To paraphrase a quote I ran across recently, if you want a Bible church, then you must read the Bible, preach the Bible, and teach the Bible. It makes sense that the Lord’s church would emphasize His Word (John 12:48). The Bible really does underlay every area of the church, as God intended:
Bible classes. How wonderful to come together a couple of times a week for the sole purpose of Bible study! All ages have opportunities to grow their knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18).
Sermons. Every Sunday morning and Sunday night, the gospel is proclaimed in worship (Rom. 10:15). Bible-centered preaching exhorts and convicts (2 Tim. 4:2)!
Devotionals. These happen all the time (before class on Wednesday night, during youth activities, etc.) and help us keep our minds on things above (Col. 3:1-2).
Vacation Bible School, Bible camps, Bible Bowls, Lads to Leaders and more. I couldn’t begin to name all the annual events and programs that are for the sole purpose of growing the faith of our youth in fun, engaging ways.
Church leadership, acts of worship, plan of salvation, discipleship…Every aspect of the organization of the church and life therein is based on the pattern and commands found in God’s Word (1 Cor. 3:11).
This habit of continually referring to the Bible trains us to discern between truth and error (1 Tim. 2:4). Following the pattern of the Word keeps Jesus (and not men) in His rightful role as Head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23). Emphasizing the Bible is good and right and essential.
Thank God for Bible-based churches!
“I am writing these things to you so that...you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”
(1 Tim. 3:14-15)
“Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise in salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
What’s not to love about young people? From children all the way up through college aged, many of them are joyful, enthusiastic, hard workers, servants, and VERY evangelistic. But there are a couple of qualities about young people that I especially appreciate:
They’re not afraid to ask questions. In class or in person, young people like to ask questions. They want answers so they can figure things out, and they expect those answers to come straight from the Bible. They ask about worship, baptism, women’s role, the second coming, angels, relationships, and Bible translations. And if they’re not satisfied with the answers, they’ll tell you so. If something doesn’t make sense to them, they’ll keep at it until it does. As a result, they are building their faith and their understanding of Scripture. Shouldn’t we all be so fearless and persistent? If we don’t really get why we do what we do, shouldn’t we be humble enough to ask questions and dig for answers (2 Tim. 3:17)? Shouldn’t it bother us if we don’t know enough to defend our faith (1 Pet. 3:15)? Spending time with young people challenges me to keep growing in my knowledge of God’s Word!
They love to be together. It really matters to them. There aren’t many things more beautiful than young people getting together to sing, sitting together in worship, or supporting each other. They act happy when they see one another. They don’t roll their eyes when another ‘youth activity’ is planned because they enjoy spending time with each other. They see togetherness as essential to their happiness.I remember feeling that way when I was young. Shame on me for the times when I forget that God wants His people to love being together (Heb. 10:24-25; Rom. 12:10).
I thank God for the energy, personality, and fun our young people bring to the church family table. And I’m eternally grateful for their inspiring examples of no-nonsense learning and close-knit community.
Some great girls getting together for Bible study! (photo credit: Shedona Gutierrez)
Words are coming at us from all directions every day, and much of it isn’t very life-giving, is it?
It reminds me of something Sheila Butt said:
“If you read your Bible in the morning, at least you’ll know you got to start your day with Truth!”
The Psalmist put it this way:
“The word of the Lord proves true” (Psalm 18:30).
When I was growing up in Florida, my dad had a weekly radio program called “Wonderful Words of Life.” The hymn by that same name was the intro and outro for the show. I still think of my dad’s voice when I hear that song. Every time the church meets, we’re exposed to wonderful words. Teaching, preaching, devotionals, invitations, and singing fill our hearts with “spirit and life” (John 6:63).
Notice how God describes His Word:
“Your word is truth”- Jn. 17:17
“My words will not pass away”- Mt. 24:35
“the word of faith”- Rom. 10:8
“the word of God is living and active”- Heb. 4:12
“all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable”- 2 Tim. 3:16
it’s what we “live by”- Mt. 4:4
“the living and abiding word of God”- 1 Pet. 1:23
“the word of truth”- 2 Tim. 2:15
Every time we come together, it’s another opportunity to store all of that in our heart (Psalm 119:11). And oh how we need it!
The book of Proverbs has an abundance of helpful life advice. And conveniently, there are 31 chapters..perfect for one each day of the month! (And on short months, we can double up on some days). This is also a great start for those who are trying to make daily Bible reading a consistent habit. Instead of just checking off a to-do list each time a chapter is read, there are many benefits of reading and re-reading to really soak up all that is being said. Distractions aside, find a comfortable place and pray for guidance and wisdom. Ask that God will help you to apply what you are reading to your own life, as He would have you. Take notes, highlight, and really get into and I believe you will find that your love for the Bible and God will grow and grow.
Some of my favorite verses from the book of Proverbs:
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.”
Proverbs 3:13-14
“The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.”
Proverbs 16:21
“Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.”
Proverbs 4:13
“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”
Proverbs 4:25
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”
Proverbs 12:25
“When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
Proverbs 16:7
“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet ofyour heart.”
Most of my life, I’ve heard that I should be memorizing Scripture. From Bible class teachers, parents, college professors, and more. Some Scriptures you hear and read so much, you don’t have to work to memorize it. You already know it. It’s already written on your heart. And if you’ve used the same Bible for years, you can probably even find exactly which verse you’re looking for not by the book name or chapter, but by the location on the page. There are many places in Scripture that we can find the author encouraging the reader to memorize Scripture. But why?
“Why is it so important to memorize Scripture if I have access to the Bible at all times?”
Well, there’s actually more than one answer to that question…
Because God said so. This is one of those answers we probably heard as children. And the principle remains, God is our Father and we must do what He says. Thankfully, the things He says are out of love and give us many blessings. His commands are a blessing!
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)
Because of others’ examples:
-Jesus memorized Scripture
Matthew 21:42- Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
-David memorized Scripture
Psalm 119:11- “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
3. We don’t know that we will always have easy access to the Bible.
What if in our lifetime, having a Bible wasn’t legal anymore? Sounds dramatic and probably a little conspiracy theory-ish, but when I was a kid, had you told me that one day, God would be taken out of schools and our country would be run by people who wanted this, I wouldn’t have believed you. But we are living in a world where that is unfortunately becoming the norm. If there is a chance that we could have our Bibles taken and wouldn’t be able to remember what they say without them right in front of us, shouldn’t we be memorizing everything they say and writing them on our hearts so we can always have them as guidance, even if not as physical guides?
That we may not sin against God.
Psalm 37:31 says, “The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.” And in chapter 119:11, the psalmist writes, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” We should meditate on and memorize Scripture so that we won’t sin against God. If His Word is what we think about more often that what we see on TV or on our phones, we will be a lot more aware of our behaviors and our speech, and our character will be more like God’s.
But how??
Most people say that are not good at memorization. But I bet you would be surprised at how good you could be if you just stuck with it! Here are a few ways you can try for yourself:
Just the first letters
Something that has worked for me is just writing the first letter of each word.
For example: Using the verse listed above, Ps. 119:11, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you,” we will just take out the first letter of each word:
IHSUYWIMH,TIMNSAY
P119:11
That way, you can have a little help without seeing the whole word! You can write these letters on post-it notes throughout your house and every time you see them, you must recite the verse out loud. I have even written the letters on my hand before so I can practice throughout the day when not at home.
Bible Memory Apps (just search for this and you will find several options!)
Spiral Index Card Notebook– writing is a great way to learn a verse- and you can quiz yourself with this format!
Dry Erase Board– write the verse out and erase one word at a time, seeing how many times you can recite it, as you take away more and more words.
Scripture Memorization doesn’t have to be dull! There are many ways to commit the Bible to memory and you will be blessed for writing it on your heart!
Share with us what methods you have used to memorize Scripture!
“I would (fill in the blank with some kind of social activity or event you’ve been invited to attend), but I’ve got to get some sleep.“
Do any of the above phrases sound familiar? (I’m sure Dale would respond with a resounding “yes,” if I asked him.) I rarely get enough sleep and all too often complain of being tired. Thankfully, this is something I can easily change with a little intention and discipline.
In our day and age, there is so much going on and are so many distractions to fill our minds and time that we rarely get enough (good) rest. But we need rest! Not only do we need quality sleep to be able to function and be happy, but we also need rest. If there is any evidence of how badly we need rest, it can be found in Genesis 2:2.
2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.”
If our own all-powerful Creator rested, we should definitely be resting too. Of course we need sleep to function. But we need more than sleep. We need rest, to be still. It would greatly benefit us to put away all of our many distractions: TV, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc. These things are fine if used sparingly, but not many of us do.
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 46:10,
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
And in the beginning of 37:7,
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him”
We need to slow down and take time to be still before the Lord. To turn off all the noise and just listen. There’s so much to be gained from quiet time spent with God and we won’t come away from it feeling more tired and drained, but just the opposite. This kind of rest isn’t just good for the body, but good for the soul! If daily Bible study isn’t already a part of your normal routine, try it for a week. Start with maybe 5-10 minutes in the morning and at night. And as you begin to make this a part of your daily habits, increase the time and you will find that it’s never enough!
Eating leftover meals for lunch or dinner is a great way to save money on groceries and save time preparing food after a busy day. There are countless ways to get creative with leftovers, like turning them into casseroles or soups. Nonetheless, the leftovers all get eaten after a few days, or your family gets tired of them and is ready for different meals. Sadly, leftovers don’t last long! As a soon-to-be wife, learning how to work with leftovers has definitely been on my mind. But I also started to think about how easily the idea of “living on leftovers” creeps into our spiritual diet.
Everyone experiences those seasons of life where you have such a full plate (pun intended) that feeding your soul becomes very difficult. It’s in these times that we often start trying to spiritually survive on leftovers. When a week has been stressful or exhausting, think about how a refreshing worship service on Sunday or one hour of mid-week Bible class will keep your soul full and thriving for the other five days of the week. But what happens when an evangelistic opportunity appears or when you’re hit with a conflicting decision or when you suddenly find yourself having doubts or temptations you’ve never before experienced? When these situations arise, it doesn’t take long to realize that leftovers aren’t enough. A fuzzy recollection of Bible verses here and there or a small excerpt from a sermon heard way back when will not be strong enough to sustain spiritual strength. Of course it is good and useful to remember those things, but just like babies mature and require more than a few ounces of milk, so we must continue to grow and ensure that our soul’s appetite grows with us (1 Peter 2:2).
As Christians, constant renewal, growth, and learning are essential to survival. Think about the idea of renewal in Romans 12:2…
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Renewal is a perpetual process; it takes time and intentionality. If you’ve been scraping by on spiritual leftovers, here are a few ideas for feeding your soul throughout the day:
Pray everywhere (1 Thess. 5:17; Jam. 5:13)–At work, while driving, on your lunch break; you can also set reminders on your phone to pray for specific people.
Sing (Psa. 13:6; Eph. 5:19)–Singing or listening to hymns in the car with the kiddos or by yourself is guaranteed to bring joy and encouragement to a new day.
Listen to podcasts or an audio Bible (Psa. 1:1-2; 119:16)–A car ride, lunch break, or any free moment can be filled with the Word.
Set aside time each day for in-depth Bible study (2 Tim. 2:15; Jam. 1:5)–Alone time with God and His Word is the heartiest meal for the soul.
**If you’d like suggestions for podcasts or Bible study tools, feel free to email me at emnem317@gmail.com.
There are many passages in the Bible that describe God’s character, and I’m thankful for that. Anytime I read about His mercy and compassion, it encourages me. His power and might created everything, yet His love is expressed to me personally. What a beautiful truth! It reminds me that I have worth. His holiness demands purity and goodness, yet His grace covers my sinfulness. This makes me want to try harder to live as Christlike as possible. How blessed we are to love and serve our great God!
Gather around the table with your family and look up the answers to these questions so you can be encouraged together. Or just grab a cup of coffee and your Bible and spend a few quiet moments soaking up some reassurance. God is good and always is, no matter what’s going on in the world.
1. How is God described in 2 Cor. 1:3?
2. What three character traits are ascribed to God in Exod. 33:19?
3. What does God abound in according to Exod. 34:6?
4. What words do Psa. 86:15 and Psa. 103:8 have in common?
5. Can you memorize Psa. 116:5? 😀
6. What is God’s compassion compared to in Psa. 103:13?
7. What all did God do for the one who waited patiently for Him in Psa. 40:1-2?
8. What do we learn about God’s lovingkindnesses in Lam. 3:22?
9. What should God’s mercy cause us to do, according to Luke 6:36?
10. What can our High Priest do, according to Heb. 4:15?
I wish I could title this post, “Getting Rid of Stress And Anxiety,” but I don’t think that’s very realistic. With the exception of perhaps childhood, each new phase in life presents its own unique set of challenges. Maybe you find yourself in one of the following situations:
New marriage, new baby, new home, new work. While these are exciting and wonderful, they also call for stamina and courage and wisdom.
Long-term care of an aging parent. In addition to the physical exhaustion is the emotional turmoil of seeing your loved one suffer.
School/ work load. I know some students right now who are being stretched in more ways than they ever expected. Perhaps you’re in the midst of a project or job requirement that’s been going on for so long you can’t remember your last decent night of sleep.
Poor health. After months or years of battling whatever is attacking your body, you wonder if you’ll ever simply feel good.
Financial worries. Finding a job, paying your bills, wondering about retirement, health care…whether you’ve accumulated a mound of debt or you just long for financial security, money can be a very real and daily stressor.
Rocky relationships. Perhaps your marriage is just barely hanging on. Or you’re worried about your grown-up children or a spiritually wayward relative. The people we love most can be a source of great anxiety.
Sometimes stress is temporary and we know it. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel and we’re just trying to get through it. Sometimes stress is ever-present and overwhelming, and we find ourselves trying to survive one day at a time. Whichever we find ourselves facing, there are a few simple, proactive ways to manage stress and anxiety.
1. PRAY
Prayer is probably the first reaction when something causes stress, and I don’t think God resents that. We find many passages reminding us to turn to God in our distress. We’re told to cast ALL of our cares on Him (1 Pet. 5:7). Prayer brings peace in the midst of anxiety (Phil. 4:6,7). When stress is long-term, our prayers can fade or turn sporadic. A renewed desire for God’s listening ear can go far in calming anxieties.
2. MEDITATE
I’m not encouraging “getting your Zen on, man,” but rather committing to quality time in Bible study. I like the quote I ran across the other day– “Meditation is not an emptying of one’s mind, like some religions teach, but a filling of our minds with the truths of God’s Word” (Jen Thorn). The Scriptures are powerful (Heb. 4:12) and strength-giving (Eph. 6:10-17). Neglecting this crucial practice only exacerbates stress and anxiety.
3. BOOST YOUR HEALTH
It’s common knowledge that long-term stress takes a toll on our health. Is there an area of your physical well-being that’s taking a harder hit? See if you could make some small changes for overall well-being:
Exercise. It strengthens the heart, clears mind clutter, and boosts stamina and self-esteem. Take a walk in the morning and try yoga at night. No one ever regrets making time to get the blood flowing.
Water. The benefits are endless. How easy it is to replace empty calorie drinks with water. Add lemon for even more vibrancy.
Sleep. Who hasn’t been robbed of some zzz’s? Sleep is essential for mental clarity and emotional stability. Young moms, get over your guilt and take a nap in the middle of the day when the opportunity presents itself.
Cleaner eating. Bad food equals yucky mood. Studies are now linking a healthy gut to an overall sense of well-being. The last thing we need when anxiety is churning in our gut is to add processed foods or sugar to the mix. Seriously, while it may not be fun to talk about, better eating choices are important when it comes to dealing with stress and anxiety.
4. UNPLUG
We are attached to our devices, aren’t we? They’re everywhere and in every room. Unplugging for a while each day will allow us to focus on those around us, re-appreciate moments of quietness, and even remove some additional anxiety (unpleasant posts on social media, disturbing news, etc.). It’s good to give our eyes a break from any kind of screen. Unplug and listen for natural sounds instead like the wind blowing, leaves rustling, birds chirping.
5. UNCLUTTER
Speaking of devices…we can remove some from our sleeping space for a more peaceful and relaxing environment. Clearing counter tops of paper stacks and junk also helps clear our minds. Taking the time and trouble to make the bed and straighten up makes it easier to drift off to sleep later. Messy rooms add to a feeling of anxiety.
6. UNWIND
Yes, we could probably use that half hour to cross an item off the to-do list, but sometimes the wiser choice would be to intentionally unwind. Don’t think of a soak in the tub as a luxury but as a way of promoting peace and health. Discover the calming benefits of chamomile tea. You might have to develop a taste for it, but consider it an all-natural anti-anxiety medicine. Light a candle, rub your feet with lotion, and take deep breaths. Even a few minutes of slowing down makes a big difference in a trying day.
7. LAUGH
Laughing relieves stress, lifts the mood, and burns calories! Have you laughed today?
8. LOVE
Looking for tangible ways to show our love for others will ultimately lead to our own happiness. Giving feels good. It allows us to step outside of our cares and focus on bringing joy to others. In the midst of your crazy schedule, do something even crazier like adding in a visit to a shut-in or making a homemade, unexpected surprise for someone.
Hopefully these ideas for managing stress haven’t added even more stress. You might be thinking, Who has time for any of THAT?! Some of the tips can be combined, like sipping tea while studying the Bible. Or praying while going for a walk. It’s probably unrealistic to try to hit all 8 tips every single day, but we can be more intentional in handling our anxieties. It will be good for us and for those around us. God has given us many ways to combat stress. We could even add singing, looking for beauty, and counting our blessings. What tips do you have?
“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul” (Psalm 94:19).
Revive Me, Week 44–A Year of Growing Stronger in the Lord
Think Souls
“Who is God putting in front of you?” This question was asked by Pam Randall. She is a soul-winner so when she talks about how to reach others, I want to listen. She is always involved in a Bible study and usually multiple studies. She cares about people and wants them to know the Savior. One time she even struck up a conversation with a stranger in Costco. That stranger is now our sister in Christ! How does she do it? Here are a few of her tips:
You can’t wait until you’re good enough. You just start.
Have a plan for soul-winning. Then you can be ready at any time. Pam uses the Open Bible Study method.
Attach Scriptures to emails, payroll checks, or any other correspondence.
Remember you can study anywhere.
Be a big respecter of their time and they will invite you back.
If you are asked a question you can’t answer, never try to guess it. Write it down and tell them you’ll get back with them.
Send written thank-you notes in the mail. There’s power in that.
Take failure or rejection. If Christ and the apostles were rejected, why shouldn’t we be?
Be slow to be offended. Try never to offend.
Never say, “I think,” or “I believe.” Let the Word speak.
Never put down other religions.
Do the Open Bible Study with your children and grandchildren. Don’t just assume they know it.
Go to assisted living homes and show the “Searching for Truth” DVD.
Remember that when God sees us trying, He will help us (Ex. 4:11,12).
Pam treats the opportunity to share the Good News as an honor. She said, “Isn’t this a wonderful thing that we get to do?” Indeed it is!
Suggestions for the Week:
Create your soul-winning action plan. Be prepared for open doors.
This week ask someone, “Would you like to study the Bible with me?”
Think souls. See people as you go about your day. Smile, interact.
Life and Favor (Job 10:12) 