Faith, however, is not merely a mental acknowledgment of God’s existence. Faith is believing that what God has said is true, and allowing those beliefs to guide our actions.

For example, imagine two people who want to walk on a frozen lake. Both are told that the ice is six inches thick and will easily support their weight. One person believes what he has been told and trusts the one who told him, so he walks confidently out onto the ice. The other, however, does not fully believe what he has been told, nor does he trust the one who assured him the ice would hold. He remains hesitant, stepping slowly and cautiously onto the ice and remains close to the shore.

When it comes to faith, the question is this: Do you believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and do you trust that what God said in the Bible is true?

Here is an example. Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

If you believe that what God has said is true, you will strive to read from your Bible daily. If, however, you do not trust what God has said and do not believe it to be true, then you are more likely to be the type of person who says you don’t have time to read the Bible.

Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to help you have more faith.

Some pastors have noticed that roughly 20% of their church’s congregation performs about 80% of the workload. Some congregations even find themselves pleading for volunteers to step in and help.

Serving at church is an important part of growing in our relationship with Jesus. When we offer our time and talents, we help the church function more smoothly and effectively. As a result, more people can be reached with the gospel through a congregation that is well organized and presents Christ in a faithful and excellent manner.

Serving also allows us to meet the practical needs of those within the congregation, including caring for the elderly, single parents, and others who may need help and support.

The first step in finding a place to serve at church is prayer. Ask the Lord to give you direction on where to serve.

Next, consider what you enjoy doing and what you’re talented at. What are you already doing well? For example, if you play the guitar proficiently, that may be the first area to explore. Does your church need a guitarist?

However, don’t limit yourself only to the obvious roles. There is always a need for the less visible but equally important areas of service. For example, if you’re good with computers, remember that most churches have no IT department, let alone anyone who can even diagnose a basic computer problem. Most pastors are not well-versed in web design, so even someone with basic WordPress or HTML knowledge can make a significant contribution.

Perhaps you’re good with tools and something of a handyman; there are likely elderly widows in the congregation who could use help at home with simple repairs. Maybe you enjoy photography and could capture special events for the church newsletter. Or maybe you’re great with kids and could assist in the Sunday school.

There are countless opportunities, both obvious and behind the scenes, where your talents, knowledge, and resources can be used to serve in the church. When you step into those roles, you help your church share the good news of the gospel with the community and support those who are less fortunate.

Debate

This is a clear warning from Jesus about giving sacred truths, like the gospel, to people who will despise or abuse them. We ought to have discernment about who is and who isn’t open to hearing the good news. Jesus also said “if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town” (Matthew 10:14).

This instruction to the disciples emphasizes not lingering where the message is rejected, but moving on to those whose hearts may be ready to receive it. In my opinion, there is a significant opportunity cost associated with debating someone who has already made up their mind in opposition to God. Every minute spent arguing with a hardened atheist is a minute not spent sharing the gospel with someone genuinely searching for God.

Christians are called to steward their time wisely because “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37b-38). Time is finite; time spent debating someone intent on refuting the gospel is time that could have been invested in guiding those who are truly seeking answers.

Paul wrote to Timothy, “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23). While I recognize that some debates may serve an audience of onlookers, some of whom may be searching for truth, far more can be accomplished through one-on-one conversations giving those seeking a chance to ask sincere questions.

Some Christians may also fall into the trap of debating for the sake of being right or winning, or even for profit, as social media often rewards outrage with clicks and views rather than meaningful engagement.

In the end, my choice not to debate is not out of fear, but out of love for the people God is currently calling. I prefer to invest my time in teaching those who are ready to listen, trusting God to open hearts rather than attempting to force agreement in the heat of an argument. True ministry is about sowing seeds into the good soil where they can grow, not in mic-drop moments of trying to defeat the opposition.

Paul said, the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true (Acts 17:11). I feel confident in saying that the atheist who enters into a public debate with a Christian, does not later examine the Scriptures with eagerness to see if what the Christian said is true.

Did you know it’s very difficult to proofread your own writing? That’s because you already know what you meant to say, so your brain fills in the gaps automatically. As a result, it tends to overlook the actual words and letters written on the page.

Every writer has experienced the frustration of proofreading a piece multiple times, only for someone else to immediately spot a glaring mistake.

I once paid $80 for a box of business cards. I must have proofread the card a dozen times before sending them to print. When they arrived, I eagerly showed them to my wife. But as soon as I handed her the first card, she glanced at it and gasped; I had spelled the name of my business wrong. No matter how many times I checked, my mind kept seeing what it expected to see, completely missing that two letters in the first word had been reversed. In the end, that entire $80 box of business cards went straight into the garbage can.

I use Microsoft Word for my writing, and its spell-check and auto-correct features are invaluable. However, there are several critical editing tasks that Word cannot perform (at least not with the default installation I use). Its spell-check and auto-correct functions will not identify any of the following writing mistakes:

Run-on sentences, sentence fragments, comma splices, misplaced or dangling modifiers, subject–verb disagreements, shifts in tense, shifts in point of view, homophone confusion (e.g., right, rite, write, wright), incorrect prepositions, redundant pairs, wrong plural or possessive forms, using adjectives instead of adverbs, missing commas, improper paragraph breaks, and more.

Every good writer needs someone to proofread their work. However, giving your writing to a friend or family member offers no guarantee that they have the education or skills to spot these errors. Hiring a professional editor, meanwhile, can cost thousands of dollars and take weeks or even months.

An AI program, on the other hand, can identify every type of writing error; and do so in mere seconds.

But here’s the catch:

AI programs like ChatGPT will always take bright, impactful, and colorful writing and make it bland, boring and dull. For this reason, every writer who uses AI as an editing tool must also learn how to “edit the editor.”

The following is my personal list of how I use AI as an editing tool for my writing.

#1) Every sentence and every paragraph must be my own original thoughts.

When I was in high school, using a calculator on a math test was considered cheating. Any student caught doing so would receive a zero on the test and a call home to their parents. College, however, was very different. In my engineering classes, using a calculator during tests was required; but each student had to have memorized the formulas. Typing numbers into a calculator is meaningless without knowing which formulas are needed to solve the problem.

In high school, using a calculator was cheating because it allowed the student to sidestep the work and let the calculator do it for them. In college, however, the calculator became a tool to display the results of the student’s knowledge.

Likewise, if a person uses an AI language modeler like ChatGPT to bypass the work of putting their own thoughts on paper, they are cheating. They are being dishonest. But if a writer uses ChatGPT as a tool to make the words on the page more accurately reflect their own thoughts, that is professional and mirrors exactly what a human editor would do.

Actually, let me revise that last point. I once wrote for a magazine published by my church’s denomination, which was distributed nationally to all the churches in that denomination. I had a human editor, and I vividly remember the first article I submitted. My editor made so many changes and rewrote it so extensively that upon reading it in the published magazine, I felt guilty being listed as the author. I didn’t recognize a single paragraph. I felt like a fraud and thought it would have been more appropriate if the editor’s name had appeared as the author.

By using an AI editing program, a writer can ensure that the thoughts which originated from their own mind are preserved on the page. Writing errors can be corrected, and the arrangement of words can be refined so the original idea is expressed more clearly and precisely. In my opinion, using an AI editor can be even more effective than a human editor, because I, the writer, know exactly what I intended to say. I remember what I was thinking when I put the words on my computer screen, and I can guide the AI editing process to convey my thoughts accurately. A human editor, however skilled, cannot read minds and therefore cannot fully know what the writer’s original thoughts were.

I feel very fortunate that, in ninth grade, I was required to take a typing class. At the time, I didn’t like it, but as an adult with an interest in writing, being able to type with all ten fingers has been invaluable to me. I genuinely feel sorry for those I see typing using only their index fingers and thumbs, a method they likely learned from operating a video game controller. Can you imagine writing an entire book that way? At 10 or 12 words per minute, it would take years. For me, the best way to start a writing project is to sit down at my laptop and free-flow my thoughts onto the screen, typing as fast as I can think. Those thoughts then form the foundation for what is later edited.

#2) Emotion is what makes good writing

The word “poignant” means to evoke a keenly felt sense of emotion. If your writing contains any poignancy; which is what makes good writing; you can be certain that ChatGPT will try to generalize it to the point that your writing loses all of its emotion. While it may correct a run-on sentence, it can also make your writing dull in the process. As the writer, and the “editor of the editor”, you must restore your poignant expression while also recognizing the valid corrections it made.

I always place the edited output side by side with my original and compare them word for word to see exactly what was changed and why. I might make several changes to the output and then run it through the editor again, repeating the process until I have precisely conveyed my original thought.

#2) Never ask ChatGPT to edit more than one paragraph at a time.

If you write an article and then submit the entire text to ChatGPT for editing in a single copy-and-paste operation, it will likely end up destroying your piece.

Imagine hiring a handyman and telling him, “Here’s my house; fix what’s wrong.” You leave to go to work, and at the end of the day, you come home to find that he has converted your entire house into a duplex. Now your home has two front doors, and strangers are moving in.

Instead, you should have brought the handyman into your home and said, “The sliding door on this closet doesn’t shut properly. Please fix only this door.” A few minutes later, you would find that he fixed it, and that it works perfectly.

By giving ChatGPT only one paragraph at a time to edit, you greatly limit how much it has to work with. As a result, the extent of its alterations is also limited. It can correct your comma splices and adjective use, but it can’t change the overall direction and meaning of your writing. You simply haven’t provided it with enough content to do so.

#3) Don’t let ChatGPT make changes just for the sake of changing something.

ChatGPT will often change words simply for the sake of change, not because the revision improves the writing. That’s why you may often desire to put your words back into the text. The thoughts that originated in your mind are what you want your audience to read. When ChatGPT alters words unnecessarily, it strips the “you” from your writing. The goal of using ChatGPT as an editing tool is to ensure that your own thoughts are clearly and accurately conveyed to the reader. Correcting genuine writing mistakes is important, but making changes just for the sake of change is not.

#4) Remove the AI signatures.

I’m not sure why, but certain words, punctuation choices, sentence structures, and writing styles are so heavily favored by ChatGPT that they have become hallmarks of AI-generated text. The word gentle is one example: “Would you like me to gently recommend a pizza recipe?” “The gentle nature of her suggestion.” “God’s gentle love for His people.”

This really ties back to my previous rule. ChatGPT will edit your writing by inserting words, phrases, and punctuation that you, as the writer, would never use. All of that must be stripped out and restored to reflect the way you actually write.

For example, most people don’t know how to type an em dash (Alt + 0151). However, ChatGPT uses em dashes as liberally as I use salt on scrambled eggs, making them a signature of AI writing. When “editing the editor”, I always replace em dashes with my preferred punctuation; typically, a comma or a semicolon. Much to my consternation, however, I’ve noticed that the Berean Standard Bible, which is what I always use when quoting Scripture and which was published long before the first AI programs existed, frequently employs em dashes. I have to remain constantly vigilant to avoid accidentally “editing” Scripture while reviewing my own commentary writing after using an AI editor.

The obvious goal of writing is to convey one’s thoughts onto paper. Poor writing, however, can cause the reader to walk away with unintended messages. A humorous and often cited example is the phrase “Let’s eat Grandma.” Clearly, the author did not intend for his grandmother to be eaten. The correct sentence should have been “Let’s eat, Grandma,” or better still, “Grandma, let’s eat.”

Every writer needs an editor because it’s extremely difficult to proofread one’s own work. I once bought a book, brought it home, and began to read it. But somewhere in chapter five, I noticed that the author had used the word “containment” where the context clearly required the word “consignment.” I went to the author’s website and emailed him about the mistake. He replied with gratitude and admitted that four human editors had failed to catch it.

The incredible value of using an AI editor is that it’s virtually impossible for the machine to overlook such subtle errors. The machine doesn’t misspell words or make writing mistakes. ChatGPT was trained on about 570GB of text, roughly 300 billion words, or the equivalent of six million books. It is, for all practical purposes, impervious to grammatical errors. While it obviously lacks the human component that we, as writers, must restore to its editing outputs, ChatGPT is, in my opinion, the most effective editing tool available; provided you’re not lazy and are willing to first record your own thoughts and then afterward, take the time to edit the editor.

Context provides the backdrop against which individual verses gain depth, clarity, and accuracy in meaning. The Bible encompasses various genres, including historical narratives, poetry, prophecy, parables, and epistles, each with its unique style and purpose. Consequently, extracting isolated verses from their surrounding passages risks distortion and misinterpretation.

First and foremost, historical context illuminates the circumstances and cultural milieu in which biblical events unfolded. Understanding the historical background helps decipher the intended message and relevance of a particular verse.

Moreover, literary context encompasses the immediate verses, chapters, and the overarching narrative of each biblical book. Just as a sentence gains meaning within a paragraph, and a paragraph within a chapter, Bible verses derive their significance within the broader textual framework. Ignoring this context can lead to selective reading, misrepresentation, and doctrinal misunderstandings.

Furthermore, linguistic context delves into the original languages, idioms, and cultural nuances embedded in the Bible. Translating ancient texts into modern languages inevitably entails nuances and challenges. Exploring the original languages, such as Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, deepens our understanding of biblical concepts and enhances the accuracy of interpretation.

Additionally, theological context ensures coherence with the broader themes and teachings of Scripture. The Bible constitutes a cohesive narrative of God’s redemptive plan for humanity, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Viewing individual verses through the lens of the Bible’s overarching message safeguards against misinterpretation and doctrinal error.

In practice, applying these principles requires patience, humility, and diligence. Consulting reputable commentaries, studying historical resources, and engaging in prayerful reflection can facilitate a better understanding of Scripture. By delving into the richness of context, readers uncover profound insights, discover timeless truths, and encounter the living Word of God.

In conclusion, the importance of reading Bible verses in context cannot be overstated. Context serves as the compass guiding our interpretation, safeguarding against misinterpretation and distortion. Embracing the fullness of context enables us to discern the deeper meanings, relevance, and transformative power of Scripture in our lives. As we embark on this journey of exploration, may we approach the Word of God with reverence, discernment, and an unwavering commitment to truth.

You’ll eventually want to read the entire Bible. However, if you’re just starting out, and have never read from the Bible before, it’s probably not a good idea to start at the beginning. As a new Christian, the Old Testament can get you mired down with its odd names, lengthy genealogies and monologs about unfamiliar weights and measurements.

The entire Old Testament is a foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ. So, it’s much better for a new Christian to start by reading Jesus’s arrival. Begin by reading the New Testament first.

Further still, it’s not even necessary to read the New Testament in order. You should, however, start with either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.

The New Testament serves as a foundational guide for Christians, offering insight into the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. after acquainting yourself with the Gospels. The important aspect is not the sequence but the commitment to engage with the scripture regularly and prayerfully.

The Bible is not merely a historical document or a literary work; it’s considered the inspired word of God. Therefore, approaching its texts with prayer and seeking divine guidance can provide understanding and spiritual growth.

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45)

As you embark on your journey through the Bible, remember to seek spiritual guidance and approach the text with reverence and humility, allowing its wisdom to transform your life.

1 Peter 2:2 NLT, Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,

we’re reminded that life isn’t sustained solely by physical nourishment but also by the words from God’s mouth. Similarly, 1 Peter 2:2 compares our need for spiritual nourishment to that of a newborn craving milk.

Do not overlook the importance of feeding our souls through daily Bible reading.

Consider the analogy of going without food for a day, a week, or even a month. The consequences are dire; our physical health suffers, and prolonged starvation could lead to death. Similarly, depriving our souls of spiritual sustenance by neglecting the Bible can lead to spiritual malnourishment.

Just as our bodies need food every day, our souls require daily sustenance from the Word of God. Reading the Bible daily, including Sundays, offers profound benefits. Regular engagement with scripture fosters spiritual growth and deepens our relationship with God. It shapes our perspectives, strengthens our faith, and equips us to live lives reflective of His love and truth.

In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, it’s easy to overlook the significance of daily Bible reading. Yet, by prioritizing this practice, we invite God’s transformative power into our lives. Let’s commit to feeding our souls with the life-giving words of Scripture each day, knowing that in doing so, we nurture our spiritual well-being and draw closer to the heart of God.

Ghosting on Bible pages

While paperback Bibles offer convenience and affordability, their durability may sometimes fall short of expectations. The lightweight construction of paperback covers and bindings renders them susceptible to wear and tear, especially with frequent handling and transportation. Over time, the covers of paperback books may become creased, torn, or otherwise damaged, compromising their aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. The adhesive used in binding paperback books may weaken, leading to pages loosening or even detaching from the spine, resulting in them getting lost.

Paperback Bibles are designed to be inexpensive and thus may not withstand heavy use or rough treatment as effectively as their more expensive counterparts. However, if the ghosting effect often seen in more expensive bibles featuring thin sheets of paper, is a distraction to you, try a simple paperback Bible. Most paperback Bibles cost less than $10 and many even less than $5 new. But be aware that it may not last a long time before you have to buy another.

One of the fundamental reasons behind my dislike for the KJV Bible is its language. The English used in the KJV, while beautiful and rich in its time, has become increasingly difficult for modern readers to grasp. The thou’s, thee’s, and ye’s, along with other antiquated expressions, create unnecessary barriers to understanding the message of the Scriptures.

As a believer, I acknowledge the importance of engaging with the Bible regularly to deepen my faith and understanding. However, I find it counterproductive to wrestle with language that no longer resonates with contemporary speakers. Christianity faces numerous challenges in today’s world, and deciphering Elizabethan English should not be one of them.

Despite my reservations about the KJV, however, I recognize its value as a reference tool for comparing different Bible translations. For that reason I own more than one King James Version Bible. Its influence on subsequent translations and its role in shaping Christian theology cannot be overlooked. The KJV has left an indelible mark on the history of Christianity, and its legacy continues to endure.

However, I firmly believe that Christians should have access to Bible translations that resonate with their contemporary language. The message of the Bible is timeless and transcendent, but its delivery should be accessible and understandable to all. In a world where communication evolves rapidly, it is imperative that the Scriptures remain relevant and relatable to people from diverse backgrounds and linguistic abilities.

In conclusion, while I acknowledge the historical significance of the King James Version Bible, I cannot overlook its shortcomings in terms of accessibility and understandability. As Christians, we should strive to make the Word of God accessible to all, free from unnecessary linguistic barriers. By embracing modern translations that convey the scriptures in contemporary language, we can ensure that the Bible continues to resonate with believers across generations.

If you are trying to decide which translation of the Bible you should read, start by asking Jesus. James 1:5 says, If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.

Then while you’re waiting on the Lord, visit a thrift store or a flea market where Bibles usually cost a dollar or less. Buy for yourself two or three different translations and try each of them. See which one you are drawn to most.

Photo credit: flickr Creative Commons, The Holy Bible – 1611 King James Version by Robert

I recall that between 2002 and 2006 it took me four years to read the entire Bible. Not because I was reading slowly and carefully and studying the scriptures diligently, but because I would read for a half hour a day over the course of two or three days and then not pick up the Bible again for three weeks.

I began to see my need for implementing personal self-discipline and afterward began reading the Bible with consistency and regularity even when I didn’t feel like it.

But a short time ago I asked my wife if there was any value in reading other Christian books. I said “Why bother when you could just read the Bible?” For certain, a man is a fool if he forsakes the word of God while embracing the words of man.

But Last night I purchased for 99cents, a used copy of Francis Chan’s Crazy Love. I’m only on page 29 and already while reading it I feel an inward excitement and enthusiasm toward God that in the past I have only ever experienced while personally associating with a person who had deep spiritual wisdom and enjoyed sharing that wisdom with me.

Thus, it occurred to me that the value in reading Christian books is to receive that inward sense of being spurred on toward love and good deeds and to experience anew that excitement and enthusiasm for following Jesus Christ.

Therefore, I’m feeling now that I want to include in my daily activities, the regular reading of Christian books in addition to the Bible.

I’m going to create, here on this blog post, a list of the Christian books I’ve read that encouraged and motivated me.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Tortured for His Faith by Haralan Popov

Photo credit: flickr Creative Commons, Books read in 2021 by Brett Jordan