Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Seeking God and Knowing God
SEEKING AND KNOWING GOD
Seeking God is looking for and searching for Him. It’s trying to identify Him and His work in our lives and around our lives. In order to be able to identify Him, though, we have to know Him. Otherwise, how do we know it’s Him and not something or someone else? Part of knowing God is knowing His attributes or characteristics. It’s also about knowing His Word.
Let’s be real here and face it: if we are not in His Word, we do not know Him. If we do not know Him, how can we seek Him?
(Image credit for top image: Microsoft images online 2008-2014.)
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
I Want to Seek God
Seeking God:
A Godly Vision Bible Study Journey
I WANT TO SEEK GOD
I want to seek God.
I want to seek Him where I am, doing what I am doing, not just during my quiet moments. And not just when I read the Bible and do Bible study.
I want to seek God and find where all He is working all around me, in me, through me, and in the lives of others. God is always present and is in me and is without (meaning around me). I want to seek Him and see Him in every moment. After all, every moment I am alive, He is there. He is here. And, He is in you, and with you, and is working and present around you.
So, yes. I want to seek God and find Him here--and there. And, I want to join Him in the work, and in the being, He has planned for me. How about you?
When I think of how God is always here and there, and how few times I've actually searched and looked for Him in the moment, it makes me sad and frustrated. How can I miss Him so often? So, I want to live with purpose and intentionality and seek Him in every moment. I want to be mindful of Him. Hence, I want to seek Him and to constantly be seeking God.
The Bible tells us to pray 24/7/365. It also says to thank Him always. It also says to meditate or ruminate on the Bible every night and day. If we are in the Word, are praying, and are counting our blessings, then wouldn't we be seeking Him all the time?
Care to join me in seeking God? That is what this Bible study journey is all about. Let's see the glory of God all around us and recognize it day and night—and stop missing Him. Let's seek God and continually do so.
This is Seeking God.(Image credits of top picture: Stacy Duplease. Sunrise at Virginia Beach 2014.)
Updated on Apr/29/2014/815 a.m.
Monday, April 28, 2014
My Current Writing Project and My Current Personal Bible Study
My Current Writing Project and My Current Personal Bible Study
This is what I'm doing right now, along with A Year of Always Giving Thanks.
{Cover Image Copyright and All Rights Reserved: Image courtesy of khunaspix / FreeDigitalPhotos.net}
Psalm 105:4
{ HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.}
A Country Based on Prayer
April 26, 1607 was the First Landing of the settlers who came from England to establish the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia.
The charter of the monarchy said they were to pray whenever they came to land.
This cross is the monument to mark both.
If you ever hear the United States of America is not a Christian nation, or think it yourself, think again. The first thing we did was pray here, on this land, at Cape Henry on their way to Jamestown.
May that be said of us today. May the first and last thing we do all day and night is pray.
Side-Note: This is quite close to me, for three of my ancestors came with this voyage in 1607.
The base of the cross.
(Image credit: Stacy Duplease April 26, 2014 at Cape Henry.)
Updated on Apr/29/2014 at 1053 a.m.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
AYOAGT Day 16: How Do I/We Offer Thanks Each Day for a Year?
AYOAGT Day 16: How Do I/We Offer Thanks Each Day for a Year?
April 23, 2014, Wednesday, 829 a.m.
HOW DO I/WE OFFER THANKS EACH DAY FOR A YEAR (AND MORE) ANYWAY?
How am I supposed to live 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Philippians 4:6 every day, all day and night long, moment by moment? This is the question.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 / New Living Translation (NLT)
18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
-- NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Please look up this verse at this link. Every version says it a little differently. Read this link for a fuller understanding of 1 Thessalonians 5:18:
Philippians 4:6 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
6 Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.
-- GW: Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.
And, look this up as well for all English translations of Philippians 4:6:
How do we, and how will I, live these verses every day and night, in each moment, for at least a year (if not for the rest of our lives, as those verses instruct)? Simply. We just start.
Yep. Just begin.
Try to count at least three blessings, and things you thank God for, each and every day. Do this for the rest of your life.
That’s it.
It isn’t any more complicated or profound than that.
It’s okay to repeat things you are thankful for, if you really are grateful for it when you write it down.
I also advise looking around, where you are, and you’ll see things you are thankful for, or what you see will trigger something or someone else you’re grateful for and you can then write it down.
Also, as you go throughout your day, expect God to reveal His glory to you. He will pour on the blessings, as He always has. You just need to be open to see them and receive them. Intentionality is the key. Write them down as you see ways in which God is present, and working, in your life, around your life, and through your life--and through the lives of others.
You have the potential for writing hundreds down each day if you carry your gratitude journal with you everywhere you go--and watch, wait, and listen to God and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
God has divine appointments set up for you to see Him working and to bless you through His work and glory. Keep these appointments all day and night long. Don’t miss out.
Also, if you don’t know what to thank God for, go through your gratitude journal. Seeing your list will remind you of things you are thankful for today and will stir up new ones.
Look around. Listen. His glory, and work, is all around. You just need to be open and be intentional.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Monday, April 7, 2014
Verse to Pray, Ponder, and Memorize
Galatians 2:19-20
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 For through the law I have died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ 20 and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Monday, March 31, 2014
KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS VS. KNOWING JESUS
KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS VS. KNOWING JESUS
There is a difference between knowledge of Jesus and knowing Jesus. Knowledge is being able to state facts, like a text book. Knowing is more personal and intimate. Knowing comes from the mind and from the heart.
PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTION: Do you have knowledge of Jesus and/or do you really, truly, personally, intimately know Him?
I think most of us have some knowledge of Jesus.
I would even venture to say most of us, if not all, could have a great deal more knowledge of Jesus than we do.
I think most of us would say we, at one time, knew Jesus. I bet most of us do not really, truly know Him in our minds and hearts, in a personal nature as well as in our knowledge base.
The purpose of this Bible Study Fiction blog, Bible studies, and fictional books is for the purpose to help each of us have knowledge of Jesus--and know Him in our hearts and minds in a far more personal way each day.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Thought For The Day (And Weekend)
Thought For The Day (And Weekend)
If you decided to be a serious student about Jesus and His life, learned daily about Him through the Four Gospels, and applied what you learned, how different of a life would you live each day?
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Bible Verse of the Day: Psalm 62:7
Psalm 62:7
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Cross references:
-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
-- Original Source: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=HCSB&search=Psalm%2062:7
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
CAMP NANOWRIMO and "JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA"
For the month of April 2014, I plan on participating in CAMP NANOWRIMO, which is where in 30 days, I plan on writing 50,000 words of this Bible Study Fiction novel. This means I plan on writing 1,667 words per day for the month of April.
This novel is a piece of historical fiction, but will be a Bible study as well, and is about the life of Joseph of Arimathea.
You can track my progress on CAMP NANOWRIMO here:
http://campnanowrimo.org/campers/agodlyvision/novels/joseph-of-arimathea
Welcome to a new blog
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Welcome to a new blog that is a blog about Bible Study Fiction.
WHAT IS A BIBLE STUDY FICTION?
It's historical fiction written for the purpose of imagining what the Bible times were like, particularly the lives of those who knew of or knew about Jesus. This, combined with Bible study, will make the bible come a live in a whole new way.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Week 1 And 2 Additional Material: Jesus 1
Week 1 And 2 Additional Material: Jesus 1
Every now and then, I’m going to give you an extra study to do about Jesus, if you want. This is an optional day of material.
That being said, I cannot recommend it enough to find time to do it. After all, the more you do, the more you’ll get to know Jesus Christ and learn how to live a life of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:17 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,[a]would give you a spirit[b](A)of wisdom and revelation(B)in the knowledge of Him.
Footnotes:
- Ephesians 1:17 Or the Father of glory
- Ephesians 1:17 Or you the Spirit
Cross references:
-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS
Answer each of these questions to ask of each verse individually and then of the passage as a whole (a passage is one or more sequential verses): Ephesians 1:17:
1 What jumped out at you?
2 What did you learn?
3 What can you apply to your life?
4 What did you say to God?
5 What did God say to you?
6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?
7 Who is Jesus?
8 What did He do, think, feel, say?
9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?
10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?
11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?
12 What does this mean for me and my life?
13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?
14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?
15 Write out a summary prayer.
Ephesians 1:17 / The Message (MSG)
15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
-- MSG: Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS
Answer each of these questions to ask of each verse individually and then of the passage as a whole (a passage is one or more sequential verses): Ephesians 1:17:
1 What jumped out at you?
2 What did you learn?
3 What can you apply to your life?
4 What did you say to God?
5 What did God say to you?
6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?
7 Who is Jesus?
8 What did He do, think, feel, say?
9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?
10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?
11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?
12 What does this mean for me and my life?
13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?
14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?
15 Write out a summary prayer.
Ephesians 1:16-17 / New Living Translation (NLT)
16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[a]and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
Footnotes:
- 1:17 Or to give you the Spirit of wisdom.
-- NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS
Answer each of these questions to ask of each verse individually and then of the passage as a whole (a passage is one or more sequential verses): Ephesians 1:17:
1 What jumped out at you?
2 What did you learn?
3 What can you apply to your life?
4 What did you say to God?
5 What did God say to you?
6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?
7 Who is Jesus?
8 What did He do, think, feel, say?
9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?
10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?
11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?
12 What does this mean for me and my life?
13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?
14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?
15 Write out a summary prayer.
Ephesians 1:16-17 / New American Standard Bible (NASB)
16 (A)do not cease giving thanks for you, (B)while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the (C)God of our Lord Jesus Christ, (D)the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of (E)wisdom and of (F)revelation in the[a]knowledge of Him.
Footnotes:
- Ephesians 1:17 Or true knowledge
Cross references:
- Ephesians 1:16 : Rom 1:8f; Col 1:9
- Ephesians 1:16 : Rom 1:9
- Ephesians 1:17 : John 20:17; Rom 15:6
- Ephesians 1:17 : Acts 7:2; 1 Cor 2:8
- Ephesians 1:17 : Col 1:9
- Ephesians 1:17 : 1 Cor 14:6
-- NASB: Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS
Answer each of these questions to ask of each verse individually and then of the passage as a whole (a passage is one or more sequential verses): Ephesians 1:17:
1 What jumped out at you?
2 What did you learn?
3 What can you apply to your life?
4 What did you say to God?
5 What did God say to you?
6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?
7 Who is Jesus?
8 What did He do, think, feel, say?
9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?
10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?
11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?
12 What does this mean for me and my life?
13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?
14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?
15 Write out a summary prayer.
THIS IS MY PRAYER FOR ALL OF US: WILL YOU JOIN ME?
Ephesians 1:16-17 is my prayer for all of us as we do this Bible study.
Will you join me in praying these verses in your favorite version of the Bible for yourself first, then for everyone else taking part in the “6+ Year Four Gospel Project”—now and later, and for me as I write this study for the next 6+ years?
NOTE
There will be times I share my prayer journaling with you, and the 15 prayer journaling questions. I will share mine with you regarding the study we just did in this ADDITIONAL MATERIAL section. Take a look at Week 2, Day 1 and see what I have to say there.
Updated last on 3/25/2014, 1121 a.m.
Updated last on 3/25/2014, 1121 a.m.
Week 1, Day 7: A Review Day
Week 1, Day 7: A Review Day
SUNDAY
Read everything you prayer journaled since the last weekly review and summary. Then, answer these questions:
PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS
Answer each of these questions:
1 What jumped out at you?
2 What did you learn?
3 What can you apply to your life?
4 What did you say to God?
5 What did God say to you?
6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?
7 Who is Jesus?
8 What did He do, think, feel, say?
9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?
10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?
11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?
12 What does this mean for me and my life?
13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?
14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?
15 Write out a summary prayer.
Now, read the next page after this, for there is additional material you can do for this week and next.
Week 1, Day 6 Catch-Up and Review
Week 1, Day 6 Catch-Up and Review
CATCH-UP
If you missed a day, make sure to go back and do that day or section.
NOTE: Please do not read ahead until you catch-up. Then, do the review for today and tomorrow.
WEEKLY REVIEW AND SUMMARY TEMPLATE
Every weekend, it’s important to review. I will assume your weekend is Saturday and Sunday. If not, adjust this study to suit your needs as far as when you will do your two Weekly Review and Summary Days.
Use this template on your weekends:
SATURDAY OR DAY 6 REVIEW
Review everything this book, or blog post series said. Re-read everything from the last review up to this point. Then, answer these questions.
PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS
Answer each of these questions:
1 What jumped out at you?
2 What did you learn?
3 What can you apply to your life?
4 What did you say to God?
5 What did God say to you?
6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?
7 Who is Jesus?
8 What did He do, think, feel, say?
9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?
10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?
11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?
12 What does this mean for me and my life?
13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?
14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?
15 Write out a summary prayer.
Week 1, Day 5, Luke 1:1-4
Week 1, Day 5, Luke 1:1-4
HOW THIS STUDY IS SET-UP
Have you noticed yet how I haven’t written too much commentary or personal prayer journaling? Nor have I added too much commentary. There is a reason for it.
Actually, that isn’t entirely true. There are a few reasons for it. One of the reasons is because I do not want to shape your thoughts or perceptions about what you study. I want your personal, and group, Bible study to be between you, the Holy Bible, and God—not me. After all, I am more of a Bible coach than a teacher. I help direct where you go initially, but I leave room for God to steer you where and how you need to go. We need to pay attention far more to God and His Word than what any human says—and this is how I will conduct this “6+ Year Four Gospel Project.”
I also wanted you to get used to the format and figure out how to do this study thing before I filled your heads with more data and information. In other words, I wanted to start you off slowly and not hit you with everything at once. I figured this was the kinder, gentler way to do this Bible study—to a point.
My favorite teachers and coaches when growing up were the ones who pushed me beyond my comfort levels and they expected more of me. They helped me see I was made for more than what I thought or imagined. Through their expectation of hard work on my part, and pushing myself, I learned far more from them than anyone else.
This is why I have this Bible study set-up in the manner it is so far—and later. I want to stretch you, help you see you were made for more, and can do more, than you know or imagine. In doing so, you’ll learn about Jesus, get to know Him far more intimately, and learn to live a life of Jesus—more than you could have or imagined.
I will push you. I will expect great things of you. Because God does. It is the prompting of God that drives me to ask this of you—of us. We were made for so much more.
You will not be coddled in this “6+ Year Four Gospel Project.” This will not be easy. It’s meant to help you/us go deeper than ever before. It’s meant to help us learn the text and know it in a deep, personal, intimate way. We will become experts on the Four Gospels in our own right, as God intends. This takes time. And hard work.
Welcome to a Bible study that isn’t for wimps or those who want the easy route. It will help you listen to God and apply His Word to your life in a way you’ve never done before and it will be the most enriching. After all, you’ll listen to God and His Word—not humans, pastors, scholars, or authors. You’ll listen to God alone (and least of all to me, a sinner).
Philippians 2:13 / New King James Version (NKJV)
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for Hisgood pleasure.
-- NKJV: Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
ETC. ETC. ETC.
REMINDER: Don’t forget that you are to do at least the 15 Minute Study each and every day. Then, if you have more time, of the 30 Minute Study. Keep adding more of the minute studies as time allows.
TIP: Work on each day’s study all day and night long. Steal a minute or two (and of course more, if you can) and work on it. The more you do it throughout the day, the more you will get out of it, and the more you’ll actually accomplish.
15 MINUTE STUDY
Part 1: Luke 1:1-4 / New Century Version (NCV)
Luke Writes About Jesus’ Life
1 Many have tried to report on the things that happened among us. 2 They have written the same things that we learned from others—the people who saw those things from the beginning and served God by telling people his message. 3 Since I myself have studied everything carefully from the beginning, most excellent Theophilus, it seemed good for me to write it out for you. I arranged it in order, 4 to help you know that what you have been taught is true.
-- NCV: Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS
Answer each of these questions after having read the NCV version of our passage:
1 What jumped out at you?
2 What did you learn?
3 What can you apply to your life?
4 What did you say to God?
5 What did God say to you?
BIBLE STUDY STEP 2: EMPHASIZE
Go ahead and emphasize each of the verses, one by one (one at a time), and answer these questions about what you learn from each emphasis:
PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS
Answer each of these questions after having read a new version or translation of our passage. So, for example, you would start with verse 1:
“MANY have tried to report on the things that happened among us,” (NCV).
Now, answer the questions below as you focus on what MANY brings to the forefront and the understanding of the verse.
Then, you will do HAVE—and then prayer journal the questions below. Do this to each verse and each emphasis for the entire passage of Luke 1:1-4.
1 What jumped out at you?
2 What did you learn?
3 What can you apply to your life?
4 What did you say to God?
5 What did God say to you?
Then, when you are finished, answer these questions:
PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS
Answer each of these questions:
1 What jumped out at you?
2 What did you learn?
3 What can you apply to your life?
4 What did you say to God?
5 What did God say to you?
6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?
7 Who is Jesus?
8 What did He do, think, feel, say?
9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?
10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?
11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?
12 What does this mean for me and my life?
13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?
14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?
15 Write out a summary prayer.
NOTE: Make sure to read each day the rest of each chapter, even if you are not going to do any of the other 30, 45, or 60+ minute studies.
30 MINUTE STUDY
Do this for another version of the Bible.
45 MINUTE STUDY
Do this for another translation of the Bible.
60+ MINUTE STUDY
Do this for yet another translation of the Holy Bible.
In two days, we will continue with the study of Luke 1:1-4. The next couple of days are review and catch-up.
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