Author: Adam

I am “for” tithes and offerings.

There’s no need to re-say what I’ve already said. Refresh your memory and read my blunt post on tithing here.

I’m not talking about what I’m against. I am for tithes and offerings. I’ve tried it. It works. I will continue to be consistent in my giving until I’m dead. I’m closing comments on this particular post because I want to transfer the conversation to the other post. Go over there and post comments.

I am “for” bible chewing.

So many Christians claim that they want to know God more, yet they have not read His Word! So many people claim that they want to hear God’s voice but they haven’t even looked in the Word — the very place where His Voice has been recorded! The Bible is a valuable treasure that we need to hang onto. Here’s some tips –

Read Hunks. In Richard Foster’s book, Streams of Living Water, he wrote, “The popular devotional practice of a brief Bible reading each morning is a little like trying to take a shower one drop at a time. Just as we simply cannot get a shower that way, we simply cannot become a biblically saturated person that way. So read entire sections of books of the Bible in one sitting.” He went on to say that it is far better to read hunks of scripture once a week than it is to read little portions of it each day. This makes a lot of sense if you’d think about it. We can misunderstand scripture without understanding the context by which it was written.

Memorize Hunks. A lot of people memorize individual verses such as Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Although this isn’t all bad, I don’t think its most effective. If we memorize in hunks, then we’ll really digest the thought process of the author. If you would memorize and chew on the entire book of Philipians you would see that in Phil. 4:13, Paul clearly was not speaking of being able to do anything — but rather being able to stand firm in the midst of all adversity and persecution. See — chewing on hunks of scripture can even help you see the true meaning of a verse.

Bottom Line? We need to hide God’s word in our hearts! (Ps. 119:11) Knowing verses “word for word” isn’t the issue – but I don’t think JUST reading the Bible does the trick either. Chew on it — “memorize” it. I’m using the term “memorize” loosely because I think it can be a very prideful thing, but the important thing is that we chew on it — get everything you can out of the scriptures.

I’m not concerned with what I’m against. I am for Bible Memorization.

I just received an email from a person that I really think highly of. They said, “You’re one of my favorite guys, Adam!” Do you have any idea how awesome that made me feel? I smiled hugely when I read that. And I’m still smiling. Wow. Talk about an ego boost – it wasn’t just somebody saying, “You’re cool” — it was coming from someone I really think highly of. His words contained so much power.

For somebody, YOU ARE the person that they really think highly of. You are the best in the world at something; and you can reach and connect with certain people better than anyone else in the world. Negative speakers say things that discourage others (can anyone say GOSSIP). Let’s try to be positive speakers and say things to people that will encourage others.

If you’re a negative speaker, KNOCK IT OFF!

If you’re listening to discouraging talk or gossip, let it stop with you!

By the way, covering up gossip as a prayer request is still gossip, “We need to pray for Susie, do you know what Susie did? I just can’t believe it . . .” That’s religionized gossip, but its still gossip.

Words contain power. Use with caution!

[In regards to your spiritual holiness . . .] “You never win when you compromise.”

-Bishop Paul E. Paino