WORD-FILLED WEDNESDAY
This is the latest installment of Word Filled Wednesday. Stop by AmyDeane's Blog this morning for more words and images about our amazing God.
Showing posts with label bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bible. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Reading the Bible - Break It Down Into Manageable Steps
Begin at the Beginning!
The first book of the bible, as you probably know, is Genesis. Most of us have heard the entire book, read it, and fairly well understand that it is the story of creation, Noah and the Ark and other “bible stories.” But beyond that, we tend to hesitate. The rest of the bible seems pretty hard to wrap our understanding around. It seems to be written in a language long ago extinct—too long-winded and with too many analogies and examples from centuries far in the past!
But I’m going to share with you an uncomplicated, logical way to work your way through the entire bible – or just one book – which is how I recommend you start! Pick a book—any book of the bible and then begin using the rules below.
Tools needed (besides your bible) include a pen or pencil and a notebook – inexpensive spiral notebook is what I would recommend – I have tons of half-written-in ones hanging around my house!
Always remember this rule: Read the Introduction to each book! In my bible, each introduction addresses the Title, Background (from a historical perspective), Author and Date of Writing, Theme and Message, Literary Features and Outlines. In my opinion, this is the only way to begin. Like anything, we need to have a perspective, a backdrop, in order to thoroughly understand the context of any writing – not just the bible.
And one other thing to remember: Always begin with prayer—that’s actually the first rule! A very simple prayer asking God to lead you and enlighten you to his God-breathed words, recorded for you long ago and waiting for you to discover them!
Nobody Ever Said You Have to Go In Order!
Begin with any book you want – and if in the introduction reference is made to specific happenings that especially spark your interest – you can begin in the middle, or anywhere else in the book!
Now comes the notebook and the pen or pencil. When you are reading scripture, the notes at the bottom (or along the side) of each page, are very helpful. Often they make reference to another bible passage. You guessed it! Write down the reference. When you’re done reading the current scripture (or right at that point—which is what I do!) go to that scripture.
So often, I have discovered the intricate and amazing connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament and also between various books of the Old Testament! That’s how it’s supposed to work, but I’m still always delighted when I discover it on my own!
Example: Isaiah 14:13 refers to a sacred mountain. My bible notes providing details about the sacred mountain direct me to see Psalm 48:1-2 and Psalm 48:2, where that mountain is considered to be Mount Casius, or Mount Zaphon (Ps 48:2)
If each book is read from the perspective of an action novel, it is much more engaging! Of course, the one thing that makes this book different from any other is that is the inspired word of God, who used ordinary people like us, to record His prophetic and everlasting words for us to live by.
So with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a curious mind, and a systematic approach, you can handle any passage, chapter or book the bible contains!
Good luck and happy reading!
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "(Matthew 4:4 NIV)
The first book of the bible, as you probably know, is Genesis. Most of us have heard the entire book, read it, and fairly well understand that it is the story of creation, Noah and the Ark and other “bible stories.” But beyond that, we tend to hesitate. The rest of the bible seems pretty hard to wrap our understanding around. It seems to be written in a language long ago extinct—too long-winded and with too many analogies and examples from centuries far in the past!But I’m going to share with you an uncomplicated, logical way to work your way through the entire bible – or just one book – which is how I recommend you start! Pick a book—any book of the bible and then begin using the rules below.
Tools needed (besides your bible) include a pen or pencil and a notebook – inexpensive spiral notebook is what I would recommend – I have tons of half-written-in ones hanging around my house!
Always remember this rule: Read the Introduction to each book! In my bible, each introduction addresses the Title, Background (from a historical perspective), Author and Date of Writing, Theme and Message, Literary Features and Outlines. In my opinion, this is the only way to begin. Like anything, we need to have a perspective, a backdrop, in order to thoroughly understand the context of any writing – not just the bible.
And one other thing to remember: Always begin with prayer—that’s actually the first rule! A very simple prayer asking God to lead you and enlighten you to his God-breathed words, recorded for you long ago and waiting for you to discover them!
Nobody Ever Said You Have to Go In Order!
Begin with any book you want – and if in the introduction reference is made to specific happenings that especially spark your interest – you can begin in the middle, or anywhere else in the book!
Now comes the notebook and the pen or pencil. When you are reading scripture, the notes at the bottom (or along the side) of each page, are very helpful. Often they make reference to another bible passage. You guessed it! Write down the reference. When you’re done reading the current scripture (or right at that point—which is what I do!) go to that scripture.
So often, I have discovered the intricate and amazing connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament and also between various books of the Old Testament! That’s how it’s supposed to work, but I’m still always delighted when I discover it on my own!
Example: Isaiah 14:13 refers to a sacred mountain. My bible notes providing details about the sacred mountain direct me to see Psalm 48:1-2 and Psalm 48:2, where that mountain is considered to be Mount Casius, or Mount Zaphon (Ps 48:2)
If each book is read from the perspective of an action novel, it is much more engaging! Of course, the one thing that makes this book different from any other is that is the inspired word of God, who used ordinary people like us, to record His prophetic and everlasting words for us to live by.
So with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a curious mind, and a systematic approach, you can handle any passage, chapter or book the bible contains!
Good luck and happy reading!
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "(Matthew 4:4 NIV)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Beatitudes for God's Wonder Woman - 5th in the Series
It's hard to believe I've already made 6 bi-weekly posts at Take Root and Write! God's Wonder Woman is the name of my column there.
A new post is published every month on the first and third Wednesdays.
This column has been big time investment for me. It has challenged me and enriched me with the opportunity to discover God's word through new eyes - the eyes of a woman who is loved beyond imagining by a God beyond understanding or comprehension.
Each time I study and research for my columns I have the gift of delving deeply into scripture and the opportunity to read some incredible commentaries by biblical scholars and "regular" people like me.
I have been equally stretched and blessed to be the columnist for God's Wonder Woman. I hope you will take the time to stop by God's Wonder Woman at Take Root and Write soon.
When you click on this God's Wonder Woman link, you'll see the introduction/explanation of the column name and theme. Then you can scroll down to read any (or all!) of the columns.
If you would like to sign up the Take Root and Write digital magazine, click on this Get Rooted link to find out what it is and how to receive it in your email every week.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. (2 Timothy 2:15-16 NIV)
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18 NIV)
Monday, December 1, 2008
Incontrovertible Faith
I adore words! The love of words is in my genetic code, I think. My mom is a crossword puzzle “genius” and my paternal grandmother used to solve crossword puzzles in pen! I think my interest in words was fed and nurtured through all the years of my childhood when my mom told us to “look it up” every time we asked her how to spell a word! Those were the days (waay back in history!) when a dictionary – a book with a cover and many hundreds of actual pages – were our resource for word spellings and meanings.
This love affair with words explains why I became a writer, I imagine – it’s just a natural progression. To that end, I subscribe to a “word a day” through ezines@arcamax.com. Yes, I actually have a “word” emailed to me every day. Today’s word is incontrovertible. It means “impossible to dispute; unquestionable.”
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. [1 John 4:15 NIV]. My faith in Christ as Savior, the Promised One in history, the Messiah is incontrovertible! It is just not something I argue about. I don’t argue because for me there is no debate! I don’t argue or debate it because to engage in an argument or debate means that one party convinces the other of their point of view.
I know!!! What about discipleship? What about broadcasting the Good News to the ends of the earth? That’s not the same as arguing! You see, debate and argument are matters of the head—the mind. Faith is a matter of the heart. My faith is incontrovertible. And it’s not something I argue about with others. I will never be convinced that Christianity is a lie or that the Bible is fiction.
That doesn’t mean I deny my faith or try to cover up the fact that I am a Christian. I am who and what I am because I AM a Christian. My faith defines how I live my life – every aspect of my life. I have lost free-lance writing jobs – and even a nanny job – because when the potential employer visited my website it was obvious to them that I am a Christian.
I’m not even going to call those situations persecution. They are not at all! But I won’t change the information on my website in order to get more work or to be thought of in a certain way either. My Christianity is important to me but more than that, it defines how I would be and am as an employee, contractor and a person. I have a great deal of integrity; I am honest and fair to a fault. I have an impeccable work ethic and expect the same of others. I am kind and generous, loving and compassionate. I always try to do the right thing.
Ah . . . but don’t think I’ve listed anywhere on my website or in any biographical or demographic information about myself that I am a sinner. I won’t document the numerous ways I sin on a regular basis, but suffice it to say I am flawed, broken and imperfect. That truth is also incontrovertible. That is why I try very, very hard to be as good a Christian as I can. My sinfulness is also what keeps me very humble and deters me from judging others.
My life, like my faith, is pretty straightforward.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 8:37-39 NIV]
This love affair with words explains why I became a writer, I imagine – it’s just a natural progression. To that end, I subscribe to a “word a day” through ezines@arcamax.com. Yes, I actually have a “word” emailed to me every day. Today’s word is incontrovertible. It means “impossible to dispute; unquestionable.”
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. [1 John 4:15 NIV]. My faith in Christ as Savior, the Promised One in history, the Messiah is incontrovertible! It is just not something I argue about. I don’t argue because for me there is no debate! I don’t argue or debate it because to engage in an argument or debate means that one party convinces the other of their point of view.
I know!!! What about discipleship? What about broadcasting the Good News to the ends of the earth? That’s not the same as arguing! You see, debate and argument are matters of the head—the mind. Faith is a matter of the heart. My faith is incontrovertible. And it’s not something I argue about with others. I will never be convinced that Christianity is a lie or that the Bible is fiction.
That doesn’t mean I deny my faith or try to cover up the fact that I am a Christian. I am who and what I am because I AM a Christian. My faith defines how I live my life – every aspect of my life. I have lost free-lance writing jobs – and even a nanny job – because when the potential employer visited my website it was obvious to them that I am a Christian.
I’m not even going to call those situations persecution. They are not at all! But I won’t change the information on my website in order to get more work or to be thought of in a certain way either. My Christianity is important to me but more than that, it defines how I would be and am as an employee, contractor and a person. I have a great deal of integrity; I am honest and fair to a fault. I have an impeccable work ethic and expect the same of others. I am kind and generous, loving and compassionate. I always try to do the right thing.
Ah . . . but don’t think I’ve listed anywhere on my website or in any biographical or demographic information about myself that I am a sinner. I won’t document the numerous ways I sin on a regular basis, but suffice it to say I am flawed, broken and imperfect. That truth is also incontrovertible. That is why I try very, very hard to be as good a Christian as I can. My sinfulness is also what keeps me very humble and deters me from judging others.
My life, like my faith, is pretty straightforward.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 8:37-39 NIV]
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Bless the Lord, O My Soul
Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. [Psalm 119:89-91 NIV]
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. [Psalm 104:1 & 5 KJV]
These verses were “waiting” for me this morning. I have subscriptions to several services that email scripture to my inbox each day. I don’t know about you, but it really helps me to have constant reminders of whose I am and what really matters in the world.
According to the home page of my email provider, the world continues to seemingly spin out of control! At least a dozen ‘famous’ movie and music stars are having affairs, expecting more children out of wedlock, getting married, breaking up, and on and on. Also the number of viable threats against President-elect Obama’s life increase daily. The 20 richest nations of the world have met this week to bemoan the world’s disastrous economic situation.
From the seat in front of my computer I can see the sky and the trees still have about 50% of their autumn foliage. I’m going to attend Richmond Christians Who Write dinner tonight where I will also be a panelist – in order to encourage other writers and to offer a bit of my own journey. There will be six of us on the panel – all of whom have been “published for pay” in the last year. When I think about that group, I think of constancy, faithfulness, friendship. Looking forward to gathering with that group makes it hard for me to get too worked up over the state of the world today.
Yes, the world’s in bad shape! It didn’t happen over night either. We’ve been spiraling downward for quite some time; a few prophetic voices have been warning us (and those in power). We don’t like to hear that something bad is going to happen unless we straighten up and fly right, as my mom used to say. Just like the ancient peoples in the Bible, we don’t like to hear that if we don’t stop living outside of God’s will and purpose, disaster will strike. All too often, I think we mistake God’s grace for a license to keep on sinning!
Christ won us a second chance – but we have to keep up our end of the deal! We have to live as He lived, love as He loved. That’s no small task, but it’s the only way we can expect to get to heaven. If we squander His perfect sacrifice, then there really is no excuse when disaster strikes, is there?
Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
God’s word will never fail. His faithfulness endures. His laws have been established. The last five words in this passage sum up how we – that’s the collective and individual we – are to live: for all things serve you. If we live to serve God, then nothing we do is wasted. Every decision we make is in line with God’s plan – for our personal lives and for the world. It’s the old simple but not easy paradigm. It’s so basic and uncomplicated. Yet we make it complicated – we don’t want to realign our lives or our world to be in line with God’s word. It’s just too labor intensive.
Well, this turned out to be a bit more doom and gloom than I had intended when I began. My walk is so crooked and full of dead-ends, I could never get a job as a mapmaker! Perhaps I was feeling a little to “good” about my own walk this morning, and God led me to give myself a reminder of whose I am so that I would be appropriately humbled before Him.
You are His too. He loves you too! He wants us to get to heaven to be with Him for eternity. All we have to do is serve Him and live according to His word.
Hmmm . . . yep; simple but not easy.
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. [Psalm 104:1 & 5 KJV]
These verses were “waiting” for me this morning. I have subscriptions to several services that email scripture to my inbox each day. I don’t know about you, but it really helps me to have constant reminders of whose I am and what really matters in the world.
According to the home page of my email provider, the world continues to seemingly spin out of control! At least a dozen ‘famous’ movie and music stars are having affairs, expecting more children out of wedlock, getting married, breaking up, and on and on. Also the number of viable threats against President-elect Obama’s life increase daily. The 20 richest nations of the world have met this week to bemoan the world’s disastrous economic situation.
From the seat in front of my computer I can see the sky and the trees still have about 50% of their autumn foliage. I’m going to attend Richmond Christians Who Write dinner tonight where I will also be a panelist – in order to encourage other writers and to offer a bit of my own journey. There will be six of us on the panel – all of whom have been “published for pay” in the last year. When I think about that group, I think of constancy, faithfulness, friendship. Looking forward to gathering with that group makes it hard for me to get too worked up over the state of the world today.
Yes, the world’s in bad shape! It didn’t happen over night either. We’ve been spiraling downward for quite some time; a few prophetic voices have been warning us (and those in power). We don’t like to hear that something bad is going to happen unless we straighten up and fly right, as my mom used to say. Just like the ancient peoples in the Bible, we don’t like to hear that if we don’t stop living outside of God’s will and purpose, disaster will strike. All too often, I think we mistake God’s grace for a license to keep on sinning!
Christ won us a second chance – but we have to keep up our end of the deal! We have to live as He lived, love as He loved. That’s no small task, but it’s the only way we can expect to get to heaven. If we squander His perfect sacrifice, then there really is no excuse when disaster strikes, is there?
Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
God’s word will never fail. His faithfulness endures. His laws have been established. The last five words in this passage sum up how we – that’s the collective and individual we – are to live: for all things serve you. If we live to serve God, then nothing we do is wasted. Every decision we make is in line with God’s plan – for our personal lives and for the world. It’s the old simple but not easy paradigm. It’s so basic and uncomplicated. Yet we make it complicated – we don’t want to realign our lives or our world to be in line with God’s word. It’s just too labor intensive.
Well, this turned out to be a bit more doom and gloom than I had intended when I began. My walk is so crooked and full of dead-ends, I could never get a job as a mapmaker! Perhaps I was feeling a little to “good” about my own walk this morning, and God led me to give myself a reminder of whose I am so that I would be appropriately humbled before Him.
You are His too. He loves you too! He wants us to get to heaven to be with Him for eternity. All we have to do is serve Him and live according to His word.
Hmmm . . . yep; simple but not easy.
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