tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79305537476405881562024-03-12T20:27:55.893-07:00*Gospel-driven DisciplesGregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.comBlogger2382125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-31266373153611743522021-09-11T12:38:00.003-07:002021-09-11T12:38:29.232-07:00When It is Dangerous to go to church?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">When It Is Dangerous to go to Church?</span><o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the church does not understand what the conversion
experience entails</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the church does not understand what the church is and
its purpose<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the church does not have a clear understanding of
biblical theology<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the church improperly emphasizes and implement unbiblical
forms of child-evangelism<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the church unbiblically and improperly emphasize “music”
and “worship”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the church adopts “seeker-sensitive” and Barnum Bailey
type means of church growth<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the church is man-centered rather than God-centered<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Bonus Reason</u></b>: When you have been inculcated
with the unbiblical terminology of “going to church”. Genuine believers gather
at a <i>meeting place</i> as the church</span><o:p></o:p></p>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-91156177958797388302021-09-03T09:26:00.004-07:002021-09-03T09:26:37.639-07:00Grace, God's Grace!<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace</span></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My all-time favorite hymn is <i>Living for Jesus</i>. That hymn captures the ultimate desire of my heart. However, there are many more hymns that I love, particularly those hymns that remind us of the amazing, wonderful, and marvelous grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The question for today is, do we really understand and appreciate grace? Do we really appreciate how amazing, how wonderful, and how marvelous grace really is? I am sure that most of God’s children do. I am equally sure that we will not truly or fully appreciate grace until we have stepped into the presence of Him who has bestowed grace upon us.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace. First of all, there seems to be no reference in the Old Testament or the New Testament that informs us that God extends His grace to anyone but His children. A. W. Pink says it this way, “<i>Grace is a perfection of the Divine Character which is exercised only toward the elect.”</i> (1) (He aptly and accurately differentiates between grace for the elect and mercy for all of God’s creatures, both fallen & redeemed)</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Secondly, what makes grace so unique is that it cannot be earned, merited, or deserved. Sadly, due to our sinful nature which we inherited from Adam, we do not even desire grace. Until we have come to experience grace, we don’t ask for it or desire it. God grants grace to those whom He chooses. This is what is truly amazing, marvelous, and or wonderful! There is nothing that we can do to obtain or be worthy of grace. God extends grace freely, unfettered, and simply as he pleases. There is no reason why God extended grace to you or to me other than He purposed to do so by His good pleasure.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">G. S. Bishop once stated that, <i>“Grace is a provision for men who are so fallen that they cannot lift the axe of justice, so corrupt that they cannot change their own nature, so averse to God that they cannot turn to Him, so blind that they cannot see Him, so deaf that they cannot hear Him, and so dead that He Himself must open their graves and lift them into resurrection.”</i> (2)</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(1) A. W. Pink, <i>The Attributes of God</i>, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1975), p. 66</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(2) George Sayles Bishop, <i>The Doctrines of Grace and Kindred Themes</i> (New York: Gospel Publishing, 1910), 156</span></div></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-35433073958023887042021-08-31T09:40:00.003-07:002021-08-31T12:01:18.117-07:00Metcalf Family Reunion & Birthday Celebration!<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No, dear ones, I have not forgotten about you. We have been on a two-week vacation to Albuquerque and Austin, Texas. We left on the 14th and arrived home on the 27th.</span></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We didn't want to post anything in order not to alert the burglers that our home would be empty for two weeks. Praise God, nothing was amiss or out of order when we walked in the door.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My dear Father turns 90 years old on December 1, 2021. So my sister and sister-in law of Austin and Houston hosted a 90th birthday celebration of his life which turned into a Metcalf family reunion (we even had one Torres from Irene's side join us from San Jose, CA). August was selected as the most convenient time to gather as many of us as possible and not have any one travel in inclement weather.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We had family come from New Mexico, Illinois, Kansas, Texas, Alabama and Washington. Represented were the Walter family, the Schaffer Family, the Fitzpatrick Family, and the Metcalf Family. We had five (5) generations present. My Father as the oldest at 90 and my great-grandson at 3 months.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the first time in years, Irene and I had all four daughters under one roof at the same time and we had 4 of our 6 grandchildren (Madylinn and Diontre we missed you!)</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Needless to say, we had a blast. There were nearly forty of us, somewhere around 36 or so. The food was delicious. The conversation hovered somewhere around the level of a jet engine. The laughter was contagious and continual. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lord blessed and was very gracious to us, Beauty (our Blazer is the Beast) our 2009 Saturn ran like a top. No flats, no tickets, no accidents, and no mechanical issues. However, we did experience the motel room from Hades - first time ever in 48 years of travel and lodging were we ever offered a room as bad as the one in Albuquerque. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope to get back to posting again and hearing from you all. I sure missed you but am glad to be back! May God bless you with the riches of His grace!</span></div></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-73850428226959962792021-08-09T03:00:00.001-07:002021-08-09T03:00:00.265-07:00Thoughts on My Devotions (Part 5)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is a sample devotion as an example</span></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AF5s0eN36UTbVTclpDrHYd7aPKzOGdd-Aejx7WMiGY7RXuofdL6cjg-e2Ww1C3YAF-bULUWHSzcjUWV6tuckR3Aadj5bKT0EJAe43H-5d4R_zKeyFm4ydsE_-06CwOgvHfYScpMcWIg/s640/IMG_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="527" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AF5s0eN36UTbVTclpDrHYd7aPKzOGdd-Aejx7WMiGY7RXuofdL6cjg-e2Ww1C3YAF-bULUWHSzcjUWV6tuckR3Aadj5bKT0EJAe43H-5d4R_zKeyFm4ydsE_-06CwOgvHfYScpMcWIg/w665-h527/IMG_0298.JPG" width="665" /></a></div><br />Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-52079732737091225812021-08-08T03:00:00.001-07:002021-08-08T03:00:00.249-07:00Thoughts on My Devotion (Part 4)<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; font-weight: 600;">Thoughts on My Devotions (Part 4)</span></p><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">The tools that I use:</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">For My Personal Devotions:</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• NKJV Cambridge Wide Margin</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• ESV Interleaved Journal Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Pen-Gear Leatherette Journal</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• The Valley of Vision</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• The Trinity Hymnal (Baptist Edition)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• The Life Application Bible Commentary on the book I am working through (Use with Biblical Discernment)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">For My Annual Reading</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">A Good Reading Bible</span></span> (For your annual reading of the bible)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">This is a bible with no references, section headings, notes, or anything that would distract you from reading. A good reading bible merely has chapter divisions. This type of bible allows you to read the bible as it flows with little or no distractions quite like if you were reading a novel. (They are not geared for devotions because they may or may not be set by paragraphs) (Yes, it is strongly recommended that you have a time to read 2-4 chapters a day and have a morning devotion where you are not simply reading but devouring a portion of scripture – paragraph at-a-time)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• The Thomas Nelson Deluxe Readers Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• The ESV Reader’s Edition</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">For My Bible Study</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">1. A Good Bible</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">As a matter of fact, after having looked for several years, and spent a small fortune on a number of bibles (I have approximately 40 or more bibles), I discovered that they have yet to print the perfect bible. So, I recommend at least 4 bibles for 4 specific purposes:</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">a. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">A Good Devotional Bible</span></span> (For your personal devotions/quiet time)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">1) A Cambridge Wide Margin Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">2) A Single Column Journaling Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">3) An Interleaved Journaling Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Men if you can watch a ball game or sports event, and ladies if you can watch a girly movie, you can make time to both read regularly and to meditate slowly most days. Even if you read each day and had a profitable devotion/quiet time 3 times a week you would be far better off than the majority of those who sit next to you in the pew.)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">b. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">A Good Carry Bible</span></span> (Light weight, easy to hold in the “pew,” easily transported)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">By this I mean a reasonable size that is easily carried to the meeting place of your weekly gathering, or to bible studies, etc. I carry and recommend a large print ultra-thin line bible. I don’t recommend a compact or “personal” size bible due to the fact that the font is usually very small. Devotional bibles and study bibles are usually too large to carry practically. Reading bibles do not have verse notations, so if your pastor/speaker chases around the bible you wouldn’t find the verses easily.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">c. A Good Study Bible</span></span> (Always read a study bible from the top (text) down to the notes, don’t read from the bottom (notes) to the top (text)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">1) The NKJV Cultural Study Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">2) The Holman NKJV Study Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">3) The ESV Study Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">4) The Key Word Study Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">2) A Good Bible Handbook</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">a) Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook is my favorite</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">b) Halley’s Bible Handbook</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">c) Gromacki’s New Testament Survey</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">3) A Good Bible Concordance</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">a) Strong’s Concordance</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">b) On-line bible sites with concordances</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">1) Blue Ribbon Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">2) Bible Gateway</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">3) On-line bible program (free)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">4) A Good Bible Dictionary</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">a) Holman’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">b) The New Bible Dictionary</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">c) Davis Dictionary of the Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">d) ISBE (for the hard-core crowd)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">5) <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">A Good One-volume Commentary</span></span> (For sermon preparation I typically use 20-25 individual commentaries on the book I am preaching through)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">I know that is almost an oxy-moron, but I have found use in the following one-volume commentaries if you dine on the meat, and eat around the bones.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">a) The Moody Bible Commentary</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">b) The MacArthur Bible Commentary</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">c) The Wycliffe Bible Commentary</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">6) A Good One Volume Systematic Theology</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">7) A Good Journal or Notebook - A Pen Gear Leatherette Journal</span></span></span></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-91210184426693154252021-08-06T03:00:00.001-07:002021-08-06T03:00:00.278-07:00Thoughts on My Devotions (Part 3)<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; font-weight: 600;">Thoughts on My Devotions (Part 3)</span></p><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">I believe that it is imperative that you record what you have gleaned from the scriptures and what you have come to know. Do not trust your memory. A great problem with bible reading is that many people may in fact read a portion of scripture, but if you ask them two or three days later what the read, they can not tell you. Kent Matsueda once said, “A short pencil is better than a long memory.”</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">So, I use a Pen Gear Journal. It is simulated leather (not expensive), it is approximately 7” x 9” (manageable), it has ruled lines on each page, there are 192 pages. These journals are typically sold by Wal-Mart. I have found they are more available for online ordering through Walmart’s site than they are stocked in the actual stores. I usually order 3-5 at a time. I have been using them in my personal devotions for several years.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">I use two pages – one across from the other – for each day of my devotion. On the opening page of the cover, I write my name, the date of the first entry, and then when I have filled the pages, on the third and final line I write the date of the last entry.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">First </span></span>– I use the journal to record what I gleaned from my mediation on my paragraph.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• I write the date in the upper left corner of the page, and I write the day of the week in the center of the page</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• I then write and underline the word Scripture: Naturally, I write the scripture reference of the particular passage I am meditating through</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• I then write two lines down the word Observation:</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o It is here I began to record the info “requested by the Seven S’</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"> Speaker</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"> Subject</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"> Setting</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"> Schedule</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"> Stars</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"> Statement</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"> Sense</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• I record questions I may have or that have arisen, I record principles I see, problems that are addressed, solutions to those problems, impressions from my heart (careful), the text will never say or mean anything that it did not say or mean to the original recipients. (There is no special or hidden meaning just for you!) I record any observation that I think is germane to the material under glass.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o What is the primary emphasis of the passage?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Who are the main characters in the passage?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o What are the key words of the passage?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o What is the key verse of the passage?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o How does the main emphasis of the passage relate to my Christian life?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Is there anything that speaks to or addresses the Christian life?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• I write the word Application: a couple of lines after my last entry. (By this time, I have filled the first page (which is actually the second page in the journal, the first page is a single page) and I move right across the spine to the adjoining page and continue recording my thoughts on application. I ask the passage and the Holy Spirit for the meaning and the application for the original recipients and for myself. I am looking to answer to questions: 1) What does God want me to Believe as a result of discovering the meaning of this passage and 2) How does God want me to Behave as a result of wrestling with and meditating through this passage. Ask and answer the following questions:</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o What is the main idea?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o What should I know about this idea?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o What don’t I know about this idea?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Am I practicing/living out the truth of the main idea?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o What do I need to do – not do – in order to comply with this truth?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o What timeless biblical principles are derived from this passage?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Are there current errors in my belief or behavior exposed by this passage?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o What changes do I need to make?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• After making the application to my life from this passage, I write the word Prayer. I write out a short prayer of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication to God for the truth exposed by the passage and for enablement in implementing the application to my life.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Pray for enable to apply the truth gleaned from the passage</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Pray for strength to resist the devil and to withstand the fiery darts of Satan</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Pray for the Holy Spirit to remind you throughout the day of the main point of the passage and the application peculiar to you.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Pray for opportunities to share what you have learned with someone else.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Second </span></span>- Yes, my devotion takes approximately 60 to 75 minutes each morning. I say each morning, I usually don’t have a devotion on Saturday morning. That is my day to sleep in, have a late breakfast, and then run errands for and with my wife.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• No, God will not reach down with a big stick with a thumb-tac on the end and thump you one.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• This is not a Pharisaical, legalistic demand that makes or breaks you. God will not be displeased with you, disappointed in you, nor will he discipline you if you miss a morning now and then.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• But forget the 5- or 7-minute devotion, and ignore the pleas from those who plead with you to commit to a 15-minute devotion. Sometimes, but not as a rule or habit, you may only get 15 minutes or so – reading a paragraph will not hurt you, but only help you.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">But to grow in the grace and knowledge of God, to develop a deep and intimate relationship with God realize it takes time. You can find an hour or so if you desire it.</span></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-51536287944690578302021-08-05T03:00:00.001-07:002021-08-05T03:00:00.257-07:00Thoughts on My Devotions (Part 2)<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; font-weight: 600;">Thoughts on My Devotions (Part 2)</span></p><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">First – the purpose of my devotions</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• To come to God deeply & intimately</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• To know exactly what the Bible says</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• To deepen a vibrant relationship w/God</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• To learn about my inheritance in Christ</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• To grow in the knowledge & grace of God</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Second – the plan of my devotions</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Prayer for guidance, understanding, discernment</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Hymns or choruses in order to offer worship/praise</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Old Testament Reading (1-3 chapters)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• New Testament Reading (one paragraph/section)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Journaling of thought, responses, questions, & application</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Prayer for implementation and obedience</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Third – the patterns for my devotions</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Biographical character studies</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Study & Meditation on specific doctrines</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Key Chapters of the Bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Key Passages in the bible</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Creation</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o The Fall of Man</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o The Call of Abraham</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o The Birth Narratives of Christ</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o The Life of Christ</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Sermon on the Mount</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Historical Narratives</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Wisdom Sections</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o The Major Prophets</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o The Minor Prophets</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Prophecy</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o The New Testament Church</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o The Parables of Jesus</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Specific books of the bible</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Meditate thru a complete book of the bible one paragraph at a time</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">o Spend a lot of time in the New Testament</span></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-30288430372705424222021-08-04T10:57:00.005-07:002021-08-04T10:57:32.156-07:00To Mask or Not to Mask?<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; font-weight: 600;">To Mask or Not to Mask?</span></p><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Since the beginning of time, Satan has been busy devising means and methods to cut deep divides into the human race. As tragic as this is there is by far the greatest of tragedies is when he can successively divide God’s people. By far one of the greatest means that Satan employs to divide God’s people is by the misuse of Scripture.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Churches have been divided and even destroyed by the misuse of scripture by both those in the pulpit and those in the pew. It is a terrible tragedy to beat God’s people over the head with the Holy Scriptures. In some ways God’s children are fragile and can be easy manipulated. We have ample indication of this from God’ word:</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• We are to bear one another’s burdens</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• We are to assist believers who fall into sin</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• We are to minister through our gift (s) to fellow believers</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• We who are stronger in the faith are to work at not causing the weaker one’s in the faith to stumble or sin</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• We are to encourage, exhort, and edify one another</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Satan has implemented new ways to divide the people of God. Once again it is through the misuse of Scripture. The issue over the wearing of masks or not wearing masks is causing pain, hurt feelings, angry responses, and division amongst God’s people. Case in point, we are being told that Philippians 2:3-4 is a mandate for Christians to wear masks. If we have no selfish ambition, or conceit, and if we are lowly in mind, we will think of other believers as more important than ourselves, and we will refuse to look after our own interests and be concerned about the interests of others. This is a misuse of Scripture designed to guilt some believers into wearing masks.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">First of all, it ignores the 47 studies that confirm the ineffectiveness of mask wearing and the 32 studies confirming the negative health effects of mask wearing. Second, the context is dealing with unity with individual local bodies of believers. Unity is only preserved through each believer commitment to humility. It is an exhortation to be imitators of Christ when the body gathers in order to maintain peace and harmony with the body.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Each believer is to be convinced in his/her own mind about the will of God governing our behavior towards one another. God has revealed a good deal about His will concerning our dealings with one another. If the weaker brother is convinced by God’s Spirit that wearing a mask is prudent, then by all means, wear your mask in godly conscious. But if the stronger brother is convinced in his mind that mask wearing is not necessary, then in good conscious do not wear a mask. The imperative of this scripture is that neither the stronger nor weaker brother is to force their conviction on the other.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Be careful to understand what I said. There is no question about God’s will on adultery. Thou shall not do it, period. There is no room for differing convictions, weaker or stronger on that issue. But there is no scripture dealing with mask wearing.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">In the light of this fact, and taking in consideration of our responsibility to do all things to the glory of God and for the good of all people, particularly those of the household of faith, let each one follow their conscious as it is led and governed by the Holy Spirit. Let’s not misuse scripture to force our personal opinion or desires on others.</span></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-59877475405627697772021-07-30T09:41:00.005-07:002021-07-30T09:41:28.809-07:00<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>Thoughts on My Devotions (Part 1)</u></span></span></p><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To think my way thru the paragraph I use the following method to help me wring out everything I can from the paragraph. I pray you might find something useful here this morning:</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Speaker</span></span>: (Who is speaking/talking in the passage?)</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Subject:</span></span> (What did the speaker say?)</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Setting</span></span>: (Where does the event/activity take place?)</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Schedule</span></span>: (When does the event/activity take place?)</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Stars:</span></span> (Who are the main characters in the passage?)</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Statement</span></span>: (What does the passage say?)</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Sense</span></span>: (What does it mean by what it says?)</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For some time in my private devotions/meditations I have used </span></span><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">S P A C E</span></span><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">- in the application portion of my devotion:</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Sin</span></span> to confess</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Promise</span></span> to Claim</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Admonition</span></span> to Consider</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Command </span></span>to Complete</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Example</span></span> to Copy</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This morning I developed another method to help me think my way through a paragraph of Scripture - <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">P I E S H A P E</span></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Principle</span></span> to Cherish</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Imperative</span></span> to Comply</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Example</span></span> to Copy</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Sin </span></span>to Confess</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Habit</span></span> to Commence</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Attitude</span></span> to Consider</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Promise</span></span> to Claim</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Error</span></span> to Condemn</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You may be able to stay alive eating one or two meals a week but you will not grow or be healthy enough to produce fruit with out a daily intake of scripture calories from a daily devotion or quiet time as you meditate through a paragraph of Scripture.</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Reading provides familiarity and some (limited) nourishment, but meditation on a passage provided the "nutrients" for growth and development.</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Don't make it a "legalistic" duty, but look forward to it as a time to fellowship and commune with your God and Savior, Jesus Christ.</span></span></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-38641418471614008762021-07-26T12:32:00.000-07:002021-07-26T12:32:01.071-07:00Remember Lot's Wife<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pray diligently for your affections and guard your affections well. Begin to pray today for discernment in order to know what to give your attention, your affections, and your actions. Why? Lot's wife was on the very edge of deliverance and she looked back at the world which she loved and was lost.</span></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #050505;"> "</span><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">If then (since) you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (Why?) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."</span></i><span style="color: #050505;"> (Colossians 3:1-4, NKJV)</span></span></div></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-79157970110668057242021-07-22T10:58:00.000-07:002021-07-22T10:58:07.820-07:00Yesterday is now Today<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2TxPeDRNljRqw8H6RH0i6YExkMpK83LrgwQ1wzYLN_hxn5g97xGUj_vOfczhz2AIB6trRzIt0kS64SCvacj5AeGlNSlVmrst3Rh5X3AlMk6mae-VX8D-ALlSa_PXFnR62a5IACJOZP4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="562" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2TxPeDRNljRqw8H6RH0i6YExkMpK83LrgwQ1wzYLN_hxn5g97xGUj_vOfczhz2AIB6trRzIt0kS64SCvacj5AeGlNSlVmrst3Rh5X3AlMk6mae-VX8D-ALlSa_PXFnR62a5IACJOZP4/w560-h291/image.png" width="560" /></span></a></div><br /><p></p>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-62013381024701474722021-07-20T08:57:00.002-07:002021-07-20T08:57:55.246-07:00The Aim of Our Weekly Gathering Together<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnRdIrQ6QHxVmQlP1STAou7pfgMP-VrBAxx5EUWiMGygkjAeZlcTNvovkHpkOq6L8vKKDdf2mf4G92c2AFVEtyWZZc4ex3uA1tKGHjpv_akFPnUn3PXGr4iY4U_lrvgNAyNkOyI3fCgQ/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnRdIrQ6QHxVmQlP1STAou7pfgMP-VrBAxx5EUWiMGygkjAeZlcTNvovkHpkOq6L8vKKDdf2mf4G92c2AFVEtyWZZc4ex3uA1tKGHjpv_akFPnUn3PXGr4iY4U_lrvgNAyNkOyI3fCgQ/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Church, the aim of of our regular gathering together is to encourage, edify, and equip one another in our faith in order to continue to be faithful, holy, and obedient. The ultimate aim of God and the reason for the existence of this universe is to display the greatness of the character of God. Just as everything that God designed, displayed, divulged, deployed, and does is to reveal His character to the universe, everything that we do through our gathering, singing, praying, teaching, encouraging, edifying, and equipping is to put on display the magnificent, majestic, and marvelous character of our thrice Holy God.</span></span><p></p>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-48954069779275383212021-07-14T19:29:00.000-07:002021-07-14T19:29:01.533-07:00How to Benefit From Worship<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">In response to those who state that they didn't get anything out of a worship service, please allow me ask four questions:</span></span></p><div class="du4w35lb k4urcfbm l9j0dhe7 sjgh65i0" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 16px; position: relative; width: 680px; z-index: 0;"><div class="du4w35lb l9j0dhe7" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="" style="font-family: inherit;"><div aria-describedby="jsc_c_8d jsc_c_8e jsc_c_8f jsc_c_8h jsc_c_8g" aria-labelledby="jsc_c_8c" aria-posinset="1" class="lzcic4wl" role="article" style="font-family: inherit; outline: none;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit;"><div class="rq0escxv l9j0dhe7 du4w35lb" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="j83agx80 l9j0dhe7 k4urcfbm" style="display: flex; font-family: inherit; position: relative; width: 680px;"><div class="rq0escxv l9j0dhe7 du4w35lb hybvsw6c io0zqebd m5lcvass fbipl8qg nwvqtn77 k4urcfbm ni8dbmo4 stjgntxs sbcfpzgs" style="--t68779821: 0 1px 2px var(--shadow-2); border-radius: max(0px, min(8px, ((100vw - 4px) - 100%) * 9999)) / 8px; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px var(--shadow-2); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 680px; z-index: 0;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="" dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc e5nlhep0 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_8e" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto" style="color: var(--primary-text); display: block; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> 1. Did I pray along with the prayers in the service in order to make them my own prayers of my heart?</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Did I sing the hymns with thoughtfulness and prayerfully, paying attention to the words and truths of the verses?</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Did I listen to the message as carefully and prayerfully as possible in order to know the intent of the message and the application of the message to my own heart?</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Did I search my own heart for things to Admire/Adore God, for things to Confess as sin and/or transgression against God and His righteous standards, for things to give Thanks to God for either His mercy and/or grace, and for things to Pray for both myself and for others?</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you didn’t do at least those four things and cannot answer them in the affirmative, please do not reveal, share, or complain that you did not “get anything out of the service.”</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Please write these questions in the flyleaf of your bible so that you will be constantly reminded to ask yourselves in each service.</span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="stjgntxs ni8dbmo4 p13mx040 l82x9zwi uo3d90p7 h905i5nu monazrh9" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; min-height: 12px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="a8nywdso e5nlhep0 rz4wbd8a ecm0bbzt ozuftl9m oygrvhab tvfksri0 kvgmc6g5 j83agx80" style="display: flex; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 12px; padding: 4px 0px;"><span class="p8dawk7l p2cu3d7g gj36ivs1 otbi8bnk i3s4pi26 gfay22hk taijpn5t buofh1pr j83agx80" style="display: flex; flex-grow: 1; font-family: inherit; justify-content: center;"><div aria-label="Send this to friends or post it on your timeline." class="oajrlxb2 gs1a9yip g5ia77u1 mtkw9kbi tlpljxtp qensuy8j ppp5ayq2 goun2846 ccm00jje s44p3ltw mk2mc5f4 rt8b4zig n8ej3o3l agehan2d sk4xxmp2 rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 j83agx80 mg4g778l btwxx1t3 pfnyh3mw p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x tgvbjcpo hpfvmrgz jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso l9j0dhe7 i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of du4w35lb lzcic4wl abiwlrkh p8dawk7l" role="button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; align-items: stretch; border-bottom-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-left-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-right-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><div class="l9j0dhe7 hyh9befq n8tt0mok k7cz35w2 j83agx80 bp9cbjyn" style="align-items: center; display: flex; font-family: inherit; height: 32px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; position: relative;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v lrazzd5p m9osqain" dir="auto" style="color: var(--secondary-text); display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><br /></span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="du4w35lb k4urcfbm l9j0dhe7 sjgh65i0" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 16px; position: relative; width: 680px; z-index: 0;"><div class="du4w35lb l9j0dhe7" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="" style="font-family: inherit;"><div aria-describedby="jsc_c_8q jsc_c_8r jsc_c_8s jsc_c_8u jsc_c_8t" aria-labelledby="jsc_c_8p" aria-posinset="2" class="lzcic4wl" role="article" style="font-family: inherit; outline: none;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit;"><div class="rq0escxv l9j0dhe7 du4w35lb" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="j83agx80 l9j0dhe7 k4urcfbm" style="display: flex; font-family: inherit; position: relative; width: 680px;"><div class="rq0escxv l9j0dhe7 du4w35lb hybvsw6c io0zqebd m5lcvass fbipl8qg nwvqtn77 k4urcfbm ni8dbmo4 stjgntxs sbcfpzgs" style="--t68779821: 0 1px 2px var(--shadow-2); border-radius: max(0px, min(8px, ((100vw - 4px) - 100%) * 9999)) / 8px; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px var(--shadow-2); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 680px; z-index: 0;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="lt9micmv ofv0k9yr gl4o1x5y aodizinl eip75gnj" style="border-bottom: solid 1px var(--divider); font-family: inherit; padding: 20px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t mysgfdmx hddg9phg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -6px; margin-top: -6px;"><div class="w0hvl6rk qjjbsfad" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-15927930236006456482021-07-13T04:00:00.000-07:002021-07-13T04:00:00.204-07:00What Does Conversion Look Like (Part 2)<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>What Does Conversion Look Like? (Part 2)</u></b></span></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is my prayer that I do not disappoint you with this post. It may be that conversion is thought of as something that is somewhat nebulous, undefinable, or indescribable. There have been those who have poo-pooed the doctrine of conversion, while others have attempted to wring out a definition suited to personal biases. Quite frankly, conversion is not that difficult to understand.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Matthew 18:3 says, “… “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matt 18:3, NKJV]. The English Standard Version reads, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” [Matt 18:3, ESV] The word “converted” is the Greek word στρέφω. This word is used some 19 times in the New Testament. It carries the meaning of, “to turn, to turn around, to turn one’s self. It is metaphorically used to represent turning one’s self from one’s current course of conduct. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Conversion is very closely related to the term “repent” or repentance. Remember Jesus began his ministry with these words, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” [Matt 3:2, NKJV]. The word Jesus used was the Greek word μετανοέω. This word is used 34 times and was translated as “repent.” </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Moulton & Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament states that in the New Testament, μετανοέω is more than just a change of mind, “it indicates a complete change of attitude, spiritual and moral, towards God. The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines μετανοέω as a compound word containing the meaning of “to change one’s place or condition and to exercise the mind, to think, or to comprehend. To repent, to change the mind, to relent.” In a religious sense, μετανοέω implies sorrow for unbelief and sin and a turning from them unto God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary, p. 968).</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The interesting thing about the meaning of repent is that the moral and spiritual content in both the words μετανοέω and στρέφωcome from Jewish and Christian influence. The Greeks actually had no knowledge or reference to the biblical concept of repentance or conversion. Μετανοέω represents repentance as a change of mind and a turning from sin and στρέφω represents repentance as a turning to God. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What Jesus was calling for in Matthew 3:2 and 4:17 was a call to an inward and radical change of character which results in a change of behavior. This is why conversion is an act of God and not an action produced or generated by the flesh. A dead man cannot repent.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Regeneration is the work of God through the Holy Spirit in the soul of a sinner by the preaching of the gospel. Regeneration is the sovereignly imparted spiritual life to the previously dead sinner where-by God imparts a new nature to the sinner bringing him from death to life. God makes a dead sinner live by an act of grace.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Repentance is the result of regeneration. The first response of a dead sinner having been made alive is repentance. The newly regenerated sinner repents, turns from sin to the living God and believes in Christ as the only means of salvation. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As God grants new life into a dead sinner’s heart by regeneration, God opens the heart, the spiritual eyes, enabling a sinner to see his/her sin and the necessity of Christ’s atoning work. The newly awakened, or reborn sinner sees for the first time his/her sin, is repulsed and anguished by that awareness, cries out to God for salvation or deliverance. This newly reborn-regenerated sinner turns from their sin and turns to God through Christ. The gift of repentance and faith given by God through his regenerative work in the sinner’s soul makes up what we call conversion. Conversion is the product of changed hearts and changed motivations. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lord willing, we will look at those changed affections and motivations in part 3.</span></div></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-46542578055695568022021-07-12T11:41:00.001-07:002021-07-12T11:41:00.224-07:00What Does Conversion Look Like (Part 1)<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">What Does Conversion Look Like? (Part 1)</span></u></b></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, your workers of lawlessness.’ [Matthew 7:21-23, ESV]</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I mentioned yesterday and on a number of previous occasions, I believe these to be the most startling, shocking, and frightening words in all of the New Testament. (And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night [Rev 14:11] runs a close second).</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How terrible and disconcerting it will be to hear these words at the final judgment. There will be many after a life of service to the Lord in some form or fashion who will be expecting admission into God’s kingdom turned away and rejected. How can this be?</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is because many who profess to know Jesus, to have accepted Jesus into their hearts, who believe in Jesus, and even love Jesus have no relationship to him or with him. Empty professions of faith, lawless lives, and religious activity do not provide the righteousness required by God for genuine salvation.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the record, many of the so-called means of presenting the gospel are not even biblical in nature. No where in the bible are we told to “accept Jesus into our hearts.” Nor does the scripture exhort a person to give their heart to God – as a matter of fact it is God who gives a sinner a new heart. The sinner’s prayer is not a ‘sure-fire guarantee’ formula ensuring salvation. Asking Jesus to ‘save you’ without repentance will not gain you heaven. Continuing to live or ‘practice lawlessness’ also is a good indicator of the lack of true salvation. One cannot claim to be a Christian and live according to the desires and works of the flesh, (Galatians 5:19-21). Don’t tell yourself that you are a Christian and remain a drunkard, live immorally, or disobedient to the clear commands of God.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notice, Jesus said, ‘I never knew you.’ He did not mean that when they showed up expecting entrance into his kingdom that he didn’t know who they were. Jesus used the Greek word οὐδέποτε which means, never, not at any time ever did I, γινώσκω, come to know or have knowledge of, or to become acquainted with. At no time ever did Jesus ever come to know or to have a relationship with the aforementioned people. Regardless of all their protests and claims, professions, and service, Jesus never knew these people in a salvific or redemptive way.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Empty professions and religious works or service are not the means of genuine salvation. I am deeply grieved that I grew up in a religious atmosphere where manipulative means were often employed in hopes of getting people to pray a prayer or ‘to accept Jesus.’ I shudder at the memory of preaching such shallow ‘methods’ of securing converts.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Salvation is a work of God in the lives of sinners. Salvation is a gift given to those whom God chooses to give salvation to. Salvation is a result of God choosing to open the heart of a desperate and dammed sinner, granting him/her the gift of faith and repentance, making a dead sinner alive, and revealing Christ as the only means of salvation.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When God so works in such a life and heart, one is made alive by the work of God, one turns from sin, to the living God, and one’s affections and direction is changed eternally. Therefore, for lack of better of more sophisticated words, may I use my humble and limited vocabulary to simply say that salvation is a transformation of a heart by God, by the Holy Spirit regenerating a dead sinner, based on the sacrificial work of Christ on the Cross. Salvation is not a mere addition to a lawless or sinful live. Salvation without transformation is not salvation.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just ask the people in Matthew 7:21-23. They called Jesus, κύριος, ‘Lord, Master, owner.’ Not only did they claim and acknowledge him as their Lord or master, they served him in some capacity. Some of them prophesized in Jesus’s name, some of them cast out demons, and others performed some type of miracles. But none of them were transformed by God. None were converted. How do we know? First of all, their profession and performance did not change their lives – they remained lawless. They remained in their sin, their addictions, their rebellion. Second, Christ himself declared that he never had a relationship with them.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My friends, Paul exhorted the Corinthians believers to ‘πειράζωto’ (‘to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character), Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test! [2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV) Be sure God has made you alive in Christ by his glorious power and that you are not merely resting in an empty profession and religious activity. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! [2 Corinthians 9:15, EMTV]</span></div></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-70075200200203766982021-07-11T11:40:00.003-07:002021-07-11T11:40:00.230-07:00How Do You Know if You Are Converted?<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am currently preparing a detailed exposition of the Sermon on the Mount. I have arrived at 5:20 which reads, "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." [Matthew 5:20, ESV]</span></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That should be an extremely startling question to you. As I begin my analysis of this verse, the first question that comes to my mind is, "How do you know if you are converted"? The second and third questions are related - what are the marks or the signs of genuine conversion? What does genuine conversion look like?</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spurgeon is quoted as saying, "A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats!" This past Sunday, I discovered this to be true. We visited a "church" and sadly they had a very low view of Scripture, however, the pastor had a very high view of himself and his act.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How can a man like that mishandle the word of God so badly and be so proficient at entertaining the crowd that he failed to shepherd the hearts of God's people with the word of God?</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sadly, many "churches" today are filled with goats being entertained by clowns because they are not genuinely converted. Matthew 7:21-23 is one of the most tragic and frightening passage in the New Testament (at least to me). </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus' statement to the disciples on that hillside so long ago is almost more relevant today than it was when he made it. In this day of "easy-believeism" and "cheap grace" are you truly converted by God through the power of the Holy Spirit? Will your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the externally holy and compliant scribes and Pharisees?</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, how do YOU know you are genuinely converted? What does genuine conversion look like?</span></div></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-58711847614681964482021-07-10T11:38:00.001-07:002021-07-10T11:38:00.268-07:00The Prayer of My Soul<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Oh, says my soul, that the sword of the Spirit may pierce the rock of my heart; that this blessed word may have such a virtue in it as the water of jealousy to kill and make fruitful, that it may kill my sin, and make me fruitful in grace." (Thomas Watson, 1620-1686)</span></span></p>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-51960398774322183992021-07-09T10:37:00.008-07:002021-07-09T10:37:58.220-07:00How to Analyze a Passage of Scripture (Part 4)<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>How To Analyze A Passage of Scripture (Part 4)</b></u></span></span></p><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Minimal Tools for Bible Study</span></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Study Bible – ESV Study Bible, , NASB Study Bible, NKJV Study Bible</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Bible Encyclopedia - <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Zondervan's Encyclopedia of Bible Words</i></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Bible Handbook - <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Holman's Illustrated Bible Handbook</i></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Topical Bible - <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The MacArthur Topical Bible</i></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of the Bible</i></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Bible Dictionary - <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Holman's Illustrated Bible Dictionary</i></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Concordance – <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Strong's Bible Concordance</i></span> – Online Bible</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8. Bible Atlas -<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Baker's Bible Atlas</i></span> or <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Nelson's Atlas and Maps</i></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">9. Introduction to Old Testament – Archer, Unger</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">10. Introduction to New Testament – Heibert, Guthrie, Gromacki</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">11. English Dictionary</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">12. Life of Christ – Shepherd, Pentecost, Edersheim</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">13. One Volume Commentary – MacArthur, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Bible Knowledge Commentary</i></span>, Wycliffe</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">14. Single volume commentary on each book of the bible that you are currently studying. Ask me for recommendations.</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• Buy these study tools one at a time if budget is tight</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• Buy used, especially on line: <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl py34i1dx gpro0wi8" href="http://www.cheapestbookprice.com/?fbclid=IwAR1qkr2bBQij50g0h30xa02jlAI1nMr4t4UMiuhKmMga-Lt_40s9XkX1n3Q" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">http://www.cheapestbookprice.com</a></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• Subscribe to Christian Book Distributors ($5.00 annually) for discounts & bargains</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• Garage Sales</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• Do odd jobs as needed for the extra money to buy books</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I had a professor once who stated, “Men, you need to buy the bread in order to eat, but you do not need the butter. Eat the bread plain, use the money you would have spent on butter and buy books.” (Pastor & Professor Rick Schrader)</span></span></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-22405664530461962762021-07-08T14:01:00.004-07:002021-07-08T14:01:38.156-07:00How to Analyze a Passage of Scripture (Part 3)<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How to Analyze a Passage of Scripture (Part 3)</span></span></p><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As stated before, when analyzing a passage of scripture in order to come to a correct conclusion, ask as many questions of the text as possible. There are no limits to the number of questions that should and can be asked. Some questions will not be answerable and some questions will be discarded as you study, but the more questions you ask and answer the more likely you are to arrive at the original intention of the author of your passage of Scripture.</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When you analyze an passage of Scripture, consider these questions:</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• What is the thesis or central idea of the text?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• Who is the intended audience?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• What questions does the author address?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• How does the author structure the text?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• What are the key parts of the text?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• How do the key parts of the text interrelate?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• How do the key parts of the text relate to the thesis?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• What does the author do to generate interest in the argument?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• How does the author convince the readers of the argument’s merit?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• What evidence is provided in support of the thesis?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• Is the evidence in the text convincing? In what way?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• Has the author anticipated opposing views and countered them?</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: medium;">• Is the author’s reasoning sound? Why?</span></span></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-68654711295758641362021-07-07T11:16:00.001-07:002021-07-07T11:16:20.719-07:00How To Analyze A Passage of Scripture (Part 2)<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to Analyze a Passage of Scripture (Part 2)</span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Studying and analyzing a passage of scripture is not easy. It takes a good deal of effort and energy to read, meditate through a passage and arrive at the proper interpretation. It is crucial that you interpret a passage correctly in order to make the correct application to your life. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The process of analyzing a passage of scripture includes five parts:</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Paraphrasing the passage </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Write out a paraphrase of the passage that you are analyzing. Read your passage several times in at least three (3) different translations. Although I personally prefer physical books and bibles, there are several bible sites on line that provide multiple translations of any passage you desire to study. After reading your passage a number of times, paraphrase the passage in your own words. Paraphrasing the passage demonstrates that you have at least a basic understanding of what the original author penned.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">2. Observing the details</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The first step in interpreting a passage is “observation.” There are at least two goals or objectives that drive your observation, the first is, “Study the Minutiae.” Study all the details of the passage. Observe what is being said, how it is being said, and why it is being said. Utilize the six best friends to ask and answer question – who, what, when, where, how, and why? Determine who is speaking, who is being spoken to, what was said (subject/theme), why was it said, when was it said, what was the setting or background of the passage. Ask as many questions as possible. Observe key words, if necessary, look them up in an English dictionary. The second objective is to seek the meaning of all the details or minutiae that you have studied. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">3. Summarizing content</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">After you have studied the minutiae (details) and sought the meaning, develop a short summary of your findings. A summary should be approximately 3 to 12 sentences (depending on the length of your passage) that details a brief statement of the main points in the passage. Your summary with contain an introductory sentence identifying the author and the main point of your passage. It is written in your own words and contains the ideas of your passage. Keep in mind the summary is not the place to include your opinion, interpretations, or deductions.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">4. Developing a comparison</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Use the cross references provided by your bible’s publisher to examine similar bible passages containing the same main point or events. Scripture interprets scripture. The bible will never contradict itself. Use other passages to help you further understand the passage that you are currently studying.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">5. Applying the passage</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Bible study is not complete until you have prayerfully and thoughtfully determined its application. First, you must determine the application for those to whom it was originally written. Second, you must cross the bridge from the 1st century into the 21st century and determine personal application (s) for yourself. Your application must be based on and related to the text. The text can only mean what it meant for the original audience. Your applications must match the intention of the original writer.</div></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-92106958247830906802021-06-24T14:47:00.000-07:002021-06-24T14:47:29.155-07:00The State of the Church<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeceuuY1VwSKg6UlkWtTBwYr_rwMgyLgHj6lMq8X6sbKsIeb19GUzibHbn4zfaR65-U8UyyVq6fL00Omk5L5DOI8HliUg1B61sSYij5g85zmwlAdV0jwccBMQJ-HN9ZTBIXFhCQa44YY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeceuuY1VwSKg6UlkWtTBwYr_rwMgyLgHj6lMq8X6sbKsIeb19GUzibHbn4zfaR65-U8UyyVq6fL00Omk5L5DOI8HliUg1B61sSYij5g85zmwlAdV0jwccBMQJ-HN9ZTBIXFhCQa44YY/w473-h180/image.png" width="473" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The State of the Union Address is an annual speech given by the
president of the United States to the United States Congress depicting the condition
of our nation. This report is required by the United States Constitution,
(Article II, Section 3) The address includes reports on the country’s budget,
the current economy, pertinent news, national achievements and things like the president’s
priorities, proposals, and plans. This report was given in writing to Congress,
but in 1913 President Woodrow Wilson gave the report in person to congress in hopes
of winning support for his agenda. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Evangelical Church has a similar practice – it is called
the Annual Meeting. The church gathers at a duly called meeting in order to
receive reports on the condition of the church. Usually the pastor, the elders,
the deacons, the superintendents, the department heads, and the trustees give
reports on the budget, the building, the blue-prints for the coming year. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kenny Rogers once recorded a song titled, <i>Just dropped in
(to see what condition my condition was in.</i>) His song contained the famous
and catch line, <span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I just dropped in to see what condition
my condition was in</span>. Apparently from the rest of the lyrics his condition
was in pretty bad condition.<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I am deeply grieved that if the church
today would “drop in to see what condition their condition was in, rather than
being appalled, most would congratulate themselves. A</span><span style="color: black;">merican evangelicals are “deeply confused” about some core
doctrines of the Christian faith</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ligonier Ministries examined the State of Theology in the United States
by commissioning LifeWay Research to conduct a survey based on interviews with
3,000 Americans who considered themselves to be Evangelical Christians. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">The survey revealed that the
majority rejected such doctrines of the bible as the gravity of man’s sin, the
importance of the church’s gathering together for worship, and the Holy Spirit.”</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">69% of Americans
disagreed that the smallest sin deserves eternal damnation<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">58% strongly disagree.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">58% said that
worshiping alone or with one’s family is a valid replacement for regularly
attending church. (Only 30 % disagreed)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">59% stated that the
Holy Spirit is a force, not a personal being.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">52% stated that most
people are basically good <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">51% believed that God
accepts the worship of all religions <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">78% stated that they
believed Jesus was the first and greatest being created by God the Father</span> </p>
<p class="text" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ligonier Ministries concluded that, “<i><span style="color: black;">These results show the pressing need for Christians to be
taught Christology, especially as the outcome has gotten worse since 2016,”
stated Ligonier. “There is a general lack of teaching today on the person of
Christ, a doctrine for which the early church fought so hard.”</span></i><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">One might wonder just how did the
American Evangelical Church get to this point. Although Ligonier Ministries are
probably correct – that Christians need to be taught biblical Christology – the
problem centers on the biblical doctrine of conversion.</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">It is not surprising that the
overwhelming majority of evangelical Christians are prone to hold such devilish
doctrines. When churches do not understand, teach, and maintain a clear view of
biblical conversion, churches fill up with morally good people who are not
converted. The prevailing doctrine of salvation believed by the average church
member and practiced by the majority of local churches lends itself to giving a
false hope without an experience of conversion by God through the Holy Spirit.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-70437152010723429682021-06-17T11:23:00.004-07:002021-07-08T14:03:56.887-07:00How To Analyze a Passage of Scripture (Part 1)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-72iH2_95oUg5p4NqH8zDBGWOwYS9ANabXvUxF38p1QqztKuAudy5Eeg0COkMKm4KB_RFgEm6xTDGJQ3SZug8yl_8wvX3e4artELY8wYyv5eICU83AOqVRYgyMoK6W8I_SkzMYxf1kE/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-72iH2_95oUg5p4NqH8zDBGWOwYS9ANabXvUxF38p1QqztKuAudy5Eeg0COkMKm4KB_RFgEm6xTDGJQ3SZug8yl_8wvX3e4artELY8wYyv5eICU83AOqVRYgyMoK6W8I_SkzMYxf1kE/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">One does not to look far or wide to see that there is mass confusion over the interpretation of the bible, not to mention the wholesale misunderstanding of the majority of particular passages. The multiplicity of denominations and the proliferation of incorrect doctrinal interpretation of passages permeate the church.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It is not very difficult nor surprising to see the unconverted, non-Christian segment of society holding varying and incorrect interpretations of Scripture. The un-believer, the unconverted, or the natural man cannot understand nor welcomes the things of the Holy Spirit including the Bible.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It is a tragic shame and disgrace that believers, who claim to know God through Christ and who have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit, cannot properly interpret a passage of Scripture. I believe that:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Bible study is a spiritual exercise - not a carnal, natural, or human process. To understand a biblical passage, one must first be born of the Spirit by an act of God through faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Second, one must be filled, or controlled, under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Third, one who wishes to understand a biblical passage must be free of sin by confession of sin (1 John 1:9) ensuring that one is free from any hinderance that will prevent the Holy Spirit from "opening your spiritual eyes" (Ps 119:18) to the passage at hand. Fourth, one must enter into bible study, permeate bible study, and conclude the study of the bible with effectual, fervent prayer.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Bible Study is communication with God via his word. God no longer speaks through prophets, angels, visions, dreams, or various exstatic experiences or expressions. God speaks through His word - he communicates his will, his way, and his word through the canon of scripture. Ensure that there is open communication between you and God through the Holy Spirit. Be sure to confess any and all sin.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">The Holy Spirit inspired the scriptures and intended them to be understood. There are many passages that are very difficult to understand. There may be a few that we as students of the bible might never come to fully understand. But the bible is not a closed or mysterious book that cannot be understood with prayer and great effort. Paul told Timothy to study the word of God, to cut it right or straight, in order to know how to use the right portion of the word of God at the right time and place. (2 Timothy 2:15)</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">The student of Scripture who wishes to dig deep into the rich and fertile soil of God's word must acknowledge absolute dependence upon God. Studying, interpreting, and applying the Scripture depends on the assistance of God.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">The Student of Scripture must be willing to commit to the practice and obedience of what was learned or determined. The study of Scripture is not merely academic nor to increase knowledge. Remember, knowledge can "puff one up." One studies to learn in order to obey. One studies to understand the majestic character and nature of God in order to praise God and to make his glorious character and nature more clear for the unbeliever that by God's grace they might desire him and his salvation.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So, join me over the next five (5) or six (6) days as I share some thoughts on how to effectively and accurately analyze a passage of scripture in order to properly interpret and apply what you have studied. I am going to cover several topics on how to analyze a passage from the bible.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you have never studied a passage, or if you struggle in finding the meaning of a passage of Scripture, or if you are well on your way, join me each day. (Reviews and refreshers are valuable tools)</span></div><p></p>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-45426330720702592832021-06-15T11:00:00.001-07:002021-06-15T11:00:03.670-07:00Should the Bible Be a State Book?<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A bill to make the Bible Tennessee’s official state book is proceeding to the floor of the Tennessee House of Representatives after a committee on Tuesday recommended the legislation for passage.</span></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the bill, Republican state Rep. Jerry Sexton argues that the Bible should be the state’s official book to, among other reasons, reflect family heritage and underscore the multimillion-dollar industry that is Bible printing in Tennessee.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is solid proof that Constantinianism still lives to this day. Constantinian is a term to describe the political and theological aspects of the 4th-century process of Constantine's integration of the imperial government with the church. In plain English is simply means that with the Edict of Milan in AD 313, Constantine joined together the church and the state. This was the most disastrous endeavor of the enemy to destroy the church of Jesus Christ on earth.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Constantine’s edict not only gave legal favor to the church, it brought the church into a position of servanthood to the state. The harm that this declaration wreaked upon the church is almost unmeasurable. It plunged the world into what we termed “The Dark Ages” and gave birth to an unholy, unregenerate, and Christ-less church.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Apparently, unfortunately, and tragically it is true that the one thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history. No nation has at any time has been a Christian nation. No nation has ever enjoyed the covenant relationship with God as the nation of Israel enjoyed. No society has been and never will be a Christian nation. This includes America. Righteousness cannot be legislated. Passing a law that makes the Bible a state book has absolutely no meaning at all. This bill will not change the attitude of the unregenerate toward the bible or toward God.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If this bill is passed and becomes law, the fallout will be monumental:</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First of all, such a law would be a violation of the separation of church and state by certifying a single or particular “text” over other religious texts. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Second, in my humble opinion it seems to fly in the face of Jesus’ warning to “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. [Matthew 7:6, NLT] </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Third, it also, in my humble opinion would seem to trivialize the uniqueness and holiness of God’s word by treating as a mere literary publication undergirding “multi-million-dollar industry. The word of God is sacred and should be treated as such. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fourth, even though God can and has used the most unusual people, events, and circumstances to work out his good pleasure, making the bible a state book will not affect the hearts of the unregenerate.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let’s deplore any for or action of Constantinianism. Forget about making the bible a state book, and let’s take the Word of God to the unregenerate citizens of our states, and preach the gospel. Remember, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” [Romans 10:17]</span></div></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-59824392168958288222021-06-11T09:29:00.002-07:002021-06-11T09:29:28.004-07:00Treat Me Like Your Cat<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">Treat Me Like Your Cat</span></u></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcvztrDwk5JMC4fWQ_8IQlT1DaNZ_dJUz6KRApG3SknoFU_J4UCan7UWK-o3U0hWHIwa0iNj-0l0-zIxVhC3YVNNuEWS7i8XK4ehpRxUU0MuWN-_8JJo_-6v7SCEu9ZCZ9dTxK_yQbds/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="231" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcvztrDwk5JMC4fWQ_8IQlT1DaNZ_dJUz6KRApG3SknoFU_J4UCan7UWK-o3U0hWHIwa0iNj-0l0-zIxVhC3YVNNuEWS7i8XK4ehpRxUU0MuWN-_8JJo_-6v7SCEu9ZCZ9dTxK_yQbds/" width="254" /></a></span></u></div><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u><p></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gregg Metcalf (June 11, 2018)</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chorus:</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, just treat me like your cat</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And I’ll be happy with that</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Feed me till I’m nice and fat</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just treat me like your cat</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 1 – Shelter</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You brought your little kitty home</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now he sleeps inside with you</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Protected from the wind and rain</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sheltered from the late night dew</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 2 - Food</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Three times a day you fill his dish</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His tummy is filled with yummy things</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like lamb and beef and sometimes fish</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He doesn’t know the pain hunger brings</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 3 - Healthcare</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your little guy never needs to fear</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You have a healthcare plan for him</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His vet will care for him its clear</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No lack of treatment or medicine</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 4 - Love</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">House and home food and care</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With no worries he is so secure</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All that’s yours you gladly share</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The good life is his for all his tenure</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 5 – The Homeless</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have no shelter from rain or cold</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And I am hungry most all the time</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No health care to help me grow old</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Loved by no one, few who are kind</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 6 – The Plea</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, I have only one thing to ask</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I don’t want special treatment man</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you only treat me like your cat</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’d be far better off than I am</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chorus:</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, just treat me like your cat</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And I’ll be happy with that</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Feed me till I’m nice and fat</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just treat me like your cat</span></div></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-45664641275655512462021-06-04T20:05:00.001-07:002021-06-04T20:05:20.523-07:00The Perfect Bible<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, I think I have solved a long on-going problem. For a number of years, I have been searching for the perfect bible. To me the perfect bible is a bible that allows me to perform at least five different functions: reading, devotional, study, preaching/teaching, and carrying for ministry purposes.</span></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> First, I have discovered, they have not yet designed and produced the perfect bible. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Second, since I don't have the capability and one is not yet available, I have solved my problem in this manner: </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I now have five main bibles that serve specific purposes:</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1) A Reader - no chapter divisions, no headings/subheadings, no distractions, just single column text to read and contemplate/meditate</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> 2) Devotions - an interleaved or blank bible like J. Edwards. Plenty of room to make notes and devotional comments; </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3) Study Bible - I love my ESV Study Bible, it has just the right tools and helps to assist in serious study without doing the work for me;</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> 4) Preaching/Teaching - I am obtaining a single column, verse format bible with good size fonts that I won't mark in so that I can preach/teach easily from it; </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5) Carry Bible - a have a pastor's/minister’s bible that is a small, yet filled with helpful tools like wedding, funeral, dedication, visitation, hospital visitation material. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, problem solved - 5 bibles to do 5 duties! No more searching for the perfect bible, and no more draining the book fund and overloading my shelves with hopeful candidates that turned out to be ius responsum non.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I share this because it has been a long frustration for me. I would imagine that there are others who are equally as frustrated. I hope this helps and can be a good tool or guide for you. What do you do or use for these various "tasks?"</span></div></div>Gregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.com1