N.O.T.E.

N.O.T.E. An acrostic follow-up as I pay attention and consider His ways.

Studying God's Word is more than a "plop and drop" experience. Although at times I have done that as well. God can always meet me right where I am. 

When really studying God's word and searching and finding a  scripture for further understanding.....I read, mark, sometimes highlight, chew on it and inwardly digest it (Jeremiah 15:16) 

I need to read through a scripture for context. Prayer follows and continues. I notice words or phrases jumping out. I observe around me ways God is leading me; I talk to the Lord. I embrace and respond accordingly. 

Notice

Observe

Talk

Embrace glory (Joyce Ann Evans) as we respond to what God has taught us

To God be the glory as I take n.o.t.e. and live it out.

Version Preferences

When studying God's Word, I have a variety of Bibles handy. (KJV) King James Version used for recall of childhood memory verses. (NASB) New American Standard Bible used most for individual study. (NIV) New International Version for BSF---Bible Study Fellowship lessons. (ESV) English Standard Version to follow along at church. For easy reading, I sometimes choose (CEV) Contemporary English Version, (NCV) New Century Version or the (NLT) New Living Translation, especially for facilitating understanding in difficult passages or long chapters. 

The same truth or primary meaning, just differing in certain wording or connotations---sometimes invokes ideas or feelings specific to situations, which I might be experiencing at the time ---is helpful to me.

A different "legitimate" version can offer a new or fresh perspective especially when I am preparing to teach a passage or topical lesson.

Studying for an upcoming "rest" lesson, words like refuge and retreat seem to jump off the pages from the (MSG) Message. When accompanied by "renewal," an aspect of that rest, all the better.

Old Rugged Cross

The "Old Rugged Cross"...doesn't seem so far away today. Maybe, because of time spent in His Presence.

"Rugged Cross"---made by N. Bozard, a Kentucky artisan sold in Hopkinsville, my hometown, and given by a good friend---a cherished gift to cling to as I study God's word.

"complexi-TEA"

   "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you (John 14:26, NASB)

Some passages of Scripture are more difficult for me than others. But God, in His word reminded me that His Spirit can teach me all things. Not only that, but as I reread scripture and meditate on it, God often shows me Truth in a new way---not antithetical, just different. It's usually in a very practical way that meets me right at my point of need on that day. Not truth that contradicts earlier understanding but expounds upon it with refreshing new insight.......because, He will guide you into all the truth; (John 16:13)

 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (1 John 2:27, NASB)

Simply abiding----that's not hard to understand.

Today's Tea with Thee time has provided simplicity of thought from the seeming complexities of His word. All because I had the "right" Teacher! " 

Notes in Mama Davenport's Bible help my understanding, as well.

Sipping "complexi-TEA" with the "best" of them because ultimately we all have the same spiritual teacher.

brevi-TEA

God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

Much time was spent this morning in God's Word. So much so, that when my phone rang at 12:20, I had to admit I was still in my gown-tail. (a Mama Davenport term) 

Yet, not one blog thought had been given. Not even a "tea" word. Was this the blog door closing? 

Verbose. Had I been writing too much? My desire has been to write in a "pithy with a punch" way? Were my own words overshadowing His truths?

Driving home from Bible Study tonight, I prayed, "Lord if you want me to blog today, please give me the words. So......here they are.

• Serve a cuppa brevi-TEA.
• Pare it down and pour it out. 
• Take truths from today's study & summarize.

There's a stark contrast between the godly who delight in God's Word and the ungodly who scoff at God. (Psalm 1) 

• God's Word: Delight. Meditate. Follow.

God reveals Himself in nature and His Word as we "look" for Him. (Psalm 19) 

• Look for God daily.

God's truths give completeness and purpose to life while wickedness centers on self without purpose. (Psalm 37) 

• "Fret not!"

Pouring out only a 1/2 cuppa of all I learned today. 

• 

Just enough. Sometimes brevi-TEA is best. 

Hearing God with that Inner Voice

4/4/13 Reportedly, Albert Einstein said, “Any fool can know; the point is to understand.” (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/) In much the same way, reading the Bible is not a matter of accruing information, but of gaining understanding through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Paul prays and asks God for such guidance for believers at Ephesus…”give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17b)

We get to know Him better from the spirit within us. Henri J.M. Nouwen calls it “that inner voice that shows you the way.” (Inner Voice of Love, p. 6)

But…..how can we know it’s His voice one might ask? You take it all back to God’s Word. 

Buddy Jones, Bible teacher at First Evan’s men’s group, says it well and succinctly, "Our understanding of and our relationship to Jesus is inextricably linked to our understanding of and our relationship to Scripture. “Understanding of” is head knowledge and "relationship to " has to do with submission.” If you get the Scriptures right, you get Jesus right! (my “loose” translation)

Don’t study the Bible for information alone. Study the Bible to know Him better and to hear His voice. The more we understand His Word, the more clearly we hear that inner voice. The more you know of Him, the more you hear from Him. 

Don’t lose touch with that inner voice.