Keeping It Real

Can I just be real with you for a second?

I want to humbly say that I mess up on a moment to moment basis. I think thoughts that disgust me. I say words that I regret. I do things I shouldn't, and I don't do many things that I should. My favorite thing about each new morning is that I haven't messed up yet, but it sure doesn't take long for the mistakes to start piling up. Praise the Lord His mercy out weighs my faults! His mercies are new every morning and continue to cover my mess-ups all day long. (Lamentations 3:22-23) He is so good to me!

I am preparing for our 30 days of Bible reading together, and I am getting so excited hoping we have a good sized group join us. Join with me in the preparations through prayer, and give this study to God. Ask that He be glorified and His will for this challenge will be accomplished on our hearts and lives. This challenge is not about me and what I say, it's not about you and what you think. It's all about Him. Let's pray together that we keep the main thing the main thing.

On the real... this idea for this 30 day Bible reading challenge came about one day while I was drying my hair, pondering the Word I had read just a few moments before, and praising Him in song. My first response was huh, interesting idea. I will think about it and pray about it. My very next thought was "...to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17. So I sat down at my computer and wrote my challenge invitation to you. Yes. I often work on impulse this way. It's sometimes good and sometimes bad. I knew if I thought too much about it I would talk myself out of it, or just put it off and torture myself with my thoughts for months before surrendering to the idea that it is what I am supposed to do.

Immediately after publishing the post self doubt set in. The negative talk. Why do you think you have the ability to do such a thing? Why would anybody care to join you in such a thing... they already have devotion books to read. Your blog is no comparison to books already published. You are wasting your time... I'm serious. I made myself sick with my thoughts all day while praying for God's help to do what I felt like He had guided me to do.

So, being real with you, I desire for this to be a very God centered month of Bible reading together. I pray that Christ would be seen and not me. All arrows pointing to Him.

We will be using Tim LaHays' book as a guideline for our reading. You can find his book on Amazon for less than $10 if you want your own copy. I highly recommend it. I love studying the Bible in this way without a devotion book or commentary, prayerfully asking the Holy Spirit to give me understanding and to speak to me. I write down verses that stand out and thoughts that I have. I do also use devotion books now and then, but my daily study is just God's Word and I. One reason is that I love to see God's power to speak to me demonstrated. It strengthens my faith in such a profound way. There is a warning though... You must not rely on your own interpretation of scripture. I won't go into this too much right now other than to say that the Bible only means what God means it to mean not what you want it to mean. If you want to know more about why I like to study the Bible this way you can read the first and following posts on this blog, or feel free to ask any questions you have.

Prayerfully preparing, I again invite you to join me for 30 days of Bible reading together in the month of November.

You are Invited!

I personally invite you to join me in a 30 Day Bible Reading Challenge!

Why?
Because I thrive on challenges. They are just so fun!

(Wait! Don't stop reading! This is good stuff!)

Why?
1. Because I love the results you can see in 30 days of dedication to something.
2. Because it takes 21 days to create a habit.
3. My favorite part is the group effort and the community building aspect of a group challenge.

Why a Bible Reading Challenge?
I will answer that with Scripture...
To be transformed Romans 12:1-2
To know Him Philippians 3:10
To be more like Christ 2 Corinthians 3:18
To have an understanding of His Word Psalm 119:27, 33, 34...
To grow a love for His Word Psalm 119
To draw closer to Him James 4:8
To be able to always give an answer! Peter 3:15

This is what it will be.
1. 30 days of Bible reading approximatelly (but not limited to) 3 chapters a day.
2. I will post the Bible reading daily on this blog.
3. I will ask you to comment daily here on the blog or on the Facebook post. Simply state that you have completed the daily reading. You can also leave comments or questions about the reading. Feel free to leave prayer requests as well.
4. You will need a Bible, a journal and a pen/pencil/highlighter.

FYI I prefer the King James Version. I use the Nelson King James Study Bible, because I love the study notes. The notes usually clarify anything I don't understand. If you do not have a Bible I can help you with that. Also you can find in on line. I use www.biblegateway.com. If you have questions or comments about my preference please private message me on Facebook. I do not wish to start a debate on versions.

This challenge is for everybody! It is for dedicated daily Bible readers - we may need your insight to answer questions. It is for people who struggle with the daily habit of Bible reading. It is for those who have never read the Bible at all or never consistently. It is for agnostics and atheists - challenge your beliefs. I encourage you all - I dare you all to take part.

Here is why I would like to extend this challenge to those who don't know, understand, or believe the Bible...

Say you have a beautiful picture of a decant chocolate cake with a full description of the taste, the richness and the texture. You cannot make the decision if that is your favorite cake or a cake you can live without if you have not tasted a bite for yourself. You have to have your own experience.

I struggle very much when I talk to people who say they don't believe the Bible but have no knowledge of what it says or means. That is a very uninformed decision. And I warn you, your beliefs on the Bible and God is the most important decision you will ever make. Be informed!

I will not claim to have the best Bible reading challenge around, or that I have all the answers to all your questions (or any answers for that matter), but it will be a good place to start and hopefully to interact with others.

The challenge will officially start November 1, but I encourage you to prepare now. Mentally prepare yourself to commit and to interact. Physically prepare yourself by gathering your tools and creating a space in your home for this quite reading time. Start reading the Bible daily to create the habit.

Please join me! Will you?

About My Favorite Day of the Week and My Favorite Place to Be

Quoting my pastor... actually paraphrasing, because I didn't write it down word for word... "We don't go to church for the music or the jokes (the entertainment), we go because we want to hear from God."

Yes, yes we do! Our soul thirsts for God, for the one true God. It's the way we were created - what, or rather Who, we were created for - HIM. (Colossians 1:16)

It makes me think of the many reasons/excuses I have heard people use for not attending church.

There is a quote circulating on line: "Not going to church because of the hypocritical people is like not going to the gym because of the overweight people." I love it!

We are every one hypocrites! We are every one self-centered. We are every one sinners. Yes, my friend, even you, and to quote the apostle Paul, "I am chief". (1 Timothy 1:15)

We should not go to church because of what we can get, but rather for what we can give.

So let me encourage you in this way...

If you feel like others are not a blessing to you, take an opportunity to be the blessing to others.

If you feel like people at church don't love on you enough, take it as an opportunity to love on other people.

When you feel like somebody may not be as gracious to you as you wish, be extra gracious to them.

If you feel like you don't get fed by the preaching, take it as an opportunity to worship God by the giving of your attention to the Word being preached rather than the man preaching.

If the music is not to your liking, realize it's not about you... It is for the praise and worship of the one true God.

I know, you have an excuse not listed above. Let me say, Jesus Christ built His church. He is the foundation. (Matthew 16:15-18) Quoting my pastor again, "You cannot be a true follower of Christ unless you are a part of His church."

I love church! I know I need it!
I need the fellowship of the body.
I need to time of worship in music.
I need the preaching of the Word.
I am not alone in this. You need it too.

So I encourage you to stop going to church with a critical outlook. Stop getting offended by the way people may look at you or talk to you. Stop picking apart the people, the pastor, the music, the way things are done, the this that and the other. Go to church with a giving spirit every time. Open yourself to giving to others. Give them a smile. Say their name when you say hello. Give your attention to God and His Word. Give yourself in true worship. And do it all for Him.

Happy Lord's Day! Happy Sunday!

Random Thoughts

Really not so random, but rather "specific thoughts that may not seem related." That would not make a good title, and "random" is a happenin' word right now... my kids say it all the time, so...

I often wake up with a song in my head and then sing it all day long. Sometimes I can only remember a line or two of the song which drives me crazy, leads me to search it out, so I can listen to and then sing the whole song. Yesterday the only words I could think of were hm hm hm.... "Giver of grace"... I sang it over and over trying to remember the rest of the melody so that maybe I could come up with more of the lyrics so that I could in fact find the song when I searched for it.

Little by little it came to me. This is hard work I will have you know. (chuckle)

"Lamb of God,
Giver of grace.
You're worthy of our highest praise..."

And there it was... the words that would give me the title...

"We have come to seek your face."

Today while I was watching this video and looking at pictures of Jesus (not really, but all we have because of artists and their imaginations), I was struck by the thought, what will it be like when I truly see His face. This thought and imagination brought me to my knees in tears of worship and the realization that I truly long for that. I don't just say so because as a Christian it is expected of me to say and think such things. It is true. Come, Lord Jesus, come.

I then went to my quiet time. I am still in Luke. Short rabbit trail here for a second. It is definitely going to take me longer than 6 months to read through the New Testament twice. Although I am on my second time around, I came to a mental wall. I was not retaining what I was reading. I was just reading, so I took a break from my self imposed regimen to read some other devotion books, on line devotions and listen to some recorded sermons. This will partly explain why I have not blogged in quite a while. Also, I just didn't feel led to do so... didn't have much to say...

Then last night I couldn't sleep. I laid (I know that is not the correct grammar -- whatever) there thinking about the book of Luke and how I couldn't wait to get back to it. After more than an hour of tossing and turning and thinking, I decided to get up and read Luke for goodness sakes! That is the last thought I remember having before my alarm went off this morning.

So right after listening to the song, I read Luke 7 about the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and her hair -- I could totally relate to her. To have the pleasure of washing the feet of my Redeemer. That gives me a very unworthy feeling. Needless to say, that story came alive to me. (Yes, it annoys me too, when people say "needless to say". If you don't need to say it, why are you saying it? That and "it is what it is". Of course it is. If it wasn't what it is what would it be? ...and it would still be whatever it is...)

In Luke 8 I read the parable of the sower. I call it the parable of the good ground, because it always convicts me and prompts me to pray that I will always be the "good ground". (always. I know I will not always be anything. Always. Always. Always. But I do desire to always be...)

Next thought...
The majority of the posting going on on Facebook this week is about the government and Obama care. I don't post about political things, because I will admit to you that I am not well informed. I am intentionally uninformed, because the more I know the more discouraged I feel. The more I know the more I look at situations and the less I look to God. The little that I do know makes me angry, fearful, discouraged... and who gets the glory in that. So, today I read a few, ignored a few, never even thought about posting anything...

Years ago, I don't know who said it to me first or where I heard it first, but I heard this quote, "Have you prayed about it as much as you have talked about it?" As I read some of the statuses and blogs I began to pray about the things that made me fearful... the freedoms I feel I am losing, the financial strain this will all cause on our own family and many others, the future of our country for our kids, grandkids and future generations. I am hoping that while other Christians are posting they are also praying.

I am thankful for that quote. It comes to my mind often. It stops me from ranting many times, and it calms my spirit.

"Have you prayed about it as much as you have talked about it?"

My Journal Notes Today

Before you read today's blog just go read Matthew 4-6. I know that may not be where you are in your Bible reading, and you may have already read your Bible today, but what harm is there in reading a few extra chapters? Maybe while you are reading highlight some verses that stand out to you, and verses that you feel are a particular message to you today, maybe journal some commands, principles, promises...

Did you read it?

WOW! Right!

Jesus covered a lot. I have 3 pages of notes in my journal today. I wanted you to read it for yourself before I shared my thoughts so that you could record your own thoughts first. The Bible never means anything different than what it means, it is just that sometimes different passages stick out to different people at different times. Now we can compare notes...

A timeless principle:
Matt. 4:4 "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD."

This verse is always a good one for me as I have mentioned before, I am a food lover. I am daily working on craving God over food. But what stuck out to me even more today was the word "every"... every word out of the mouth of God. I wanted to let that one sink in a bit.

And then I read on... there is so much meat in this passage! I remember feeling this same way last time I read through the gospels... how I felt like I was overflowing with so much truth, instruction, guidance... that I could not retain it all. But as I read it now I almost quote many parts of it on my own. That's exciting!

A command to keep:
Matthew 4:10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.
Matthew 4:17 Repent
Matthew 4:19 Follow me
Matthew 5:13 Be the salt of the earth (paraphrased)
Matthew 5:14 Be the light of the world (paraphrased)
Matthew 5:15 Let your light so shine!
Matthew 6:19 Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven

A promise:
Matthew 4:19 I will make you fishers of men

In the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-12 there are promises. The one that spoke to me today is 3:6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (the promise).

Jesus teaches on so many things in this passage that is called "The Sermon on the Mount"... anger, adultery, divorse, oaths, loving your enemy, giving alms, prayer... just to name a few.

Matthew 5:48 says, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect." Whenever I read the word "perfect" in the Bible I have to go down and read the study notes, because I know I cannot be perfect especially if the example of perfect is God the Father! So this is what I took form those notes. "Perfect - complete... possessing complete love... embrace those that love you as well as those who hate you..."

I didn't quite understand verse 22 of chapter 6 either. "The light of the body is the eye, if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." Study notes, "if thine eye be single...devotion to one purpose... fixed vision or goal."That helped! Now I get it.

God's message to me today:
Matthew 5:6 (found above)
Matthew 6:8 "...for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him." I love this truth! I need to be reminded of this almost daily or even hourly!
Matthew 6:19-21, 24-34 are Key verses for me. They convict and encourage me every time I read them or hear them. "Treasures in Heaven" and "Trusting the Master".

In my Bible I have started to draw little hearts by the verses that pertain to the heart. So there is now a heart by Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there will your HEART be also."

So, there is a sneak peek into my daily note taking habits. I am sure they are not all inclusive. I have no doubt I have left out some promises, commands and principles, but this is the message I got today. It always helps me to remember, apply and be accountable when I blog it.

Falling In LOVE Again: How To...

A father was once asked by his son to explain how the Word of God cleansed a person. Instead of answering he asked his son to take a wicker basket down to the lake and bring him back a bucketful of water. The lad tried several times, but before he got back to where his dad was, the basket was empty. In frustration he complained to his father. "It's impossible, before I get it here the water has all run out." The father then called the boy's attention to how clean the basket was and said, "that is how the Word of God cleanses the believer as it passes through the mind." 

This story is found in chapter 2 of Tim LaHaye's book that I have mentioned many times, "How To Study The Bible For Yourself". The book that started "it all" (this blog).

 I can hardly put into words how I have been blessed by the reading of The Word since I started following the suggestions of the author. I just finished my first read through the entire New Testament, and I am ready to start my second time through. As I was finishing up Revelations this week a certain bumper sticker sentiment kept coming to my mind. I'm sure you know the one I am taking about... it says something about knowing how the book ends. I wish I could remember the exact words... I just googled it (giggle). It's "I've read the back of the book, and we win!" I didn't know it was also a gospel song, but I found that on google (YouTube) too.

The last few days as I was reading Revelations I kept getting very antsy to start Matthew again. I'm so excited to go again!

I am going to be more detailed in my journaling this time and follow Mr Lahaye's directions more carefully. Not that I am unhappy with my journaling so far, but I feel like I am now ready for more detail.

I will be reading the first 3 chapters of Matthew tomorrow, and answering some of Lahaye's questions while I journal. There are 5 journaling questions/topics to answer each day. You will find these questions and the reasons behind them in Chapter 3 on pages 31-37.

I do highly recommend this book. I would suggest a person do what they can at their own pace guarding against becoming overwhelmed. Tim LaHaye is carful to repeat this caution a number of times.

I have only just begun the suggestions for reading. I still have much to do. I reread some of the author's chapters on how to study the Bible, and found myself getting a bit overwhelmed just reading the instructions. I am glad that it is not time for that yet. I will continue to follow the steps one at a time. I know I will be ready for the next step each time I get to it. This is exciting to see the growth, and I anticipate more growth and learning ahead. I, of course, prayerfully continue knowing that when it seems like a lot "I can to all things THROUGH CHIRST." I know He will help me, because I know He is pleased with my efforts and desire in continuing and completing this endeavor.

As I type "completing" I am reminded that I will never be finished reading, studying, learning, growing... until He takes me HOME.

Chapter 2 "What Bible Study Will Do For You" gives an exciting list. I want to share it with you, because I think it will excite you to start a reading/studying plan such as this one.

1. It will make you a strong Christian. 1 John 2:14
(The longer I am a Christian the more I realize how weak I am, and I can only be strong because of Christ and His Word.)

2. Assures us of Salvations. 1 John 5:13
(How Satan wants to confuse us and cause us to doubt! The deceiver can be successful in stealing our joy, our peace, and our success as a Christian if we do not know what the Bible says about our eternal salvation!)

3. Gives us confidence and power in prayer. 1 John 5:14, 15, John 15:7
(All I can say is Thank you, Jesus!)

4. Cleansing from Sin. John 15:3, John 17:17, Psalm 119:9

5. It gives joy. John 15:11

6. It produces peace. John 16:33, Colossians 3:15

(Are you ready to get the book and get started? Wait there is more!)

7. It guides us in making the decisions of life. Psalm 119:105, Luke 11:28

8. It enables you to articulate your faith. 1 Peter 3:15

9. It guarantees your success! Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-3

I am so excited to continue to grow in these areas listed. Before beginning this way of reading and journaling my Bible I didn't know how to begin or how to continue. This has been completely different than any other devotional or Bible study I have done before. The Bible is so mush more alive to me. I have truly "fallen in Love" with reading The Word like never before! I'm so glad I never forgot this book by Tim Lahaye that I read more than 8 years ago. There was a quiet whisper reminding me to get to work on it. Be quiet. You might hear it too.

(Please leave comments about your daily reading, and let me know if you get this book! I will be so excited for you, and would love to pray for you and support you as you start your journey.)

Falling in LOVE Again: First Love

"It has been said that when we take one step toward God, He takes more steps toward us than there are sands in the beaches of the world." Bill Bright, "First Love" 

These words speak life and love to my heart and soul today. Think of it... when you are going toward somebody very nervous yet, just as much hopeful of a long awaited reunion... How different is it to you if that person stays in the same position or maybe takes a few steps in your direction in a hesitant way. Or, on the other hand, this person sees you from a distance and runs toward you arms open wide with a heart full of love for you desiring this reunion more than you could ever imagine.

The second example is like our unchangeable God every time I come back in His direction He runs to me. (Luke 15:20)

I have always been encouraged by James 4:8, but Luke 15:20 just blew my mind today!

"All that thrills my soul is Jesus. He is more than life to me..." (This song may seem out of place or random in this post, but it is the song that came to my mind as I was thrilled by this realization of God's love and desire for me.)

"His joy overflows. He bestows the deepest blessing, the good things He has been storing away for you. His joy cannot be contained... the overwhelming joy of God over your return... your joy cannot even compare to the boundless delight He feels."

I chose these quotes and some of my thoughts  to begin this blog series reviewing some of the books I have been reading so far this year. I feel very strongly that God directed (Proverbs 16:9) me to each of the books I am going to highlight for you. All the books I have read this year have something in common, and I could not have chosen such a concentrated set of books on my own if I had tried.

In Bill Bright's book, "First Love", he says, "...pray that wherever I go and whatever I do, I will never leave my first love... My first love for God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- is everything to me."

I found this book in a stack of books my dad was getting rid of - cleaning out his library. I picked it up because I thought it was written by Dr. David Jeremiah. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have given it a second look. When I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It is a book I will have to re-read in order to apply it, but I just couldn't wait to see what the author had to say next about our mutual Love and Lord. This book encouraged me in a number of ways. This first and most important I have already shared with you. Secondly, it encouraged me to think of everything as I did in the beginning... the fresh and new and exciting beginning. To retain and maintain that joy... my salvation (Ps. 51:12), my marriage, my motherhood, my work, my friendships...

To find out other ways this book has been an encouragement I recommend you read it yourself! I think you will LOVE it!

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor hight, nor depth, nor any creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. " Romans 8:38, 39