Get Started Using the Devotional Workspace

The information in this article applies to the following products:

• Logos Library System software version 2.1e (with Add-on Feature) and above for customers who have the Logos Bible Reference Series or Scholar’s Library collections only*
  

*Fast-Start workspaces are specifically designed to be used in conjunction with Logos Bible Reference Series and Scholar’s Library Collections. Fast-Start workspaces are included in all versions of the Logos 2.1f and above Bible Reference Series (Standard, Intermediate and Deluxe) and Scholar’s Library collections manufactured after March 1999. Note that an Add-on Feature for Logos version 2.1e was available at one time but has been discontinued. Fast-Start workspaces also may be included in other Logos products or excluded from products distributed by other LLS book publishers. The most current shipping version of Logos that you can download from the Logos Web site http://www.logos.com/products/update/ includes Fast-Start workspaces.

Overview

Fast-Start workspaces are a Quick Start feature that that tailors your session for specific Bible study activities and products. The workspace is the selection and arrangement of open books, notes and search results on your screen. It can be compared with the books and tools that you would arrange on your desk before working on a study. A well-arranged workspace can greatly enhance how you work.

Based on the Logos Bible Reference Series or Scholar’s Library book collections, the Fast-Start workspace opens, arranges, links and sets the books and features that many customers will find useful to do the task at hand.

This article provides general instructions about how to use the Devotional workspace. See the TechResponse article "Use Fast-Start Workspaces" for introductory information.

Instructions

The Devotional workspace is designed to help you practice a daily Bible devotional or to begin learning more about the Bible.

To load the Devotional workspace, follow these steps:

1. From the File menu, click Load Workspace....
2. Double-click the version of the Devotional workspace name you want to load.

Caution: If you do not have the books for the Devotional workspace unlocked, all the Bible, devotional and cross-reference windows may not appear.

When you load the Devotional workspace and you have a Bible Reference Series or Scholar’s Library collection in your Logos library, the devotional, Bible, cross-reference and note-taking features automatically are opened and set for you.

The Devotional workspace is divided into five functional areas to assist your Bible study.

Devotional

The devotional window is your starting place to guide what Bible study you will do. My Utmost for His Highest is organized by short, daily studies that you can read in as little as five to ten minutes.

Primary Bible

The primary Bible window is your starting place for the Bible study. The King James Version has been selected because it includes Strong's numbering and TVM verb parsing information in addition to the biblical text. This information will assist you as you begin to inquire about the Greek/Hebrew language origins of English words.

Cross Reference

The cross reference area presents the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. This resource provides an abundance of added cross references that are linked to your primary Bible.

The Bible target window is where you look when you select a cross-reference. The cross-reference appears in the Bible target window where you can read it without losing your place in the primary Bible window. The New International Version has been selected as the Bible Target Window because it is written in clear, understandable English and it is included in all of the Logos Bible Reference Series collections. However, you may replace this version with any versified Bible of your choice.

User Notes

The user notes area is where you can record your thoughts as you read the devotion and Bible.

When you load the Devotional workspace and you have the King James Version Bible and the My Utmost for His Highest devotional and The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge in your Logos library, you can follow these steps to get started:

1. Open the devotional to your reading for today.

   From the My Utmost for His Highest window in the upper left quadrant of your screen, click the red "Today’s reading" hyperlink to go to the devotional for today.

   Note: The devotional date will be displayed according to your computer’s date/time setting.

2. Refer to the Bible scripture upon which the devotional is based.

   From the devotional window, click the blue Bible reference hyperlink. The scripture will appear in the New International Version (NIV) Bible target window in the lower right quadrant of your screen.

3. Check cross-references to the scripture.

   Enter the Bible reference in the reference box of the King James Version (KJV) primary Bible window in the upper right quadrant of your screen. 

   Note: Try one of two ways to enter the scripture reference: type the book, chapter and verse then press Enter, or select the reference from the Bible target window’s reference box, copy it (Ctrl+C), paste it (Ctrl+V) into the King James Version window’s reference box, and press Enter.
   
   The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge window below the KJV window automatically will display cross-references related to the passage in the KJV. The KJV is used as the primary Bible because it has Strong’s numbering system for words and cross-references embedded in it and thus references can be linked to other commentaries and resources.

4. Research a cross-reference.

   From the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge window, click a blue cross-reference hyperlink. The cross-reference scripture will appear in the NIV Bible target window.

   Note: The KJV primary Bible window does not change because it’s assumed that you want to keep your place in your primary Bible while you use the other Bible to check cross-references and links.

5. Make a note of your thoughts about the devotional.

   Select a phrase from the devotional window and with the pointer where you want the note attached, right-click your mouse. 

   Note: This is the Instant Expert feature in Logos which enables you to determine what options you have from wherever you are with a simple right-click of the mouse. A shortcut menu will appear. From the shortcut menu, select Add a Note… and To Selection. Your pointer now is an insertion point in the right portion of the MY_NOTE.NOT note window in the lower left quadrant of your screen. Type your note. Notice the paperclip note icon attached to your selection in the devotional text. As you add notes, you can select the paperclip note to go that note in your note file.

To learn more about using Logos, see the Logos 2.1 User’s Guide.