Showing posts with label Redeemer. Show all posts

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

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, 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.

Monday, March 24, 2014

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU ARE ON TRACK AND GOD IS REALLY WORKING? (WE MUST PERSEVERE.)

Written March 24, 2014, Monday

How do you know when you’re on track with the Lord and God’s really working in, around, and through your life? I mean it. Really. How do you know?

The answer is simple: Distraction. Challenges. Busyness.

All of the sudden, out of nowhere, everything, and I mean everything, comes up and gets you off of your task at hand—being with the Lord. You’re hit with a little bit of everything—and all at once. Distraction, tragedy, challenge, busyness, fear, doubt, anger, frustration, stress, etc.

Well, it’s been that way for me. And my blog posting sure reflects these new developments in my life. All sorts of challenged have happened to those in my life. Terrible, life-challenging, and life-taking challenges. The storms haven’t been rainstorms or thunderstorms. They’ve been more than a torrential downpour. They’ve been hurricanes with tornados—along with an earthquake.

Do you know what I mean?

None of these have been in my life directly. Thank God. But, they’ve been in the lives of those I care about and support. It’s been some heart-breaking, heart-rendering, terrible stud—where I have no idea how I would handle one thing these individuals have gone through. I cannot even imagine. So, my husband, B, and I have been living at the hospital since Thursday. And, the hospital that is best for all the individuals involved is thirty-one miles away in each direction. We’ve traveled this numerous times over the past few days. The dog needs to be let out and fed. So, we do that and quickly grab a quick bite to eat, then, back out the door we go.

Is it just me—or has the enemy tried to stop you and your progress with the Lord and with this “6+ Year Four Gospel Project” (SYFGP)? (Answer this in your prayer journal—and if you’ve experienced this, or when, please contact me so I can pray for you as you go through this—and I ask for yours as well. Contact me at my email or attach a comment at the end of any blog post.)

Have you been tempted to stop altogether? (Same thing as above. Please prayer journal your answer and contact me if you’ve been here, or when you go through this.)

The way I figure, is we need to be praying for each other through this “6+ Year Four Gospel Project.” It’s the only way we’ll make it through.

With how many challenges I’ve faced already, it’s sure letting me know that God is working, and wants to work, MIGHTILY through this SYFGP. In an awesome, powerful, glorifying way. He will show how He is God. But, far more importantly, we will get to know Jesus in a personal, intimate way. More so than we can even fathom or imagine. Furthermore, we will learn how to live a life of Jesus in a way we never knew was possible.

This is inevitable. I know it is. God is working. He’s stirring us. We must persevere—even if this turns into a 20+ year project. God is working.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Week 1, Day 3, Mark 1:1

DON’T WORRY. THERE IS A REASON FOR DAY 3 OF STUDYING MARK 1:1.

I bet when you say that we’re up to day three for Mark 1:1 alone, you started to wonder about this study. You might even have started to think the Six+ means six plus several lifetimes of studying the Four Gospels. Well, rest assured, we will not do this with most of the verses in the Four Gospels. But, we will do it with some. When we do, there is a reason: We do not want to rush God speaking to us through the verse. We do not want to rush the verse sinking in as deep as possible.

Rushing through the Word of God is wrong. Period. Any questions? We will not shortchange God or the process of Him working in us.

NOTE TO INDIVIDUALS: If I ever rush a verse that speaks to you, then, by all means, stretch that verse out into more days of study on your own.

NOTE TO BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: If you are an individual, working in a Bible study group, and a verse speaks to you more than the allotted time in this “6+ Year Four Gospel Project,” then here’s my suggestion. Add more time of study to your day. Do today’s lesson, as assigned to your group, but also continue studying the verse that spoke to you so much. Sure, it means more work, but is there any such thing as too much time for God or His Word? Really? Really. (This is what I tell myself, at any rate.)

We are doing a third day so I can share more insights of the verse with you. I’ve allowed you to study it on your own without any of my input up until now. After all, I haven’t wanted to influence your study in any way. I wanted you to study it for yourself and form your own conclusions, so that whatever I say will just be bonus material that will get you to think and draw you deeper into the Word and help you live more of a life of Jesus.

I said it earlier, and I still mean it, how I could study this verse alone for days, if not weeks or months. Let me share with you the translations which spoke the most to me. This is where I get really excited. The Word of God is such a precious gem I want to cherish and enjoy as much as possible.

Mark 1:1 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

-- 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.

Mark 1:1 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

1 This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark 1:1 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

1 This is the beginning of the ·Good News [Gospel] about [of] Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

Mark 1:1 / The Message (MSG)

1 1-3 The good news of Jesus Christ—the Message!—begins here, following to the letter the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

Watch closely: I’m sending my preacher ahead of you;

He’ll make the road smooth for you.

Thunder in the desert!

Prepare for God’s arrival!

Make the road smooth and straight!

I just shared four different translations or versions of Mark 1:1 with you. Isn’t it astounding how vastly different they are? And, how they aren’t? And, at the same time? This is what gets me thrilled to read and study the Word of God. It makes me soar. How about you?

Does this give you a sampling as to why you should never read or study just one version of the Bible? If you do, you’ll stunt your growth, just like wearing too small of shoes as a child. Studying just one version gives you tunnel vision, whereas studying multiple versions gives you a much broader vision. It’s like the difference between looking at a painting with your nose pressed against it versus taking several steps back and viewing it.

However, that being said, when just reading your Bible, it’s best to just read one version, otherwise you’ll get pulled into looking at many translations. Reading your Bible can be different than just studying it, particularly if you want to read the bible through in a year (or another period of time).

We are not just reading the Bible, though. We’re trying to absorb every minute, microscopic detail, so we can claim it as our own. After all, we want to get as much as possible as we can. So, multiple translations studying is absolutely essential.

LET ME TEACH YOU ABOUT ANOTHER BIBLE RESOURCE TOOL ONLINE

The best, most effective, and highest quality craftsman is the one with the tools—and the craftsman knows how to best use these tools. Hence, let me teach you about another tool for your toolbox. It’s called BibleHub.com.

1 Go here: http://biblehub.com/

2 Look up your verse or passage from the Bible.

If you look up a passage, it will just give you the Bible. But, you can click on a specific verse from there.

NOTE: It’s the one verse at a time that you gain the most resources. So, even if you are studying a passage, I recommend looking up one verse at a time so you can see all of the resources there.

So, here’s what you do now: There are three search boxes kind of near the center of your screen, or at the very top, there is one big box. If you use the three smaller boxes, use the top box that says Bible and type in Mark 1:1. Otherwise, in the very top of the screen, there is one big and long search field. Type in Mark 1:1. Either way, you’ll get here:

http://biblehub.com/mark/1-1.htm

3 Look around on that screen. It’s the everything you need to get the most out of studying the word on that one screen. It’s one-stop shopping, so to speak. There’s so much found here, as a matter of fact, I recommend only using this resource for a while until you’re absolutely familiar and comfortable using it. It gives you everything you need for focus (which is really a word study), cross-references, and numerous commentaries (if you scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the “ADDITIONAL COMMENTARIES” link, there are even more.

I think this is by far the best resource for Bible study—and it’s all in one place.

Now, shall we start to use this new resource or tool?

MARK 1:1

Keep this link open on your internet:

http://biblehub.com/mark/1-1.htm

Go ahead and read the verse again.

I don’t know about you, but the phrase “the beginning” sure has me stop. It makes me pause and think of all of the beginnings in my own life. Then, it reminds me of THE beginning, in Genesis 1:1.

Mark 1:1 doesn’t refer to just any beginning, however. Mark 1:1 is the beginning of the promise of eternity for us who believe. It’s the beginning of the life of the gospel, good news, or eternal promise of Jesus Christ.

Who is Jesus Christ? He is the Son of God. (Which also proves the trinity, by the way.)

As we do this “6+ Year Four Gospel Project,” we need to keep asking ourselves these questions in our prayer journals:

Who is Jesus? What did He do, think, feel, say? What does He want us to do, think, feel, say? What does this mean for me and my life? How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life? How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?

CAN YOU IMAGINE LIVING BEFORE JESUS CHRIST DID IN THIS WORLD?

NOTE: Jesus has always been. So, what I refer to in this section is ? His actual 32 years or so, where He lived on this earth.

Can you imagine living in the world before Jesus Christ? And, what about before he was born? Walked on earth? Murdered and crucified? Died? Resurrected? Appeared again thereafter?

If I was born before Jesus, sin would have been a constant concern. Never mind how I know how much I accidentally sin without even realizing now. This would only add to the pressure, if I didn't know about the forgiveness of my sins. Additionally, I tend to sin when I am not paying attention. It takes constant intention and attention. Every hour of every day. Therefore, what a relief it is to know if I slip or miss something, I already have grace.

I have hope. I have forgiveness. I am already living an eternal life. Grace abounds in my life. I know how Jesus lived and what He did. But, oh, how can still learn all of the nuances. I want to do so.

So, no. I cannot imagine living a life pre-Jesus. But, this is something I need to try to do as I go through this "Six Year Gospel Project." The more I try to, the more I'll get out of this study.

Mark 1:1 reminds us there was a time that was the beginning of the gospel, good news, eternal message of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It was the start of when Jesus's ministry began.

This is where we walk into the scene... just before Jesus was even born. Where there were still animal and blood sacrifices made for the atonement and forgiveness of sin. Where behavior, thought, feeling, and intention had to constantly be taken into account.

An animal had to die, blood had to be shed, for the forgiveness of my sins before the final sacrifice made by Jesus Christ.

See. I thank God for that. I'm a mess whenever I see a dead animal on the side of the street. I cannot imagine an animal dying every single time I mess up, which is quite often. Too often.

No, I don't try to ever take grace for granted. I just know I am forgiven, so all I need to do is turnaround and try my best to learn from my mistake.

So, the Four Gospels are about before Jesus, his life, and thereafter. This is what I need to constantly keep in mind.

Prayer journal whatever came to mind as you read that section.

PRAYER JOURNALING SUMMARY

Answer each of these questions about today’s lesson: What jumped out at you? What did you learn? What can you apply to your life? What did you say to God? What did God say to you? What did you learn about Jesus, if anything? Who is Jesus? What did He do, think, feel, say? What does He want us to do, think, feel, say? How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ? What does this mean for me and my life? How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life? How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus? Write out a summary prayer.

15 MINUTE STUDY

Look at more references about Mark 1:1, totaling 10 minutes. Then:

PRAYER JOURNALING

Answer each of these questions: What jumped out at you? What did you learn? What can you apply to your life? What did you say to God? What did God say to you? What did you learn about Jesus, if anything? Who is Jesus? What did He do, think, feel, say? What does He want us to do, think, feel, say? How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ? What does this mean for me and my life? How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life? How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus? Write out a summary prayer.

30 MINUTE STUDY

Look at more references about Mark 1:1, totaling 10 minutes. Then:

PRAYER JOURNALING

45 MINUTE STUDY

Look at more references about Mark 1:1, totaling 10 minutes. Then:

PRAYER JOURNALING

60+ MINUTE STUDY

Look at more references about Mark 1:1, totaling 10 minutes. Then:

PRAYER JOURNALING

Don't Cheapen the Tough Stuff With Words

Don't Cheapen the Tough Stuff With Words

My last blog post, "Have You Noticed? Life Stuff..." was based on a true story. Mine. The last couple of days have been tough. It isn't me or my husband, B, but people we know are dealing with the tough stuff of life and we're walking through it with them. So, our hearts are heavy. We don't like them going through the tough stuff of life. It's, we'll... Tough... We know it's part of life. It just sure doesn't help them as they go through it, though.
Have you noticed there are some tough stuff that's just so yucky that words diminish what they're going through? Words just aren't enough. They can actually cheapen what they are experiencing. And a word can cause them damage. It can cause them more pain. Just when they are going through enough pain as it is.
B and I learned long ago the biggest blessing through those times is not saying a word. It's just being present, and being there, that is everything.
Saying "I'm sorry" can hurt them more at this time.
It's best just to be. To look them in the eye. To touch their shoulder. To sit. To pray silently.
The only right words are, "I'm here. Tell me what, if anything I can do." Then, give them more silence so they can digest what has happened. So they can steep in your quiet strength, where they know you aren't going anywhere... even when you leave, you are still there.
Don't ever cheapen these times with words. The best of intentions words can hurt. It's best to keep your mouth shut. Even if you sit there with them in silence for an hour. Just being there is everything to them.
This is being Jesus in the skin.
This is showing them His love.
Don't cheapen their tough stuff with words.
Words hurt and damage.
Just be there. Be present.
This is the ministry of presence.
This is living a life of Jesus.
When life stuff happens, show them Jesus. Not you.

Have You Noticed? Life Stuff...

Have You Noticed? Life Stuff...

Have you noticed that the moment you make a commitment to the Lord, life happens? Everything that could get in the way, does. And, most of it is a challenge. And, some of it is bad. And, some is really bad. The challenges and bad will happen either to you or someone you know. But, it still happens.
You can't ignore them. You have to give them your attention. You have to stop what you're doing so you can tend to what has happened.
Then, the sneaky one tries to layer on the guilt.
But, God...
God, I KNOW what I should be doing. I know. Yet, I cannot. These challenges and badness have crept up. I must tend to them.
Yes. You must. You cannot ignore them. But, you don't have to claim one ounce of the guilt. No. Don't do that.
Rather, tend to your stuff. Deal with it, with the God stuff playing in the background at all times. So, you cannot tend directly to the "Six Year Four Gospel Project" right now. That's okay. Instead, take a verse from it with you wherever you go, whatever you are doing. Keep thinking and reflecting on it, day and night, all day and night, as you tend to your stuff.
This is living a life of Jesus.
Then, return to the SYFGP as soon as you are able. Pounce. Attack the SYFGP with all your might, to help you work through the life stuff you just dealt with. Turn the life stuff into a way to apply the SYFGP in a whole new, deeper way. It's the life stuff, after all, that drives you deeper. That is the blessing. Deeper still.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Week 1, Day 2, Mark 1:1 Continued

A CONFESSION ABOUT MARK 1:1: I WANT TO SLOW DOWN AND ABSORB EACH WORD AND MEANING

I don’t know about you, but I could meditate on each of the words of Mark 1:1, plus the entire verse, and all of its meanings, for days, if not weeks and months. There is a great deal of information to glean in such a short verse. So, I do not want to short-change it or rush through it.

I’ve also decided to give up the idea of twelve verses per week and see what happens. I think it’s far more important to get as much out of a verse than check a box and say, “Studied twelve verses this week. Check.”

Umm… No. I refuse to do that. So, this means this could very easily become a much longer study than six years—or who knows. It could be a six+ year study, but not too many days beyond the six year mark. It depends. I’m not going to sweat it. I would rather slow down and get as much as possible out of each and every word and each and every verse than have the checkmark and checklist kind of faith. Moreover, the more we try to soak in each word, each verse, and all of its depths and meanings, the more we’ll get out of this study of the Four Gospels and the more we will learn how to live a life of Jesus.

I don’t want to rush. I would rather be in the Word than miss something because of rushing.

Once a month, my husband, whom I will call ‘B’ and I go to Historic Jamestowne. I have three family members who went through there in 1607 and many more thereafter. So, it’s quite meaningful to me to see the place and hear all about the latest findings with the archaeological dig. When we get there, we check in at the ranger’s desk and we then leave the building and walk about fifty feet or so, where a walkway of cement and metal takes us to the monument and to the dig site.

It’s along the walkway that B and I have seen more critters than you could imagine: turtles, beavers, muskrats, herons, fish, frogs, snakes, raccoons, woodpeckers, mocking birds, finches, robins, deer, etc. What absolutely amazes us is how as we stand there, looking for or at critters, how many people fly by without slowing down, let alone stopping. I cannot tell you how many cool critters people have missed through their rushing.

I cannot tell you how many blessings people have missed because of their short-sighted rush.

And, I cannot tell you how many blessings I know I’ve missed in my similar state.

The same thing has happened at Virginia Beach, when B and I walk up and down the boardwalk. There have been four times at least, where we have seen several hundreds to a thousand to three of people all along the beach, and suddenly several dolphins come close to the shore and play in the water. Do you know how many people have stopped to watch them of all the hundreds of people along the beach? The max amount of people we’ve seen stop and watch the dolphins is ten. Ten out of hundreds.

We are just too caught up in our own world that we miss tons of blessings, right in front of our noses—or worse, we see them and don’t stop and enjoy the glory of God we see in the blessings.

I do not want to do this with the Four Gospels. I don’t want to rush through so fast we miss all of the blessings. So, this “Six+ Year Four Gospel Project” will probably take a great deal more than six years to get through.

I don’t want to shortchange God.

And, I sure don’t want to shortchange the Word of God and the blessings He wants to show me and us through each word and each verse of all Four Gospels.

PRAYER JOURNALING:

Are you the rush type? How many critter sightings do you think you’ve missed in your rush? What can you do to stop and smell the tulips, so to speak? What can you do to avoid missing the blessings of God and His Word, the Holy Bible?

MOST BIBLE STUDIES ARE SHORTER, LET’S BE HONEST

Let’s be honest here. Again. Most people don’t want to do a Bible study that takes more than three months, let along six+ years. In fact, the shorter ones sell better than the longer Bible studies, unless you’re David Jeremiah, Charles Swindoll, Beth Moore, or Kay Arthur (for example). Longer studies are avoided because of the time commitment they require.

Rush, rush, rush.

We are just flat-dab in too much of a hurry today we miss numerous blessings God has for us each day.

We are not going to fall for that trap. We will do what we can each day, will keep going, and will do our best to learn to slow down and catch every single blessing throughout our day. We will do what we can to get the most out of each word and each verse of the Four Gospels.

In doing so, we will do what most have not. Let me prove it to you. List ten people you know of personally who have studied the Four Gospels for at least years. If you know of a New Testament scholar, add them to that list. Do you ten of them? Most of us do not. In fact, most of us haven’t studied anything for six years in a row from the Bible. So, in doing so, we will learn more than most. We will slow down and allow the Four Gospels to become parts of our lives and we will learn how to live a life of Jesus.

A life of Jesus isn’t rushed. It is one of the Word of God, for Jesus is the Word. Let’s not minimize this and let’s realize the importance of being in the Word and absorbing every morsel of every word and verse, passage and chapter, book and testament.

(15 MINUTE STUDY) ANOTHER METHOD OF STUDYING THE BIBLE: TRANSLATION STUDY METHOD

On top of Emphasizing, focus, and cross-references, there’s another method of studying the Bible. It’s studying several versions of the Bible, which I will call the Translation Method.[1]

The Translation Method is where you first look up your favorite version of the Bible and then you do the Bible study methods of: INITIAL READING AND PRAYER JOURNALING, EMPHASIZE, FOCUS, and CROSS-REFERENCES. Then, you look up the same verse in ALL English versions or translations. Pick at least three you want to focus on, preferably nine or more. (P.S. Now, you see why I said yesterday you will in time need at least nine translations of the Holy Bible.)

For those of you who are willing to use the internet, check this out. It makes it easier to look up all English translations in a very easy way. Here’s what you need to do:

1 Click on this link: http://www.biblegateway.com/

2 In the search box, you can only use ONE verse at a time, or the “in all English translations” feature will not work. So, since we’re studying Mark 1:1, put that in the search box. Choose your favorite version/translation. Hit “Search.”

3 Go to underneath the verse which is not written out on the screen. Do you see the feature, “in all English translations”? Click on that.

4 Your new screen opened and it should look like this:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark+1%3A1&version=HCSB

Do this with every verse we study and you’ll glean great insight and can do this translation study. After all, there are well over thirty English translations for us to read, glean from, and deepen our understanding of the verse.

DO THIS WITH EACH NEW TRANSLATION OR VERSION YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY

We’re going to look at somewhere between three and thirty translations, and we will want to do each of the following with EACH translation we read and for EACH verse we study. While it may seem time-consuming and complicated as you look at it, once you try it, you’ll see it goes pretty fast, particularly if you copy and paste these steps into your prayer journal.

Do this for a total of 15 minutes:

PRAYER JOURNAL EACH OF THE FOLLOWING FOR EVERY VERSE AND FOR EVERY TRANSLATION YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY:

1 Answer each of these questions for each translation you read and study: What jumped out at you? What was different from this translation than from the last one (or ones) you read and studied? What was the same? What did you learn? What more can you apply to your life? What did you say to God? What did God say to you? What more did you learn about Jesus, if anything? How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ? How can this help you live a life of Jesus?

Keep reading and studying another verse until you reach the ten minute mark.

There, It’s really that simple.

2 Then, do this: Write a summary of each of these questions in your prayer journal, combining everything you prayer journaled from this translation method:

PRAYER JOURNALING

3 Write a summary or final prayer.

CONCLUSION OF 15-MINUTE STUDY

Here are all the steps of the Bible Study Method we will use for this this “Six+ Year Four Gospel Project”:

1 INITIAL READING AND PRAYER JOURNALING

2 EMPHASIZE

3 FOCUS

4 CROSS-REFERENCES

5 TRANSLATIONS

6 REFERENCE

7 SUMMARY

8 FINAL PRAYER

So, you see… Fifteen minutes a day will simply not be enough time to get as much out of a verse or passage as you can. That’s why it’s imperative to build up to more than 60 minutes a day in time, and that you use the weekend to play catch-up.

By the way, this is also why I want to build up to at least three hours per day on the weekend of studying and build up to at least four hours Monday through Friday. The truth is, I don’t think even this will be enough to give any given Bible verse. But, from what I figure, I can always do another six+ year study later of the Four Gospels. (I’m not kidding.) And, as it is, I know for a fact I will refer back to the prayer journaling I do for this “Six+ Year Four Gospel Project” often in the future even if I don’t do it again.

Just something to keep in mind yourself. Fifteen minutes a day is simply not enough time to do a true study of the Word of God, the Holy Bible.

30 MINUTE STUDY

Do more of translation study until you reach 30 minutes. Do all three steps.

45 MINUTE STUDY

Do more of translation study until you reach 45 minutes. Do all three steps.

60+ MINUTE STUDY

Do more of translation study until you reach 60+ minutes. Do all three steps.

[1] By the way, before I go any further, translations and versions are the exact same thing. They are synonyms of one another.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Week 1, Day 1 Welcome and Mark 1:1

NOTE

Note to anyone who has read this blog up to now. We're hitting the re-use button. Pretend like you haven't read anything before. We're hitting the reset button. Let's do this over and see what happens. Day 1 is the same.

WHAT IS THE "SIX+ YEAR FOUR GOSPEL PROJECT?"

The purpose of the "Six+ Year Four Gospel Project" is to go through the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, at a rate of twelve verses per week, five days a week. It will take six+ years to accomplish this project. Moreover, it will be divided into eight week sessions, so there will be over forty of the eight week sessions overall.

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW JESUS MORE AND LIVE A JESUS LIFE?

There are three main focuses of the "Six+ Year Four Gospel Project" are the three reasons why you (and me) should go through this project:

1 Do you want to get to know Jesus more? How about in a deeper, more thorough way than you ever have before?

2 Do you want to do the same with the Word of God, the Holy Bible?

3 Do you want to learn how to live a life of Jesus?

If you said yes to any of the previous questions, then you will get a great deal from this "Six+ Year Four Gospel Project." If you commit to this project, you will get more of it than any other study you've ever done. After all, I'm fairly certain you haven't committed to a more than six year singular study before, which you might find a little intimidating at this point.

A SIX+ YEAR COMMITMENT? (WHAT?!? GULP.)

I have two concerns:

1 I don't know about you, but I cannot help but wonder: Who in the world would WANT to make this commitment--AND be successful to start and finish this project? I will be even more honest now. My throat constricts at the thought. After all, six years is a long, long, long time. Isn't this a bit too much?

2 Wouldn't it get boring? Wouldn't it be boring to do day in, day out, for days, months, and years on end? The answer to it all is this: It depends on your priorities.

Do you want to fulfill the three main focuses listed in the previous section? If you do, it will take time, work, and intentionality--each and every day.

Will it get boring? Only if you allow it, will it get boring. Being bored requires a choice. Why would you ever choose not to get deeper in the Word of God? If you are ever bored, it's because you choose to be bored and are not diving deeper as you could.

I guarantee, if you want to get deeper with Jesus and the Word, and get to know how to live a life of Jesus, then you'll quickly discover how it's a worthwhile choice to dive into this "Six+ Year Four Gospel Project."

Sure. It will require a great deal of work and intentionality, but aren't we supposed to do all of that anyway as it is? Aren't we supposed to be in the Word and meditate on it morning, noon, and night (see Psalm 1:2)? So, why not make this commitment to try to get become Gospel experts in our own right?

Shouldn't we get as much as possible out of the Word, every time we are in it, each and every day? That's what this "Six+ Year Four Gospel Project" offers.

Shall we get started?

WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU NEED FOR THIS PROJECT?

There are some Bible studies which include videos or audio, books, workbooks, journals, and/or devotionals. I love those studies. I get a great deal of them and can't wait to do more of them

Guess what, though? With this one, you get all of that in one book. After all, this project will be forty books or more. So, the more I include in each book, in an effort to keep this easier and cheaper.

What will you need for this project for each of the forty or more of the eight week sessions?

1 A book for each session.

2 A prayer journal to use as a workbook (if you do a digital or electronic journal, it's free).

You can get a paper journal at any Target, Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, Tuesday Morning, etc.

As far as prayer journaling on your computer, I recommend using something like Microsoft Word and starting a blank document for each eight-week session of this Bible study and journaling memoir. Then, save it down to the Cloud so you can access it at any time from anywhere, if your laptop, PC, tablet, and cell are all damaged in an act of God, for example, a hurricane, fire, earthquake, tornado, etc.).

3 At least three different versions or translations of the Bible, but preferable nine or more. One of which will preferably a Chronological Study Bible. I realize this sounds expensive, and it is if you buy the paper versions. But, it doesn't have to be. If you are the type that prefers the paper kind, then save for one Bible at a time--and all I can say is check http://Amazon.com. they go on sale quite often and when they aren't on sale, they are still pretty inexpensive. So, buy one at a time, as you can, if you prefer the paper version. Get at least one right away--and make sure to check out used book stores, too.

If you want to use the internet, you can use my favorite site: http://www.BibleGateway.com--iteven has an app for your phone. There are well over forty English versions or translations of the Bible. And, it's free. This is the one I use.

If you like e-books, as I also do, they cost money. Therefore, do what I suggested regarding paper books.

As to the Chronological Study Bible, here is the one I have and will use. It comes in paper or e-book:

http://smile.amazon.com/Chronological-Life-Application-Study-Bible-ebook/dp/B007V69GTM/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1395145080&sr=1-2&keywords=chronological+study+bible

There are several other types of Chronological Bibles, so make sure to look around and see what you like and prefer. Shop around.

But, again, make sure to build your tools a little at a time, you don't have to get everything at once. You'll still get a lot out of this study. You'll just get more out of it when you have more tools.

WHAT MAKES THIS A BIBLE STUDY AND A JOURNALING MEMOIR?

The Bible study part should be obvious. We will study the Bible. That’s the main purpose of this eight week series, every eight weeks, for six plus years as we study the Four Gospels.

As to how this is a journaling memoir, think about what this sounds like and you’d be correct. As we prayer journal our responses to each question asked in this first eight week series or book, we will naturally be writing a memoir of remembrance of our journey and walk with God doing this eight week segment in our lives. I will share my story with you as we go and I hope you will email me your stories and will attach comments to the end of any blog post (hint, hint).

PRAYER JOURNALING

Every day, I will have several thoughts to ponder and questions to answer. Do both in your prayer journal. Make sure to prayer journal at the start of each day, at the end of each day, and at several points throughout your day.

Be thorough when you answer any question or comment on any thought to ponder. In fact, come back to the question or thought several times throughout your day today and for the next month or so, and keep adding to your response. Therefore, if you are doing a paper prayer journal, leave several blank spaces at the end of every point to prayer journal. It will give you space to keep returning to answer. This also shows why doing prayer journaling over your computer is an easier thing. It’s easy to add material as you go.

Your prayer journaling is meant to be used as a way to talk with God (about 25% of your time, and listen to god, 75% of your time. It’s also meant to help you remember what God has done in your life, through your life, and around your life.

And, don’t forget to count your blessings each day (always give thanks).

Those are the purposes of prayer journaling.

I’ll warn you now. If you’re doing the prayer journaling thing best, and where you’ll get the most out of it, you’ll probably go through more than one journal for this eight week session, if you’re doing the paper journaling thing.

EACH DAY WILL BE DIVIDED IN YOUR CHOICE OF STUDY

Each one of us will approach this study at a different point in our lives and will even approach each day with certain time restrictions. While, it is the ideal we will each build up to a minimum of one hour per day, we might not be there today, though. Or, if we are, something might have come up. So, this study is designed to give you options: 15 Minutes Option, 30 Minutes Option, 45 Minutes Option, and 60+ Minutes Option.

For week 1, I recommend with starting with the 15 Minutes Option. Get used to doing Bible study seen days a week. Five days will be the intense study, one day will be catch-up and review, and the final day is review. So, start with the 15 Minutes Option.

Then, for weeks 2 to 3, do the 30 Minutes.

Then, weeks 4 to 5, do the 45 Minutes.

Then, weeks 6 to 8, do the 60+ Minutes.

The whole idea is to build up to what you’re used to.

Then, in the second eight week series, or book 2, build up to 120 Minutes.

I will give you all of the options, though, each day, in case you are already having a time each day that lasts more than 15 minutes. Then, make sure to increase by fifteen minute intervals, as I suggested, just start with week 1 where you are on average as far as minutes.

Another suggestion would be to do whatever I suggest from above, then go back and do another fifteen minute interval for your favorite days from the past in this study. Ideally, you will do all of the suggested exercise and the 15, 30, 45, and 60+ minute intervals for each and every day.

For instance, for me right now, I average two hours a day in the Word of God and for my quiet time. I really would like to get up to three hours. So, I will start week 1 with 60 Minute intervals. Weeks 2 to 3, I will do 60 + 15 Minute intervals each day. I will go back and do an additional segment, as suggested in the 60+ Minute interval from my favorite days from the past. Does this make sense?

TIP:

Try to do the 15 Minute interval first thing in the morning. Then, at points throughout your day, steal some time to do another interval. Keep doing this until you reach the 60+ Minute interval mark.

Now… Shall we get started with our chronological study of the Four Gospels, the “6+ Year Four Gospel Project?”

15 MINUTE STUDY

LET’S READ MARK 1:1

Read Mark 1:1 in your favorite version of the Bible. As you read it, prayer journal any thoughts that come to mind, word by word, prayer journal until you come to the end.

Prayer journal about anything that jumped out at you and why.

Make sure to read the verse all the way through, word by word. Don’t skip any. Prayer journal your thoughts when you get to the end.

EMPHASIZE: Then, read it through even more slowly, word by word. Make sure to prayer journal about how the verse changes as you emphasize a different word each time you read the verse. Prayer journal as to what each word emphasis means. Let me give you an example of this:

I enjoy rainy days. (Emphasize the first word and then prayer journal your thoughts.)

I ENJOY rainy days. (Emphasize the upper case word and then prayer journal your thoughts.)

I enjoy RAINY days. (Emphasize the upper case word and then prayer journal your thoughts.)

I enjoy rainy DAYS. (Emphasize the upper case word and then prayer journal your thoughts.)

Do you see how much the meaning changes with each different emphasis? It changes quite a bit, doesn’t it? Make sure to prayer journal this. And, something to remember with the Word of God, it’s alive. So, what this means is each is true. Each word emphasized and prayer journaling the new meaning from the emphasized new word brings deeper understanding. Each meaning is true, all at once. So, make to prayer journal an overall meaning after you do the emphasis of each word.

Emphasize every time you study a verse.

FOCUS: Then, focus on every noun, then every verb, then every ‘and’ or ‘or’. What does the verse say about each noun (along with he, she, we, they, I)? What does the verse say about each verb? Is there an AND? If so, what does it connect? It’s the same with OR. What does the verse mean if you take out everything except the nouns, verbs, ‘and,’ and ‘or?’

PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS:

Answer each of these questions: Emphasis? Focus? What jumped out at you? What did you learn? What can you apply to your life? What did you say to God? What did God say to you? What did you learn about Jesus, if anything? How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ? How can this help you live a life of Jesus? Write out a prayer at the very end.

30 MINUTE STUDY: CROSS-REFERENCES

Now, it’s important to look up cross-references. So, how do you do this?

1 Use this source:

http://www.studylight.org/com/tsk/

Look up each verse. Answer all of these prayer journaling questions, each of them, for each of the cross-references:

Answer each of these questions: What jumped out at you? What did you learn? What can you apply to your life? What did you say to God? What did God say to you? What did you learn about Jesus, if anything? How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ? How can this help you live a life of Jesus? Write out a prayer at the very end.

2 Use a study Bible with cross-references. Answer all of these prayer journaling questions, each of them, for each of the cross-references:

Answer each of these questions: What jumped out at you? What did you learn? What can you apply to your life? What did you say to God? What did God say to you? What did you learn about Jesus, if anything? How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ? How can this help you live a life of Jesus? Write out a prayer at the very end.

45 MINUTE STUDY: REFERENCES

Look up as many of these references as possible in fifteen minutes at least, and prayer journal your answers to the following questions after reach reference you read:

What jumped out at you? What did you learn? What can you apply to your life? What did you say to God? What did God say to you? What did you learn about Jesus, if anything? How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ? How can this help you live a life of Jesus? Write out a prayer at the very end.

The references can be found here:

http://www.studylight.org/search.cgi?section=bsr

60+ MINUTES STUDY: REFERENCES

Look up as many of these references as possible in 15 minutes at least, and prayer journal your answers to the following questions after reach reference you read:

The references can be found here:

http://www.studylight.org/search.cgi?section=bsr

Do this in 15 minute segments until you reach however many hours you want to reach.

Welcome

Welcome. I had family come to the USA in 1607-1613 in Jamestown and have been here in the USA ever since. I also have famous and infamous family in my tree as well. If you like faith, family, genealogy, history, and historical fiction, this blog is for you. * This blog also consists of all of my writings, my writing journey, and a writing how-to. * Fiction * Spiritual Memoir * History of the USA * Bible Study * Prayer * Counting of Blessings * Journaling * Thoughts to Ponder * Political Thoughts * Current Events * Etc. Etc. Etc.

Pages

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

SEEKING AND KNOWING GOD

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Monday, March 31, 2014

Monday, March 24, 2014

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU ARE ON TRACK AND GOD IS REALLY WORKING? (WE MUST PERSEVERE.)

Friday, March 21, 2014

CAN YOU IMAGINE LIVING BEFORE JESUS CHRIST DID IN THIS WORLD?

PRAYER JOURNALING SUMMARY

15 MINUTE STUDY

PRAYER JOURNALING

30 MINUTE STUDY

PRAYER JOURNALING

45 MINUTE STUDY

PRAYER JOURNALING

60+ MINUTE STUDY

PRAYER JOURNALING

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

CONCLUSION OF 15-MINUTE STUDY

30 MINUTE STUDY

45 MINUTE STUDY

60+ MINUTE STUDY

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Week 1, Day 1 Welcome and Mark 1:1

TIP:

15 MINUTE STUDY

LET’S READ MARK 1:1

30 MINUTE STUDY: CROSS-REFERENCES

45 MINUTE STUDY: REFERENCES

60+ MINUTES STUDY: REFERENCES