OBSERVATION IS A SKILL.

Studying God’s Word deeply is primarily….to SEEING what is there. I promise if you take one verse or ten and write down things you SEE…you will be changed. All of the sudden, the WORD is not just about YOU, but GOD!

I loved teaching a series on selected Psalms. (check it out here). Even now, I share these tips in almost every talk because someone taught me!  (2 Tim. 2:2) This changed the way I read the Bible–and consequently, my love for the Word! For fear of sounding too much like a car salesman, I share with you (I have funny friends!)…

“Tristie’s EASY OBSERVATION TIPS”

1. How many verses are there in the text?
2. How many times is God mentioned in this text?
3. How many times in Jesus mentioned in this text?
4. Who are the chief characters?
5. What are the key words?
6. What are the direct commands?

• *For additional challenge:
• Where have I seen this same thing ( This is what I call a “Timeless Principle” in the Old Testament! For example, some promises are exclusively for ISRAEL, but where on the New Testament do I see a parallelism? GREAT EXAMPLE- The Great Commandment in DEUTERONOMY and then Jesus repeats this in all Gospels!)
• What are the verbs in this text?
• Where is the author writing from?
• What kind of book is this I am reading? For example, is this a “Prison Epistle” (like Philippians or Colossians) or a “Gospel” like Mark or John?
• Enjoy digging the gems of blessing out of God’s Word!

I’m so excited for you to see the only written word on paper become what God intends it to be in your life-ALIVE! 

BLESSINGS!

Tristie

Happy New Year friends!

Literally, as I prayed about what to share today, the LORD brought this critical area to mind. I’m excited to share these ideas with you because I love practicality in seeing GOD change me and my situations. 

The most important relationship you will ever have is with GOD. The second most important relationship is with your SPOUSE. ’Nuff said. We all have a habit of digging deep into the Word, joining Christian groups, and offering help in the name of Jesus. BUT, has it occurred to us that while we can cover First Base…we HAVE to run to SECOND? Your marriage says (perhaps) more about you than anything. 

Let’s get to it-How can we see a new MARRIAGE with our spouse?

• REALIZE NO MARRIAGE IS PERFECT! This should encourage you-because we are humans with a sin tendency. If your marriage was perfect, you couldn’t see GOD CHANGE YOU or the situation! GOD LOVES TO BE NEEDED!
• I BELIEVE WE ALL WANT TO GROW IN THIS AREA! I  HAVE NEVER MET A WOMAN OR MAN WHO SAID “AH, IT’S OK. THIS IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.” Baloney. If someone says that, they DON’T want it to work or (more likely) they are afraid. Perhaps they don’t know HOW to love their spouse in the way the spouse wants or needs.

ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU WHERE YOU NEED TO CHANGE!

We don’t like this one. We have to admit we are not perfect nor “know everything”! We have to come in humility and (here’s the winning ticket!) ASK FORGIVENESS at times! I promise you-if you learn the “language of forgiveness” , your entire life will change …in every relationship. Not just “Hey, sorry.” But, knowing who you are before God and looking that person in the eyes and saying “WILL YOU FORGIVE ME?” I have seen marriages saved because of this simple question asked in humility.

FORGIVE. FORGIVE. FORGIVE.

 STEP OUT OF THE EMOTIONAL VORTEX & ASK YOURSELF “IS THIS ISSUE WORTH ME BEING UNKIND?”
Here’s the scoop.  Let’s say you are a wife & you get into the habit of nagging, sarcasm, and belittling. What’s worse….IT BECOMES HABIT!! ASK GOD TO TRAIN YOUR TONGUE NOW TO SPEAK WORDS OF LIFE AND NOT DEATH! 

Of course, there are times when you need to confront (extramarital affairs, abuse, or indebtedness) your spouse. This should involve counseling and real solid work to understand and love each other by faith. I am talking about the “nit-picky” stuff that piles on. 

If you were not with your spouse, how would he or she speak of you?

 HONOR YOUR WIFE WITH KIND WORDS. HONOR YOUR HUSBAND BY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BUILD HIM UP!

MEN, you can almost guarantee  your wife  will honor you by your sacrificial love & words of life.

WOMEN, your husband will stand 3 inches taller knowing you are his biggest encourager!

YOU READY? I KNOW IT CAN BE SCARY-BEING VULNERABLE IN A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP. SIT DOWN WITH YOUR SPOUSE AND TELL THEM HOW YOU WANT TO GROW. THEY’LL APPRECIATE IT. NOW,  ASK GOD TO BUILD A STRATEGY FOR A GREAT MARRIAGE IN 2012!

First, give him a smooch.

TRISTIE FISHER, JANUARY 2012

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