Archive

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=31426&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Simply put, the Lectio Divina means to be praying in and with the Scriptures for understanding, worship, and intimacy in God's presence to benefit our faith, character, and spiritual growth. Thus, reading as a practice and a discipline means that as we read the Bible, we can and should be praying to our Lord, too. This combines two essential aspects of our Christian walk...

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=68993&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

The bottom line of why we are to study the Bible is so we may know God, His Way, and grow in our knowledge and faith in Him so we can then be better used by Him. We are called to spiritual growth-that is, the formation of the investment of faith Christ gives us that we give back to Him in dividends. This is a deep conviction of our faith, a practiced submission that shows our obedience, and a life of personal and relational maturity. We can't do this when we bring what we want into Scripture and not take out what God wants us to have! We have to listen to God; if not, we will not learn and then we will not grow and then we will not have a life of transformation.

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=36274&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Two biblical principles must be practiced simultaneously, at each step of the way, if we are to be really Bible-believing Christians. One is the principle of the practice of the purity of the visible church. The other is the principle of an observable love among all true Christians.

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=32886&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Gossip is Evil and Gossip destroys! "There is no better way to start conflict, than to spread gossip!"

Most Christians have not let Christ transform them beyond the first stage of salvation; especially in their way of thinking and mindset. This places a limit on how and what Christ is able to accomplish in their lives. Therefore, the result of this behavior is that gossip becomes a normal practice. So most Christians listening to or spreading the news are not aware that it is wrong, because their experience and minds tell them it's okay...

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=32864&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with...

Worship is a covenant and call from our Lord to come before Him and meet with Him with reverence, gladness, and joy. It is a call to know Him intimately and express appreciation to Him with praise and thanksgiving, doing so with passion, sincerity, conviction, and in reverent fear and trembling. Worship is the aptitude, attitude, and practice of expressing the desire to know our Lord and Savior further, and being grateful for Who He Is and what He has done for us. Worship is the giving of our best to Him. And, we do this because...

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=32875&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

The History of 'Doing Church' through the centuries.

Have you ever wondered why do we do Church the way we do? One of the topics for which we receive requests for information is why we do church worship services the way we do. Why can't I just do what I feel is best, or find out what my people and neighborhood would want and do that? Is there a reason behind our traditions? Or, is it just meaningless rhetoric we repeat over and over, year after year, century after century. Well, there is a reason we do church the way most practice it today. There are essential patterns, rooted in the Old Testament, that God requires...

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=31555&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Inductive Bible study is learning how to exegete the Bible for all its worth with our best efforts. We do this through teaching people tools and skills to help observe the text, dig out the meaning, and then apply it to their lives. Thus, inductive Bible Study enhances the exegesis process by enabling us to read the Bible for more impact, value and significance. In practice, we first examine the ideas and words of the text, then this leads us to the meanings and interpretations, and then we are led to the conclusions and applications.

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=54543&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Fruit of the Spirit Part II

The Fruit of the Spirit is the continual and indispensable application of God's work in us that spurs our growing, effectual, spiritual development. This, in turn, assembles the elements we need to further build and live out our faith so we can effectively and graciously relate to others around us.

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=31550&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Principles of biblical interpretation ought to be determined before developing one's theology, but in practice the reverse is often true. Cultists in particular consistently read their deviant theologies into the biblical text instead of allowing the text to speak for itself. Faith teachers are also guilty of this practice, as I document in my book "Christianity in Crisis".

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=32733&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

These are the 12 characteristics that form a church that pleases our Lord. Each of these distinctions are extremely important; however I feel I placed them in a hierarchal arrangement. That is the first one is more important than the second. And the first one begets the second that begets the third and so forth. So each one when practiced is...