ELEMENTARY MY DEAR WATSON

Greetings all of you spiritual sleuths...the games afoot. My Canadian friend Red... loves Sherlock Holmes...and so do I . I tend to like the Basil Rathbone version from the old movies. Even though Watson is seen more as bumbling, comic relief...versus the more intellectual chronicler of the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes...this is my choice of the genre'.

Holmes approaches the mysteries from deductive reasoning. Deducing is tracing the course or derivation of and to infer by logical reasoning; reason out or conclude from known facts or general priniciples. (Websters) Inductive reasoning is a study method where something is observed...interpreted...and then applied. In our quest for the things of God...we meld both of these methods of reasoning to come to a conclusion...Elementary my dear seeker of the truth.


Although Holmes is the primary genius of the search for truth...he had a faithful companion who went with him on the adventures. We as believers need each other as we become pilgrims. The disciples were sent out two by two...as a cord bound together...strengthened.

As you read the Word...ask: who, what, when, where, why, how questions.

(1) Observation...helps us to take a passage, verse, chapter...and see what it PRECISELY SAYS. (2) Interpretation...answers the questions...what does it mean. (3) Application...answers the question...what does it mean to me...PERSONALLY. How can I take these truths and make them practical for MY LIFE. As these three keys come into alignment...the tumblers click and we are transformed and develop a meaningful relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

NOTE: Precept Ministries and Kay Arthur are excellent resources for Inductive Bible Study materials.

Now...the SEARCH is on. Not only are you to search...but God is also searching...seeking... and when to two find each other...LOOK OUT.

"As for you,, my son Solomon...know the God of your father and served Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord SEARCHES all hearts, and understand every INTENT of the thoughts. If you SEEK Him, He will LET you FIND Him, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever." (I Chronicles 28:9) It starts with the attitude factore...(1) know (2) serve (3) whole heart (4) willing mind.

Notice that the Lord is SEARCHING...and Solomon is to SEEK Him. The Lord understands the INTENTIONS...INTENT of true seekers and not those who are playing games. God will allow true seekers to find Him. Those who play the game...rejection. NOTE: Don't worry...if you are still concerned...his mercy and grace is still extended. I played games...and even returned to my old ways...and God welcomed me back with open arms. There is still time.

Another aspect of this seeking/searching...is the willingness to allow God a peek into our secret place. He wants an invitation from us..."SEARCH me...O God...and KNOW my anxious THOUGHTS...and see if there be any HURFUL WAY in me...and LEAD ME...in the EVERLASTING WAY.
(Psalm 139:23) What are your anxious thoughts....what are your hurtful ways in you. Do you want to wallow in those ways...or do you want to be LEAD out into the everlasting way? As with everything in the kindgom... God will allow you to do what you want to do...ie. choose life...choose death...choose blessing...choose curse. Some may say...Who would choose death or curse...but the sad fact is...that we do it everyday...and wonder WHY is my life such a mess...or why am I feeling so depressed.

The answers to His truths...are found in His Word. The Word of God is like a stream filled with gold nuggets for the taking...we just have to get in the stream...and begin to pan...filter out the junk...and get the nuggets.

"And you do not have His word abiding in you...for you do not believe Him whom He sent...You SEARCH the Scriptures...because you think that in them you have eternal life...and it is these that bear witness of Me...and you are unwilling to come to Me...that you may have life."
(John 5:38-40) The search is on...but search with right attitude...

The games afoot Watson...The Hound of Heaven is on the prowl...You can't run...you can't hide from the Hound of Heaven.

Love and Elementary Kisses
Rod "Searching and Seeking" Boyd