Category: Uncategorized

Biblical Womanhood · spiritual growth · Uncategorized

The Blessings of Reading Through the Bible in a Year

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In a couple of weeks, I will have completed another read through the Bible. That’s saying nothing about me, but I do want to say something about God’s Word – it changes me!

The reason I started reading through the Bible many years ago is because I had not really gotten the “whole story” in my head. I had broken up segments of the Old Testament happenings I’d heard since my childhood. I knew some of the psalms and loved Paul’s epistles, but reading all the way through the Bible has taught me and profited me so much!

  1. Reading through the Bible has shown me the thread of redemption that is woven throughout all of Scripture. After the fall of man,, we see God providing, not just Adam and Eve’s present needs, but telling He would provide a sacrifice for mankind. Then all through its pages, we see pictures and types of Christ, coming to save us from our sin. From Abraham, Joshua, Moses, Joseph and the psalms, we are pointed to His suffering, death and resurrection!
  2. Reading through the Bible has given me a greater love for God’s Word. I see the way Scripture commentates on itself. I see Christ on each page. I see the way the Word is knit together like the yarns of a scarf through the weaver’s shuttle. It’s a Book like no other book! It is alive! It is powerful! It is life-giving!
  3. Reading through the Bible has caused me to grow spiritually. Oh, how dear it is to open my Bible and hear God speak Truth to my heart! The Spirit of God teaches me His character, gives me hope for the future, and convicts me of sin so I can get it right. All of this causes growth.
  4. Reading through the Bible has given me a greater desire to memorize Scripture. Because I see its value to change me, I know it’s essential to have it hidden in my heart. Psalm 119 is full of reminders why I need to memorize – it gives comfort, it gives me words to answer others, it guides me, it keeps me from sin…and so many other reasons.

I will definitely be reading through the Bible in 2022. Whitney shared on her blog this week that she’s going to be doing The Bible Recap. That is a chronological reading. I’m praying about whether to do that or to repeat the Bible in a year on you version. It takes you through the old and New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. I love the variety. Through this plan I’ve also seen the redemption thread woven so beautifully.

Have you ever read through the Bible? If it seems daunting to you, realize you just take it one day at a time. I believe having a plan doesn’t overwhelm you, but it keeps you on track. Pray and ask God to give you a hunger for His word, and then make a plan to dive in come January 1, 2022.

You can go here to see a tool that has helped me as I’ve read the Bible.

Discipleship · Memorizing Scripture · Uncategorized

Checking In

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In mid September I began memorizing the third chapter of Colossians. Oh, what a joy this chapter of Scripture has been to my heart! I have mediated on it over and over as I’ve put this chapter in my heart. There are so many wonderful truths about my position in Christ, and then the reminder of the things that should be a part of my life because I am in Him!

When I shared my desire to memorize this chapter last month, I promised to give an update. My goal was to learn one verse per day, but it was a bit too challenging. My struggle isn’t each learning individual verse, but saying them in order! The Lord is giving me understanding as I keep rehearsing the chapter each day. I am really enjoying using the Bible Memory App. It really makes it easy to review my verses anywhere. I am now up to…

Verse 21. It’s exciting to me that I only have four more verses to go in this chapter!

There have been many nights that I awake in the middle of the night, wide awake. It’s been my practice this month to begin repeating Colossians 3 in my mind. Before I know it, I’ve gone back to sleep! I dream peacefully and get good rest.

Psalm 119:52

 I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.

This is no boast…I’m very slow and I don’t have nearly the amount of Scripture memorized that I should have at this age. I only share this to keep myself accountable. I also pray it challenges you to be memorizing God’s Word! What a treasure it is.

Have a lovely weekend, friends.

Uncategorized

Why You Should Decorate Your Home For Fall Even When There Is Trouble In the World

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A friend recently told me that she was so encouraged when she heard a recent broadcast of mine when I said something like…

Maybe with all the difficult things going on in the world you’re having a bit of a hard time getting motivated in your home. I want to encourage you today about how helpful it is to keep moving forward especially during these difficult days.
If we can’t have the confidence that home will be a place of comfort, where will we go?

Make home the best place to be. Create a warmth that draws your family back.
Plan for game night with popcorn and hot chocolate.
Keep the house tidied up so it feels welcoming.
Decorate for the upcoming season.
Light a new, fresh candle.
Make comfy places for people to sit and read.
Maybe this is the time to change the furniture around for a fresh look in your living room?
Home is a gift, and the woman is the one who sets the tone.

We can wonder during these difficult days if we’re being frivolous to decorate our homes for fall, plan a delicious meal with friends, or take our kids to the pumpkin farm. When there are some people who are hurting so deeply, are we being uncaring?

No. Not if we’re still mindful of those needs and aware of the One Who can intervene. We can represent the hope of Christ as we gather as a family and have friends in. Remind them of the truth that He is the light in our dark world. He is the giver of eternal life. He is the anchor in our storm. He will make all wrongs right one day.

Gather together and pray for those suffering. Lift their names before the Lord. It’s in that place that we can make a difference. It’s at the Throne of grace that we can help bear their burden.

Why not also find a way you could comfort someone you know? Could you take a meal? Send a card? Make a pie? Call to pray with them?

Your family also needs the comfort of home when things are hard. So take the time to ~

  • Decorate your porch
  • Hang a pretty fall wreath
  • Gather Dried flowers or branches and fill a vase or urn
  • Light a bonfire
  • Buy a few pumpkins and fill a basket
  • Make your house smell amazing with simmering scents of potpourri.
  • Light your candles every day.
  • Turn on the patio lights
  • Put warm blankets on the back porch for the fall evenings

I Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.

My heart is truly heavy for so many today. If you’re one who has shared a difficulty, please know that I am praying for you. God has not forsaken you. He loves you. Spurgeon said, “When you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart. He has not forsaken you, friend.

The Lord is good; a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

If I can pray for you, please leave a comment or email me at the email address you’ll find on my contact page. I would love to help bear your burden.

Because Jesus lives,