tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80042912052665161752024-03-05T22:26:41.628-06:00ReflectionsAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-72222873660125323122017-08-17T07:00:00.000-05:002017-08-17T07:00:26.866-05:00Love the Word<div style="text-align: center;">
<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 </span></sup>Joyful are people of integrity,<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-1">who follow the instructions of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-119-2" id="en-NLT-15877"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>Joyful are those who obey his laws</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-2">and search for him with all their hearts.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-119-3" id="en-NLT-15878"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>They do not compromise with evil,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-3">and they walk only in his paths.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-119-4" id="en-NLT-15879"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>You have charged us</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-4">to keep your commandments carefully.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-119-5" id="en-NLT-15880"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>Oh, that my actions would consistently</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-5">reflect your decrees!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-119-6" id="en-NLT-15881"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>Then I will not be ashamed</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-6">when I compare my life with your commands.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-119-7" id="en-NLT-15882"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>As I learn your righteous regulations,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-7">I will thank you by living as I should!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-119-8" id="en-NLT-15883"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>I will obey your decrees.</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-8">Please don’t give up on me!</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Psalm 119:1-8</div>
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Psalm 119 is the longest book of the entire Bible, but it really isn't so horrible to read. In fact, the more I read it, the more I love it. Every eight verses is like a stanza of a poem and most verses speak of laws, statutes, decrees, commands, or regulations. I still sometimes wonder how David can say all of that; however, the more time I spend reading the word, I, too, fall in love with it.</div>
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I think we all crave order in some fashion or another. God's commands are not demands as we have a choice to follow them or not. We will suffer consequences if we choose to disobey, but oh the joy when we obey! "Joyful are the people of integrity..." Joyful? Yes, Joyful! I was reminded in a podcast yesterday that joy and happy are not the same thing. Joy is a state and happy is an emotion. When we are in alignment with the Law, there is this state of joy that is actually peaceful and contented. </div>
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You may know someone who has been a Christian a long time that is always grumbly and grumpy. I would ask, then, are they a person of integrity, or a person of rules? Don't ask them and don't judge them, but as a tree is judged by its fruit, you can judge the fruit of the person. Not if they produce apples, but maybe fruit of the Spirit... <span style="color: lime;"><i>love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control</i></span>. There isn't much joy in just being a rule follower, I have been in that category a lot and it actually produced bitterness in me for anyone who did not follow the rules. I couldn't stand to see someone walk outside of the lines!</div>
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So I'm sure it sounds like I'm promoting judging and permissiveness. AGH! That's not what I mean!! Here's the thing. If you're turned off by Christians and don't want to be one because of the dogmatic, bitter rule-follower that you know, I want you to realize that there is so much more to the law than that! Maybe no one you know is a great example, but many of us are trying! I think this section of Psalm 119 actually outlines the right mindset. Follow instructions, obey God's laws, search for Him with all your heart, do not compromise with evil, walk ONLY in His paths, keep His commands, have actions that reflect His law consistently, learn his righteous regulations, thank Him by living as you should, and obey. I love how he closes this stanza, "Please don't give up on me!" This sounds to me like trying to please God and not being dogmatic about the rules.</div>
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Deuteronomy 6:4-6 says, "Listen, O Israel! The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is our God, the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> alone. <span class="text Deut-6-5" id="en-NLT-5068"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>And you must love the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.</span> <span class="text Deut-6-6" id="en-NLT-5069"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today." He says, "must," and must is a strong word! The speaker is Moses. He understands the promise and the consequences. There is an urging and compassion for the people of Israel. Then we come to the New Testament. </span>Jesus says in John 14:15, "<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj">If you love me, obey my commandments." His commandments are not for harm, but for good! It is not something to fear!</span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj">I will leave you with a few verses to meditate on. I would encourage you to look at them in context as well. </span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj">Matthew 5:17 "Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose."</span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj">I John 4:7-8 "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. <span class="text 1John-4-8" id="en-NLT-30572"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love."</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj"><span class="text 1John-4-8"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj">Romans 13:10 "Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law."</span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj">John 3:16 "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."</span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj">John 13:34 "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."</span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj">John 14:21 "Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them."</span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj"></span></span><br />
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj">I John 4:17-19 "And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.</span></span></div>
<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj">
<span class="text 1John-4-18" id="en-NLT-30582"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.</span> <span class="text 1John-4-19" id="en-NLT-30583"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>We love each other because he loved us first."</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj"><b><i><u><sub><br /></sub></u></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-14-15"><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">All quoted scripture is from the New Living Translation unless otherwise specified.</span></i></span></span></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-22464509878866839682016-06-18T12:04:00.001-05:002016-06-18T12:17:48.294-05:00Hospitality<div>I have read this story several times and am so appalled by the end that I miss the beginning. In Judges 19 there is a story of an unfaithful wife who returns home to her parents. She is also called his concubine. He goes to get her and each night her dad begs them to stay just one more night. After 6 nights they go and the night they leave she is raped to death by men from Benjamin and then her husband cuts her into 12 pieces and sends her body to the tribes of Israel to rally them against the men of Benjamin because they are so evil. </div><div>It is a terrible story and I almost just skimmed it this morning, but I read it anyhow. I have no insight and still don't like to read it. But today, I really paused at this part:</div><div><br></div><div>“So they went on, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin. There they stopped to spend the night. They went and sat in the city square, but no one took them in for the night. That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was living in Gibeah (the inhabitants of the place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the fields. When he looked and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?” He answered, “We are on our way from Bethlehem in Judah to a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim where I live. I have been to Bethlehem in Judah and now I am going to the house of the Lord. No one has taken me in for the night. We have both straw and fodder for our donkeys and bread and wine for ourselves your servants—me, the woman and the young man with us. We don’t need anything.” “You are welcome at my house,” the old man said. “Let me supply whatever you need. Only don’t spend the night in the square.” So he took him into his house and fed his donkeys. After they had washed their feet, they had something to eat and drink.”</div><div>Judges 19:14-21 NIV</div><div>http://bible.com/111/jdg.19.14-21.niv</div><div><br></div><div>I think that most of the people in the town must have been afraid at how travelers were treated so they were not hospitable. The old man apparently knew because he told them that they must not stay in the town square. Of such a night I remember reading in Genesis with the 3 visitors and Lot in Sodom and Gamorrah. </div><div>Anyhow, I think about today, there is no such hospitality to strangers. Our culture, our country, is not set up to take people in. When you go to a town of your kinsmen, you don't sit in the center of town until someone takes you in. There is so much "stranger danger" mindset with grown-ups that we wouldn't dare take in someone we do not know. We are the rest of the town. We may choose to give $10 to someone's "fund me" page, but rarely ever to a stranger's. Who knows if they're really in need or just scamming. </div><div>I know that my heart has hardened to giving to those who live off of others' hospitality. It makes me cautious to give to anyone. There will always be poor among you, but you will not always have Me is something Jesus said when anointed with expensive perfume. There will always, I'm guessing, be those who take advantage of hospitality, but the love your neighbor as yourself principle didn't go away. And interestingly when Jesus explained who my neighbor is, He didn't give an example of someone in my family tree or even my same race. He gave an example of hospitality given by a Samaritan. Someone who was detested by those He spoke to, was to be considered a neighbor. </div><div>How do I know if I will be taken advantage of or not? I don't always know, but I can use the discerning brain God gave me to detect a scam. We all know someone who we believe abuses the hospitality of others. When I see it, I get mad, but there is often a child watching and the child sees that people still give and still care. I have also seen a begging child in a third world country who had cash taken away by his handler as soon as they thought the foreigners were out of sight. It breaks my heart, but someone with me reminded me that the child was at least fed by our money.</div><div>I am just rethinking how I can be giving and hospitable. The next time I have an urge to be hospitable, it is likely the Holy Spirit guiding me to be an answer to someone's prayer. I am praying to be more sensitive as to when I should or should not. </div><div><div>“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”</div><div>Hebrews 13:2 NIV</div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-4062164993557100692016-01-01T14:35:00.000-06:002016-01-05T09:06:45.499-06:00ExpectancyAs I prepared a worship set, I was really excited and expectant to see what God was getting ready to do. Later in the day, I heated up a piece of Fried chicken and sat on the couch to eat it. My son's puppy was sitting beside me as I ate it. She was very alert, ears perked up and looking at me with an excited longing. I don't generally share my chicken with her, but she still was expectant in that slight chance that she might get just a morsel. I stand up and she jumps to the floor and starts bouncing around and follows me clear to the kitchen trash where I dispose of the bones and then to the dishwasher as I put my empty plate in there. <br />
I thought of this puppy and her excitement. She does this ALL.THE.TIME! She rarely gets rewarded for her persistence because of her sensitive stomach and my distaste for dog puke, but she still persists with expectancy! WOW! In this scenario, I had a God moment! <br />
How many times have I come before Him with an excited expectancy and things didn't turn out in my favor? Do I come before Him the next time with the same hunger and excitement, or do I bring my doubt with me? After a few times of not getting what I wanted, I lower my expectations. Sometimes I recognize that what I wanted was not good for me, but there are times that I didn't have expectations and what I could have gotten would have been precisely what I need! <br />
This expectancy and doubt cycle can come when praying for a miracle, during worship service, when planning an event, when delivering a message, with personal goals and dreams, or in other situations that I can't think of at the moment. That doesn't give us permission to give up. I want to be like Sadie, the puppy. When there is something that I'm asking/begging for. I want to act as though it were going to be given. If I am passed by, I will just wait until my next opportunity and ask again. One of these times, the timing will be right and I will get that thing and wag my tail all the more! And it really won't just happen once, it will happen over and over, because that is how God works! If I can give good gifts to my children, how much more will God give to His?<br />
Even in a service where I'm not a part of the ministry, I need to go with expectancy because this might just be the moment that God is going to pour out His Spirit upon me and amaze me again! When I am a part of the ministry, I need to not look at the probability of low or high attendance and change my expectancy level accordingly. IF I feel that what I expected wasn't what happened, I can walk away and know that what God poured out will not return to Him without accomplishing what He planned to accomplish. I can say, "Next time!" with enthusiasm!<br />
There are times as well that expectancy goes unanswered and not because it's not time, but because He wants us to push a little harder. I love the story of what we endearingly call, "The persistent widow."<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Matthew 15:21-28 NLT<br />
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21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”<br />
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23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”<br />
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24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”<br />
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25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”<br />
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26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”<br />
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27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”<br />
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28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.</blockquote>
Another scripture has spoken to me as well. In Luke 11, Jesus says that if you go to a friend's house at midnight and ask for 3 loaves of bread, he really tries to brush you off because they are in bed already, but because of persistence, he gives it to you.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Luke 11:8 NIV<br />
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I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.</blockquote>
Both of these people pushed harder to get what they wanted and were rewarded. I want to know when to push and when to release and know that God is God and that is enough. Wherever and whatever the situation, I want to start this year with EXPECTANCY! I don't know what God has in mind. I'm spending this next week praying about goals and "resolutions," but as I do this I don't want to be flippant. I want to be expectant!<br />
<span class="text Luke-11-8" id="en-NIV-25414"><span class="woj"><sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-25414A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25414A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span></span><br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-70589470660296972912015-10-06T14:17:00.003-05:002015-10-06T14:17:58.227-05:00Extravagant ForgivenessThere are two occasions in the New Testament where Jesus was anointed by women with expensive perfume. The latter was just before his crucifixion and He said that He was being prepared for burial. This is recorded in Matthew and Mark. The first anointing was by a sinful woman and it was early on in Jesus' ministry, before even John the Baptist was beheaded. This is recorded in Luke's gospel.<br />
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Luke 7:36-50 NLT<br />
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<span class="text Luke-7-36"><sup class="versenum">36 </sup>One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat.</span> <span class="text Luke-7-37" id="en-NLT-25201"><sup class="versenum">37 </sup>When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume.</span> <span class="text Luke-7-38" id="en-NLT-25202"><sup class="versenum">38 </sup>Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.</span></div>
<span class="text Luke-7-39" id="en-NLT-25203"><sup class="versenum">39 </sup>When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”</span><br />
<span class="text Luke-7-40" id="en-NLT-25204"><sup class="versenum">40 </sup>Then Jesus answered his thoughts. <span class="woj">“Simon,”</span> he said to the Pharisee, <span class="woj">“I have something to say to you.”</span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-7-40">“Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.</span><br />
<span class="text Luke-7-41" id="en-NLT-25205"><sup class="versenum">41 </sup>Then Jesus told him this story: <span class="woj">“A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-7-42" id="en-NLT-25206"><sup class="versenum">42 </sup><span class="woj">But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”</span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-7-43" id="en-NLT-25207"><sup class="versenum">43 </sup>Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”</span><br />
<span class="text Luke-7-43"><span class="woj">“That’s right,”</span> Jesus said.</span> <span class="text Luke-7-44" id="en-NLT-25208"><sup class="versenum">44 </sup>Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, <span class="woj">“Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-7-45" id="en-NLT-25209"><sup class="versenum">45 </sup><span class="woj">You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-7-46" id="en-NLT-25210"><sup class="versenum">46 </sup><span class="woj">You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-7-47" id="en-NLT-25211"><sup class="versenum">47 </sup><span class="woj">“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”</span></span> <span class="text Luke-7-48" id="en-NLT-25212"><sup class="versenum">48 </sup>Then Jesus said to the woman, <span class="woj">“Your sins are forgiven.”</span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-7-49" id="en-NLT-25213"><sup class="versenum">49 </sup>The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?”</span><br />
<span class="text Luke-7-50" id="en-NLT-25214"><sup class="versenum">50 </sup>And Jesus said to the woman, <span class="woj">“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let’s step into the woman’s shoes…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She was
sinful.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">That is all the Bible says.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is no clarification on it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sure we can suppose and some have even given
her sin a name, but we don’t know for sure.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">With her UNNAMED SIN, today, we CAN relate.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This could look a lot of different ways.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prostitution, abortion, fornication of other
kinds, murder, theft, embezzling, stripping, or drug or alcohol addiction.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Those are BIG public sins.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">What if this sin is a little more subtle or
even a sin that is so private that no one knows about it but her, but it is
eating at her.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bitterness, unforgiveness,
or silent rage, maybe she ran out on her children, maybe she was a
habitual liar, or a bully, or had a pornography addiction… the list goes on.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She had
heard of Jesus, but she felt worthless, so the only thing she thought she had
that was worthy of Jesus was this treasure … her dowry … her life savings … she
probably lost all hope of having a normal life so what is the use of having
this expensive perfume.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She had
a yearning to see this Jesus, so she went where she knew He would be.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nearing his presence, she began to weep
uncontrollably.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">At this point no water was
necessary and she didn’t have a cleaning cloth, but she did have her tears and this beautiful
head of hair ... her crowning glory ... the
best, most undefiled thing about her.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">She approaches. She breaks open her best, and pours it on His
feet.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">She weeps more. She kisses … not
in lust or impurity, but holy, worshipful kisses.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">More tears … drying and cleaning the dusty,
dirty feet of the Love she’s never known … with her beloved hair. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She may
hear the conversation above her, but she, seemingly unaffected by it, keeps up
this act of worship for the entire time.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">As she washes Him, He washes her!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He doesn’t consider her untouchable, which makes her weep even
more.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">No righteous person has allowed
her to remain in their presence before, let alone allowed her to touch them, even when her
motives were pure.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">She just wants to
love!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">She really wants to </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">be</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> loved …
rightly.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A friend of mine during a message
once said, “He will kiss even the dirtiest of cheek!”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is nothing about me or you that will
make Jesus turn </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">from</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> us, in fact, He is wooing us even now.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He delights in us!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ephesians 1:5 says, “God decided </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">in advance</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to adopt us
into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is what he wanted to do</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and</span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> it gave him great pleasure</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (NLT, emphasis mine) </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">His presence is drawing anyone who opens
their heart to seek Him.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe you’ve
heard that there would be a teaching or opportunity to meet Jesus, but felt
that you were not worthy of His time.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In ADVANCE He decided that YOU are worth it!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is not an, “Everyone but me,” thing.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">you </span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">thing!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He loves</span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> you</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There
is an allegory in the Old Testament in the book of Hosea.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now the whole book gets pretty deep and is
confusing, but the beginning of the book shares a story of a man named Hosea
and compares that relationship to His relationship with Israel or the People He
LOVES.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hosea was VERY righteous and
esteemed, and God asks him to marry a prostitute.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We’re talking a pure and righteous man
marrying a used up woman.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He obeys, she
runs away and gets pregnant by another man.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He BUYS her back!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He shows her
selfless love!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is an example of the
love that Jesus has for us. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"'When that day comes,' says the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, <span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks">'</span><span class="text Hos-2-16">you will call me "my husband" </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Hos-2-16">instead of "my master."’" </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The price he pays
was 15 pieces of silver, some barley and some wine.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Quite a price to pay for someone who has been
unfaithful and is cheating, even at the moment they are being bought back.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over and over again in the Word, God is redeeming or buying
back or loving back people who don’t think they are worth it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He is still doing that today.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">While human beings may fail to show the true
love of Jesus, He never has quit loving you.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He wants you to just come home and the price He paid was more than 15
pieces of silver.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was His own life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For those of you who have been around the church a while and
know this story particularly, you may have always heard it told about worship
and breaking the alabaster jar as an act of worship to God.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">That’s good, but this is also a redemption
story.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my story.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is your story.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you the one who has never felt wanted by the church,
especially?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Jesus?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you think that He has kept a record of
your past?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He knows that your extreme
forgiveness will bring extreme worship.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Notice that this woman worshiped without singing or playing
a note!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you the one who is in the church and has been on the fringes
because you have felt disqualified by your past?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He decided in advance to bring you into His
family. You delight Him!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you the one who loves Jesus and serves Him faithfully,
but there’s just that one thing that you’ve been holding on to that really
prevents you from coming fully before Him?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember He has been building relationship with you all along and wants
you to come closer, because He knows there’s room!</span><br />
<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Yes, this story is often about extravagant worship, but it is also about extravagant forgiveness! Let Him wash you as you wash Him!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-27986002788851960412015-04-13T09:06:00.004-05:002015-08-26T09:57:32.857-05:00Leave A Mark<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was looking through my blog posts and found several unpublished drafts. This was written in 2013 and never published. I don't know exactly what I was going through at the time, but here it is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A week or so ago, I read a question asking what we believe God is ultimately calling us to. I had a hard time with that. I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now, but haven't considered where I will even be in 5 years. Am I still going to homeschool? Am I still going to teach at church or be a worship leader? Am I even going to keep my unsporting license or will I be back in nursing full-time? I prayed through all of that, but I still don't have an answer to any of those questions. I'm really okay with that, too! Here is what I do know, I am going to leave a mark!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is not a vision of grandeur or a pipe dream. I am going to leave a mark in history during my lifetime. If I happen to have done that already for someone, then great, but my life isn't over and I'm going to do it again and again until I can no longer move or speak. I am not satisfied with just being a piece of wallpaper, I'm going to be a usable vessel. When I leave this world, I don't really even care if my name is remembered or even my face. The mark I desire to leave is a knowing of the Creator of the universe. The One who formed my face and called it lovely. The One who made my voice and desires to hear it speaking and singing praises to Him who is Worthy of all praise! I want to make known Jesus!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">By my actions and by my words, I desire that others will want to know this Jesus, the Word made Flesh. I don't want that they would be turned off to Him because of my hippocracy! I am human, but I want to live what I believe. When others see the best parts of me, I want them to know that it is Him in me. I am not good in my own power. I read a poem to my kids and it took me looking up word to help explain the meaning to them for me to grasp it as well. Wow! It is powerful and reinforces what I've already been contemplating. I will share the last few stanzas here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A PSALM OF LIFE </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lives of great men all remind us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We can make our lives sublime,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And, departing, leave behind us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Footprints on the sands of time;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Footprints, that perhaps another,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sailing o'er life's solemn main,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Seeing, shall take heart again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let us, then, be up and doing,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With a heart for any fate;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Still achieving, still pursuing,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn to labor and to wait.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wow<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">!<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I want to leave footprints on the sands of time! That's my goal. I won't do bizarre stunts so that people will be talking about me. But, if He calls me to do something unusual, I don't want the fear of man to hinder my obedience. I would even be grateful to be a nameless mention, but my action remembered as was the Samaritan woman at the well or the sinful woman who anointed Jesus' feet. Lord, give me words of Life!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I have spoken His words to someone and they hear with their hearts, let it be His voice they hear, not mine. Let my heart not be offended when they do not remember that I was the vessel for the delivery of the message. May I be reminded that I prayed that all glory be to The Lord of Hosts!</span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-26939452129435365802015-04-09T11:22:00.000-05:002015-04-09T11:22:12.766-05:00Drawing Near"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."<br />
That has been on my heart this week and I can't shake it. I actually had it as though it said, "Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you." Jesus didn't say that exact line. While he could have said that, it is not recorded in the gospels. This is a portion of scripture in James 4:8. It is not even the whole verse nor even the whole context. Yes, it can stand alone; however, it has more fullness when looking at the whole context. I'm always amazed when what I thought I knew is only a portion of the fullness of what I can know.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
James 4:1-10 NIV What causes fights and quarrels<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30339A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30339A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30339B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30339B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> within you? <span class="text Jas-4-2" id="en-NIV-30340"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>You desire but do not have, so you kill.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30340C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30340C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.</span> <span class="text Jas-4-3" id="en-NIV-30341"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>When you ask, you do not receive,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30341D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30341D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> because you ask with wrong motives,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30341E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30341E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text Jas-4-4" id="en-NIV-30342"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>You adulterous<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30342F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30342F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> people, don’t you know that friendship with the world<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30342G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30342G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> means enmity against God?<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30342H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30342H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30342I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30342I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Jas-4-5" id="en-NIV-30343"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30343J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30343J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Jas-4-6" id="en-NIV-30344"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:</span><br />
<div class="poetry top-05">
<div class="line">
<span class="text Jas-4-6"> “God opposes the proud</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Jas-4-6">but shows favor to the humble.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="top-05">
<span class="text Jas-4-7" id="en-NIV-30345"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30345L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30345L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup> and he will flee from you.</span> <span class="text Jas-4-8" id="en-NIV-30346"><span style="background-color: purple;"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Come near to God and he will come near to you.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30346M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30346M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup></span> Wash your hands,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30346N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30346N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> you sinners, and purify your hearts,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30346O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30346O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup> you double-minded.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30346P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30346P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Jas-4-9" id="en-NIV-30347"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30347Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30347Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Jas-4-10" id="en-NIV-30348"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30348R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30348R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup></span></div>
<span class="text Jas-4-11" id="en-NIV-30349"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30349S" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30349S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup> Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister<sup> </sup>or judges them<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30349T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30349T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> speaks against the law<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30349U" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30349U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup> and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30349V" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30349V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> but sitting in judgment on it.</span> <span class="text Jas-4-12" id="en-NIV-30350"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>There is only one Lawgiver and Judge,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30350W" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30350W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup> the one who is able to save and destroy.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30350X" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30350X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup> But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?</span></blockquote>
I am not a deep theologian, but from this text it appears that James is speaking to a group of people who are not getting along. James is writing to them and giving them truth and some pointers to overcome these issues. There are battles within them. They ask for things with wrong motives. They are not humble. He says in verse 7 to submit to God and resist the devil. Come near to God and He WILL come near to you (verse 8). Purify your hearts. Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up (verse 10). Don't talk about each other. I believe that out of the overflow of the love you have for Christ, these things will come. <br />
Holiness isn't something to just sign up for and BOOM you got it. It is something to work at. Righteousness is something that comes through seeking the Lord and finding Him. There are struggles. There will be struggles. Jesus was even tempted, and by the Word of God, He overcame. He desires a relationship with us and in light of that relationship, our desires will be drawn toward Him and no other.<br />
I'm doing studies on the Gospel of John and the epistle of I John in my church right now and it seems like there's a theme in the message Jesus gives to His disciples right before His crucifixion in John 13-16 as well as the message in I John. I leave you with a few of these scriptures as well as portions of Isaiah 55. May there be for you Shalom, His peace.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
John 13:34-35 <span class="text John-13-34" id="en-NIV-26665"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">34 </sup>“A new command<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26665AR" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26665AR" title="See cross-reference AR">AR</a>)"></sup> I give you: Love one another.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26665AS" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26665AS" title="See cross-reference AS">AS</a>)"></sup> As I have loved you, so you must love one another.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26665AT" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26665AT" title="See cross-reference AT">AT</a>)"></sup></span></span> <span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">35 </sup>By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
John 14:12-14 <span class="text John-14-12" id="en-NIV-26681"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>Very truly I tell you, whoever believes<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26681S" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26681S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup> in me will do the works I have been doing,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26681T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26681T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.</span></span> <span class="text John-14-13" id="en-NIV-26682"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>And I will do whatever you ask<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26682U" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26682U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup> in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.</span></span> <span class="text John-14-14" id="en-NIV-26683"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
John 15:5 <span class="text John-15-5" id="en-NIV-26705"><span class="woj">“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26705G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26705G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> apart from me you can do nothing.</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
John 15:9-12 <span class="text John-15-9" id="en-NIV-26709"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>“As the Father has loved me,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26709M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26709M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup> so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.</span></span> <span class="text John-15-10" id="en-NIV-26710"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>If you keep my commands,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26710N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26710N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.</span></span> <span class="text John-15-11" id="en-NIV-26711"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26711O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26711O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup></span></span> <span class="text John-15-12" id="en-NIV-26712"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26712P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26712P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I John 2:9-11 <span class="text 1John-2-9" id="en-NIV-30560"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30560U" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30560U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text 1John-2-10" id="en-NIV-30561"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30561V" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30561V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30561W" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30561W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text 1John-2-11" id="en-NIV-30562"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>But anyone who hates a brother or sister<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30562X" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30562X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup> is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30562Y" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30562Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup> They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I John 4:7-12 <span class="text 1John-4-7"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>Dear friends, let us love one another,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30611P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30611P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup> for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30611Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30611Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup> and knows God.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30611R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30611R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text 1John-4-8" id="en-NIV-30612"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30612S" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30612S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text 1John-4-9" id="en-NIV-30613"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30613T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30613T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> into the world that we might live through him.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30613U" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30613U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text 1John-4-10" id="en-NIV-30614"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30614V" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30614V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30614W" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30614W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text 1John-4-11" id="en-NIV-30615"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>Dear friends,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30615X" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30615X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup> since God so loved us,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30615Y" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30615Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup> we also ought to love one another.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30615Z" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30615Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text 1John-4-12" id="en-NIV-30616"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>No one has ever seen God;<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30616AA" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30616AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup> but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Isaiah 55:1,6-9 </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Come, all you who are thirsty,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18742A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18742A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-1">come to the waters;<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18742B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18742B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-55-1">and you who have no money,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-1">come, buy<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18742C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18742C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> and eat!</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-55-1">Come, buy wine and milk<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18742D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18742D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-1">without money and without cost.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18742E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18742E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><div class="poetry top-05">
<div class="line">
<span class="text Isa-55-6" id="en-NIV-18747"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>Seek<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18747T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18747T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> while he may be found;<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18747U" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18747U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-6">call<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18747V" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18747V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> on him while he is near.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-55-7" id="en-NIV-18748"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>Let the wicked forsake<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18748W" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18748W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup> their ways</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-7">and the unrighteous their thoughts.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18748X" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18748X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-55-7">Let them turn<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18748Y" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18748Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup> to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, and he will have mercy<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18748Z" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18748Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup> on them,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-7">and to our God, for he will freely pardon.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18748AA" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18748AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-05">
<div class="line">
<span class="text Isa-55-8" id="en-NIV-18749"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>“For my thoughts<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18749AB" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18749AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup> are not your thoughts,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-8">neither are your ways my ways,”<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18749AC" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18749AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text Isa-55-8"> declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-55-9" id="en-NIV-18750"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>“As the heavens are higher than the earth,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18750AD" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18750AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-9">so are my ways higher than your ways</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-9">and my thoughts than your thoughts.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18750AE" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18750AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></sup></span></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-44633728549697442782014-10-16T11:41:00.002-05:002014-10-16T11:41:57.237-05:00In order, to love Him moreOften I have an idea of what I want to write about and know the title before I begin, but not so this time. I've really been challenged to move up with my relationship with Christ, my husband, my family, and my friends. I was extremely overwhelmed with feeling like a slug a few weeks ago because I was letting selfishness and truly idleness get between me and my husband which outflows into every other area of my life. I was keeping up daily Bible time, but some days it was simply Bible time. I mentioned a week or so ago about a hinge decision that I wanted to make, but follow-through wasn't happening. It's hard to follow through when you never really start.<br />
I went to a women's conference with my church this last weekend and my heart was pretty convicted about things that I need to get straightened out in my life in order of 1. God 2. marriage 3. self 4. family 5. ministry 6. friendships 7. others. Yes, I'm failing to some extent in every area of my life ... so I was thinking maybe I need to lay down ministry things for a while until I've worked the rest out. UH NO! Actually Holy Spirit was gentle with me and spoke to my heart, "If everyone in ministry laid down ministry while they worked out their issues, no one would be left to minister." OK. So I as usual began to mentally come up with how to resolve everything. A scurry of thoughts came to me and beautiful, Kristi Estrada, shared a little thing that she was frustrated about and as she was, I don't remember if questioning God or frustrated or what and God gently told her that He was not working on that area in her yet. It was like an epiphany! No, I realize that I know this deep down, but I cannot fix everything at once. Like when the Israelites were going into the promised land and little by little they took ground. It wasn't like Desert ---- Promised Land, BOOM! No worries! One thing at a time. Actually solving some things help with others and sometimes eliminates a need to fix other things. <br />
A house needs a foundation. A good one. Let me make sure my foundation is right - ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND. Okay! Well since salvation is worked out daily, this is an ongoing process so now I keep this going and because of my love for God, I work on my marriage and my love for my husband is an image of Christ's love for the church. Actually backward, my marriage should be <em>in</em> the image of Christ's love for the church, because that is perfect and ours is not. A healthy marriage will help me with self image. My husband is way more kind to me than I am to myself. I included self separate from marriage and not because I believe that we are separate, we are one. I included it because my husband cannot make me eat right and exercise and like who I am and what I look like. I'm not talking Jezebel adornment, but out of love for those around me, I need to shower and dress appropriately.<br />
So if I am self-confident (not prideful or separate from, or non-reliant on God), have a healthy marriage and a daily relationship with God, the overflow will affect my family. My children will benefit! If I have a strong family, my ministry will be more effective, my friendships will be stronger and even beyond that, my witness will be more effective. To clarify, I am not a paid minister. I have some ministries that I'm involved in or lead, but you don't have to lead anything to have a ministry.<br />
I ask that readers not pick apart and analyze the order in which I listed. This isn't some formula for everyone and I likely will not have to systematically go through each step each time I fail in an area, but I do know that if I'm faltering in #1, I am very weak in the rest of these things. That to me is a non-negotiable number 1. Really, marriage is a non-negotiable #2. The rest are sometimes dynamic, they overlap and change order. I haven't always gotten 1 and 2 right. <br />
Another aspect of having the foundation in Christ is Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 3:16 says, "Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" ESV Father. Son. Holy Spirit. Having one is having all. If we pay attention, Holy Spirit will highlight areas that we need to work on. Recognizing that urging or knowing the right thing to do is not hard, but desiring to follow it is. I KNOW that sometimes I am sensing the Holy Spirit's direction, but I don't want to obey, so I shove it aside and do something else. Even in my darkest years of rebellion, I knew when I was doing wrong and made a choice to do wrong.<br />
So now I look upon my life and recognize that I, in my own power am not able to live even remotely an exemplary life. I can, however, work out my salvation daily and follow His Spirit even when I don't want to. Do I stop and pray every moment before I do anything? No. Do I pray without ceasing? Sometimes my days are a constant prayer, others not. Do I pause and pray when I don't know what to do next? Often. Do I pray when I'm desperate? Pretty much! I am more dependent in desperation than in prosperity and I'm sure many people would say the same. I'm really striving to live by the Spirit and live in an attitude of prayer. I'm learning that sometimes non-action is the correct action. There are times where I'm desperately asking for what I should do and I'm hearing NOTHING! Well, sometimes I just need to understand that, no action is exactly why I'm not hearing anything when I ask what I need to DO. <br />
Let us strive to know the Voice of Truth so that we know when to respond rightly. The enemy is tricky and would love for us to say, "no," to God's voice. The enemy would love to have us think that we are obeying by changing a few words or getting us to argue or fight about trivial things with others who are Christians. The best way of knowing the voice of Truth is to read the Bible for ourselves. When we know the real deal, we will be able to recognize the imitation.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-82176064081516042762014-10-06T14:37:00.000-05:002014-10-06T14:37:50.321-05:00In spite of usThis weekend we watched the Rich Mullins story on Netflix. Rich Mullins was an inspiration to me, I remember when he died thinking that there was so much more for him to do, but God took him home. I was just inspired by his music because it was raw and real. I never followed the artist himself to see what a wreck his life was. God still used him, though. Now as I see parts of my life that are laid bare and pretty ugly, I know that God uses me in spite of my inadequacies and frailty. <br />
I watched a video testimony years ago from a man named John Mulinde. Not sure of the spelling. Several parts of it impacted me, but one thing stands out right now that God worked through John in spite of John and not because of John. I said something similar as our church did an outreach last Saturday. Today it was reflected back to me as I shared that I woke up from a dream where someone was telling me that I'm unfit to be in church leadership anywhere. Many are unfit, but God uses us in spite of us.<br />
This morning I finished a devotional on YouVersion entitled, <u>You Remain - My Personal Wrestling Match With God</u> by Tim Timmons. He challenges readers to meditate on the first part of John 15 for a whole week. <br />
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
John 14:1-8 NIV “I am<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26701A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26701A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> the true vine,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26701B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26701B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> and my Father is the gardener.<span class="text John-15-2" id="en-NIV-26702"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26702C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26702C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> while every branch that does bear fruit<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26702D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26702D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.</span></span> <span class="text John-15-3" id="en-NIV-26703"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26703E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26703E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></span></span> <span class="text John-15-4" id="en-NIV-26704"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Remain in me, as I also remain in you.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26704F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26704F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text John-15-5" id="en-NIV-26705"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26705G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26705G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> apart from me you can do nothing.</span></span> <span class="text John-15-6" id="en-NIV-26706"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26706H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26706H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup></span></span> <span class="text John-15-7" id="en-NIV-26707"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>If you remain in me<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26707I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26707I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26707J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26707J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup></span></span> <span class="text John-15-8" id="en-NIV-26708"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>This is to my Father’s glory,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26708K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26708K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."</span></span></blockquote>
Yay for the pruning... not really, it hurts! So here I am knowing that the good fruit that is coming from God. In spite of me. Thankful for friends who pour out life giving words and walk with me through my depravity.</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-40250557507596325132014-10-01T15:06:00.000-05:002014-10-01T15:07:19.064-05:00Getting StartedThere are so many things in life that we plan to do. From Bible Studies, to diets, to higher education we are always planning the next thing. I am personally planning how to sell some of my handmade goods and starting to work on a healthier lifestyle. I can envision myself exercising and having a small business, but unless I execute these decisions, there is no fruit in planning.<br />
My church began to study a book called, <u>A Life that Wins</u>, by Mike Holt on the first weekend in September. We are reading the book and doing daily studies and small group studies and a sermon series from this book. The first chapter was routine information for any time that we want to make a lasting change in our lives. Though the wording was a little different than other books, the same principles are introduced in most "programs" that will help you get out of a rut. The twist is that in the midst of doing something for yourself, you are encouraged to do a personal outreach as well. This is reaching out to someone that is unchurched to just be a friend and introduce them to a relationship with Christ. I'm so not good at that!<br />
So during that first chapter we were challenged to make a hinge decision for our personal goals. My hinge decision was in the area of fitness. I followed the instructions and wrote out a plan. I made it detailed with the goal, steps toward the goal, deadlines and rewards. I am literally worse off now in week 4 than week 1. I am 4 pounds heavier and much lazier than I was when I started. It's as if a rebellion has risen up within me against getting out of bed in the morning to exercise. When I eat an unhealthy thing, I eat 4 because I already slipped up. The thoughts have welled up within me about not ever really starting in the first place and we're already 4 weeks in and so I might as well coast through the rest. I can lose weight and become fit another day. My unchurched friend is churched after all. I'm teaching our small group and I'm probably the biggest failure in my class.<br />
HAHA! Mike apparently knew I'd feel this way because this week's first lesson, first paragraph says, "It is an important week because at the half-way point of any kind of spiritual commitment you make, fatigue can settle in, the enemy can come against you, and you can either choose to backpedal on your hinge decision or allow it to become permanent in our life." ~Week 4 Day 22 I'm not just backpedalling, I haven't really pedaled anywhere to backpedal from! I am really enjoying the readings in this book and would recommend it to anyone who is curious about it. I feel that there is a richness to different parts of the Word that he brings out. That is not the sole intent of this book, so I'm back in the same place that I land so often. In the middle of a challenge and have missed the mark so far that I'm feeling done.<br />
<h4>
Farmers who wait for perfect weather...</h4>
Last Sunday as our Pastor's wife read a portion of the Bible before offering time, I was triggered by another phrase and looked it up. Yes, I get sidetracked easily! The passage was Ecclesiastes 11:4 "Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest." NLT I've been reading each daily reading of this book with that scripture in mind. I have been meditating on it for the whole week so far.<br />
What is perfect weather? Well for me and the goal of fitness, it usually means the beginning of a week. Monday and not Sunday because we have a different schedule on Sundays than any other day of the week. It means that I'm beginning a new book, devotional or diet kick starter. It means I'm waiting for someone who truly wants to be my partner in accountability is ready at the same time as I am. It means after I make out a better menu and go to the grocery store or get a perfect night's sleep. I can wait and wait for perfect weather, but I will never begin my journey with fitness.<br />
Spiritually speaking, what is perfect weather? When I get my life straightened out first, then I will start on the thing God is calling me to. After I quit smoking I will start going to church. When my friend asks me about church, I will invite them to join me. When I don't have any appointments for a week, I will do a 7 day fast. When I make enough money, I will start to tithe.<br />
Perfect weather is a VERY rare thing. Sometimes it comes along, but I'm married to a farmer and he is a master at this. Even if we get rain that we've been praying for, I will be excited and bring it up with him. It either rained too much (extremely rare), too little, too much wind with it, too quick, not in the right field. I tease my husband often about never being satisfied or being pessimistic, but farmers are more in tune with the weather than most. I was hoping my husband would come home early from corn harvesting last night because of the rain we got the night before, but as soon as the ground was able to hold a combine, he was back in the field to harvest. Bring it in! If a cloudy day or a forecast of rain scared him out of the field, the grain would rot without ever being harvested. If they waited for ideal planting conditions, they may not get the planting done.<br />
Figuratively speaking, there are always situations that would scare us "out of the field." I like to call them reasons, but really they are excuses. There is an old hymn that say, "Just as I am..." God does take us just as we are. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." NIV It doesn't say that when the weather of our lives is perfect, His death is for us. Truly, if we were to try to be good or do good without His grace or Holy Spirit, we would be unsuccessful. Sure, back in week 1 the weather for me was more perfect because as a linear thinker actually starting something in the middle of the process. Regardless, I need to make today my starting point or else I will never start.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-31933477115250710522014-04-12T11:26:00.001-05:002015-04-09T10:09:56.827-05:00Why we didn't showThere are certain times of year my family chooses to stay home and this is one of them. It started over 11 years ago, that much I am sure of because my husband and I struggled with infertility. We were learning about the feasts of the Bible and decided to look into the meaning of "Christian" holidays. We discovered the fertility goddess who is known by multiple names: Ishtar, Estera, Ashoreth, Ashera, and probably other forms including Easter. There are many resources that say various things that we have reviewed through the years and they say similar things about the practices that revolve around the celebration and worship if this goddess. <br />
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If one would look her up they would see that she in some form fell from the sky in an egg in the area of the Euphrates river. There are several variations of a story about people having orgies around her shrine or in her honor and one particular one shares that those impregnated during this celebration would return the next year and sacrifice these 3 month old infants to the goddess. Some references go as far as to say they took eggs and dyed them in the blood of the infants to make the original Estera Egg.</div>
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As a woman who'd had at least one miscarriage of three at the point of reading this, I vowed then never to dye another Easter egg. The whole idea actually repulsed me and still does. I chose to trust The Living God, Jehovah, YHWH to give me children and have nothing to do with Easter celebrations. My husband was in full agreed and actually was a partner in this research. We came to the same conclusion at the same time. </div>
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In fact, our church body had been doing research on holidays and little by little collected pieces of information on several celebrations such as Halloween and Christmas that changed the way we celebrated. At the same time that we learned about those things we began researching the feasts of the Bible and started celebrating them. Anyone who would argue that we are just replacing "fun" holidays with the feasts actually have it backward. As culture changed, people began to forget the feasts and call them a Jewish thing and started embracing other seasonal celebrations. It didn't start as an intent to worship idols, but to have a party. I don't think most people who celebrate some of these holidays are intending to worship idols, but are just enjoying a celebration. </div>
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My family DOES celebrate resurrection and Christ's birth, but we also celebrate Passover, the feast of dedication (Hanukkah), Purim, Sukkot, Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashannah. I believe that Jesus came to fulfill the feasts of the Bible and learning about the feasts helps us to know Him better. No, it is not required for Gentiles and no, we don't celebrate like the Jews or have week long celebrations. We study them and have small celebrations. We are ever learning and considering what, who and why we celebrate. We have raised our two children without trick or treating, without the Easter Bunny and without Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy or leprechauns. They are doing just fine.</div>
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We have since moved to an area where we would find a new church and have gone to the one that we believe God called us to. It is different in many ways from our former church and some of them are very good for us as a family. Others are hard to adjust to, but when God calls you to be a part of a "family," you can't leave the family because you don't agree with 100% of the things they do. When the kids had a costume party in October, we stayed home that night. When they have Easter Egg Hunts, we just don't participate. It sounds like we are just cold and don't consider the entire thing, but it is a big deal and we choose as a family and talk to our children about the choice and give them an opportunity to say everything they want even if they think we won't like it.</div>
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This year I would say has to be the most difficult one for me personally. The church is putting on an outreach to evangelize, which is what it is every year. This year's is in a different location than before to accommodate larger crowds and bring in more people. The goal is to minister to the community and present the Truth about The Ressurrection. There are many fun activities planned and when it was first announced I was very conflicted. I pictured where I could be used, but did not sign up as I needed to pray about the whole thing. My daughter wanted to go in hopes to win a new bike and we needed to make a decision so we could talk with our kids. My husband and I discussed, prayed and researched.</div>
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I have been reading in 2 Kings and one king would come and cut down the Ashera poles, the next would allow them to be re-erected, the next would cut them down. Those that cut them down pleased The Lord. I didn't find a place where they went to the Ashera celebrations and converted people to follow God. Also as we researched and again found Ashera and Easter are the same, I could not justify in my heart participating in that ministry event. Easter wasn't even celebrated in the US for it's first 100 or more years. Additionally, there have been a few people from foreign countries who know my husband is a Christian and they've asked him why we in America celebrate Easter the way we do. Other cultures see that the eggs and bunny and other various holiday symbols are not Christian. They recognize that Easter and resurrection are 2 completely separate things.</div>
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Even though my husband and I had settled to follow through with the convictions we've held for over a decade we still needed to have our family discussion. My daughter was more interested in winning a bike than going to the egg hunt. My son was indifferent. We agree that we support our church and if we were directly asked, we would assist with portions that we need to for our church to succeed. We also agree that no one in our church is there to worship the goddess, but hope to plant the seed of Jesus into participants. Why not us? Our family feels that to do this would be to compromise our convictions. </div>
Some friends and family will never understand our decision and may even judge us and I can live with that. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I enjoy being asked to help even when I can't, but this year, knowing our convictions, we were not approached. For a brief moment, it felt like rejection, but it was actually respect. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We especially want to engrain in our children the Biblical holidays and not their alternatives. Each family must choose what they will. If this post gives you a greater conviction to evangelize Easter, then great, do it. Mostly I would like people to understand why they choose what they choose and not just make a choice because that is what they've always done. I did that again this year. This article from Answers In Genesis gives more historical background. </span><a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/04/26/symbols-easter-pagan" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/04/26/symbols-easter-pagan</a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-5263002363919651492013-11-11T01:23:00.002-06:002013-11-11T01:35:37.258-06:00Searching for Significance: A journey in thought and prayerSearching for significance<br />
Is it approval? Is it significance? What do I seek when among friends? Do my stories need to be greater, funnier, or even told to be counted a friend or active participant in a group? How can one who laughs and carries on feel lonely in the laughter?<br />
Knowing you've over-stepped the boundaries of comfortable you try to withdraw. That not being an option, you try to cover it up, blending insecurity with not so funny tales. Sympathetic laughter echoes in the hollowness of the soul closed off. Heart discussion cut off as you listen half-heatedly to another baring their soul and receiving the same response from you as you perceived from them. <br />
Talking, laughing, preparing what you will say next, not even in reply. Listening, listening, who is listening. We have not been listening. ALONE with your thoughts in a crowded room. Who will hear MY thoughts, MY desires. Who will agree? What if no one takes MY position? Well, there is the problem. . . The overstepped boundaries were not with those in the room. They were with The Uncreated One.<br />
My righteousness turned into my rightness. Justified by a sense of knowing Truth. Most men know truth, but walking in Truth is altogether different. Isolation that is self-made by the self-righteous one walking around without a thought of others and at the same time worrying about what others think of me.<br />
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude (Psalms 39:4, 5 NLT)<br />
Let me again die to self. Let me find peace in You! That is where my significance lies. Eternity awaits! <br />
Walking in step with You and following You brought me to these beloved friends. Reading your Word and letting it roll off the barrier of me that I've erected rather than allowing it to penetrate my heart is not working. Walking within this place of self is lonely. Hide me in You!<br />
If I have that assurance that You have gone before me and I haven't drug You along as an afterthought, I will be at ease. If at that time I am to walk in solitude from this world, I will be contented in knowing that the One who matters is my Guide. I trust You! I cling to You! I am not alone! And You have provided those who will walk alongside me in this life because You love me. I'm forever indebted to You, my Breath, my Joy, my Savior.<br />
Thank You for the breakthrough in this obstacle! Take me to the next level! Help me to obey on each step of the journey! In Your beautiful Name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-75772388108513028842013-10-25T01:30:00.001-05:002014-10-02T14:55:38.533-05:00Kingdom Principle: Give and It Shall Be Given Unto You<div style="font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes I over share, and tonight as a miracle happened in our home, I initially blamed myself for my open mouth problem. Where to begin...?</span> </div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">In my over-sharing even now, I don't want to give the impression that we are without met needs. There are just times when we over-spend and have several lines of credit that have payments that eat up a bigger portion of our budget than is comfortable. Rather than neglect our obligations, we cut out luxuries. We don't eat out. We reuse leftover food and make creative second meals. We buy flour, sugar, eggs and oil to make homemade junk food. We don't go bowling or on joy rides in the car. We drive the car rather than the newer and nicer pickup for fuel economy... Basic budget cuts. We are not going to even be without heat or food, we just simplify our lives. Actually, it's good for us.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Now in the past few weeks I tried to sell a few things to make a little extra cash, but it worked out that it was a very little amount of $5. I knew in my heart that I was supposed to give some money for something that I could have asked someone else to cover easily. Today was the day and I showed my husband ... It wasn't very much, and he said, "You're the one who knows how much money we have." I replied that I really wasn't sure what we have, but it's the right thing to do.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">I shared with a group of friends a little about Kingdom finance tonight and that He takes care of things in a way we don't understand. In that I shared that we don't have extra money to seed into a project right now and that we ate deer stew and it told my kids it was part of our lessons for school about early colonies. This is true, but I had other food to eat too in the freezer and shelves. I'm just being conscious of wasting as little as possible right now. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;">Our meeting is over, my husband gave the money and got home first to find an envelope on our door with money in it... Anonymous. He called me to tell me and immediately I felt guilty. I told him that I should not have said what I said. We have everything we need. Then he reminded me that I gave and said, "it's the right thing to do." What I gave wasn't much at all and what I received was more. Yes, I'm overwhelmed by the goodness of God right now. Am I so proud as to believe that my rambling speech moved someone more than God could? Anonymous also means it could have been from someone who had no idea that I said those words, no idea I was talking about Kingdom finance tonight among other things. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;">Is it important to know who and why? No! I just need to trust that for whatever reason, God showed me a tangible sign that what I spoke was Truth. I am an ambassador of Christ, and the finances for an ambassador come from the Kingdom that sent him or her. It doesn't have to make sense. I am thankful to my God and to whoever was so stirred as to obey Him. This proves to me and hopefully others that He cares about the tiniest details of our lives. He also takes notice of our tiny acts of obedience. While I give God the credit for this testimony, I did ask Him to bless the giver with 10 times as much as they gave. If the giver is reading this and receives that blessing, they will have a great testimony as well!</span></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-28901858556902532352013-10-04T06:00:00.000-05:002017-10-10T23:07:58.951-05:00The Battle Between Good and Evil.<div>
I found this in my blog history from 2013 and I never published it. I'm not sure why I didn't then, so I'm going out on a limb and publishing it today. </div>
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It seems another victory is on the horizon from the opposing team if we don't step up and take action. The opposing team darkness, the home team, Light. The occasion is Halloween, All Hallows' Eve, beggars night. The winning strategy... Division in the Church.<br>
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Halloween has never been celebrated in my home since my marriage. It was really no big deal to just quietly bow out of festivities. We've helped out with fall festivals and alternatives, but our family conviction has deepened over nearly 18 years of marriage. The past 10 years with children were the first to draw questions as we never dressed up our babies. For the most part, people are very gracious when I give the simple answer that we don't participate. When people offer things to my children, we accept the treats and make a decision on what to do with the items, usually candy.</div>
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Enough about what I do. That isn't why I feel compelled to write. Anyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ is a target of this particular attack from the enemy of our souls. It does not matter how you spend October 31 and the surrounding days. It is our attitude toward other Christians regarding their choice that has become a foothold for Satan. </div>
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Since the beginning of the Christian church, there have been arguments about how Christians should worship or act. This is where denominations come from. In the beginning of America, groups of people were fleeing from European countries in hopes to have freedom in worship. Some sought gold and some adventure, but Quakers, separatists, pilgrims, saints came here seeking this freedom. Now we have it, and we live and move and have our being in Him.</div>
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I know how I feel and am drawn to blogs and articles and posts on Facebook to support my point of view. I also read a blog recently that is not my stance, but I saw her point ... at people like me as wrong and disobeying the Bible. I confess I felt a little offense rise up in me. It wasn't her choice that got me, but her statements about people who disagree with her. Something my dad said on Facebook reminded me of her statements and I was becoming angry at a lot of things. I won't share all of that right now. </div>
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With encouragement of a friend, I began to seek The Lord for His wisdom. Every thread about Halloween on Facebook pages of Christians is full of comments from every angle. Evangelizing, having nothing to do with it, just having fun, safe alternatives, breaking the darkness, and other views are not just shared, but are turning into fiery debates. Many sides of the argument giving scripture to support.</div>
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One Christian might say that because their church didn't have an alternative event, they are going somewhere else. Another would say that because their church allowed costumes, they're going somewhere else. Here goes the church hop which is a sign of division and all over what? Halloween. The holiday where the majority of Christians on all sides of the argument end the argument with, "What's the big deal about it?" One writer says that apparently it's a bigger deal than you think if it gets you riled up enough to take sides. Although I don't remember the topic of discussion in which that statement was made, I suggest it applies here.</div>
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We as Christians judge other Christians. You may say, "Not me!" I say, "Yes, you!" If not about Halloween, about Christmas, if not about Christmas, about worship style, if not about that about how they spend money and the list goes on and on and on... The Bible tells us to,"judge not." Amazingly, that is a Bible phrase almost every Christian can spout out in times of need. I'm finding that I use it most when I am offended. I would dare to say that we Christians are more understanding of non-Christians, than we are of other Christians who don't act they way we do.</div>
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I offer a challenge for Christians regarding Halloween today and whatever offends you about other Christians tomorrow. We know what we believe, let us take it to The Lord as a matter of prayer. Holy Spirit will give your heart peace or convict you and guide you. Search the scriptures for yourself and let God speak to you through them. Challenge your friends to do the same. Then TRUST that your friends have done the same even if they come to a different understanding than you. If you can have healthy discussions with friends, then do that. Each of you may discover something you didn't consider. Know why you made your choices.</div>
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What my family does this year is not going to look a lot different than previous years, BUT I understand that God doesn't call everyone to look the same. A public minister that I've followed for years had teachings that lined up with my beliefs about Halloween and they made a dramatic change this year. I don't agree with it completely and, yes, I became offended. This minister prays faithfully and this change is what God spoke to them. I have to trust that the change was made in obedience and I need to show this person love, not contempt. <br>
There are plenty of battles that to fight, so please don't fight your own team, your family, the body of Christ. Let's listen to the Holy Spirit, know the real enemy and fight together! </div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-25797501626919015332013-08-20T17:09:00.001-05:002013-08-20T17:10:38.132-05:00SlingshotRecently, I was given the opportunity to lead worship at a conference with invitees from my entire state. I have never led worship in that setting before. I've traveled with other teams and worshiped in other towns, but it has always been under the covering of another worship leader. I am confident in the anointing of worship leader, but this was a different responsibility level than I've ever had before. I've been in a lead role less than a year and though I've been trained for such things, my confidence was a bit shaky for this time.<br />
A few weeks before the conference, I was really questioning the Lord. "Why me?" I am not a school trained musician. I have never taken piano lessons. I do know how to chord, but in over 10 years one would think my skill level would have improved more significantly. I was in my garden telling God about my inadequacy, especially in the keyboarding skills that I have (or lack). I have never heard God speak in an audible voice, but I do recognize when He speaks to me. He spoke very clearly to my heart, "<i>Your keyboard is your slingshot.</i>" That was all, but it was enough.<br />
I spent quite some time pondering that statement. My keyboard is my slingshot. Through time in the Word and time of meditation on Him, I have come to understand what He meant. A slingshot in my hands really is insignificant. Even Goliath thought a slingshot was insignificant in David's hands, when he was still alive to think. He taunted saying that Israel thinks he is a dog coming at him with sticks. <u>That slingshot was the tool that God gave David for that moment to accomplish His purpose!</u> It may look insignificant, but it was the exact tool that God wanted used.<br />
My keyboard has sat in different rooms of my home and gets dusty, it is scratched up and one of the keys works when it feels like working, but it is significant in my hands because God said so. Period. I still do not have refined skills. Last Sunday leading worship, I made so many mistakes on it that I lost count. I still pressed into Him. In my weakness He is strong! This tool that may seem insignificant accomplished the purpose that God designed for that conference. I believe it is a lasting Word for me too, His purpose didn't end with that conference. When I am in doubt, I still have His Words to me in my heart. I don't naturally come up with encouraging words for myself. I usually hear the voice of the enemy as my own voice telling me that I am not good enough. I know that I couldn't have thought this up on my own. I wasn't even studying David. I was reading Genesis and Judges at the time.<br />
Here's the thing now. I believe that God is speaking to hearts right now. He has given others a tool or tools that may seem insignificant. A drawing pencil, a computer, a pair of scissors, a football, or a garden rake may seem insignificant, but if God put it in your hands and tells you to use it, it is significant. It is your slingshot. You may not hear His voice, but say you were just drawing a cartoon and someone calls you up and asks if you can help them illustrate a Sunday School lesson. You realize that it is for a higher purpose. That is your slingshot. It may not be as big as a state wide conference or it may be bigger! I don't know, but if He put it in your hand and gave you an opportunity to use if for His glory, it is significant!<br />
I am still a nobody who just wants to be faithful to His Kingdom purpose. My name is not on the lips of many. Very few people have been or will ever be in a service where I lead worship and yet I may travel the world. I just want to be available and go where He sends me. I don't even know how His purposes were accomplished through my keyboard and I may never in this life know, but I believe they were.<br />
Are you ready to pick up your slingshot and use it?Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-17878222100533175092013-06-03T13:31:00.001-05:002013-06-03T13:31:46.919-05:00Thought for the day June 3, 2013I just experienced a moment with my kids arguing. I tried to single one out to discuss the issue and correct it, but the other consistently yelled at the other telling them how wrong they were. this condemning was so loud that it was not easy to hear my voice and correction. We dealt with the whole thing. <div>I reflect now on my brothers and sisters in Christ. I thought, "I bet Heavenly Father deals with this too." Sometimes if I see an issue with a "brother or sister," I can bring it to their attention, but the correction is not necessarily mine to handle. I need to make sure my rebuke isn't so hefty that they are distracted from the Voice of correction they really need to hear. I can intercede on their behalf to Father, even tattle to Him, but if I am obedient I will likely do more praying for them than yelling at them.<div><br></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-87267809562684480132013-04-10T15:32:00.000-05:002013-04-10T15:33:21.025-05:00Basic Bible Study - ConclusionPrevious Lessons<br />
<a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-1.html">Part 1</a> - Parts of the Bible <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-2.html">Part 2</a> - Bible Translations, Paraphrases and Reading Plans <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-3.html">Part 3</a> - Bible Footnotes and Maps <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-4.html">Part 4</a> - Digital Bible Study <a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-5.html">Part 5</a> -Journals <a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-6.html">Part 6</a> - Highlighting and Noticing Patterns <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-7.html">Part 7</a> - Application using 5 W's <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/03/basic-bible-study-part-8.html">Part 8</a> - Application of the Bible <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/03/basic-bible-study-part-9.html">Part 9</a> - Topical Bible Study <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/04/basic-bible-study-part-10.html">Part 10</a> - Basic Word Study<br />
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Part 11 - Wrapping it up<br />
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Hopefully all who have read these lessons or studied live with us have been able to glean at least something from our lessons. We started by learning the very basics and went through to learning how to do a word study by going to the original language of the Bible. This study only scratched the surface of the ways one can study the Bible.<br />
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Another method that we discussed briefly in class is the S.O.A.P. method of study. Start with SCRIPTURE where you write down that scripture. Then comes OBSERVATION where you take note of the observations you've made about the scripture. Next is APPLICATION where you discover how to apply the scripture. Last is PRAYER where you ask for God's help to apply the scripture to your daily life.<br />
The main objective that I would have for you is that you begin to at least read the Word of God for yourself. Starting this is key. I hope now you feel you have a place to start.<br />
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All of the lessons in this study go hand in hand with each other. Maybe you'll use lesson 6 and 8 togehter. Maybe you will use 3 and 6 and 9 in the same study. There are many combinations and many methods. There are also some resources that we talked about in our classroom that haven't been on the blog. One of those is <a href="http://amzn.com/0736916547">The Bare Bones Bible Handbook</a> by Jim George. There is also <a href="http://amzn.com/0310257204">Halley's Bible Handbook</a>. There are so many Study Bibles available as well with great commentary. Some of them are interest-based like the Worship, Spirit Filled Life, Life Application, Student, Archaeological, and version-based Study Bibles. Those just name a few.<br />
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I end with a list of tools you can use to study the Word of God on your own. Please do not forget that we need each other as well. Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."<br />
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Maps</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->YouVersion</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->E-sword</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Other Digital Bibles</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Journal</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Bible Study Helps books/Handbooks</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Noticing Patterns</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Symbols with different personal meanings</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Strong’s Concordance</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->1828 Webster’s Dictionary or other reliable
dictionary</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->In-Bible Concordance</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-80096400627191827632013-04-03T16:27:00.000-05:002013-04-03T16:31:51.672-05:00Basic Bible Study - Part 10Previous Lessons<br />
<a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-1.html">Part 1</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-2.html">Part 2</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-3.html">Part 3</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-4.html">Part 4</a> <a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-5.html">Part 5</a> <a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-6.html">Part 6</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-7.html">Part 7</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/03/basic-bible-study-part-8.html">Part 8</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/03/basic-bible-study-part-9.html">Part 9</a><br />
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Lesson 10.0 Basic Word Study</div>
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This week we will learn a very basic form of word study. A word study is when you find a word from the
Bible and look it up in its original Hebrew or Greek.</div>
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Let’s first review a few points. The Old Testament was originally written in
Hebrew/Aramaic and the New Testament was written in Greek. There have been many translators who’ve
translated the Bible into English as well as other languages and none of the
translations are “purer” than others because the word “love,” for example,
encompasses several different original Bible words so sometimes we need to know
the Bible word that was originally written to mean love if we want a better
understanding of the text. </div>
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We don’t have to rely on scholars or teachers to give us
this information, the tools are available to us at the library and at church
and at the bookstore. We just need to
know what to look for. There is
something called a Greek Lexicon or a Hebrew Lexicon and they are valuable
tools; however, for the average Bible student they go very deep and you have to
understand the Greek or Hebrew alphabets to be able to use them. If you’d like more information on these,
you’ll have to seek out that information and it is out there, but it will be a
significant investment of your time.</div>
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One of the simplest ways to do a word study is with a King
James Bible and Strong’s Concordance.
The Strong’s concordance was made specifically to give definition to
every word used in the King James translation.
You will notice that the word, “cometh,” is not in the NIV. There are concordances written for other
translations as well, but the Strong’s has been proven and used for many
years. Another tool that is good to use
with the Strong’s Concordance is a Webster’s Dictionary that was published in
1828. Why that year? That was the year that the King James Bible
was first written, so in order to understand the definitions of the period, we
need a dictionary of that period. One of
the words in the KJV is “thong.” Today’s
definition is not the same as the previous.
John was saying that he wasn’t worthy of untying Jesus’ sandals … it had
nothing to do with undergarments. While
that example may be humorous, there are others that could make our
understanding of His Word a little skewed.</div>
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The first step in doing a word study is finding the word
you’d like to search out. </div>
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Let’s start with just one verse. Isaiah 55:6 KJV “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call
ye upon him while he is near.” </div>
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If we open the
concordance to MAIN CONCORDANCE, there are headers on the left upper corner of
the left page and right upper corner of the right page just like a
dictionary. </div>
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We will start with SEEK as it is the first word in the
passage. </div>
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Once we find the word SEEK in the Main Concordance section
we will look for “Isa 55:6” to give us the Strong’s number for the word,
SEEK. Some English words have multiple
Hebrew words that could mean the same thing.
In Isaiah 55:6, SEEK is given the Strong’s number “1875.” Notice that this number is in standard type
and some other numbers are in italics. Standard
type is Hebrew and italics are Greek words.</div>
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We are not at the end of this search. Now we need to go to the next section of
Strong’s that is the HEBREW AND CHALDEE DICTIONARY and find number 1875. You will find a similar entry to this: </div>
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<span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="color: blue; font-family: "TITUS Cyberbit Basic","serif"; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">דּרשׁ</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "TITUS Cyberbit Basic";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "TITUS Cyberbit Basic","serif"; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;">dârash,</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "TITUS Cyberbit Basic";"> <i>daw-rash'; </i>A primitive root; properly to <i>tread</i>
or <i>frequent</i>; usually to <i>follow</i> (for pursuit or search); by
implication to <i>seek</i> or <i>ask</i>; specifically to <i>worship: - </i>ask,
X at all, care for, X diligently, inquire, make inquisition, [necro-] mancer,
question, require, search, seek [for, out], X surely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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This may be a bit confusing to look at, but we can gather
from this entry that the possible meanings of this word are to follow; by
implication to seek or ask; specifically to worship. The words that follow that are not in italics
are possible translations of the word in to English.</div>
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That is just the first word of the verse. Follow the same steps for the rest of the
words in the verse. Words like "ye," "with," and "the" are actually found between the Main Concordance and the Hebrew and
Chaldee Dictionary in a section they refer to as Appendix as they are quite
frequently used. Also remember that some
phrases in English are only one word in other languages and vice versa. The only way to find out the exact original
text is to use the original text and go back to English. This is an imperfect way of word study, but it
is effective for the basic scholar.</div>
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These instructions do sound complicated, but once you’ve
looked up a few words, you’ll begin to get the hang of it. If you recall, we discussed e-Sword in a
previous lesson. If you look at the
translation KJV+, the program has done the footwork for you. Instead of using standard lettering and
italics, they use numbers like H1875 and G111.
If you hover over the number, the Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary or the
Greek Dictionary of the New Testament entry will appear in a pop-up box. This method saves a lot of time, but not
every word of every verse has a number associated with it.</div>
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Then we can also look up the words in the Webster’s 1828
Dictionary. Here is the entry for Seek
as copied from e-Sword:</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Seek</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">SEEK</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">, v.t. pret
and pp. <i>sought</i>, pronounced <i>sawt</i>. [<b>L</b>. <i>sequor</i>, to
follow; for to <i>seek</i> is to go after, and the primary sense is to advance,
to press, to drive forward, as in the <b>L</b>. <i> peto</i>.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">1. To go in searh or quest of;
to look for; to search for by going from place to place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The man asked him, saying, what
<i>seekest</i> thou? And he said, I <i>seek</i> my brethen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Gen 37. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">2. To inquire for; to ask for;
to solicit; to endeavor to find or gain by any means.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The young lions roar after
their prey, and <i>seek</i> their meat from God. Psa 104.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">He found no place for
repentance, though he <i>sought</i> it carefully with tears. Heb 12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Others tempting him, sought of him a sign. Luke
11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">3.<i>Seek</i> is followed
sometimes by <i>out</i> or <i>after</i>.<i> </i>To<i> seek out</i>, properly
implies to look for a specific thing among a number. But in general, the use of
<i>out</i> and <i>after</i> with <i>seek</i>, is unnecessary and inelegant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">To seek God,
his name,</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> or <i>his face</i>, in Scripture, to ask for his favor, direction and
assistance. Psa 83.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">God seeks
men</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">, when he fixes his love on them, and by his word and Spirit, and the
righteousness of Christ, reclaims and recovers them from their miserable
condition as sinners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Ezek 34. Psa 119. Luke 15. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">To seek
after the life</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">, or <i>soul</i>, to attempt by arts or machinations; or to attempt to
destroy or ruin. Psa 35.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">To seek
peace</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">, or <i>judgement</i>, to endeavor to promote it; or to practice it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psa 34. Isa 1.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">To seek an
altar</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">, <i>temple</i>, or<i> habitation</i>, to frequent it; to restore to
it often. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">2 Chr 1. Amos 5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">To seek out God's works</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">, to endeavor to understand them. Psa 111.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNffE9TUvFv3fHYLn4mXshTDkmiN6xO4RlXtWouPbAzuJ0yLnYqPzF1O1Bb2d8x3GQSsGdoDn8N2sUJSnEsqOcesNg4GY1Zc6qUKBqo6i7BHrUcalX55AOv3kua9DGLk4-Mxtqr5JLaAI/s1600/Strong+Word+Study.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNffE9TUvFv3fHYLn4mXshTDkmiN6xO4RlXtWouPbAzuJ0yLnYqPzF1O1Bb2d8x3GQSsGdoDn8N2sUJSnEsqOcesNg4GY1Zc6qUKBqo6i7BHrUcalX55AOv3kua9DGLk4-Mxtqr5JLaAI/s640/Strong+Word+Study.gif" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a worksheet to help you get started</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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LESSON 10.0 Worksheet</div>
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What translation of the Bible do you need to use with the
Strong’s Concordance?</div>
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Are there other reliable concordances available?</div>
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Why should we use the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary when
studying with the Strong’s Concordance and King James Version of the Bible?</div>
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HOMEWORK</div>
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If you have e-sword or a Strong’s Concordance and King James
Version Bible, look up one of your favorite verses and see if your
understanding of that verse changes or stays the same after searching the words
in it.</div>
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Look up the word “loved” from John 3:16. What is the Greek word used? </div>
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Is that your understanding of how God loved the world?</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-84236967271304968472013-03-27T13:15:00.001-05:002013-03-27T14:44:54.520-05:00Basic Bible Study - Part 9<br />
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Previous lessons</div>
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<a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-1.html">Part 1</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-2.html">Part 2</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-3.html">Part 3</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-4.html">Part 4</a> <a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-5.html">Part 5</a> <a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-6.html">Part 6</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-7.html">Part 7</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/03/basic-bible-study-part-8.html">Part 8</a></div>
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Lesson 9.0 Topical Bible Study</div>
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Here is where I am going to veer off my original plan and switch lessons 9 and 10 around. We will learn about topical Bible study today and next week about basic word studies. Word study is one of the more complicated subjects, but topical studies can be a stepping stone into word studies.</div>
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Most Bibles have a concordance of their own. We will use the larger Strong’s Concordance next week, but this week we will be using the concordance that we carry with us in our own Bibles. If you look at the back of your Bible, you might find a concordance. It often is limited in its content. There are several advantages to this type of concordance. First of all, it is attached to your Bible, so you don’t need a table full of books to use it. I like to use mine in bed as I read at night. Second, it has the same wording that your Bible has so you don’t have to find make sure your Bible and Concordance match translations. Third, if it is the Bible you are use to using, you can become familiar with it quickly. Finally, it is concise so you don’t have to wade through a bunch of entries to find what you’re looking for.</div>
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On the flip side while the back of your Bible’s concordance is concise, you may not find the verse you’re looking for. The Hebrew or Greek word or definition is not often available in these concordances.</div>
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A concordance is not a dictionary, but more like the key is to a map. Not every word in a Bible will be in a concordance. For instance“articles” are not in there, so you won’t find every – and, the, a. Looking at the verse, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” You would likely find the words, “God, loved, world, gave, begotten, son, whosoever, believeth, him, perish, everlasting, life.” These would be key words to look for in the concordance. </div>
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Why is do we need these? One reason could be to find the verse. If you remember the verse but not the reference, you can use one of those words to find where it is located in the Bible. I would liken it to an internet search engine. If I wanted to find out how to make chocolate milk, I could find it with the word “chocolate”or “milk.” In the concordance, rather than giving me website options, I get scripture options. If I look up “world,” in the back of one Bible, I get 14 different options including John 3:16, John 7:7 and Titus 2:12, but before each scripture reference, is a phrase from the verse it represents. “God so loved the <b><i>w</i></b>…” is the phrase before John 3:16. I can then turn to that scripture and see if it is what I was looking for. Another entry says, “Don’t copy… this <b><i>w</i></b>…”Rom 12:2. The “<b><i>w</i></b>” represents the word I looked up “world.” That particular Bible gave a definition to the word as well. Not every Bible Concordance will do that.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4amWbj8PSznDS5BAAqg7W3lWgg6rYhGHyEjUgrgnalpW5kDbeueMSiQJc4en752RMqo8VYiOAaRF4s5FDYCuawp9XohoX7lKfvXrQEhNHMhNcOrtAQJVNOfVRKfuUkHrwEhp4zZayTbQ/s640/blogger-image--257862826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4amWbj8PSznDS5BAAqg7W3lWgg6rYhGHyEjUgrgnalpW5kDbeueMSiQJc4en752RMqo8VYiOAaRF4s5FDYCuawp9XohoX7lKfvXrQEhNHMhNcOrtAQJVNOfVRKfuUkHrwEhp4zZayTbQ/s640/blogger-image--257862826.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is an sample of the concordance entry from the NIV Study Bible for the word, "world."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sometimes during a sermon, the pastor or teacher will share a thought or verse or something that triggers a verse in my head that may pertain. I might flip to my concordance and look up a key word from that verse so I can find it while he/she’s preaching/teaching. If I can find it, I add it to my notes. When I go back over my notes from the sermon or teaching, I have the beginnings of a new personal Bible study. I can go to footnotes or cross-references and get a bigger picture of what God is saying about that message.</div>
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The lesson today is about topical Bible study and it took me a bit to get there, but that you have a bigger understanding of the concordance use, we can discuss how it can be a valuable tool in topical study. My kids and I did a month of lessons on “Trust.” That is a big topic, so the curriculum writer has narrowed the areas down so at one point we learned about sheep. Sheep trust their shepherd. The Bible refers to sheep a lot and Jesus refers to us a sheep and God being the shepherd. I want to know more about this. While the people of Jesus' time and area of the world could relate to sheep, I cannot fully grasp the inferences. I've worn wool and seen sheep in real life,but know nothing about their habits, so I did a topical study on them. I went to my concordance for a good starting place. I looked up, "sheep," and I looked up, "Shepherd." Once I found a few verses about them, there was another word that was commonly used, "Flock." It became another word I looked up. Other words that were used in my search were: Sheepfold, wool, lamb and staff. You can make a topical study quick or as lengthy as you want. It's your study and either way you will learn.</div>
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I can also look up things like anger or sadness or joy or fishing. If the Lord lays a word on your heart, check it out in The Word. My language may not make sense to you, but if there is a word you hear in conversation or one just pops in your mind, especially in prayer, it may be something to look up. I had the word “ubiquitous” randomly pop into my head. I didn't even know what it meant. The first place I went was not the concordance, it was a dictionary and since I like electronic devices, I actually used dictionary.com on my phone. Instant gratification… it means the same as omnipresent. Everywhere. At that point, I found another search I could do in the Bible. It didn't take long… neither word is in the Bible according to the few translations I used. Though I heard the word omnipresent as I was growing up in Sunday School, it was strange for me to find that it was not actually <i>in</i> the Bible. The Bible does describe in several places, however, that God is everywhere.</div>
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There are a few other books that are useful for topical studies. Some are devotional books and some are encouraging mini books. There are topical Bibles as well. There are many emails going around with multiple scriptures on a subject too. A way to make these things into a study can be to look up the verse about a topic and then go back and look at the verses surrounding it as we've done before to get the context. Then you can go to footnotes and cross-references and ... you get the idea.</div>
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One book that I have that is topical was given to me as I graduated from High School. It is called, "God's Promises for the Graduate," published by Thomas Nelson Publishers. There are headings in the table of contents that lead to pages of scriptures related to that topic. One such topic in that book, for example, is "For in Times of Anger." There are 21 scriptures that are quoted in that section. One of them is Ephesians 4:31-32 NKJV "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you." If I need to know more of what the Bible says about anger (likely I do) I can look up all of those scriptures in context and make a great study out of them.</div>
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LESSON 9.0 Worksheet</div>
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When would you use the concordance in your Bible?</div>
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Do concordances in the back of most Bibles give every scripture reference for each entry?</div>
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Does every back of Bible concordance also include definitions for the words?</div>
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Are dictionaries useful for topical studies?</div>
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Homework:</div>
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Is there a topic that is dear to you that you've been curious about? Don’t wait for Joel Osteen or some great preacher/teacher to write a book about it. Look up the key word(s) and search out the Word of God concerning that topic over the next few weeks.</div>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-72931109535439379932013-03-20T15:36:00.000-05:002013-03-20T15:36:54.747-05:00Basic Bible Study - Part 8<br />
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Previous Lessons</div>
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<a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-1.html">Part 1</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-2.html">Part 2</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-3.html">Part 3</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-4.html">Part 4</a> <a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-5.html">Part 5</a> <a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-6.html">Part 6</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-7.html">Part 7</a></div>
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LESSON 8.0 Application of the Word. </div>
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It is amazing to me to see how something recorded so many years ago can
still apply to me today. Some scriptures
are plain: Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized…” while others may be a little confusing. Mark 10:21 “Go and sell everything you have
...” There is more to each of these
phrases and that is when we need to focus on learning to apply the word. Often times, when you do a devotional or even look on
Facebook, there is a scripture just pulled out.
One stand alone verse. While this
is appropriate in its intent, if you want to know the full meaning of each
verse, you need to go deeper.</div>
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Let’s start with one verse and see how we can put
application to it.</div>
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I John 1:9 NIV “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
and to purify us from all unrighteousness.”</blockquote>
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This verse can definitely stand alone or be used with other
scriptures especially when beginning or leading someone into a relationship with Christ. Let’s take a closer look and apply it. Let’s read it in context. That means read what comes before it and what
comes after it. Open your Bible to I
John 1:9. What is a good place to
start? What is a good place to end? Letting the Bible interpret itself is a
wonderful way to study it. Some may look at our Bible's subheadings as my NIV Life Application Bible shows a subheading just before I John 1:5 that says, "Walking in the Light." Others may wish to go to the beginning of the chapter. If you don't understand a verse by reading the verse or two before it, go back further. This may mean to go to the beginning of a book or a chapter. My life Application Bible continues a section from I John 1:5 to I John 2:14. This may all be necessary to read to understand the true intent of that single verse.</div>
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Let’s look at a few other places in the Bible and use 2
different application worksheets. The
first one is called “Application Worksheet.” This and the other worksheets in this lesson are adapted from “Inductive Bible Study Handbook from Leadership Resources
International. I have looked into trying
to order more of this book, but it has no ISBN and I can’t find them
online. The front cover said to
photocopy and put to use. While I do not understand if there would be a copyright infringement by using those sheets on a blog, I have recreated them and really they do look a lot different, the ideas are just the same. This first one is not intended to be completely filled
out because not every passage covers everything on this worksheet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03dfWnRXnGDIH1yg6O_bNd_qbJSTfbJ4yNbpZydRh7YvDXogEgUGWszWBsCfK1Vhpml7oveW6zPExWDiSpRZFd8o5vyOtncypnVnUfrDvQs1B0P5qp76gcdzletA3Wll6YZalGsjfbDA/s1600/Application+Worksheet.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03dfWnRXnGDIH1yg6O_bNd_qbJSTfbJ4yNbpZydRh7YvDXogEgUGWszWBsCfK1Vhpml7oveW6zPExWDiSpRZFd8o5vyOtncypnVnUfrDvQs1B0P5qp76gcdzletA3Wll6YZalGsjfbDA/s640/Application+Worksheet.gif" width="494" /></a></div>
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Look at Matthew 6: 19-34 and use it with this sheet. This passage is loaded so we can fill out
several sections of the worksheet. You also may have more than one answer for each question. Is there a lesson to learn? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Is there a prayer to pray? I don't see a specific prayer to pray her, but if I look at Matthew 6:9-13, I would find a whole prayer. Is there a sin to confess? This is personal. If there is an instruction in this passage that I struggle with as sin, I would likely write it here. Is there a promise to claim? Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Is there a message to share? There are several messages in this text. This is a place where you need to have the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Some of these messages need to be shared, but if you do so in your own power, you could turn people away. If I go to my wealthy Christian friend and say, "You can't serve both God and money!" I don't think it would be well received. That is likely me judging my friend saying that they worship their money. Is there an instruction to obey? This is similar to the first question. Do not worry about your life. (One of several answers that can go here) Is there a conflict to avoid? Again, this is a personal application so if you struggle with money, maybe that is a conflict you need to avoid. Is there an example to follow? One could say that we should follow the example of the sparrow and don't worry about what you will eat. Is there a new understanding to embrace? There could be if you've never really noticed any of these teachings before. Is there an attribute of God to marvel? My heavenly Father knows my needs. Each person who fills out this sheet will fill it out differently from others. You really don't even need this sheet, you can just keep these thoughts in mind as you read new scripture. You can answer some of these questions in your journal as well.</div>
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The next worksheet we will look at is a character
worksheet. It is possibly a little more thought
provoking . Here is one reason
that this type of worksheet would be good.
If you’ve ever been told something like, “You have
the heart of David.” or, "You have an Esther anointing." It is important to review the Word
and find out exactly what David or Esther did. David is spoken of over a long portion of the Bible and though Esther is a small book, we’ll use
something that is fresh in our memory from a recent study.</div>
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Let’s look at the Character Jonah. Last week we looked at the book about him, this week, let’s look at some character things. We will find out about him in his book, Jonah.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gI0xKRe1YWqUp43fo3sNVmMamz-LZmHzalqXXSuoAjbe1xTSXv5pbKv4-DWgCozIdQli0uIcFMNDUueCBMEJTHi9IN4RLv4bYY0ZWeNkJVsojWAAc0wXmwIzVHVIBujPR8bpvnrHiG0/s1600/Character+Study+Worksheet.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gI0xKRe1YWqUp43fo3sNVmMamz-LZmHzalqXXSuoAjbe1xTSXv5pbKv4-DWgCozIdQli0uIcFMNDUueCBMEJTHi9IN4RLv4bYY0ZWeNkJVsojWAAc0wXmwIzVHVIBujPR8bpvnrHiG0/s640/Character+Study+Worksheet.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jonah is mentioned in the Bible in the Old Testament book of Jonah. He is also mentioned in Matthew 12:37,39,40,41; Matthwe 16:4,17; Luke 11:28,30,32 and II Kings 14:25. I found this by doing a search on my digital Bible e-Sword. When I searched on YouVersion, it misinterpreted my search and looked for John as well.</div>
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Always remember that when we use a new method of study or a
new worksheet that we still have all of the other things we’ve talked about to
go back to as well: footnotes, commentaries, cross-references, 5 W’s and
patterns.</div>
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Here are 2 other possible worksheets to use. They will be used in the homework section.</div>
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Lesson 8.0</div>
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Each new lesson adds to the previous. Now that we are learning to apply the Bible,
we can use the previous lessons to help.
Name 2 of these things:</div>
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In your own words, describe why it would be valuable to you
to study a certain character of the Bible.
This answer doesn’t have to be the one given in class.</div>
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Homework</div>
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Use “Personal Application Worksheet” to look at Matthew 6:19-34
again. Use “Parable Study Worksheet” to look at the Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:30-37.</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-89975106619930183972013-03-06T17:43:00.001-06:002013-03-07T00:58:09.502-06:00KaleidoscopeA few months ago my niece spent some time at my home. When she was here, she brought with her a kit to make a kaleidoscope. The outside had a few templates and colored pencils would complete the design that would be most evident at first glance of the toy. She colored it quickly and beautifully as was no surprise to me. It was ready to be assembled with the mirror to give the view of the pretty design. The chamber of shapes was neat. There was confetti and different shapes that float in a circular chamber. <br />
When the completed kaleidoscope is in use, only a small wedge is truly seen and a reflection is repeated to make a new design. The shapes within the circular chamber aren't always recognized, but a fantastic pattern emerges in its place. As the chamber is rotated, the view changes and dazzles eyes, but the whole of reality is never seen again.<br />
I had a dream where there was some type of calamity where the inside of a shopping center was in shambles. There were people and merchandise scattered awry and I was a news reporter. My associate and I were given a few moments to discuss and witness the scene and then we were to report on it. I'm ashamed to say that I saw the clothes first scattered and thought about the mess. Upon closer observation, I saw the people. Their lives shaken. They were being photographed in their various states of crisis. Some girls with their legs exposed as they had fallen in skirts. My dream didn't have blood, but there was obvious injury by the position of people. When it was time to report, I could only think of a kaleidoscope. Even I, with a first hand view could never see the full picture.<br />
In life, I often miss reality because I am dazzled by the piece of the world I can see and it's distortions. Satisfied with the picture I get, I don't look for more. The world is in chaos! People are dying! I saw a picture of a world leader who recently died with a joke beside it as he was known as a Tyrant and his enemies are gloating. It disturbs me that this was a lost soul. I chose not to look at that image again. I will shuffle the images that are in my view until it is pleasing again and forget what is hidden. This is the way I carry on day after day. I shuffle the bad until its out of view. <br />
I was going to say that this is an epidemic in Christianity, but I will dare to expand it to say this is an epidemic in America. Some people choose a pleasant view and some choose to keep an offended view, others have a mixture and feel they have perspective. Really only a very slim few are truly not looking through kaleidoscope view. <br />
I Corinthians 13 says that we see through a glass dimly. Some translations say that we see a dim reflection in a mirror... So true! Like the kaleidoscope view, the picture that we see this side of heaven will never be complete. That doesn't mean that we should ignore what we choose not to see. In fact, everything that will come into our view in the future is affected by the portion that we cannot see at the present. In a kaleidoscope, the unseen portion is likely 80% or more of the possible whole. And every time the toy is shaken, the view changes. It will never look exactly the same again because the part we could not see shifts into view and things are rearranged. We never know when something that has left our view will reemerge either.<br />
I don't yet have a conclusion to this analogy. There are so many directions that it could go ... I guess it's like a kaleidoscope in itself. Each of us can take the chamber of shapes and twist or shake it to see our new view of it. <br />
I guess I will end with this: I can do a lot of things myself or let the environment change my view randomly or I can ask God to align my vision with His. May the eyes of my heart be enlightened.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-36353474384004411442013-02-27T13:24:00.001-06:002013-02-27T13:29:13.113-06:00Basic Bible Study - Part 7Previous Lessons<br />
<a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-1.html">Part 1</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-2.html">Part 2</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-3.html">Part 3</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-4.html">Part 4</a> <a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-5.html">Part 5</a> <a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-6.html">Part 6</a><br />
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Lesson 7.0</div>
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We’ve talked a lot about the Bible and how it is laid
out. We’ve gone through types and
translations and digital Bibles. We’ve
talked about some observations and highlighting last week. Now after 6 weeks, we finally get to start
digging a little deeper into the Word of God.
Over the next 4 plus weeks, we are going to learn a few methods for
studying the Bible. Some of these will
be with pre-made worksheets. It obviously
will not take a worksheet to do any of these methods, but as we learn them the
worksheets will be a guide. There is no
need to become frustrated if you don’t do well with the method we discuss each
week. There are many more ways to study
God’s Word and we will find one that works for you.</div>
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If you’ve discovered a method that looks neat, but you
struggle with it, share it with me and I’ll try and figure it out and we can go
through it as a class. One thing about
questions is that often times you are not the only one with that question, but
maybe are just the first one with the courage to ask it. You’re welcome to ask questions at any point
or even say that you don’t agree or like something that we do.</div>
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Tonight we are going to discuss the 5 W’s. Through school, we’ve been encouraged to look
at them when reading for comprehension and when writing. The 5 W’s are WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and
WHY. We can also add a HOW to that list
if we want to. If we apply it to the
scripture, it is a great resource as well.
One of the things that may be a trip-up, though is that you may not be
able to find the answer to a few of these questions. For me a finished worksheet with blanks is daunting,
but it is okay not to have all of the answers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGJbVqOnyDor61FwFJx18iBMlqPki89FvwAlB630bdWZNKgkOKzG8mji_TUDXYakGd2_qGkNy6K5rOO0v7vdS2Wnlq8TRT_YkvM1-_0jn-W_YE_FWqqxmaAewCl8WiOt01-fJih_NAP0/s1600/Top-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGJbVqOnyDor61FwFJx18iBMlqPki89FvwAlB630bdWZNKgkOKzG8mji_TUDXYakGd2_qGkNy6K5rOO0v7vdS2Wnlq8TRT_YkvM1-_0jn-W_YE_FWqqxmaAewCl8WiOt01-fJih_NAP0/s640/Top-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one way of doing the 5 W's worksheet. This has been designed by me with no references. Feel free to copy and paste it, adapt it to fit your needs, but please do not sell it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CD0lt56h83SRCw5LWk179RyKKe7c2auk36NOZDR1DwyEX6VWGRWEc-ZwofeuDBQS2EfXKjQzfAqoCygDcs1wRfN_2YLV_YGl2EXHqhMZKtHSfl6-k0gidOgkQ1eGerG7MQm1XelR_uQ/s1600/Top-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CD0lt56h83SRCw5LWk179RyKKe7c2auk36NOZDR1DwyEX6VWGRWEc-ZwofeuDBQS2EfXKjQzfAqoCygDcs1wRfN_2YLV_YGl2EXHqhMZKtHSfl6-k0gidOgkQ1eGerG7MQm1XelR_uQ/s640/Top-001.jpg" width="490" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is another way of doing the 5 W's worksheet. This has been designed by me with no references. Feel free to copy and paste it, adapt it to fit your needs, but please do not sell it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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Often times the text itself will give us all of the
information we need to understand the 5W’s. Sometimes it is not there, but the
introduction to a book will give us assistance.
Do note that not all Bible publishers agree on this information and so
since we weren’t there at the time it was written, we just need to trust God
for His direction. A good thing to do
before studying the Bible is to pray over it.
We need not bank our relationship with God and the study of His Word on
humanity. God sent us His Holy Spirit to
help guide us in these things.</div>
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Why would we not be able to find out the information on this
sheet?</div>
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First of all is the WHO.
Not every author of Bible books is known, so if a scholar with a
life-long career in Bible research doesn’t know an author, we should not feel
upset if we don’t find that answer. The
who can also be characters in a story or people groups. Sometimes it is implied and sometimes it is a
cultural implication. We as Americans will
not understand the intent.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Next is WHAT. More
often than not we will find a “what” in the scripture. The what can be a situation or an object or
structure or idea. If it is not obvious
right away, we don’t have to fret and we can come back to it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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WHEN. When is very
often difficult to determine. Sometimes
the best answer we can get is daytime or springtime. Sometimes it is a specific time like the 12<sup>th</sup>
day of the month of Adar. There are
calendars and helps that can assist us in figuring out the season and
comparable date on the Gregorian calendar.
</div>
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<br /></div>
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WHERE. The where can
be in bed or in a specific town or country.
In a boat can also be where. </div>
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WHY. This section is
often up to interpretation. Sometimes
the Word gives it plainly. This is one
that we can often get hung up on and many Christians actually debate them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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HOW. Sometimes a
scripture will say that the "how" is to believe … Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and
You will be saved. (not in quotes because it may not be exact) So the answer to, “How can I be saved?” is to
believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”</div>
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We will go through some worksheets together looking at the
Book of Jonah.</div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F33bG01YA0e1a1R7mtBBJm1KoVN184QzTIiB8nsLI-lwRpdUxK-lQyHiCD-9tlQuROaZvHR92DG8g0Qykoi2Fe2ETyLg2MSu581js8QKkh_VPUcubO8P7_yj2jp7Kizh-fD3xmzFzsk/s1600/Jonah5ws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F33bG01YA0e1a1R7mtBBJm1KoVN184QzTIiB8nsLI-lwRpdUxK-lQyHiCD-9tlQuROaZvHR92DG8g0Qykoi2Fe2ETyLg2MSu581js8QKkh_VPUcubO8P7_yj2jp7Kizh-fD3xmzFzsk/s640/Jonah5ws.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is an example of how a 5W's worksheet could look when it is filled out. Everyone in the class had their sheets filled out differently. No one way is right or wrong.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Lesson 7.0 worksheet<br />
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T/F You should keep
studying a scripture until all sections of the 5W’s page is filled out.<br />
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T/F There can be more
than one answer to any of the 5W’s<br />
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What is one place to look outside of the chapters and verses
to find answers to the 5 W’s?</div>
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If you’ve been successful at journaling, try writing the 5
W’s out in your journal as you study a passage and document it there.</div>
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HOMEWORK<br />
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Finish looking at the book of Jonah and answer the 5 W’s for
each chapter. If we finish it in class,
try the book of Jude. It is only one
chapter long, but some of the answers may be a little more difficult to find.</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-64346845515193750752013-02-13T12:38:00.002-06:002013-02-13T15:36:28.568-06:00Basic Bible Study - Part 6Previous Posts<br />
<a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-1.html">Part 1</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-2.html">Part 2</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-3.html">Part 3</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-4.html">Part 4</a> <a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/02/basic-bible-study-part-5.html">Part 5</a><br />
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Lesson 6.0 Highlighting and noticing patterns.</div>
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We will cover 2 topics this week. We will first discuss highlighting in our
Bibles and then patterns. The first
thing that comes to mind when thinking of highlights in the Bible is a line
from <i>The Incredibles</i> movie. “… once we’re all super, no one will
be.” This was said by Syndrome the
villain when he wanted to destroy all the super heroes in the world and then
sell people gadgets to give them pseudo-super powers. This, for me, is true of highlighting in the
Bible as well. If every word of every
page is highlighted, then nothing stands out anymore. </div>
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I can’t say that there is no wrong way to highlight after
that last little example, but different people will feel that a different
portion of scripture is in need of a second look and that is what they will
highlight. I’ve been in services where
the minister tells the congregation to underline something or highlight
something. It isn’t wrong for him to say
that, but not everyone likes to write in their Bible. Often I’ve already got that part highlighted.</div>
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There have been times where I can think of a scripture but
can’t remember where it is in the Bible.
The things I remember are that it was on the bottom of a page near the
end of the Bible and it was on the right-hand page. Because I had it highlighted, I found it
again. I’ve also been in a circumstance and flipped open my Bible and
found a highlighted spot that was a perfect encouragement that I needed in that moment.</div>
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I’ve known of people who will read through the Bible in a
year and use a yellow highlighter as they read.
The next year, they highlight in green and so on so that they can have a
color journal of what spoke to them the most each year. I think that’s awesome, but I don’t always
stick to a plan that long. I had planned
to only highlight the scriptures that speak of love in pink and then Christian
life in green and different colors for different categories of scripture. Anything that I couldn't categorize, I highlighted yellow if I liked it a lot. Develop your plan for colors. If you can stick with it, it may enhance future reading.</div>
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I have highlighters especially made for Bible pages because
they’re so thin. I also have regular
highlighters. It really is not going to
make or break you on what type you buy.
I even underline sometimes with my regular pen, but I need a ruler or a
bookmark to get the lines straight.
Colors are a personal preference. </div>
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<br />
Let’s practice this skill and see what we all think is
important. It will be interesting to
learn. PLEASE do not be ashamed if you
don’t feel like any piece of the passage should be highlighted. The goal of this drill is to see the
variations of different methods of highlighting. This will not make you a better scholar or a
worse one.</div>
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Patterns</div>
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Some of you may have noticed a pattern in this scripture
passage and that is what you chose to highlight. There have been times when the Lord
repeatedly said, “IF you will… THEN I
will…” I call this a pattern. In Numbers 29 there is a definite pattern set
forth under the feast of tabernacles.
I’ve learned that when God says something more than once, it is time to
take notice.</div>
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When studying the Bible it is good to notice patterns. There is several ways that we can notate a
pattern as well. One thing is to
highlight the repeated word or words.
This will stand out to us the next time we open the Bible to that
particular passage. We can journal what
we’ve noticed as a pattern. When we
journal things, we may have journalled it before and then flip back those few
pages and recall what the Lord was speaking to us in the first incident where
that something was mentioned. It is okay
to just read the Bible and enjoy it, but when we start noticing these patterns
and things that God speaks through the Word, it becomes alive in us.</div>
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Another way to document a pattern is to write a symbol by
that particular scripture. I’ve written
a cross by scripture in the Old Testament that refers to Christ. I’ve put a heart by things that mention His
love. If you can draw a small shape, you
can do these methods. An asterisk can
set apart a few verses as well. We
started learning to notice patterns in preschool and now we can apply that to the
study of the Word of God.</div>
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You’re likely finding out that anything that you used in
school to help you with your studies can be used in studying the Bible. Write in the margins of your Bible. Put a date when you studied that passage in the past... that date can be significant later in life. When I studied in college for classes, I
underlined or highlighted the things that I thought I would need to know for a
test. I wrote notes in the margin from lectures. That is not different from
Life. The Bible is our guide to
life. It might just do us some good to
have some things marked or highlighted that will help us on our journey through
life.</div>
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Worksheet Lesson 6.0 </div>
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What guideline will you use when highlighting in your Bible?</div>
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Have you ever been hesitant to make marks in your
Bible? Why or why not?</div>
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Has your view of highlighting changed or stayed the same
since this lesson?</div>
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Homework</div>
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Read Psalm 119 this week.
Notice the pattern in this scripture.
There is a theme throughout this chapter and it revolves around a group
of words with similar meaning. Feel free
to highlight favorite verses or mark repeated words.</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-37642184098293202362013-02-13T12:03:00.000-06:002013-02-13T12:24:15.097-06:00Basic Bible Study - Part 5<br />
Previous Lessons:<br />
<a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-1.html">Part 1</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-2.html">Part 2</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-3.html">Part 3</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-4.html">Part 4</a><br />
<br />
Lesson 5.0<br />
<br />
Writing in a journal is not required to be a Christian, but it really can enhance the study of the Bible. Not only can it help in Bible Study, but it can be a reminder of what you’ve journeyed through in your Christian walk. Better than that, it can help you remember what God has done for you.<br />
<br />
You can write your thoughts. You can write a scripture that inspires you. You can write a “Sermon” or teaching that the Lord lays on your heart. You can take notes from what you hear in church in your journal.<br />
<br />
A journal is not necessarily a fancy book, although it certainly can be. Some journals are just a notebook that never gets the pages torn out. Sometimes having a nice looking book can help encourage you to journal. Fancy or plain, a record of what you’ve studied or thought or experienced is sometimes more valuable than money to you in the future. It could carry you through a rough time in your life. <br />
<br />
Sometimes a dream that God gave you is very important to write down. If you have a peculiar dream, it is important to write it down as soon as you get a chance. If you later realize it is from God, the details will be important as you find its interpretation. The fact that Pharoah dreamed of fat and skinny cows really made a big difference when it came to interpretation. Cows just eating cows could mean that there is just cannibalism in the land.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, if you learned what a word means, you might write down every verse you find with that word in it. It can enhance the things you already know and it gives you a bigger picture of God. Also, you can draw pictures or doodles in a journal. You can do a combination of words and pictures. You can write song lyrics in your journal that have meant a lot to you. Clip articles from newspapers or magazines and paste them in your journal. Possibilities are vast.<br />
<br />
In today's world, keeping a digital journal may be easier for some people. It is certainly more compact. One can journal using any word processor and save it to his or her device or computer. This can be private or print and share experiences. Some people journal on social networking sites as notes. If you tweet, all that you tweet is public and you can reflect on your life from various status updates and tweets. Some people blog as a journal and others do photo journals. What ever form of digital journal you choose, first decide if it is public or private, then look at the possibilities of where to journal. I have actually used the voice recorder on my phone to capture thoughts or even songs that I have written so that I can go back and find them again. This is private, but can be considered a journal.<br />
<br />
Jeremiah 30:1 CEV<br />
1 The LORD God of Israel said, "Jeremiah, get a scroll and write down everything I have told you."<br />
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Worksheet Lesson 5.0<br />
<br />
T/F Writing in a journal is every Christian’s duty.<br />
T/F Writing in a journal may enhance your Bible study time.<br />
T/F There is no wrong way to journal.<br />
T/F Digital journaling is always public.<br />
<br />
Homework<br />
Purchase a notebook or journal or revive an old one this week and write in it with your Bible reading 3 times this week. Do not limit yourself. If you find that you enjoy journaling, do it daily. Look into some preprinted journals if you prefer to journal that way.<br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-70886037979753071032013-01-30T16:04:00.002-06:002013-01-30T16:10:20.015-06:00Basic Bible Study - Part 4<br />
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Previous Lessons:</div>
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<a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-1.html">Part 1</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-2.html">Part 2</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-3.html">Part 3</a></div>
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Two main digital Bible sources will be used for this
study. The first is e-sword, a
downloadable Bible that is free to users, but some versions of the Bible and
commentaries cost money as they are copyrighted. The next is YouVersion which is a free online
Bible with many versions to choose from.
It is available from any web browser, but also as an app for apple, blackberry, android and other smartphones and devices including the Kindle Fire.
To read many translations from YouVersion, you must be connected to the
internet. Some versions are available for download. There are also other Bibles to
download to kindles or electronic devices as well as Bibles that are a device
in themselves. The variety is vast, but
with the covering of two types, hopefully the others will be understandable as
well.</div>
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The first type of digital Bible study, e-sword is a
downloadable Bible. You only have to be connected to the internet for downloading the program. When you use it, you will not need to connect to the internet. You can find it at <a href="http://www.e-sword.net/">www.e-sword.net</a> . Once you go to that page, you will find a
“button” on the right side that says, “Download e-sword now.” </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Py6TSoDYe44iOirOSV7jJx1Ri5in2m5X9_N_GhyphenhyphenOPCk35_v5bvY5LMSX9yIAhGkeTYaql1DJCaWPuWepnmOskF5cOukhc7s01wVwwMeDYWNXBXk3L-If54FSD0XW8NlfD08e_MUGw7c/s1600/esword2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Py6TSoDYe44iOirOSV7jJx1Ri5in2m5X9_N_GhyphenhyphenOPCk35_v5bvY5LMSX9yIAhGkeTYaql1DJCaWPuWepnmOskF5cOukhc7s01wVwwMeDYWNXBXk3L-If54FSD0XW8NlfD08e_MUGw7c/s400/esword2.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you scroll to the bottom of the next page
there will be 2 options. If you’ve never
downloaded the program before, you need to do the first option which is <strong><span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">e-Sword v10.1.0 application installation . </span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQp548n58rls_DPPQhhIQlHJaFflZ3eZcEOyr_LM-V343tP9Ug1Yvwc3hPKCfR1kxp7-8VMCsof_6wj3nj0UhTrs_f5H2Cyob48uhSERmNSYyWx5Dts4ZF56TQGIVLMX85neXwYngOY8/s1600/esword1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQp548n58rls_DPPQhhIQlHJaFflZ3eZcEOyr_LM-V343tP9Ug1Yvwc3hPKCfR1kxp7-8VMCsof_6wj3nj0UhTrs_f5H2Cyob48uhSERmNSYyWx5Dts4ZF56TQGIVLMX85neXwYngOY8/s400/esword1.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Click the down arrow button
and follow steps from there. If you feel
more comfortable, you can have someone else walk you through those steps. The benefit of this is that the Bible is stored
on your computer and not the web. There
is less chance of a tampered with version of the Bible that way.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheM9hzWRGGCPr7Ewj8Y_CoNVUMRAbQMI3HaN6vXvsools-L2uucQj46AX6-sp5ovzpUzQwGIjpKtobOBUgIzqu42jEggQo95ZlFVTzNtLogSWiGIp5jSLRzrogWCBNxziHBYz5tnGlstg/s1600/esword3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheM9hzWRGGCPr7Ewj8Y_CoNVUMRAbQMI3HaN6vXvsools-L2uucQj46AX6-sp5ovzpUzQwGIjpKtobOBUgIzqu42jEggQo95ZlFVTzNtLogSWiGIp5jSLRzrogWCBNxziHBYz5tnGlstg/s400/esword3.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The highlights are added by the user. The actual program has clearer print than this image. It is a screenshot provided by the website.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0oea7GITdmAryld2xOCcgsCgO3_UhhiDW-ATXrDmXYP6kG-zt5EjH5rcMUxk6jHLBMpHKQnyFYXqW4byEJAXyhXdz01RHvOUbl8cM6AbmdASkZKQbZL4gMS49rF_fq-3So_BKBdx5UI/s1600/esword5.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0oea7GITdmAryld2xOCcgsCgO3_UhhiDW-ATXrDmXYP6kG-zt5EjH5rcMUxk6jHLBMpHKQnyFYXqW4byEJAXyhXdz01RHvOUbl8cM6AbmdASkZKQbZL4gMS49rF_fq-3So_BKBdx5UI/s640/esword5.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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The ease or difficulty of using e-sword will depend on how
comfortable the user is with using the computer. The books of the Bible are listed on the
right. You may download as many
translations/versions of the Bible as you desire, but know that several of them
cost money and it is an online transaction.
Those decisions are a personal choice, but there are many features that
are beneficial and free. We will walk
through it as a class. If you are only reading the blog, you are welcome to download this free version of the Bible. If you so desire to help the developers of this excellent resource, there is a place to donate on their page.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64Fddya0OhGEEleXh9-4d60kD9f-sviSUv13dPtfEXOgRaHJ4Ab5Qo3ARFU0wkH6smNbcneVscalYFC2-dfuIW6VO0piM6mjKytKBo4LHXZ8CuZSdhVRSO1q3SmnD7sX52chyphenhyphenXKo5otA/s1600/esword4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64Fddya0OhGEEleXh9-4d60kD9f-sviSUv13dPtfEXOgRaHJ4Ab5Qo3ARFU0wkH6smNbcneVscalYFC2-dfuIW6VO0piM6mjKytKBo4LHXZ8CuZSdhVRSO1q3SmnD7sX52chyphenhyphenXKo5otA/s400/esword4.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately I do not own a mac computer and cannot show how to get to the program using one. I'm sure fluent mac users will have no difficulty finding the program on their computers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The next digital Bible is an application and not a
download. The information is stored on
the internet and a connection to the internet is necessary to read the Bible
through it. There are some downloadable versions of the Bible that can be stored to your device, but switching versions requires an internet connections when the Bible is in use. The website is <a href="http://www.youversion.com/">www.youversion.com</a> . If you create an account online, you can link
your account to an app that you install on your smartphone, iPad, iPod, kindle, tablet or other electronic device. When you go to the app store of your device, this Bible can easily be found by doing a search for, "YouVersion." It is
difficult to talk about what to do with these apps, so the rest of the class
will be dedicated to using them. If you are not in class, the best way to find out how to use the app is to just experiment. Following this paragraph, I have included a tutorial on the use of YouTube. It is just over 9 minutes long, so you can be prepared with your time if you are interested in watching this. He uses an iPad, but other devices have similar use. There are more videos with instruction on their use on YouTube and maybe even GodTube.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gWxtCssTIy8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Worksheet Lesson 4.0<br />
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1. True/False There
are only 2 trustworthy digital Bibles<br />
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2. True/False You
don’t need an internet connection for e-sword after its installation is
complete.<br />
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3. List any other digital Bibles that you’ve heard of or
actually used.<br />
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Assignment:<br />
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Check out the digital Bibles that we’ve talked about this
week and see if either of them are right for you. If you don’t like it, there is nothing wrong
with that, just keep reading your print Bible and you will be on a great
path. If you use a digital Bible that
requires a password and user name, keep those in a safe place. There is nothing wrong with opening a few
accounts if you forget your user name or password, but many programs will only
allow an email address to be used one time.<br />
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Find Mark 10:45 on a digital Bible</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8004291205266516175.post-59518026875108894042013-01-23T10:55:00.000-06:002013-01-23T10:55:35.265-06:00Basic Bible Study - Part 3Previous Lessons:<br />
<a href="http://his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-1.html">Part 1</a> <a href="http://www.his-reflection-in-me.blogspot.com/2013/01/basic-bible-study-part-2.html">Part 2</a><br />
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LESSON 3.0 Bible Footnotes and Maps</div>
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Not every Bible has maps in it, but those that do really
help the Bible student understand a little more about what is written. Look at a map or a globe from 1960. You will find many errors in borders and
countries. Mountains and rivers are
generally the same, but one of the quickest things to notice is that there is
no such country as U.S.S.R. any longer.
Just as there have been a lot of changes in the past 60 years, there
have been even more changes in the past 6000 years, so Bible maps are a great
resource for understanding where things were situated in each section of the Bible.</div>
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If your Bible has maps, the best place to look for them is
in the rear of the Bible. Often there
are maps of the Promised Land and the Exodus route to it. Many times Bibles have a map of Paul’s
Missionary journey. The maps in the end
of Bibles are often in color and are read in the same manner that any map is
read. There is a key and the top generally
is North unless otherwise stated. Of
course this lesson is not about map reading, but just an overview of what may
be found in a basic Bible map.</div>
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Some Bibles are specified as a Study Bible. In the last lesson, we learned about versions
of the Bible, but there are Study Bibles that give the reader a little more
historical information to help him or her understand the time-frame and context
of the scripture a little better. Most
Study Bibles include other maps interwoven with the text in appropriate places. Other visual aids in Study Bibles are graphs
and timelines and even drawings of items that are described in the text. These items fairly well explain themselves,
but do take the time to explore them this next week in your personal study
time.</div>
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Footnotes in Bibles.</div>
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Some Bibles have no footnotes or side notes of any
kind. Other Bibles have notations at the
end of certain passages, but no footnotes.
Some Bibles have footnotes as other books and manuscripts <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">that are </span>notated by a number or a letter
in superscript or subscript and then in an additional column or at the bottom of
the page, one can find a corresponding notation. Other Bibles (Generally Study Bibles) have
commentary for verses printed on a separate area of the page. These Bibles usually if not always have the
footnotes as well.</div>
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If the Bible you read doesn’t have any kind of notations and
is just the text of the Holy Word of God, it is not a bad thing. These Bibles are great to start with because
they are not distracting. They can be read
like a book. Some of them don’t even
have the verses divided out, but will say something like 1-10, or 11-14 to mark
the passage. The Bible wasn’t originally
written with chapters and verses, but was written as a letter or a book or a
chronicle. Men have divided out the
Bible and we can more easily read find the particular area that we want to read
the way it is currently divided.
Sometimes a paragraph is divided in one way with one translation and
another way with another translation making the verses appear to say something
different, but if you look at the whole paragraph all of the information is in
its place.</div>
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The Holy Bible: Referenced Giant Print, King James Version
by Crusade Bible Publishers, Inc., Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, has notations at the
end of certain verses or with a chapter heading. For instance, Leviticus 21 says, “<span style="font-size: x-small;">c. 1490
B.C.</span>” in a smaller font right after, “<span style="font-size: large;">CHAPTER 21.</span>” This tells the reader the approximate date
that the text was written. In some
Bibles, these dates are included in a little preface to each book of the
Bible. One key to studying your Bible,
is knowing your Bible. Th<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">e previously named </span>Bible has its own
preface. In the preface, it tells the
reader what each symbol refers to. It
has a dove symbol in it to signify Holy Spirit.
It also tells what superscript letters refer to. Different Bibles and different publishers
have unique styles and those styles are explained somewhere in or on the Bible
itself. Some explain with a preface,
some on the back cover, and some in the “reference” section. This is why we started off by looking through
our Bibles to know what they have to offer.</div>
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When a Bible has footnotes in the margins, center column or
bottom of the page, the superscript letter is within the text and then in that
other area. Most of the time rather than
going through the alphabet and then going through it again as double letters
then triple letters, the footnote area will also include a number like
4:3. This number tells us that <sup>a</sup>
is in chapter 4, verse 3. While
sometimes there is another <sup>a</sup> or two on the page. This clarifies that the footnote is not the
one in chapter 5, verse 16, but indeed chapter 4, verse 3.</div>
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This type of footnote can indicate a clarification in
translations and say something like, “other translations say priest.” Sometimes the scripture will contain a word
in the original language and the footnote will have an English
interpretation. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If your
Bible is not a Study Bible, but still has these superscript or subscript
notations, it will likely have another scripture reference at the margin or
footnote. It is called </span>a cross-reference. As one studies the Bible more and more, <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">he or she </span>will <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">soon </span>not<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">ice</span>
that scriptures are often repeated throughout the Word of God. Often Old Testament verses are quoted in the
New Testament. When that happens, the
Old Testament verse will tag the New Testament verse. This allows the reader to then go to the New
Testament and see where it is spoken of in that new covenant. Vice versa is also true. </div>
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If a new Bible student knows nothing more than how to look
into cross-references it will still allow for an incredible and enlightening
study time in the Scripture. Some people
get so overwhelmed with a Study Bible format or other type of commentary that
they forget to cross reference scriptures.
Scripture often interprets itself with other scripture. Try using nothing but cross-reference for a
time of study and allow Holy Spirit to teach you something new.</div>
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Lastly we come to Study Bibles. There is quite a variety of Study Bibles
available for purchase in the English language.
There are Spirit-Filled, archeology, translation-based, Jewish and many
more options for a Study Bible. They all
have a different “flavor” of commentary.
Because of the variety of Study Bibles available, it is not
time-effective to try and cover them all, but we can address them as questions
arise. As stated before, this type of
Bible will have its own tutorial on how to use i<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">t. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One student chose a Life Application Study Bible in the New Living Translation to use with this class. She hasn't studied the Bible before on her own. I told her that she made a good choice. If you are an advanced Bible student, you may want to search out Truths on your own and this choice may hinder your search because you may stop at the commentary. Ask to look at friends' Bibles to see the options. There are so many!</span></div>
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When dealing with footnotes and commentary it is also
important to know your particular Bible’s abbreviations for each Book. For instance, Jn could represent the Book of
John and I Jn could represent First John.
Another book in the Bible is Jonah, so it is important to know the
difference in their abbreviations. A cross
reference rarely includes the whole name of the book that is being referred
to. An example of a cross reference
could be <i>Is 53:6</i>. This means Isaiah 53 verse 6 in most Bibles.</div>
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Worksheet Lesson 3.0</div>
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If a superscript is in the middle of John chapter 3, verse
16; what notation might you expect to see in the footnote area of your Bible
along with that superscript letter?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Another Bible verse reference.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->16</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->3:16<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Nothing</div>
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Circle all that apply</div>
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True or False:</div>
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Every Bible has footnotes.
T/F</div>
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Cross-references are areas in the Bible that tell of the
Crucifixion. T/F</div>
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Two numbers separated by a colon usually signify verse,
chapter when referring to something in the Bible. T/F</div>
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Bible maps enhance Bible Study by showing what places may
have looked like at the time the Bible was written. T/F</div>
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ASSIGNMENT:</div>
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Look in your Bible and determine whether it has any maps in
it. If it does, <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">pick </span>a map and use it to
do a study one day this week.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read Isaiah 53 in a Bible with footnotes. Look up scriptures in the New Testament that
quote this chapter or at least refer to it. </span></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073006986097186824noreply@blogger.com1