Tag: Bible study

Bible, Quiet time

Secret Place

everydaywiththeking

Many phrases are used to refer to the abiding life but one of my favorites is the secret place. One of the most well-known Psalms begins by describing the life of those who live this way.

Please read Psalm 91:1-2  in your choice of Bible versions. Below are the AMPC and YLT which seem particularly helpful in a study of this portion of scripture.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him, I lean and rely and in Him I [confidently] trust!    – Psalm 91:1-2 AMPC

He who is dwelling In the secret place of the Most High, In the shade of the Mighty lodgeth habitually, He is saying of Jehovah, `My refuge, and my bulwark, my God, I trust in Him,’      – Psalm 91:1-2  Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)

Are you dwelling in the secret place? Are you living every day with the King?

An excerpt from Matthew Henry’s Commentary explains a little about this kind of life.

 …It is the privilege and comfort of those that do so that they abide under the shadow of the Almighty; He shelters them and comes between them and every thing that would annoy them, whether storm or sunshine. They shall not only have an admittance, but a residence, under God’s protection; He will be their rest and refuge forever…

-from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Psalm 91

Read more from the commentary –  HERE

I thank You for the bitter things

They’ve been a friend to grace,

They’ve driven me from the paths of ease

To storm the secret place.

I thank You for the friends who’ve failed

To meet my soul’s deep need;

They’ve driven me to the Savior’s feet

Upon His love to feed.

I’m grateful too, through all life’s way

No one could satisfy,

And so I’ve found in You alone

My rich, my full supply!

– Florence White Willett

Florence White Willett quote

 

Advertisements
Bible study

Summer Bible Studies

everydaywiththeking

Spring is almost over and everyone is busy getting ready for Summer.

Will you be including a Bible Study in your Summer plans?

I have put together a listing of Summer Bible Studies along with their start dates. Follow the links below for all the details. Research the options now and pray about what is the right choice for you. Then you will need to sign up and get your workbook.

Summer Bible Studies

Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study

  • Jesus The One And Only – Beth Moore   – starts on  July 16

Womens Bible Cafe

  • The Quest – Beth Moore  – June 25

Proverbs 31 Ministries

  • Seamless – Angie Smith  – June 25

First 5

  • What Matters Most  – June 18
  • That You May Believe  – July 2

Love God Greatly

  • Truth Over Lies  – June 18

Interested in an E-Course?

For more Bible study links and resources, visit the Bible Study Page

Do you know of a great study that I’ve not included?

You are welcome to share in the comments below.

What study are you planning to do?

Please leave a comment 🙂

Add heading (5)

 

Bible study, Worry

Stop Worrying E-Course

everydaywiththeking

About two years ago I wrote a blog series on the subject of worry.

See all four parts of  〉〉 The Worry Series

I’ve now written some new material containing a strategy for overcoming worry.

Who doesn’t have a problem with worry and stress?

Would you like some help dealing with this?

Stop Worrying is a new E-Course available now

This course provides practical help for dealing with worry presented in a simple step by step manner.

Don’t live as a slave to your worries. You can take steps today and find freedom.

VIEW COURSE »

Stop Worrying 

Worried about the cost of the Stop Worrying E-Course?

This course FREE 🙂

So stop worrying and enroll now!

⇒Stop Worrying

Stop Worrying (1)

Become fully equipped to conquer worry! 

The course along with the blog series is a powerful combination

Enroll in the E-Course AND read the 4 -part → Worry Series 

You will find that the E-Course and the blog series are completely different. Access both to have everything you need to stop worrying! 

Spaces

Jesus, Quiet time

Design Your Daily Quiet Time E-Course

everydaywiththeking

Design Your Daily Quiet Time E-Course will be available soon!

Sign Up Now!

normal_Design_yourDaily_Quiet_Time1__1_

This course is for those who seek to have a daily quiet time but struggle to make it a habit. If you already enjoy a vibrant quiet time each day, I believe you will also find something here to enrich your experience. Enrollment in the course also includes access to a private Facebook group just for participants.

After becoming a believer I lived with the frustration and disappointment of not being able to maintain a consistent daily quiet time habit. It actually was many years before I finally came to the point where I am today. Now my daily quiet time is the best part of my day.

I believe that the practice of a daily time alone with Jesus is the most important thing you can do each day. It is not a task to check off your to-do list nor should it be a struggle to develop.

Without a consistent daily quiet time, you cannot expect your relationship with Jesus to grow! 

This course combined with the private Facebook group (included with enrollment) will provide you with an abundance of practical help, equipping you to design your daily quiet time.

Regardless of what your quiet time experience has been, it can become something to look forward to each day and enjoy!

Design Your Daily Quiet Time E-Course will soon be available! Sign up now!

Sign Up Here

 Design Your Daily Quiet Time

E-COURSE

 

Jesus, Morning devotions, Quiet time

Thank You!

everydaywiththeking

 

My last blog post included a poll for all readers. It was great to watch the results come in and find out what people are looking for from Every Day with the King.

A big thank you to all who participated! I would like to offer you a luscious dessert treat and a cup of coffee or tea. But we’ll have to settle for a picture instead 🙂

Did you take the Poll_The poll turned out to be a confirmation for me to continue work on a project that is now close to being finished.

I am writing an e-course on the subject of developing your daily quiet time. The course is especially for anyone who has struggled in this area.  Those who already practice a consistent daily time with Jesus will be able to benefit from taking the course also.

I ask that you will keep this project in prayer, especially that it will bring glory to God and that He will use it for His purposes.

I have one quick question for you before I go back to working on the course.

What has been the main difficulty for you in developing your daily quiet time?

Hopefully, I will be sharing a post sometime this month to announce the release of my first e-course.

Your comments are always welcome along with your prayers.

Be sure to follow the blog and/or Facebook page so you will not miss anything!

https://everydaywiththeking.com/2018/05/02/thank-you/
Thank You!

Blessings,

Lynn

 

 

 

Bible, Goals, Morning devotions, prayer, Quiet time

First 5

everydaywiththeking
“Ten minutes spent in the presence of Christ every day, aye, two minutes, will make the whole day different.”  – Henry Drummond
If you have read only a few posts here on Every Day with the King, you surely know there are no subjects mentioned more than starting your day with Jesus and Bible studies. Today I would like to suggest an option that is designed for when you have very little time and yet is very adaptable for when you have more time. So whether you have 5 minutes or 30, this is designed to fit your life.

It is – First 5

If you are not familiar with First 5, please take the time to check it out. The app is free. Join and get started today. You will find the daily reading each morning on the app. If you want to order the Experience guide you will find lots of material to expand your study. The guide is completely optional.

The app includes many features to explore. Past studies are always accessible along with the current study. You can comment and be involved at what level is best for you. There are community groups. These are groups where you can meet to discuss the study right there on the app.

The First 5 studies are extremely well written and presented. My favorite thing about First 5 is that it is designed to make everything about starting your day with Jesus so simple!

tulips-2095743_1920

Check out the First 5 Help Page to find so much more information.

Have you experienced First 5?

Leave a comment below 🙂

Bible, Faith, Goals

Simple

everydaywiththeking

Do you feel overwhelmed with   (fill in the blank)  

  • too much information
  • too many choices
  • too much stuff

I could keep adding to the list but I’m sure you get the idea of what I’m talking about. We seem to be drowning in too much everything! It is the cause of a huge amount of the stress people have come to accept as normal.

Recently this overload has been recognized as the cause of terrible stress, resulting in poor physical and mental health. One of the biggest problems is the overload of social media. Are smartphones really a smart idea?

Great that the problem has been identified. Next comes the challenge of what to do about it. It is pretty easy to find some help today. There are books, articles, videos, even entire websites devoted to returning to a simpler lifestyle. You will easily find much on the subject of living better with less, minimalism, and many practical tips to make much-needed changes.

However, I do not think we have explored the problem from the Christian perspective. Many of us are living with an overload in areas like Bible study, prayer, Church activities… There is a constant flood of information, too many choices, and excessive social media options available to the believer today! The availability of all things “Christian” sounds good, but is it all too much? I think so. What do you think? The explosion of instantly available materials, social media and more in the Christian world has contributed to our loss of focus. We begin to drift from the simple basics of our faith.

Here’s what I asked on Facebook this week ↓

Question:
What comes to mind when you think of the word SIMPLE? 

I was writing this post and wondered if SIMPLE was the right word to use. After reading comments that people shared I feel encouraged. I think I’m starting to hear the rumbling of a move toward returning to the simple basics of the Christian life! 🙂

First, let’s define simple

1. easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.

2. not elaborate or artificial; plain:

3. not ornate or luxurious; unadorned:

4. unaffected; unassuming; modest: a simple manner.

5. not complicated: a simple design.
6. not complex or compound; single.

7. occurring or considered alone; mere; bare: the simple truth; a simple fact.

 (Go to Dictionary.com-simple to find more on the definition of simple)
Looking at definitions causes me to wonder why simple has been so undervalued. It seems that it should be especially desirable for followers of Jesus.

 Let’s take a look at a portion of scripture that might be helpful in understanding how we go off track.

Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed.  “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!”

 The manna looked like small coriander seeds, and it was pale yellow like gum resin.  The people would go out and gather it from the ground. They made flour by grinding it with hand mills or pounding it in mortars. Then they boiled it in a pot and made it into flat cakes. These cakes tasted like pastries baked with olive oil.  The manna came down on the camp with the dew during the night.

Numbers 11:4-9  NLT

 How could it be that God’s provision of daily bread from heaven was not satisfying to the people? Manna was not good enough? These verses seem to indicate an influence from other people and a looking back at the world they left behind. God set these people apart but instead of praising God for His care they craved something more… Simple manna didn’t seem like enough.
Today there is a call from the world to join in a quest for the latest new thing. The push is for constant updating. The result of this influence causes us to think we need to read the latest book, use the newest prayer model, follow the latest Christian social media, join multiple Bible studies… Meanwhile, maybe you never got around to just sitting down with Jesus and reading His word for you today.
Sometimes what we need is to let some things go and cling to what truly matters. Is Jesus enough for you_
In 2 Corinthians 11:3 Paul warned against drifting from the simplicity that is in Christ.
God’s word is never outdated.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
The Holy Spirit has a training course that is perfectly designed for you!
We have the written word = Bible

                         Living Word = Jesus

Jesus said

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and over-burdened, and I will give you rest! Put on my yoke and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30  J.B. Phillips New Testament

Let’s listen to someone who never seemed to forget the power of the simple basics.

Click on one of the links below to watch ↓
Apparently, some are now debating if Billy Graham’s theology was too simple. What do you think? Who wants to join me in a return to the simple basics?
Please comment below ♥
Is Jesus enough for you_ (1)
Bible

Purpose of Bible Study

everydaywiththeking

As we enter the season of Fall many of us are excited to be starting new Bible studies!

So, let’s stop and think for a moment about our motivation.

What is the purpose of Bible study?

Choosing to study the Bible is obviously a wise use of your time. You might describe this activity as having eternal value and it’s worth truly priceless.

However, we must always keep in mind the true purpose of studying the scriptures. For those of us who enjoy the process of study, there is the danger of becoming consumed with the study itself. Take a look a what Jesus said in John 5:39-40.

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.                -John 5:39-40      

You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me! And still you are not willing [but refuse] to come to Me, so that you might have life.       John 5:39-40 AMPC

Why do you study the Bible?

This is an important question to ask yourself.

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.   – John 17:3 NKJV

And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.   -John 17:3 AMPC

This is eternal life:
that they may know You, the only true God,
and the One You have sent – Jesus Christ.   -John 17:3 HCSB

 

 

Surround your study time with prayer and make sure your motive is all about Jesus!

 

Untitled design (1)

Bible

September Bible Studies

everydaywiththeking

August is rushing by and we will soon find ourselves flipping a page on the calendar.

SEPTEMBER

calendar-2633812_640Back to school, cooler weather, scarves, jackets… September is also time for new Bible studies. There are many groups, local and online offering Bible studies beginning at the end of August or within the first two weeks of September.

Now is the time to research what is available and make a choice so that you’ll be ready. Be sure to ask God what study He has planned for you to join. Don’t just ask but listen for the answer. Pray about it now and then begin exploring the options. In the course of your research, you will likely come to realize the particular study God is directing you toward.

We have an abundance of Bible study choices today. The search can become an overwhelming task. That’s why I’m providing a listing in this post of online Bible study groups. Follow the links for all details. You will also find more about Bible study options on the Every Day with the King Facebook page.

Explore and enjoy!September Bible Studies

The List

Womens Bible Cafe

  • Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks – by Priscilla Shirer

Proverbs 31 Ministries     

  • Worthy: An Online Bible Study based on She’s Still There – by Chrystal Evans Hurst      

Inductive Bible Studies from Precept Ministries (Kay Arthur)

  • Scroll through a list of inductive studies and groups  

Heart to Heart – Shari Lewis Ministries            

  • Sermon on the Mount – by Jen Wilkin         

 Read Thru the Word – with Wendy Pope     

  • this is a read through the entire Bible plan that begins each January 1
  • Join in at any time of the year! Learn all about it at the website.
  • September 24th will be the first day of New Testament reading 
 [For year-round Bible study links and resources, visit the Bible Study Page ]

Do you know of a great study group that I’ve not included? You are welcome to share in the comments below.

What study are you planning to do?

Please leave a comment 🙂

 

 

 

Bible, prayer

Aware

everydaywiththeking

Before Jesus died, He told His followers that He would leave them. BUT He promised that they would receive the Holy Spirit who would be with them forever (John 14:16). After His death and resurrection, He told His followers that they would receive power through the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). Jesus did not leave His followers as orphans but sent the Holy Spirit to indwell them (John 14:18). The Holy Spirit did come (Acts 2:1-4, 18, 32-33). Also see Ephesians 3:14-19. See the blog post Acts 1:8

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.  – 1 John 3:24

If Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, you are living daily in His presence. You are never alone because He is always with you. Do you live like this is true?

When we live aware it leads to a life of Adventure with Jesus

 “The Presence of God is the central fact of Christianity. At the heart of the Christian message is God Himself waiting for His redeemed children to push into conscious awareness of His Presence.”    – A. W. Tozer

The Problem

As I said in the blog post, Constant Prayer, one of the marvelous things about a relationship with Jesus is that He is constantly present.

Our problem is forgetting He is there!

Why do we forget?

We forget because we cannot SEE!

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples, therefore, said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.    – John 20:24-31  NKJV

There is so much for us to drink in from the above passage of scripture. Please take the time to explore it beyond a quick read. Don’t do it alone. Ask Jesus to reveal Himself through the Word and make you aware of His presence there with you. The Living Word and the written Word are meant to go together.

I don’t want to settle for being awake. I want to live awake and aware!

How about you?

Are you interested in practical steps to help live in the awareness? Sign up to follow the blog. Also, follow on Facebook for even more.

Aware (1)