Expect Revival September 27, 2009
Thinking like a Christian is what this blog is all about.
Try hard to think like a Christian no matter what comes your way. To do that you will have to read the Bible and be honest about what it says. The Bible isn’t really all that complicated. Some religious leaders try to make it so. That is just a power play. But, if you read the Bible in your own language–the way your culture today uses that language–it really is plain and simple.
The Protestant Reformation in the 1500’s and all the evanglical revivals since have been about this very thing–getting the Bible into the hands of the people in their language. Try reading the new English Standard Version and see what I mean. You might be revived again! Refreshed by a strange stirring of your heart with truth you haven’t really seen before. Order one at www.cvbbs.com for about a buck.
I’ll add some pictures soon when I can figure out how. My grandchildren and collie dog are all fine, and I am getting older each day. The summer has now become too long. We Floridians are waiting impatiently for a cool change in the air which should come any day now.
Keep reading your Bible and trying to think like a Christian. Expect the Holy Spirit to sweep across your heart like a refreshing fall breeze. Look for it.
“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8)
TEACHING TIP #1 June 23, 2009
We all have increased opportunities for influencing children during these summer months. Make sure you connect with them by using words as they do. This is particularly important for grandmothers, like me, who might be a “little” out of touch.
Here is an example of a failure to connect:
Sunday I was telling the story of Jacob and Esau to ages pre-K through 3rd grade. My application was that telling a lie and deceiving our parents destroyed families and relationships. But, when we do lie, we need to remember that Jesus is our Savior, tell the truth, ask His forgiveness, and trust in His righteousness in place of our sin. So in explaining this, I said, “If you ever lie like Jacob did, then flee to Jesus.”
“Flea?” responded a smart bilingual boy. “Flea?”
In the midst of other questions more focused on Esau’s reaction to Jacob’s lie, I’m not sure I made clear my point of running to Jesus in repentance and faith!
ALWAYS USE THEIR LANGUAGE AS THEY USE IT
AT THE BEACH May 21, 2009
I’m busy with three grandsons and my fifth collie. My Bible class has just finished our nine months in Isaiah 1-41! Now it’s time for a study break. Look for teaching tips and family applications and some devotional thoughts. I’m going to read some fiction and light history too. Praise God for summer!
FOCUS HELPS March 19, 2009
If reading several Old Testament chapters is overwhelming for you, try focusing on a couple of verses. Many in these Isaiah passages are famous and used in a lot of old songs. Pick out 1-4 verses and think about them when you can during the day.
For mothers training up children about “Who made you?”, think about:
Isaiah 43:1-2:
“But, now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
And He, who formed you, O Israel:
‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you:
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.”
Returning to God November 13, 2008
Remembering that God is with us and is in control of all world powers helps us calm down when things don’t go our way–or life caves in upon us. Remind each other of this all the time. Our sin nature pulls against our mind, dulling our ability to remember simple Bible principles when we’re under pressure. So when the stuffing gets knocked out of a friend, remind her that God is in control, limits evil, and is WITH and FOR His people. Go to Isaiah 7-12 for an encouraging word to share with someone else.
“Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me!
We are for signs and wonders in Israel
From the LORD of hosts,
Who dwells in Mount Zion” (Israel 8:18).
The snapshot we’re visualizing is of Isaiah standing with his two sons. The youngest’s name was “A Remnant Shall Return.” Judah was to keep in mind that no matter how sinful people became or how bad corruption seemed to be, especially among their leaders, a number would always return to God in repentance and faith.
“The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob,
To the Mighty God.
For though your people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea,
A remnant of them will return” (Isaiah 10:21-22).
That is a picture of hope and comfort for us. When you get worried about the sin and corruption, the disregard for God, remind one another that there will always be some left who worship the true God, the Mighty One who created and creates. Think of Isaiah with his two sons and praise God come what may.
Assyria was not yet a strong world power. (Jonah had preached to their capital city; God had granted grace to them and many had turned to Him in repentance.) But, one day Assyria would destroy Israel and all the nations surrounding Judah and begin to invade and raid Judah. They would never take over Judah or Jerusalem even though they would raid and loot. They and their king would be judged for their ruthlessness and idolatry.
Comfort From Isaiah’s Sons
Are you worried about rising world powers? What will happen in Iraq? (Nineveh was in Northern Iraq.) Who will control central Asia now? Will America just continue to slide into gross immorality? ( I was amazed that abortion was not even an issue during this last election. No one seems to care when a young mother chooses to kill her unborn child.) Let us remember that a remnant will turn to God and God is with us no matter what. We can joyfully be refreshed and renewed and cleaned by the deep truths of our salvation in Christ Jesus.
“For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song:
He also has become my salvation.’”
Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation” {Isaiah 12:2-3).
From Visualization To Principles October 25, 2008
You must be able to think in images to get at Isaiah’s meaning. No, it isn’t about having visions!This skill of visualization is why your English teacher kept making you work on metaphors and similes. Remember? Now we want to take visualization a step further. To let the snapshot help us understand the Biblical principle Isaiah is getting at. It is all about thinking skills. Using our heads to understand more of the Christian viewpoint.
Visualization
Scroll back to the last blog. Reread Isaiah 2:1-5. Don’t confuse this by imposing your end-times view on it! Instead, picture a crowd of diverse people going into the presence of God, seeking to learn and apply His ways. Peace prevails.
Principle
With that picture in mind, think about some foundational teachings in the Bible. Things you can easily tell stories about to pre-schoolers. Like:
We are to look to God for how to live and what to believe.(Jonah)
One day there will be a great judgment against sin.(Noah and Flood)
One day peace and righteousness will be restored to all of God’s creation. There will be no more sin!(Adam and Eve)
Application
See how easy this thinking is? The next step is to apply it to yourself:
Do I look to the Bible to show me how to live and what to believe or do I go by what others say and do?
Do I have a healthy respect for the justice of God and His intolerance for sin?
Am I looking forward and hanging in there until a time of peace and restoration?
Under my blogroll, clink Old Paths For Little Feet. Click Coaching Bible Skills, Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 will give you addition help with this essential Bible Skill.
Book Order Update May 19, 2008
Amazon.com has used copies of my book, Old Paths For Little Feet. That might
help you save a little money if you don’t have a copy. Just type in Carol Brandt at search.
Don’t forget you can download chapters from my unpublished book about leading teens
(or yourself) into thinking skills that will help with Bible study. The download is free.
Just clink the link on sidebar: Old Paths For Little Feet. It will take you to CarolBrandt.net.
Hope this will help someone on a tight budget.
Carol
Unpublished Comments May 1, 2008
You can ask me a question via the blog’s comment. WordPress lets me decide whether to publish a comment or not. So you can just put “Private Please” and I will not publish your question or comment. But, I can answer you at the address you put in.
Remember the purpose of this blog is to think about what the Bible says and what that means. So your questions are welcome even though I don’t have all the answers.
Sincerely, Carol
