What: Shortcuts

Where:  There is a wide variety of useful “shortcuts” that involve . . . .

• computer keyboards
• toolbars
• sewing machines
• mathematics
• iPad hotkeys
• mental calculations
• iPhones
• calculation charts
• manufacturer’s hidden test sequences
• microwave ovens
• et al.

. . . . . 

What: Whether it be “35 Keyboard shortcuts you should know,” “Shortcuts on your Brother sewing machine,” or “How to quickly calculate the return on investment,” there is a reason for devising shortcuts.

• Shortcuts reduce the number of steps you need to take to perform a task.
• Productivity is the aim.
• It makes the process faster and easier — at least, that is what the shortcut is designed to do.
• It typically saves time and/or energy.

. . . . . 

Key Biblical Thoughts:

• temptation
• sin — i.e., Joseph’s brothers, David & Bathsheba, Achan, Jacob & Esau, “could call 10,000 angels.”
• Satan
• patience
• trust
• wait on the Lord
• obedience

. . . . . 

Sermonic Example:

(Include whatever.details you find useful)

There are even some shortcuts built into various devices that the manufacturer only knows about.   Every so often, someone discovers one and publishes it for the general public.

There are “features” that this-or-that device offers, which have never been used because the operating manual was never read, and therefore, the steps to that feature are unknown.

The article stated, “You’ve probably never pressed number 9 on your microwave.” [1]

Another article on the same subject stated . . .

“No two microwaves are the same. With some microwaves, pressing 1 will immediately start the microwave with a one-minute timer. Other microwaves will take pressing 1 as just one second — you’d have to press 0 twice and Start to make a one-minute timer.”

Now, you do know that the Christian life has “shortcut keys.”  You may have never pressed “NOW” when you were facing the opportunity to get ahead financially and to steal the money you needed.  But the key is available.  You may have never pressed “satisfaction” when the opportunity for immorality was present, but that key is available.  You may have never pressed “selfishness” when you had the opportunity to get ahead of someone else at the office, but that key can be pressed.

Some shortcuts are unknown until you discover them in a variety of strange situations. . . .

. . . . .

OR

It can be used as an introduction to . . . .Some practical shortcuts to help you grow spiritually

. . . . .

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Other Information & Links:

By the way, pressing #9 on the microwave typically sets it for 90 seconds.

1. OR — with a little humor

“To mute your microwave, start by checking the control panel. Look closely. The mute function may be labeled as a secondary function of one of the standard buttons. Check these things first:

• • Look for a Sound button. Seriously. It may have been there all along, begging you to press it.
  • Press and hold either 1 or 0. Sometimes manufacturers give these keys hidden, secondary functions.
  • Press and hold the Stop or Cancel button. Like 1 or 0, this key might have a hidden function when held.

Often, pressing and holding 1, 0, Stop or Cancel will either result in turning off the beeping sounds or activating a child lock feature. (Child lock doesn’t actually lock the door, but instead locks the control panel so no buttons can be pressed until the lock is removed by holding the button for around three seconds again.)

If none of these work, it’s probably best to consult the manual. Even if you don’t have a Sound button, there is no Mute function denoted as a secondary function or holding a button doesn’t do anything, there is still a chance a mute function exists. It could be a button combination or, like on some microwaves, be buried in a submenu that’s not at all obvious how to activate.

If you’ve tossed the owner’s manual to your microwave, check the manufacturer’s website. They will often provide a digital version of the manual as a PDF for more recent models. For an older model, you may need to do some digging, but a great start is to just do a Google search for “[microwave brand and model number] manual.” 

Once you have the PDF version of the manual, press Ctrl + F on Windows or Command + F on Mac to search the PDF for “mute,” “sound” or “beep.”

Of course, if your microwave doesn’t have a mute function built-in, you’ll just have to continue doing the run-across-the-kitchen-to-open-the-door-before-the-timer-ends maneuver.