Thanking God Constantly

How exactly do you do that?  I'm not completely sure, it's like the Scripture "praying without ceasing" (or stopping) 1 Thessalonians 5:17.  If you've ever struggled with perfection or legalism, you wondered how to pray all the time.  Our mentors and pastors always assured us "be in an attitude of prayer"....My conclusion today is that it is a work of the Spirit.  Paul alluded to this in Romans 8:26.  In the passage that I'm reading today, this idea of thanking God constantly was burned into my mind, I think, by the Spirit.  Today @ Bethel, we heard of one offering going to one of our Sunday School teachers, (going on a missions trip summer) and they were so thankful.  An hour later, another family (Sunday School teacher, children's pastor, worship team member, and youth) who is going on a missions trip stepped into my office and declared with joy:  "We have raised everything we need".  To God Be the Glory!!!!  Why?  Not just for faithful vessels willing to be used of God, but a giving church (and others who don't go to our church) that are sensitive to the Lord and make provision for His people.  There is a lost world and its a beautiful site when the church and the workers both testify to the grand provision of God!  I think the songwriter was right on when he said "I long so much, to feel the touch, of His consuming power, to be used of God! It's my desire".  So then I ran across this verse and wanted to encourage you today to stop, look around and thank God for His faithfulness....in your church, in your family, and the WORK He has called us to!  The KEY is in the attitude present in this verse.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV)

¹³ And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

To God Be the Glory! Bethel is a serving, giving, and growing Church.

New and Living

Bible reading and knowledge has sunk to a new low according to a recent article from the American Bible Society.  Hebrews 4:12 tells us, however that the word of God is living and active.  We have to decide to take the steps to read, think, and understand what God has said to us through His word.  This coming semester at SAGU, I'm going to have the privilege again of joining my Bible teacher, (and boss), :-) Dr. Leroy Bartel, in teaching the course Bible Study.  This is a required course of all students that enter @ sagu because we believe that God has called them all into ministry.  The course is a simple, although challenging introduction into the world of Bible Study.  Students will be taught the different types of literature, and the right questions to ask of the text when they come to the word of God.  This is important not just for college students but everyone who wants to know what Scripture is saying.  In our textbook, (I'm currently reviewing the latest edition), the authors talk about a "principalizing bridge" that gets the reader from the "then and there" of the biblical world, to the "here and now" of the current day.

One approach I use to stay aware of God's word is to have a daily reading plan.  Last year I finished the ESV (it took me 3 years because I like to highlight and underline when I read).  This time I've set my reading plan on the New Living Translation.  Wow. We're talking about some fun reading.
For a sample, click here.

If you recall the Living Bible, the NLT fits in that category according to most who compare translations.  Here is what the editors of the New Living Translation have to say about their version.

We believe that the New Living Translation—which combines the latest biblical scholarship with a clear, dynamic writing style—will communicate God’s word powerfully to all who read it. We publish it with the prayer that God will use it to speak his timeless truth to the church and the world in a fresh, new way.

The Publishers, July 2004

Discover something new.  Try reading the word of God in a different version.  It's the same Spirit that inspired it, just a different translation.

Book Recommendation: Spirit Rising

I rarely recommend a book other than the Bible.  I received it in the mail as a gift and so I guess they were thinking if I read it, (the publisher that is) I would recommend it.  I guess you could say I'm "partially" recommending it because I've only read 3 chapters.  I'm a fan of what God is doing through the Brooklyn Tabernacle under the ministry of Jim Cymbala.  He is just a man so I'm not advertising him.  I do want to mention His book.  Here is where you can get it on Amazon: Spirit Rising: Tapping into the Power of the Holy Spirit

Why? Do you ask? Would I reccomend a book that I've only read part of?  Because I'm excited about it and it takes me years to finish books (some books I never finish).  This one is blessing me and I didn't want you to miss out on it.  Or wait 5 years until I finished it. :-)

If there's false teaching later in the book I'll be surprised (and I'll tell you)

Here is a quote that Bro. Cymbala uses from Charles Finney about the Holy Spirit. Cymbala says that Finney mentions three key points about the Holy Spirit.

1.  Jesus Promised the Spirit's Fullnes (Acts 1:8)
2.  Scripture Commands Christians to Be Filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
3.  The Fullness of the Spirit is a Necessity in Our Lives (John 15:5) pp. 41- 42.

So far, I'm agreeing with just about everything in this book.  I certainly affirm that the Holy Spirit wants to fill every believer (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46). I am also concerned that the believing church is flirting with the Devil and living way below the power available to them.  If you don't read this book, at least read the Bible and ask God to develop in you a hunger for more of Him.

One more Scripture.  John 7:37-39 gives Jesus's public proclamation of what the Spirit would give.

Bible Software for You

Bible Software for You.

I’ve just learned some new features on my MAC for Logos Bible Software.  Those updates are later down in the blog.  The time I spend working and learning Bible software is useful because it reminds me to look for it in other platforms.  The result is, there is value in ANY Bible software you use.  This post can’t be exhaustive as there are many good products out there. 

First.  I’m not going to talk about online study systems.  Check for another post on that. If you follow my analysis on facebook, you might think me a bit neurotic about Bible Software.  I’ve used PC Study Bible, Logos version 3, PC Study Bible, Logos version 4, Wordsearch version 9, Logos version 4, and Accordance version 9.  ALL of them are great pieces of software.  Although Accordance is native to the MAC and loaded with features, I’ve landed back with Logos for two reasons.  First.  The resources.  I’ve spent years developing a Logos library, and the world is turning digital.  Second.  The features.  While Accordance is slap out faster than Logos, and it has an intuitive interface that is relatively easy to use, Logos is more systemic.  You can see the big picture in Logos and the wordprocessing interface shortcuts, devotions, resource associations, clippings, notes, and library organization keeps Logos  above the competition. The end game is as many blogs declare, what do you want the software to do for you?   I’m a sucker for new features.  You can be sure I’ll watch the videos and read the reviews as version 10 for Accordance and version 5 for Logos comes out.

How do you choose the right kind of Bible Software? That completely depends on YOU.  If you’re the type of person that likes books and lots of them, you proabably want Logos.  If you are a MAC person and it’s all about cool and functional  AND you haven’t invested any $$ in a software and want to build a digital library….better go with Accordance.

If you are a PC only person.  Logos is your thing.  If budget is an issue and you don’t care about features….Wordsearch is where you get the most for your money.

For those who really want the drill down between Logos and Accordance, check out the previous blog I did when reviewing Accordance.

Here are the latest tips.

First.  In Logos for PC you can drag and drop any selected text from your word-processor. This is a tremendous time saver.  As Logos is fond of saying, the software is a time-machine.

Second, In Logos for MAC, you can simply click right arrow or left arrow to move between resources (great for devotions).  In addition, when you have Copy Bible verses open and your Bible, you can highlight the biblical passage AND IT WILL automatically update the copy Bible verss section.  This looks like a hidden feature to me, maybe they have forgotten that its that convenient to copy Bible verses.  Of course once its in the panel, you just tell it where you want the text to go:  word, pages, powerpoint, keynote, etc.

Back to the MAC, Check out these Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac on the WIKI page.

One I just learned today was Option-Command-L which puts your curser in the Command bar from wherever you are on the page.  If you do this several times in a row, on different layouts, it will become natural for you and speed up your study.

Logos or Accordance? That's Up to You

I'm a  long time Logos user.  I recently reviewed Accordance and loved it.  Here is the result of my review.  As you can see when you read it, I discovered things along the way. This is the thing about the software you choose:  Does it help you do your job?  If not, is it entertaining? Does it draw you into the word of God or distract you from it?  However YOU learn is the issue.

Things I like about Accordance right away

1. The program loads instantaneously once installed.

2.Easy to manipulate how scripture is displayed (text size, hide verses, version, and FONT!!)

Resources:   Fire Bible!, Life Application Study Bible, Archaeological Study Bible, Thompson Chain available!

3.  Speed

4.  More Mac shortcuts, possibly more intuitive.

Once you are in “readings” its nice that the visual filters are automatic

Resource palette, toggle on/off good thing

5. Forces you to focus “around” Scripture….takes time getting used to.

6. Customizability of Highlights,

7. merge notes

8. Command-U for starting a note. (but not in a non-Bible)

9. “Reference List” looks promising, can’t drag selection over, but can click to add to it. (still trying to see if I can look up cross-references) ß-separate cross-reference resources accomplish this??????

10. Outlines track with 2 versions quickly

11. The Accordance widget is awesome.

Things I don’t like

Cryptic getting to devotional reading, should be a icon for it, It’s under “Window” very misleading

Need more devotional resources like: Amazing Grace and My Utmost for His Highest

Can they be “looked up”? with one keystroke (already looked up in separate cross-ref resource)

There is no bibliographic info available within each “window” concerning each resource. (OK, found it by right clicking in resource and looking at “about this resource”)

   Can you make a note in a commentary? Podcast said yes, but when I click command-u in matthew henry it didn’t work, but did within a Bible.

Things it does like Logos does.

Arrange workspace

Save workspace

Greek/Hebrew analysis

quick word study, (paradigm is different)

Syntactical analysis.

Library search in any category is similar to searching/arranging in Logos library….

“My Groups” in Library is like “collections” in logos.

Things Logos does that Accordance does not….as far as I can see

Right click on a word and do an instant word study, then click the translation ring and see verse list of all occurences, click the English lemma and see verse list of all English occurences

·      “search this resource”

·      power lookup

·      drag and drop shortcuts

·      close all

·      Works across all platforms/ PC/MAC

·      Numbers of resources, although one could argue that  quality/cost is an issue.

·      Online webpage that serves as software if you login with license credentials (biblia.com, faithlife study Bible)

·      Easy to see what’s in packages/cost with Logos, cryptic in Accordance

·      Copy Bible verses, passage lists, shortcuts, customizable reading plans (even for regular books), prayer lists (with notes/answers to prayers etc)

·      When you type a reference in a note, it hyperlinks automatically (have to turn it on in Accordance)

·      Shortcuts that copy verses into powerpoint,

·      Clippings

·      Is there a way to clear the desktop with one keystroke?

·      Verse reference auto-parsing at bottom as well as all hyperlinks pop-up

What I noticed/learned after full install and working with program.

1.    After installing full program and spending 3^rd hour right clicking words, dictionary, etc.  Parsing tool is best I have EVER seen across Logos, Wordsearch, and PC study Bible (used Logos for 5 years, wordsearch for 4 mos. PC study for 4 years)

2.    Speed is fantastic, does not seem to wane with multiple tiles/windows/modules open, (this does severely affect speed in logos)

3.    Net Notes….cross-references by chapter that track with any ASV….very nice and very interesting..??? do they track with any version?

4.    I’m having the same experience I have with Logos, when I learn what it does, it makes me want more and better resources (illustrating how detailed training events/resources help keep interest in program)

Questions

1. Is there a way when you move curser in greek for it to show up with corresponding English when 2 Bibles are side by side?

UPDATED SHORTCUT!!!!!  THIS MAKES IT EXCEED LOGOS AGAIN! IN FUNCTIONALITY

CTRL-SHFT + or - will cycle through your list of bibles dictionaries, etc ...

CTRL-SHFT 1 through 0 specifies specific bible / dictionary tool etc...

CTRL + or - will cycle the search window's text

CTRL 1-0 will select a specific text as your search text bible

It is all based on what the selected workspace / tab you have selected as to what the commands do. 

8. There is a “reference box” that essentially works like Logos “send all hyperlinks here” window, I’m no sure how to turn it on and off

9. Just discovered that highlights apply to EVERY VERSION!  Logos doesn’t do it, this is a long sought after feature.  

10,I like the compare texts in parallel panes by checking on the compare checkbox. In particular, the markings are great that show differences.

11. The Tool Tab is clear and functional.  I didn’t notice it until I go on p. 26 of the handout.

12.  Timelines.  I like  the customizability of it along with its integration to resources. The conservative/critical button is also helpful. I like the fact that you can double-click within the Bible and go straight to the timeline, then “amplyify” to a Bible dictionary on the biblical character/place

Summary Thoughts

I know I have to keep working in Logos due to resources/devotionals/reading plans until I can acquire more accordance resources.  As an Army Chaplain I relied on Biblesoft on my laptop.  Returning from Iraq the Logos people gave all Army Chaplains Scholar’s library. I began to see the importance of complete integration with library, devotions, etc.  Wordsearch reminded me that speed is an issue along with what you can do with printing/saving your work.  Logos is on the cutting edge with biblia.com, faithlife, reftagger, power lookup, and volumes of resources.  One functional problem for many, as with print books, is it could take a lifetime to acquire the resources. I’m continuing to discover the value of on-going training.  I’ve discovered from going to two different “Camp Logos” that  “you don’t know what you don’t know”. Accordance appears to have two things in mind:  the Bible and the user.  

UPDATE:  4/4/2012

In Accordance

Are there shortcuts for pasting verses into pages/word with keystrokes such as shift-command-j for copy bible verses and shift-command-e from within pages?

YOU CAN DRAG AND DROP FROM ACCORDANCE INTO PAGES!

Bethel Youth

I just had the privilege of going to North Texas fine arts with our youth group @ Bethel. First, allow me to say how proud I am of our youth.

 

They are an exceptionally talented group! They sang, performed and preached with passion with the anointed word of God in their hearts. My wife Tonya, Susan Reedy and her family, one of which is our children's pastor, Preston, Matt Briggs, and our youth pastors, the Baloghs:  worked extremely hard the past few months getting them ready for this day. The result was nothing short of amazing for our church of 200.  Multiple merit awards and superior with invitation were characteristic of all performance entries.

What thrills me most; is to see junior high and high school students who are passionate for Christ.  This illustrates for me the truths found in the great commission.  Jesus gave His disciples instructions before He left earth about how to reach the world with His message.  It’s found in Matthew 28:16-20

They followed Jesus’s instructions. (they went where He told them to go) They took ownership of the mission, (they themselves worshipped, even though there were those that doubted),  they used the formula (baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded), and they had the assurance of His presence.

What these youth are discovering is that working hard for Christ is rewarding.  Whether you are a full-time vocational minister or a volunteer.  This is where you shout.  The highest privilege a human can have is to be involved in sharing and telling the good news of Christ.   This is different from working out of a sense of duty or guilt. The grace that Christ has brought us is an overwhelming expression of the love of God, that it compels us , (compelled by love, Fine Arts theme 2011) to work for Him.

This morning in church, after I preached this sermon, I read these words from a song I remember hearing as a child during altar service from “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go”:

It may not be on the mountain’s height,
Or over the stormy sea;
It may not be at the battle’s front,
My Lord will have need of me;
But if by a still, small voice He calls,
To paths that I do not know,
I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Yours,
I’ll go where You want me to go.

Refrain:
I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord,
O’er mountain, or plain, or sea;
I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,
I’ll be what You want me to be.

As the final altar call, I asked everyone who wanted to make the decision “To Disciple” to stand. All of our youth that just got all these awards at District Fine Arts, stood up.

It’s a privilege to serve at a church with youth that love God.

I’m looking forward to how they do at Nationals.  What is greater still is how many are going to come to Christ through their anointed and talented ministry over their lifetime.  To God be the Glory.