps the Bible from being understood. Only when you practice the truth, will the gospel be unlocked to you (John 3:21). Jesus told the Pharisees of His day, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire compassion [mercy] and not [animal] sacrifice’” (Matt. 9:13). Jesus repeats this statement in Matthew 12:7, “I desire compassion [mercy] and not sacrifice.” Had the Pharisees looked into the Scriptures, they would have found Proverbs 21:3, which says: “To do righteousness and justice is desired by the Lord rather than sacrifice.” In Psalm 106:3, God’s word says: “How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times.” This is God’s covenant with man, the covenant He made with Abraham that was to last for 1,000 generations. A generation is 30 years, so that’s 30,000 years (Psalm 105:8-9)! Psalm 145:17 states that God is righteous in all His Ways and kind in all His deeds. If you will practice righteousness in all your ways and be kind in all your deeds, you will be imitating God (Eph. 5:1). When you practice the truth and only show love to others, the Lord will forgive all your sins and answer all your prayers, because this is how sins are atoned for (1 Peter 4:8). Practicing righteousness and justice (mercy, compassion and love) towards all others is how you keep God’s Ways! Notice what the Lord said about Abraham in Genesis 18:19: “For I have chosen him [Abraham] in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the ways of the Lord [How?] by [practicing or] doing righteousness and [practicing] justice...” The Hebrew word for charity is “tzedaka.” It is derived from the root of “justice.” Practicing charity, mercy, compassion, kindness and acts of righteousness continually towards others is how a person keeps God’s Ways, and thus, lives a repentant life before God. God’s Ways are His commandments, His laws, His statutes, His precepts. They are all fulfilled when we continually practice charity towards all others by keeping God’s Ways—His works, which is the true definition of the word truth! This is how you worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Now you can clearly understand what Jesus said in Matthew 5:16: “God in heaven is glorified [worshiped] by a life of good works and that is how a true disciple of Jesus Christ lets his light shine before others.” When you look up the word “glorify” in a dictionary, it says, “worship.” God is worshiped by a life of good works. The very word “truth” represents good works. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Doing good works for God is how we walk in God’s love. Doing good works is walking in the truth (2 John 4). Doing good works, which is practicing the truth, is how we keep the commandments Jesus received from the Father, which will judge us in the last days (John 12:47-50). This is how we love our neighbor (anyone in need) and show love to all (2 John 5-6). This is how we abide in the teachings of Christ (2 John 9). God’s word says that if anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or even give him a greeting (2 John 10). They are all antichrist (2 John 7)! Now you know how to keep Jesus Christ’s commandments and overcome Satan and sin in your life (1 John 2:14). Just keep Jesus’ works by practicing righteousness or doing good to others daily for God (Rev. 2:26; Matt. 6:1). What you are reading in this article is literally the key to entering the kingdom of heaven. These are the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the doctrine that conforms one to a life of godliness (1 Tim. 6:3-4). Practicing the truth (doing good works of love for God) is practicing godliness (Titus 1:1). This is how to love your neighbor, which is the second greatest commandment. This is how to love your neighbor with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, just as Jesus did. It’s how you worship Him and show your love for God continually. It’s how you put on Christ, live like Christ, clothe yourself with Christ and have Christ’s nature formed in you (Gal. 4:19). It’s how you live to the Spirit and put to death the evil deeds of the flesh for God (Psalm 37:27; 1 Peter 3:10-11; Rom. 8:13). It’s how you walk in the Spirit so you will not carry out the evil desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). This is how to be led by the Spirit and be sons of God. It is how you become partakers of God’s divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). It is how we crucify the flesh with its evil passions and desires, and thus, belong to Christ (Gal. 5:24). It is how we live by the Spirit, as well as walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). Practicing the truth by doing good works of love is how the gospel is unlocked and revealed to you by God (John 3:21). It is how to obey Christ and come out from under the wrath of God (John 3:36). It is how to obey Jesus Christ daily and have your sins forgiven or be covered by Christ’s blood (1 Peter 1:2). He who does God’s Will comes into the understanding of what the gospel truly says (John 7:17). God’s Will is righteousness and doing good with God’s love. The truth is Jesus’ words. The truth is God’s word, the Bible. The truth is God’s commandments. The truth is God’s law. Practicing the truth, practicing righteousness towards others daily to please the Lord, is walking in the truth. It is how one worships God. God’s word is clear; the person who will not practice righteousness for God remains of the devil (1 John 3:10). 1 Peter 4:18 says: “If it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved [the one who practices righteous good works of love towards others daily, which is practicing the truth and is God’s Will], what will become of the godless man and the sinner [those who are goats in Matthew 25:33 and 41]?” In the second chapter of James, the righteous are those who practice good works of love continually. Salvation is the inheritance of the righteous. Now you know how to be righteous before God (James 4:17). Will you be found a sheep or goat by the Lord when He returns soon? Now you know the truth so you can be found a sheep at the Lord’s return (Matt. 25:34, 40- 41). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search All About God's Nature There are three natures mentioned in God’s word: God’s nature, Satan’s nature and human nature. Satan’s nature controls human nature, so there is no good thing in human nature (Luke 18:19; Rom. 7:18; John 7:7). Human nature is being held captive by Satan to do Satan’s will (2 Tim. 2:26). Satan’s will is put to death in our bodies when we do only God’s Will daily in our lives. Jesus Christ came to tell us about the Father’s nature. He said it is very easy for us to acquire the Father’s nature (Matt. 11:30). All we need to do is forsake our human nature by imitating Him (1 Cor. 11:1; Eph. 5:1). The Lord is righteous in all His Ways and kind in all His deeds (Psalm 145:17). When we practice righteous deeds for God, we are obedient to Jesus Christ and we allow the Spirit of God to dwell in us (1 John 3:10; Acts 5:32). We are keeping His Ways because we are doing His Will. The Spirit of God then reveals God’s nature in us (Rom. 8:29; Gal. 1:16; 4:19). This is called the doctrine that conforms one to godliness (1 Tim. 6:3). Human nature will not die without a fight. That is why you must fight the good fight of faith, and have faith that God will implant His nature in you (Psalm 4:5; Phil. 2:12). You will then be a new creature in Christ Jesus (Col. 1:28). When you have this new godly nature, then you will be righteous in all you do. You will be like Jesus because you will keep His deeds (Rev. 2:26). When all you do is righteous, then all you will reap will be blessings. You will be living the abundant life, full of joy and peace, that Jesus Christ came to show you (John 10:10; Acts 3:19, 26). You will understand that you were created to do good works and that the message of eternal life is righteousness (Eph. 2:10; John 8:51). Satan hates it when you practice righteousness for God’s glory because this is how he is put to death in your flesh (Matt. 5:16). Do not let him stop you! Be zealous for good deeds and overcome your human nature (1 Peter 3:13; Rom. 12:21; Psalm 37:27). That is how you resist Satan and have God’s nature formed in you (James 4:7; Eph. 6:11, 13). The God of peace and love, who is calling you to this holy Way of life, will soon crush Satan under your feet, and after you have suffered a little, God will perfect His nature in you (Rom. 16:20; 1 Peter 5:10; Gal. 4:19). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Seek the Kingdom First How do we seek the kingdom first, as commanded in Matthew 6:33? Isn’t seeking the kingdom entering the kingdom? Isn’t the whole message of the kingdom of God centered around receiving a new nature, having Christ formed in you, becoming a new creature or creation and being made complete? Doesn’t it involve resting from all your works of the flesh by living to the Spirit, which is God? Doesn’t entering the kingdom require putting to death the wicked desires of the flesh by becoming involved in doing good for God on a daily basis (Luke 17:21; Gal. 4:19; 5:16; Heb. 4:10-11)? Part of seeking the kingdom first is seeking Christ’s righteousness. It is living a righteous life for God just as Christ lived. Jesus was our example of how to do good works for the glory of the Father. How, then, do we seek the kingdom first in our personal lives? If we are going to enter the kingdom of God we are going to have to know our Bibles and what the Will of God is. To do this we are going to have to make room for regular Bible study in our daily lives. Jesus is the bread of life and His word is our daily spiritual bread (Matt. 6:10). In order to commit all our ways and thoughts to God, as well as receive things from God, we have to learn how to pray every day. In fact, we must learn how to be constantly in prayer, talking to God all day long, as we go about living for Him (1 Thess. 5:17). We are going to have to get involved with a life of good works and build from there. We are commanded to love one another and love our neighbor (John 13:34-35). We need to learn how to put our nature to death by disciplining ourselves according to godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). We need to fulfill God’s Will in our daily lives. We must provoke others to love and good works, pray for others and serve others (Heb. 10:24). This is how we are examples of God’s love. Putting God first is being willing to cancel our own plans. Putting God first is visiting someone in the hospital today, rather than golfing or shopping, like we may have previously planned. We shouldn’t plan things that we can’t change for God. You are going to have to use wisdom, and lots of it, so ask God for it (James 1:5). He has been waiting, possibly, quite awhile for your request. Do not trust in your own abilities to do things in your own personal body strength or your own wisdom. Depend upon God for everything. Everything! Yes, everything! The true circumcision, true faith or true disciples worship in the Spirit of God for Jesus Christ’s glory and put no confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3:3). As an example, consider your old life and how you were up to your nose, so to speak, in doing your own thing. All of a sudden, the death of a loved one interrupts your plans and you must cancel out many things you had previously planned, to take care of the funeral. First things first; you are now doing the things that you have to do, so that you can get back to the life of doing what you want to do, which is your own thing. Now that you have repented of doing your own thing and have agreed to do God’s thing daily, which is His Will, you have just agreed to put your own will last. That’s what it means when the word of God says, let no one seek his own good first, but put his neighbor first (1 Cor. 10:24; Phil. 2:3). You are to put the other person’s good or welfare first. Even Christ, our example, did not live to please Himself but to serve others (Rom. 15:2-3). Can you imagine a society in which everyone was putting their neighbor’s welfare first? In order to do this, you would have to be giving and loving and patient and considerate, for love does no wrong to a neighbor (Rom. 13:10). If we want to seek the kingdom first, then we must learn to put God first, Bible study first, serving first, giving first, and our own personal interest last (Phil. 2:3-5). If the greatest in the kingdom is going to be the servant of the most, then we must desire to be the servant of the most so that we can receive the character of that kind of person (Matt. 23:11). That is what serving God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength and all your might is all about, isn’t it (Deut. 6:5)? PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search How Do We Seek Peace and Pursue It? Disciples of Jesus Christ must seek peace and pursue it earnestly in order to enter the peace of Christ (1 Peter 3:11). The Bible says we are to think about whatever is good, peaceful and of good report (Phil. 4:8-9). If all you said was continually a blessing to the hearer, and you blessed those who cursed you, and if all the words that came out of your mouth were as the words of God, and all the thoughts you thought were happy thoughts, this would be most pleasing to the Lord (1 Peter 4:11; Eph. 4:29). "The cheerful heart has a continual feast" (Prov. 15:15). A disciple of Jesus Christ has the most for which to be thankful. He has eternal life and he receives answered prayers (John 6:47; 1 John 3:15, 22). His life is abundant, peaceful and joyous (Prov. 13:21). If he has any anxious thoughts, he does not dwell on them or worry. He just gives them to Christ, as he is commanded to do (1 Peter 5:7). What are some of the things in this world that can rob us of being cheerful, and would grieve the Spirit of God and take our peace (Eph. 5:10-11)? How about violence on television, violence in sports or violence in the news? Even negative weather reports take our peace. For the most part, we cannot change these things, but there is something we can change. We can change ourselves with God’s help! Do not be concerned about the way the world is going. Rather, be concerned about the way you are going. Make sure it is pleasing to the Lord. Remember, we have God’s protection in all things when we are living to please only Him (Job 5:20-27; Is. 3:10; Prov. 10:3). So let us consider those things that are violent, distasteful and rob us of our peace, and control what goes into our minds (Is. 33:15-16)! PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Is Your Baptism Valid? Today various religions practice baby baptism, full immersion baptism, and maybe some other kinds of baptism. John the Baptist baptized with water for repentance. But when Jesus Christ came, He baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matt. 3:11). There are many examples of baptism in the New Testament. Circumstances surrounding each varies. Let’s look at a few. Philip baptized the Eunuch but he never laid hands on him because he disappeared while the Eunuch was coming up from under the water. Did the Eunuch receive God’s Spirit? After all, God sent an angel to Philip (Acts 8:26) because He wanted that Eunuch (Acts 8:29). Paul received his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, upon arising, was baptized. Was it with water or with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:18)? Men and women were being baptized in Acts 8:12 in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter and John laid their hands on them at a later time and they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Other times the Spirit fell on people (Acts 10:44) and they were baptized later (Acts 10:47-48). There was no set pattern for the physical water baptism and laying on of hands. But there was one thing common to each situation. All were baptized with the Holy Spirit. It becomes evident, then, that there is a baptism of the Holy Spirit by which Jesus Christ baptizes (John 1:33; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16). This is a difficult thing for many to understand. Even Peter did not fully understand the baptism of the Holy Spirit at first (Acts 11:16). Water baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation, but doing the Will of God is. For example, if you decide to live to please God in all your ways and begin practicing righteousness right now, you are saved. If you are killed in a car accident, you have eternal life. Does this do away with water baptism? No! Remember, Jesus commanded the apostles to baptize people after teaching them to observe all that Christ commanded them (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38). That brings us back to the matter of the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is doing the Will of God (1 John 2:17), observing all that Christ commanded us by practicing righteousness. This is necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven (1 John 3:10; Matt. 7:21). God gives His Spirit only to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). If you have been baptized, but did not understand the truth about practicing righteousness when you were baptized, that could explain why you are now questioning if your baptism is valid. Jesus Christ accepts all those who practice righteousness and who respect God and obey Him (Acts 10:35). So, begin to practice righteousness and ask God for His Holy Spirit and He will give it to you (Luke 11:13). Then ask God to direct you concerning water baptism. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Purity - A Woman to Woman Article God frequently tests me to see how I will react to persecution. He allows Satan to orchestrate that persecution to see if I truly will love my enemies and those who persecute me. The most difficult persecution is when it comes from within your own home. Be ready! It will happen to test those God is calling and choosing. It is important to pray daily for God’s strength to handle any situation that may come up. Jesus lived to do good to everyone, even His enemies, and we should too (Matt. 5:44). Jesus Christ didn’t complain when they crucified Him. He said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34; 1 Peter 4:13). Every time my nature even begins to take offense, I say, “Father, forgive them; because they do not know what they are doing.” There isn’t time to be offended. Every precious minute must be happy and filled with thoughts of God’s Will and Ways, and God’s love for others. I must keep a pure heart and mind at all times. If I have done my best for God, I will say as Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God (Matt. 5:8). I will remember that to the pure, all things are pure (Titus 1:15). Let’s practice righteousness by practicing purity in our thoughts and actions. We must be strong with God’s strength and keep God’s Ways and God’s Will uppermost in our minds. If we keep clean hands and a pure heart, we will receive God’s blessings (Psalm 24:4-5). If we remain sensible and pure, the word of God will not be dishonored (Titus 2:5). Philippians 4:8 reminds us all inclusively, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.” PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search If Jesus Should Come Back Tomorrow Would you be ready today if Jesus should come back tomorrow? We are to live our lives today as though Jesus would come back tomorrow. Be ready at all times—living right, thinking right and doing right. We must be alert at all times against sin, because we do not know which day our Lord is coming (Matt. 24:42). We are continually warned in God’s word to be on guard against sin. Then, these sins are listed in Luke 21:34, which include being weighted down with dissipation. Webster’s Dictionary says dissipation is: wasteful expenditure of time or self-indulgence (shop ’til you drop; endless browsing of the internet or social media; countless hours spent in front of the television or streaming videos; binge watching); free indulgence in drinking (drunkenness); riotous living; the cares of this life; the worries of life (Matt. 13:22). God’s word warns that if these things are in your life, that day could come upon you suddenly, like a trap (Luke 21:34). Yes, the day of the Lord will come when mankind will least expect it. There is a test coming upon the whole world very soon that is from God. Only those who persevere steadily and faithfully, and keep and perform Jesus’ words will be spared from that hour of testing (Rev. 3:10). The Lord wants to know who will be faithful and endure to the end and who will not. He wants to know who will serve Him and who will not (Mal. 3:18). He wants to know who will be the sheep and who will remain as the goats—who will serve others and who will not. The Prophet Daniel was consistent and steadfast and faithful in his walk with God. In a prophecy concerning the last days, it states that everyone of Daniel’s people (people who are faithful like Daniel) will be rescued (Dan. 12:1; Prov. 11:8, 21). What are we to be faithful in? Faithful in giving (Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6-8). Faithful in studying God’s word so you are approved (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV). Faithful in prayer (Luke 21:36 KJV; Eph. 6:11-18). All will go well for those who remain faithful to righteousness (Is. 3:10). The Lord will not cause the righteous to hunger (Prov. 10:3; 13:25). Because Jesus said the gospel of the kingdom would be preached and published in all the world for a witness, I believe some people will take the message soberly and take warning and change their way of living to that of Jesus’ Way (Matt. 24:14). They will begin to study (not read) God’s word daily. They will cry out in private to the Lord to save them and show them the Way to live so that they might please Him each day. The others will wait until it’s too late—when they see the sign of the Son of Man coming in the sky (Matt. 24:30). They will be the ones who will hide themselves in caves because they know the Lord is coming, and His wrath is for them (Rev. 6:15-16; Is. 2:19; Hosea 10:8; Is. 24:6; Luke 23:30). Yet, verse 17 of Revelation 6 says: For the great day of their wrath has come. Whose wrath? Those hiding in the caves. The Scripture ends with the question, “Who is able to stand?” Both Psalm 24:3-6 and Psalm 50:22-23 give the answer In conclusion, it all comes down to this. Repent! How? Be a daily doer of the word (Psalm 34:11-14; James 1:22). Fulfill the Scriptures that the righteous fulfill, or you will automatically be fulfilling the Scriptures of the wicked (Mal. 3:18; Matt. 25:41). Now you know how to get ready today, should the Lord return tomorrow. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search The Message of Overcoming The word of God often speaks of "overcoming" (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 5:5; 21:7). It also speaks of "deeds," which is watered down from the original Greek word "works" (Rev. 2:2-3, 5, 19, 23, 26; 3:1-2, 8, 15-16). These works, which a follower of Christ must keep, are Christ's works (Rev. 2:26). They are the same ones Jesus Christ kept in order to overcome the world (John 16:33). When a believer dies, he ceases from glorifying God with good works and his good works follow him to the grave (Matt. 5:16; Rev. 14:13; John 5:28-29). Disciples of Jesus Christ are called blessed when they die keeping the works of the Lord. The fine linen and white robes given to the saints represent the righteous acts (good works) they did for God the Father (Rev. 19:8). They did all their works in Jesus' name while living on earth (Col. 3:17; Rev. 6:11). They didn't do their good works for reasons of being noticed by men (Matt. 6:1). Jesus is purifying for Himself a peculiar people who are zealous for good works and are turning away from evil by doing good for God (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 3:11; Rom. 12:21). Paul told believers to engage in good works constantly and that this is something they would have to learn how to do (Titus 3:8, 14; Is. 26:9-10; 1:16-17). They were admonished to encourage one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24). They were also told not to get weary in doing good works (Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13). Christ Himself even said some people would do greater works than He did (John 14:12). Why are we to do good works? Doing good works is how we overcome our natures and live the repentant life (Psalm 37:27). Jesus Christ, our true Teacher, says the righteousness we do must eventually come from our hearts or we cannot enter the kingdom (Rom. 10:3; Matt. 5:20; Eph. 6:6). We must strive and force ourselves into the kingdom that is within us (Luke 13:24; 16:16; 17:21, KJV). We must seize it for ourselves by daily disciplining ourselves for the purpose of godliness (Matt. 11:12). This process of overcoming is very easy and pleasant (Matt. 11:30). It is not burdensome (1 John 5:3). It involves a life of sharing, of caring and of learning to be a servant of others, and it is called the Way of righteousness (Luke 3:11; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17-18; Matt. 25:33-40; 20:26; 21:32). Overcoming is how we bear good fruit on our trees and assure that we won't be burned up (Matt. 3:10). Good fruit is good works (Col. 1:10). We enter the good life by imitating God's Way of life. We depart from evil by doing good so we will abide forever (Psalm 37:27). Simple, isn't it? However, it is simply not known or practiced by many people in the world today. Jesus' disciples practiced that Way (Rom. 2:7). Isn't it time we returned to the true faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3; 1 Tim. 6:3; Titus 1:1)? PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Doing Good in Secret Doing good in secret is simply doing acts of kindness and charity for God, and keeping it between you and the Lord, not calling attention to yourself or making a big deal of what you do. In doing this, you wouldn’t go about telling people of the good works you did, but would do it so it can be a secret between you and the Lord, and you can therefore be rewarded as such. These acts of charity are done for God’s glory (Matt. 6:1-4). It’s so easy and truly the most rewarding, and fulfilling, when done in secret. This doesn’t mean you are lurking about in dark corners, in some sort of disguise so no one will see you, but is more of an overall attitude and intent, doing the best you can to remain anonymous, as often as you can. On occasion, depending on the act of charity, it may not be as easy as it sounds but just do your best, keeping the right attitude, and intent, and you will be blessed. There are so many easy and simple ways you can do this. You can show love to others in words and deeds by being kind to everyone you meet, as an example of godliness in the world (Prov. 12:14). You can be a friend to the lowly, cheer up those who need it and show compassion to those who are suffering (Rom.12:16, Zech. 7:9). You can show kindness to your co-workers, family and neighbors, or anyone really, by doing something nice for them anonymously and not revealing that you are doing it for the Lord in secret. You can randomly buy someone a cup of coffee, (maybe someone in line behind you that looks like they could use some cheering up) and tell the cashier not to mention it was you. Send flowers to someone going through a difficult time with an encouraging note attached that is not signed. Give money in secret to someone who is struggling and is really down and out. Drop off chicken soup at the door of someone who is sick with an anonymous little get well note. These are just a few examples, there are so many simple things you can do to show kindness and love, without calling attention to yourself or telling others of the good you are doing all day long for God, as deeds of repentance (Matt. 5:16; Acts 26:20). This is truly a beautiful and godly way to live, that will bring blessings in to your life (Ps. 112:1-10). If you did these acts of kindness for God on a daily basis, in secret, and continued to overcome your old nature by doing so, you would be building Christ’s righteous character in yourself (Rev. 2:26; Gal 4:19). Each night you would come before God the Father and confess that everything you said and did was done in the name of Jesus Christ for the glory of God, as you were commanded to in Colossians 3:17. Now, occasionally you might tell others about something you did in secret, in order to give them a godly example of how to do the same (Titus 2:7-8). If your motive for telling what you did was to teach them by your example, you would not lose your reward (1 Cor. 11:1). Even the occasional act of teaching by your example would be a righteous act, if it was not done for self-righteous reasons or to be noticed by men (Matt. 23:1-5). However, by keeping your righteousness between you and the Lord, and doing it in secret, you will reap tremendous rewards being you are doing it not to be seen by men or be glorified by them (where you would have your reward in full) but to please your Lord, building up rewards in heaven instead (Matt. 6:19-21). Remember, it’s all about the intent of your heart and the attitude behind it all. God judges us by our hearts (1 Chron. 28:9). Doing good in secret is a fantastic, fulfilling and simple way to please the Lord (1 John 3:22). Once you begin to serve the Lord in this way you will see how exciting it really is. If all you sow is righteousness, then all you’ll reap is blessings. This is how you enter the good life that God has waiting for you (Acts 3:26). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Caretakers for Christ Jesus came not only to die for the sins of mankind should they live for Him, but also to show us how to be caretakers of others for Him (1 John 1:6-7). Jesus came to show us how to be servants of others. He even told those who would be followers of His that the greatest among His followers would be those who served the most (Matt. 23:11). One of the most emphasized subjects in the New Testament is that of serving and helping others. Is this, then, how to be a doer of God’s word? It is much more than just this. You see, to be holy, we must live holy, and to live holy we must do acts of righteousness for God. We must perfect holiness in our lives by disciplining ourselves for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). You see, God is righteous in all His Ways and kind in all His deeds (Psalm 145:17). He wants us to be like Him. We do this by imitating Him in word, as well as in deed (Eph. 5:1; 1 Peter 4:11). This is an explanation of the simple A-B-Cs of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. What is so amazing is that these truths are not taught today by many. When you make all your ways righteous, then your life turns into blessing after blessing. When you practice righteousness for God, you are considered righteous, just as He is righteous (1 John 3:7). If you refuse, you remain a son or daughter of the devil (1 John 3:10). It’s as simple as that! God’s word means what it says and says what it means. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Why Serve the Lord? Is the Almighty pleased if you are righteous? Is there any profit if you make your ways perfect? Psalm 37:27 says you will live forever. Zephaniah 2:3 says you may be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger. Revelation 3:10 says that God will keep you from the hour of testing if you pray always that you may be found worthy to escape all the things that are about to come upon humanity in these last days (Luke 21:36, King James Version). Remember, we will win our souls through perseverance in doing good (Luke 21:19; Titus 2:7, 14). We must strive to live like Jesus Christ, our example of good works, who is the narrow door (Luke 13:24; John 10:9). Only the sheep enter that door (John 10:3; Luke 12:32). These true disciples serve others for Jesus Christ, as He has commanded (Matt. 25:33-40; 1 Cor. 10:24). Jesus Christ says, "You are My friends if you keep My words and do the Will of God" (John 8:51; 12:47-48; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 7:21). You must be willing to do God's Will to be Jesus Christ's brother (John 7:17; Matt. 12:50). This means you must hear Christ's sayings and do them daily (Luke 8:21; James 1:22, 25). You must act on them, observe them and keep them (Matt. 7:24; Luke 11:28; 1 Peter 4:2; Rom. 12:2). Don't be foolish or remain ignorant, but understand the Will of the Lord and do it, think it and speak it (Eph. 5:17). Then your prayers will be answered (John 15:7, 16; 16:23-24). When you show respect for God and do those things that are pleasing in His sight, nothing shall be impossible to you, including the healing of sicknesses (John 9:31; 1 John 3:22; 5:14-15; Matt. 21:22; 17:20; Luke 1:37; James 5:15-17, 20). You will have an abundant life, filled with joy and every good thing (John 10:10; 17:13). What does it profit to serve the Lord? Serving the Lord will result in answered prayers, the abundant life and having sicknesses healed, plus you will receive the free gift of eternal life, which could never be earned. If you are not presently serving the Lord by serving others in words and deeds for God's glory, you may say you are rich and in need of nothing, but you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked (Col. 3:17; Rev. 3:17). Be saved from this perverse, wicked and sinful generation and turn, every one of you, from your wicked ways (Acts 2:40; 3:26). Then God can bless you. Turn to the Lord by doing good daily for God (1 Peter 3:11). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search The New Covenant Spirit "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30). This means that you shall serve only Him, love only Him, obey only Him, please only Him, worship only Him, glorify only Him, and do only His Will. This means you shall only do those things that are pleasing in His sight (John 8:29; 2 Cor. 5:9). You shall do well, practice righteousness and patience toward others, and continually do acts of kindness and charity (Matt. 5:16; 1 John 4:7). This means you must put up with the short-comings of others, forgive everyone their trespasses against you daily, and practice all the fruits of the Spirit (Matt. 6:14; Gal. 5:22-23). You are to always be in a joyful mood and make every day a day you live for God. Then, when it is God’s day, it will be a good day. Are all of your ways pleasing to God today? Are you going to please Him in all things or some things? Pleasing God in all things is being single-minded, not double-minded (James 1:6, 8). Are you going to do only God’s Will today, or a little bit of Satan’s too, by living to please the flesh? Are you bringing all your ways into subjection to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5)? Are you doing what Christ would have you do, or are you holding out a little? Is your heart pure before God, or partially pure? Are you off to a physical start each day, or are you off to a spiritual start by studying God’s word? Do you think of pleasing God all day, or do you even think about Him at all? What do you think about the most each day? Do you give God all of your troubles, or do you try to solve them yourself without His help (1 Peter 5:7)? Are you still trying to do God’s job of converting your spouse (1 Peter 3:1)? Who do you think you are - God? Remember, God is the only one who can convert or change any person. He is the one who causes the growth (1 Cor. 3:7). We should teach by our example. Then we know that we have the log out of our own eye and are ready to give a good answer when asked (Matt. 7:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:15). Many religious people are trying to convert the world to their beliefs when they are still unconverted before God themselves. We are to love the Lord wholeheartedly and we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31). When we wholeheartedly serve others for the Lord, we are wholeheartedly serving the Lord (Matt 25:40). We cannot do one without doing the other, and when we do both, we are keeping the commandments in the New Covenant spirit. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Good News About the Kingdom Jesus Christ is coming soon as King of kings to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. He has promised co-rulership with Him to those of us who overcome (Rev. 2:26-27). Some of us will be kings and some priests and we will reign on this earth (Rev. 5:10). The good news is that we can enter that kingdom and become a part of it now. This comes about when God puts a new heart in us that will want to obey Him, as He promised He would. The good news is that Christ’s Way of life is very easy and pleasant (Matt. 11:30). You see, it has to be simple because God is calling the sinners and not the righteous. He is calling the prostitutes and thieves, the lowly and simple, the foolish and base things of the world. Surprise! He is going to make world leaders out of these people to shame the wise (1 Cor. 1:26-29). How do we enter this kingdom and receive a new heart? We must practice righteous works - Jesus Christ’s works. It would be impossible to overcome our evil natures by keeping our old works of the flesh (Rev. 2:26; John 14:12). When everything we do in good works and good words is done in His name and not for self, then we are doing Christ’s works (Col. 3:17). If we are doing our works for Jesus Christ to glorify the Father, then they are not our own works, but Christ’s. We are keeping Christ’s sayings. Whatever He says to do, we do. We live to please the Father daily by glorifying Him the way He wants to be glorified - with good works (Matt. 5:16)! As soon as Satan’s nature is crushed inside you and put under your control, you have overcome the evil one (Rom. 16:20; 1 John 2:13-14). When your righteousness comes from the heart and you no longer have to force yourself to do God’s Will, you become a happy slave of righteousness (Eph. 6:6; Luke 16:16; Rom. 6:18). Do not delay. Start today, so Satan does not take away your desire to become a new creature (Gal. 6:15). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search What Was Paul's Message? The message the Apostle Paul gave would be the same message others gave about the saving of souls. His words would have started out the same as John the Baptist’s, Jesus Christ’s or the apostles’. "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand" (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 10:7) - right now! He was saying, if Jesus Christ has given you ears to hear the message, and eyes to see the truth, you should repent this instant (Matt. 13:13)! You must "turn around" or live another way. That’s what repent means (Matt. 13:15). He was explaining that when you keep Jesus Christ’s commands, He will heal your eyes and open your ears (2 Cor. 3:16). He will show Himself to you (John 14:21). It is utterly amazing how many people are trying to understand the Bible without obeying it (2 Tim. 3:7)! How many times did Jesus Christ tell us to keep His words (Matt. 5:19; 7:24; Luke 8:21), do His words (Luke 10:28,37; 11:28), keep His sayings (John 12:47; 8:51; 13:15), keep His works (John 14:12; Matt. 7:21), keep His commandments (John 15:10; 1 Cor. 7:19), and walk in His commandments (1 John 2:17; 2 John 6)? Today, people lie, steal and commit adultery. They love their friends and hate their enemies. They attend church, holding to a form of religion but not possessing the power that results from living a godly life (2 Tim. 3:1-7). They are continually learning about something but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 3:7). This truth they are seeking is the truth about desiring to live godly in Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 3:12). It is the knowledge of how to repent, how to keep God’s Ways and how to do God’s Will daily on earth as it is done in heaven (Matt. 6:10). It is how to overcome and how to put to death the deeds of the flesh by living to the Spirit daily (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:16, 24). Paul overcame his fleshly nature by keeping the deeds of Christ (Rev. 2:26). His message of overcoming with Jesus Christ’s Spirit in us is seldom heard today. How many completed believers are there today who are zealous for good deeds or good works (Titus 2:14)? Jesus was glorifying the Father by good works (Matt. 5:16). He also said we will do greater works than He did because we will live longer than He lived (John 14:12). We are to leave this world a better place than when we came into it. We accomplish this by living like Jesus Christ and serving others in need. This was Paul’s message. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Ready Set Go! If you are doing God's Will on this earth, as it is being done in heaven, then the Lord has something special to say to you: Remember what you have received and heard. Keep it, obey it and repent, by putting My words into practice. If you will not wake up and repent, I will come like a thief and you will not know at what hour I will come to you (Rev. 3:3 NASB & AMP). Yes, God is talking to all of us who are overcoming our evil natures by keeping Jesus Christ’s deeds. He is reminding His followers to practice the deeds He did as an example, and to endure until He returns (Rev. 2:26). If we who are His true servants zealously continue to practice being servants of others until God’s Will begins to come from our hearts, we will all be ready (Matt. 5:20; Eph. 6:6). True followers of Jesus Christ are continually admonished not to become weary in a life of doing good (2 Thess. 3:13). We are to pray always that we will be found worthy to escape all those things which are shortly coming upon this world. We are to pray that we will be counted worthy to survive and stand before Jesus Christ physically when He returns (Luke 21:36). These are solemn warnings to believers which should be heeded. Many people will wait until what they feel is the last minute. Then they plan to live for God by being a servant to others. They feel they’re too busy to take Jesus Christ’s words seriously and take action in their lives now. As a result, that day will come upon them as a trap and it will be too late (Luke 21:34). I feel those who perished in the time of Noah had this very same attitude, don’t you? We know that Jesus will return to take His people to a place of safety. He will come suddenly, like a thief, so we need to prepare to be ready—all set to go. How can we be ready? 1. We should continually live the repentant life by being servants of others (Matt. 23:11). 2. We must study God’s word daily, looking for Scriptures that pertain to the righteous, and then fulfill those Scriptures within our lives. Some examples are Luke 14:13; 6:35; James 2:14-16 and Luke 3:10-14. 3. We are to pray for others always and for our own needs also (1 Thess. 5:17). 4. We should commit everything to God, from brushing our teeth for God first thing in the morning to our prayers just before we retire (Col. 3:17). 5. We should keep the Lord always on our minds, and keep our thoughts and deeds pleasing to Him in all respects (Phil. 4:8; Isa. 26:3). Zealous, wholehearted, steadfast, persevering—these words describe a true disciple who is totally committed to God. They describe one who has an honest and good heart. This type of person is bearing godly fruit. He is building godly righteous character that not only has promise for this life, but also the life to come (Luke 8:15; Rev. 3:10; Col. 1:10; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; 1 Tim. 4:8; 2 Tim. 2:5-6). Remember always, winners never quit and quitters never win. Let’s be all ready and set to go, so that when the Lord comes as a thief, we will be ready—set to go with Him.` PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Will You Be Faithful? Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). We need desperately to fully understand what Jesus Christ meant in this statement. There are different kinds of faith. There is the faith of Abraham. There is the faith of Jesus Christ. There is the faith that God will heal you, and the faith that He will forgive you. Some people have faith in the devil—the ruler of this world. Others have faith in the God of Abraham. Some have faith in their faith, which is their religion (Rom. 16:26). Others have no faith in man’s religions, but only trust their faith to Jesus Christ, who alone is faithful. Let us clear up, once and for all, the truth behind the word “faith” and its many meanings. God came to this earth some 2,000 years ago in human form to show us His Ways so that we could do His Will on this earth daily as it is being done in heaven daily (Matt. 6:10). He said those Ways are very easy and pleasant (Matt. 11:30). God’s Ways represent God’s faith. Jesus Christ kept those Ways perfectly while He was here on this earth. He was faithful (Heb. 2:17). He kept the faith. He performed God’s Will. Jesus not only showed us those Ways, He told us about those Ways also. He did this so we could have an example to follow. He also gave us a written record of those Ways in His word, the Bible. Faith involves trust. When you know what the Lord expects of you, and you do those things daily, you are keeping the faith. You are pleasing the Father daily, just like Jesus did. As a result, you can trust the Lord to fulfill the Scriptures for you pertaining to the righteous. You can trust Jesus Christ to carry out His word in your life and take care of all your needs, wants and desires (Matt. 6:33). No good thing will God withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). God expects us to offer the sacrifice of righteousness and trust in the Lord (Psalm 4:5). That sacrifice is continually doing good and sharing because it pleases God (Heb. 13:16). Therefore, if we are continually doing good toward others, we can have faith that our prayers will be heard. That’s how simple it is to keep Jesus Christ’s commandments (1 John 3:22). Faith means obedience to God’s Ways. Unfaithfulness means disobedience to God’s Ways. Belief means obedience to Jesus Christ’s words, and unbelief is failing to practice God’s Ways toward others. Faith means trusting in God and not leaning on your own understanding. Faith means this, and so much more. Having faith means consistency in giving. The new covenant is full of Scriptures regarding giving as well as supporting a righteous cause. “Give, and it will be given to you,” God promises in Luke 6:38. In this Scripture, God is referring to giving to others who are in need. This could include giving clothes or food to someone in need. It could include giving shelter to someone who needs a place to stay (Matt. 25:33-40). It can also include giving financial support to a truly worthy cause. It is plain to see that Jesus was supported in His cause by many who believed in what He was doing. There were many who supported Him, not just a few (Luke 8:3). I know that if I were called of the Lord 2,000 years ago, I would have supported His cause. The gospel of Jesus Christ was preached around the whole world in Jesus’ day. He sent out His apostles to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and eventually to the remotest parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). It says the gospel will again be preached to the whole world, in the last days before the return of Jesus Christ (Matt. 24:14). We are preaching and publishing that same gospel and truth now, throughout the world, exposing the religious lies that have been taught in the name of Jesus Christ. We are all being called for one great purpose—to be faithful. Will you be faithful to God and His Ways? Will you be consistent in your faithfulness? Be faithful and support this great work of the Lord that is going out to the world and changing lives. By doing so, you too are a fellow worker for the Lord as it says in 3 John 7-8. To be part of the Lord’s work, in whatever way He calls us to be, is the greatest blessing and honor we could ever hope to be a part of in our lifetime. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search How to Do God's Will With Your Mind The word of God says, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice" and enjoy it (Psalm 118:24). Now, if you are going to have a good day and enjoy it, you must stop complaining about the weather. The weather is God's business and none of yours. Some other ingredients for having a good day include: cheering up people at work; helping people; consoling people; being friendly and understanding people. That means serving your brother and sister and that is being like Jesus Christ. Practice being positive. Unrestrained human nature practices being negative. It is counterproductive and degenerative. When your life is lived positively, then positive things begin to happen to you. If you are living negatively, which is normal but evil, sometimes you will not even recognize good things happening to you. Negativism, inwardness, selfishness, indifference, hate and murder are all brothers of destruction. This is why Christ said if you hate your brother, you are the same as a murderer (1 John 3:15). By practicing attitudes that are destructive, you cannot expect to live a constructive life. But when you are practicing attitudes that are constructive, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control you are, in fact, practicing godliness, or imitating God (Gal. 5:23-24; Col. 1:10; Eph. 5:1). If we practice things that are not good in our daily lives, we will become increasingly evil, by nature. By continually practicing evil behavior, we become more like Satan, our earthly father (John 8:41, 44). But if we practice daily what is right, good, honorable, uplifting and pleasing in the sight of our heavenly Father, we will become more like our Father in heaven (1 John 3: 7-10). We will be living holy lives instead of unholy lives. We become what we are practicing to become - perfect (Matt. 5:48; 1 Peter 5:10). We are, by nature, sinners. God wants us to allow Him to change our nature to one of a saint. In order to do that, we must practice living saintly lives by changing our thoughts to godly thoughts. How many of us would want to see violence done to our children? Yet, we watch violence being done to other people’s children on television and vicariously enjoy it. If we did not enjoy it, we would not continue to watch it day after day. Do not be fooled. What you see with your eyes and hear with your ears affects what you think (Prov. 24:12, 29; 12:14). We are not to look at what is evil - violence, murder, rape, etc. (Psalm 34:13-14; 1 Peter 3:10-11). That includes any sport that is violent or anticipates violence. Anyone who loves violence is hated by God (Psalm 11:5). So let’s clean up what goes into our minds and guard those doors carefully, for what is in our minds has a lot to do with the condition of our hearts and what comes out of our mouths. "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, think on these things." (Phil. 4:8). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search How to Abide in Christ Many people, when they hear an expression in the Bible like, "Abide in Christ," do not readily understand what it means. If a person abides in his house, he stays there. If one abides by the decision of the judge, he obeys the judge. In John 15:7, the phrase would mean to "remain stable" or "fixed in one’s state." In John 15:7, Jesus is saying, if we live as He does by keeping His words, then our prayers will certainly be answered. If we say we abide in Him, we also ought to live in the same manner as Jesus lived or walked (1 John 2:6). Jesus was constantly doing things that were pleasing in the Father’s sight (John 8:29). When we live this Way, we are assured of having our prayers answered (1 John 3:22). Living to please the Father daily is easy and pleasant (Matt. 11:30). It does not take a great deal of intelligence, but we must have the attitude of a child to live God’s Way of life (Matt. 18:4; Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17; 1 Cor. 1:26-28). God-fearing parents would train their children not to swear, lie, steal or cheat. Instead, they would train their children to get involved in doing good things and to continue to do good, overcoming evil by doing good. God wants the same (Rom. 12:21). Our heavenly Father wants us to do the same so He can bless us instead of send curses on us daily (Heb. 12:5-11; Acts 3:26). We are, by nature, children of wrath (Eph. 2:3). But we come out from under the wrath of God when we become obedient to Christ (John 3:36). Unless we are abiding in Christ daily by practicing righteousness for God, we are all being held captive to do Satan’s will (2 Tim. 2:26). If we are not abiding in Christ, we are doing Satan’s will. But if we are overcoming evil by doing God’s Will daily on earth as it is constantly being done in heaven, we are abiding in Christ (Matt. 6:10). Doing God’s Will is doing good works and this is how we abide in Christ (John 9:31; 1 John 2:17). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Will You Be Able To Stand? Noah was the only person God found who was practicing righteousness in his day (Gen. 6:9; 7:1). Noah stood alone before God. He didn’t need a church, nor did he depend upon a body of people to provoke him weekly to do good for God. Noah was mature in his walk with God. His relationship was complete. We cannot be found righteous unless we live righteously every day. If we never do anything for God, by serving others in need as Jesus Christ our example did, we are not righteous, neither are we considered righteous by God. How is your personal relationship with God? By the time you’ve finished this article, you will see exactly what must be done to make it like Noah’s. Enoch, Abel, Job, Abraham, Elijah and the prophets of old were all righteous. They stood before God and stood alone as mighty men of God. Even when Job’s friends tried to discourage him, and his wife told him to curse God and die, Job’s one-to-one faith in God stood firm (Job 2:9-10). Many doers of the word who worshiped God in the past willingly gave their lives to God and laid down their lives as testimonies of their solid, unshakable, stand-alone faith. They trusted in the Rock of their salvation, Jesus Christ, and as a result, became solidly established in their faith—as rocks. The requirements of our faith in Jesus Christ are: A. Practice righteousness for God and keep Jesus Christ’s words and sayings (John 8:51). Continue to do God’s Will daily in our lives, remaining faithful by continually doing so. B. Study God’s word continually to find out what God’s Will is, and perform it daily in our lives (Eph. 5:17) C. Honor the Lord with your wealth, by setting aside from each paycheck a certain amount with which to do good for God (Prov. 3:9-10). This is God’s money and no longer ours. It is entrusted to us by God. We are His trusted servants who distribute that money to the poor, the needy, the stranger, or anyone who would borrow from us. You do not need to spend it all before the next paycheck, but safeguard what is put aside for God in your trust, and use it continually to do His Will. God Himself will continually teach you what to do with this amount you have set aside regularly to honor Him. God always teaches those who continually obey Him on a personal basis. He teaches us how to love one another, how to serve, how to give, how to share, and how to forgive one another continually. He wants to teach us about His Ways, but He can’t do this unless we continually, on a daily basis, imitate the Way He lives. D. Pray constantly for guidance, and for others (2 Tim. 1:3). Prayer is the tool we use to commit all our ways to God. It is how we break down all the strongholds of sin in our lives and put them into the captivity of Jesus Christ, making all our ways Christ’s Ways. It is how we telephone God and keep in touch daily. Prayer is how we make known to Him all our needs and desires. It is our hot line, a direct connection to the God whom we serve daily. Always remember, we have great favor with God because we serve others daily on His behalf, which makes us His true servants. We are continually serving others, and, as a result, we are continually growing more and more like Christ each day. We know the secret that God causes the growth when we serve others as Jesus Christ gave us example to do in His name (Col. 3:17). We know the secret, that unless we imitate Jesus Christ daily, we will never be like Him. We know that imitating Jesus Christ is how we repent, how we abide in Christ, how we clothe ourselves with Christ, how we become doers of the word of God, and how we overcome our evil natures and have Christ formed in us. If these things are in our lives and are continually increasing, we will never fail (2 Peter 1:3-10). God is making stand-alone disciples. He wants us to be stimulated to more love and good works daily, drawing near to Him through personal Bible study and as He continues to allow, through all the resources He has provided us on wholewheatonline.com, to stir up by way of reminder the simple truth God has called us to (Rom. 15:4-5; Heb. 3:13; 2 Peter 1:12-13). He wants us to seek Him with all our heart, and develop our one-to-one relationship with Him, maturing in our faith, so we are able to stand alone; going to Him for all our needs and learning to discern His voice (1 Chronicles 28:9; John 5:44; Acts 17:27; James 4:8; John 10:27). He wants us to be an example for those in our life that are not yet mature (Titus 2:7-8, 1 Tim. 4:12). Will you help Him and learn to stand-alone? Will you be His example of love? Will you show by your godly life and example how to live a repentant life before God daily (Heb. 5:12-14)? If you do, you will not only have found the purpose of life, but you will be living it and showing it in all your thoughts, words and deeds. You will be letting your light shine for God’s glory (Matt. 5:16). You will be an ambassador for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). You will be like Noah, and will be ready for all that is to come (1 Cor. 16:13; 1 Pet. 5:8; Matt. 24:42). You will be the apple of God’s eye, His trusted servant, the one of whom He loudly proclaims, “This is my beloved son (or daughter) in whom I am well pleased” (2 Pet. 1:17). God is, and always will be, your friend because you cared enough for Him to have Jesus Christ formed in you (John 15:14). When you are fully trained, you will be like your Teacher, because you have been taught by Him (Luke 6:40). Now, you will be able to stand. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search God's Judgment on a Nation When God pronounces judgment on a nation through a prophet, there is a space of time given in which the people are allowed to repent. First, they must hear what they are doing wrong (Ezek. 3:17-19, 21). Then, they must be told how to repent by doing what is right. Notice that after Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar how to repent, 12 months went by before the curse announced by the angel of God came to pass (Dan. 4:27, 29, 37). The Apostle Peter describes the repentant life saying, cease to do evil, learn to do good (1 Peter 3:8-12; Is. 1:16-17). If the people were practicing wickedness, they had to stop doing those things and start practicing righteousness for God. If the people were using their bodies to do evil, they were told to begin to use their bodies to do good (Rom. 6:13; 12:1, 21). When the King of Nineveh heard of impending judgment on his city, he issued a proclamation that all the people, herds and flocks should fast from eating food and drinking water. Then, he commanded all his people to cease from sinning, to cease from all forms of wickedness and violence. When God saw their deeds, that they had turned from their wicked ways, He did not do what He had declared He would do to them (Jonah 3:6-10). The word of God says there is only one way to repent and turn from your wicked ways and that is by doing good deeds for God (Acts 26:20). That is how you turn away from your evil ways (Job 1:1; 2:3). It is the only Way! It is the narrow Way that few find (Matt. 7:14). It is ridiculous to think that a person can repent by doing nothing, as millions are erroneously being taught today. You cannot repent by living a life of doing nothing for your Savior, Jesus Christ. God says doers of the word are the only ones who are justified among those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ (James 2:24). Now is the time to repent before God so that when God brings this nation into judgment for its sins, you will not be part of that judgment. God is going to send curses upon the whole world to test the people of the world (Rev. 3:10). He is going to determine who the righteous and the wicked will be (Mal. 3:18). He wants to know who will be the sheep and serve others by doing good for God, and who will be the goats because they refuse to repent and do good for God (Matt. 25: 33, 40, 46). In which group will you be? PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Forcing a Test The devil tempted Jesus to jump down from a pinnacle, saying, "Is it not written that God will give His angels charge over You that You do not hurt Yourself?" Jesus answered, "It is also written, ‘You shall not force a test on God’" (Matt. 4:5-7). The New Covenant protects true servants of God from accidental ingestion of poison and from poisonous snake bites (Mark 16:18). But putting God to the test by willingly drinking poison or allowing yourself to be bitten by poisonous snakes would indeed be forcing a test on God. From time to time, certain religions have practiced these things, but they usually become extinct after a time! The puffer fish, caught off the coast of Japan, is served in fine Japanese restaurants as a delicacy. This fish at times contains a virulent poison that cannot be detected until after the person who eats it dies. People who order puffer fish realize they are taking a chance, but they continue to eat it anyway. When disciples of Jesus Christ eat what they know is not good for them to eat, they are indeed forcing a test on God. When believers smoke marijuana or cigarettes, which they know are unhealthful, they are forcing a test on God. When a person goes out on a limb and charges goods and services he cannot afford, saying, "I did it in faith that God would provide," he is forcing a test on God. Even many churches do the same thing by expanding their buildings in so-called faith and forcing a test on God because they do not have funds available to pay the bills. The Bible says owe money to no man (Rom. 13:8). This principle should be adhered to as much as possible. People need houses and cars, and in our modern society, it is nearly impossible to pay cash for such expensive items. However, people would have a lot less trouble if they did not run up bills, but would live within their means. Take time right now to examine your motives and determine if you are forcing a test on God in any areas of your life (Jer. 5:25). Are you going out on a spiritual limb, knowing it will not hold you, and trusting God to make sure the limb does not break? Are you spending money you do not have, hoping God will give you the money to pay your debts? Think, think, think! Then act wisely, with God’s wisdom and not your own (Matt. 6:33; Prov. 3:5-6; Psalm 21:2). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search What is the Best Bible Translation? The best translation of the Bible is the one that has the clearest meaning to the key verses that explain how to live the Way that Jesus Christ lived. One example is Titus 2:14. In the original Greek it says, "…cleanse for Himself a people zealous for good works." In the King James Version it says, "purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works." The New American Standard Version says, "…zealous for good deeds," and so does the Revised Standard Version. The Living Bible, the New International Version, and other modern language versions change, water down and distort this verse, along with Titus 3:8-14. If you do not maintain good works or good deeds, you have stopped bearing good fruit for God (Matt. 3:10). If you are not zealous for good deeds, you are leaving a door open through which you can be tempted by Satan (1 Peter 3:13; 5:8). Do you think Jesus Christ overcame the world by doing nothing? Of course not. He overcame the world by doing the Father’s Will - which is righteousness - every day. Jesus only lived to do good towards others, as He instructed us to do daily. Jesus never lived to do His own will but only the Father’s Will, continually (John 6:38). To bear fruit for God is to practice righteousness (Col. 1:10). To bear fruit is to be a doer of the word (James 1:22). To bear fruit is to experience a change of nature, a change of heart and a change of attitude, as happy slaves of Jesus Christ, until we finally do the Will of God from the heart (Matt. 5:16, 20; 6:1; Eph. 6:6). The Will of God is righteousness and that is what we are to practice. We do the practicing so God can do the perfecting. The Bible with the clearest meaning and the most reliable to the original Greek is the 1977 New American Standard Version, but always have a King James Version close by to double-check some passages, as it is the oldest version but not always the easiest to understand. Try comparing 2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 12:14, 1 John 5:7 and Acts 12:4 in the New American Standard 1977 and the King James Version. The 1995 New American Standard Version has very slight differences and has updated some words for more "modern reading" so we may reference it in some of our features for that reason, however, we rely on the 1977 NASB as a general rule for study purposes as being the most reliable and accurate. On occasion we may reference other translations only for the purpose of clarity and expanding the understanding of the Scripture. If you do not have the other translations available to you, you can find them easily online for a quick reference. We also may refer to Noah's 1828 Dictionary, which we consider a valuable resource that also references Scripture itself. All that being said, of course, if you have a Bible that you love and are wearing out for God, by studying it daily, just continue and the Lord will continue to teach you through His word, as you seek Him for understanding in all things (John 14:26) PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

Can you explain why people lived so long before the flood of Noah? Prev Next

wholewheatonline.com Search The Biblical Definition of Idolatry Surprising as it may be, Webster’s Dictionary agrees with God’s word when it says any object (symbol or representation) that is used for worship (religious reminder) is an idol. It is any object of extreme devotion. This would include pictures, crosses, statues or any form of religious symbolism such as the use of birds, fishes, animals or insects as religious reminders (Deut. 4:15-19). Noah Websters 1828 Dictionary agrees with the Scripture and expounds even more than the traditional dictionary to state that an idol is: an image, form or representation, usually of a man or other animal, consecrated as an object of worship; a pagan deity. Idols are usually statues or images, carved out of wood or stone, or formed of metals, particularly silver or gold. It also says; Idolatry is of two kinds; the worship of images, statues, pictures, etc. made by hands; and the worship of the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon and stars, or of demons, angels, men and animals. But these are not the only definitions of idolatry. Noah Websters Dictionary also states that idolatry is any thing on which we set our affections; that we indulge an excessive attachment to. Think about what things in your life might fall under that category. The Bible says anything that keeps you from doing what God says you should do is an idol or anything you put ahead of God (Col. 3:5). The whole armor of God is Bible study, prayer and continually living the life of doing good for God’s glory (Eph. 6:13). God wants you to live for Him each day by studying His word, praying to him and living your life to please Him (2 Tim. 2:15; Prov. 15:8; Eph. 5:10). Anything that stops you from doing so is an idol. Anything that comes between you and what God wants you to do daily is idolatry. Remember, stubbornness is the same sin as witchcraft in God’s eyes (1 Sam. 15:23). Finally, idolatry is anything that exalts itself. It is anything that makes itself more important than what God has said in His word you should do (Ex. 20:3). In short, you should not make excuses, or provisions, for failing to do what God has instructed you to do daily (Phil. 2:3; Jer. 7:23-24). If God said it, that should settle it. What man says in opposition to God’s word should not be followed, for it too is idolatry (Acts 5:29). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search God’s Best Example As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to be representatives of God’s kingdom on this earth. We are to let happiness, love, joy and a unique stability of mind permeate our presence. We have eternal life and we know it because we live by God’s Ways. Jesus Christ says He is eternal life and everyone who lives as He lived—glorifying the Father with good works, enduring to the end and continuing to keep his old nature under control—will receive eternal life (Rom. 16:19-20). God crushes our old nature as we continue overcoming our evil nature by doing good (Rom. 12:21). That is what it means to repent. We should strive to control our thinking so that we think only what is pure and lovely. We should seek peace and pursue it earnestly (Psalm 34:14). We must practice making the words that come out of our mouths as if they were the words of God (1 Peter 4:11). We should pursue, hunger, and thirst for righteousness so that Christ’s nature can be formed in us (Matt. 5:6; Gal. 4:19). We mustn’t let anything stop us from receiving that new nature and pressing on to perfection. Jesus emphasized the fact that nothing should stop us in the process of receiving our new nature (Phil. 3:14; Luke 21:19). Jesus used a severe parable saying, “If your eye offends thee, pluck it out” (Matt. 18:9). In other words, we are not to let anything stop us from achieving our goal, which is godliness. We must strive to be godly examples to others in thought, word and deed, like Christ (Col. 3:17). We must not do anything to make a brother stumble who has found the Way—the holy Way that the unclean are not permitted to travel (Rev. 21:8). So keep your conduct holy, pure and blameless in all things. Always remember Paul’s words, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Are you ready to have others follow you, yet (1 Cor. 11:1)? PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International