Book Study: Beyond Scriptural Typography, Chapter Eight

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Proverbs 8:33 (NIV)

Is perception everything? Psychologists would probably say it plays a large part in how we process information, yet it does not mean personal interpretation is always accurate. Remember, it is based on how we perceive. As we process information whether sensory and/or mentally, there are lots of factors that can sway our thinking.

For me, this word tends to be the root of many of my rubs in life. When the vision of any situation is one-sided and then forced upon another individual (who of course has a different point of view) it can ignite a problem. It is not always easy to see a different viewpoint because you do not have the same experiences, surroundings, background, processing mechanisms, etc. as the other person. However, we do have the option of humbling our self-centered thinking and opening our hearts to try and understand a different perception.

Now, let us turn our thoughts to Bible intake. El Shaddai, one attaining greater wisdom, wrote Scripture. He has an all-knowing angle with sincere-unflawed character and love. When we are reading, studying, and digging for meaning, it is normal to interpret based on personal perception. We naturally surrender to our insight or the thoughts of those we surround ourselves with daily. It takes intentionality and time to posture ourselves under the foreign mindset of the Lord.

Thoughts on gaining God’s Perspective:

Humble yourself under His authority every time you encounter His Word.
Rely on the Holy Spirit’s wisdom over your own understanding.
Place your thinking at the feet of the Father and seek His perception.
Take time to truly listen to His voice above all others.
Be open to see, hear, feel, and comprehend on a level beyond earthly life.
Pray, submit, ask, and expect wisdom.
Present yourself to the Lord with reverence, obedience, and gratitude.
Allow the Holy Spirit to revitalize your philosophies, customs, opinions, and beliefs.

Change is not easy and comprehending the Lord’s perception is a challenge because His character is far removed from our own innate being. Present your questions and thoughts to Him. Consider His ways and purposefully seek the perception of our great Father.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

March 25, 2024 0

Book Study: Beyond Scriptural Typography, Chapter Seven

If you need wisdom, ask your generous God, and he will give it to you. He will note rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 (NLT)

Where would you claim is “your hang out” spot? In front of the TV, behind the wheel, on the beach, with a fishing pole, next to those you love, painting a canvas, cooking and baking, crafting a new creation, cutting and sewing, shopping till you drop, exploring the world, hiking the mountains, alone with God, learning new things, dancing, helping others, gardening, etc. We all have them and they are often what keeps us sane in life. It is a comfortable area affirming the joy within us and a place where inner peace may be found. Many allow it to deliver meaning to life and even permit it to define a portion of who they are.

The Lord longs for us to truly love to hang out in the Bible. He would love nothing more than us cherishing His voice by praying, studying, examining, rereading, asking, researching, wrestling, and taking Scripture bite by bite. “God is Jehovah, a relational Father, who longs for us to know Him intensely” much like we know our favorite hang out in life.

Discovering the full meaning of a portion of the Bible is time consuming to say the least. It is not always appealing to hang out in a chapter for an extended period when there are thousands of verses still out there to explore. For most of my life, I skimmed through God’s Word and was just hoping for some miraculous life-changing wisdom to transform my life. It was much like driving by the gym or track but never engaging fully yet thinking I was going to achieve that ripped bikini body. (Go ahead-laugh-I sure am!)

We must search for techniques and methods to dive into the Bible on a deeper level. It requires us to throw out the checklist approach and spend our time in a chapter longer than usual. I call this residing-where deep meaning and understanding blossom. You might see this as a way to study intensely.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Much like a scientific method, gaining wisdom takes certain steps and approaches. Where does one begin? Well, that is a great question. Maybe the best way to answer is to provide you a list of choices and encourage you to try a few each time you intentionally hang out in God’s Word.

Here are a few from this chapter:

Background check-dig into the original meaning of the text. Determine the author, timeline, and location. Discover the original audience and the culture of the day. Read several reliable summaries and outlines to affirm the main message. Apply the 5Ws and an H: who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Identify-Highlight any assurances and promises God has made in the passage. Reflect on the instructions and commands that are present. Cling to the attributes and characteristics of the Lord as they are revealed in Scripture.
Investigate-Find the Hebrew meaning of the main focused terminology. Consult the Greek meaning for New Testament reading since it was the primarily language of the time but rely on Hebrew as well. Read different translations to bring clarity and exact meaning.
See the big picture-When a verse tugs at your heart strings, read the entire context. Find the original meaning and audience rather than “making it fit” for your life. Consult commentaries and investigate the full counsel of God through cross-references.

The primarily take away is to find God in the story and discover His wisdom by hanging out in a chapter. “It is a chance to uncover the biblical sustenance you might need to infuse in your life on a grander scale. Remember, God’s Word can nourish every aspect of your life. What a nutritional diet!” Who knows it might even bring greater peace to your favorite hangout spot in the future.

Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scripture. Luke 24:45

March 13, 2024 1

Book Study: Beyond Scriptural Typography, Chapter Six

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

Do you ever prep for something? I seem to spend a lot of time doing this…prepping everything before cooking a meal, gathering supplies before a retreat, organizing personal items prior to packing, planning the approach for a task, warming up before a long hike, arranging everything prior to hosting a party, priming my mind before a hard meeting, etc. The list of things I do to prepare whether it is simply going to work or spending the afternoon in the yard working with my husband.

So why do we deem this an important task? Lots of words come rushing like mighty waves: provision, organization, projection, preparing, setting up, developing, provision, road to success, forecasting, etc. All these words attached at the hip to planning and even the mindset if you fail to plan you plan to fail. We all do it in some form or fashion and for some rhyme or reason no matter how slight or significant.

For me, the work on the front end seems to set the stage for success. Much like any sport, theatrical production, concert, etc…practice and rehearsal allows for skills to be enhanced, training to be precise, and run throughs to address effectiveness. Preparing is part of it. It is a procedural system that eventually becomes a routine habit.

But what about reading God’s Word? Chapter six addresses how to prepare for Bible engagement through practical approaches. It affirms the importance of prepping by defining this as a method to “slow down and let the Lord lead” and to “allow the Holy Spirit to pilot your attention and guide your hearing.”

“Allotting moments to read and engage with God’s Word involves planning— The way you move toward your time can make a large impact on everything that follows.”

We often jump right into abiding in Scripture without giving any thought into abiding in God. Our thoughts are still in this world and distracted by daily life. Our focus can be hindered by the issues, problems, concerns, and all the other things we face in a fallen world. These are things the enemy uses to cloud our thinking and keep us from hearing and understanding during Bible engagement. Would you agree?

Below are some tried and true tips from this chapter:

Pause prior to reading: This is a brief mental exercise to separate yourself from the world. The length of time is dependent, but it is a way of letting go of your surroundings and opening your mind to greater things.
Pray first: “Ask the Lord to direct your focus and provide you with His discernment.” Wow, just a short prayer can display intentionality to prepare for what God has to say.
Prepare your heart: Pausing and praying opens the door to sharing your heart and giving your concerns over to the Lord. It is a way to safeguard your time in Scripture and letting the enemy know that he is not welcome. “He would love nothing more than to distract you form having a softened heart.”
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead: He is abiding within you to deliver knowledge and understanding. He is our GPS when we allow Him to be. He can channel our attention to hear and see what God speaks as we read. He often highlights portion of our reading to guide us through our pathway. He is often just waiting for us to ask.

But whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:2 (NIV)

Give these four tips a whirl the next time you engage with God’s Word. It is not easy to carve out uninterrupted time to read the Bible, but our approach to Scripture can deliver a more productive experience. Let these practical methods allow the Lord to bless your time, reveal a personal message, and assist you to hear His voice through the words. “Remember, He is Jehovah, a relational Father so, pause, praise Him, and reciprocate your interest in Him and His Holy Word.”

May you find your prepping well worth it in the end.

March 12, 2024 1