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5 Helpful Tools for More Effective Bible Study

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If you are new to the Bible, studying it can be a bit intimidating. But there are many useful tools out there today to help and guide your studies. This month we are doing a series called “Leading Effectively.” If you are in Christian ministry, today’s post contains some helpful tools to help you more effectively study God’s Word as well as lead others to do the same.

 

Leading Effectively a series for the Christian Women's ministry leader on DoNotDepart.com

 

Commentaries

One of the best ways to grow and learn in your understanding, especially when it comes to difficult passages, is to read Bible commentaries. It’s a good idea to also read more than one as scholars tend to highlight and discuss different aspects of each passage. And best of all, many commentaries can now be found online. (My favorite links can be found below!)

 

Concordance

I am not sure what I would do without this particular Bible study tool. I grew up attending a private Christian school, and I very clearly remember the days of looking up words in my large Strong’s Concordance (which I still do from time to time) to complete study projects for my Bible classes. Now, however, I can search any word or phrase with the click of a button!

 

Multiple Translations

This is one Bible study method that often gets forgotten. Yes, I know what it’s like to have a favorite translation of the Bible. (And there is nothing wrong with that!) But it’s very important that we also reference other translations from time to time. While the Bible is the perfect Word of God, there is no such thing as a “perfect” translation. How do I know this? Well, for one thing, we have around 50 different English translations of the Bible. (And depending on your definition of translation, some say this number is much higher!)

With this many translations, how do we know which one is the most accurate? The truth is… we don’t. Some place more emphasis on the author’s original meaning, while others focus on exact word-for-word translation. And still, others strive for readability, both for adults as well as children. This is why it is so important for us to study from different translations. When we read these varying translations side-by-side, we get a much more accurate picture of what the writer truly meant to say.

 

Greek/Hebrew Lexicons

With all of this talk of translations, looking up words in their original language is certainly one of the best ways to understand the author’s original meaning. It used to be that you had to thoroughly know Greek or Hebrew to study the Bible in its original language. But with the tools we have today at our fingertips, we can study the Bible in a whole new way.

 

Bible Study Websites

Here are some of my favorite Bible study websites:

BibleHub.com

BlueLetterBible.org

BibleGateway.com

 

All of these sites contain many of the useful tools mentioned in this post and more. You will find Bible dictionaries, lexicons, maps, concordances, devotionals, commentaries, and many varying translations.

 

 

Knowing how to study the Bible is one of the most essential aspects of leading effectively. After all, you can’t lead others in studying God’s Word if you aren’t in the Word yourself. These tools will allow you to thoroughly study whatever you might be teaching and will give you new insight to share.

 

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 (ESV)

 

Do you have a favorite Bible study tool? Please share in the comments below!

 

How Well Do You Know the Holy Spirit?

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But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. – Acts 1:8 (ESV)

How well do you know the Holy Spirit? I was born into a Christian family, went to church my entire life, and even attended a private Christian school for most of my education. Yet, I must admit that as a young adult, the Holy Spirit remained a bit of a mystery to me. I learned a lot about God the Father, and I knew nearly every story about Jesus. But I found that I didn’t know as much about the Holy Spirit as I knew about the Father and the Son. So as I began my years in seminary, I set out to learn more about Him.

 

How Well Do You Know the Holy Spirit? | DoNotDepart.com

 

Continuing in our Exceptional Christian Book series, today we’ll look at The Holy Spirit in You by Derek Prince. One of the things I love most about this particular book is its simplicity. He clearly explains what we know about the Holy Spirit throughout the Scriptures and how He works in our lives today as Believers. It is just over 100 pages long, so it’s a short read, but it is packed with truth straight from God’s Word.

Within the first few pages of this book, I began to realize why the Holy Spirit can be difficult for us to understand sometimes…

“The first thing we must understand is that the Holy Spirit is Himself a person, just as much as the Father and the Son are people. Because of human parallels, it is comparatively easy for us to realize that God the Father is a person and God the Son is a person, but it is not always as easy to realize that God the Holy Spirit is a person.” – Derek Prince

We can relate to God as our Father, and we can certainly relate to Jesus who became human and endured suffering to save mankind from both sin and death. But the Holy Spirit is different…

 

As the book continues, we learn about the Holy Spirit’s role in the creation of the world as well as before the arrival of the Messiah. We then learn about His role in the life of Christ. But the truth is that everything changed on the Day of Pentecost. Through the power of the Spirit, we are now transformed from the old creation into a new creation through the “inbreathed breath of God.” The Spirit of the living God now dwells inside every Believer.

 

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. – John 14:15-17 (ESV, emphasis added)

 

So I come back to my original question. How well do you know the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit in You by Derek Prince is a great place to start. Diving into who He is, what He has done throughout history, and what He is capable of in the life of a Believer today, this book will challenge you to grow as you learn more about Him.

 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. – 2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV)

 

Refusing the Holy Spirit is refusing the divine life Jesus came to give us. – Derek Prince

 

How well do you know the Holy Spirit? Join us for our #ChristianBooks series.

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When You Feel Afraid, God is Your Strength

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Do you ever feel afraid? Perhaps that’s a silly question. We have ALL been afraid at some point in our lives. I’ve spent many nights awake worrying about things I have no control over. I’ve lacked courage when faced with a difficult or intimidating task. I would like to say that every time I’ve ever faced fear, I took it straight to God. Looking back… it would have spared me a lot of sleepless nights filled with anxiety. And while I can’t claim perfection in this area, I can say this: Every single time I have ever taken my fears to God, He has proven Himself to be faithful and true.

 

When You Feel Afraid, God is Your Strength | DoNotDepart.com

 

We have a promise from God… as well as a command.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

This is one of my favorite passages in Scripture. It serves as a reminder that God is on our side. He is our help in times of trouble, and He is our strength in times when we feel weak. But in the midst of this amazing promise, we find a gentle command.

Fear not… be not dismayed… 

The Hebrew word for “dismayed” is sha`ah meaning to look in dismay or gaze about in anxiety. (Source: Blue Letter Bible) How often do we look around at our circumstances in worry or dread? We see our physical circumstances and worry as if somehow God can’t or won’t be our strength. But we serve an amazing Father! He longs to be our help, and He wants us to trust Him in all of life’s trials.

 

God replaces our fears with power, love, and self-control.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

The truth is that fear is a liar…

Fear tells us that God won’t provide. Fear tells us that we aren’t equipped to handle our struggles. And worst of all… fear tells us that there is a reason to be afraid. But the Bible tells us that we have no reason to fear.

 

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? – Psalm 118:6 (ESV)

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” – 1 Corinthians 15:55 (ESV)

 

There is not one thing in this life to be afraid of when you are a child of God. Even death itself. So when you feel afraid, it may be time to take a step back and ask yourself if you are allowing fear to speak into your life.

I speak from experience when I say that it is entirely too easy to justify your worries and fears. It’s normal to worry about your children right? Wouldn’t I be a bad mother if I didn’t worry?

 

Our Father knows our needs.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6 to not be worried or fearful about even the basic essentials of life such as food or clothing. “For the Gentiles seek after all these things…” Fear is a basic human emotion. And in the Word of God, we are told to fear God alone. But the fears of this world, the fears that are deemed normal by our culture, are not normal if you’re a child of God. “…your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” We serve an amazing Father who has given us His promise to provide.

 

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”  – Matthew 6:31-32 (ESV)

 

When you feel afraid, remember Who you serve. He is your help. He is your strength. And He is your provider.

 

Beloved Stories: When God Puts a Dream in Your Heart

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My favorite Bible story as a child was the story of Joseph. (His story can be found in Genesis 37, 39-47.) His life was full of promise and victory, yet he also encountered humiliation and defeat. Little did I know as a child that this story would inspire and encourage me so much as an adult. As I have faced my own share of ups and downs, Joseph’s life reminded me that God always keeps His Word. At a young age, God put a dream in the heart of Joseph and then carried it through to completion. Has He put a dream in your heart as well?

 

Beloved Stories: When God Puts a Dream in Your Heart | DoNotDepart.com

 

Joseph was a dreamer…

Joseph had high hopes for his life because God put dreams in his heart. At an early age, God gave him actual dreams about his future as a ruler. He didn’t know how it all would play out, but he knew in his heart that God had a unique plan for his future. Has God put a dream in your heart? Has He inspired you towards action in some way? Perhaps you’re like Joseph and are unsure how God is going to get you from point “a” to point “b.” Trust that He will get you there and don’t lose hope.

 

Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers…

Have you ever been betrayed by someone you trusted? In their jealousy, Joseph’s brothers did the unthinkable. They sold their own brother into slavery and then faked his death. Not only was this cruel towards Joseph, but can you imagine being their father Jacob? The grief he would experience would leave him broken for many years to come.

 

Joseph endured trials and periods of waiting…

Being sold into slavery wasn’t his only dilemma. Joseph was also wrongly accused and thrown into prison. And even though God gave him favor in prison and never left his side, he still had to endure a time of waiting and wondering.

 

Joseph received his promise…

When reading the story of Joseph, it’s easy to forget how many years pass before God’s promise was finally realized in his life. But the truth is that everything Joseph endured prepared him for all that God had planned for his life.

 

Joseph forgave…

God worked all things together for his good and for the good of the Israelite nation. When face to face with his brothers once again, Joseph made the decision to forgive them. In the end, his entire family came to Egypt, which is right where God needed His people to be for all He had planned for their future.

 

 

When I was younger, God put dreams in my heart. They weren’t actual dreams like Joseph, but they were dreams nonetheless and I knew that God had inspired them. But I faced opposition in my life. Betrayed by close friends, I found myself beaten up and without hope. I spent several years of my life working through what had happened to me. I have to wonder if I experienced some of the same emotions Joseph undoubtedly felt in prison. Did God still have a plan for my life? Had He forgotten about the dreams He placed in my heart? Would I ever recover?

Today, my life looks very different. I find myself in awe of the healing God has done in my life. It wasn’t overnight, but rather it took time. I had to take things one day at a time. And when I look back, I can’t help but wonder if everything I went through was exactly what needed to happen to get me from point “a” to point “b.”

You see, if Joseph’s brothers hadn’t betrayed him and sold him into slavery, he would have never seen his dream realized. Did it break God’s heart when Joseph faced struggle and hardship? The Bible doesn’t say for certain… but knowing the character of God, I believe it did. And what the enemy meant for harm, God turned it around and used it as part of His plan for Joseph’s life.

 

Has God put a dream in your heart?

 

God works all things together for the good of those who love Him… even the things that are difficult and don’t make sense. Our journey in life can seem complicated and messy at times, but God is faithful to use every part of our story to bring us closer to Him.

 

Has God put a dream in your heart? #BelovedStoriesOT

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Beautiful Beatitudes: Are You Hungry for Righteousness?

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This month we are taking a closer look at the Beatitudes from Matthew 5, and today’s post focuses on righteousness and what it really means to hunger for it.

 

Beautiful Beatitudes: Are You Hungry for Righteousness? | DoNotDepart.com

 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. – Matthew 5:6 (ESV)

 

Defining Righteousness…

According to dictionary.com, a righteous person is “characterized by uprightness or morality.” But is this how the Bible defines the word?

The Pharisees certainly believed so. They devoted their entire lives to being men of moral integrity. They followed every rule (even their own made up rules) and made sure everyone knew about it. In their minds, they were the very definition of righteousness. Yet, this was not enough.

 

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:20 (ESV)

 

Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:20 undoubtedly stung when the Pharisees heard them. But even more so, I’m sure there were many in the crowd thinking to themselves, “How on earth could I be MORE righteous than a Pharisee?”

This is why your definition of what it means to be righteous is so important. A wrong definition could lead you to a life of empty religious works rather than a life of surrender and works that stems from an obedient heart.

 

Righteousness by faith alone…

Apart from Christ, it is impossible to be righteous. Period. No matter how hard you work, you will never be righteous on your own. Instead, the Bible says that we are declared righteous (or justified) by our faith.

 

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1 (HCSB, emphasis added)

 

…For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. – Philippians 3:8-9 (ESV, emphasis added)

 

Righteousness is all about the heart. If your focus lies in doing “righteous” deeds, you’ll find yourself in the same situation as the Pharisees. You’ll be clean on the outside and dirty on the inside. But if you allow God to transform your heart by faith, you will be declared righteous by God. Good deeds will then flow from a heart that longs to please God rather than glorify self.

 

Righteous deeds flow from a righteous heart…

When speaking of Abraham, Paul wrote the following:

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. – Romans 4:20-25 (ESV)

 

Abraham was not unlike you and me. He struggled with doubt when God first gave him the promise of becoming the father of many nations. But his faith grew, and God kept His promise. It was his faith in God that made him righteous. Yes, Abraham obeyed God. But even his obedience stemmed from his faith, not his desire for righteousness.

 

So what does this all have to do with this beatitude? Well in a word… everything.

 

Those who hunger and thirst for righteous will be satisfied. And the way to seek righteousness is to seek Jesus in faith.

 

The truth is that righteous is not something you can work for or earn, rather it is given to you by God. And when we come to Him in faith, hungry and thirsty for Him… it is then that we will be declared righteous.

 

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

 

 

Jesus, King of Kings – Mark 14:42-72, John 18, Mark 15

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As you read Days 34-36  from our Lent Reading plan (40 Days with Jesus), what stands out the most to you and why?

 

Jesus, King of Kings - Mark 1442-72, John 18, Mark 15 | DoNotDepart.com

 

As a little girl, I envisioned the day that I would one day get married and have children. And let me the first to say, nothing turned out the way I pictured it… (I am so glad it didn’t!) While my childhood dreams were based on fairy tales and happily ever afters, reality is often a bit messier. I have now been married for nearly 8 years and have two beautiful daughters, and living through the ups and downs has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life. It all happened as it should… the way God intended it to be.

 

The Jewish people had long awaited their Messiah. They had a picture in their minds of what He would look like and accomplish for their people. They sought after a physical king who would free them from the Roman oppression they were currently enduring. And in the end, the Jewish people would be a great and mighty kingdom, greater than any kingdom that had ever ruled the known earth.

But Jesus was nothing like they pictured.

I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. – Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV)

As we read through the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, it can be difficult to see the King described in Daniel 7:13-14. Through physical eyes, Jesus was simply an ordinary man. He was no king. But the truth of Jesus victory on the cross and His kingship cannot be seen through physical eyes. And this is made clear through Jesus’ final words leading up to His death.

 

Mark 14:42-72

“Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” – Mark 14:49 (ESV)

Many aspects of Jesus’ ministry, betrayal, arrest, and ultimately His crucifixion don’t make sense. Judas, one of His disciples would betray Him. Though without sin, Jesus was condemned to die a criminal’s death. And the Jewish people who loved Him and welcomed Him into Jerusalem just days earlier (Mark 11:8-11) now despised Him and wanted Him to die. Why? Why did the events of His life unfold in such a manner?

Jesus answers this very question in today’s reading. The Old Testament told of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It gave details concerning His life and ministry, His death and resurrection, and the victorious impact this would have on mankind as Jesus established His Kingdom as our eternal King. “But let the Scriptures be fulfilled...”

 

John 18

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” – John 18:36 (ESV)

Jesus’ mission couldn’t be seen with physical eyes because only those with ears to hear and eyes to see could know the truth. You see, Jesus was fulfilling prophecy before their very eyes… prophecy that the Jewish leaders knew VERY well. Yet, they missed it. They couldn’t see the truth because they were spiritually blind. Jesus tells us twice in verse 36 that His kingdom is not of this world. He was about ready to do the most impacting, life-altering thing in history… atone for the sins of mankind, defeat sin and death once and for all, and establish Himself as King of kings and Lord of lords for all eternity. While the world saw an ordinary man claiming to be a king, those who could spiritually see the truth knew Him as the Son of God who would save the world and reign as King of kings for all eternity.

 

Mark 15

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” – Mark 15:38-39 (ESV)

Truly Jesus is the Son of God! The events leading up to and surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection were nothing short of miraculous, to say the least. When Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Spiritually, life would never be the same. His defeat of sin and death would mean that we could now dwell in the presence of our Father for all eternity.

 

 

While the world sees an ordinary man, those who can spiritually see the truth know Him as King Jesus.

 

 

 

For more discussion, join in with our DoNotDepart Facebook community.

Catch up on all our articles here on our reading passages for Lent.

 

The Truth Will Set You Free – John 8-10

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The truth will set you free! I hear this quote frequently in both Christian and secular circles. It comes from Jesus’ words in John 8:32. But did you know that it’s actually the second half of Jesus’ statement?

 

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32 (ESV)

 

The key to being set free by God’s truth is abiding in His word. It’s not enough to know the truth. The enemy knows the truth, but it doesn’t set him free. God’s truth sets us free when we abide in it and become His followers. This is one of many reasons I am truly enjoying this Lent Bible study. What an amazing way to abide in God’s Word as we approach the celebration of His victory over sin and death on the cross!

 

The Truth Will Set You Free - John 8-10 - read more of the Reading Plan for Lent from DoNotDepart.com a Christian Women's Ministry

 

As you read John 8-10 from our daily Lent plan, what stands out the most to you and why?

 

John 8

“Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” – John 8:51 (ESV)

John 8 begins with one of the most well-known stories of Jesus’ ministry. A woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus. According to the Law, they had every right to stone this woman to death, but Jesus had other plans when He said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” That day, her sin was forgiven and she was told to go and sin no more. What a beautiful story of God’s love and mercy!

Throughout His ministry, Jesus made one thing clear. We all have a choice to make. Believing in Him means choosing life over death, freedom over slavery, and forgiveness over condemnation. It may seem like an easy choice, but it was one that most of the religious leaders were too blind in their pride to see.

 

John 9

Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud. – John 9:6 (ESV)

Speaking of blindness, today’s chapter includes one of my favorite miracles of Jesus. It also contains an important lesson in spiritual sight. A man who had been blind since birth was healed by Jesus in a most unusual way. But the story didn’t end there, rather it was laced with controversy. You see, the Jewish people believed that a child who was born with a disability was born that way because their parents had sin in their lives. This man’s parents had undoubtedly endured their fair share of gossip and stares. And now… their son was associated with Jesus. This explains their fear of the Jewish leaders. The last thing they wanted was more controversy. Unfortunately, their need for approval kept them from seeing the truth about who Jesus was (and is) and what He came to do.

 

John 10

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” – John 10:9 (ESV)

I love the promises found in today’s passage. The sheep know the Shepherd’s voice in verse 4. They flee from the voice of strangers in verse 5. And in verse 9 we see that salvation comes to those who follow Jesus.

I find it so comforting to know that when I abide in Christ, I can know the voice of my Shepherd!

So once again, we are presented with a choice. We can choose to follow the Jesus and enter through the door to find life. Or we can be blind to the truth which ultimately leads to death.

Will you follow Jesus and allow God’s truth to set you free?

 

 

Believing in Jesus means choosing life over death, freedom over slavery, and forgiveness over condemnation.

 

For more discussion, join in with our DoNotDepart Facebook community.

Catch up on all our articles here on our reading passages for Lent.

 

 

Healing and Controversy: Lent Readings – Mark 2-3 and John 2

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As you read Mark 2-3 and John 2 from our daily Lent plan, what stands out the most to you and why?

Healing and Controversy: Lent Readings Mark 2-3 and John 2 | DoNotDepart.com

 

To say that Jesus’ ministry was controversial is an understatement. While multitudes came to Him and found healing, others questioned everything about Him… including His power to heal the sick. The Pharisees made it their mission to destroy Him. They questioned Him at every turn and constantly tried to trap Him using His own teachings as well as the Law. Never finding success, the Pharisees would ultimately seek to destroy Him the only way they knew how… Little did they know that it would be His ultimate victory!

 

 

  • Mark 2 – Jesus Reveals Himself as Our Healer

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” – Mark 2:5 (ESV)

 

The paralyzed man was brought to Jesus for physical healing, but he received something far greater… spiritual healing. It wasn’t until verse 11 that Jesus told the paralytic man to get up and walk. This is probably one of my favorite stories of healing in all of Jesus’ ministry. (I say “one of” because I have many!) He came to Jesus for physical healing, but his greater need was met first.

How often do we take our needs to God and He answers them differently than we expected? Jesus knew the hearts of the people around Him. He could see their faith. The paralytic man still received his physical healing, but not before Jesus addressed his greater need. And in doing so, Jesus was able to reveal a bit more of Himself. Yes, Jesus could forgive sins here on earth.

 

  • Mark 3 – Jesus Reveals Himself as Merciful and Compassionate

And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. – Mark 3:5-6 (ESV)

 

In verse 5, we read that Jesus was “grieved at their hardness of heart.” Even as the Pharisees were plotting against Him, His heart broke for them. What an amazing reminder of just how merciful and loving our God is!

Jesus was often the center of controversy. But I find it interesting how He chose to respond. There were times, yes, when He challenged the religious leaders. But He always remained wise in His speech and in His actions. He knew when to be silent and when to speak up. He also demonstrated great compassion and mercy… even to those who were plotting to kill Him.

 

  • John 2 – Jesus Reveals His Heart

When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” – John 2:3-5 (ESV)

 

I’ve always loved the story of Jesus turning water into wine. It gives us an intimate glimpse into the personal relationship Jesus had with his mother Mary. Although, I must admit I’m left with some questions. How did Mary know Jesus could turn the water into wine? Had He done something like that before in their private home life? I also find it funny that she almost completely ignores what Jesus said to her. She simply turns to the servants and tells them to obey Him.

For me personally, this chapter shares Jesus’ heart and His emotions. He cared about His mother enough to fulfill a great need. And He cared deeply about God’s house in verses 13-22 and cleansed the temple. But He also knew the heart of man. Verse 24 reveals Jesus’ lack of trust in those who claimed to believe in Him. They loved the miracles, but would they still follow Him when it meant surrendering their lives?

 

 

Yes, Jesus was quite controversial. He inspired people with hope as He performed miraculous deeds. But He also challenged the minds and heart of all who listened.

Jesus, our Healer, loves us deeply. He is merciful, compassionate, knows our hearts, and forgives our sins.

 

So while the cost of following Him means surrendering all we have to Him, it is more than worth it!

 

And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” – Mark 3:34-35 (ESV)

 

For more discussion, join in with our DoNotDepart Facebook community.

Catch up on all our articles here on our reading passages for Lent.

 

The Source of True Wisdom: Proverbs 24-26

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Have you ever said or done something you knew would come back to haunt you? We all make mistakes, and we all wished we had the wisdom to make the right choice in every circumstance. But true wisdom comes from God alone. Because when push comes to shove, not everything in life is black or white. Sometimes we have to make decisions that don’t have a clear answer. It’s in these instances where we need God’s true wisdom to guide our lives.

 

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In today’s post, we will be examining chapters 24-26 of Proverbs. Much like the rest of the book, they contain verses and sayings that are practical in nature. Some involve issues of integrity while others deal with work ethic. As I read these chapters, I can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Each verse makes sense. I find myself saying, “Yes, that’s so true!” But putting every single verse to practice… that’s a daunting task, to say the least. How does one live wisely in every area of life in every circumstance? And what about the grey areas where there isn’t a clear right or wrong answer?

 

Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. – Proverbs 26:7 (ESV)

 

This verse from chapter 26 says it all. Knowing truth isn’t enough. I can memorize every verse in the book of Proverbs, apply them to my life, and still be a foolish person. Have you noticed yet that motives play a vital role in living wisely? A pure heart makes all the difference. I can be “wise” by the world’s standards, but the wisdom of this world is no match for God’s wisdom. And the only way to live in God’s wisdom to live by the Spirit of God.

 

My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. – Proverbs 24:13-14 (ESV)

 

True wisdom from God gives us a future and a hope that can’t be taken away.

 

So how do we become truly wise? 1 Kings 3:1-15 tells the story of Solomon gaining His wisdom. God came to him in a dream and asked him what he would like to receive. Instead of wealth and riches or a long life, Solomon asked God for wisdom. We are given the same opportunity today.

 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5 (ESV)

 

So as I read through the book of Proverbs and find myself overwhelmed by all of the advice and guidance, I must remember that this wisdom didn’t come from years of experience or training. Solomon was given his wisdom by God. It wasn’t forced, but rather it was natural.

In the same way, we can ask God for wisdom, and He will be faithful to give it to us.

 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. – James 3:17-18 (ESV)

 

Enjoying the series? Be sure to join the conversation on our community Facebook group!

 

True wisdom from God gives us a future and a hope that can’t be taken away.

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A Contrast Between Right and Wrong: Proverbs 10-12

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I love studying the book of Proverbs. It’s so… practical. No other book of the Bible contains such everyday information regarding our lives. Yet at the same time, this book is profoundly deep. I could easily spend an entire day just meditating on one solitary verse. In today’s post, we will take a look at chapters 10-12. In these verses written by Solomon, we find many contrasting images. You are either righteous or wicked, rich or poor, lazy or hardworking, wise or foolish, etc. While these chapters contain many different themes describing the difference between right and wrong, three themes, in particular, stood out to me as I studied.

 

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  • Worth ethic and integrity matter… Solomon speaks often here in these chapters about the importance of hard work and integrity. Laziness is definitely not of God, and it will yield you no reward. Integrity is equally important. I love the first verse of chapter 11 where we are told that a “just weight” is God’s delight.

 

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. – Proverbs 10:4

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. – Proverbs 10:9

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. – Proverbs 11:1

 

  • The importance of our words… Taming the tongue is no small feat. In fact, James 3:8 tells us that “no human being can tame the tongue.” It’s a good thing we have the Holy Spirit living within us! Through His power and strength, our words can become a source of healing and encouragement to the world around us.

 

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. – Proverbs 11:12

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. – Proverbs 12:18

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. – Proverbs 12:25

 

  • A matter of life or death… Apart from righteousness, we are doomed to perish. But true righteousness isn’t granted because of our behavior. It is through faith alone that we are declared righteous by God. (Hebrews 11)  In Christ, we are born again. And in Him, we have righteousness and eternal life. 

 

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. – Proverbs 11:4

Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die. – Proverbs 11:19

In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. – Proverbs 12:28

 

These verses are far more than wise sayings. They speak truth and wisdom to our everyday lives. Solomon was given his wisdom by God, and we can trust these words to be true because they were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

 

What I love most about these passages is that they are direct and straight to the point. They never try to sugar coat the truth. The very first verse of chapter 12 even tells us that “he who hates reproof is stupid.” (Solomon was certainly not one to be subtle!)

While a lot of these verses may seem like common sense, the truth is that living in wisdom can be difficult. Applying these verses and taking them to heart is something we must learn to do on a daily basis. But we are not on our own!

 

The Holy Spirit, the one God sent to comfort and to guide, lives within us. Following His lead will always lead to wise living.

 

What themes stood out the most to you this week as you read through chapters 10-12? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you as you apply these words of wisdom to your life.

 

 

Be sure to join the conversation on our community Facebook group!

Our series so far:

 

The Holy Spirit lives within us, and following His lead will always lead to wise living.

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When God Gives You a Present (and He gives the best gifts!)

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To say that gift giving is a big part of Christmas is an understatement, to say the least. Our modern culture is all about the holiday shopping season, and I must admit that buying Christmas presents is something I truly enjoy. Historically speaking, the giving of gifts during the month of December actually pre-dates Christmas itself. Slowly as Christmas traditions began to take shape, gift giving became a major holiday tradition. For many Christians, we give gifts in order to honor the gifts given to Jesus by the magi. We are also remembering the best gift of all, one that was given to all of mankind… the presence of our King and Savior.

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Have you ever received a personal present from God? I am talking about something in your life… something you’ve been praying for… that you knew was from God. Maybe it was something big like God meeting an important need in your life. Or perhaps it was a small, yet meaningful moment when God spoke to your heart. In these moments when God intervenes, we can feel His presence as well as His love in our lives. He cares deeply about even the little things we face on a daily basis.

 

Sometimes when God gives us gifts, they are personal and meant solely for us to enjoy. But more often than not, God’s gifts are meant to be shared.

 

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ…. – 1 Peter 4:9-11 (ESV)

 

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling…

Christmas is all about giving and sharing with one another. We are given more opportunities to give of our time, resources, and finances during the holidays than any other time of the year. And as Christians, we are called to be hospitable. What I love most about this passage, however, is that it defines hospitality a bit differently than our culture would define it.

It’s more than simply giving away resources to those in need. It’s about sharing with others the gifts we’ve been given by God. And in doing so, we are sharing His love and His presence.

 

As each has received a gift…

God gives us gifts so that we can pass them on to others. Think about it this way: when you give something to someone that belongs to you, it’s you who are glorified in that action. But when we give something away that was given to us by God, He is the One who is ultimately glorified.

 

Every present God gives is enveloped with His presence… so when we share His “presents” with others, we are also sharing His “presence.”

 

Do you ever feel like you have nothing to give? I’ve been there. With the holiday season especially, it’s easy to feel a bit spent. But never forget how richly you’ve been blessed! Even when you don’t feel like you have something to give, you do.

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)

 

We have been blessed with “every spiritual blessing” in heaven. Let that sink in for a moment. Feelings aside, the truth is that you carry God’s peace, His joy, and His supernatural strength with you every moment of every day. You simply need to make the choice to walk in it.

 

So when God gives you a present (and He has given you an abundance of presents!), share these gifts with all those around you. In doing so, you’ll be spreading His presence to everyone you meet and glorifying Him this holiday season. And I can assure you also of this… you will personally experience His presence in a whole new way.

 

When we share God’s “presents” with others, we are also sharing His “presence.” #ChristmasPresence

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