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A Book Review: The New Testament for Everyone by N.T. Wright

A Book Review by Patti Greene

Publication

Wright, N.T. The New Testament for Everyone: A Fresh Translation. 3rd  ed., Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2023.

Disclaimer

I received a hardcover copy of the 3rd edition of The New Testament for Everyone: A Fresh Translation as a gift because, as a Bible Gateway blogger grid member, I agreed to review this updated edition by Zondervan honestly.

Initially published in 2011, The New Testament for Everyone by N.T. Wright is now in its third edition, and this third version is being reviewed.

Content

In this 526-page hardback book, the New Testament books are printed in full. On the “Contents” page, you can easily find the page number to access a List of Maps quickly, a Preface to the First and Second Editions, a Preface to the Third Edition, an Introduction, and a List of the 27 books of the New Testament. It is beneficial to read the prefaces and introduction to understand how the book came about and why there is a third edition, mainly because it notifies the reader that this edition now comes in an audiobook. The author notes that all four Gospels are “emphatically Jewish” in nature.

Format

The book’s format is enjoyable. It arrived with a nice slide-in book box, which showed the same front cover as the one on the book. Due to the book’s approximate 6×9″ size, it is suitable for sticking in a medium-sized purse, backpack, or briefcase. Inside the text, the subheadings within the Bible chapters are distinguished in a subtle and attractive green print. In addition, the page numbers and title of the Bible chapter include the same beautiful green print, creating a distinguishing feature from the easy-to-read and nicely spaced black print on crisp white pages. While I reviewed the hardcover book, one may choose a leather soft or an e-book version.

Pros and Cons

There are multiple pros and cons in this New Testament.

Pros

First, a description identifying important information about the Gospels, Acts, Letters, and Revelation occurs before each of the four sections mentioned. In this description, central themes are noted. Second, the maps are scattered within the book, mostly in Acts. Third, Bible teachers and readers gain needed knowledge with the glossary of words behind the text.

Cons

First, there was not an index of the chapter headings and subheadings. This would have helped a teacher and novice reader when looking for Biblical stories or topics. Second, the words of Jesus are in the same black print as the Bible’s content. Having Jesus’ words in red would have been a nice touch to include since many readers like the words of Jesus more pronounced.

Particulars

Per the author/translator, N.T. Wright states that this Bible is not a paraphrase but a translation. He admits he “tried to stick closely to the original language.” He also explains why this 3rd edition was needed. This author/translator informs the readers that this book is suitable for those who will probably never look at a commentary. That is why, he states, he gives background information necessary to those needing background knowledge. Wright says he “tried to use gender-neutral language throughout the Bible. He mentioned that when he refers to human beings, he may say “they” rather than “he or she.” Because of this last admission, I am rating this Bible a four-star.

Before Purchasing

As with all books, the reader should research the author/translator N.T. Wright to learn and discern for themselves his theological bent. Everyone can decide what Bible to read, so their choice might differ from this publication.

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A Book Review: Timeless Truths Bible, 2023 by Thomas Nelson

A Book Review by Patti Greene

Capps, Matthew Z., ed. Timeless Truths Bible: One Faith Handed Down. For All the Saints. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2023.

I received a hardcover copy of the 2023 Timeless Truths Bible as a free gift because, as a Bible Gateway blogger grid member, I agreed to give an honest review of this New English Translation (NET) by Thomas Nelson Bibles.

First Impression

My first impression when I opened the Bible was that the print was too small. Upon further investigation, I learned that the Bible is printed in 9-point NET Comfort Print. In addition, the Bible is not set up like most Bibles, with two columns of Biblical content, which I usually like. However, there is a blank space on the side of each page for Bible art journaling or notes. This Bible is quite heavy, making it undesirable for people experiencing low muscle mass.

Different Bents

This Bible has different bents than most Bibles I have seen. First, it includes prominent Christian historians and their biographies and commentaries throughout the Bible. This input contains Irenaeus, Augustine, Wesley, Luther, Spurgeon, and more. Second, it also places a high emphasis on artwork. Scattered throughout the book are color photos of artwork. Third, random items are scattered throughout the Bible, such as critical creeds and confessions, Gregory of Nyssa, the Apostles Creed, and more. These additions allow those with a more profound interest in history and art to have a Bible, which might meet their intellectual longings.

Valuable Information

Although this Bible may not meet the needs of those who want a plain Bible to read, it contains valuable information that may help many in their Biblical research.

At the beginning of the Timeless Truths Bible, there is a list of abbreviations, a Bible books register, explanatory notes, an introduction to the New English translation, and a how-to-use Bible section.

In addition, there is an introduction to each book of the Bible for each sixty-six books. And as a bonus, this Bible has two silk bookmarks!

At the back of this 1682-page Bible, there is a bibliography, index, a descriptive list of the sacred artwork, and seven colored maps starting with the World of the Patriarchs through Jerusalem in the time of Jesus.

Consider before Purchasing

As I perused the Bible, I noticed no topic or verse index, which many Bible readers use and value immensely.

Overall, one should evaluate this Bible carefully before purchasing it to see if it meets their needs. For some, it might be a fantastic addition to their library. For others, they may be looking for a smaller content, larger print Bible.

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This is the Life for Me!

If you receive this blog through an email subscription, you can click on the title to see the full version of this post.

A shorter article on the same topic can be found  in The Baptist Standard article titled, “Voices: Choose to follow God’s path of life.”

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Do you feel that you are on the right path of life, following the Lord as closely as you know how? Or are you slowly slipping down the wrong path? 

God has a path for believers in Jesus Christ. The Bible calls it the Path of Life.

As a child, I used to grab 10 to 15 Little Golden Books at a time and read one after another. But one which always attracted me, and still draws me to this day, is Scuffy the Tugboat by Gertrude Crampton.

Amazon’s book description mentions that Scuffy was an adventurous little tugboat who believed he was meant for bigger things. He leaves his home, the man with the polka-dot tie, and the little boy who cared for him and sets off to explore the world. After his daring and treacherous adventure down a brook and then a raging river, Scuffy realizes that home is where he’d rather be.

After traveling through dangerous situations, his life became more complicated. Eventually, Scuffy arrives home to the man with the polka-dot tie and his little boy, and he proclaims, “This is the life for me.”

Our goal should be to reach the point where we say, “This is the life for me,” right where we are on the path God has provided us. Scuffy used the quoted phrase twice: once in leaving the reasonable, sensible path of his prior life to seek adventure, and again when he realized he had already been right where he needed to be all along—at home, safe in the arms of the man and boy who love him.

God wants us to understand that we can know our path. And hopefully, it is the one He has set apart for us, but we must choose it.

Life Choices

In Psalm 16, King David declares that he wants refuge in the Lord. In his communion with the Lord, he writes:

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  (Ps. 16:11 ESV).

What path does God want us to be on for Him?

The late British Old Testament scholar Derek Kidner defined a person on the right path of life as “someone who takes refuge in God and knows life and joy.” This person finds satisfaction in God’s ways and does not pursue other gods. God’s protection and instruction bless him.

As believers, we have two major choices  to make in life:

  1. We must decide whether to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and then

2. We must follow God’s path, which leads us to joy in His presence.

We know we have eternal life, but sometimes we experience struggles. Jesus is the light of the world, but He always uses our struggles and sufferings for His good. There is a purpose for all He does. Suffering causes us to depend on Him in ways we never have done before. David trusted that the Lord would show him the righteous path of life.

Some call the path of life a journey or route. David knew that he would find total joy by following God’s directions. His suffering led him to heed God’s instruction. 

God’s Instructions for Us

  1. Stay in communication with our heavenly Father,
  2. Read His word daily and let His principles and examples saturate our minds,
  3. Be obedient to what you read in the Bible,
  4. Confess sins and ask the Lord to help you in both your thoughts and actions so that those sins will not have a stronghold in your life,
  5. Decide not to visit places that lead you into temptation,
  6. Believe the Lord will guide us to Biblical principles and Scripture so we can know the right things to do, and
  7. Seek His kingdom above all others.

Following the instructions above is easier said than done. I have been there, working through each and every instruction listed above. I also know it takes longer to heed God’s instructions than He or I would like sometimes. However, God has always been available to hear my concerns, thoughts, struggles, and desires. I have also learned it is best to converse with God about our plans before depending on or requesting guidance from others. It is in Him we must confide our deepest longings.

He is on the path of life who heeds instruction,
But he who ignores reproof goes astray (Prov. 10:17 NASB95).

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (2 Tim. 3:16).

Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matt. 26:41).

If you obey the Lord your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.  Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach (Deut. 30:10-11 NIV).

Righteousness and Unrighteousness

“Wrong”, “Right” and question marks, Canva.

We will encounter testing and temptation on our path, but when we saturate our lives with God’s word and principles, we can be satisfied that we are following the right track. Even as believers, though, we must continually choose between righteousness and unrighteousness.

We want to walk in victory, but sometimes, we desire things God has proclaimed unsuitable for us. We have that struggle between our flesh and the spirit, so we must ponder the path our feet are on.

We cannot experience God’s true purpose for life when we travel the destructive path. We may find ourselves in a continuous cycle of sinning and confessing. To break that cycle, we must deny ourselves, take up Jesus’ cross, and follow Him.

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me (Luke 9:23).

The hope of the righteous is gladness,
But the expectation of the wicked perishes (Prov.10:28).

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Results of Living Right—Joy and Heaven

Woman in poppy field, Canva.

Psalm 16:11 concludes by saying if we follow God’s path, we will have complete joy and pleasures forever.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps.16:11 ESV).

When the temple restoration began in Jerusalem during the time of the prophet Ezra, we can understand the joy and what kind of joy God has in store for us. The builders had laid the foundation of the temple.

They sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid! Ezra 3:11 AMP).

When we lay a Godly foundation in our lives, we can experience joy in the presence of the LORD. God cares about the path of life we choose. And when we strive to be on his team, we can live joyfully in his presence. We can also experience everlasting pleasures in this life and the next as we lift our eyes to Jesus. 

It is a beautiful gift from the Lord that we can experience pleasures forever when our lives are over here. Living with our Lord and Savior in heaven is a deep gratification and satisfaction we can look forward to.

In this earthly life, we fail often, but God is always willing to pick us up and reroute and redirect our path.

Reroute and Redirect

307 Redirect, Canva

What is the purpose of a navigation system? A navigation system is an instrument that determines the position of a vehicle and the route to a particular place. The car’s navigation system tells the driver to turn left or right at a specific junction. The navigation system uses GPS signals to determine the vehicle’s location and direction.

It is a valuable tool with many benefits, such as helping people reach their destination, tracking packages, locating vehicles, and more. It guides the cars by directing the drivers through congested areas.

It is similar to the way God directs us in our lives.

  1. He shows us which way to turn—to the right or the left.
  2. He signals us on which way to proceed or not proceed.
  3. He helps us to reach the destination and call of our lives, and
  4. God guides us continually through the rough times in our lives.

However, our navigation system must take its orders from the Lord. He will reroute and redirect our thoughts or actions if we genuinely want to follow His path.

I love the story about how God rerouted one young boy. In sharing with another, one older man said:

__________

It’s true. I have had some terrible disappointments in my day, but none stands out like the one that came to me as a boy.

And what was that?

That was the night I crawled under a tent to see a circus—and found myself at a revival meeting!

__________

God continually tries to woo us back to him.  Relief may be found in a Bible verse that comes alive to us. It may be a friend directing us back to a godly life. It may come about after agonizing prayers to remove wishes or desires that are not beneficial to our spiritual health. But, no matter how God chooses to get our attention, it is up to us to choose His path.

We need to listen and obey Him. Live in His righteousness. Get on the path he has prepared for us. And if surrendering areas of our lives to His will seems complicated, remember to talk to the Lord about everything. We can ask for His help and protection to rid ourselves of untimely thoughts or actions.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him,  and He will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:5-6 NASB95).

A person’s mind plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps (Prov. 16:9).

This is the Life for Me!

After Scuffy’s journey away from his home, he says, “I wish I could find the man with the polka dot tie and little boy.” And soon, the man with the polka-dot tie reached out, picked him up, and brought him safely home. Scuffy learned that the grass wasn’t greener on the other side of the fence.

Scuffy’s path in life allowed him to experience adventures he initially enjoyed but became dangerous. He enjoyed some of life’s simple pleasures, but as he kept traveling along the river, he was jammed with logs and became scared of the river moving faster and faster. Then, the flood waters came until the little tugboat desired the warmth and safety of home.

And just like the man with the polka-dot tie who scooped Scuffy out of the water after his journey away and brought him home, God does the same for us when we choose to live for Him, decide against following unrighteous living, and allow him to reroute us when we stumble or get ahead of His will.

Let us live victoriously in his presence, along the paths He has prepared for us, because “this is the life for us!”

God bless you.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that I can be confident that You have a plan for my life. Thank you that I can trust that You will show me that plan in Your timing and in a way that honors You. Please give me the wisdom to acknowledge and follow Your plan quickly, without hesitation, so You can use me for Your glory before I meet You face-to-face. Why? Because Your way is the only life for me. Amen.

Bible Verses are located within this article.

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Notes:

Bible verses come from the New American Standard Bible 95, The English Standard Version, The New International Version, and The Amplified Bible.

Barry, John D., et al., Faithful Study Bible, Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.

Chinemerem, Barabas Iwuala. “How to Stop Navigation Using Google Assistant,  Feb. 3, 2023. https://techqlik.com/how-stop-navigation-using-google-assistant.

Crampton, Gertrude. Scuffy the Tugboat and His Adventures Down the River. New York: A Golden Book, 1946, 1983.

The Speaker’s Desk Book, ed. Lawrence Hembree and the staff of Quote. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1967.

All photos: Canva.com

Edited by E. Johnson

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Books by Patti

3 PRAYER JOURNALS – 3 BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLES, AND  A BOOK ON CHRISTIAN CAREGIVING.

BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLE SERIES

 

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A Book Review: NIV Student Bible, Updated 2023 by Zondervan

If you receive this blog through an email subscription, you can click on the title to see the full version of this review.

I received Zondervan’s updated 2023 NIV Student Bible with notes by Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford as a free gift as a Bible Gateway Blogger Grid member. I was tasked to give an honest review of this Bible. This beautiful 1,600-page Bible comes in hardcover with a jacket cover, a teal leather soft cover, and a brown leather soft cover—to meet personal tastes.

Advantages

When I offered to review the book, I thought it might be a Bible like many others, with a few notes and illustrations slapped haphazardly in the Bible. However, I was pleasantly surprised as I perused this excellent Bible.

I first noticed the number of devotionals and applications that were well-written, easy to understand, and relatable to both students ages 14-18 AND ADULTS. For a serious Bible student, the extra resources treated teenagers as adults, with topics that dwell on higher-level Bible stories and explanations.

As I like to learn some of the more profound thoughts of the Bible, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the doctrinal and study notes included throughout the Bible.

I am a certified librarian, so  I look for location ease in non-fiction books I read and recommend. This Bible did not disappoint. It included various sections, which are listed below.

  1. An introduction to each book of the Bible,
  2. 100 people you should know,
  3. A glossary of people and places,
  4. Well-known Biblical events,
  5. An outline of the Testaments,
  6. A lineup of rulers,
  7. Notable Psalms,
  8. Life Questions, and
  9. An excellent subject guide.

What also impressed me was the inclusion of three different reading plans. This saves so much time for those looking for a quick resource in finding a plan to follow, thus, allowing more people to get right into reading the Bible without having to research multiple places and plans to find one.

There were also two different listings of the Books of the Bible, one alphabetical and one in the traditional order based on the Old and New Testament locations. The first listing is so much easier for someone just starting to read the Bible to locate the books of the Bible. No more do they have to scroll through both the Old Testament and New Testament in a mixed order to find Books of the Bible and page numbers.

The grand finale at the back of the Bible included eight maps starting with the Old Testament Patriarchs through Jerusalem in the time of Jesus. These two significant events are the Exodus and Conquest of Canaan, the Land of the Twelve Tribes, the Kingdom of David and Solomon, Jesus’ Ministry, and Paul’s Missionary Journeys.

One of my pet peeves in reading anything is looking up the definition when I don’t understand a term. While Bible dictionaries are great resources, I love how this NIV Student Bible defines many words along the way, i.e., plumb line, Golden rule.

Entire pages are dedicated to topics such as “Like an Angry Letter from Home” or “Who were the Gnostics?” These types of extras give such a valuable understanding of the Word of God.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of this Bible were two-fold. First, Jesus’ words were not noted in red letters. While it may not bother some, it is one of the essentials I always look for when purchasing a new Bible. Second is that this Bible is titled the NIV Student Bible. I believe this Bible should be classified as a Bible for all age groups. The title NIV Student Bible makes one think it is only for teenagers. However, because of all the extras included, this Bible could be used and valued by all age groups.

Excellence is my word for this Bible. I highly recommend it.

God bless.

This Bible can be purchased at

  1. FaithGateway Store — https://bit.ly/3ZOM2DM
  2. Amazon — https://amzn.to/3lhifos

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A Book Review: Christ at the Center of Pastoral Ministry by Dr. Richard Thomas Vann, Jr.

If you receive this blog through an email subscription, you can click on the title to see the full version of this review.

Practical and Valuable

So much practical and valuable information can be found in Christ at the Center of Pastoral Ministry by Dr. Richard Vann, currently a professor at Dallas Baptist University. Every chapter takes a different aspect of pastoral ministry. Each section is broken down into an easy-to-read discussion of many topics, such as gifted Christians in ministry, the pastor’s home life, leadership, ministerial ethics, and more. Even issues not mentioned in most religious books are noted, such as child dedication, etiquette, and the need for breath mints! The author’s humble spirit and love for Christian ministry shine through as Vann graciously teaches and describes what pastoral theology, spiritual leadership, and ministry practices are all about.

So much practical and valuable information can be found in Christ at the Center of Pastoral Ministry by Dr. Richard Vann
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Who is the Reading Audience?

This book is for pastors, those preparing for ministry, pastors’ wives, and even lay people who would be wise to understand the many hats a pastor wears. By combining historical views, contemporary thoughts, and tried-and-true applications, the reader can best decide how to view pastoral ministry. This book is also a great gift for those considering a calling in Christian ministry. I highly recommend Dr. Vann’s book. You will be glad you purchased it.

Bible Verse:

Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—  which some have professed and thereby have gone astray from the faith (1 Timothy 6:20-21 NASB).

Click here to order Christ at the Center of Pastoral Ministry by Dr. Richard Thomas Vann, Jr.

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Voices: Four things help us find God’s call in our lives

Reprinted from The Baptist Standard

 

I hesitated for a few weeks about posting an article I wrote for The Baptist Standard on my blog, mainly because I didn’t want to draw attention to myself. However, today in my quiet time, the Lord impressed me to post it because it might just be what someone needs to read. My prayer is that it will touch someone’s heart today. God bless you.

 
APRIL 11, 2023
Patti Greene

The Baptist Standard

After many years of working outside the home, I “retired.” With time to serve God more fully, I appealed to my heavenly Father and cried: “Lord, how can you use me? I don’t play the piano, and I don’t like hanging out at the gym.”

God said: “Patti, I have been preparing you all these years. I allowed you to grow up in a family that loved books. I surrounded you with books all the time. You have created your own library of prayer journals during 40-plus years. Now is the time to write a book and share with others what I have let you experience. This is your destiny.”

So, I penned my first prayer journal, and a new call in my life evolved, that of writing.

People all over the world ask the question, “Lord, how can you use me?”

Once we genuinely believe Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, we can ask God confidently what his will for our lives might be. Through our obedience in doing the small things, he will show us more ways we can serve him.

Four things help us find God’s call in our lives: (1) preparation, (2) practice, (3) prayer and (4) Bible reading.

Preparation

I wanted to prepare myself for ministry. I needed God to direct my path and mold me to be used for his purpose. A series of books on spiritual maturity helped establish the foundation of my Christian beliefs. I also deepened my obedience to whatever God had in store.

All the while, I wondered how God could use someone like me—someone who failed my first English essay in college, was terrified of being called on in Bible study classes and was still learning sin had consequences. But God cared for me and was preparing me to be used for his glory, and I knew it.

The foundations of my faith grew through Christian books and my first two churches in the Baptist faith. God led me to University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, where I was baptized, and First Baptist Church in Houston, where my faith deepened beyond measure.

To know where God wants to use you, experiment in different gift areas, listen to what others think you do well, take a spiritual gifts inventory survey, read books that address the topic, and pray for God to show you where you fit in the body of Christ. Then practice what you have learned.

Everyone has at least one spiritual gift. Romans 12:6-8 gives us a partial list of spiritual gifts—prophecy (explaining Scripture), service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading and mercy. You might consider these.

I read the Bible continually during my time of discernment, wanting to know more about God and how he could use me. I began to serve in little ways, such as writing notes, putting short Bible studies together and organizing biblical materials.

Reading materials written by solid Bible-believing authors opened the door to a deeper dependence on the Holy Spirit through prayer. The Bible and these books confirmed God loved me, and in his infinite wisdom, he had a spiritual plan for my life. God does for you, as well.

Prayer

While I have read many books on prayer, it differs from carving out time daily to give praise and worship to our heavenly Father. God loves us as no one else can. He wants us to pay attention to him. Prayer gives a person time to think, meditate, confess sins and share burdens.

Sometimes we limit our call, believing only pastors and those in ministry can be used by God, but God wants everyone to seek his kingdom and to engage intimately in prayer with him.

Bible reading

The primary way God speaks to us occurs by reading the Bible. Through God’s word, we recognize what is right and wrong, what is honorable and what is not, and what he wants us to do or not do.

A new life of salvation, hope and trust opens for us when we continually read the word of God. God desires to show us his will and direction, and we can find that in his holy word.

Get Ready to be used by God

We are on a journey, and God has a purpose for us. Don’t allow fear, laziness or perfectionism to stop you from seeking God’s will.

While my passion for reading is what God uses to show me how he can use me, it may be different for you. God has given us all diverse backgrounds, passions, personalities, talents and quirks. Look at your experiences, hone your skills, prepare yourself, practice ministry, pray and read God’s word. Don’t expect to be good at everything at once. Wait for God’s timing.

When God revealed to me it was time to write a book, it occurred in my messy bedroom closet. Not only did he show me what to do, but he also confirmed it by prompting me to look at the top shelf to see my prayer journals.

That’s when he said: “Now is the time to write a book and share with others what I have let you experience. This is your destiny.”

What is your God-given destiny?

Patti Greene is a graduate of Baylor University and Dallas Baptist University, a member of Second Baptist Church in Houston, and the author of seven books. The views expressed are those of the author.
 
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Sacred Snippet: My New Friend

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Yesterday

I started out yesterday with my list of things to do. My list consisted of a doctor’s appointment at 9:00 am, picking up my new eyeglasses, and meeting my retired teacher friends for lunch.

I arrived for my doctor’s appointment at 9:00 am, and it was over at 9:15, if you can believe that, so I had two hours to kill. I couldn’t go home because our home was 45 minutes away, and everything was in the same part of town as where I was for my doctor’s appointment.

So, I went to an HEB grocery store parking lot, sat in my car, and read for an hour. I like to read. A lot, actually! In fact, I was reading about how much illustrations add when preparing a message—little did I know an illustration opportunity was about to be bestowed on me.

When I got bored sitting in the HEB parking lot, I decided to go and sit in front of Visionworks until they opened. But God had different plans.

As I was leaving the HEB parking lot, I saw a Denny’s and decided to grab a takeout cup of coffee. While in Denny’s, I noticed an elderly lady with her walking cane propped up beside her. She was sitting alone. When my coffee was ready, I felt the holy nudge to talk to her, so I walked up to her table and said, “Are you alone? Would you like some company?” She graciously said, “Yes, of course.” Her name was Joanne.

We had a wonderful time chatting. I heard about her life, and she heard about mine. A lot of talking happened in 30 minutes. She was a widow. Her husband passed away about 15 years ago, and she comes to Denny’s about 2 or 3 times a week to get out. When I said goodbye, my heart was full! We were both blessed by this divine appointment.

When I said goodbye, my heart was full! We were both blessed by this divine appointment.
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And I still made it to Visionworks and lunch with my friends!

Today

Today in Bible study, we were talking about how to hear God. We discussed the usual things—prayer, Bible reading, talking to wise counselors, and more. But, sometimes, you just know what to do at the moment.

Pondering Thoughts

Little did I know when I walked into Denny’s that God had an assignment for me. When I saw JoAnne all alone, my mind raced back to the many times I took my elderly mother and her friends to IHOP or Denny’s, and when I saw this lady alone, my heart knew what I was supposed to do.

God knew I needed to be out of my doctor’s appointment quickly; He knew I needed to sit in the HEB parking lot for precisely an hour; He knew I needed to leave the parking lot to see Denny’s right in front of me; He gave me the desire to go in and get some coffee. The rest is history.

And who knew that God would combine a doctor’s office visit, an HEB parking lot, a trip to Visionworks, and a glance-over to Denny’s to create a divine appointment?

As you go along your daily life, God may present small opportunities for service and kindness. Don’t pass them by. Today, if you feel that holy nudge, don’t be afraid. Act on it. It may be just what you and the other person need at that exact moment.

As you go along your daily life, God may present small opportunities for service and kindness. Don’t pass them by.
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God bless.

Bible Verse and Quote:

Random Quote: “Kindness is more than a word; it is a choice to act with love, compassion, generosity,and service towards others and oneself.”

 “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)

Prayer:

Dear God, thanks for so much in my life. Thank You for giving me time to pray. Thank You for the pleasure of reading Your Word. And thank You for the small things You put in my life—the things that bless me and the revelations You show me. But, even thank You for the things You have not revealed to me yet, for I know Your plans are the best for me. Give me patience and contentment until Your timing is shown to me. I love You.

Me

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This article may not be reproduced except for written permission from the author. 

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CHATGPT: Education and Church

1 Comment

Disclaimer: 

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a blog as “a website that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer.” My Christian blog, GreenePastures.org, is sometimes an emotional piece, an article, a sacred snippet, listings, quizzes, or more. It is just me sharing whatever I feel led to. It started with me wanting to practice my writing skills, so you may be horrified reading my early blogs. Personal blogs should not be looked at in the same light as professional articles. What follows is my opinion and the opinion of others that I have read about regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT. I am not sharing a bibliography or works cited page, but you might find a few indications of where quotes or materials come from along the way,

My Interests

As I mentioned in my previous blog, my two main interests regarding artificial intelligence revolve around two entities—education and the church, mainly because I was a high school librarian and I am a churchgoer. I recognize that this blog may be irrelevant and outdated with the changing pace of AI, maybe even by tomorrow.

With AI, there will be challenges with integrity in high schools and schools of higher education, just as there will be challenges in church uses of AI. The benefits and abuses of AI are moving fast, but I believe it is here to stay, and then we can wait for the next big thing—humanoids! Prototypes are already out there!

The benefits and abuses of AI are moving fast, but I believe it is here to stay, and then we can wait for the next big thing—humanoids!
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ChatGPT and Education

As my husband and I hung around the house today, I moaned that I had so much work to do, and he asked, “What?”

I told him about the papers and schoolwork I had to do, and I jokingly asked him if he would like to write my paper on “CRISIS” for me. He joked back and said, “Why? ChatGPT can write it for you.” You see, he had spent the morning on ChatGPT looking up information on 1 Corinthians 15, and he got a summary, paper, bibliography, and works cited, all in the same sitting. Impressive, right? Well, not so.

There are challenges with using AI, affecting the whole gamut of educational institutions, from preschool to professional academic papers and seminars. The significant deficiencies and/or comments I see are listed below.

  1. I see a problem with academic integrity. Dishonesty is already widespread, and educational institutions will be responsible for making new policies.
  2. There must be more time to make the necessary changes or policies because AI is moving rapidly. And who has the energy to accomplish all that needs to be done?
  3. A student’s temptation to cheat will increase. Yes, I will get into the Christian value system later, but let’s chat for now. No pun intended.
  4. Plagiarism will increase.
  5. Both educators and students might become less creative than they were designed to be.
  6. Laziness will occur.
  7. The value of higher education will decrease because information (whether credible or not) will be “more” accessible.
  8. Bias and possible brainwashing may occur because those inputting the information still come from human choices.
  9. There could be a problem with college admissions, because how would the admission office know who really wrote the applicants’ essays?
  10. Training on AI’s proper use is needed for faculty and students.
  11. Addressing the fear and injustice that honest students might experience, should be considered. They know that even if they are honest, they still compete with students using AI in their schoolwork.

ChatGPT and Church

There is also concern with ethical and moral principles in the church. I was reading an excellent article by Pastor Duke Taber. He said, “Church leaders must be careful to ensure that the use of ChatGPT complies with legal and regulatory requirements, is transparent, and considers privacy concerns.” In the article, Taber expresses his concern with the ethical and moral principles within the pastorate. He believed that pastors and ministry leaders should be transparent to their congregants about using AI in sermon preparation. His article was terrific until I read the Disclosure at the end. The Disclosure said, “This paper was written by ChatGPT with editorial oversight and guidance by Duke Taber.” I was duped as I read the article. So, I thought, “What if pastors were required to disclose that they used ChatGPT if they used artificial intelligence in sermon prep?

While many see benefits to using ChatGPT in ministry, I see some challenges, which are enumerated below.

  1. New policies and rules need to be written regarding using artificial intelligence of any sort in a sermon or Bible study prep.
  2. Training is needed on its acceptability or not to pastoral staff and volunteers.
  3. Pastors could rely more on artificial intelligence than the Bible or other credible Biblical materials.
  4. Busyness is part of our lives, and pastors could become more likely to depend on this time-reducing application rather than seeking out the Word of God through prayer and dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
  5. For the congregants, why bother to listen to a sermon that might have been written by AI? If I don’t sense the Holy Spirit’s part in my pastor’s prep, I would be tempted to avoid listening, and rightly so. I want to hear from God through my pastor. Many congregants might decide not to attend church at all.
  6. Using AI in any church form—blogs, devotionals, Bible studies, and more could create a distrust of church literature. This could even progress where people become distrustful of reading Christian books, magazines, articles, and listening to Christian podcasts, not knowing if the source is human. (I may be far-reaching on this statement, but if I write more books or materials, do I need to note that I wrote it and not some artificial intelligence source?)
  7. Pastors and staff could become lazy.
  8. Pastors should be reminded not to compare their sermons with others because following God’s principles are more important than how others plan their sermons.

The Associated Press recently published an article titled “ChatGPT AI Robots writing Church Sermons causing Hell for Pastors.” The report stated that using AI can cause both fascination and unease for pastors. It also said that ChatGPT “can’t replicate the passion of actual preaching” and “lazy preaching pastors might be tempted to use AI but not the great shepherds, the ones who love preaching, who love their people.”  [Quotes attributed to Herschel York.]

But here I am, wondering who wrote the main article as no author’s name was there. It just said Associated Press—who knows, maybe AI wrote the article. Okay, I best stop now. I am questioning everything I see, wondering if a real-life person wrote it or not.

Biblical Thoughts

Many believers do not have a solid handle on Biblical integrity. This must be taught. It is hard to do in secular education, but Christian institutions and churches must provide ways to instill integrity into their student base or church flock.

Many believers do not have a solid handle on Biblical integrity.
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At our youngest son’s college, the first semester students were required to attend a seminar by the library staff on how to use the library and all its features. What would happen if Christian institutions required students to participate in a workshop on Christian integrity? While it might not stop all cheating or plagiarizing, the school would relieve itself of some of its responsibility.

The students would know what was expected of them as they continued their studies. It would also help in the case of any academic dishonesty retribution. Administrators could tell students and their parents they were notified of their expectations. Just a random thought!

As I was thinking about these topics, I was simultaneously working on my MasterLife, Bk 2, which plainly said, “Do God’s will.” Yes, that is an easy way of addressing these issues. If we just did God’s will regarding honesty, working hard, Christian character, discerning Godly behavior, yielding oneself to Christ, being honorable, having peace, being controlled by the Holy Spirit, renewing our minds daily, and living victoriously, that would help. So, maybe the solution to all this is to stop relying so much on technology and depend more on God’s Word to guide our writings and sermons.

When All is Said and Done

Folks, artificial intelligence is here to stay. The University of Texas offers a certification to gain industry-valued AI and machine learning skills. Certifications will turn into college courses in the future if they are not already official classes in some colleges.

While we may reminisce about the good old days—sitting on the front porch of our home, playing kickball outside, and listening to our 45 RPM records, this technology is here to stay. We must adjust and adapt to it. 

Personally, we must intentionally slow down, process our life, spend time in prayer, study God’s Word, and seek guidance from Him.

Maybe, even possibly, AI/ChatGPT is an opportunity for believers to build new character traits and become more Christ-like in their behavior and thoughts. That’s something to think about!

Now What?

Now that I spent my afternoon writing this blog, I must decide to either get back to my schoolwork or listen to my favorite 45s.

Two hours later . . .

Guess what won? Listening to a few of my favorite 60s songs! YouTube won over getting out my record player, though. Then, the thought hit me, I thought my record player was the best electrical invention of my junior high era, and maybe this generation will think AI is the best technological invention of their era. Sort of makes me sad.

And what about my poor “CRISIS” paper that was not worked on all day today? Maybe it will get the attention it needs tomorrow or the day after. But, if not soon, I WILL definitely have a CRISIS on my hands!

God bless. 

Bible Verses:

People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. Proverbs 10:9 (NLT)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.   Philippians 4:6-8 (NASB 1995)

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28 (NASB 1995)

Prayer:

My heavenly Father, please give me the wisdom to pursue Your will in all areas of my life. When I am tempted, shield my thoughts and actions. Let me always honor and obey You and Your commandments and principles. You are sovereign. Keep me humble and prayerful. Let me know Your will. Lead all I do and think to be guided by Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Challenging Question by Bellator Christi from “Taking up the Sword of Christian Theology and the Shield of Classic Apologetics”

In the 13th century, Thomas Aquinas researched and wrote thousands of pages without the amenities we hold today.

Christi asks, “Could we do the same?”

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This article may not be reproduced except for written permission from the author. 

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3 PRAYER JOURNALS – 3 BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLES, AND  A BOOK ON CHRISTIAN CAREGIVING.

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All About ChatGPT by ChatGPT

Spoiler Alert: This is my longest blog, but if you are interested in ChatGPT as I am, you might want to stick with me.

Patti Speaking. I have been thinking about writing a blog on artificial intelligence and ChatGPT for a month or so. As a retired high school librarian and a churchgoer, my main interest involves how this new cultural phenomenon, artificial intelligence, will affect those two areas. I quickly learned I didn’t know enough about it, so I educated myself more on ChatGPT.

As I was settling in for a few days of vacation in Lubbock, Texas, I researched and saved about forty articles on artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, and related topics. I haven’t read them all yet, because I became overwhelmed with many viewpoints, ranging from personal opinion articles to heavy-duty articles from sources such as Forbes and Foreign Affairs magazines. So, while pondering how to put a blog together, I drank a few cups of my favorite HEB pecan-roasted coffee and registered to ChatGPT to find out how it all works. My dad taught me well—always going to the primary source first when possible. Thus, my journey began.

At first look, ChatGPT is a fantastic thing!

Moving On

Just for fun, I asked Chat GPT to give me an outline for writing a paper on ChatGPT, and it did—a good and extensive outline in a matter of seconds, which I turned into what I believe could be a college-level paper just by asking ChatGPT additional questions relating to the outline.

So, since I had the time, I decided to see how long it would take me to write “a paper” using ChatGPT employing the outline it provided. I timed myself. It took me 25 minutes to gather the information needed by asking specific questions about the outline topics. I had to ask it separately for an introduction and a conclusion.

Then, it took me about an hour to physically put the outline and paper in a presentable form.

Wow, I wrote “a paper” in less than an hour and a half!

Wow, I wrote “a paper” in less than an hour and a half! Or did “I”?
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I was so impressed that I wanted to learn more about how ChatGPT works, so I returned to their website and asked more questions. Okay, another 25 minutes for that. I figured I could decide if I wanted those topics in my paper, depending on the size paper and the information I wanted to input. The extra questions are at the end of this blog.

All this might sound like I advocate for artificial intelligence, but I still need to decide. There are pros and cons to everything, and it is so new! Primarily, I am concerned about a few things: plagiarism, ethics, morality, loss of creativity, research skills, brainwashing, and the sources used possibly being biased. While this blog will not address these concerns over ChatGPT, I will address those matters regarding education and church in an upcoming blog. But, first things first.

You might wonder why I am addressing this topic on my Christian blog. I can’t answer that for sure, other than to say I feel led. However, I wanted to give you a heads-up on how artificial intelligence is used, along with me having fun writing my first ChatGPT paper. Please check back to see more on my two topics of interest—the educational and spiritual concerns of ChatGPT. It will be an opinion piece on ChatGPT—a phenomenon that is here to stay.

I compiled the paper below as a test to see how the “writing process” for writing a paper using ChatGPT happens. I know I am nerdy that way, but I find researching relaxing and fun. Yes, crazy, I know, but it’s how I am wired. And, I am on vacation, so I can do whatever I want to, right?

I know I am nerdy that way, but I find researching relaxing and fun.
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All wording in the paper comes straight from ChatGPT. There have not been any changes in grammar, style, or structure.

Q. I asked ChatGPT the following question, “Can you give me an outline for writing a paper with the pros and cons of ChatGPT?

A. “Sure, here’s an outline for writing an article with pros and cons of ChatGPT.”

And the rest is history.

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All about ChatGPT by ChatGPT by Patti Greene or Student’s Name

OUTLINE

I. Introduction (I added this to the outline but used ChatGPT for the content.)

A. Explanation of what ChatGPT is

B. Brief overview of what the article will cover

II. Pros of ChatGPT

A. Availability 24/7

B. Can understand and respond in multiple languages

C. No human bias or emotions in responses

III. Cons of ChatGPT

A. Limited ability to understand context and nuance

B. No emotional intelligence or empathy

C. Can’t provide real-time feedback or physical assistance

IV. Comparison to other Chatbots and Virtual Assistants

A. How does ChatGPT compare to other chatbots and virtual assistants?

B. Are the pros and cons of ChatGPT similar or different to other chatbots and virtual assistants?

V. Potential uses for ChatGPT

A, Customer service

B. Education

C. Healthcare

D. Personal Productivity

VI. Conclusion (I added this to the outline, but used ChatGPT for the content.)

A. Recap of the Final thoughts on the potential uses of ChatGPT

B. Suggestions for further research or exploration.

All about ChatGPT by ChatGPT

Summary: ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI. It uses a deep learning algorithm to analyze and understand human language. Essentially, ChatGPT is a computer program that can simulate human-like conversation, respond to questions, and generate text based on a given prompt or input.

INTRODUCTION

The “GPT” in ChatGPT stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer.” This refers to the fact that the model was pre-trained on a massive corpus of text data, and can generate new text based on that training.

ChatGPT can be used for a variety of applications, including chatbots, language translation, and text generation. It is particularly useful for natural language processing (NLP) tasks, as it has the ability to understand context and generate text that is coherent and grammatically correct.

PROS of ChatGPT

How can Chat GPT be available 24/7?

As an artificial intelligence language model, I do not experience physical or mental fatigue like humans do. This allows me to operate continuously without the need for breaks or rest. Additionally, my system is designed to run on servers that can be accessed and maintained remotely, enabling me to be available around the clock. Therefore, I am available 24/7 to answer any questions or assist with any tasks to the best of my ability.

How can Chat GPT understand and respond in multiple languages?

As a language model, ChatGPT is designed to understand and generate text in multiple languages. This is achieved through a process called multilingual training.

During the training process, ChatGPT is exposed to a vast amount of text data in multiple languages. This allows the model to learn patterns and structures of different languages, which enables it to understand and generate text in those languages.

In addition to multilingual training, ChatGPT also relies on language identification techniques to determine the language of the input text. Once the language is identified, the model can use the appropriate language-specific knowledge to generate a response.

It’s worth noting that while ChatGPT can understand and generate text in multiple languages, its performance may vary depending on the language and the amount of data it has been trained on. Additionally, ChatGPT may make mistakes or generate inappropriate responses, especially when dealing with complex or nuanced language tasks. Therefore, it’s important to use ChatGPT’s responses with caution and always double-check its output.

Why does ChatGPT respond with no human bias or emotions?

As an AI language model, CHATGPT does not have human biases or emotions in its responses because it is not capable of experiencing emotions or holding opinions.

CHATGPT is trained on vast amounts of data from various sources, such as books, articles, and websites. This data is preprocessed and used to train the model to predict the probability of the next word in a given sequence of text.

During training, the model is trained to recognize patterns in language, but it is not capable of forming personal opinions or biases. It is simply a mathematical model that uses statistical algorithms to generate responses based on the input it receives.

Although the training data may contain biased language, CHATGPT is designed to generate responses based on the input it receives without introducing additional biases. It does not have personal experiences, emotions, or beliefs that can influence its responses.

However, it is important to note that AI models like CHATGPT can reflect and amplify biases in the data they are trained on. Therefore, it is crucial to continuously monitor and improve the data used to train these models to ensure that they do not perpetuate societal biases.

CONS OF ChatGPT

Why does Chat GPT have a limited ability to understand context and nuances?

As an AI language model, ChatGPT has been trained on a vast corpus of text data to understand patterns and relationships between words. However, its ability to understand context and nuance is limited by several factors:

Lack of real-world experience: ChatGPT has not had real-world experiences, which can impact its ability to understand context and nuance. Humans are able to understand context and nuance because we have the ability to draw on our own experiences and the experiences of others. ChatGPT, on the other hand, only has access to the text data it was trained on.

Limited knowledge of cultural and social norms: ChatGPT may not be able to fully understand context and nuance because it lacks knowledge of cultural and social norms. Language and communication can vary greatly depending on the cultural and social context, and ChatGPT may not be able to fully grasp these nuances.

Difficulty with sarcasm, irony, and humor: ChatGPT may struggle to understand sarcasm, irony, and humor, which rely on subtle cues that are difficult to pick up through text alone.

Limited ability to reason and infer: ChatGPT may not be able to reason and infer in the same way that humans can. Understanding context and nuance often involves making inferences and drawing conclusions based on limited information, and this is an area where ChatGPT may struggle.

Overall, while ChatGPT is capable of generating impressive responses, its ability to understand context and nuance is still limited and there is much room for improvement.

Why is Chat GPT unable to provide personalized responses?

ChatGPT is a language model that has been trained on a large corpus of text data, which includes a vast range of topics and contexts. However, it does not have access to specific information about individual users, their personal experiences, and their unique perspectives. As a result, ChatGPT is unable to provide truly personalized responses.

While ChatGPT can generate responses that are relevant to the input it receives, these responses are not tailored to the individual characteristics and preferences of the user. For example, if a user asks ChatGPT for recommendations for a restaurant, it may generate a list of popular restaurants based on the input it received, but it would not be able to take into account the user’s specific dietary restrictions or preferred cuisine.

Additionally, ChatGPT does not have the ability to build relationships with users or to remember previous conversations in the same way that humans can. It is not able to take into account the context of previous conversations or to adjust its responses based on a user’s prior interactions with it.

Overall, while ChatGPT is capable of generating responses that can be useful and informative, it is not able to provide truly personalized responses that take into account the unique characteristics and preferences of individual users.

Should people be concerned that ChatGPT does not have any emotional intelligence or empathy?

As an artificial intelligence language model, ChatGPT is not capable of feeling emotions or exhibiting empathy in the same way that humans do. However, the purpose of ChatGPT is to assist and provide information to users in an objective and factual manner. It is designed to provide useful responses to queries and engage in conversations without being influenced by emotions or personal biases.

That being said, ChatGPT has been programmed with the ability to understand and respond to various emotions and expressions of empathy. It can recognize certain emotional states based on language cues and respond appropriately. However, it’s important to keep in mind that ChatGPT is not capable of truly feeling emotions or exhibiting empathy in the same way as a human being.

If you require emotional support or empathy, it’s best to seek help from a qualified professional, such as a therapist or counselor, who can provide you with the care and support you need.

Why can’t ChatGPT provide real-time feedback or physical assistance?

As an AI language model, Chat GPT operates solely in the realm of language processing and generation. It doesn’t have any physical form or the ability to interact with the physical world.

While it can understand and respond to natural language queries in real-time, it doesn’t have access to physical sensors or devise to provide real-time feedback or perform physical tasks.

Therefore, ChatGPT is limited to providing advice, suggestions, and answers to questions based on the information it has been trained on. It cannot provide physical assistance, such as performing a task or carrying out a physical action, as it does not have the capability to interact with the physical world.

Comparion to other Chatbots and Virtual Assistants

As an AI language model, ChatGPT has been trained on a massive amount of text data, making it capable of generating natural-sounding responses to a wide range of queries. Compared to traditional chatbots that rely on predefined rules or decision trees, ChatGPT’s approach is more flexible and adaptable, as it can understand the context and nuances of human language.

Additionally, ChatGPT is capable of performing a wide range of tasks, including answering general knowledge questions, assisting with customer support, providing recommendations, generating text, and more. Its ability to process and analyze large amounts of information makes it particularly well-suited for complex tasks that require a high level of intelligence and reasoning.

However, like any other AI chatbot, ChatGPT has its limitations. It may struggle with understanding sarcasm or humor, and it may not always provide accurate or relevant responses to complex or domain-specific queries. Furthermore, it lacks the ability to interact with users through visual or physical means, which can be a disadvantage in certain contexts.

Are the pros and cons of ChatGPT similar or different to other chatbots and virtual assistants?

As an AI language model, ChatGPT has some similarities and differences compared to other chatbots and virtual assistants. Here are some possible pros and cons:

Pros:

Large knowledge base: ChatGPT has been trained on a vast amount of text data, which allows it to generate responses to a wide range of topics and questions.

  • Natural language processing: ChatGPT uses advanced natural language processing techniques to understand and generate human-like responses, making it easier for users to interact with it.
  • Continuous learning: ChatGPT can be trained on new data to improve its performance over time.
  • Availability: ChatGPT is available 24/7 and can handle multiple conversations simultaneously, making it a convenient option for users.

Cons:

  • Lack of domain expertise: While ChatGPT can generate responses to a wide range of topics, it may not have in-depth knowledge about specific domains, which can limit its usefulness in some contexts.
  • Potential for bias: Like all AI systems, ChatGPT may have biases based on the data it was trained on, which can lead to inaccurate or inappropriate responses.
  • Lack of emotional intelligence: ChatGPT does not have emotional intelligence and may not be able to understand or respond appropriately to the emotional state of the user.
  • Lack of human touch:

What are the potential uses for ChatGPT?

  1. Customer service
  2. Education
  3. Healthcare
  4. Personal productivity

ChatGPT can be used for a wide range of applications, including:

  1. Customer service: ChatGPT can be used to provide customer support and answer frequently asked questions.
  2. Language translation: ChatGPT can translate text from one language to another, making it useful for global communication.
  3. Content creation: ChatGPT can generate text in a specific style or tone, making it useful for content creation, such as writing articles, product descriptions, or marketing copy.
  4. Personal assistants: ChatGPT can be used as a personal assistant to help with tasks such as scheduling appointments, setting reminders, or providing recommendations.
  5. Education: ChatGPT can be used as a learning tool to answer student questions, provide explanations of complex concepts, or generate study materials.
  6. Mental health support: ChatGPT can be used to provide mental health support, such as answering questions about mental health conditions, providing coping strategies, or offering emotional support.

Overall, ChatGPT has the potential to be a useful tool in a variety of industries and applications.

CONCLUSION

Here’s a brief summary of the pros and cons of ChatGPT:

Pros:

  • ChatGPT is a large language model that has been trained on a diverse range of text data, allowing it to generate human-like responses to a wide variety of questions and prompts.
  • ChatGPT can answer questions and provide information quickly and accurately, which can be especially helpful for people who need to find information quickly.
  • ChatGPT is available 24/7 and can handle multiple conversations simultaneously, making it a convenient and accessible resource for anyone who needs information or assistance.

Cons:

  • While ChatGPT can generate human-like responses, it is still a machine and may not always understand the nuances of human language or context.
  • ChatGPT’s responses are generated based on the text data it has been trained on, which means that its responses may not always be accurate or up-to-date.
  • ChatGPT may not be able to provide personalized or tailored advice or support in the way that a human expert or counselor could.

Final thoughts on the potential uses of ChatGPT

As a language model trained on a massive amount of data, ChatGPT has the potential to be used in various applications, from customer service chatbots to language translation tools to content creation assistants.

Here are some potential uses of ChatGPT:

  1. Customer service chatbots: ChatGPT can be used to create intelligent chatbots that can interact with customers and provide them with helpful information or assistance.
  2. Language translation tools: ChatGPT can be used to develop language translation tools that can accurately translate text from one language to another.
  3. Content creation assistants: ChatGPT can be used to assist content creators by suggesting ideas, providing research materials, or even writing portions of the content.
  4. Educational tools: ChatGPT can be used to develop educational tools that can answer questions, provide explanations, or even generate quizzes.
  5. Personal assistants: ChatGPT can be used to create personal assistants that can help people with various tasks such as scheduling, setting reminders, or providing recommendations.

Overall, the potential uses of ChatGPT are vast and varied. As natural language processing and AI technology continue to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of ChatGPT in the future.

What are some suggestions for further research or exploration on ChatGPT?

As a language model, ChatGPT can be used to explore a wide range of topics and domains. Here are some suggestions for further research or exploration on ChatGPT:

  1. Fine-tuning: One area of research is fine-tuning the ChatGPT model on specific domains or tasks, such as customer support or legal document review. This can help improve the accuracy and efficiency of the model for specific use cases.
  2. Multimodal learning: ChatGPT can be combined with other modalities such as images, audio or video to create more rich and informative responses. This can be explored by training ChatGPT on datasets that include different modalities, or by combining it with other models that specialize in handling these modalities.
  3. Bias and fairness: Language models like ChatGPT are known to have biases due to the data they are trained on. Research could be conducted on ways to mitigate these biases, or to make the model more fair and inclusive.
  4. Conversational agents: ChatGPT can be used as a building block for creating more complex conversational agents that can hold longer, more engaging conversations. This can be explored by integrating ChatGPT with other models or techniques that specialize in dialogue generation or sentiment analysis.
  5. Applications: ChatGPT can be applied to a wide range of domains, including education, healthcare, entertainment, and more. Further research could be conducted on the use cases where ChatGPT can have the greatest impact and how to optimize its performance in those domains.
  6. Multi-lingual chat: ChatGPT can be used to build chat systems that support multiple languages. Research could be conducted on how to make ChatGPT perform well across different languages and cultures, and how to optimize its use in multi-lingual settings.
  7. Zero-shot learning: ChatGPT can be used to generate responses for tasks it has not been specifically trained on. This can be explored by training the model on a diverse set of tasks and testing its performance on new tasks it has not seen before.

Overall, there are many exciting directions for further research and exploration on ChatGPT, and the above suggestions are just a few examples.[1] [The End.]

[1] OpenAI’s ChatGPT AI language model, response to questions from the author, March 10, 2023.

NOTE: Scribbr says, the Chicago citation style “doesn’t provide specific guidance on citing ChatGPT yet, but it makes sense to follow the principle that non-retrievable sources should be cited in Chicago footnotes as personal communications.”

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Patti Speaking:  If I were to turn this paper in with the proper title page, footnotes, and bibliography, I believe I would get a B or above. If I tightened some phrasing, ran it through Grammarly, had someone else proofread it, added more technical terms, reworded a few sentences, shortened the conclusion, and figured out how to find the sources used in compiling the paper, this paper might pass the “the professor” test. However, this paper does not sound like how I write. It’s not me. I would feel dishonest if I turned this paper in for an assignment. Would I sacrifice my integrity by turning this in as my own?  God would not be pleased with me, and I would not be pleased with myself.

 I did find asking ChatGPT questions interesting, though. It was like asking Alexa to play my favorite songs! But, again, if I were to turn a paper like this in, what I know about situational ethics would definitely convict me otherwise. I would struggle with the reality that I cheated, which would bring consequences. Maybe not to me immediately, but my spirit would be burdened beyond belief, along with feeling unjustified knowing others might receive a better grade than me by using this artificial intelligence tool while I didn’t. Oh well.

 If you have gotten this far, you might be interested in the “extra” questions I asked ChatGPT, which I could include in this paper if I needed to, based on the requirements of a teacher, professor, editor, employer, newspaper, or more.

But, you know what? My coffee is wearing off. I am tired, and I feel a nap coming on. Good night, my friends.

God bless,

Bible Verse:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9 NASB).

Prayer:

Lord, please give me wisdom in using artificial intelligence. Show me how it can be useful and how it should be avoided. Always keep me honest and pure. Give me Your integrity and Your love always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Click here to check out ChatGPT: Education and Church

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This article may not be reproduced except for written permission from the author. 

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Books by Patti

3 PRAYER JOURNALS – 3 BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLES, AND  A BOOK ON CHRISTIAN CAREGIVING.

BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLE SERIES

Post Script by Patti: Below are additional questions I asked ChatGPT with its response. I do understand that ChatGPT is advocating for itself in its responses. Thus,  responses may be tilted and biased.

How should high schools and universities handle the plagiarism possibilities with ChatGPT?

As a language model, I am designed to generate text based on the input provided to me. While I cannot intentionally plagiarize content, there is a possibility that some of the responses I generate could inadvertently match existing content.

To handle this possibility, high schools and universities should educate students on how to properly use and cite sources when using tools like ChatGPT. They should emphasize the importance of properly paraphrasing and crediting sources in their work.

Additionally, instructors may want to consider using plagiarism detection software to identify any potential instances of plagiarism in student work. This can help to deter students from submitting work that includes copied content, and can also help to identify any unintentional matches that may have been generated by tools like ChatGPT.

Overall, it’s important for students to understand the ethical and academic implications of plagiarism, and to be educated on how to properly use and cite sources in their work. With the proper education and tools in place, high schools and universities can effectively address any potential plagiarism concerns associated with tools like ChatGPT.

What are the pros and cons of sermon preparation with ChatGPT?

As an AI language model, ChatGPT can be used for many different purposes, including sermon preparation. Here are some potential pros and cons of using ChatGPT for this purpose:

Pros:

Access to a vast amount of information: ChatGPT has been trained on a large corpus of text, so it can provide pastors and preachers with access to a wealth of information on any topic they may wish to explore.

Time-saving: ChatGPT can help save time by quickly generating outlines or even complete drafts of sermons, allowing pastors and preachers to focus on other aspects of their ministry.

Creativity: ChatGPT can generate unique ideas and perspectives that pastors and preachers may not have considered before, which can add depth and creativity to their sermons.

Cons:

Lack of spiritual discernment: While ChatGPT can provide a lot of information, it is not able to discern spiritual truths or insights that are often necessary for effective sermon preparation.

Limited understanding of human emotions: ChatGPT may not fully understand the emotional impact that a sermon can have on a congregation, which is an essential aspect of preaching.

Risk of plagiarism: If pastors and preachers rely too heavily on ChatGPT-generated content without properly citing or adapting it, they run the risk of unintentional plagiarism.

Overall, using ChatGPT for sermon preparation can be a helpful tool, but it should be used in conjunction with other resources and always with discernment and caution.

How can I get bibliographical information when writing a paper with ChatGPT?

As an AI language model, I can assist you in generating bibliographical information for your paper. Here are the general steps you can follow to get the bibliographical information:

Gather information about your sources: Before you can create bibliographical information, you need to gather information about the sources you have used for your paper. This includes the author(s), title of the work, publication date, publisher, and other relevant information.

Choose a citation style: There are many different citation styles to choose from, such as MLA, APA, and Chicago. Your professor or the journal you are submitting your paper to will usually specify which citation style to use.

Use a citation generator: You can use an online citation generator to create your bibliography. These generators allow you to enter the information about your sources and will generate a properly formatted citation according to the chosen citation style.

Check for accuracy: It is important to double-check your citations for accuracy. Make sure that all the information is correct and that the citation is properly formatted according to the chosen citation style.

Organize your bibliography: Organize your bibliography alphabetically by author’s last name or by title if there is no author.

As an AI language model, I can provide you with general guidelines and examples for bibliographical information, but it’s always important to consult the specific guidelines for your assignment or journal submission.

Can I tell ChatGPT how many pages I need for my paper?

Yes, of course! You can tell me how many pages you need for your paper, but please keep in mind that the number of pages required for a paper can vary depending on various factors such as the topic, level of detail, formatting requirements, and more. It’s important to consider the specific guidelines and requirements of your assignment to determine the appropriate length for your paper.

Is writing a paper with ChatGPT considered cheating?

No, writing a paper with ChatGPT is not considered cheating as long as it is done in accordance with ethical standards and guidelines set by the relevant academic institution or organization.

ChatGPT is a language model that has been trained on a large corpus of text and can generate human-like responses to prompts or questions. It can provide helpful suggestions, generate ideas, and assist with the writing process. However, it is important to keep in mind that the final responsibility for the content of the paper lies with the writer.

If you are using ChatGPT as a tool to help you with your writing, it is important to acknowledge its contribution and to properly cite any information or ideas that it generates. Additionally, you should make sure that you understand the material and are able to explain it in your own words, rather than simply copying and pasting text generated by ChatGPT. As long as you are using ChatGPT in a responsible and ethical manner, it can be a valuable resource for writers.

I commented. I am concerned that my creativity will by dulled if I use ChatGPT.

As an AI language model, I am here to assist you and provide you with information, ideas, and answers to your questions. While it is true that using AI to generate ideas or solutions can be helpful, it is important to remember that creativity ultimately comes from within you.

Interacting with ChatGPT can actually help to enhance your creativity by providing you with new perspectives, insights, and inspiration. You can use me to generate new ideas or to help you explore existing ones in greater detail. By having access to a vast array of information and knowledge, you can draw upon this to stimulate your own thinking and spark your imagination.

At the same time, it’s important to continue to exercise your own creative muscles by engaging in activities that you enjoy and that encourage creative thinking. This might include things like drawing, writing, or simply spending time in nature. The more you engage in these activities, the more you will be able to tap into your own creative potential and come up with unique and original ideas.

Ultimately, the key to maintaining your creativity is to strike a balance between using AI as a tool to assist you and engaging in your own creative pursuits. By doing so, you can continue to explore and expand your own creative abilities while also benefitting from the power of technology to enhance and accelerate your thinking.

How would a professor know if I am using ChatGPT or not?

As an AI language model, I do not have access to any specific user’s activities or interactions with other people, including professors. However, it is worth noting that if you are using ChatGPT to complete assignments or tasks that are intended to be completed by an individual’s own effort and knowledge, it would likely be considered academic dishonesty.

It is also important to keep in mind that professors are often experienced in their fields of study and may be able to detect inconsistencies in writing style or language that could suggest the use of AI language models like ChatGPT. Therefore, it is always best to be honest about your sources and to use ChatGPT and other language models ethically and responsibly.

Is ChatGPT here to stay?

As an AI language model, I will continue to be available for use as long as my hosting platform and maintenance support exist. However, my future availability and development will depend on the decisions of my creators at OpenAI. Nonetheless, I will be here to answer your questions and assist you as best I can for as long as I am operational.

Can you give me an introductory paragraph on my paper on Chat GPT?

[Certainly, I’d be happy to help! Here’s a possible introductory paragraph for your paper on ChatGPT.]

Chat GPT is a cutting-edge language model developed by OpenAI that uses deep learning techniques to generate human-like text in response to prompts. As one of the largest and most sophisticated models of its kind, Chat GPT has revolutionized the field of natural language processing by demonstrating an ability to generate coherent and contextually relevant text across a wide range of domains and applications. From conversational chatbots to automated writing assistants, Chat GPT has the potential to transform the way we interact with and use language in our daily lives. In this paper, we will explore the inner workings of Chat GPT, its underlying architecture, training methods, and applications, and discuss the implications of this technology for the future of human-AI communication.

Can you give me a conclusion paragraph for a paper on Chat GPT?

In conclusion, Chat GPT is a powerful language model developed by OpenAI that has demonstrated remarkable capabilities in generating natural language text. With its ability to learn from large amounts of data, Chat GPT can produce coherent and contextually relevant responses to a wide variety of prompts. Its applications range from text generation and summarization to language translation and sentiment analysis. While there are some concerns around the potential misuse of language models such as Chat GPT, their potential benefits are significant, and ongoing research and development will continue to improve their capabilities and potential uses. Overall, Chat GPT represents a significant advancement in the field of natural language processing, and its potential uses and impacts are worth continued exploration.

How can I find out the bibliographical sources for a paper I write using ChatGPT?

When writing a paper for ChatGPT, it is important to include accurate and reliable bibliographical sources to support your ideas and arguments. Here are some steps you can follow to find such sources:

Identify the keywords related to your topic: Before you start searching for sources, make sure you have a clear idea of the topic you want to write about. Identify the keywords related to your topic, as this will help you narrow down your search.

Use academic search engines: There are several academic search engines you can use to find relevant sources, such as Google Scholar, JSTOR, and PubMed. These search engines allow you to search for academic papers, journals, books, and other resources related to your topic.

Check the references of relevant sources: Once you have found a few relevant sources, check their references to see if they cite any other useful sources that you could use in your paper.

Use citation tools: Citation tools such as Zotero and Mendeley can help you organize your sources and create accurate bibliographical references for your paper.

Check the credibility of your sources: Before you include a source in your paper, make sure it is reliable and credible. Look for sources that are peer-reviewed, published in reputable journals or books, and written by experts in the field.

Remember to always cite your sources accurately and follow the referencing style required by ChatGPT. This will help you avoid plagiarism and give credit to the authors of the sources you use.

How do I identify the keywords I need to use in my paper?

Identifying the key words for your paper is an important step in ensuring that your work is properly indexed and discoverable by readers and search engines. Here are some tips to help you identify key words for your paper:

Brainstorm: Take some time to brainstorm a list of words and phrases that are relevant to your topic. Think about the main themes, concepts, and ideas that your paper covers.

Review your research: Look back at the sources you used when researching your paper. Pay attention to the language used in titles, abstracts, and keywords.

Use a thesaurus: A thesaurus can help you identify synonyms for key words that you have already identified. This can help you to vary your language and improve the chances of your paper being discovered by different search terms.

Consult your professor or colleagues: Your professor or colleagues may have insights into the language and terminology commonly used in your field of study.

Consider your audience: Think about who your audience is likely to be and what terms they might use to search for information on your topic.

Use keyword research tools: There are a variety of online tools that can help you identify popular and relevant keywords for your topic, such as Google Trends or SEMrush.

Once you have identified your key words, make sure to use them in your paper’s title, abstract, and throughout the text to improve its visibility and relevance to readers and search engines.

#bgbg2, Bible Study, Christian Living, Discernment, Faith, God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, New Testament, Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Growth, The Bible, Uncategorized

Spiritual Gifts, Part 3

Welcome back.

To read Spiritual Gifts,  Part 1, click here.

To read Spiritual Gifts, Part 2, click here.

Distribution of Gifts

           In the Old Testament, God’s children would receive a direct revelation of God through the agency of God’s Spirit. When this revelatory facet occurred, it became a central feature of the late Second Temple Jewish understanding of God’s Spirit. In the New Testament, God’s Spirit is seen in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Then proceeds when the Holy Spirit is sent to the disciples at Pentecost. While this Spirit helps in conversion, it is also this same Spirit that helps to discern what spiritual gifts the Lord has given to individuals. The Lord is the one who distributes the gifts. Often it takes some experimentation with various ministries to find the fit that the Lord has called a person to do. Not knowing one’s gift should not excuse a lack of ministry involvement. People can recognize their gifts by trying out assorted opportunities, receiving input from others, or taking spiritual gift inventory and survey tests, which can be found online, in churches, or multiple books. Contrarily, DeVries does not like spiritual gift inventory assessments as much as he uses the Bible to discover your spiritual gifts. He believes the Bible gives two testing criteria for discovering one’s spiritual gifts: The fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and the spiritual qualities of godliness noted in 2 Peter 1. Either way, one should take responsibility and pursue one’s spiritual gifts, leaving the results in the Holy Spirit’s direction.

The Lord is the one who distributes the gifts.
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           Confusion, conflicts, and questions arise when evaluating spiritual gifts. The primary topic causing the most confusion involves charismatic gifts, including the gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. Charismatic gifts (sign gifts) include tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing, miracles, and prophecy. Some charismatic groups also consider laying on hands, fasting, faith, and prayer in this category. 

      The Book of Acts deals with the custom of speaking in and interpreting tongues in three places. When the disciples were baptized in the Spirit at Pentecost, they began to speak in tongues. In Acts 10, Simon was preaching. When the Spirit fell upon the assembly, the Gentiles spoke in tongues showing the Jews that they had received the Holy Spirit. Lastly, when Paul encountered some disciples of John, they began to speak in other languages and to prophesy. Scholars use the word glossolalia when referring to tongues. In each of these instances, tongues are introduced to a different group of people: Jews, Samaritans (possibly), and Gentiles. Brand says, “[Paul] also noted that unless tongues speech is interpreted, it ought not to be employed in public worship since the purpose of spiritual gifts is the edification of the body” (1 Cor. 14:3, 6).

     The question is whether the sign gifts (including tongues) were delegated to the early church or does it continue today. The terms coined are cessationists and continuationist. Most cessationists believe that God can heal and do miracles, but they reject the idea that Christians can heal, prophesy, and speak in tongues. Cessationist Thomas R. Schreiner says, “As a cessationist, I believe God still heals and does miracles today, though I think such events are relatively rare. Still, I pray for the healing of the sick and believe God can do so miraculously. My argument is not that miracles and healings never occur. Instead, I claim that believers today [do not] have the gifts of doing miracles and healing.” Conrsely, a continuationist believes all the sign gifts are valid and operable today. As one can see, sign gifts can cause confusion, misunderstanding, and divisiveness in a church. C. Douglas Weaver says, “A growing number [of] Baptists are also continuationists. . . But plenty of Baptists also contend that some or all of the miraculous gifts [sign] are invalid for today, or they differ considerably from continuationists’ understanding of those gifts.” There has also been plenty of Baptist-continuationist rivalries since the first wave of Pentecostals began speaking in tongues and prophesying in the opening years of the twentieth century.

     Conflicts also occur when discussing the Holy Spirit and its role in our lives, including the holiness movement, gender, and racial egalitarianism. There is difficulty separating other issues from one another when speaking of the Holy Spirit, including how spiritual gifts are used.

While this Spirit helps in conversion, it is also this same Spirit that helps to discern what spiritual gifts the Lord has given to individuals.
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Reasons for Personal Perspective

           God’s Holy Spirit has been functioning in lives for over six thousand years—through the Old Testament and New Testament times and even today. The Holy Spirit guided Jesus’s ministry and likewise in our ministry.

     First, God designed us to be used for Him. Psalm 139:13-16 states, “For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to Thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance and in Thy book they were all written, all the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. God ordained our days. Moreover, He wants to equip us to use us for His service.”

      Second, John 16:13 mentions that the Spirit of truth will guide us into all the truth, and when He does, he wants to equip us for His service as mentioned in 1 Peter 4:10-11, which says, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies. so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to who belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

     Third, the Lord wants us to meet the needs of others. One of the ways He accomplishes this purpose is by providing believers with spiritual gifts to be used powerfully for His intentions. Christians possess gifts to be used locally and universally within the body of Christ to serve others. In other words, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus (1 Cor. 12).

     Ephesians 4:11-14  speaks of our privilege to build up the body of Christ—for unity and to grow to become more Christlike. We should strive for the whole body to fit together, where every person is involved in the building up the church in love.

Conclusion

           Charles Stanley sums it up best when he says, “Time is a gift from God, and He has allotted each of us a measure in which to live and accomplish His purposes. We have only two options—to spend it temporally on our own interests or invest it eternally. Since time can never be retrieved or reversed, it’s critical that we make the most of every opportunity the Lord provides.” Just like the fudge cake mentioned earlier, where all the ingredients combine for the best results, we need all members of the body of Christ to employ their best selves. This can occur when one uses their spiritual gifts, in the supernatural power of Christ, within the body of Christ in love and unity.

God bless.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, I love you and desire to know and use the gifts you have given me. Confirm what they are in my mind. May others see them in me. Lord, you are my God, and I give my entire life to you and desire Your presence every moment. Keep me from temptation and deliver me from evil. In Your blessed name, Amen,

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This article may not be reproduced except for written permission from the author. 

Sources not included.

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Books by Patti

3 PRAYER JOURNALS – 3 BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLES, AND  A BOOK ON CHRISTIAN CAREGIVING.

BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLE SERIES