Bible – Every Day with the King

First Garden

May 10, 2019 everydaywiththeking

One is nearer God’s Heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on Earth.

The quote above is a line from the poem “God’s Garden” written by Dorothy Frances Gurney. You have probably seen it on plaques and other items if you’ve ever visited a garden shop.

Most people enjoy and have some degree of appreciation for gardens even if they’ve never had their own garden. But planting and caring for a garden is an entirely different experience. One that can only be known by doing it yourself.

There are so many amazing things to discover through gardening but the connection between God and gardens is the basis for all of it. This is not my opinion but actually documented in the Word of God.

First review what happened when God spoke on the third day of creation.

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.So the evening and the morning were the third day.

– Genesis 1:11-13

Now read what God did later in chapter 2

The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden,

– Genesis 2:8-9

These are two different events in Genesis.

God spoke and all types of vegetation grew on the earth.
God planted a garden.

The very first garden was planted by God.

Ponder that while you are in your garden today.

Love to know your thoughts about God and gardening.

Please leave a comment below.

Every Day with the King in a garden ♥

Longing

April 29, 2019 everydaywiththeking

The last blog post was about how life is well Worth Living when you are walking with Jesus.

BUT

Does this mean we should be completely content and satisfied?

Or is it good to have a kind of discontentment that urges us to seek something more?

Do you ever find yourself longing?

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

– C.S. Lewis from The Weight of Glory

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death…”

-C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity

So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:18 HCSB

Hebrews chapter 11 tells us a little about some of the people of faith who lived during the time of the Old Testament. They were people who lived with a beautiful longing. Read the entire chapter (see link below) to get the whole picture and then notice verses 13-16.

Hebrews 11

All these whom we have mentioned maintained their faith but died without actually receiving God’s promises, though they had seen them in the distance, had hailed them as true and were quite convinced of their reality. They freely admitted that they lived on this earth as exiles and foreigners. Men who say that mean, of course, that their eyes are fixed upon their true home-land. If they had meant the particular country they had left behind, they had ample opportunity to return. No, the fact is that they longed for a better country altogether, nothing less than a heavenly one. And because of this faith of theirs, God is not ashamed to be called their God for in sober truth he has prepared for them a city in Heaven.

– Hebrews 11:13-16 J.B. Phillips New Testament

May we never find ourselves so comfortable and satisfied that we lose the longing!

Bible, Jesus

Worth Living

April 12, 2019 everydaywiththeking

What makes life worth living?

There are so many possible answers to that question.

For many people this question doesn’t have an answer. Some find themselves drifting from one day to the next without a reason or true purpose. Others have something in their life that makes them feel at least for the moment that it’s all worthwhile. But when circumstances change, health fails, friends leave … life disappoints— then what???

If you are depending on yourself, another person, career, activity, possessions or anything else to make life worth living you are going to find yourself devastated one day. Any and all these things are going to fail to provide a life worth living. Like a dream or an illusion what once seemed so real and lasting will simply be memory.

BUT JESUS SAID

I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). – John 10:10 AMPC
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
-John 10:27 NKJV
I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. – John 14:6 AMPC

Jesus makes life worthwhile!

Life is worth the living because Jesus lives

Do you want to know Jesus? You can start right now. He is waiting for you.

If you have access to a Bible start reading in the gospel of John. Here is a link to read the Bible online – https://www.biblegateway.com/

Matt Maher – Because He Lives (Amen) [Official Lyric Video]

Live your life every day with the King and you will have a life worth living!

Bible, prayer

God Is Limitless

April 1, 2019 everydaywiththeking

Oh, how often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
    and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland.
Again and again they tested God’s patience
    and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
They did not remember his power
    and how he rescued them from their enemies.

-Psalm 78:40-42 NLT

So much becomes clear when we understand the truth of Who we are talking to!

Remember God is always and forever limitless!

Here is a great reminder from Esther Walker.

Bible, Bible study, Jesus

John 21:22

March 26, 2019 everydaywiththeking

John 21:22

Sharing this scripture today as a follow up to the recent post – Envy

Please take a moment to read chapter 21 of the gospel of John. After reading the chapter go back to look at verses 21 and 22.

Here is a link to the chapter on the Blue Letter Bible website → John 21 If you take some time to explore the website, you will discover many tools to help you in your study of the Bible. The page I’ve linked to is the chapter in the KJV because it is the easiest place to start for accessing the tools. However, at the top of the page, you will see where you can easily choose another Bible translation.

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. John 21:22 KJV

Jesus said to him, If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me. NKJV

Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me! – AMPC

If I want him to remain until I come, Jesus answered, what is that to you? As for you, follow Me. -HCSB

If it is my wish, returned Jesus, for him to stay until I come, is that your business, Peter? You must follow me. – J.B. Phillips

If you have read the chapter, you see that Jesus is speaking in response to Peter’s curiosity about John’s future. I don’t know about you, but I can easily follow Peter’s thinking that led him to ask about John in this chapter. I have often found myself wondering about other people’s situations and life story. This is especially likely to happen when things appear to be unfair. This is also the place where wondering and seemingly innocent questions quickly lead to comparison and envy.

John 21 contains the answer for when our focus shifts from following Jesus to wondering about what is going on with other people.

Interesting that this is the last time Jesus speaks in the gospel of John.

Bible, prayer

Envy

March 15, 2019 everydaywiththeking

What comes to mind when you think of envy?

Read the definition here – Envy

Below is a powerful 4 part series on the subject of envy from John Eldredge’s excellent podcast. I personally found it to be a fascinating discussion and also extremely convicting. Can’t imagine there is another resource on the subject that compares to this series. So take some time to listen and then share your thoughts on envy by leaving a comment below.

Bible, Quiet time

Secret Place

March 8, 2019 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

Bring The Books

February 8, 2019 everydaywiththeking

If you’ve read the blog post – Social Media you may find yourself with a renewed interest in books and other activities that you enjoyed before the smartphone takeover.

Randy Alcorn recently wrote about why we should be reading more. He gives a little challenge that I hope you will decide to try.

“PLEASE turn off the television and open a great book and begin to read. Tell yourself you will read a minimum of ten minutes before watching something or looking at a device. I guarantee you that if you do this every day, some days you will never turn on the TV. An hour or two will go by and you’ll realize how much better reading is than watching.” – Randy Alcorn

Read the entire post from Randy Alcorn – Make Reading a Priority—and Let Books Change You—in the Coming Year

Here are a few suggestions

Visit your local Library
Join Goodreads
Explore Podcasts and Blogs about reading like — Modern Mrs. Darcy

Many websites and blogs have a recommended reading page. Do you have some favorite authors? Author websites often have a page with links to reading resources. LifeWay has a separate new website devoted to cultivating a greater love of books – LifeWay.books

Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. – Paul

– 2 Timothy 4:13

We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure time, is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterward you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master’s service. Paul cries, “Bring the books” — join in the cry.

– Charles Spurgeon

Bring The Books!

Do you have a reading suggestion or a comment about books?

Please share ♥

Bible, Bible reading plan

Psalm 19

January 25, 2019 everydaywiththeking

I’m reading each morning in the One Year Bible this year. Psalm 19 was included in the daily reading this week on January 23.

Take a look at the first four verses in the NKJV and AMPC version.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.

Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.

Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world. Psalm 19:1-4 NKJV

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork.

Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge.

There is no speech nor spoken word [from the stars]; their voice is not heard.

Yet their voice [in evidence] goes out through all the earth, their sayings to the end of the world. Psalm 19:1-4 AMPC

Don’t you think it is amazing that God is speaking to us each day everywhere in the world we live in?

Look anywhere and He is to be found if you want to see. Are you looking?

Elizabeth Barrett Browning says it so simply.

Bible, Bible reading plan, Goals

Bible Reading Plan

January 10, 2019 everydaywiththeking

Do you have a daily Bible reading plan for 2019?

This year I’m using The One Year Bible. It is ideal for reading through the entire Bible over the course of a year with each day including a portion from Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.

With so many different ways to go about reading the Bible, sometimes it is confusing to choose a plan. I invite you to join me in reading along in The One Year Bible if you are not currently using a different plan.

See below for links to access this Bible. It is available in paperback, e-book, and online.

Links ↓

The One Year Bible – ChristianBook.com

Link to complete – One Year Bible Online

Joining me? Let me know!

Have a different plan? Please share your Bible reading plan ♥

Check out the – Bible Study Page – for links to more great Bible resources

Tag: Bible