MasterTruth

Word Cloud Bible Study Tip

If you’re a visual learner, we’ve found a fun way to decide what to focus on when studying a Bible passage. That is, find the words that are repeated the most in your passage, then read it a few times through the lens of the most common words. We’ve started using word clouds. (See the graphic below.) Some Bible programs allow you to make a word cloud for a book of the Bible, but there’s a website that allows you to create word clouds for a chapter or even a section of a chapter.

Let me give you a recent example from my personal Bible study through Philippians. I sat there staring at chapter 1. What should I be looking for? I did a word cloud using the computer program WordArt.com. (If you’re going to use it, you will need to set up an account with a user name and password. Go ahead and do that. You will be able to save your word clouds that way.)

I made this Philippians chapter 1 word cloud and sat there and stared at that. (Tips at the bottom for getting started with WordCloud.com.) The bigger the word, the more often it is used in the chapter. It’s a visual to show you what you should notice as you read the passage.

In Philippians 1, you see that the emphasis is Jesus Christ. So, if you are a curious person, you may wonder, “hmm, what about Jesus Christ?” And then you start reading chapter 1 with your antenna up to see what Paul says about the main character of his teaching. I did that.

But what surprised me is how prominent the word “gospel” is in this chapter. It’s pretty large on the word cloud. I meditated on that while reading chapter 1. My observation was that the gospel is the main thing. In addition to Jesus Christ, the gospel of Jesus Christ is what Paul gave his life to. It’s what mattered to him. And that should speak to us. It does me. Some churches today focus on social justice or doing good deeds or how to be happy, etc.. But let’s go back to the Bible and what Paul told this church. Jesus Christ and the gospel of Jesus was Paul’s drum beat.

My point here is that a word cloud reveals the emphasis of a passage and provides a great lens through which to study it.

You know what questions you are actually asking when you look at a word cloud? You are asking “what is this passage actually talking about?” NOT “How does this passage speak to me?” A word cloud helps you look at God’s intent for what He wrote. God’s word God’s way. This will help you fulfill 2 Tim 2:15, (Study to shew thyself approved unto God...")

Back to how to use the word cloud.

• Go to WordArt.com. (Use a computer, not your phone.)
• At some point, you will create an account. Go ahead and do it.
• Click on the “Create” button.
• You will see an option to “Import Text.” Click on that.
• Now you have a box to paste whatever copy you want in there. Like a chapter of the Bible.
• Copy and paste a chapter, making sure to delete the verse reference and the verse numbers. I do that by first copying and pasting a chapter from my Bible program into a word document where I eliminate the numbers. Then I copy and paste from my word document into that “Import Text” box.
• Click the “visualize” button after you’ve pasted in the words.
• Play with it from there. Pick fonts, colors, etc. You can even look at the list of words it gives you on the left and eliminate simple words you don’t want in your word cloud. Whatever way you play with it, you can always click “visualize” again and it will readjust according to your changes.

Hope this Bible study tip helps you!

R&J Shee

There's Something Powerful About Weakness

When God wants to use an individual, He doesn’t always choose the brightest and most beautiful. He did that once. Remember Lucifer? So, it should be no surprise that when God wanted to lead the children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt, He chose Moses, who thought he was the worst choice God could make.

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. (Ex. 4:10-12)

The Apostle Paul had similar feelings with his physical malady. He thought he’d be more useful if he was normal. (Some think he was blind or nearly blind.) On three occasions he prayed God would heal him. But no. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Cor 12:9-10)

Paul learned that lesson so well that he applied it to his financial necessities. To the Philippians he wrote, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phil 4:11-13)

Moses and Paul learned that self-image based on personal strength is harmful if you’re trying to achieve God’s glory God’s way. Do you want to experience God? It won’t be by your smarts, strength and money. These are things I’ve thought about for years. Embrace weakness. It’s a major point in my book “Ditch Depression Devotional: 31 Days to Biblical Hope, Peace & Emotional Balance.” I have an entire section in that book on “inner posture.”

Some people are weak hearted by nature and struggle with depression more than others. But it’s those weak people whom I think God looks for to draw close to Him. How about this verse? For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (Isa. 57:15)

When you think of power and weakness in the same sentence, I bet you don’t think of Jesus. But read this: For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. (2 Cor 13:4)

Here’s the key. Take your eyes off your inadequacies. Rather, let them draw your mind, heart and expectation to God and His glory shining through your life. That’s the powerful thing about weakness. Embrace it.

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. (Isa. 2:11)

Jody