Tag: Bible

Bible study

Bible Study Methods

everydaywiththeking

Last week was the last of “Question of the week” on the Facebook page.

Copy of Question of the Week

This post is a follow up on the topic of Bible study methods.

BUT FIRST

Before reading this post please take a brief pause to ask yourself one simple but extremely important question:

Why do I want to study the Bible?

Why is such a powerful question! It clears the confusion and brings what is truly important into focus. Once you are certain of your why then it’s time to think about how.

Bible study for me is an activity with one constant goal that doesn’t change regardless of the method used for the study. My why is to know Jesus. I don’t just want to learn and understand about Him but truly actually KNOW JESUS! 

However

I have definitely experienced times of losing sight of the true goal and forgetting my why. To know more about that problem, please read this earlier post Purpose of Bible Study

Bible Study Methods

A method is a way to go about doing a Bible study. You could say that a method of Bible study is a kind of framework or structure to organize what you are doing.

Choosing a method for personal Bible study

Let’s explore this subject by considering a few questions:

  • what comes to mind when you think of Bible study methods?
  • why use a method at all?
  • Do you currently use a particular method?
  • Does it matter what method you use?

I think it does matter what method of studying the Bible is used. Not because one way is necessarily better than another but there is likely a certain Bible study method that is more beneficial for you. Discovering the best method will result in an enjoyable, rich and rewarding experience.

If you are finding Bible study to be a great experience you are probably using the best method for you. But if not, you may want to explore different types of Bible study methods.

Resources for you ↓

Here is a page that is absolutely packed with helpful links. I recommend visiting and bookmarking it – How to Study the Bible

More helpful links can be found on the Bible Study page

Please leave comments below or contact me – HERE

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

 

 

 

prayer, Quiet time

Daily Meeting

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Are you spending some time alone with God each morning? If not, do you make time in the evening or some other time each day?

This post is especially for those who say they don’t have time to meet with God each day.

Surely you will agree that nothing on your agenda could be more important than time with God.

Perhaps you’ve experienced a great struggle to make it happen. Does it seem there are endless interruptions to your plan to have a quiet time with the Lord?

Sometimes expressing something in a different way is very enlightening. So I’m going to list a few different ways to say there isn’t time for meeting with God each day. 

  • I have more important things to do than spend time with God
  • I’m fully capable and ready to plunge into my day without consulting with the Lord
  • Jesus will have to wait
  • I’ll take the time to meet with God when I’ve done everything else I need/want to do

What do you think about those statements? If you are a follower of Jesus, I know you don’t agree with any of them. However, wouldn’t it be more truthful to say something from the statements above than to claim there isn’t enough time to meet with God?

The undeniable truth is that you will find a way to do what you truly want to do!

When meeting with God each day becomes your top priority you will find a way to make it happen.

What if you lack the desire to devote time to meeting with God? If this is the case, consider asking God to give you the desire to spend time with Him. You may soon be surprised by how quickly your desire can grow.

The next step for most people is simply setting your alarm clock for an earlier time.

NOTE: If you are not accustomed to spending any time with God at the start of your day, you should begin with a little time and add more as you go along. It is better to increase the time gradually than struggle with unreasonable expectations and end up quitting the habit before it can be established.

Day by day you will be investing your time in the best way!

You may want to check out Design Your Daily Quiet Time

Daily Meeting (2)

 

 

 

Bible, controversial

Dark Days

everydaywiththeking

October 9, 2019

The news reports are showing people fleeing the Turkish attacks that began a few hours ago. Panic and confusion are taking over and the skies are dark from the smoke.

Stumbling to the slaughter

Deliver those who are drawn toward death,And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know t

Links to check out ↓

The Jerusalem Post

Christianity Today Article

For a little background on the current President of Turkey read this article I wrote for another website in 2016 Attempted Military Coup in Turkey

You may also be interested in this blog post Warning – You Might Not Like This

One more that you may possibly want to read on the subject of current events from a Christian perspective Christian Reaction

Comments are always welcome

Bible, books, Jesus

First Week of October

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If you missed it, please read last week’s blog post Fall Changes

Welcome to October!

I know that some parts of the United States have experienced snowstorms this week. That’s hard for me to imagine because here in Virginia, we are continuing to have temperatures in the 90s each day. The weather forecasters are saying that we will have a beautiful weekend with temperatures dropping into the 70s beginning on Friday! So I’m looking forward to enjoying some outdoor activities on Saturday.

This is the first week of the new Fall schedule. Here’s what was posted on the Facebook Page.

Monday

Question of the Week

Question of the Week

Please leave your answer in the comments below or answer on the Facebook page.

Wednesday

David Crowder Live: How He Loves & After All (Holy)

We will end the week with the topic of books tomorrow. But you can participate today 🙂

Friday

What will you be reading this weekend_ (1)

Please don’t leave yet.

Take a moment to share your answers below.

This new Fall schedule is incomplete without your participation ♥

  • Who is your favorite person from the New Testament other than Jesus?
  • what will you be reading this weekend?

First Week of October

As always any comments or questions are welcome. If you would rather your comment not be posted you have the option of sending a private EMAIL

I hope you are walking every day with King Jesus. He invites you to come with Him today. Need to know more about this invitation?

Visit the following link >>> The Good News

 

 

Bible study

Purpose of Bible Study

everydaywiththeking

Before reading this post please take a brief pause to ask yourself one simple but extremely important question:

  • Why do I want to study the Bible?

Why is such a powerful question!

It clears the confusion and brings the truth into focus.

Bible study for me is an activity with one constant goal that doesn’t change regardless of the method used for the study. My why is to know Jesus. I don’t just want to learn and understand about Him but truly actually KNOW JESUS!

(The following is from a post I wrote 2 years ago)

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

Surround your Bible study time with prayer and make sure your motive is all about Jesus!
everydaywiththeking.com

Love to know your thoughts about the purpose of Bible study.

Please leave a comment below or send an EMAIL

 

Bible, Corrie ten Boom

You Have An Enemy

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Who is this enemy?

Recognizing the enemy is crucial!

It’s not a person or anything in the physical world that you can see.

Ephesians chapter 6 is a great place to find the truth and important instructions about dealing with the enemy.

Let’s look at Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  – Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.   -Ephesians 6:12  AMPC

In conclusion be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless resource. Put on God’s complete armor so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organizations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ’s men and women.    -Ephesians 6:12-18  J.B.Phillips

To live the overcoming life we must keep our focus steady on Jesus and not be distracted by enemy schemes. This is not accomplished in our own power but through Jesus who is Victor! 

Corrie ten Boom’s example shows the importance of being aware of the enemy’s true identity. She wrote much about her experience of victory through Jesus. 

I often looked death in the eye when I was a prisoner. When I saw the smoke go up from the crematorium I asked myself, “When will it be my turn to be killed?” I did not know that one week before they killed all the women my age I would be set free through a miracle of God and a blunder in the administration. When you look at death you see everything in such an uncomplicated way. I saw that the devil was strong, much stronger than I, but then I looked at Jesus. He was strong, much stronger than the devil. Together with Him, I was much stronger than the devil. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Lord Jesus, thank You that when we are yoke-fellows with You, we stand on victory ground. Hallelujah!     – Corrie ten Boom

Visit Corrie ten Boom to learn more about this amazing woman of faith

Comment below or contact me directly by email Lynn@everydaywiththeking.com

You Have An Enemy (2)

 

books, Jesus

Plan For Difficult Times

everydaywiththeking

Your life might be going well right now or you might be in the middle of a mess. As someone has said we are usually in a difficult time, just coming out of one or about to enter a difficult season. Sooner or later problems, pain, hard times and loss are sure to come your way. Because many of us tend to procrastinate about so much in life, we are often caught by surprise when painful events barge into our lives.

How about preparing a go-to formula to help us during the inevitable hard times?

Let’s look at an approach to painful times that may be helpful in any season.

In her book “Though the Mountains Shake“, Amy Carmichael tells about her meeting Andrew Murray while they were both in England during the year 1895. She shares her impression of him and how he handled a painful time he experienced.

The following is taken from Amy Carmichael’s writing about Andrew Murray.

“I knew that his books were very good. Not that I had read one of them, but a neat row of them, dressed in sober grey, lived in my mother’s room, and she and everybody said how good they were. Was he as good as his books? He was better; for there was not only goodness, there was a delicious dry humor, dauntless courage, and the gentleness and simplicity of a dear child. And he was very loving.”

“Then something painful happened. This is how he met it: He was quiet for a while with his Lord, then he wrote these words for himself”

First He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest.

Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to behave as His child.

Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.

Last, in His good time He can bring me out again–how and when He knows.

Let me say I am here,

  1. By God’s appointment
  2. In His keeeping
  3. Under His training
  4. For His time

I am sure that Andrew Murray still felt the pain but he knew where to look for help and Who to trust to bring him through. Trusting in Jesus is the only way.

It is a mystery perhaps, but when we are at the lowest places we may sense the nearness of Jesus more keenly than at any other time. I know I have.

Jesus knows well all our sorrows in all seasons. See Isaiah 53:3-5 and Hebrews 4:14-15

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. See John 14

Plan For Difficult Times (1)

Do you have a plan for the painful times?

Please leave a comment below.

You can also send me an email Lynn@everydaywiththeking.com

 

Live every day with the King!

 

 

 

 

Jesus

Luke 14:26-30

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IMG_20160810_103741This is a picture of my old shirt. I bought it at a Steve Camp concert in the early 90s. And I still wear it!

Consider The Cost is a song title. The song is a summary of Luke 14:26-30.

Many today are presenting a very different message about following Jesus. A very wrong message! I am talking about people who attempt to share Jesus as if they are giving a sales pitch. The approach is like a commercial for a new product. Pressuring people to act quickly resulting in more sales converts.

If you have been told that becoming a Christian is the way to achieve your dreams and goals, you’ve been the victim of a dangerous lie. Jesus is not making you an offer of health, wealth and unlimited worldly success.

Becoming a follower of Jesus is by far the most important thing you will ever do in your life. It is not something trivial to be entered into lightly without understanding. It seems strange that people are cautioned when entering marriage but rushed into becoming a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus said

If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you.  They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

 Luke 14:26-30  NLT

Consider the cost of following Jesus

Song by Steve Camp  from the album Consider The Cost (1991)

 

IMG_20160810_115248
Consider the cost 

Take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below

Be sure to follow this blog so you won’t miss a post!

You can also contact me by email Lynn@everydaywiththeking.com

 

Bible, Faith, Goals

Simple

everydaywiththeking

Can you believe it is July already? We are halfway through 2019! I hope your summer is off to a good start and that you are making time to enjoy the simple pleasures this season offers. Here is something I love at this time of the year. The Mimosa trees are in bloom ♥

IMG_20190603_184044222_HDR

Going to share a post with you today that was originally posted in March of 2018.

Pour yourself a glass of ice tea and maybe sit in the shade while reading. Afterward please share your thoughts in the comment section below. I would love to hear from you!

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 exposed the problem of too much within the Christian community. 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 ↓

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

When you have the time, 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 ♥
IMG_20190603_183951237_HDR - Edited
Mimosa tree near my house
Corrie ten Boom

Tapestry

everydaywiththeking

Have you ever found yourself confused and questioning God’s plan for your life? Certainly, God’s ways are often mysterious.

When Corrie ten Boom spoke to audiences, she would often hold up a piece of embroidery with hundreds of tangled threads hanging from it. Many wondered if she was holding up the wrong side by mistake.

As she held up the messy side of the embroidery she would ask “Does God always grant us what we ask for in prayers? Not always. Sometimes He says ‘No’. That is because God knows what we do not know. Look at this piece of embroidery. The wrong side is chaos. But look at the beautiful picture on the other side- the right side.” Then she would flip the cloth over and reveal an elaborately embroidered crown- symbolizing our crown of eternal life. The crown was intricately stitched and had threads of many colors, including gold, silver, and pearls.

“We see now the wrong side; God sees His side all the time. One day we shall see the embroidery from His side, and thank Him for every answered and unanswered prayer.”

5ef28cbfecc66e5ae9e5a80e0aac9f3a

This mysterious tapestry of your life is an intricate combination of events, each added at just the right time and in the right order. You can’t see the pattern but you can trust God to complete the design.

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands. 

 – Psalm 138:8  NKJV

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

-Philippians 1:6  AMPC

Corrie ten Boom often shared the following poem.

The author is unknown. The poem is titled The Tapestry of My Life or The Weaving

My Life is but a weaving between my Lord and me; I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily. Oft times He weaveth sorrow And

Visit the Corrie ten Boom page to learn about her amazing life of faith.