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Saturday, December 21, 2024

 


Psalms, the music of the heavens.  Songs, hymns and poems proclaiming the grace of God. Songs sung by the Angelic Choir.




Psalm 96
Worship in the Splendor of Holiness

1Oh sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
6Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
8Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;a
tremble before him, all the earth!

10Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.


Friday, December 6, 2024

Tools I use when doing lessons

 When I'm studying in the workbooks, I like to use the computer to move between scripture quickly. I can also compare different versions of the bible to see if there is a noticeable difference in interpretation.  I also like to be able to dive deep into the biblical meaning of words. I will follow-up on this in future posts.  I believe this has given more depth in my understanding. I will try to add some of the free publications, as they are very generous. I also invite you to share with us any and all tools you might be using that is helping to broaden your education and journey through biblical times, and of course through Jesus Christ, our Savior. 

I use a Study Bible that has maps and includes historical information as well as modern day information. It helps me put the things into perspective geographically as well as historically. 

I keep a journal of many different things that I come across that I find fascinating. It could be prayers or verses from the bible.  It also contains my thoughts and understanding of areas of the bible that always confounded me, but now are as clear as crystal. Bits and pieces of the most amazing things that Jesus, and I like to think the Holy Spirit has lead me to. 



This is a work in progress.  I hope you will check back soon!

https://www.biblestudytools.com/

https://www.blueletterbible.org/

 



Who, what, where, when, why and how are questions that help us understand the bible in a much deeper level.  If you were to read a scripture that leaves you scratching your head, then simply start breaking it down. Who is the person speaking? Who is the person that is being described in the passage? Who are the others and what are their roles? By understanding the parties involved and their part in the passage you will be able to identify the characters and their importance. 

What are the characters roles? What is happening to or around them or for them? What is the message being imparted? 

When is the event occurring? When was it written and how does it play out in the biblical timeline?

Where is the event happening? Is it occurring in different cities? By understanding where it is happening you are able to get a deeper vision of the person who is speaking.

Why is this important? Why did the author spend so much time with characters, surroundings and events happening around the event?  Everything that pertains to the person being described in the event is important. There more information you have the clearer the event becomes. 

Finally, How does this affect me? How can I apply this to my daily life? How does it change my outlook?  There are so many possibilities when you take the time to dive deeply into each scripture.

I hope this helps when trying to understand how scripture applies to all of us. 


Monday, November 25, 2024

 


I recently saw a video short from The Christian's Deck, which inspired me to write more about it. While Jesus was on the cross, he looked to the heaven's and said "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

It is a quote that non-Christians like to use to prove their point that if Jesus were truly God, then why did he say this. 

The answer is in Psalms 22.  Jesus was quoting scripture from the Old Testament.
 **Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. Written around 1044 BC. 

 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?
 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.
 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.
 In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.
 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
 “He trusts in the LORD,” they say, “let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
 From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me.
 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.
 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.
 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me.
 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.
 But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
 Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.
 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
 I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.
 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.
 The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him— may your hearts live forever!
 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,
 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.
 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive.
 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.
 They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!

**
Aijeleth Shahar [N] [S]

hind of the dawn, a name found in the title of Psalms 22 . It is probably the name of some song or tune to the measure of which the psalm was to be chanted. Some, however, understand by the name some instrument of music, or an allegorical allusion to the subject of the psalm.

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.

[N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
[S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary

Sunday, November 24, 2024

 Since I am doing a lot of reading and studying, I thought I would share some of the materials I am using. They include several bibles of different denominations, Bible websites that are fantastic for doing the lessons. I also found a few workbooks that are proving invaluable to my commitment to learning more about the great works of Jesus Christ. Some of the reading material I have are books about the Apostles. 



Self-Study Bible Course: Fourteen Studies That Explore God's Word 


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The New English Bible with APOCRYPHA Oxford Cambridge 1970 


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ESV Study Bible


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NIV, Super Giant Print Reference Bible, Leathersoft, Brown, Red Letter, Comfort Print 


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KJV Holy Bible, Compact Large Print Faux Leather Red Letter Edition - Ribbon Marker, King James Version, Saddle Tan (KJV Compact LP Editions)


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Writings of the Apostolic Fathers: Mathetes, Polycarp, Barnabas, and Papias Paperback 


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Apocrypha, The Geneva Bible 1560 large Print: The Complete Texts Rejected from the 1560 Edition of the Geneva Bible - A faithful reproduction of the original printing 


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Strong's Concise Concordance And Vine's Concise Dictionary Of The Bible Two Bible Reference Classics In One Handy Volume


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NKJV Study Bible, Leathersoft, Black, Full-Color, Comfort Print: The Complete Resource for Studying God’s Word


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The Saint Mary's Press Essential Bible Concordance: NRSV Catholic Edition

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NRSV, Catholic Bible, Journal Edition, Cloth over Board, Blue, Comfort Print: Holy Bible
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All of the Bibles and books above I purchased on amazon.com with the exception of the New English Bible which I purchased used. I wanted the 1961 Oxford University Press version and it is out of print or far too expensive for me.  There are many publications I was able to get for free. I will list them below and add to it as I get more. If I can find the addresses for the publications I will update the page as I find them.  I hope you will seek out and share some of the information you find also. 


40 Days with Jesus: Celebrating His Presence: Sarah Young: 9780529104939 - Christianbook.com

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This is a guide to the Ten Commandments for Free. Tomorrow Worlds also offers free study guides and other interesting materials. Worth checking out.

https://orders.tomorrowsworld.org/order/TEN?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us-fb-booklets&utm_content=TEN_repeat_nov_21&utm_term=lookalike&method_code=WW&media_code=IN00&source_code=FB&fbclid=IwY2xjawG4evVleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQAAAXdpwEP6AEd5eVNuu8q0pAuAkP3Zg4wMPZ-5LdwdsMIFkcpuKVPn4uK-vFGoDKaes1__aem_ukABjmyI5Kc4pv3S1FFi9A


https://orders.tomorrowsworld.org/order/TEN?utm_campaign=refer_a_friend

 I have found that when I begin studying bible lessons, reading the scriptures and even when I begin my prayers, there is always some type of distraction. It can be yawning or a distracting itch or my mind wandering. I always catch it and will begin my prayer again, making sure I slowly repeat it and pay attention to the meaning of each stanza. I also make it a point to let my distractor know that no matter what they send my way, I will always return to the Lords Prayer, nothing will distract me that much. 

Another method I have been doing is praying to God prior to reading or doing bible lessons for his insight and understanding. I also pray to the Holy Spirit to counsel me and open my heart and mind to the Word. I have found this to be the most amazing way to begin my studies and opening my eyes to God's laws and Jesus's examples. 



Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 

2 Timothy 2:7


Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God

1 Corinthians 2:12