STEP #2 -- Do Bible Study and Reflect on Application
Study the Word of God to understand who we are and who God has equipped us to be. Test everything on the basis of the Bible.
I love the fact that Christ said, "I only do the things I see My Father doing." John 5:19, The Holy Bible.
I believe that is what we need to do,too! And we can in the power of the Holy Spirit as He guides us through the entire Holy Bible.
When we read Chapters 1 of Genesis we find a pattern of making order out of chaos. For your convenience, Chapter 1 is presented here.[My commentary in parenthesis, numbered for identification purposes only.]
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
#1-[Recognition of God as Creator, the Source of origin]
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
#2-[Recognition of the actual state of affairs, all of its important attributes, along with the tools God has made available to address the issues at hand]
And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.
#3-[Execute actions that support visibility, the ability to see things as they really are]
REMEMBER: "The word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path." All must rightly align with what is written in the Holy Bible.
God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
#4-[Determine whether or not that which is used to make visible the status is good, valid, reliable,reflective of the TRUTH. And, if it is good, separate that which enables visibility from that which obscures or otherwise inhibits the needed visibility]
God called the light 'day,' and the darkness he called 'night.'
#5-[Label the difference]
And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
#6-[Be cognizant of time in relation to the tool of visibility]
And God said, 'Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.'#7-[Sort, differentiating with relevant precision--not just lumping like things together, but identifying relevant differents and sorting accordingly.]
So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. #8-[Create a means of separating the differentiated elements.]
And it was so.
#9-[Come to completion on differentiation]
God called the vault 'sky.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. [Label while remaining cognizant of your use of time.]
And God said, 'Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.' #10-[Put like items in a shared location different from other things]
And it was so.
#11-[Come to completion on placement]
God called the dry ground 'land,' and the gathered waters he called 'seas.'
#12-[Label]
And God saw that it was good.
#13-[Assess what you have done so far]
Then God said, 'Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.'
#14-[Take what you have and set up conditions for fruitful production, meaning identify that which has within itself all that is needed to reproduce, and organize that production according to its kind]
And it was so.
#15-[Assess how you have set up the conditions in which production is to take place]
The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds.
#16-[Determine whether there is a right match between what is to be produced where and the kind of yield expected]
And God saw that it was good.
#17-[Look at this initiative in context to determine whether or not it is good.]
And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
#18-[Be cognizant of time. Mark it.]
And God said, 'Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.'
#20-[Apply the yardstick of visibility as the guage for assessing categories of actions, routines, operations of productivity over time]
And it was so.
#21-[Come to completion in the development of that guage]
God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night.
#22-[Develop signals differencing stages of the work: stages of high visibility and low visibility]
He also made the stars.
#23-[Develop elements to monitor during periods of low visibility]
God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness.
#24-[Use as indicators]
And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day. #25-[Assess those indicators and remain cognizant of time. Mark it.]
And God said, 'Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.'
#26-[Populate with that which is best suited for the environment/structure/operation you have created]
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind.
#27-[Populate according to kind]
And God saw that it was good.
#28-[Assess population fit]
God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.'
#29-[Establish conditions favorable for reproducibility according to kind in the first structures you created]
And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
#30-[Remain cognizant of time. Mark it.]
And God said, 'Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.'
#31-[Establish conditions conducive to reproduction according to kind in the secondary structures produced]
And it was so.
#32-[Come to completion on initiating populations]
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds.
#33-[Make sure initiated populations are according to kind]
And God saw that it was good.
#34-[Assess the populating process]
Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'
#35-[Mentor or apprentice folks you have prayerfully chosen, of like mind to yourself, and teach them all you know]
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
#36-[Recognize the different roles and capabilities of those you have mentored]
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.
#37-[Put apprentices in positions to be productive applying what they have learned, and let them reproduce the process replicating themselves]
Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'
#38-[Give your apprentices charge over specific populations]
Then God said, 'I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.
#39-[Instruct apprentices on how to become self-sustaining given all that was created]
They will be yours for food.
#40-[Recognize and communicate what is consumable for sustainment]
And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.'
#41-[Identify all assets available to sustain those you have given charge]
And it was so.
#42-[Come to completion on this]
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day."
#43-[Assess the entire operation]
So, in summary, those are the steps I have derived from reading Genesis 1. God to that which was out of order and created that which was fruitful by design. Let us do likewise in spheres where God has assigned us. Let us be productive in our work but also in in soul winning as our charge is to "make disciples of men." Amen!
We have to make decisions along the way.
What follows will help. Please check all on the basis of Holy Scripture.
I RECOMMEND: An Examination of Decision-Making
I have looked at decision making from the perspective of a number of pastors and theologian including John MacArthur, authors associated with NAV Press, etc. Here is a list of questions I now ask myself when making a decision.
1. Does the decision option break any of the stated commands of the Bible?
2. Does the decision option reflect the spirit of God's laws?
3. Does the decision option harm?
4. Does the decision option hinder?
5. Does the decision option express right action?
6. Does the decision option occur with right motive, doing the right thing for the right reason?
7. Does the decision option exercise minimum loss for maximum gain from God's perspective?--i.e. tough love---What is the spiritual address of the problem or question that is under consideration?
8. What does the decision option cost intangible and intangible terms?
9. Does the decision option have lasting reward, furthering the communication of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word or deed?
10. How will this decision influence the tapestry of other decisions I make?
In summary, "Does the decision option honor and glorify God?"
If you are in a position of governance you should consider the above while prayerfully examining the current status of things.
Describe in writing what you see in our society.
What are the underlying assumptions?
What is the rationale given for acceptance?
What are the elements that are directly linked to the assumptions?
Who are the major actors that tend to shape this situation?
Are the assumptions consistent across the people involved?
Are these deemed appropriate?
Are any people who should be involved omitted from decisions or conversation?
Why or how have choices become acceptable?
Describe in writing what the world sees.
How might alternative assumptions be translated into action? In other words, what would society look like if according to the world the “appropriate” assumptions were applied?
What are the chances of acceptance of these assumptions?
Can obstacles be addressed? How, and in what time frame?
What are the most appropriate criteria for assessing future actions?
What should be avoided at all cost?
If tradeoffs exist, what is expendable? In what situations?
Who should be held accountable? For what should these individuals be held accountable?
The Steps for Today are Bible Study and Reflection.
Here are the recommended exercises.
Reflection for God-Honoring Application of His Written Word
I am defining "Reflection" as the intelligent appreciation of Who God is through His Word and His Creation.
I RECOMMEND: Reflection
The question of self-examination which is required according to the Word of God---has been discussed at length in a number of books within the last two decades. Some works like those of Foster, point to the self examination disciplines exercised by those Christian disciples that have come before us. I refer to the discipline of study and prayer to name only two out of many. Study and prayer are similar in this respect. To do them right, you must be still and know that God is God. Stillness is completely alien to our culture, today. It is as foreign as silence. In a still small voice, He can lead us into all TRUTH. Mediate on the Written Word of God, the Holy Bible. Do not venture into any other type of meditation. The Psalmist says,
"Thy Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11, the Holy Bible. Yet another Saint said, “O Sovereign Lord, You alone know.” Ezekiel 37:3
It is very important that you read the Bible each day with at least the minimum goal of completing the entire Bible within one year. In addition, you should prayerfully select a passage in the Bible that will be your point of focus for meditation. For more specific guidance on Biblical Meditation I recommend the reading of Elmer L. Towns' book, Biblical Meditation for Spiritual Breakthrough: 10 Biblical Ways to Meditate and Draw Closer to the LORD. Published by Regal in Ventura California.
For now, in meditating on the word of God you can focus your heart and thoughts on God, the creator of all, through the reading of the Psalms. That's my favorite. At Home (our in the park) Read the Psalms Out Loud! They are wonderful! Both Ear and Eye Gate benefit that way. Acknowledge the presence of the Most High! Confess your sins in recognition of our unworthiness in His presence. Confession and true repentance is required to eliminate distance that comes from being in sin. Acknowledge the salvation that Jesus has offered as you ask the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers. Pray that the Holy Spirit might draw you ever closer to the Father through Jesus Christ so that you may grow in the understanding of His precepts and ways.
Returning to my list, if you are in a position of governance, I encourage you to address each of the following. Then, after you have sketched out your answers, revisit each with the Holy Bible in hand, searching the scriptures prayerfully, and asking God for answers.
Describe in writing what you see in our society.
What are the underlying assumptions?
What is the rationale given for acceptance?
What are the elements that are directly linked to the assumptions?
Who are the major actors that tend to shape this situation?
Are the assumptions consistent across the people involved?
Are these deemed appropriate?
Are any people who should be involved omitted from decisions or conversation?
Why or how have choices become acceptable?
Describe in writing what the world sees.
How might alternative assumptions be translated into action? In other words, what would society look like if according to the world the “appropriate” assumptions were applied?
What are the chances of acceptance of these assumptions?
Can obstacles be addressed? How, and in what time frame?
What are the most appropriate criteria for assessing future actions?
What should be avoided at all cost?
If tradeoffs exist, what is expendable? In what situations?
Who should be held accountable? For what should these individuals be held accountable?
God’s Word Speaks to the Circumstance
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!”
Describe in writing what God would say about what you see.
Pray to God in the Name of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Then study the Holy Bible. Concentrate deeply upon each of the passages or scenes of scripture that God directs you to. Interpret scripture with scripture by using good Concordances. Read commentaries that examine the words referenced in Greek or Hebrew. Prayerfully ask questions as you read the Holy Bible. Pay attention to details concerning the actions that are taking place. Ask God in the Name of Christ Jesus to reveal to you the meaning for the issue at hand. What should we know about God’s view that we may gain from the passage in order to grow closer to Him?
Respond to the message that God has given you through your prayers to Him with the resolve that to devote your thoughts, writing, and all other actions in addition to these pursuits under the guidance of His Holy Spirit and in the obedience of His Word. And, again, if you are in a position of governance, as you explore the passage in relation to the issue at hand, consider the following policy related questions,
Given current conditions, what are the alternative strategies that are acceptable to God?
• How should the alternatives be judged?
• What can go wrong?
• Who stands to benefit given the acceptance of God’s alternatives?
• What would be the extent of the benefit?
• Will the benefit be to the detriment of any other policy objective?
• Will the benefit be different for different people?
• Who and how much?
• Where should money be directed?
• What about other resources?
Translate what God says in the Holy Bible about what you see into word pictures. Remember, to develop a word picture that even the secular mind can understand without losing God’s meaning. Such word pictures are really parables and constitute the same approach our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ used to communicate Kingdom truths.
Dear Lord,
Please order our steps in Your Written Word to Your honor and glory.
In the Name of Christ Jesus we pray.
Amen!
---Livvy McDonald :)<><
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