New Year. New Subjects

 It has been quite a while since I have been here and posting. I somehow get the feeling I am texting to myself. Why? Because I get little, if any, feed back and less suggestion on what areas I should be covering so that you, the reader, will keep coming back again and again.
 So that may be one reason I spend little time posing under this blog, For Your Information.
   In the past I have acted as a guide for your Bible study time ( If you do study the Bible and find the help useful.) (Have gotten no feedback except for the number of hits that are recorded behind the curtain, so to speak, for each posting)
  I do enjoy ,or I should say, have enjoyed doing so but even I need feedback to feel I am being useful. And that you need it.
   So for 2019 onward I will broaden my area of coverage. I will blog on areas on my interest, and hope that from time to time I may just be talking in an area that interests you. And how am I to know these areas?
   Hopefully you will be telling me. And if you were to leave your email address we may even be able to strike up an email conversation.
   Now that is an idea.
    It will only work if there is a connection made.
   So first I would like to talk about reading. Reading is becoming a lost art. When I talk or post about reading I am talking about books. Not e-books. I am talking about real books of weight. Books that can be held in the hand and pages that can be turned. The things you go to real brick and mortar places and you spend time browsing stacks of literature and non-literature until you find that one book that is calling out to you to be read.
     I have another blog that I use to handle book  reviews of books I have found worthy of being read by others. Not that I am trying to say I know good books when I see them. Yet I do think I have some intelligence when it comes to good stories.
    The Santa Monica Library has what they call a Santa Monica Read each year around summer time. So reading a real book is important.
   Now I am not a big lover of graphic novels as they remind me of comic books more than a progressive form of  book presentation.
I like to use my imagination when I approach a story. Seeing pictures and cartons is not the same as allowing words to flow through my brain and igniting the imagination cells in my cortex.
   More blogs to come with more flow of subjects. Stay tuned and continue to have that nice day.
 

   

Deacons and Ordination

Recently, on a Sunday, since that is the day my church holds services, we had in addition to the full service of songs, announcements, more songs, sermon-- we had an ordination service for a new minister to the office of Pastor/Teacher-- and to also ordain a few Deacons.
 The sermon was on the leadership obligations, both for the Pastor, who is also a Teacher, and of the Deacons. It was pointed out, and I have mentioned this earlier in this blog, the deacon is not the head leader in the fellowship. He is only to help the pastor care for the congregation. It was pointed out the Pastor is like a doctor who sets a broken bone. The Deacon then is the nurse who changes the dressing and sets the splint.
  As for the question of ordination--I firmly believe the ordination sets the person apart for the office.
   The deacon should not be a warm body who fills a hole. I had been called to the Deacon board of a fellowship who treated the office that way. I served my three years as a missions person and so I was stuffed in the Deacon office after my three years was up. On that board I only dispensed money without any investigation on the part of the board and discussion.
   Now in the new fellowship I help in the Lord's table, I can investigate stated needs, and bring to the attention of the Deacons the suggestion of financial help, I can visit shut-ins, and so on. And this one is an ordained office. And I report to the Pastor.
   Yes, 1Timothy talks about the Deacon and what to look for before placing the man in the office. Deacons are spoken of in Acts six. Table waiters and not church leaders. At least not the Pastor but the one who make it possible for the man called to be Pastor to preach and study the Word.

A New Corner

This is Jan 9, 2017 and I took a look at what areas you readers are clicking into and I have notice that my current review of Romans is not being clicked on as much as my methods.
  So I will chill and start a new emphasis.
   Common Grace. This is something we all have based on the fact that God created us. Common Grace gives us the air we breath, the area we live in. It gives us many things we just take for granted.
  Such as, you woke up this morning. Another thing is that you started to move. God allowed you to do so.
  The fact that you can turn on  your computer or iPhone and read this page and respond to it...Common Grace.
   Also your interest in the subject of Bible Study Methods-- the decisions you make to do or not do. Obey or not obey. All allowed.. The choice to leave or not leave comments for me--
   This is a New Year. Let us start to and keep up communication.
ps. Having posted this I went back and looked at how many clicks my postings have had and I noticed the postings on Romans shows 3 clicks each so I guess I may have spoken a bit too soon. So, give me some time and I will get back to Paul.

Devotional Study

As in the previous Bible Study Method we must prepare ourselves for the study. Clear your known sins away by starting with confession. 1John says if we will confess our sins God will be faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. .
  He is able to do this because of the cross. When we become Christians our sins are nailed to the cross with Jesus who has become our sin bearing lamb.
   Which means the best way to study the Bible and understand it is by first acknowledging Jesus as the son of God who bore our sins and the penalty of sins on the cross. He collected the wage so you don't have to. That wage being separation forever from God.
    Our first Bible study method would be the devotional method.
   The goal of all Bible study should be application. But before application we have to do some reading and questioning. So we will start out by praying for insight on how to apply the portion of scripture to our life. The next big step would be to locate that passage we want to study. Once located we should make an application and record it. Lastly we must within the passage we have selected to study and apply we should memorize a verse which we have decided is key.
   The secret to knowing the scripture is the applying of scripture.
    Application is hard work. It should be personal, practical, possible and provable.
    Let me know how you are doing.
    As I said, feedback or I won't know if you are enjoying and wanting what I can offer you.

It Is Okay To Ask Questions

When you are confronted with a puzzlement or even if you just wonder why something you have been told is accepted by others.. it is okay to question.
    Not everything you have been told or hear is found in a Bible verse or even is a teaching of the scriptures.
  You have to keep looking for the answer and prove all things.
  That is why we need to be in a Bible group or under a Bible immersion plan.
  Not becasue it is something I tell you. It is something that is needed for your growth..
   " Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman..."
    Not everything to know is in the Bible but all we need to know is there. At least when it comes to God.
     It is just a feeling of mine but God may not have revealed all about Himself. There may be areas of God we don't know about. These areas would then be areas that we have left to discover when He comes back for us. That comes in the area of hope.
   We hope to see Him face to face someday. We now see through a glass darkly, is the way the scriptures put it. 
   That will be a glorious day.

God Is Directing You

 

Better Days Ahead

  You will find a book review in the book blog I have. It is concerning hearing God's voice and direction in your life. It is called Crash The Chatterbox.
   There is something I didn't mention there that I want to look at here. It is when bad things happen. They will happen. They are times that test you.
    Let's say the worst happens. Ask yourself 'what if..."  WShat if my loved one dies.
    The chatterbox will tell you, Where is God in this? Why didn't He do something to allow the person to live?
     Now you say, 'That would....'  That would be the worst thing that could happen. I would be done in. My whole world will end.
     Next you say 'God will..' God will be there with me. I will not be left alone. My loved one will no longer be with me on this side but there is a future. God will see me through the sorrow. He will provide a way for me to endure. I will survive. 
     Yes, so and so is gone. But God says I will dry your tears. I will be closer to you than a brother. I care for you.
     
    

How It Is Going

   
      In my last post I was mentioning spending time in God's word every day. It is a method I call the ten verse a day method.. I wish to report I have since the last post been doing the method to see how it worked.
      You choose a book of the Bible to read just ten verses a day. I started in Genesis. In  fact I am still there. I read the ten ]verses. "In The Beginning God created..." and I notice what is being said. I jot down observations.
       Interesting. God created by speaking into existence things He went  day by day. He finished each day that days' work.. He seems to be building up to a climax. As I read I see that climax as being man.
       And so on.
       You can do it also. It is not a hard method. It can get slow. I wouldn't require it as a first method to use in your study of the Bible. I think it should be a method used after you have a good grasp of what the whole Bible says.
       Let God impress on you what is there. This is recorded in your journal. Always keep a pen and paper handy as you do this method so you know where you are.
       Let me know how you are doing.

Toxic Scheduling

       Back on the subject of use of time. Since I am a believer in time being only circulated once in that we can't relive our past. We have only the present to use.And if we are lucky, And God wills, we have a future. But what we do in the present determines that.
       So how is our scheduling of time? Do we plan to spend more time with God? Each day do we spend time studying our Bible? This is where we allow God to speak with us. Do we spend time in prayer? This is where we talk to God.
       I have posted earlier many methods of Bible Study. maybe you can go back and look them over
.     We shouldn't depend on the once a week in church service to be the only time we open the Bible and hear God speak. We must be self feeders. Even if it is only a few verses a day, say ten verses, we should be reading. This is spending time with the important person in your life.
        And you will want to bring something to write on so you can take notes. Record your observations. In fact, journals. are a good idea. Keep one of your daily readings and you will see progress.
        I do it and you can do it too.

In The Image Of God

       When you see that phrase- 'The Image Of God' just what do your think? Are you thinking a mirror image? Are you think a facsimile Are you thinking an exact image? One down to every point  of the DNA?

       With all these philosophies floating around such as 'Law of Attraction',' Name It and Claim It', you need to ask yourself-- just exactly what was being said when the writer of Genesis said.. "in the image of God He created him."
         The best way to look at it is that God created man to share with, to walk with, to fellowship with. As any loving parent (and you have to realize I am using parent in the sense of creation)  part of the DNA was passed on.
         We share with God the ability to imagine. We also share the ability to create things. Not as God creates. God speaks something into existence and it is created. We can't speak something into existence. Therefore we are not given the authority or power to name and claim.a thing. Nor can our mere thought bring things into existence. Our thoughts may open us up to possibilities that we, by doing something, can attain an object, but no we can't think or dream something into existence. We create though seeing the way we can put two things together to make a new object or idea.
            God's image also allows us to procreate. His image also allows us to discover His laws of how things work.
             God's image does not include Lordship. We are not little gods nor was Adam And Eve created little gods. They were created to have fellowship with God not to arm wrestle Him to see who is sovereign.

Two Ways and Two Roads

  There is that portion in the Sermon On The Mount that Jesus gave as recorded in Matthew 7:13-20 where Jesus talks about gates and ways that people use to get through life. You know the passage. Jesus says, Enter by the narrow gate...
    Then He talks about a wide  gate. Two gates. The narrow and the wide. The wide gate is one most people find and walk on. It is easy. It is wide. And then there is the narrow gate that is not as easy. To enter you must drop some bags.
   The outcome of each path is different. The broad way is fun now but in eternity the end is away from God's presence.
  The narrow way is not easy now yet it leads to life with God.
   Daryl , the pastor of Victory Christian Fellowship, does a better explanation than I. You can listen to him here --which is a place to find the podcast.

Bible Study Help

     It is necessary for Christian Growth that you be able to feed yourself. You shouldn't stay with one meal a week.. that sermon on Sunday shouildn't be the only interfacing you do with God . But you should be training yourself to feed yourself.
    What I want is for you to study your Bible and get something for yourself. You need bible study help.
     My method is to have a pen and notebook along with me as I read my Bible. I stay with three chapters a day and I notice what is being said.

• I ask to whom is the writer speaking? 
• What is he saying? 
• Is there something there I should take notice of. (this I jot down in mny notebook.)
•  Is there something for me to pray about?
• Is there a sin for me to confess? 

    For those of you out there reading this who would like to try to self feed, and all should, themselves I have a recommended book for you to look at. In  fact I will even give you a link to Amazon so you can purchase it. 

  Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word

  It is a good book to purchas e and it will give you a handle on some methods that will prove very helpful.

Family Devotions is a Good Idea

    Let me post about something very important. That is important if you want to grow as a family as well as a Christian.
    That is the subject of family devotions. It is also known as family altar. 

The family that does devotions together stays together

    But I very much prefer the term family devotions.
    You gather the family together. Start small. Read from God's word, the Bible. Or you can use a devotional.
      Start where you are.
       So we will use the devotional for this discussion. We will use it because it is easy to explain what to do for family devotions.
    Have one person read the scripture passage suggested. Then have the next person read the explanation. Then have the group discuss what is being said. How it applies to their daily existence.
    If there are needs expressed, have someone record these in a journal somewhere. This is so you can refer back to it as time goes on and see how the answer has been developing.
    Don't make it too literary. Just something like, "Mike was mean to me at school today. Guess I have to learn how to forgive him."
     You can pick up supplies to record these needs such as pens and paper from an office supply store such as OfficeDepot.
      Let me know how you are doing.

God's Goodness

I had the question posted in Twitter by someone from Utah. Is God Good? God's goodness is everlasting, the Bible says.
   He got you up this morning. He is good. He allowed you to see another day. God's goodness is everlasting. He has provided to those who recive Him Eternal  Life. A relationship with Him. God is good.
     He gives you feet to walk on. God is good.
    You can wear Nikes or Puma Shoes  when you take that walk. God is good.
    And if you should decide to do a Bible study today and you get your pens and paper from OfficeMax thank God for He is good. God's goodness is everywhere.  For my Bible study I prefer the English Standard Version. Very accurate and up to date. Try it for yourself.                                    
  


                                       

Group Bible Study

       To properly know the Bible you must study it. The best thing you can do is join a small group bible study. 

     The purpose of a small group is to get to know others and get support. You will be closely knit.
     The version you use is not as important as the fact that it is God speaking to you. I hold that God has spoken. He has told us what He wants us to know. He has caused special selected people to write down what He has said and what He wants us go know. All we need to know to live a God pleasing life is found between the two covers.
     In group Bible Study the object is not so much interpretation as it is application.
     You no doubt have a sound Bible teaching Church you attend on Sunday.      
     This small group bible study  is for find out what does God want me to do.
      You will be asking who, what, when, where, why and how does it apply to my life.
      Along with that Bible you will need a notebook to jot down ideas and observations. The notebook you can get at places like OfficeMax. WHen hyou jot down the observcations make it personal.
      Once you get into the habit of noting what you find in your group bible study  you may start to notice a tgrend. Something will keep popping up. If this is so, pray about it.
    God hears prayers of his people. And He will answer.

Study To Show Yourself Approved

   God has said in the Bible, His word, that you are to study to show yourself approved. This means to really do more with your Bible than just read a daily portion and then walk away.
     No, you should look on the Bible as your instruction book.

    If you are a Christian you were put in a relationship with God in order to grow.
     That would mean that God has spoken and has told us how to live this life He has given us. I belive that the Bible is His word. He has spoken and throughout the years used certain men to write down what He has said.
      In order for us to see and remember what He has said and instrructed us we will need tools.
       A Bible is number one.  Get a good one. I suggest the NIV or the NASB or the ESV.
        You will also need a good notebook to put down what He has said to you. This would mean you will also have pens .
          You can get these at an Office Max. A pen and a blank book. It can be lined or unlined.
           Open your Bible and read and ask what is it saying? When was it said? Who is it speaking to? Is there anything there that tells me about God? About man? About Sin? Is there something there for me to know?
           If possible, form a Bible study group and study in pairs. This will help in Christian Growth. Open with prayer and study together. Share needs for each other and for yourself. There is power in prayer.
         This is what I do.
         I have a time in the morning in which I pick up the Bible and read three chapters from a Bible book. I also read a psalm of the day.
         I would pray before I start that God would help me to see somethinng today that He was saying to me.
         For example on the first day  I may read three chapters in the Gospel of John. And I would also read Psalm One.
          I would take my notebook and a pen. In my notebook I would put down what impressed me that day in my reading. I would add a scripture verse of the day that I had just read. I would note any thing that I could pray about that day.
          I would pray. Thanking Him for what I had observed today.
          Then I go out to faced the world. I am equiped.

Blessings Today

  
Today I want to think about blessings. We all have some.
   God got you up this morning. That is a blessing. There are a few who didn't get up this mornng but went on to their eternity. But you have been blessed with another day.
   Thank God for the blessing.
    You were able to stand up. That is a blessing.
    Thank God for the blessing.
      Even if you can't stand up but you can still breathe the air. that is a blessing.
      Thank God for the blessing.
      You are in your right mind. That is a blessing.
      Thank God for the blessing.
       You are able to do something to provide for your self. That is a blessing.
       You have bills. That is a blessing.
       You can understand words. That is a blessing.
       In other words, all that we do is a blessing. All that we have is a blessing.
        Blessing means favor. The Oxford Dictionary of Current English states for blessing 'something which you are very grateful for.
      Just what are you grateful for?
     I have allowed people to respond. Feel free to do so.
      Bless me by your comments.
     Or if you don't want to do that, you can get a notebook from a stationary store and write down what you are feeling grateful for and then pray back to God your blessings.
      God has blessed you and He knows about the blessings He has bestowed on you. But have your thanked Him? It will be good for you to do so. Just as a parent wants to know that his blessings are appreciated let me inform you that God also wants to know we appreciate His Blessings.
      So what can you do?
     1- Be thankful.
      2-Speak out your thankfulness.

Best Question

Buying

    
   Are you aware that there is a question you can ask yourself that could save you from making the wrong  decision? At all times? That question is a simple one.
    "What is the wisest thing for me to do?"
      Not what is the easiest or most expedient. Just a simple, What is the wisest thing for me to do?
    I wish I had known this earlier in life.
    Of course everyone says that. There are things you can look back on that you wish you had not done. Like my present finances.
    I should be saving up for retirement. Instead I felt I could start a business to bring in money for retirement. But the costs of setting up have exceeded the on-hand resources so I am left with debt far beyond what I have cash to cover.
   Sure, someone will say, but it is an investment in your future. Fine. If that explanation works for you, you run with it. It is not working for me.
    Now I have to hope my business takes off and stays steady.
     I am selling vitamins online. Yes, you can buy vitamins online. You can go  here  and you can shop and buy.
     It all depends on my being able to keep up payments on the program that includes the web site.

Researching

     Would I have invested if I had asked myself that question, "What is the wisest thing for me to do in light of my past history concerning business ventures?"
       Knowing what I know now the answer is probably not. But I must press forward. Whatever the outcome,-- the business takes off or fails,-- I will still have to pay off my debts.
  

Morning Thoughts

   Am back to doing my morning devotions. I told you about them. I even instructed you how to do one.
    At least I think  I did. It was many months ago and I am sure you can look it up. May take some hunting but I am sure you will find it.
    I am presently in the book of Joshua. I read three chapters a day and a psalm of the day. Then I jot down my observations of the day's reading. I also include a scripture passage from that day's reading. That is just something I do. Add the scripture verse. I like to have something to memortize each day.
  David has said, In Psalm 119:11b, " Your word I have hid in my heart that I might not sin against God."
   This week I have been impressed in my reading that God has mapped out areas for each tribe to conquer and possess. But they had to put some effort into it. There was no entitlement mentality allowed. They were to actively take their blessing and possess it.

   So it is with my blessing. I have been given a blessing but I must go and claim it and take possession of the blessing actively. I am not entitled to it. It is all a gift of God not as a result of works that I might not boast.

Be Thankful

Tomorrow in the United States is Thanksgiving Day. We have a lot to be thankful for. God is still blessing our nation. He has so far restraned mass evil from overtaking us. Sure, we have attacks from terrorists now, but that just tells me Jesus is coming back soon. The world is not going to get better. When people turn away from God and even go so far as to say He doesn't matter anymore, God leaves that people and nation alone and lets them distroy themselves and their nation.
   Don't let anyone tell you otherwise..America was founded by peple who acknowledged God and His soviegty over people and nations. They acknowledged that if we forget God we are doomed.
    But individual people, they can be thankful they are still alive. God can stop you breathing at any moment. You are reading this so He hasn't done that to you.
   

 So Have a nice Thanksgiving. Remember who gave it to you and acknowledge your Creator.

Basic Discipleship Truth

  We need to be aware if we are going to disciple someone that we ourselves have something to share. It is going to be a one on one relationship you will be setting up.

   You don't have to be perfect. In fact, it is best if you don't have everything together quite yet. The person you are discipling needs to see you struggle. How else is that person going to understand the Christian life and see Christian Growth?
    Of course you must realize that this is all possible because of the resurrection. If Christ is not raised, then what we do in discipleship is useless and just spinning our wheels, so to speak.
    Pastor Joe, the pastor of ACTS, A Church That Studies, has talked about the ascension. He states Christ ascended to heaven and opened the gates of heaven so that we can partake in the heavenly blessings that come down. That sounds about right.
     But we do need to be a Christian ourselves. We can't transmit something we don't have. We need to have a relationship with God because of the death of Jesus. And that death must have been as a payment for your sins.
     Jesus said if He be lifted up He will draw all men to himself. Yes. But after they are drawn someone needs to come along side and walk that person through what he needs to know. The Bible study. The prayer. The daily behavior. The attendence with fellow believers. 'Forsake not the assembling of yourself together as is the habit of some.'
      Just some basics.