The Way of Scripture: Ancient Wisdom for Living

Copyright © 2015 The Rev. Fr. Jonathan Bar-On.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5043-3745-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-3746-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-3747-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015912826

Balboa Press rev. date: 09/30/2015

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1   The Way of Asking

Asking

Asking to Receive

Find Your End Goals

The Chicken and the Eagle

Begin a Process of Growth: The Way of Asking

How to Ask

Moses and What it Means to be Humble

Open your Heart and Life to Receive

The Story of Jabez

Questions for Chapter 1

My Notes

Chapter 2   The Way of Sowing and Reaping

The Parable of Different Kinds of Ground

Preparing the Ground

Choosing the Right Seeds: Beliefs

Questions for Chapter 2

My Notes

Chapter 3   The Way of Receiving

The Woman with the Flow of Blood

What is Faith?

Questions for Chapter 3

My Notes

Chapter 4   The Way of Compassion

When Mirrors Turn to Windows

Look in the Mirror

The Power of Compassion

Questions for Chapter 4

My Notes

Chapter 5   The Way of Speaking

Changing Your Life through Your Words

Speak your goals and your dreams.

Begin to create your life with your words.

Questions for Chapter 5

My Notes

Chapter 6   The Way of Becoming

Becoming as a Little Child

Joseph

Establish Your Heritage by Creating a Family Tree

Your Spiritual Family Tree

Core Values

Develop a vision for your life based on your core values.

Begin with small changes while keeping your eyes on your goal.

Reframing

David and Goliath

Find Your Outrage

Find Your Great Gift

Parable of the Talents

Questions for Chapter 6

My Notes

Chapter 7   The Way of Love

The way of love is the way of blessing.

Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matthew 7:1 KJV).

The Way of Love

Questions for Chapter 7

My Notes

Chapter 8   The Way of Meditation

Practical Ways to Meditate

Purposeful Meditation

Moving Meditation

A Way of Healing

Questions for Chapter 8

My Notes

To Thong, whose filial devotion and encouragement helped me write this book

All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again. Is there a thing of which it may be said, Behold, this is new? It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us.

—Ecclesiastes 1:7, 10 (WEB)

Preface

The purpose and message of The Way of Scripture is to express in practical terms the lessons for abundant living found in the ancient teachings and stories of the Bible. It is also hoped that The Way of Scripture will provide a bridge between biblical wisdom and modern transformational teachings, giving a fuller understanding of the universal laws and ways in which human life can be lived to the fullest.

There are hurdles to overcome, of course. One is that many modern teachers and speakers prefer the terms Source, the Universe, Divine Consciousness, etc. to any direct reference to God. This is perhaps understandable since so many people view God as an old man sitting on a throne judging everyone and everything. Such stereotypes are hard to overcome.

Religious leaders and teachers come up against the same stereotype problem but in a different way. Their expression of underlying truths is often in a language filled with theological terms that obscures the practical teachings and applications of how to achieve an abundant life.

Here are some things that scripture says about God: God is light, and in him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5 KJV). God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him (1 John 4:16 WEB).

It is fine (and true) to talk about divine love or divine consciousness filling the universe. Love, however, manifests in beneficence, which implies a choice. Choices are made by characters with personalities. And I have never met a personality that was not connected to a person! So I shall often refer directly to God.

When asked about the commandments, Jesus said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–40 WEB). He also said, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another (John 13:34 WEB).

I take that to mean He was replacing the old system of rules with a new way: the way of love. Not everyone will agree with me, of course.

In writing this work, I have tried to avoid specific theological or religious language as much as possible and concentrate on everyday storytelling and applications.

May you find more life, love, joy, and peace as you explore The Way of Scripture.

Acknowledgments

I have been inspired while writing this book by the teachings of Bob Proctor, Lisa Nichols, Brendon Burchard, and others. Author David Logan’s session on The Dark Side of Leadership at an Awesomeness Fest was especially inspiring, and I refer to it in some detail in chapter 6, The Way of Becoming.

Other sources of inspiration are the teachings of Ken and Gloria Copeland, Joyce Meyer, and Joel Osteen. Over the years, their practical applications of scripture have helped me make new connections and discover fresh insights.

I am also indebted to the writings of Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh for his teachings on compassion and mindfulness.

Credit also belongs to my students and parishioners who over the years encouraged me to dig deeper into the scriptures to offer practical advice and knowledge.

Last but not least, I am thankful for wonderful parents who encouraged me from my childhood to persevere in studying and applying the scriptures to my own life.

All direct quotations from the Bible are from the King James (Authorized) Version or the World English Bible, both of which are in the public domain. The love chapter (1 Corinthians 13) is taken from the beautiful English Standard Version. The stories are told in my own