December 2020 Archives
Bible Study Review
I hope you are having a blessed December. After a moderate fall temperature-wise, we are finally getting the cold temperatures that Michigan is used to this time of year. I don’t prefer cold weather but I try not to complain since every season serves a purpose.
Last week I wrote up a review of the Bible studies that Family Renewal (the company I work with) sells to send to our email list, and I thought I would share this with you all as well.
Years ago, I didn’t see the importance of Bible studies or devotionals but I have changed my mind on that. Although I read my Bible every day, and I read through the Bible to make sure I don’t miss anything, it can still be easy to read over a lot since it is so familiar. For me, going through a Bible study causes passages to jump out at me that I may not have noticed before. It forces me to slow down as I read the Word so that it becomes life. I have opted to do my studies at night before I go to bed so that I can ponder them if I need to instead of jumping into my day and forgetting what I’ve read. I don’t do this every night, but I like having a study that I can pull off my shelf and dig deep in order to examine my heart through the light of God’s Word.
So without further ado, let me describe the studies that have been a blessing to me and help you to choose the one that is right for you.
A Lamp Unto My Feet is a study on Psalm 119. I view this as a starter study. If you are new to Bible studies or if you have a teenage son or daughter who would be interested in studying, this could be a good place to begin. Psalm 119 is all about loving God’s Word and His laws. I found myself worshiping as I went through this study. You will be inspired and encouraged each day.
He Leads Me Beside Still Waters is on the book of Psalms. This too is an encouraging study. You will meditate on various Psalms, answer questions, and then it will suggest another Psalm that you can read. I feel like we can learn a lot from David since Scripture called him a man after God’s own heart. Psalms is a good place to begin.
Pressing On Toward the Heavenly Calling is a deeper study which goes through the epistles. Then at the end of each week, you will read a portion of Acts and learn a little more about Paul’s life.
The above are all 12-week studies, but if you are someone who has walked with God for a long time and is strong in your relationship (or want to become so), I highly recommend a 24-week study titled The Walk of Repentance. I have gone through this three times in the last 15 years or so. Two of those times, it took me over a year to finish. It’s hard-hitting, as it covers topics such as Biblical Submission, The Repentant Heart, The Lifestyle of Repentance, The Process of Repentance, Overcoming Self, Overcoming the Flesh, Controlling the Tongue, Double-Mindedness, Biblical Love, Biblical Forgiveness … just to name a few. 🙂 Each of those topics takes a week and within those weeks, you will be looking at root issues. For instance, the week of Biblical Forgiveness, you will learn about “Our Need for Forgiveness,” “Appreciating Our Forgiveness,” “The Basis for Forgiving Others,” “Commanded to Forgive,” and “Handling an Offense.” See what I mean? It’s not for wimps, but you are diving into the Word in a way that a lot of people have probably never done. This can also be a good counseling tool. There is very little commentary as you are looking up Scripture verses in whichever version of the Bible you use and writing down what the Bible says about each topic.
The newest additions to our Bible study line are some studies for women. The Word Study Scripture Journal for Ladies and The Word Study Scripture Journal for Young Ladies are designed for mothers and daughters to study together or individually. Each week begins with a hymn. Then each day, you will read a scripture verse, write it down, do a word study, write down the practical application, and keep a prayer journal. Although that sounds like a lot, I expect that most days will not take more than 15-20 minutes.
All of these studies are on sale through the end of the month so you will want to order right away.
Although they are not Bible studies per se, I would also like to mention my brother’s books Questions God Asks and Questions Jesus Asks. I mentioned that I do Bible studies at night, but in the morning, after my regular Bible reading, I like to read a devotional or a book that will help me to focus on the Lord. These can be perfect for that. They may be used in family devotions or individual study. They could also make good gifts for your pastor or small group leader. We are currently selling them as a set for $19.99 or you may purchase them individually.
Thank you for taking time to read my Bible study review. I hope that you will find at least one study that will help you to grow in your walk with the Lord this coming year. After the year we just had, I think we could all stand to refocus and remember that this world is not our final home. Let’s not neglect to draw ever closer to our Father, looking into His wonderful face until “the things of earth become strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
Testify Anyway
It seems like inevitably whenever I post about a certain topic, I am tested in that area. Likewise, whenever I publicly praise the Lord for increased health or some other positive thing that He is doing, I have a setback. This can cause me to think twice about giving God glory for anything, but you know what? If I give in to that temptation, satan has won so I am going to testify anyway.
The fact is that God is good. Period. Nothing I am going through changes who God is. He is the same yesterday and today and forever. Besides, we are told to rejoice in all things, and I expect this is why those tests come at those inopportune times.
If you are hesitant to share an answer to prayer, I encourage you not to hesitate any longer. Maybe your cancer is in remission but you are afraid to mention it in case it’s a fluke and it comes back. Praise God for His healing touch. If it does come back there is a reason, but it doesn’t make Him less worthy of praise. I want to take hold of that perfect love that casts out fear instead of letting fear control me.
I began writing this post back in 2019, but I expect that we need this reminder now more than ever. This has been a rough year for everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, color, or financial or social status. Different people have been hit in different ways, but I doubt you will find anyone who was not negatively affected in some way. At the same time, if you think about it, I’m guessing you have experienced blessings this year as well. I know that I have.
So, my friends, let’s not neglect to tell others of the good things that God has done for us. You may need to be sensitive and not share about your good fortune with someone who is at their rope’s end right now, but find people who you know will rejoice with you and let them know how good God has been. Ask others what God has done for them. If they can’t think of anything, encourage them to think about it until they come up with at least something positive that came out of 2020.
As I look ahead to 2021, I have concerns that could turn into paralyzing fear if I let them, but I am choosing to look to God instead of focusing on what feels foreboding. I encourage you to do the same. Don’t let the enemy find you cowering and afraid to give God glory in case things get bad again. Instead, testify anyway. Praise the Lord for every blessing He brings your way, no matter how small. Let’s enter the new year with rejoicing!
Photo by Kevin Schmid on Unsplash
CD Report: No Depression in Heaven (The Chuck Wagon Gang)
Some of my older readers will especially appreciate this CD where The Chuck Wagon Gang sings the gospel songs of the Carter Family. Old, familiar songs sung in Chuck Wagon Gang style. The title alone would cause me to purchase it this year. 🙂
Songs included are: When Our Lord Shall Come Again, Am I a Soldier of the Cross, The Meeting in the Air, The Heart That Was Broken For Me, Honey in the Rock, There’s No Depression in Heaven, The Old Gospel Ship, On the Rock Where Moses Stood, Anchored in Love Divine, There’s a Hill Lone and Gray, Somebody’s Boy, and The Bible in the Cabin.
Perfect Peace
Last year, my stepmom took me to a sign-making class. I had been wanting more scripture plaques for my room, but it was difficult to decide what I wanted to say. The above verse kept coming to my mind so I personalized it and placed it where I will be reminded daily of the way to achieve complete and total (i.e., perfect) peace.
As I read Facebook posts and talk to people across the country, I know that I am not the only one who has battled fear in the last little while. This year has been quite unsettling and, as soon as someone asks the question, What else can happen? we quickly find out. Everything that can be shaken is being shaken, and I expect that we have not come close to seeing the end of it yet. Little did I know how much I would need Isaiah 26:3 this year. Lord, help me to keep my mind on You and trust in You.
I have been struck lately by how America is no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. We have become the land of the masks and the home of the fearful. Before you all start stoning me, I know that we humanly have reason to be concerned about COVID-19, and we should do what we can to stay well, but ultimately, life and death are in God’s hands. If I am regularly washing my hands and face, steering clear of those whom I know to be sick, taking my vitamins, and anything else that might help, I have to trust God to cover me. I do not want to cease enjoying life because I’m afraid to do anything. And if I do end up contracting COVID and dying, I will believe that it was God’s timing.
The election is a big concern to some people as well, but at this point, if you voted, there is nothing you can do but pray and keep serving God to the best of your ability. If you didn’t vote, then it’s too late to do anything at this point, so you may as well keep doing what God has called you to do. Don’t forget that this world is not our home; we’re only passing through.
If you are fearful, I encourage you to reach out to someone who will pray with you and encourage you. These are the times we most need Christ’s Body. If you are doing well keeping your mind on Christ and staying above the worries of the world, ask God to show you someone that you can be an encouragement to. I’m thankful that I do not personally know anyone who has taken their lives this year, but I’ve heard that suicide has increased. Be willing to be a listening ear for someone who is struggling and remind them that the only hope that we have is in Jesus. I am so thankful that He came. He knows what each of us is going through, and He still cares.
