Well, you're listening to mornings with Eric and Bridget right here on Moody Radio 89.3.

Well, you're listening to mornings with Eric and Bridget right here on Moody Radio 89.3.

We're talking with Doctor Michael Melnick about getting into God's Word in this new year. Why is that important? How do we do that? What are some practical tips? We're going to get to that. But we did say if you have any questions to go ahead and text that in. And we did get a question Eric.

We're talking with Doctor Michael Melnick about getting into God's Word in this new year. Why is that important? How do we do that? What are some practical tips? We're going to get to that. But we did say if you have any questions to go ahead and text that in. And we did get a question Eric.

All right. Here's the question. Good morning and happy New Year. My question is please explain what Zionism is and if this is something negative. I was recently watching a podcast about the USS Liberty, which was a ship, the US ship, and how one veteran states Israel bombed the ship and stated Zionists as a negative group. I am a Christian and always loved Israel and its people. Thank you. So there's the question, how would you respond to that?

All right. Here's the question. Good morning and happy New Year. My question is please explain what Zionism is and if this is something negative. I was recently watching a podcast about the USS Liberty, which was a ship, the US ship, and how one veteran states Israel bombed the ship and stated Zionists as a negative group. I am a Christian and always loved Israel and its people. Thank you. So there's the question, how would you respond to that?

Yeah, first of all, Zionism has been people have tried to make it a negative word. It only means the belief that Israel has a right. The Jewish people have a right to self-determination in their ancient homeland. That's it. It doesn't define borders. It doesn't define anything else. It's just that the Jewish people are in the land of Israel by right of self-determination and nothing else. So that's it. Uh, so basically in Israel, people who believe in Israel's right to exist. I have cousins that are extremely left wing and extremely right wing, uh, on both ends of the spectrum. But they all believe in Israel's right to exist. So they may have different ways of seeing how the peace could be wrapped up ultimately with the Palestinians. But they're still Zionists. Uh, so that's, uh, that's what it is. The USS Liberty took place in 1967 during the Six Day War. United States ship. U.S. Navy ship was just outside the boundary waters of Israel. It was right in the middle of the war, and the Israeli Air Force took out that ship. It was a terrible tragedy. Israel apologized, paid compensation, said they mistakenly mistook it for an Egyptian ship, which Israel was at war with. Egypt and the United States government investigated concurred that it was just a terrible, terrible mistake, which is why Israel has paid in what modern day money would be about $30 million in compensation for what had happened. However, this is brought up all the time, regardless of what Israel has done in association with the United States to help the United States in the war on terror. Israel being the United States strongest ally, particularly in the Middle East. Nevertheless, this is brought up by people with conspiracy theories trying to say that there was some great conspiracy in Israel deliberately attacked the United States of America, her greatest ally. Which you know. Why would Israel do that? That just doesn't make any sense. It was a terrible, terrible mistake. Both the United States government and Israel have concurred on that. And it, uh, and of course, it was 1967. That was a long time ago. Yeah.

Yeah, first of all, Zionism has been people have tried to make it a negative word. It only means the belief that Israel has a right. The Jewish people have a right to self-determination in their ancient homeland. That's it. It doesn't define borders. It doesn't define anything else. It's just that the Jewish people are in the land of Israel by right of self-determination and nothing else. So that's it. Uh, so basically in Israel, people who believe in Israel's right to exist. I have cousins that are extremely left wing and extremely right wing, uh, on both ends of the spectrum. But they all believe in Israel's right to exist. So they may have different ways of seeing how the peace could be wrapped up ultimately with the Palestinians. But they're still Zionists. Uh, so that's, uh, that's what it is. The USS Liberty took place in 1967 during the Six Day War. United States ship. U.S. Navy ship was just outside the boundary waters of Israel. It was right in the middle of the war, and the Israeli Air Force took out that ship. It was a terrible tragedy. Israel apologized, paid compensation, said they mistakenly mistook it for an Egyptian ship, which Israel was at war with. Egypt and the United States government investigated concurred that it was just a terrible, terrible mistake, which is why Israel has paid in what modern day money would be about $30 million in compensation for what had happened. However, this is brought up all the time, regardless of what Israel has done in association with the United States to help the United States in the war on terror. Israel being the United States strongest ally, particularly in the Middle East. Nevertheless, this is brought up by people with conspiracy theories trying to say that there was some great conspiracy in Israel deliberately attacked the United States of America, her greatest ally. Which you know. Why would Israel do that? That just doesn't make any sense. It was a terrible, terrible mistake. Both the United States government and Israel have concurred on that. And it, uh, and of course, it was 1967. That was a long time ago. Yeah.

But they continue to from what I read, they are continuing to pay even up into 1980. They were paying back for the compensation. Yeah. So yeah.

But they continue to from what I read, they are continuing to pay even up into 1980. They were paying back for the compensation. Yeah. So yeah.

Yeah. So but anyway there there you go. That's what it was. Uh, listen, the Bible says that the title of the land was given to the Jewish people. Uh, the way I put it in this book I wrote once called understanding the Arab-Israeli conflict, when under the question, who's land? It's the God of Israel gave the land of Israel to the people of Israel forever. That's, I think, the simplest way of understanding what the scriptures have to say. Uh, disobedience would cause God to drive them from the land as a discipline. But then whenever God brings the people back, it is by right, because that is the land that God gave to the Jewish people.

Yeah. So but anyway there there you go. That's what it was. Uh, listen, the Bible says that the title of the land was given to the Jewish people. Uh, the way I put it in this book I wrote once called understanding the Arab-Israeli conflict, when under the question, who's land? It's the God of Israel gave the land of Israel to the people of Israel forever. That's, I think, the simplest way of understanding what the scriptures have to say. Uh, disobedience would cause God to drive them from the land as a discipline. But then whenever God brings the people back, it is by right, because that is the land that God gave to the Jewish people.

Thank you for that question and that answer. Doctor Adeleke, we do have another listener, Norris from Miami. Thank you for joining us. Can you ask your question briefly here to Doctor Melnick?

Thank you for that question and that answer. Doctor Adeleke, we do have another listener, Norris from Miami. Thank you for joining us. Can you ask your question briefly here to Doctor Melnick?

Um, yes. Good morning to everyone. Uh, my question is, I hear a lot of Christians nowadays saying, um, they don't know that they are sinning. Um, but I don't understand that because one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of sin. So when when I hear the Christians say they don't know they're sinning, is that like a cover up for, you know, for them to continue doing what they want to do or like an excuse, you know, because if I sinned, I know that I've sinned because he you know, God's word shows that you know, you, you're sinning, you're going against the word. And he doesn't know to do good and does not. It's in.

Um, yes. Good morning to everyone. Uh, my question is, I hear a lot of Christians nowadays saying, um, they don't know that they are sinning. Um, but I don't understand that because one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of sin. So when when I hear the Christians say they don't know they're sinning, is that like a cover up for, you know, for them to continue doing what they want to do or like an excuse, you know, because if I sinned, I know that I've sinned because he you know, God's word shows that you know, you, you're sinning, you're going against the word. And he doesn't know to do good and does not. It's in.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So first of all, the Holy Spirit passage that you're talking about is in John 16 verses seven through 11, I believe the Holy Spirit will convict us of sin, righteousness, and judgment. However, that's really talking about people before they come to know the Lord. That's part of the process of bringing someone to know the Lord sin. The Lord Jesus says, uh uh uh, because they do not believe on me is the way he put it. So it's obviously people who are not yet believers righteousness because I go to the father. In other words, you're not righteous enough to stand before the father, but I am and, uh, uh, judgment, because the Satan has been judged and therefore people will be judged. So that's talking about people who aren't believers. I do think the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and convicts us of sin even after we come to know the Lord. But I do think it's not an automatic. There are times where you may do something wrong, and it takes a brother or a sister to come and say, hey, this was something that was, uh, handled inappropriately. And we, we if we're open, we listen. And as a result, the person might say, yes, that was wrong. Now, there are things that are just clear, uh, where people may not, uh, we'll know automatically that they're sinning. Uh, I don't think we're obtuse or stupid. People realize when they're sinning. But there may be things that are, uh, maybe on on the boundary line. Not sure. And as a result, uh, or we may be doing things without even thinking. And, uh, afterwards, the Holy Spirit will speak to us, but maybe not right away. Maybe someone else will speak to us and we'll consider it and say, yes, that was right, and I was wrong. And and then we'll consider it that way. So I think it's possible, but I don't think that, you know, when someone says, I don't think cursing is a sin. I don't think lying's a sin. They're deceiving themselves, is what they're doing.

So first of all, the Holy Spirit passage that you're talking about is in John 16 verses seven through 11, I believe the Holy Spirit will convict us of sin, righteousness, and judgment. However, that's really talking about people before they come to know the Lord. That's part of the process of bringing someone to know the Lord sin. The Lord Jesus says, uh uh uh, because they do not believe on me is the way he put it. So it's obviously people who are not yet believers righteousness because I go to the father. In other words, you're not righteous enough to stand before the father, but I am and, uh, uh, judgment, because the Satan has been judged and therefore people will be judged. So that's talking about people who aren't believers. I do think the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and convicts us of sin even after we come to know the Lord. But I do think it's not an automatic. There are times where you may do something wrong, and it takes a brother or a sister to come and say, hey, this was something that was, uh, handled inappropriately. And we, we if we're open, we listen. And as a result, the person might say, yes, that was wrong. Now, there are things that are just clear, uh, where people may not, uh, we'll know automatically that they're sinning. Uh, I don't think we're obtuse or stupid. People realize when they're sinning. But there may be things that are, uh, maybe on on the boundary line. Not sure. And as a result, uh, or we may be doing things without even thinking. And, uh, afterwards, the Holy Spirit will speak to us, but maybe not right away. Maybe someone else will speak to us and we'll consider it and say, yes, that was right, and I was wrong. And and then we'll consider it that way. So I think it's possible, but I don't think that, you know, when someone says, I don't think cursing is a sin. I don't think lying's a sin. They're deceiving themselves, is what they're doing.

Mhm.

Mhm.

Because God's word is that straight stick for us. That's where we say, okay, how do I need to live. What do I need to do. How do I conduct myself? It's not how we feel, it's what God's Word says, which is why we wanted to talk to you at the start of this new year about getting into God's Word. And in fact, I saw an acronym that you put out on your Facebook page that says, I'm getting into studying the Bible. We need to put our specs on. What did you mean by that?

Because God's word is that straight stick for us. That's where we say, okay, how do I need to live. What do I need to do. How do I conduct myself? It's not how we feel, it's what God's Word says, which is why we wanted to talk to you at the start of this new year about getting into God's Word. And in fact, I saw an acronym that you put out on your Facebook page that says, I'm getting into studying the Bible. We need to put our specs on. What did you mean by that?

Uh, that's something I learned from Doctor Howard Hendricks. If you remember that name I had, he was my prof over 40 years ago for 46 years ago. It's hard to believe, uh, for Bible study methods. And one of the things he said is always be practical when you're reading the Bible to see what our response should be and you need to put on. We all need to put on our specs when we are reading the Bible. What does that stand for? A statement of truth to believe. Is there a statement of truth in this passage? Like someone said, well, what about Philippians two? We have to believe in the incarnation. Right there that God became a man. So Philippians two would be a good example when you're reading that a statement of truth. And then secondly, a promise to claim, is there a promise in this passage that I can claim? Uh, is there an example to follow or a command to obey or a sin to avoid? So those are the things that we're looking for and that really keeps it practical. We're not just reading for content, we're reading for application. We want to see what it is that we should do when we read the Bible. So statement of truth promise to claim example, to follow command to obey or sin to avoid. That's a pretty good way of reading the Bible and keeping it practical. I'll tell you the bigger problem, Bridget, is getting people to read the Bible. That's.

Uh, that's something I learned from Doctor Howard Hendricks. If you remember that name I had, he was my prof over 40 years ago for 46 years ago. It's hard to believe, uh, for Bible study methods. And one of the things he said is always be practical when you're reading the Bible to see what our response should be and you need to put on. We all need to put on our specs when we are reading the Bible. What does that stand for? A statement of truth to believe. Is there a statement of truth in this passage? Like someone said, well, what about Philippians two? We have to believe in the incarnation. Right there that God became a man. So Philippians two would be a good example when you're reading that a statement of truth. And then secondly, a promise to claim, is there a promise in this passage that I can claim? Uh, is there an example to follow or a command to obey or a sin to avoid? So those are the things that we're looking for and that really keeps it practical. We're not just reading for content, we're reading for application. We want to see what it is that we should do when we read the Bible. So statement of truth promise to claim example, to follow command to obey or sin to avoid. That's a pretty good way of reading the Bible and keeping it practical. I'll tell you the bigger problem, Bridget, is getting people to read the Bible. That's.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, you know, and as we open his word, you know, you were talking about the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin. But also he gives us knowledge and wisdom and understanding as we read through Scripture. That's one of the things we should be praying for as we open it each time. Right?

Well, you know, and as we open his word, you know, you were talking about the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin. But also he gives us knowledge and wisdom and understanding as we read through Scripture. That's one of the things we should be praying for as we open it each time. Right?

Exactly. That's why it's this is not like any other book I read. Uh, books like I'll read, I read some Dickens and, uh, over, over the break. Uh, I never asked God to open my eyes to see the truth. You know, I like it, but I don't ask God. But when I open the Bible, every time I pray and ask God to speak to me, not just about the specs, but to teach me what he wants to teach me, uh, and work in my life through it and transform me through his word. And that's what we need to do every time we study the Bible, every time we read the Bible, we need to ask God for help and His spirit to open our eyes. And, uh, I think it's mainly in those areas of obedience that we just talked about the specs, Uh, that the Holy Spirit works in our lives. It's not like all of a sudden, you know, because Mike Vanlandingham and I. You guys know my my friend Mike, right? The other Michael, uh, he sometimes disagrees with me about a passage so he can be wrong, even though the Holy Spirit is not.

Exactly. That's why it's this is not like any other book I read. Uh, books like I'll read, I read some Dickens and, uh, over, over the break. Uh, I never asked God to open my eyes to see the truth. You know, I like it, but I don't ask God. But when I open the Bible, every time I pray and ask God to speak to me, not just about the specs, but to teach me what he wants to teach me, uh, and work in my life through it and transform me through his word. And that's what we need to do every time we study the Bible, every time we read the Bible, we need to ask God for help and His spirit to open our eyes. And, uh, I think it's mainly in those areas of obedience that we just talked about the specs, Uh, that the Holy Spirit works in our lives. It's not like all of a sudden, you know, because Mike Vanlandingham and I. You guys know my my friend Mike, right? The other Michael, uh, he sometimes disagrees with me about a passage so he can be wrong, even though the Holy Spirit is not.

Saying it's wrong. I could be wrong.

Saying it's wrong. I could be wrong.

Yeah, but we're the Holy Spirit is working, is showing us how to apply the scriptures.

Yeah, but we're the Holy Spirit is working, is showing us how to apply the scriptures.

Yeah. I love how you said we read for application and not just for information. Right? We don't just want to gather that. It's how. Lord, do I live out what you are showing me and commanding me and instructing me. And that's why getting into God's Word in this new year is so important. Thank you so much for your encouragement in that way. Any any last word on okay. So we we it's our goal. We want to do it. We actually do it. What will that accomplish in our life in the life of a believer?

Yeah. I love how you said we read for application and not just for information. Right? We don't just want to gather that. It's how. Lord, do I live out what you are showing me and commanding me and instructing me. And that's why getting into God's Word in this new year is so important. Thank you so much for your encouragement in that way. Any any last word on okay. So we we it's our goal. We want to do it. We actually do it. What will that accomplish in our life in the life of a believer?

I have about a minute I think.

I have about a minute I think.

Right. Yes.

Right. Yes.

Okay. Here's this is a lot to say. Here we go. One read consistently every day, about 15 minutes a day. You'll get through the Bible in a year. That's about all you need. About four chapters a day. Even less will get you through the Bible in a year. Uh. The other thing is, mix it up. Don't just start in Genesis and try and work your way through the Discipleship Journal reading plan is on our Facebook page at openline. And also it's just available if you Google it. The Discipleship Journal one. What I one of the ones that they offer that I think is so terrific is it has two passages from the Old Testament and two from the new. And in 25 days a month, you read those and you'll get through the Bible in a year. That's a great program to to use. That's sort of the program that I use. I adapt it every year. But this way you read about 15 minutes a day and you can take Sundays off. You know, you're getting ready for church. Kids are going crazy. So it's only 25 days a month, and it's a terrific plan. And it gets you through the Bible with about four chapters a day. It is. We do things, we watch TV, we read the internet. We waste so much time. 15 minutes a day is the best investment that will make this year. I really want to encourage people to read the word every day.

Okay. Here's this is a lot to say. Here we go. One read consistently every day, about 15 minutes a day. You'll get through the Bible in a year. That's about all you need. About four chapters a day. Even less will get you through the Bible in a year. Uh. The other thing is, mix it up. Don't just start in Genesis and try and work your way through the Discipleship Journal reading plan is on our Facebook page at openline. And also it's just available if you Google it. The Discipleship Journal one. What I one of the ones that they offer that I think is so terrific is it has two passages from the Old Testament and two from the new. And in 25 days a month, you read those and you'll get through the Bible in a year. That's a great program to to use. That's sort of the program that I use. I adapt it every year. But this way you read about 15 minutes a day and you can take Sundays off. You know, you're getting ready for church. Kids are going crazy. So it's only 25 days a month, and it's a terrific plan. And it gets you through the Bible with about four chapters a day. It is. We do things, we watch TV, we read the internet. We waste so much time. 15 minutes a day is the best investment that will make this year. I really want to encourage people to read the word every day.

And if you have questions, you can tune in Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon for Open Line with Doctor Michael Riedel. And one last word, Eric.

And if you have questions, you can tune in Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon for Open Line with Doctor Michael Riedel. And one last word, Eric.

Well.

Well.

You say read. Is it okay to listen on certain days?

You say read. Is it okay to listen on certain days?

Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah, absolutely.

Some people are audio learners. Uh, you know, read listen to it. I listen to books on on recording all the time. Uh, I need to read the Bible to study, but some people need to listen to it to hear better. Uh, I think that's a great thing to do. Uh, get into God's word. Uh, that's the key thing. It'll transform our lives consistently every year. That's the basis for us growing. You know, D.L. Moody used to emphasize, if you want more faith, read the word, because faith comes by hearing and hearing through the Word of God.

Some people are audio learners. Uh, you know, read listen to it. I listen to books on on recording all the time. Uh, I need to read the Bible to study, but some people need to listen to it to hear better. Uh, I think that's a great thing to do. Uh, get into God's word. Uh, that's the key thing. It'll transform our lives consistently every year. That's the basis for us growing. You know, D.L. Moody used to emphasize, if you want more faith, read the word, because faith comes by hearing and hearing through the Word of God.