My grandpa had gold fever. For years he spent his spare moments gold panning at the ‘crick’. I loved to watch him swirl the water in his pan. “There’s gold Grandpa!” I’d shriek at the first sign of shiny gold in the black sand.

“Not yet,” he’d say. “That’s fool’s gold. See how it floats away? The real stuff is heavy and sinks to the bottom.” He patiently washed away the sand until we saw the real gold, clinging to the bottom of the pan. He fished out the flakes and placed them in a tiny glass vial. I held them up to the light in awe. Real gold!

True Gold

The shiny stuff wasn’t the only gold grandpa sought. He considered God’s Word “More to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). Just like he searched diligently for gold, he searched God’s Word and lived it out in his life. His faith was simple. Profound. Real.

He knew the difference between the cheap, changeable opinions of this world and the true gold of godliness. There was no fool’s gold in his faith.

Finding Gold

Our world today is filled with conflicting voices. Real news. Fake news. Atheistic philosophies. Evangelical zeal. Do you know how to sort it out and find the gold of truth?

Jesus gives us the answer. “The sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10:4-5).

How do we learn to recognize His voice? There is one answer: careful, prayerful study of God’s Word. His Word is the one tool He has given us to wash away the fool’s gold and uncover the real gold of truth. Just like finding real gold, Bible study takes time, patience, and hard work. There are no shortcuts.

It’s a secret that you and I would do well to rediscover today. Too often we come to God’s Word in a frantic rush and find little more than fool’s gold. Let’s invest time, patience, and hard work in our Bible study so we can uncover the beautiful gold of solid truth.

“Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; for my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold” (Proverbs 8:6-10).

Not sure how to study the Bible for yourself? Read “A God Led Conversation, Practical Principles for Personal Bible Study, part 1” for practical ways to understand the Bible better today.

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When Should the Sabbath be Observed?

Precisely when does the seventh-day Sabbath begin and end? According to modern timekeeping, each day begins and ends at midnight. Is that the time period we should observe as Sabbath? The Bible has a very clear answer.
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Is the Sabbath Worth Keeping?

Mark Forsyth's pursuit of Biblical truth led him to the Sabbath from a jail cell.
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God’s Gift to Families

God desires to bless us abundantly on the Sabbath, but as a family it takes thoughtful preparation and planning to receive those blessings. Here are some practical tips for making Sabbath special for your children.
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Experiencing The Blessing

From the beginning God set apart the seventh-day Sabbath as a special time of rest and fellowship. What is the heart of true Sabbath keeping and how do we honor God’s holy day? The Bible has the answers!
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The Heart of The Sabbath

God took the day off work to pursue His relationship with Adam and Eve. He is just as passionate about His relationship with each of us today. He desires to be our best Friend. Jesus loves us and the Sabbath proves it!
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The Sabbath Solution

We are perpetually tethered to work by our devices. We answer emails and work on projects off the clock. Then we rack up additional screen time scrolling through social media and binge watching our favorite shows. The result—anxiety and depression rates are at all-time highs. Experts are seeking solutions. God has the answer.
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How to be Changed by Bible Study

There’s no use in studying the Bible if it doesn’t have a real-world impact. Take these steps in Biblical application to see definite results in your life from your Bible study.
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Q&A: How do I Receive the Holy Spirit?

Have you ever wondered if you have the Holy Spirit? The Bible promises this gift. Here’s how you can have it...
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James White – Ardent Worker of Christ

James White, co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, dedicated his life to the salvation of others. His life is both an inspiration and a rebuke to any Laodicean Christian.
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