Search Results for: meditation

Bible Study Notebook – Meditation Worksheet

September 11, 2012 by Kathy Howard 2 Comments

As a tea bag steeps in the tea cup, the hot water absorbs the flavor of the tea. In fact, the water becomes tea. The longer the bag stays in the water, the richer and more flavorful the water becomes.

Simply reading through or hearing a biblical passage will not affect our hearts, minds, and lives like steeping in its richness. Like the tea bag, we must immerse ourselves in God’s Word, holding onto it in our thoughts until its truth becomes a part of who we are. This process is called “biblical meditation.”

A few months ago, I wrote a post about what Christian, biblical meditation is and why and how we should meditate. Read “Meditate on God’s Word: Time to Mull, Ponder, and Steep.”

I’ve created an easy-to-use, printable worksheet to help you meditate on God’s Word. Download and print the PDF now: Bible Meditation Worksheet.

This worksheet is just one of many resources and tools we’ll be sharing this month here at Do Not Depart. Lisa’s post about making a Bible study notebook got such an overwhelming response, the DND team wants to encourage you with a month full of useful items to add to your notebook!

Let’s chat: How has God used biblical meditation to grow your relationship with Him?

Of Baking and Blessing ~ Meditation

January 11, 2011 by ScriptureDig 11 Comments

In the first issue of 2011, USA Today reported 90% of the world has access to mobile networks, and 1.8 trillion text messages were sent between June 2009 and June 2010. Mankind has learned to stay tethered to thoughts and topics at the sound of a ring tone or ping. We focus on what’s trending, respond on Facebook, Tweet about it, and check back for comments. But meditation as a Biblical, spiritual discipline is nothing like the mindset of our culture. The concentration of our culture is captive to the here and now, instead of the holy.

The Barna Group recently released a study about the faith climate in the US, reporting, “The turbo-charged pace of society leaves people with little time for reflection. The deeper thinking that occurs typically relates to economic concerns or relational pressures. Spiritual practices like contemplation, solitude, silence, and simplicity are rare.”

To know what Biblical meditation IS, it helps to know what it’s NOT:

It is NOT empty. God’s Word is the object.
It is NOT extra Biblical. God’s Law produces obedience.
IT is NOT an escape. God’s peace and compassion prevail.

Meditation is foreign to the way we do life today. While making bread yesterday, I had to let the yeast work, wait for growth, let the dough rise, and labor for the elasticity of dough ready to bake. Homemade bread is a whole different food than store bought. It can’t be rushed. Meditation takes time to listen, reflect, rehearse, and rework God’s truth in our lives, kneading it into our souls and allowing it to grow and live in our minds and hearts.

Meditation requires:

A change of pace – slowing down to allow space and opportunity to consider and reconsider God’s truth and hear His voice.
An intentional place – carving out an undisturbed corner, where we push aside the urgent and give attention to the Divine.
A humble posture – helping us to get into the mindset of the forgiven and the rescued, to worship the Object of our thoughts.
A clear path – instead of wandering or floundering, going to God’s Word that is the lamp to our feet and the light to our path.
An attitude of prayer – sweet communication flows out of unbothered moments of absorbing God’s truth and grace, and we can respond to Him in praise and honesty.

The New Age movement gave meditation a bad name among many, but Scripture gives a clear pattern of meditation filled with the One True God, not empty and vulnerable to the Enemy. Jesus went away to be alone and communicate with His Father (Matt. 14:13), and Old Testament saints set a precedent of making time to listen to God.

A pace and place for the posture of meditation is going to be hard to carve out, but our hearts can be that holy place. When we commit to practicing this inner discipline, we can look forward to the protection and peace enjoyed by one who is “blessed.”

¹ Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, ² but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. ³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. ~ Psalm 1:1-3

One way to meditate today: (I suggest Psalm 1:1-3)

Take one Scripture verse and “tether” yourself to it: write it on a card, say it aloud every time you wash your hands, look up every word in the dictionary, talk about it out loud in the car, tell someone else about it today, pray it back to the Lord, email someone what it means to you, sing it as you work, and find a quiet place to slow your pace long enough to be alone and rehearse that truth in your mind and heart. Let God work out that one truth in your soul, let it froth with new insight, let is rise with understanding, and let it bring the aroma of something new and fresh and wonderful that only the Blessed Woman who meditates on His truth will enjoy!

In His Image: Created to Rest

July 28, 2020 by Kelli LaFram 1 Comment

I’m a teacher and I work with several wonderful women, but given the nature of the job — the constant busyness of educating young people — it’s hard to get to know any of my coworkers well during the normal school day. Each of us are continually serving or preparing to serve our students. Each minute is given to the work at hand. There is little time for rest between 7:45 and 3:45, Monday through Friday, so it wasn’t until a handful of us decided to start a book club that we began to become more than just co-workers. When we deliberately chose to set aside time to rest, relax, and enjoy one-another’s company we became friends.

Created to Rest

This month on the Do Not Depart blog we are looking at how we, mankind, are created in the image of God. We are created to reflect His image in many ways, including (but not limited to) how we speak, love, are creative, and seek justice. We are also created to complete good works— just like He does. But along with this work, we are created to rest.

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. ~ Genesis 2:1-3

Jesus Shows Us How to Rest

God worked, created, and gave life to the whole world in six days. On the seventh He rested. Genesis is not the only place we can see that God rests and has created us to rest as well. We can also look at Jesus, because if we see Jesus we also see the Father.

“I and the Father are one” ~ John 10:30

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ~ John 14:9

Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting and praying. In other words, for 40 days He rested in the company and provision of His Father. This rest gave Jesus the strength to resist the devil’s temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). It also prepared Him to begin His earthly ministry (vv 12-17).

There are other accounts throughout the Gospels in which Jesus frequently sought time for both physical and spiritual rest. He made rest a priority. For example, He slept when the storms raged around Him at sea (Matthew 8:23-27). He sought solitude to pray and rest even when multitudes wanted to hear Him preach (Matthew 14:23). He rested in fellowship and communion with His friends and disciples (Matthew 26:19-30). When faced with great suffering, He prioritized prayer and resting in the will of His Father (Matthew 26: 36-46).

Jesus had a mission to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). This good work took great effort, but He did not neglect rest in the process. We should not either.

We Need Rest

The Hebrew word for rest, which appears in Genesis 2:2, is shabath and it means to cease, desist, or rest from labor. Shabath appears again in the passage describing the Sabbath Law.

It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed. ~ Exodus 31:17

Here the word rested is used with the word refreshed. Rest and refreshment go together. We need rest, but not for the sake of simply obeying the law. We need rest to be refreshed — to be given new strength and energy, to be reinvigorated.

How does rest refresh us? Rest only truly refreshes us, body and soul, when we spend time with Jesus — just being with and enjoying Him, worshipping Him, and getting to know Him.

This sounds wonderful, right? But how do we rest?

How to Rest

The struggle to rest is real. It takes a conscious effort to break the habit of busyness. As we begin to break this habit and form new habits of rest, we need to remember we are no longer under the law. We do not rest in order to fulfill religious obligations or to make God happy. We rest because we are created to do so. So as you struggle to rest, give yourself grace just as Jesus does.

Here are some practical ways to literally rest:

Enjoy an actual lunch break (not a working lunch)
Go for a walk
Read your bible
Sing worship songs
Memorize scripture
Spend time in prayer and meditation
Keep a journal

We have many ways to rest. Let the purpose of our rest be this: to be refreshed in Christ.

Rest is Not a Waste

Many of us, myself included, often look at rest as a waste of time. When our to-do lists seem to be ever growing, we often rationalize skipping rest. We tell ourselves, “when items X, Y, and Z are done, then I can take a break.”

But let me ask you this: what happens when our work leaves us beyond exhausted? What, or rather who, suffers? The people around us suffer. Our relationships get neglected and those we claim to love may not actually be receiving our love.

I mentioned at the beginning of this post that my co-workers and I started to become friends when we intentionally made time for one another — when we rested together. The same is true for our relationship with God. As we spend time resting with and in Him we will become more familiar with who He is and His love for us.

Rest is something we are created for. Let’s not neglect it.

Lord in heaven, thank you for creating us to rest. Thank you for the example of rest that you have provided for us in your son Jesus. Just as He prioritized rest, please teach us to do the same. Give us the desire to spend time resting with you and with others. Help us to trust that the time will be well spent and that it will provide the refreshment we need to accomplish the good work you have tasked us to do. In the name of your Son I pray. Amen.

Let the purpose of our rest be this: to be refreshed in Christ. #InHisImage

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Take My Life and Let It Be

June 23, 2020 by Jennifer Hong 2 Comments

Continuing our June series on the HIStories Behind the Hymns, today we listen to the hymn Take My Life and Let It Be and learn a bit about its author, Frances Ridley Havergal.

In place of the traditional New Year’s resolutions, I often prayerfully choose a word of focus for the year ahead. Of the words I have used in years past, my favorite was “nurture.” Full of warmth and possibility, it conveyed how I wanted to approach both motherhood and my own personal growth. I loved contemplating over the course of the year what it meant to nurture learning, to nurture faith, and to nurture the little ones in my care.

Sometimes, however, the focus of a season has not been one I selected but rather a theme that became apparent over time. “Surrender” is one of those. Over the past two years, the Lord has increasingly, repeatedly shown me that this walk with Him is largely about Surrender. Without ever using the word, the hymn Take My Life and Let It Be perfectly embodies a life surrendered to the Lord.

Take My Life

Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.

The hymn’s author, Francis Ridley Haverga, was the daughter of a minister in Worcester, born in December 1836. Describing her faith during her school years, she wrote, “I committed my soul to the Saviour, and earth and heaven seemed brighter from that moment.”

The hymn Take My Heart and Let It Be was written in December of 1873. On a visit, she was staying in a home with ten others, “some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted but not rejoicing Christians.” Miss Havergal began to pray, “Lord, give me all this house,” and He did. In a sleepless but joyful night that followed, she penned a series of eleven couplets, later adding a twelfth.

I love how her heart’s response to the Lord’s victory in the lives of these friends was a contemplation of devotion, offering all of herself to the Lord.

All for Thee

Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee

In the course of six stanzas, Miss Havergal lists what she has to offer the Lord: moments and days, hands and feet, voice, intellect, will, heart, and love. The lyrics expound upon Jesus’ words regarding the greatest commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).

No Longer Mine

In the past two years, I’ve been particularly challenged by this part:

Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.

I tend to feel anxious when things are outside of my control (like pandemics). In my anxiety, I grasp to take control of as much as I can. Ask my children how pleasant this makes me. But the Lord has a different way to quiet our hearts. He tells us in Philippians 4:6-7 to turn the circumstances over to Him with both prayer and thanksgiving, letting His peace replace our worry.

“No longer mine” applies to more than my worries. The Lord receives our fears, our pain, and our anger as well. These are better handed over to Jesus than guarded in our hearts. Surrendered fully to Him, they are transformed for our freedom, healing, and glory (Romans 5:4, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, 2 Corinthians 12:10).

As I surrender to Him all that is not mine to hold tightly — my wealth, my hours, my talents, my goals, and even my pain, I find my heart becomes more spacious, an appropriate throne for the King of Glory.

     Take my heart it is thine own;
     it shall be thy royal throne,
     it shall be thy royal throne.

*********************

Pause, Reflect

* Listen to Take My Life and Let It Be, sung by Norton Hall Band.

Struggling with the idea of Surrender? These verses are wonderful for some moments of meditation. Try asking the Lord what He would have you surrender to Him today.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. (Matthew 16:24-17)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

Blessed Like the Birds (Psalm 84)

May 12, 2020 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

One of my favorite parts of the morning routine is opening the window shades to look out over our backyard. From the patio to the tree line we host a breakfast buffet for a variety of woodland creatures including rabbits, squirrels, and birds. Many, many birds.

I have come to love watching them interact with our small patch of the world. Rain or shine, every season of the year, the little birds in our yard are well cared for.

In this second installment of our Greatly Blessed: Dwelling with God Bible study series, we’re looking at verses 3 and 4 of Psalm 84.

“Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young, at your altars,

O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! – Selah”

Psalm 84:3-4

Picture of Birds

Birds are cheeky little creatures. Spirited. Remarkably resilient given their vulnerability to the elements. Jesus used birds as an illustration, showing God as a caring Father and provider.

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” – Matthew 6:26
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” – Luke 12:6-7

The birds sing praises to the Lord, their creator and provider. It is as natural to them as breathing.

“Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.” – Psalm 104:12

An Approachable Altar

The altar was a flat surface in the courtyard of the temple, used to hold the sacrifices people offered to atone for their sin. It represents a place of consecration. The bridge between God and man. Altars memorialized God’s great deeds and represented times He came near.

Something about the sparrows nesting near the altar makes this holy space approachable. It is a place of safety and comfort, where even birds can hatch their young without fear.

The altar is approachable! Come near to God. Blessed are those who dwell in His house, ever singing His praise! #Psalm84 Click To Tweet

As Natural As Nature

A number of sources I came across in my research indicated that it might be better to read the phrase, “Even the sparrow finds a home,” as, “Even as…” The poet is making a comparison by saying, “As a little bird seeks after a home, so do I seek/long/desire to be near your altar”

This idea reminds me of Psalm 42:1,

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”

There is an instinctual need in our soul to worship and be near the Lord. Doing so is like coming home, finding a place of rest and sanctuary. When we are at rest, content in His presence, we are blessed and free to sing like the birds.

Verse 4 ends with “Selah”, a word of uncertain meaning that denotes a time of quiet meditation. Or as Charles Spurgeon puts it,

“In such an occupation as this we might be content to remain for ever. It is worth while to pause and meditate upon the prospect of dwelling with God and praising him throughout eternity.”

When You Don’t Know What to Say, Say This

February 13, 2020 by Lisa Burgess 12 Comments

When you don’t know what to say, say blessings from scripture. Philippians 1:9-11 is a prayer for love, wisdom, and hope.

When Words Don’t Come

I didn’t know what to say.

I have friends who live in a special apartment complex in my city. They are there for different reasons: some are physically disabled, some are mentally disabled, some are financially unstable.

Their needs are varied. And their needs are usually great. They face things daily that I haven’t faced at all.

So when we deliver meals to them on Wednesday nights, they’ll occasionally want prayer.

And when they do? I often don’t know what to pray for them.

Try a Benediction

One of my friends there was slow coming to her door last week. She heard us knock and asked us to wait. When she finally opened the door, we could tell she was distressed.

She shared briefly what was going on, but she was too exhausted to explain it all. I asked if we could pray for her, and she said of course.

But what could I say? There she sat in pain in her wheelchair with more needs than resources. And I was supposed to offer what?

I wasn’t sure of her circumstances. I didn’t have time to think it through. I didn’t want to sound trite or promise something I couldn’t guarantee.

When we don’t have words to pray—for whatever the reason—we can always pray a benediction.

Benedictions are short blessings often recited over a congregation at the end of a worship service. They remind us to stay expectant for God’s grace. (Read an encouraging article here about 5 Reasons to Recover Benedictions at Church.)

Offer Hope through Philippians 1:9-11

Every Sunday morning with my church, Pastor Pat closes out our service with these words written by the apostle Paul 2,000 years ago to the church at Philippi.

We open our hands and hearts to receive this:

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:9-11

These words are embedded now in my soul. Our memory group at Do Not Depart (Hide His Word) recently memorized all of Philippians 1. These words keep chasing me.

So when I don’t know what to pray, I know I can safely pray these things over anybody, in any circumstance:

I pray that they will:

Know love, more and more
Gain knowledge and use wisdom to make the next right decisions
Be a positive influence among their friends and family
Stay expectant for a brighter future
Experience the love of Jesus for the glory of God

When I prayed for my friend, I didn’t use those exact words. I didn’t go through a checklist in my mind.

But because I’ve heard these truths spoken over me so often and because I’ve used them so much over myself in memorization and meditation, the Spirit breathes them out when I need to share them with others.

I didn’t solve my friend’s problems that day. I didn’t change her circumstances. I had so little to contribute.

But at least in offering a blessing of hope, I hope she felt more loved and less alone.

Find Your Blessing to Give

Is there a passage of God’s love that you can give to others? Find a prayer to say, if you haven’t yet. Our series this month here at Do Not Depart is a great starting point to find a blessing you can pray over others.

It will free you to pray confidently with others regardless of circumstances.
It will bless others with words of truth and hope and love spoken to God on their behalf.
And it will please God that you are blessing others for Him.

It’s what He wants His kids to do for each other.

When you don’t know what to say, say this. See these words of love, wisdom, and hope from Philippians 1. #Benedictions

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Do you have a favorite scripture you pray for others, with others? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

Intentional Spiritual Growth: Series Wrap Up

January 30, 2020 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

All this month on the blog we’ve looked at setting goals and making plans for Intentional Spiritual Growth. Here’s the series wrap up.

In our series intro post, I explained that growth happens best when it’s fostered. And, “once we identify areas where we’d like to see growth, we can set big-picture goals and create specific objectives to reach them. Intentionality is key. When we give ourselves direction (centered on God’s Word), set mile markers, and work with concrete goals, it will only help us hit our mark. Creating actionable steps to follow will move us forward.”

I’m a true believer in setting goals and taking realistic baby steps (and sure— giants leaps if it’s possible) to reach them. Those baby steps are “actionable plans.” When we set out to grow and create an achievable roadmap to get us where we want to go, it’s likely we’ll see a productive result.

Growth will happen.

It’s probably evident from those last few paragraphs that I like goal setting and planning. Though I love to plan and dream and create systems and set the bar high (and I know God created me that way for His purpose), the Lord also reminds me of the importance of keeping things simple.

So here’s a simple (ha!) mini-post on that:

Keep It Simple

Yes, I have a tendency to be thorough and systematic. I love plans and following checklists (which means checklists need to be created, right?). While there is nothing wrong with this, I can sometimes overcomplicate things. Then? God brings people and situations into my life to remind me that the answer isn’t always a complicated one.

Keeping things simple reminds me that God is in control. When I weed through the fluff I tend to create, I get down to the things that matter most. When I dig down into the core of things, God brings to mind words like trust and rest and seek.

In regards to keeping things simple, one of my favorite reminders from God’s Word is this:

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”– Psalm 131:1-2

Here are some questions I’ve used to help me evaluate things: Am I keeping things simple so that I can see, hear, and experience God’s work in my life? Or am I overcomplicating things and crowding out His voice? Am I occupying myself with… well, myself? Am I trusting Him and His abilities? Am I seeking His will above my own?

When I live a simple life of trust, I can grow better. God is so faithful to remind me often that He is abundantly worthy of all my trust! I am so in awe of Him.

Practice the Pause: Intentional Spiritual Growth through Stillness

January 14, 2020 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

Eat your vegetables so you’ll grow up nice and strong!

That’s what I tell my children at dinner, anyway. But the act of putting vegetables in your mouth does not make your body strong. The vegetables must be chewed, swallowed, and digested before they can do any good. So too, reading the Bible or listening to a sermon/podcast/teaching is only the first step in the process of spiritual growth. Like our physical bodies, our hearts and minds need time to chew, swallow, and digest the truth we find in Scripture.

When I think of growth – habits I want to build, changes I want to make – I think about action. What can I do? I make charts and lists to track my actions look forward to the end of the month when I will have a calendar full of check marks proving that I have made progress!

Growth takes shape under our intentional actions. Yet, it is during quiet moments of intentional rest that those changes take root. Meditation, silence, and rest. These are the tools of spiritual digestion, changing the Word of Life into energy to fuel our day, protein to build our spiritual muscles, and storage for later use.

Meditation

Meditation sometimes gets a bad wrap for its use in New Age practices. But the simplest definition is to think, contemplate or ponder something. Previous Do Not Depart writers have said, “Scripture gives a clear pattern of meditation filled with the One True God”. Like tea steeping in hot water or yeast working through dough, “Meditation takes time to listen, reflect, rehearse, and rework God’s truth in our lives, kneading it into our souls and allowing it to grow and live in our minds and hearts.” (Read more about meditation here.)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2

Rest

In my work as a writer and director, I sometimes find the most helpful thing I can do for a project is to step away. I take a pause from trying and doing and let the work steep in my heart. When I return, growth has happened. I see the story with new eyes and can move forward with the work.

Rest might feel inactive, but it is the outward expression of trust. Trust that the Lord is working on our behalf.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:8

Silence

Silence is another tool that can be misunderstood and misused. Culturally we tend to be uncomfortable with quiet, the same way we are with rest. It doesn’t seem productive. Yet, it is when we stop eating that our digestive systems go to work, giving life to the body. We have to stop talking so we can hear clearly.

Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. – Ecclesiastes 5:2

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. – Psalm 62:5

In the same way we plan for rest in our workouts, space between meals, and getting the right amount of sleep at night, we must learn to be thoughtful with our study, giving ourselves time to soak in the Word and draw life from it.

Spiritual growth is a marathon. An all you can eat feast. A life-long pursuit we take one bite at a time.

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Do You Need a Transplant? {Psalm 1:3}

October 7, 2019 by Lisa Burgess 4 Comments

When your growth seems dormant and withering has become normal, maybe it’s time for a transplant.

Meditate on Psalm 1:3 with us this week.

A Bigger Pot

Leaves were dropping off my fiddle leaf fig tree. We’d had it in our kitchen in the same pot for 20 years.

But I was afraid to transplant it, for fear it would die altogether. It was once Jeff’s grandparents’ plant. They had given it to us years ago, and we wanted it to stay alive, especially since the grandparents are now gone.

I finally agreed to the transplant. We bought a bigger pot. We bought the dirt. And we dug in.

Now we had to see if it would survive the repotting.

Get Your Transplant

This week’s memory verse, Psalm 1:3, is also about transplants. As believers in Christ, each one of us has received a transplant already. We were growing in one place, then Christ entered our lives and transplanted us.

The Hebrew verb shatal in Psalm 1:3 is translated as “planted.” But scholars suggest the word has a more specific meaning: “transplanted,” to remove something from an undesirable location and place it in a desirable location.

Maybe a plant. And maybe a person.

To walk straight and strong in our journey with Christ, we need nourishment, water, Sonshine. While Christ provides much of that simply through His grace, we also can proactively seek these things alongside Him by positioning ourselves to better receive them.

Through time spent in the written words, with the Living Word, with fellow believers, in service to the needy, etc., we, too, can develop deeper roots. And as we grow downward, we also grow upward.

And as Psalm 1:3 suggests, we, too, as a healthy tree, will also bear fruit.

. . . In due season. Immediate growth isn’t promised. Nor is immediate prosperity in ways we typically measure prosperity.

But we will bloom. Through our separation from the wrong things (Psalm 1:1) and through our meditation on godly things (Psalm 1:2), we will mature into blessed things (Psalm 1:3).

My fiddle leaf fig is doing well. No more leaves have dropped since the transplant. The stems seem strong and the green seems greener.

Transplanting was the best move after all.

Memorize This Week

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:3 (ESV)

[download the verse image]

Don’t just be planted. Go for the transplant. #Psalm1 #HideHisWord

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See all the Psalm 1 posts here.

Want to Walk the Blessed Path?

September 20, 2019 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

We are often drawn to the Psalms because we relate to them. These Hebrew poems say a lot in a few words.

They console us when we’re sad;
they speak for us when we’re speechless;
they help us praise when we’re joyful.

The psalm we will begin learning September 23 is known as a wisdom poem. It is an apt introduction to the whole book of Psalms by giving us a clear picture of two ways of life: a blessed way and a wicked way.

We want the blessed path. But there are things to watch for, things to do, and things not to do to help us identify that path and stay on it. Psalm 1 will increase our awareness of those things.

If you’d like to join us in our memorization and meditation on Psalm 1, verse by verse, please sign up today. [UPDATE: Registration now closed.] We’ll send you one email per week for six weeks. Also join us here each Monday morning at the blog for a short devotional on the verse of the week.

We’re excited to delight in the Lord together through these words.

Want to walk the blessed path? See what to watch for. Memorize and meditate on Psalm 1 with us, beginning Sept 23. #HideHisWord

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Giving from the Overflow

August 9, 2018 by Ali Shaw 5 Comments

This month we’re doing a series called Leading Effectively. If you’re in Christian ministry, or feel called to it, remember that we should be giving from the overflow. This post offers encouragement to do that and a printable tool to help guide your personal quiet time.

When my daughters were very little girls and I was a busy young momma, I remember noticing for the first time that in order to feed my children well, I also needed to be fed. Some days went by in such a blur I only realized by dinner time that I hadn’t had a chance to sit down and eat a nutritious meal. I had little energy left to to make my family their dinner! I learned an important life lesson: to feed others well, I needed to invest in feeding myself first.

Leading other women is somewhat similar. Before we can spiritually “feed”, or pour into the souls of other women, we need to make sure that our souls are being fed. Then, we can give from our overflow and not be drained.

Abide

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:4-8)

“…you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5b)

Jesus tells us to abide in Him. Through that abiding, we can bear fruit and glorify God. Through relationship with Him, being shepherded by Him, our cup can overflow and we can fulfill what He’s called us to do.

To Feed, You Must Be Fed

Without being renewed and filled by the Lord each day, we will run out of steam when we try to serve or lead others.

Jesus was often alone with God, seeking His presence and will. Through His time in prayer and solitude, Jesus was able to live His life and ministry with passion!

Jesus taught His disciples this same principle. He often drew them away for time alone with Him. This is when He taught them important lessons and prepared them for the things that were to come. Time with Jesus prepared them in their walks.

Time spent listening to the sweet voice of our Lord will develop good listening skills in us and help us to really hear other women.

If Jesus and His disciples needed time alone with God to serve and walk in passion with preparation, so do we.

Expand Your Biblical “Horizons”

Sometimes, when we’re in leadership mode, we need the reminder to read and study things outside of what we’re teaching. Expanding our Biblical horizons now, so to speak, can prepare us later. Being filled with the word results in a powerful overflow!

I’m sometimes surprised when God uses something that I thought I was studying for myself to benefit others. God often does that, though. He glorifies Himself, using what He’s taught us, before others. Studying the Word broadly, outside of the lesson we need to present, can bear beautiful fruit for His Kingdom.

The Bible is so connected. No part is completely separate from another. Personal study broadens both our head and heart knowledge and can be used by God as we lead. Though we can never know it all, nor teach it all, knowing some of its connection from one part to another will serve us well in leadership.

Share From Your Experiences

Time spent drawing near God and being “fed” by Him deepens our relationship with the Lord. While this serves us well personally, it also serves us in leading. It allows us to have a testimony and experience to share.

God calls us to glorify Him. We can do this by letting others know what He’s doing in our lives. Let’s pray that God will open our eyes to seeing His work in our daily life, hobbies, and work. Our experiences are what help us connect with other women. While following a good curriculum is important, leading a great small group isn’t only about books. Women want and need to connect.

Prevent Burnout

Remember how I said “to feed, you must be fed?” And, “Without being renewed and filled by the Lord each day, we will run out of steam when we try to serve or lead others?”

Whether it’s leading women in ministry or giving your all at work and/or home, a life of service can be draining. Giving can feel endless. Serving without renewal is a little like pouring and not refilling a pitcher of water. Without being replenished, the once cold water loses its coolness, then becomes warm, and finally empties. And whether you’re the one pouring or the thirsty one, an empty pitcher is a major problem.

Coming to God through prayer and worship to be refilled prevents burnout. He combats our fears. He speaks truths and promises into our hearts for us to hear above the noise around us. Our souls are revived in His presence!

I’ve watched people try to give and serve with the right motive but from a dry place. The daily grind usually grinds to a stop and what’s left is a hurt person. Drawing deeply, daily, from our well (His name is Jesus), goes a long, long way to preventing this type of burnout.

Our souls need to rest in Him and take His easy yoke. (See Matthew 11:28-30)

Enjoy God

When we seek God and enjoy our time spent with Him we are refilled enough to share from our overflow. Without being filled in the first place, there is no overflow! And that filling? That’s for us. That’s our opportunity to be in God’s presence, to let Him work on us, and to ask Him, “what are you saying to me, Father? How can I best glorify you?”

And He will answer and fill us!

“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3)

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)

I’ve made two worksheets for you. One is a Bible study worksheet to help you “give from your overflow.”

The other is a list of verses for you to meditate on when you need some fresh encouragement from the Word. Enjoy!

How has God reminded you that you need to be refilled? What do you do when you need more of Him before you serve others?

Blessings,
Ali

Before we can spiritually feed others, we need to make sure that our souls are being fed. Read more on the blog. #LeadingEffectively

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15 Verses to Pray for Personal Purity

August 20, 2014 by Julie 2 Comments

Our personal purity has a purpose. To live God’s way in an ungodly world, we need to engage the power of prayer in our lives. Not only do we need help to resist temptation, but we need God’s work in us to give us a truly pure heart. We only have to look to God’s own Word to find powerful verses to pray for Personal Purity. At the end of this post you’ll find an easy printable list to make these verses part of your prayer time.

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. (Psalm 101:3a) ~ Help me choose things of value for my learning and entertainment.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) ~ May my words & thoughts please You.
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23, 24) ~ Please show the true condition of my heart and lead me to being pure of heart.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:9,11) ~ Help me to know, remember, and obey the truth of Your word.
They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. (Ephesians 4:19) ~ Keep me from becoming callous to sensuality and impurity.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
(Romans 12:2) ~ Renew my mind daily so I will know what is acceptable to You.
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
(Psalm 119:37) ~ When I am tempted to look at worthless things, help me turn away and find life in Your ways.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
(Proverbs 16:2) ~ Please weigh my spirit and show me how to be pure in Your eyes.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
(2 Timothy 2:22) ~ Help me flee temptation & pursue righteousness, faith, love & peace.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10) ~ Create a clean heart in me.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) ~ Give me a desire to glorify You with my body.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
(Romans 6:12) ~ Help me to be obedient with my passions.
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. (Proverbs 25:28) ~ Teach me to have self-control that comes from your Spirit.
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 16:41) ~ Give me a desire to be a person of prayer so I will refuse temptation.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) ~ When I am tempted, show me clear ways of escape and show me Your faithfulness.

Download your printable copy of 15 Verses to Pray for Personal Purity

When Words Fail {Cultivating Prayer}

August 22, 2013 by Patti Brown 8 Comments

This guest post for our Cultivating Prayer theme is by Sandy Anker…

On September 30, 2004, a stunning fall day, we welcomed our fifth child, Lydia Faith, into the world. My husband and I and our four older children were completely enchanted by this pudgy little girl.

Two weeks later, after a fretful night and a long day of trying to soothe my baby, I put her down in her butterfly seat while I started a fire to take the chill off the October afternoon. When she started fussing again, I turned and picked her up. Something about her cry, rhythmic and weak, alarmed me. I held her out and watched in terror as her face turned gray, then bruise-purple, and her odd little cries faded into silence. I screamed for my sixteen year old lifeguard son who immediately started CPR while I called 911. Tiny puffs of air into the small lungs, little compressions on the still heart.

Thus began a years’ long odyssey that started with a month in the hospital. Weeks of the most desperate prayers I’ve ever uttered. The magnitude of what we were dealing with, however, often left me without words.

The Groans

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26

Many of my prayers during this time were desperate, heart-wrenching groans. As my precious daughter faded away in my arms, all I could pray was “No, no, no, no!” As my son worked on his unconscious sister, as the police officer burst through my front door, as my terrified three year old took in the whole scene, the only words I could utter were, “Jesus, bring my baby back!” Over and over and over.

Sometimes my prayers were simply sobbing in His arms. At other times it was simply breathing in His presence. Obviously these were not eloquent prayers. I did not consciously craft my words in meditation. These prayers were raw and messy, cried out to my Father as I flung myself into His lap.

The Word

When the first ambulance arrived at our small regional hospital, Lydia was rushed into a small ER room and surrounded by doctors, nurses, and technicians. She was intubated while a nurse continued CPR and another doctor repeatedly injected her with epinephrine to restart her heart. In the midst of this chaos, the doctors encouraged us to squeeze in and touch her. As I whispered in her ear that I loved her and needed her to come back, I felt a strong burden to pray one line from the Lord’s Prayer. Words I didn’t want to say, but knew I must: “THY will be done” (Matthew 6:10) The most painful prayer I’ve ever uttered.

Lydia was soon transported to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh where praying scripture over my baby became a vital part of my time with her. There were several verses that were meaningful to me during this time and I personalized them wherever I could.

“For I know the plans I have for Lydia,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper her and not to harm her, plans to give Lydia hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (emphasis mine)

The whole of Psalm 91 was especially significant, beginning with verse 1:

Lydia dwells in the shelter of the Most High and will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I distinctly remember one long scary night praying this psalm for her. When I reached verse 16, my pulse quickened,

I will satisfy Lydia with long life!

I felt like I had received a direct message from my Father in this verse.

Others prayed Scripture over Lydia, too. Especially precious was our friend Travis serenading Lydia in the ICU. I will never forget his passionately singing directly to my fragile, unconscious child:

You are fearfully and wonderfully made! Psalm 139:14

The Body

When we arrived at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, we were ushered into a private waiting room with one of the deacons from our church, our pastor, and one of our seminary professors. We waited for hours before the chief of the Pediatric ICU came to tell us our daughter might not make it through the night. We were numb and speechless. I am so grateful for those three godly saints who took this news in with us and interceded for Lydia and for us.

Like Aaron and Hur held the arms of the exhausted Moses (Exodus 17), so many faithful warriors held us up during this time. As Lydia’s story spread through our seminary and our home church in Texas, and was passed by each seminarian and missionary we knew to their home churches, a prayer net was cast for our tiny girl all around the globe.

We were often surprised by those who joined with us in prayer. One afternoon two of my husband’s seminary buddies came up to pray with us. At that moment Lydia was having electrodes attached to her scalp for an EEG to track her grand mal seizures. The technician said, “I want you to know that I’ll be praying along with you as I continue to work on Lydia.”

We are not meant to go it alone. Prayer is a vital part of our relationship with Him and each other. There were several people I knew I could call any time of the day or night to intercede for Lydia when a new crisis arose. Those dear people didn’t end our conversations with a promise of prayer. They immediately carried our burdens. (Galatians 6:2)

We Are Not Left Helpless

It has been nearly nine years since that horrifying night that started us on a prayer journey that continues to this day. I was rendered speechless so much of the time, but I was not left helpless. My loving Father sweetly gave me His grace to interpret my groans, His Word to speak over my child, and His body to envelop us in a blanket of prayer.

Sandy is a lover of Jesus, the wife of a pastor, the mom of five children, and the grandmother of two sweet babes. She lives, loves, and prays in Northern British Columbia. Lydia is now a spunky, long-legged nine year old rascal.

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SLOW: Preparing Your Heart for Easter

March 7, 2013 by Teri Lynne Underwood 6 Comments

We live in a frantic and chaotic world. Our “to do” lists never end and the demands on our time never cease. We fight an inner battle between our need for stillness and our desire to accomplish. We know, in our hearts, how much we need to slow down, need sabbath. But the voices inside and out remind us of our obligations, our commitments, the tasks at hand.

Maybe, though, you find yourself this Lenten season in that awkward place of recognizing the need to slow but uncertain how to do it. Slowing is hard. Sabbath isn’t easy in a 24/7 world. It’s hard to be the girl in the Bible study who loses the “I’m busiest!” race. I know, I’ve been there. Over the past few weeks, I find myself learning a very important lesson: He slows me because He wants to show me. When the Lord beckons my heart to be still, to rest in His presence, to slow the pace of my life, it is because He always has something He longs to show me—something I need to know about His nature, His character, His plan for me, His love. Slowing allows us to be intentional and to learn.

I’d venture to guess that if you are reading a post with “preparing your heart for Easter,” you have an interest in doing just that. May I offer you a series of Scripture readings to be used for just that purpose?

Let’s SLOW together: Sacrifice, Linger, Own, and Wonder. Each of these four readings is designed for a time of personal meditation and prayer. I’ll be using them on Sunday mornings as I prepare for church and then reading the passages again throughout the week, keeping the words and ideas fresh on my heart.

S—SACRIFICE

As we consider the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we must also consider the sacrifice He’s called us to make in our own lives. The laying down of all we care about and trusting He cares more. My friend Kris speaks of Lent this way, “It occurred to me that perhaps what God calls us to give up, really, is ourselves” ([amazon_link id=”1481909681″ target=”_blank” ]Holey, Wholly, Holy: A Lenten Journey of Refinement[/amazon_link]). I’ve found that Lent presses in on me in ways I’d never expected.

Meditate on these passages about sacrifice: Psalm 116 (especially verse 17) and John 12:1-8.

L—LINGER

When was the last time you lingered in the Lord’s presence? Just stayed to enjoy being wrapped up in Him? Jesus called us to “abide in Him” and even said without doing so we could accomplish nothing (John 15:5). In the Psalms we find the simple but challenging truth that we best know God when we are still in His presence (Psalm 46:10). Carve out time to linger in the Lord’s presence.

Meditate on these passages about lingering: Psalm 46 and John 15:1-9

O—OWN

Do you realize your own need for the Lord, your own part in His death? Sometimes we fail to accept ownership of the reality of our sin. We like those words like “mistake” and “messed up” over the harsher “sin” and “sinner.” But the reality is: We have to reach the point of owning our sin in order to fully recognize the price Christ paid for it. Spend time contemplating the reality of your own sin and the depth of Christ’s sacrifice paid for it.

Meditate on these passages as you consider your own sin: Psalm 22 and John 18:15-18, 25-27; 21:15-19

W—WONDER

I often think about Mary Magdalene’s experience that first resurrection morning. She probably wondered about how the stone would be moved from the tomb, then wondered how she would tell the disciples what she had seen. As she returned to the garden, I bet she wondered about all she’d learned from Jesus and then, when He spoke her name, I just can’t imagine the wonder at hearing His voice once again. May I invite you into the wonder of WHO Jesus is and how much He loves you? Take time to embrace the wonder of God-made-flesh, sent to die, now sitting at God’s right hand, someday to return, and eternally to reign.

Meditate on these passages as you wonder: Psalm 89 and John 20:11-18

{Please feel free to print the SLOW pdf and use it as you prepare your heart for Easter.}

How has slowing helped you see the Lord more clearly?

Staying in the Word

January 24, 2013 by Caroline 10 Comments

My children pick up books throughout our days together and bring them to me to read or “read” themselves. Yesterday morning, I even found my older child “reading” to my younger one on the floor for the first time! Melts my momma heart.

It’s pretty easy to motivate them to cuddle and read together. (I pray, pray, pray this easy motivation remains and grows for a long time.) We enjoy quality time when we do so, they learn (hey, I still learn from their books, too), and we’re spending time wisely.

Experts say kids learn to love reading when families read together and when they see their parents reading for fun on their own. Just witnessing me reading encourages my kids to continue reading.

I want them to observe me captivated and changed from reading God’s Word and eager to pick up the Bible like (or more than) I am any other of my favorite reads.

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” (Joshua 1:8 – NIV)

Do Not Depart is founded upon the above verse. We need to stay in His Word, for doing so brings drastic results on our hearts and perspectives. Why, specifically?

Why We Read the Bible

Like Ann Voskamp said, “We read the Bible to really live…” God’s Word is living, and I only continue to see that truth more and more as years progress.
He formed us by His words (Genesis 1:26). It seems His words hold mighty power and importance.
His Word encourages community (Hebrews 10:24-25), discussion, and growth.
Reading the Word spurs action (James 1:22). His Words and the words of those who followed Him inspire us and draw us closer to the heart of God through revealing His active love.
His Word offers wisdom (James 3:17-18).
God’s Word is trustworthy, alive, and powerful.
Christ is the Word become flesh (John 1:14). A pretty good reason to linger in His Word, eh?

How to Stay in His Word

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 is one of my go-to verses on the “how” part of staying in His Word. Talk about the verses, see the verses, read the verses, act on the verses.

As any discipline does, it takes training to making reading the Bible a habit.

Read and think every day. If it’s one book, one chapter, or one verse—just read. And pray for an open heart to His Word for you that day. Whenever I approach Bible reading time with a prayer and willingness, I see so much more of what He wants me to see.

A Few More Resources to Help You Stay in the Word

Use an app like Bible Gateway or YouVersion to follow a Bible reading plan. Each of these apps has a variety of topics to choose from and read.
Go back and read some our archived studies, like Love Like Him, Run to Him (a study on the Psalms), or Abiding Fruit. These studies focus on spending time in His Word to learn, grow, and deepen faith.
Kathy wrote a post several months ago with a free printable meditation worksheet to help you discover more depth in study of His Word.
Join a community focusing on reading and discussing the Word. I like She Reads Truth and HelloMornings.
For reflective bible study, read Savoring Living Water, filled with useful, in-depth bible study tips, and our series on creating a Bible notebook.

So, go ahead. Cuddle up with your bible. And see what amazing love you find from lingering in His Word.

Why do you read God’s Word? What are your favorite tips for staying in His Word? We love hearing from you.

Bible Notebook: Prayer Album for Women on the Go

September 18, 2012 by Julie 11 Comments

I’m pretty sure I frequently look like a refugee. Women have a lot of “stuff” to take with us. Maybe it’s because we want to be prepared for any possible scenarios. Maybe it’s because we want to justify having large floral bags. Maybe it’s because people get used to us with a diaper bag appendage, and that matures into carrying extra snacks, random trash, and assorted fast food coupons. Or maybe it’s that we want to be ready to use our spare moments well.

When life is busy, we need to think ahead about how to make the most of time to turn our hearts to the Lord. There are many ways to organize simple devotional, study, and prayer resources we can take with us.

As a woman often on the go, there are times when I just can’t take my Bible Study materials with me. I want a handy, easy-to-carry, mobile tool for unexpected times I can turn my attention to the Lord. Imagine yourself sitting in a school pick up line … because you didn’t have time to go home. Think about waiting at the doctor’s office … because she was called away to an emergency. Or envision the 30 minutes wait during a music lesson, because it’s not long enough to leave and come back. Women have little time to waste, yet we have to learn to wait. In the waiting, it’s good to have a Prayer Album for Women on the Go. Pull it out of your purse, glove compartment, lunch bag, desk, diaper bag, or other case and use your time to do a little “praying without ceasing.”

We created these Prayer Albums as an activity at a women’s shelter. We talked about, “How do you really pray without ceasing?” It was a fun way to spend an evening with other women, putting together a tool we can all use to make the most of our time and help us abide in the Vine (John 15:1-11) in our busy lives, talking to God throughout our days.

Five sections for prayer include: Praises (giving thanks), Pits (temptations/sin), People (specific needs/hopes), Pleas (burdens/requests), Promises (scripture to guide/encourage).

Download The Prayer Album for Women on the Go here.

10 Steps to Make Your Prayer Album for Women on the Go

Purchase a 4×6 slide in photo book (Ex. $2 option & $4 option at Target) & index cards
Print out the 6 pages on to card stock
Carefully cut out the divider cards
Prepare 2 tabbed cards for each section: Praises/Pits/People/Pleas/Promises
Trim away extra words, preparing 2 cards per section
The final card can be used as a cover card
Put two cards, back to back, into a pocket, so that they show on each side
Fill 3-4 pages with index cards in between each section
Repeat for each section
Use index cards to write down requests, answers to prayer, and scripture, and update regularly. You can even add pictures or notes unique to the content.

Click here to download your free printable Prayer Album cards.

And when you carve out sweet time to open up your Bible Notebook, use the Bible Notebook tabs, the Meditation Worksheet, pages for Seminar and Sermon Notes, and Prayer Calendars to dig deep in God’s Word.

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Created to Rest

Jesus Shows Us How to Rest

We Need Rest

How to Rest

Rest is Not a Waste

Take My Life

All for Thee

No Longer Mine

Pause, Reflect

Picture of Birds

An Approachable Altar

As Natural As Nature

When Words Don’t Come

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Offer Hope through Philippians 1:9-11

Find Your Blessing to Give

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Expand Your Biblical “Horizons”

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The Groans

The Word

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We Are Not Left Helpless

L—LINGER

O—OWN

W—WONDER

How has slowing helped you see the Lord more clearly?

Why We Read the Bible

How to Stay in His Word

A Few More Resources to Help You Stay in the Word

10 Steps to Make Your Prayer Album for Women on the Go

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