Welcome to my new digs. My blog site got a face lift...now for its writer lol. It's kind of like that feeling you have after getting a fresh new hairstyle...you have a little bounce in your step. I hope you will always feel welcome here and feel like kicking off your sandals and taking a walk along the shore! Okay, let's go...
I was looking at my tagline scripture below my blog title.
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)
This line from God's Word is so very true, yet I struggle some, no many, days with being in His Word. Oh how I want to have a heart like David's. I believe God called David a man after His own heart because David LOVED the Word.
Oh how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. (David speaking in Psalm 119:97)
Over and over again in the Psalms, David talks about his love for the law...for God's Word. It's like a drug that he can't get enough of. Oh how I want to be like David!
Sometimes, for me, making time to read the Bible is like making time to exercise. I know God tells me to do it. I know it's good for me. I know after I do it, I feel great and I wonder just what it was that kept me from doing it in the first place. Do you ever feel like that?
Nothing is so fulfilling to me as having a session with God...communing with Him in His Word...digging and mining His Truth for nuggets of gold...yet I hesitate....Why?
I know that in this world there is always a struggle between good and evil. This is no minor struggle, it is an epic battle.
The enemy would like nothing more than to isolate me from God and destroy me.
The enemy delights when my attention gets caught up in some other "shiny" object - the TV, Facebook, internet surfing, my phone, you name it.
Every minute he pulls me away from God's Word, he pulls me closer to destruction.
So what is one to do to not be a deer in the headlights when it comes to being in the Word regularly?
If you're like me, you gotta have a plan. I need a road map...you too? Google "Bible Reading Plans". You will find chronological plans (read the Bible in 90 days, 1 year, 2 years), historical plans that paint the landscape of our spiritual heritage, in depth chapter studies, studies that combine some of the Old and New Testaments each day, Word studies that dig into Hebrew and Greek roots, studies with commentaries... My point being is there are a myriad of ways to study the Bible. (Other than the open the Bible and see which page you land on method).
Have a plan. Have a daily plan. Make an appointment on your calendar with God and keep it. (I am talking quite frankly to myself here!!!)
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give to you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind then on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6: 4-9)
The following points are from excerpts of a message I heard at church...
The hand of the Lord is with us when we are....
1. Taking in the Word of the Lord.
For the gracious hand of his God was upon him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach the statutes in Israel. (Ezra 7: 9b-10)
God's hand on Ezra had something to do with God's Word being IN Ezra.
I noticed how Ezra didn't stop at taking in the Word of the Lord....he did it....and he taught it. I am gently convicted by God to not stop at just taking in God's Word. No, there's much more.
The hand of the Lord is with us when we are...
2. Walking out the Word of the Lord.
For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel. (Ezra 7:10)
Study it>> Do it >> Teach it
I am seeing, more and more, that understanding comes from obedience and true transformation comes from obedience.
Obedience is taking a step of faith.
God commands me to be in His Word. He does this not to just be bossy. He wants to commune with me. He wants to breathe fresh new life into me. He wants to transform my life....if I will just do it!! (Think Nike swoosh)
I can do this. I can take a step of faith knowing that God is good, and loving, and merciful and He has only my best in mind. There is a life-giving reason He wants me in His Word daily. The question is:
Will I be obedient to Him and just DO IT?
I am starting a daily reading plan on the New Testament. The focus of this plan is none other than Jesus!! Will you pick a plan and join me?
What keeps you from being in God's word? What benefit could you reap from studying scripture? What detriment could there be for not being in the Word?
What works for you? I'd love for you to share...
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for all the excuses I give for not being in Your Holy Word on a daily basis. Please give me the determination to want to be obedient to you - to want to commune with you in the best way you've given me - The Bible. Help me to turn away from distractions that the enemy sets before me. Keep my eyes from turning away from your Word. Teach me, O Lord to LOVE...really LOVE being in your Word. Help me to not only take it in but to walk it out - to study it, and to do it, and to teach it. Enable me to become more like Jesus (your desire for me) by setting my heart on your precious Word. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Be blessed.....
ps. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for putting the Word of God into the hands of the orphaned and impoverished children that attend Redeemer Christian Foundation's school in the Middle East. Each child has a Bible in Urdu - their native tongue.
THANK YOU as well for putting a computer in the school (the Director's laptop was getting a real workout). Thank you for giving these children hope through getting to know the love of Jesus for them and having the chance at an education and hope for the future.
Here is Kajol doing some independent study on the computer...
We currently have just one computer for nearly 50 children learning on multiple levels. Would you help us put another computer in the classroom?
Love your new look!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah!
DeleteIt's always fun to get a fresh look and do something new and different. I love walking along the surf by the ocean, so Traci (designer) captured this perfectly. So glad you like it here :)
Blessings friend,
Bev
Yes, I love your new look as well! It's so inviting and cozy! Which really fits with your topic today--when I step away from the distractions, then I see God's Word drawing me in, inviting me to that place of intimacy with Him! Thanks for such great thoughts today! --Blessings!
ReplyDeleteBettie,
DeleteThanks!! I think it looks inviting...who wouldn't love to plop in that beach chair for awhile?? You make a good point - God's Word draws us in. I know once I start reading, I get caught up in communing with Him. It's the initial pull myself away from the world and sit with His word step that hangs me up at times. Always love your thoughts!
Blessings,
Bev
'Understanding comes through obedience." Much wisdom injust four words! We tend to think understanding has to come before obedience. Concerning daily Bible reading: What works for me is a first-thing-in-the-morning quiet time. I love starting the day with Bible study (I use workbooks and study guides that push my thinking). But some days early commitments interfere with that "appointment;" I find it difficult to make it up later in the day. Thank you for this loving nudge, Bev, to just DO it. As you say, "There is a life-giving reason He wants [us] in His Word daily."
ReplyDeleteNancy,
DeleteI'm definitely a first thing in the morning (or close to it) person too. I find if I get to far into the day then the day has a habit of running away from me. Plus, when we start in His word it sets the tone for the day. As a person who always wants to understand and have an explanation, God is teaching me that sometimes I just need to obey! Joining you in just doing it :)
Blessings friend,
Bev
I love the new look here! And yes, I struggle to get in the Word on a daily basis. Life takes over, but it's the Word that continually brings life and refreshes my soul.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbie,
DeleteWhy, then, do we put off what brings life and refreshes the soul?? That's the million dollar question. Oh, the pull of the world and the enemy who would like nothing better than to keep us from communing with God. So glad you love the "look" :)
Blessings,
Bev
Bev, such a good post! You are so right - it all starts with a plan. And when we stick to the plan, He enriches our lives in such a way that our desire to stick to the plan grows in increasing measure. Your new site is just beautiful and I am glad to have stopped here this morning. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteJoanne,
DeleteI am no good without a plan and even with that, I still need to pull myself away from the world. When I do, I am NEVER disappointed. Thanks for the feedback on my site!
Blessings friend,
Bev
This is a wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Tim Keller's book 'Prayer' with our care group and the chapter we just studied was all about meditating on God's Word. It was so insightful and had a lot of the same points as you have here. Here are a few quotes that I loved: "When we respond in trust to the Word of God, then prayer becomes a conversation with God." 'If prayer is to be a true conversation with God, it must be regularly proceeded by listening to God's voice through meditation on the Scriptures." He describes meditation as, 'using the mind intensely' to ponder and question thoroughly' and that it does not empty the mind of rational thought', but rather 'is quite rational, even argumentative' Ex. David crying out in the Psalms.
It's so important in our walk with God to read and meditate on the Scriptures so that we can grow in Him. Thanks for sharing these truths and encouraging us to study God's Word!
Cathy,
DeleteGreat insights...so true that we need to not only read the Word but meditate on it. God has given us a counselor - the Holy Spirit to help us interpret and apply His Word to our lives. It does take meditating and listening...not just talking at/to God!! We can't grow in God without meditating on His Word regularly. Thanks so much for sharing!
Blessings,
Bev
Oh, my goodness! I almost didn't recognize the site thinking I'd stumbled across a new friend! Thanks for not changing the TRUE TRUTH that you share -- whenever I read Psalm 119, I'm convicted that my love for the Word is not what it should be.
ReplyDeleteMichele,
DeleteLOL...yes it's ME :) Figured I needed a 50,000 mile tune up ! Always fun to get a new look and Traci captures my "visions" so well. Oh that I could walk along that beach for real each day. This side of Heaven, I don't know that any of us have the love for the Word that we ought to have. It gives life, yet, I like a creature of old ways and comfort, slog away in my old habits. I think it's okay to pray for God to give us a love and thirst for His Word...praying that for us both, friend!
Blessings,
Bev
Bible reading plans are so great! Between the YouVersion app on my phone, She Reads Truth, and First 5, I feel so grateful to live in a day and age where God's word is so accessible and truly so simple to access. It makes all the difference - and keeps me accountable! Though, I still have to make a point of doing it!
ReplyDeleteThe new blog is so lovely, Bev and you're smile is so welcoming! I'm relaunching my blog today and you're welcome and invited to stop by and join the celebration! So glad I visited today from #testimonytuesday.
Tiffany,
DeleteThanks for all the helpful apps and sites to find Bible reading plans! Like you said, we still have to make a point of following the plan! I'll try to pop by your new blog!!
Blessings,
Bev
Lovely post, Bev. I gotta be honest. For some reason, the past month has been really hard for me getting into God's word. I have always been so good about it. Life during this school year has been CRAZY. I am working to get to bed earlier so I can get up earlier to spend time with Him. I notice my behavior when I'm not in His word . . . and it ain't pretty.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the reminder that it's important for me--especially my spiritual self--to be in His word, reading, meditating, applying.
Jeanne,
DeleteI think we ALL have seasons when it is harder than others to get into, and stay in the Word. The enemy loves to keep us distracted with chaos and activity. Like you, I don't like the person I become when I'm not in the Word. Thank you so much for your honesty!
Blessings,
Bev
Love the new look, Bev! And I'm so glad you're encouraging us to get in the word. There's nothing more powerful or encouraging in our lives than our times at the Savior's feet.
ReplyDeleteBeth,
DeleteOh how I want to be Mary at Jesus' feet and not Martha scurrying around just being busy!! Glad you like the new look :)
Blessings,
Bev
Bev, your blog looks fantastic! Love it. And yes, the enemy has been trying to pull be away for the Word lately too and I am determined to get disciplined again in spending time within it daily. It's amazing how easy it is to be slowly pulled away. Your post is just what I needed today. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAbby,
DeleteThat's what we're all here for...to hold each other accountable. I can't even fathom how you find a quiet moment to be in the Word. Praying for you as your little girl is soon to be born.
Blessings friend,
Bev
Love the new look, too. And I sense an excitement and refreshment in your writing, Bev, as you delve into God's Word. Only He offers true refreshment.
ReplyDeleteRachel,
DeleteI feel like it's "Where in the World is Rachel Britton?" Never sure which side of the Pond you're going to show up on :) So glad you popped by here. Yes, the more I delve into His Word, the more energized I get!
Blessings,
Bev
Great new look ok and reminders to keep abiding in His Word! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJill,
DeleteThanks for popping by. "Abide" is my favorite word...that's where I want to be...abiding in His Word.
Blessings,
Bev