Tag: Scripture

Whose Doctrine?

Published on by Amanda Tero1 Comment
“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” John 7:16

We would do well to test the doctrines to which we cling. It is easy to get swept into the doctrine of men and then cling to it with a vice-grip, not even weighing it against God’s Word to see if the doctrine is of God. A good test is to consider verse 18 of this passage, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” 
Whose glory are we seeking? When someone contradicts a doctrine (or belief, conviction) that we cling to, what is our reaction? Are we grieved because such does not glorify God — or merely upset and try to prove that our way is right? 

Trusting Without Feeling

Published on by Amanda Tero1 Comment
So often, we want to seeGod at work. To feel Him working. But, we don’t have to see evidence to know that He is there, working in hearts and lives.
“Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive Him: On the left hand, where He doth work, but I cannot behold Him: He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see Him: But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:8-10)
Sometimes, we just have to trust the promises of God’s Word, even if we feel nothing. As the next verses in this passage indicate, we must continue in God’s way and commandments even if we “feel” no change.
“My foot hath held his steps, His way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:11-12)

Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not!

A Scripture Design in 21 Steps

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
It is always interesting to take screenshots of the process of my graphics design, because I never know exactly what will come out of it–and if it will even be something I like. The design I shared Tuesday, was one I had time to throw together, and here’s how I did it.
Step 1: Started with a blank 5×5 file

Step 2: Pasted the verse on it

Step 3: Separated the words into different layers
And changed the font to Trajanus.

Step 4: Aligned the layers centered
Because, at this point, I was thinking about doing a simpler graphics design.

Step 5: Distributed the text layers evenly

Step 6: Changed the key words to Windsong font

Step 7: Decided that my simple style wasn’t working…

Step 8: So I played around with the positioning of the words

Step 9: With the words done, I took a picture from my iPhone and copied it onto my square

Step 10: Selected a brush

Step 11: Started “painting”

Step 12: Tested the Gaussian Blur look

Step 13: Decided it wasn’t quite the look I wanted…
So I canceled the Gaussian Blur.

Step 14: Changed brush size and added more yellow
I intentionally made the yellow heavier on the bottom than the top.

Step 15: Gaussian Blur again

Step 16: Lowered the opacity of the background layer

Step 17: Made the text visible again

Step 18: Added a drop shadow to the text

Step 19: Decided to test some “Fibers”
In this picture, I have yellow and blue on my color pallet. However, I changed that in the next screenshot to be yellow and orange.

Step 20: Played with the fibers until it looked good.

Step 21: Lowered the opacity of the fibers

There you have it…another graphics design step-by-step.

Do we…?

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
Do we believe that God’s Word converts (turns back)? Do we read it when we notice our hearts straying towards the world?
Do we believe that God’s Word gives wisdom? Do we turn to others or God when we need wisdom?
Do we believe that God’s Word rejoices the heart? Do we seek it or secular entertainment when we need cheering up?
Do we believe that God’s Word is pure? Do we turn to it when we need cleansing or wallow in our sin?
Do we believe that God’s Word endure forever? Do we try to cling to worldly, temporal things for our security instead of clinging to God’s Word?
Do we believe that God’s Word is true and righteous altogether? Do we dwell on the lies and fears of this world or dwell on the truth of God’s Word?

Do we truly desire God’s Word? Is this evidenced in our daily lives? Do we spend more time seeking worldly things, following worldly entertainment and devices, letting the world determine our thinking–or do we spend time renewing our minds according to God’s Word? 
~*~*~
7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:7-10

Scripture Memory – the Process

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Last week, I mentioned the three pillars for the foundation of memorizing Scripture.

This week, I’m eager to share some of the things that help me memorize Scripture.

Read
Read the Scripture 10 times out loud.
Memorize Portions
Break up the verse into phrases and work on one phrase at a time.
Repeat and Repeat
Whether its a full verse or portions, say it over and over. I usually say a portion fifteen times. Then, I’ll say the next portion fifteen times. Then those two portions together fifteen times.
Pattern of Six
My sister recently discovered that saying six words together (even if they do not create a full phrase) helps induce memory.
Memorize While Working
Copy the verse on an index card or prop up your phone with the Scripture verse on it where you’re working. Instead of letting your mind idly wander, purposefully memorize Scripture.
Place in Easily Seen Places
Copy the verse onto index cards and put it out in areas that you frequent. Each time you see it, say it.
Sing it
Create a song to sing for your verse.
Put it to rhythm
Instead of saying the verse in monotone, accent some words, say some words faster, some slower. (No, I’m not saying create a rap out of your Scripture verses…but if that helps… ;))
First Letters
Write down just the first letters of the verse and say it using only the first letters as your aid (John 3:16 would begin, “F G S L T W…”).
As You Go to Sleep
Those minutes when your mind is winding down? Quote your verse.
When You Wake Up
And…those minutes when you’re groggily trying to convince your body to get out of bed, quote your verse.
Listen to It
Either record yourself or listen to an audio Bible of the verse(s) you are memorizing.
Have an Accountability Partner
A friend and I were discussing the trouble we were having with faithfully memorizing God’s Word, so we decided to keep each other accountable. Sometimes, she’ll text as soon as I pick up a book to read and I have that reminder, “Have you worked on memory yet today?” Amazing how God works out the timing like that!
What are some ways you’ve found helpful in memorizing Scripture?


Scripture Memory Osmosis

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
I am guilty of wishing that Scripture memory came through osmosis. You know, just go to church and keep up with daily Bible reading, and the Scripture will be there, perfectly memorized for whenever it’s needed.
Wrong.
Scripture memory takes work. Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” If I am to hide something, does that mean I’m just going to toss it somewhere haphazardly? Nope. If I’m really intent on hiding something, I’m going to spend time and do it correctly. Hiding God’s Word in my heart will take action, time, and determination on my part.

I’ll admit, this past year, my memory efforts have faltered. It’s not that I didn’t know how to memorize God’s Word. I just didn’t do it. I let busyness and other “priorities” take precedence over God’s Word. This year, though, I am determined to work on my Scripture memory on a regular basis again, with God’s help.
There are three steps that I have found to be the foundation in my Scripture memory:
1) Pray
This is a step not to be forgotten. My memory is not very good (you can ask my family, friends, and music students). And sometimes, I come to a verse that just throws me for a loop. So, I have found that the first, most important part, is to pray. Pray that God will give me the desire to memorize His Word, pray that He will help me to memorize His Word.
2) Work
As I already mentioned, memory takes work. I can’t just read through a verse five times and have it memorized (if you can, good for you! I’m slightly jealous of you…). I have to choose to put aside 10 minutes to memorize. I have to choose to prop my phone up on the windowsill to work on memory while I’m washing dishes. I have to choose to work on it.
3) Review
Once I memorize Scripture, I can easily forget it the next week (like I said, my memory’s not the best). So, I have my Scripture review cards on which I write the references for all of my memory verses. Every day, I work through one of these cards and it has helped tremendously. I can still quote verses that I first memorized five years ago.
Next week, Lord willing, I’ll share some ways that I vary up the process of Scripture memory.
Here is the verse I’m working on this week. What verse are you memorizing?