Revelation 1:3 and Me

Somehow, the other week, Revelation 1:3 got on my radar. 

I had never focused on the part about reading the prophecy aloud seemed new to me. Some long time ago, I first heard that it's good to read the Bible aloud and that it helps retention and understanding.

Anyway, I decided to read Revelation. Out loud. It has been beneficial. For one thing, while reading aloud, I am more focused on checking commentaries as I go through the verses. Thankfully, I have several Bible translations and a variety of commentaries because of the amazing eSword. 

BTW eSword is right up there in my favorite resources along with Got Questions, Blue Letter Bible, and BibleRef. And ALL of them are FREE...

It has been a blessing to read Revelation out loud. I am now intending to do the same whenever I read or study any part of the Bible. 

Here's a weird thing I have noticed. There is such a cloud of noise and other distractions around us that it's hard to think clearly. I feel sometimes as if I am wading through a tunnel of "news and information", social media posts, chattering neighbors, and so much other stimuli that I don't get a chance to think clearly and deeply about anything real. Deep breath!

There is so much unorganized noise around us that it's hard (at least for me) to have an organized train of thought.

Reading the Bible aloud made me realize this. When I read the words aloud, I am focused on those words. I am focused on what they mean and how they apply to life.  Most of the other "noise" in my life - social media, entertainment media, etc. - is all like a diet of drugs and dessert, filling my up without fulfilling me.

I won't go on a rant about how I - like a lot of people - spend too much time dealing with my phone and consuming the "junk food" of media. I will say reading Revelation aloud truly has been a blessing to me. I'm going to try to focus on having a healthier diet of what I let into my mind and heart.

Peace

--Free

The Great Big Bible Study Post (Part 2) Resources

This continues the Great Big Bible Study Post series.

• 10 Commandments - listed & explained (from bibleinfo.com)
• Page of some Bible resources from AOC's Patreon (consider contributing)
• (STUDY COURSES) Bible courses from Blue Letter Bible
• Bible study resources from Blue Letter Bible
• (VIDEOS) Missler's Matthew to Revelation playlist
• Berean Call's Berean Bites (free downloads - consider a donation)
• Read the Orthodox Jewish Bible online (from Bible Study Tools)
• (AUDIOBOOK) The Seduction of Christianity (Dave Hunt/Berean Call)
• (STUDY COURSES) From the Koinonia Institute 
• Printable resources from the John Ankerberg Show

As always, please strongly consider making donations on any of these resources. Most, if not all, are free the last time I checked. Donating to them will help keep them online and available for more people to benefit from.

FUN STUFF

The Great Big Bible Study Post (Part 1) Resources

There are so many really good Bible study resources online that I wanted to share my list.  One good thing about being locked down is having the time and quiet to really focus on serious study. I decided a long time ago that I should know more about God's Word than I do about who was on which sitcom or what was going on in the life of some cute celebrity...

I don't have a lot of extra money so having these resources is awesome. I have access to all kinds of Bible versions and tools for studying the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek origins. There are commentaries, audio (sermons and Bible reading), places to take notes, etc.

I keep a large bookmarked folder just for resources like this.

Before posting the study links, I think it would be good to point toward some resources for methods of and reasons for Bible study:

• This is a blog post of why and how
• This is a Wikihow on reading the KJV
• The COMA method (new to me!)
• 11 methods listed here
• Methods for regular study

I'd also like to add a personal suggestion. What helps me as a fairly new and growing reader of the Bible is having more than one version. That's why I use eSword. I like to be able to pull up a parallel of the KJV, ESV, and NASB. And reading commentaries is super helpful. My favorites in the eSword (some downloaded from user submissions for eSword):

• Utley, Bob - You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series (OT/NT 23 vols) 2
• Johnson, B.W. - Collected Commentaries 1.0
• The People's New Testament (B.W. Johnson) I lost the link
• The Summarized Bible (by K.L. Brooks) 

If you can't find these on Amazon or free online, check the link below I list for eSword modules.

Here is Part One of my list. I will be adding If you use the sources, please try to donate whenever you can. I use eSword daily so I try donating at least 5 dollars every time I can. Enjoy!

• Bible reading plans from Blue Letter Bible (can keep track of your reading plan & even have this saved to your desktop)
• Study Bible online (read, search the Greek, Hebrew, English, and Latin)
• Simplified overview of the Jewish Holidays (Feasts of the Lord)
• Solar & Lunar Jewish calendar from My Jewish Learning
• Family Tree of the Bible - image (by Luke Mastin)
• Jewish Encyclopedia
• Classic Christian Books (by author listings) from Bible Study Tools
• The Layman's Bible Handbook
• The Bible for Dummies Cheat Sheet (from For Dummies)
• Jewish Virtual Library

I like adding the Jewish-centered resources because I think people tend to forget that our Lord is Jewish. Another interesting link is here where you can "tour" the Holy Land through a "Visual Israel Experience".

Once you land on these pages, you should definitely look around. There are many additional links on these pages where I have found some good information.

By the way, for anyone who took my advice about using eSword as a free desktop Bible study tool, I have great news. This is a page where you can find even more free resources that can be added into eSword as modules. CAUTION: as ever, be discerning. There are various items that I, personally. don't feel jibe with standard doctrine.

As always, please strongly consider making donations on any of these resources. Most, if not all, are free the last time I checked. Donating to them will help keep them online and available for more people to benefit from.

Peace

--Free