The word “Berean” popped in my mind out of nowhere a few weeks/months ago.  I was helping my kids do homework and all of a sudden “Berean”. Then it happened again and again. I looked up the only verse in the bible about Berean…..  Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so     I didn’t get it. The verse seemed, at the time, just words to me. Then I kept running into sites and posts with Berean in it! Was there a message in here for me? I just didn’t get it. What do we know about Berea? Berea was part of  Macedonia Greece. We know there were Jewish believers in Berea and they were more open minded and ready to listen than people from other countries. When they heard Paul speak, they listened eagerly. They took the words they heard and searched out the scripture to see if his words were truth. We are told they searched the scriptures daily. They found Paul and Silas’s words to be truth and as a result of this, many Jews believed- even the prominent Greek women and men.           However, when the people in Thessalonica – who were not as open to hearing his message, heard that Paul was preaching in Berea, they went to Berea to stir up trouble and distract the people. My Berean Lesson-   finding new zeal       It’s been weeks since I’ve first heard this word and I think I’ve finally got it!!!  I was on my way to a bible study (or worldly book study –it’s debatable) last night and I saw this verse again. Something in the verse popped out at me: *** they received the Word with an EAGERNESS OR READINESS OF MIND****         I looked up the Greek word and it means: zeal, cheerfulness, eagerness, promptness and  readiness of mind           It reminded me of a runner in starting position at a race- at the starting line, waiting for the whistle to blow. Ready with excitement to win and go forward.     I used to go to a super boring church, their hymnals sounded like the distant monotone sound of the dead. Okay, maybe that‘s not nice, but the entire service would put anyone to sleep. Even though this was true, I would go in prepared with a zealous and good attitude expecting to hear the Word of God and I did. Years have gone by and after going to dead church after dead church, listening to watered down gospel , “tell me what I want to hear gospels” , “church members” living in hate to others and watching forms of ungodliness in youth dances, music and harlem shakes—– I found that I lost that zeal to go to church and studies that I once had. I found more understanding and power spending time with the Lord and studying scripture on my own. Don’t get me wrong, I still go, but I’m not happy on the way.            Last night I was on my way to a bible study and really, I was only going because my sister was the table leader and I wanted to support her and the group. I kept my attitude in check , so no one really knows I’m rolling my eyes with every wrong word I’m listening too. The book they are reading is not biblical at all and the video they play has many questionable things- borderline new age. The last few meetings have been nothing but worldly.  The Power of God is missing because there is no scripture!!! So frustrating.  Anyways, I was about to leave for bible (book) study and waste $9.50 in gas going ( that’s what I was thinking) and I saw on my computer screen a bible verse from a site I accidentally clicked. It was that Berean verse again- in my face- as I was grabbing my keys to leave to meet up with the group…..   Acts 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so  The words popped out at me : Readiness of mind, and eagerness        Okay, I thought, I am going to go in with an eagerness of mind- with a new zeal to find truth and a have new attitude.     With this excitement- as going back to my first love with the Lord- the day was new. I was able to bring biblical truth to my table.  Using some of the worldly things they spoke, I was able to share miracles the Lord has done in my life on some of the subjects they discussed. I listened to the video and was able to pin point unbiblical words and gently and with love mention them- and much to my surprise, there was agreement.  We brought the Word in when the study brought the World in.     I’ve decided to have the zeal, readiness, cheerfulness and eagerness the ancient Bereans had when I go to church and my studies. I will go and search the scriptures to see if the words are truth and will speak out always in defense of the Word. Always in love, encouraging others and being a gatekeeper to God’s word so that all may know the truth.

• I will zealously serve the Lord as Elijah and Paul did. 1 Kings 19:10, Acts 22:3
• I will zealously worship the Lord as the 12 tribes of Israel did Acts 26:7
• I will cloth myself with a new zeal Isaiah 59:17  For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak

Related articles

• What “The Berean Attitude” Is – and Is Not (hindofthedawn.wordpress.com)
• Examine everything (peopleoftheword.wordpress.com)