Change The Filter, See Things Differently

Roaring Run Trail, Kiski Twp., PA
Shot taken on December 25, 2016 at 1:09 P.M.

When I took this shot in color, it was a nothing-to-look-at, run-of-the-mill specimen.  When I edited the photo to black and white, something interesting "appeared."  Do you see the pair of beady eyes atop the wide deadwood? (Do you see the scant, eerie-looking "thing"?  What is that?)

Changing the photo from color to black and white didn't create the "eyes."  They were there before. My default (color) "filter" didn't accentuate them.

What is the situation, difficulty or challenge you are facing?  What "filter" are you using?  If you've tried common sense and haven't seen a way out, then going "old-fashioned" -- back to the Bible -- will yield better results.

It's New Year's Day.  Why not resolve to read the Bible?  Don't worry about reading it through.  Just read it regularly.  It will change your outlook.  You'll be amazed what you might "see"!

Nehemiah Chapter 10

• Themes
• Responsibility
• Generosity
• Key Words
• "Tithe", "tenth" > 5x
• "House of the Lord", "House of our God" > 9x
• "Contribution", "contribute" > 3x
• "First", "firstbruit" > 5x
• Outline
• Statement of the leaders of this covenant (10:1-27)
• Submission to the authority of God's Word (10:28-29)
• Separation from the compromise by worldly influence (10:30)
• Surrender to the responsibilities of corporate worship (10:31-39)
• Observation #1
• The community (10:1-27) was to be known as people of the Book (10:28-30) and people of the House (10:31-39).  Christians want to open the Bible and live accordingly.  Christians want to be in church.
• Observation #2
• To not tithe, to not bring the first, to not contribute -- this meant neglect and irresponsibility.  Lack of generosity meant failure to accept covenant responsibility.  Before they could accept responsibility, they had to surrender their lives (10:28-30).  If your heart (life) isn't surrendered, your money and goods won't be either.  Maintaining Christian community (church, the family of God) is a costly enterprise.  It will cost you time, effort, money, leisure and energy.  Nonetheless, it is worth it!

Maximizing God's Word (Neh. ch. 8)

1. You must know what God's Word says (8:1-6).  To know what it says, you must read it.  Do you have a systematic Bible reading plan?
2. You must know what God's Word means (8:7-8,13).  Do you understand what you read?  Have you accurately interpreted the passage?   Do you know what the passage demands from you?  One way to gain better understanding is to take notes of your pastor's sermons.
3. You must know what God's Word requires (8:9-10,14-18).  Where can you put your new insights to work right now?  Meaning without application isn't productive.  Be more than informed.  Be transformed.  Change happens through application. 

Through the Bible in 70 Hours

It takes about 70 hours to read aloud the entire text of the King James Version
-- Rev. Clayton King, teaching pastor @ New Spring Church in Anderson, SC

This 70 hours translates into 11½ minutes a day for one year. Remember, you read a lot more slowly when you read out loud. Imagine how much progress you could make if you didn't read out loud!

"The Life of Jesus in 40 Days" Starts Today

"The Life of Jesus in 40 Days" is our corporate Bible reading plan for February 24-April 4. We will read through the four gospels. If you need a reading plan, let me know at Ronedski@yahoo.com.

Violation

L.A.G. received a piece of yellow card stock from the city this afternoon. (It was so nice of them to share.) It looks like we violated the city's trash collection guidelines.

1. The city wanted us to know of the violations. Two were circled.
2. The city listed all the possible reasons for a violation. I guess all violations are served by the same notice.
3. The city listed all trash collection guidelines on the reverse side.

How similar this is to how some people read the Bible: everything seems to be a violation, a disppointment or failure. Rules, rules, and more rules. All that many readers see is what they did wrong.

Friends, there is a ton of good news in the Bible. Keep reading.

Cumulative Effect

Earlier, I'd done a post that we hadn't gotten the snow that was forecasted. Needless to say, that's changed. We did have a large storm last weekend. That storm dumped more than a foot before it was done. Since Monday morning, it's been on-again-off-again snowshowers. Nothing too severe, except that it too piles up. One inch here and there and before you know it...the banks got higher and the driveway needs to be shoveled again.

You probably have Bible reading times like I do -- you know, the kind where you're not convinced what you read is doing you any good. Bible reading, like those snow showers, has a cumulative effect. Even if you don't see any big result right away, give it some time. It will pile up. Your knowledge base will increase. You understanding of God will expand. You will change. Just as snow depth accumulates one flake at a time, so spiritual depth accumulates one exposure to God's Word at a time. Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little.