Opening Scripture before the Message Isaiah 55:11 Amplified Everyday Life Joyce Meyer So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; "It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God's will, both publicly and privately--behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Peter 1:19-21 So we have the prophetic word made more certain. You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the morning star arises in your hearts. But understand this first of all, that no prophesy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one's own [personal or special] interpretation, for no prophesy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. How to hear and understand the Gospel Job 38:1-3 THEN THE Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, "Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom] By words without knowledge? "Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! Job 40:6-7 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying, "Now gird up your loins (prepare yourself) like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me. Job 42:4-7 'Hear, please, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct [and answer] me.' "I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, But now my [spiritual] eyes sees You. "Therefore I retract [my words and hate myself] And I repent in dust and ashes." It came about that after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. Romans 10:14-17 But how will people call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)? And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent [for that purpose]? just as it is written and forever remains written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" But they did not all pay attention to the good news [of salvation]; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ. Acts 26:17-18 [choosing you for Myself and] rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their [spiritual] eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness and release from their sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified (set apart, made holy) by faith in me.' Romans 15:4-7 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify and praise and honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just and Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God.