[Darris McNeely] Have you ever heard the phrase that the proof is in the pudding? That you have to, in a sense, eat what is there to really enjoy it and to make sure that it's good and delightful? Well, take that and let's apply it to the Bible as we are talking here about having successful rules for Bible study. And at number 11 here, in this list that we're going through, we have to prove the Bible. Now you can read, study, make notes. You can memorize the Bible if you want. You can memorize whole chapters, whole series of verses. You can be very conversant in different topics. But at some point, we have to get up from the desk, from our chair, put our Bible down, and we have to go live it. We have to put it into practice to really prove that the Bible works. That its teachings, that its laws, that its principles as guides for life, actually do produce happiness, peace, security, well-being, peace of mind, and all that the Bible says that it will do. We have to prove it and that is critical. Everything that it says, the laws of God, all, we have to put to practice to make sure and to understand why and how it is the best way for living. 

There's a scripture in Malachi, the third chapter. It's actually talking about the law of tithing. And in this, God says to the people, to bring the tithes into the storehouses so that there will be enough food in the temple. He said, "If you do, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in. Try it," He says. "Put it to the test." (Malachi 3:10) He's talking about the law of tithing, but it applies to every other aspect of God's law, God's teaching, God's way. It could be the Sabbath. It could be the festivals. It could be putting God first in our life. It could be any matter of faith. We have to obey God in order to prove that what God says is the best way for us actually does work in producing peace and love, security and happiness. We have to prove it. We have to do that by living it.

The Bible is more than just academics. The Bible is more than just history. The Bible is more than just this holy book. It is a guide for life. It is the mind of God. It is for instruction in righteousness, and it has to be lived. And by that, we prove that the Bible is true, and we prove that God Himself is true. Prove it. Successful key to Bible study.

That's BT Daily. Join us next time.