Book Review - The Meeting Place

"The Meeting Place" by Janette Oke & T. Davis Bunn
 is a great book. I am currently reading this and can't put it down.
It is free on Kindle today.

https://www.amazon.com/Meeting-Place-Song-Acadia-Book-ebook/dp/B005BOXJ5S/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_v_d_TAf-xbF5A0XBA_lm

The reading to study for today is Romans 12:2. I worked today and have to work tomorrow. I will catch up on studies on Sunday.

I thank God the hurricane back east was not as bad as predicted.

Gratitude
1. My job
2 My husband's job
3. Books

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Challenge Day 6 - Ephesians 4:23

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Ephesians 4:23 NIV
"...to be made new in the attitude of your minds,"
KJV "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;"
NKJV same as KJV
CJB "and you must let your spirits and minds keep being renewed,"
GNV "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind,"

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
"Or by the Spirit that is in your mind; that is, by the Holy Spirit; who is in the saints and is the author of renovation in them; and who is the reviver ad carrier on and finisher of that work and therefore that is called the renewing of the Holy Spirit."

Wow. Okay. Amen.

You can read the full commentary at this link:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/ephesians-4-23.html

You can find many commentaries on this passage, or any passage, by simply typing in "commentary on Ephesians 4:23 in your search browser.

If we take this verse and add it to what we have learned in Phil 4:8-9 and Colossians 3:15, we see we are being encouraged to keep practicing, so it eventually becomes a daily habit to keep God's word in our minds and heart.

Now let's put Ephesians 4:23 with 22 & 24 to get the whole picture.

22. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I am really enjoying looking up and studying these comparisons and commentaries. This is a new way for me to study. Even after this challenge ends I will continue with this mode of study. I am feeling enlightened in a new way. Thank you, Dana.

My prayer

Dearest Lord,
Thank you for my many blessings and help me practice your word daily until it becomes a natural habit my heart and mind follow. Renew in me a new spirit daily to live in unity with You and everyone. Amen.

Gratitude
1. Renewal
2. Study
3. A new day

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Picture found on Pinterest posted by Ali Clement.

Colossians 3:15

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Colossians 3:15
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.

I compared translations in:
NIV
NKJV
KJV
CJB
GNV

Elliot's Commentary for English Readers
The "peace of Christ," is a sense of unity in Him, with our fellow-men and with God. We are "called to it in one body," which He is the Head.

Jamieson - Fausset - Brown Bible Commentary
"The peace of Christ:" Peace was the legacy to His disciples before He left them. "My peace I give unto you." John 14:27

Adam Clarke Commentary
"Rule in your hearts:" No heart is right with God where the peace of Christ does not rule.
When peace rules, all is safe.
"Of one body:" you cannot have peace with God unless you continue in unity.

I think this verse is pretty clear in its meaning.
Christ/God must rule in our hearts if we are to have peace within and with each other.

My prayer
Dear Lord,
Please let your peace rule in my heart today. Let me think before I speak and keep your word in my heart and mind always. Bless all who visit here with your peace. Amen.

Gratitude
1. The peace of all understanding
2. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit's  peace
3. Grace

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 4 of Challenge and Journal Update

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

The first week of October was only 2 days so my pages reflect these two days only. My theme is welcoming Autumn. I have included Phil 4:8-9 and talked about that I will do an in-depth study on these verses, memorize them and pray with them. I also included Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens." I thought it was appropriate for the welcoming of autumn. I enjoyed my first cup of hot tea!

I forgot to mention and show you how I am beginning each month . I found this idea on Pinterest and didn't write down or remember who it is by, so I cannot give credit. I loved the idea and it is working for me, so will continue to use this method of prayer tracking.

Across the top are praises, the left column is for your prayer requests and the right column is for writing the date they were answered. Pretty cool.

Tomorrow I will be talking about Colossians 3:15. Same mode of study as Phil 4:8-9

Gratitude

1. Seasons

2. Wood smoke filling the air

3. Autumn colors

Phil 1:4

In all my prayers for all of you,

I always pray with joy.

Blessings,

Deborah

Putting Things into Action

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Challenge Day 3

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
8. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
9. Whatever you have learned, or received, or heard from me, or seen in me - put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

The translations I read were:
NIV - New International Version
NKJV - New King James Version
KJV - King James Version
CJB - Complete Jewish Bible
GNV - 1599 Geneva Bible

I also wrote them all down. It was interesting to compare them.

I am making this my memory verse for this month. I typed it out above from memory and only messed up on verse 9. :)

The commentary I read was Nelson's Bible Commentary. Two word definitions caught my eye.

Meditate ("think about such things" in my NIV) - deliberate and evaluate. The new Christians were told to renew their minds so that they would not conform to the evils of this world.

Learned - not only conveys increased knowledge, but also learn by habitual practice.

My note - The increased knowledge is good, but not enough. Only by practicing and putting it into action do we truly learn something and make it our own.

Today, Dana suggests we carry a small piece of paper in our pocket and write down our thoughts throughout the day. At the end of the day we should read them and ask ourselves if they fit with Phil 4:8-9. Tear them up and toss when done. She also suggests we keep Phil 4:8-9 in mind when we are on social media. Good advice.

Dear Hashem,
Thank you for Your many blessings and help me today to focus on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Help me to remember the things I have read, learned, received and heard and put them into action. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Gratitude
1. His word
2. Knowledge
3. Meditation

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 2 Challenge & Spiritual Journal Update

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

http://www.danapittman.com/introduction-christian-thinking/

There is the link to Dana's post for today's challenge.
You will have to copy and paste the link, because mine don't seem to be working the past couple of days. (Growl, growl, grumble, grumble.) Don't know why. I'm linking like I always have. Very irritating, to say the least.

She gives us a roadmap to study Philippians 4:8-9. I am choosing to do these 4 things:
1. Cross reference - Read 5 translations. (I use Biblegateway.com for this. I have the link in my right sidebar)
2. Resources - Bible dictionary and concordance.
3. Commentaries - read at least two
4. Holy Spirit - Pray for guidance.

I will report my findings tomorrow.

My Spiritual Journal for this week.

I'm really having fun with the White Rabbit. The purple arrow has the scripture from

Matt 28:7 "Then go quickly and tell His disciples: He has risen from the dead..."

When you open the flap you see the White Rabbit running quickly. Makes me smile.

Gratitude

1. White rabbits

2. Rabbis

3. Bible study challenges.

Phil 1:4

In all my prayers for all of you,

I always pray with joy.

Blessings,

Deborah

Start With God

My new motto:

Today is Day 1 of the monthly challenge to write everyday, so here I am.

My goals were to write here, read my Bible and write in my Spiritual Journal. So far I have the first two done and will write in my journal before bed. I worked today, so time was not my own.

I want to share where I found my "read the bible in a year." It is on You Version and they have some great plans. Even weekly devotionals. The plan I read is called, "Eat this Book." It includes daily readings and a Psalm per day. I love reading the Psalms. Such comfort. Here is the link:

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/206-eat-this-book

Gratitude
1. My job
2. All of you
3. The joys in my life

See you tomorrow!
Blessings,
Deborah