CHOOSE SCRIPT NOT SILICON

Text. Script. Trusted Hard Copy.

Whatever one wants to call the old tried and true way to research, my recommendation is to hold on to that, especially when doing Bible Study.

Certainly the computer can aid in that study but DO NOT COUNT ON SIRI!
Siri is NOT always the answer. Siri is silicon. (Even she knows that!)

Siri's first response to my "word study"request was, I do NOT eschew theological disquisitions.    

How's that for a mouthful---or screen full---just wish I had gotten a selfie of me sitting with my mouth agape and Siri's response in full view.
I did get a screen shot of the next one, though not nearly as complex!

My policy should be that as well---don't count on Siri to answer life's REAL questions.
So...back to basics---my "good ole Strong's concordance." Works ever time I choose to take the time and not be lazy. 

Strong's Concordance certainly helped me to get to the heart of the matter! (Psalm 43:3, Psalm 119:105, Hebrews 4:12)

Timelessness of God's Word : Essential guide for all humani-TEA

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:2, NIV)

Dusting the console cabinet in the den, I reset my Pap's Illinois railroad pocket watch for the umpteenth time. It's stemwound and though it's old, it still works----for awhile. Actually, it would probably continue to work if I would continue to rewind it. The watch's timekeeping is dependent on my efforts, because it does not plug-in to any source. It is such a picture to me of my own inability to be consistent in my spiritual timekeeping. If I'm not "plugged in" to the word of the One who is my source of power and hope, my hope for spiritual growth is stymied.

The Bible is by no means a book just of the past. It contains a timeless message of hope. Hope for the day and hope for the future. God, the author of the Bible, (2 Timothy 3:16) is timeless and wishes to share eternity with the people who love Him.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

God's truth is always relevant. Even, many of God’s promises recorded in the Bible are relevant for all times.

God's Word is timeless (Psalm 119:89) and therefore the Bible is still humanity’s most essential guide.

Veloci-TEA Continued, Rationale Considered, at-TEA-ributes Concluded

When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." (Psalm 27:8, NASB)

Run to God's Word. That's always the right "speedy" decision. What takes some contemplation is what you do with it once you get there.

Reading God's Word just for the sake of reading God's word has merit. Searching God's word for answers to questions is a worthy pursuit as well. Yet, lately I have been convicted that God's word, at its best, is as an impetus and aid in worship.

I had just typed this and then I opened an email from Mary B. 

Have you read Women of the Word by Jan Wilkin? Cathy C. mentioned something from it in her BSF lecture Monday night.  She said that the author challenged her readers to study the Bible  to worship God, not to see what you can get for yourself from it. 

Hm-m-m sounds like all that's been on my heart lately. It's a "how-to book about studying the Bible with both heart and mind. I think I need to "check it out." Certainly I know how to use veloci-TEA to my advantage when it comes to acquiring a book. 

I hope this one will equip me to engage God’s Word in a way that "trains my mind and transforms my heart" as the book blurb indicates. Then, I will be able to wholeheartedly answer the question,

"Am I a God-worshipper or a Bible-worshipper?"

I need to fill my cuppa with at-TEA-ributes of God, that I might love the person and not the object as I speedily turn to Him.

at-TEA-boy! At-TEA girl!

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29, NLT)

As all teachers know, it takes at least 10 "attaboys" or "attagirls" to temper one "now-now" negative. 

Kids need encouragement.....but then, so do adults. Heart to Heart Bible study teacher, Crickett reiterated that last night as she shared a great model for a "Ministry of Encouragement" from 2 Timothy 1:1-7.

5 Ways to Encourage Others

(as Paul encouraged Timothy)

1. Love them- (v. 2 & 4) & show that love.
2. Pray for them- (v. 3) & keep on praying.
3. Affirm them- (v. 5) in their faith walk.
4. Exhort them- (v. 6) to be all that God has called them to be.
5. Remind them- (v. 7) of all the Lord's resources that are available to them.

What a great reminder that spiritual at-TEA-boys are good for spiritual health as well as emotional health. 

Each at-TEA-girl fills someone's cuppa with much needed positivi-TEA. Thanks to Crickett for filling our cuppa week after week!

"Quotabili-TEA"

Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. (Ruth 2:15, NKJV)

Ruth's gleaning was a harvesting---all a part of her plan to obtain food. In Bible Study one often looks for nourishment from God's word in much the same way. Often the truth that sticks is a quip or a pithy grabber that nourishes my memory.

Indulge me in a few snippets of truth taken from my Bible marginalia. Three Bibles in all; NASB, (birthday gift from hubby, 1977) NIV, (Christmas gift from Diane A, 1995) & NKJV. ("Cove" gift from Lo, 11-4-04) 

Just my succinct notes that come from others, often not identified, that carry a life message gleaned* from Scripture, & given in user friendly terms, so I clearly "get" the idea! 

*Gleaning or extracting information from various sources collected & recorded gradually and bit by bit since 1977 have given me lots of "food for thought."

Pithy with a punch, as I like to say. Messages of wisdom and knowledge with practical applications. 

(NASB)

• There are no atheists in foxholes.
• Bible is the textbook for relational living. (L. Crabb)
• Sorry looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up. (C. Swindoll)
• Is it right? (Yes) Should you do it? (Yes) Will you do it? (Probably not) "Probably not" hardens one's heart.
• When there is sin in our life, God has to work "on us" rather than through us.
• The "will" can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.
• We worship our work, work at our play and play at our worship.

(NIV)

• All want deliverance from hell but few want the deliverance from sin---we clutch the pleasures of it.
• A little thing is a little thing, but faithfulness in a little thing is a big thing. (Hudson Taylor)
• Humility is a right estimation of our life (self) toward God and others. (B. Liles)
• Purpose of prayer is not to change God but to change us.
• Satan doesn't make you do anything; he just fluffs the pillows.
• Ether sin will keep you from this book, or this book will keep you from sin. (D.L. Moody?)

(NKJV) 

• Bible is not an answer book---it just leads you to the One who is the Answer.
• Giving is living the gospel, not just believing the gospel.
• Growth is the only evidence of life. (Growth is visible.)
• Hearing is "seeding" for obedience.
• In fellowship, Jesus is the "fellow" in the ship with you.
• Prayer is the God-ordained alternative to worry. (C. Swindoll)

No special order for gleanings---just a cuppa quotabili-TEA to sip and share.

"Cul-TEA-vation"

That I may know Him....(Philippians 3:10, KJV)

What does one cultivate? 

Today's chat, with H2H friend Jan C, reminded me of all the "false assumptions" that our culture cultivates in our lives via the media. Think ads. 

What measures our success and achievements? 

Is our significance found in our bank account? 

Our satisfaction in $$? 

Our security in our 401K?

If one needs a shift in his thinking, he must rid his mind and his heart of false gods of our culture. Counterfeit gods seem to be ruling our thought life. We're listening to the wrong gods.

Ask self....What am I cul-TEA-vating in my life cuppa?

The reality of knowing Him comes from consistent devotion to personal Bible study and prayer. To know the One true God, one needs to persist in cultivating His presence. (Streams, 5/29)