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And the Lord said to me,
"Write my answer on a billboard, large and clear,
so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell the others.
But these things I plan won't happen right away.
Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.
If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass.
Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!
—Habakkuk 2:2-3 TLB |
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And the Lord said to me |
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Press on to know the
Lord (Hos. 6:3)
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Make time to allow the Lord to speak to you through
His Word (Ps. 1:2; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; James 1:25).
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Seek His counsel and wisdom (Ps. 16:7; 32:8; Prov. 2:3-10; Isa.50:4; James 1:5-8).
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Wait for God’s answer (Hab. 2:1).
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Let His words sink into your heart first (Ezek.. 3:10-11); then write what you've experienced (1 John 1:3).
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"Write my answer" |
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Diligently study the Word (2 Tim.
2:15).
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Remember the promise that
His Word does not return void
(Isa. 55:10-11).
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Put on God's armor (Eph. 6:10-18).
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Make the most of your opportunities (Eph. 5:15-17; Phil. 2:14-16; Col. 4:5-6; 2 Tim. 4:2), knowing that the doors may not always be open (Amos 8:11-12).
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Make it "large and clear" |
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Write to be understood and to make the Gospel clear (1 Cor. 2:1-5).
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Let the Holy Spirit do the convicting; don’t preach (1 Cor. 2:4; Heb. 4:12).
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Know your audience (1
Cor. 2:6).
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Work hard (Col. 3:23-25) and enthusiastically (Rom. 12:11) so you do not need to be ashamed of your work (2 Tim. 2:15) or to compare it with others (Gal. 6:4).
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Write "so that anyone can read it" |
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Share the Good News around the world (Ps. 96:1-3; Matt. 28:19-20).
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Following Christ’s example, minister to the poor, brokenhearted, captives, blind, downtrodden (Luke 4:18-19).
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Use illustrations readers can relate to (Mark 4:33-34).
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"At a glance" |
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Have a clear focus; know what you believe and clearly communicate it (2 Tim. 2:8; Titus 3:3-8)
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Capture the reader’s attention and create reader identification (Mark 4:2).
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"And rush to tell others" |
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Write so that readers will want to pass on your words. Be loving and winsome (1 Thess. 2:7-8; James 3:17).
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Provide a take-away so readers will not ask, "So what?" (James
1:22).
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Avoid clichés, pat answers, theological jargon (1
Cor. 1:17).
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"Slowly, steadily, surely" |
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Seek God’s plan for your writing (Jer. 29:11-13).
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Set specific and measurable goals
(Prov. 16:9).
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Get to work (1 Chron. 28:20).
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Abide in Christ (John 15:4-8).
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Keep expecting God to help you; walk (and write) in
His strength (Ps. 71:14, 16).
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Give yourself and your writing time to develop (Rom. 5:2; Phil. 1:6; Col. 2:7; 2
Pet. 1:2-9).
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Have faith (Matt. 21:21-22; John 14:12-14; Heb. 11:1).
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Finish what you start (2
Cor. 8:10-11).
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Do not give in to discouragement and despair (Gal. 6:9).
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From Write His Answer—A Bible Study for Christian Writers.
Phoenix, AZ: ACW Press, 1999.
© 1999 Marlene
Bagnull.
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