The Importance of Taking Notes

Writing notes is a very important part of learning and shouldn't be underestimated. When we take notes during a lecture or a sermon we are engaging our brain in four different areas. We are watching, hearing, writing and thinking.  This is active listening. I like to consider using my eyes, my ears, my fingers and my brain as ways to worship. I can't say that I do this perfectly because like you, I am a fallen creature, yet I do try to think about every thing that I do and say as an act of worship. Please pray for me.

Over and over in the book of Proverbs we are encouraged to "incline" our ears, "write" the words of wisdom on our hearts, and even "bind" them on our fingers. (Proverbs 7:3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.)

 Taking notes also gives us an opportunity to test the speaker to see if that speaker is speaking the Word of God accurately. Do I mean to test my pastor? Absolutely! I don't say that out of suspicion but because it is an instruction from the Bible.  ( I Thessalonians 5:21Test all things, hold fast what is good.)

The other reason why note taking is important is that it helps as a guard against distraction. If we focus on what is being said so much that we are taking notes we are much less apt to be distracted by what is going on around us or even by our own thoughts.  Think about that. How many times have you tried to read your Bible and then thoughts come about what is on the to-do list or a hobby or something else. That my friend is spiritual warfare.

Planning

Since we are rapidly approaching the end of the year I wanted to share some study methods for the New Year.

Let's be honest how many New Year's resolutions have you broken? If you are like me probably a lot of them if not all of them. But, Bible reading and study shouldn't be just something to tick off of a to-do list.

The Bible is a big book and sometimes we might be overwhelmed by it but two things have helped me to successfully read through in a year.

The first one is the Bible Recap by Tara Lee Cobble. It's available on Amazon. I used this method and it was nice because I was just getting back into the discipline of reading daily. I found using the Bible Recap helpful because it didn't have dates on  the portions. That helped because I didn't self condemn when I missed a day. I just got right back on that horse and began again. All glory to Jesus who is the one Who keeps and sustains us by His grace.

The second method is a NJKV Chronological Bible I got for a gift last Christmas. The daily readings don't take a long time, though we can study as long as we want to and time allows for it. 

Both methods really helped me to get a solid overview and timeline.

It's also good to have some hilighters, pens or pencils and a notebook or journal.  I write notes in my Bibles and prefer plain, college ruled wire notebooks. Lot's of people like fancier stuff and that's ok too. 

It's also a great idea to have a physical copy of the Bible and a good bible dictionary like Unger's and a good commentary like John MacArthur or David Guzik.  

There are other resources too. There are many Bible apps but I am all things should be tested for accuracy by a physical Bible. 

The Blue Letter Bible app or website is a very good resource.

(www.blueletterbible.org)

Why am I sharing this? Because I love the Lord and I love His people.  He is the Word and I want you to be blessed by His word as I am.

Hope this helps on your journey!

Softly and Tenderly

Today is November 14, 2017 The Holiday race has begun. Our minds are flooded with the to-do lists.
The cleaning, cooking, decorating and shopping as well as keeping up with the day to day responsibilities pervade us. At best our prayers may be fleeting. Even fleeting prayers are heard by our blessed Savior. But Jesus isn't Santa and He desires to spend time with us. That's right. Sometimes we think that prayer is a one way conversation. It isn't. The King of all Kings, Lord of all Lords wants us to spend time with Him. He wants to be our best friend, the friend that sticks closer than a brother.

He says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28

 

 

   Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.  I Kings 19:11-12

The Heart

 Valentine's Day is coming soon. We see heart decorations all around. Isn't is funny though that heart starts with hear?

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise and apply your heart to my knowledge. Proverbs 22:17

If I regard sin in my heart the Lord will not hear me. Psalms 66:18

Learning to Walk - It takes Brains!

Do you ever wonder why people who have had injuries have to "learn how to walk"? I did until it happened to me

 Walking is something we do without thinking. One foot in front of the other. Right?

But when the spinal cord is damaged the messages from the brain to the body are interrupted. It took intense physical therapy. It was draining physically but also mentally. Sounds crazy but I really had to think and process how to do the most basic things. And that's just in the natural, physical realm!

Spiritually speaking walking works the same way. It is why we must where the helmet of salvation. We have to guard our thoughts and spend time in spiritual therapy.  What are you thinking about? What are you planning? Focus! What are you looking at? You can't walk until you can stand.



*I Peter 1:13

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Hope and prayer

Hope is an often overlooked  partner with prayer. First let's take a look at faith because without faith there is no hope.


Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of hoped  the evidence of things unseen.

Faith is a firm belief and complete trust for or in something for which there is no proof.
Substance is that which has foundation, is firm, a thing or being which has actual existence.
Hope  means to expect with confidence.
Evidence means something that furnishes proof.
Belief is conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of  evidence.

Now let's look at how hope partners with prayer.

Mark 11:24“Therefore I say to you, whatever things:[ substance, something that exists; (i.e. healing, salvation, provision)] you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, [hope for, expect], and you will have them.;[proof of things not yet seen.]

Think of it a little like this. A blind man uses a walking stick. Why? He holds onto that thing, [something of substance] with the hope, that expectation that he will not trip or fall.  He can not see that he won't fall but he believes, has faith  with a hopeful, confident expectation that he won't. The proof is that the blind man doesn't fall!

This?

I Thessalonians 5:8  in everything give thanks for this is the will of God  in Christ Jesus for you.  (emphasis mine)

If you've followed Jesus very long you have probably heard this verse quoted many times. But as I read it the word, "this" is what stuck out to me. This? What's this? Well it is exactly what your "this" may be. What thing? Everything.

It seems impossible to be thankful when things are going horribly wrong. Even when things go just a little bit wrong being thankful  can be a struggle. The key is to be constantly in prayer. That seems hard too. But if we just realize that Jesus is always with us, we can constantly, and silently whisper a quick thank you, or where is that thing?, or please help me Lord! He longs for that kind of fellowship! Realize how much your Heavenly Father loves you! What makes your heart rejoice, makes His heart rejoice. What makes you sad, makes Him sad. When you get mad or frustrated He wants to help you!





I Thessalonians 5:14- 18 NKJV Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. - See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.