Do Not Depart

Encouragement and Tools to Abide in God's Word

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Hard to find

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My name is Kathy and I was once an obsessed collector of Beanie Baby Bears.

The bear I worked the hardest to find was the one that commemorated Princess Diana. Plush, royal purple with a white rose on her chest, Ty© released “Princess” in December 1997 just months after Diana’s death. Admirably, Ty© donated the profits from the bear to the Princess Diana of Wales Memorial Fund.

“Princess” was almost impossible to find. I combed stores. I stood in lines. Finally, I found the object of my affection. Now it’s in a storage container somewhere.

You know what’s harder to find than a Princess Diana Beanie Baby? A virtuous woman of noble character. Here’s how the wisdom of Proverbs puts it:

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies. Proverbs 31:10, NLT

The author of this acrostic poem compares a virtuous woman to the rarity of a valuable gemstone. The Hebrew word, which means “a precious stone,” is translated as “ruby” more often than “jewel” in popular versions of the Bible including the KJV, NIV, ASV, and the NLT. Either one is accurate.

I chose to use a version that translates it as “ruby” because of the unique value the ancient world put in this particular jewel. The ruby was known as “the king of gems.” Some used it as a talisman to warn its owner of danger. Many ancients believed that the ruby – ground to a fine powder and placed on the tongue – could cure blood diseases, stop bleeding, ensure good health, and treat indigestion.

Throughout the history of mankind, rubies have been considered a prized possession. Treasured by royalty and held in awe by the common man, this scarce gemstone commanded extremely high prices. Even today large rubies are hard to find and are therefore more valuable than diamonds of the same size.

So what makes the woman described in Proverbs 31 so rare? It’s her “virtuous” or “noble” character. The Hebrew word used to describe our “rare as rubies” woman is used 85 in the OT as a human attribute, but only three times for a woman. The word means “might, strength, power; able, virtuous, valor. It is most often translated as “army” and “valor.” Our rare lady was a warrior woman of strength and character who fought daily for her family. Mighty rare indeed.

Do you know a “rare as rubies” woman? I would love to hear about her today!

Hi Ho… Hi Ho… It’s off to work we go…

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The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about “work.” Now, I can hear the groans out there. I know sometimes work really does feel like a four-letter word. Work can be stressful, painful, and tiresome. But work can also be fulfilling and enjoyable. Not to mention it is usually necessary to provide for your family.

God ordained work way back in the Garden of Eden. Before the fall – before Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit – God put man in the garden to “work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). Work is part of our God-given purpose. Like everything else in life, sin has warped it and made it more difficult at times, but God’s plan for us still includes work. And God’s plan is perfect!

Proverbs helps us understand how God wants us to view and approach work. Proverbs equates diligence and hard work with wisdom and godliness. In contrast, the book describes the lazy person as foolish and lacking in wisdom.

Since Proverbs repeatedly contrasts the hard worker with the lazy, let’s do that here. From what I found in God’s wisdom book, I’ve summarized a description, warnings, and results for both below.

Description of the diligent, godly worker:

  • Thoughtfully plans ahead and saves for the future
  • Wise in financial dealings; does not co-sign loans for friends
  • Honors God with His work and money
  • Helps the poor
  • Takes initiative
  • Generous with her money
  • Trusts in God, not in her money

Warnings for the godly worker:

  • Don’t be stingy; help the poor or you will lose everything
  • Don’t try to take shortcuts or engage in “get rich quick” schemes; this leads to poverty
  • Don’t trust in wealth. It is fleeting
  • Riches won’t help on the Day of Judgment

Results of hard work:

  • Will be a leader
  • Prosperity from God
  • Security for the future
  • Bring honor to God
  • Enjoy a good reputation

Description of the lazy fool:

  • Idles away her time
  • Greedy and stingy
  • All talk, no work
  • Schemes ways to “get rich quick”
  • Rests and sleeps too much
  • Fails to consider the future
  • Full of excuses

Warnings for the lazy:

  • Don’t work only when someone is watching you
  • Don’t be greedy. You are setting a trap for yourself.
  • Hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Results of laziness:

  • She will cause pain to employer
  • She will go hungry
  • She will live in poverty
  • She will bring shame on herself

As I read through Proverbs looking for God’s wisdom about work, two related passages really impacted me. They help us put hard work in the right perspective. Yes, we are to work hard, earn money to care for our family, and plan for the future. But, we must keep money and our relationship with God in their proper places.

The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. The rich think of their wealth as an impregnable defense; they imagine it is a high wall of safety. Proverbs 18:10-11, NLT

Work hard to provide for yourself and your family, help those in need, and bring honor to God. But be careful not to trust in your wealth. It can be gone in a moment. Trust in God. He is your strong tower of defense.

Realizing this truth, the wise Agur recorded a prayer that I’d like to offer as our prayer today:

Give me neither poverty or riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich I may deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name. Proverbs 30:8b-9, NLT

May we do all our work as to the Lord, be secure in our future, but depend completely on Him.

Let’s talk: Are there characteristics of “laziness” that you struggle with? What “wise worker” characteristics do you need to ask God to grow in you?

A Parent’s Plea

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Kathy and her son Mark

{Such a great post .. we’re linking it to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda’s!  Better two weeks late than never!! ~ Teri Lynne}

In just over a week, my husband and I will be taking our son, our youngest, to college. So many questions and concerns pop in and out of my head as the day draws near. Things like:

  • Will he take his studies seriously?
  • Will he make friends and feel connected?
  • Will he make church a priority?
  • Will he stand firm in the truth he has been taught?
  • Will he always have clean underwear?

For eighteen years we have taught him God’s truth and tried to live it out before him. We shared our “learned by experience” wisdom with our son, praying that he would not have to learn all these lessons the hard way. The closer the day of his departure draws the more urgent the message becomes. Now he has to make it his own. He has to live it out for himself.

In the book of Proverbs, the father also admonishes his son to live in God’s wisdom. In the first seven chapters we see ten specific “appeals to wisdom.” The father’s directives include reasons the son should comply. The father says “don’t” or “do” then follows it with a benefit or consequence. (He knew his son would want to know “why” he should heed his father’s advice.)

These ten passages are packed with much more wisdom and godly advice than we have room to cover here. I have merely summarized the father’s advice. I encourage you to take the time to read the passages and mull over the wisdom found there. Here’s my summary:

1.      Proverbs 1:8-19
Appeal: Don’t be swayed to go after “ill-gotten” gain.
Why: Greed fosters all kinds of immoral and illegal behavior that will be your undoing.

2.      Proverbs 2:1-22
Appeal: Diligently seek after and follow wisdom and understanding.
Why: Then you will know what it means to fear God and your knowledge of Him will multiply.

3.      Proverbs 3:1-12
Appeal: Fear God by acknowledging, trusting, obeying, and honoring Him.
Why: God will guide and strengthen you.

4.      Proverbs 3:21-35
Appeal: Diligently preserve sound judgment and discernment.
Why: You will be secure in the Lord’s guidance and protection.

5.      Proverbs 4:1-9
Appeal: Honor wisdom and do not forsake it.
Why: You will enjoy full life, security, and honor.

6.      Proverbs 4:10-19
Appeal: Stay on the path of righteousness and avoid the way of evil.
Why: You will avoid obstacles and will not stumble.

7.      Proverbs 4:20-27
Appeal: Guard your heart and watch your mouth.
Why: You will live a full life and enjoy good health.

8.      Proverbs 5:1-23
Appeal: Maintain sexual purity.
Why: Lust is a snare that leads to heartache and ruin.

9.      Proverbs 6:20-35
Appeal: Run from lust and adultery.
Why: Adultery destroys and brings disgrace.

10.  Proverbs 7:1-27
Appeal: Don’t succumb to seduction.
Why: It leads to death.

Hmm. All sound advice. For our children. For us. May we teach it to our sons and daughters. May we heed it ourselves.

Praying for your spouse

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I have a confession to make. I do not pray for my husband like I should. At the end of 2009, God and I spent some time together doing a little spiritual “evaluation” and setting some goals for 2010. One thing in particular that He impressed on me is the need for me to do a better job praying for Wayne. Of all the people in my life, my husband is the most important (besides God of course). He should always be at the top of my prayer list.

Unfortunately, over the years I’ve allowed the urgent and the critical to crowd out the important and the necessary. I’ve spent more time in “reactive” praying and less in “proactive” praying. If someone was dealing with an illness or faced a difficult decision I focused on those pressing needs. So when my husband seemed to be doing fine, prayer time for him was spent elsewhere.

I couldn’t have been more wrong! As his wife, it is my primary responsibility to pray proactively for Wayne.

As his help mate, it is my job to intercede with the Father on his behalf – to cover every area of my husband’s life in prayer. To anticipate challenges, problems, temptations, and difficulties and pray about them in advance.

God’s Word provides us with many ways to pray for our husbands’ physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs. One thing I plan to do is include a page in my prayer notebook just for Scriptures to use to pray specifically for Wayne. Maybe you can incorporate something like that in whatever system you use for prayer. (If you missed Teri Lynne’s blog on her prayer calendar yesterday, check it out here!) Here is a sample list of things to pray about for your husband along with the source Scriptures.

  • Guard his spirit and not break faith in his relationships (Mal 2:13-15)
  • Protection from temptation/strength in temptation (1 Corinthians 7:5) – this would include all kinds of temptations, but specifically sexual temptation
  • Wisdom in his leadership of his family (Eph 5:22-24) – on a similar note, we should pray that God would help us respect and yield to our husband’s leadership
  • Deeper love for his wife – that’s you! (Eph 5:25)
  • Patience, wisdom, and discernment in raising your children (Col 3:19-21)
  • Strong moral character, gentle spirit, disciplined, and self-controlled (1 Tim 3:1-3)
  • Wisdom in managing family finances and his family (1 Tim 3:4-5)
  • Committed to the deep truths of the faith and lives a life of repentance (1Tim 3:9)

These things are just a beginning. Whenever you read your Bible, look for more ways to pray for your spouse, then add them to your prayer system. There is a resource on my website that will lists 20 things from Scripture to pray for other Christians. You can use this to also pray for your husband. Feel free to download it and print it off!

I probably need more help and encouragement than you on this topic! I’d love to hear about how you pray for your husbands and what you pray for them.

Blessings!  Kathy

Jesus’ Prayer Lesson – Part 3

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I hope the first two days of this series has encouraged you in your prayer life. Today is the third and final installment of our look at Jesus’ lesson on prayer to His disciples. Yesterday we discussed three components of prayer that help us keep our prayer priorities straight by focusing on God and His purposes. Today we will cover the three components of the model prayer that deal more directly with us.

Give us each day our daily bread

Jesus did not mean that we can only ask God to give us bread. Remember, this prayer is meant to be a model. Jesus wanted His disciples then – and now – to know that we can bring our needs, both physical and spiritual, to God.

“Bread” represents the basic necessities for life. God invites us to pray for our needs, not luxuries. However, after focusing on the person of God and His Kingdom like the first three components showed us, most of us would not consider asking God for something frivolous.

Praying for our needs “daily” fosters a constant dependence on God and His grace. As God provides for this day, our trust in His faithfulness grows. We don’t have to know how He will provide for our futures, we simply know that He will.

Jesus’ use of “us” teaches us to pray not just for ourselves but for others too. Yes, let’s flood God’s throne with our needs, but let’s also pour out the needs of our friends, families, fellow Christians, and unbelievers. The Father wants to show Himself faithful in meeting our needs.

Forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors

Confession and repentance should be a regular part of our prayer life. Often, I’m aware of sin just as soon as I’ve committed it. Those times I immediately stop and pray. Other times, God makes me aware of sin later, during my daily time with Him. So confession and repentance are also a regular part of my daily prayer time.

There is a lot of debate among biblical scholars about the exact implication of the phrase “as we also have forgiven our debtors.” More debate than we have time to cover here! But just let me make a few general comments that could be helpful.

We can do nothing to earn God’s forgiveness. Christ did that for us on the cross. Yet, if we have received God’s forgiveness with the gratitude He deserves we should be willing to forgive others. Forgiveness will be fruit of our own salvation.

Lead us not into temptation (but deliver us from the evil one)

The Greek word translated as “temptation” in the NIV means “trial, temptation, testing.”  This same word has been used in the NT to refer to God’s testing of our faith to prove it (James 1:2) as well as enticement to sin by Satan or our own fleshly desires (Matt 4:1; 1 Cor 10:13).

In the Garden, on the night Jesus was betrayed, He told His disciples to “Watch and pray so that you do not fall into temptation” (Matt 26:41). Jesus used this same word when He emphasized the vital link between prayer and standing firm in the face of temptation and trials. Sadly, the disciples failed to pray and therefore they failed to stand firm.

This humble prayer expresses our dependence on and need for God. Are you in the midst of a trial or temptation? Ask God to give you the strength to stand firm in trials and to bring you through to the other side. In the face of temptation, pray for the wisdom to see the way out He has provided (1 Cor 10:13).

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Lord’s model prayer. Share with us!

Blessings,  Kathy

Jesus’ Prayer Lesson – Part Two

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Today is the second installment of our three-part series on Jesus’ model prayer. Yesterday, we discovered some general principles for praying found in the passages surrounding The Lord’s Prayer itself. Today we will cover the first three of six main components of the prayer and tomorrow we will cover the last three.

Remember, in this same encounter with His disciples (Matthew 6:7), Jesus told them not to simply repeat prayers without meaning. So, Jesus did not intend for this prayer to be something we recite over and over but He presented it as a model to show us the kinds of things we should pray about.

The first three components focus on God and help us give Him the proper place. Then as we begin to focus on our own needs in the last three components we can do so with the right priorities.

Our Father

The use of “Father” emphasizes our personal relationship with God. He is Creator of all people, but not “Father” of all. However, if you are a believer, Jesus’ blood has purchased the right for you to be called children of God. You have been adopted!

Matthew 6:9 adds the qualifying phrase “in heaven.” We do not pray to an earthly father. Our heavenly Father is kind and patient, but also sovereign and holy. The address “Our Father” sets the tone for our prayer. We are secure in our Father’s love and care yet we must also approach Him with respect and reverence.

Hallowed be your name

In ancient Hebrew thought, a person’s name is synonymous with their character. Whatever is done to the name is also done to the person. Therefore, if we hallow God’s name, we hallow Him. To “hallow” means to sanctify or keep as holy and sacred.

Practically, to hallow God means to acknowledge His holy character to Him and to others. In prayer, we should praise and worship Him for His nature. Praise and worship differs from thanksgiving. We thank God for something specific He has done for us. Praise simply acknowledges who God is.

One way we can praise God is by praying through His names the Bible gives us. Here are a few resources to help:

In addition to hallowing God with our mouths during prayer, our lives should also bring Him glory. We can certainly make this part of our prayers. Ask God to shape and mold your life so that it hallows His name!

Your Kingdom Come

God’s Kingdom exists wherever He rules and reigns! When we pray for God’s Kingdom “to come,” we are asking God to establish and manifest His rule and reign. Matthew adds the phrase “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s rule and reign is full and complete in heaven. His Kingdom is firmly and eternally established.

Here are a few applicable ways you can pray for God’s Kingdom to come on earth:

  • Ask God to completely fulfill on earth what Jesus initiated. That would include the spread of the Gospel and others’ salvation.
  • Pray specifically for individuals, groups, places, countries, etc. who need to acknowledge God’s rule and reign.
  • God’s Kingdom should also be manifest in our own lives! That means we should yield to His authority over our lives and submit in obedience to His reign. Daily and in every thing. Ask Him to show you His will and then obey it.

How has Jesus’ model prayer encouraged your prayer life today?

Blessings,  Kathy

Jesus’ Prayer Lesson – Part One

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Have you ever asked God to teach you how to pray? I have. The disciples also asked Jesus how to pray. Jesus’ response, which we refer to as “The Lord’s Prayer” is recorded in Luke 11 and Matthew 6. Over the next three days we will examine these two passages.

Today, we will consider the general principles Jesus gave about how to pray and how not to pray that are found in the passages immediately surrounding this model prayer. Then tomorrow and the next day we will break down the prayer itself as a guide for our own prayer life.

“Lord, teach us to pray.”

The timing of the disciples’ request is not insignificant. Luke 11:1 tells us that Jesus Himself had been praying. When He finished, one disciple, acting as spokesman for the group, asked Jesus to teach them to pray like He prayed. Jesus’ example and His relationship with the Father had fostered a desire for the same within the disciples. (This truth made me ask myself: “Does my prayer life foster a desire in my children, friends, and family to pray?”)

Motivation

Jesus’ teaching on the proper attitude regarding prayer is similar to His teaching about giving to those in need, which is found in Matthew 6:1-4. In a nutshell, He tells us to examine our motives. Are we praying to bring glory and honor to ourselves or to God? Spiritual “hypocrites” pray to gain respect for themselves and admiration from others. They want others to know how “righteous” they are.

Jesus also told the disciples not to “keep babbling” when they pray. I love the KJV’s translation of “vain repetitions” in Matthew 6:7. Jesus did not mean we shouldn’t ever repeat requests or specific prayers to God. Instead, He wanted us to understand that reciting prayers without meaning or using flowery speech to call attention to ourselves does not bring glory to God.

Prayer done with the right motives is all about God. This kind of praying is sincere and heartfelt. We will not attempt to hide anything from God because we realize He knows it all anyway. We will be focused on God alone and not distracted by other people or things around us.

Boldness & Persistence

Jesus told a parable immediately following His model prayer. (See Luke 11:5-8.) While we should not equate God with the irritated neighbor we can learn principles for prayer from Jesus’ story. First, we can approach God with boldness in prayer. We do not have to hang back or fear His reaction. Jesus’ work on the cross makes it possible for us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Heb 5:16). Second, we should be persistent in our prayers. Not voicing “vain repetitions” without meaning, but faithfully sharing your heart and needs with your heavenly Father, knowing He has the power and resources to answer.

Trust in the character of God

Finally, in Luke 11:11-13, Jesus reminds us of the character of the One to whom we pray. If earthly fathers give good gifts to their children, how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him? Brothers and sisters, we can fully trust that our heavenly Father has our best interests at heart. He does not hesitate to give us what we need and pour out His blessings on those who ask. Let’s ask!

Do you trust Him? Does your prayer life reflect that trust?

Come back tomorrow for Part Two of The Lord’s Prayer.

Blessings,  Kathy

Let God talk first

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A couple of weeks ago, I had the joy of sharing my quiet time spot with you. I even posted a photo of my desk! (See that post here.) In that post I gave a fairly general overview of the components of my time with God. Today, I’d like to linger a bit on how my Bible reading and prayer go hand in hand.

Occasionally I go to my desk to spend time with God with something specific weighing heavily on my heart. Those days I have to pour out my heart to God in prayer before I can do anything else. But those days are the exception.

Most days I begin my time with God by seeking to hear what He has to say to me through His Word. I ask Him to speak to me and to open my ears to hear. Then I begin to read the Bible. My goal is to make what God has to say my priority. I work to let Him begin and guide our conversation.

Because I’m a Type A personality, it’s easy for me to fall into the mistake of reading too quickly to make sure I “finish” the day’s reading assignment. So I have to remind myself that the purpose of reading is for God to speak to me. I need to stop when God prompts. When a verse or phrase “jumps off the page” I pause and linger there, meditating on that passage.

About a month ago, I wrote a post about meditating on God’s Word. (You can review that here.) Biblical meditation is not emptying your mind, but filling it with God’s Word. It includes asking God questions about the passage. For instance, does this text reveal something I should…

  • Believe about God?
  • Praise or thank or trust God for?
  • Pray about for myself or others?
  • Have a new attitude about?
  • Make a decision about?
  • Act on for the sake of Christ, others, or myself?

As I think deeply on the passage and ask God questions I “listen” for His answers. I want to understand what He is saying to me through His Word. I record what He says in a journal. This process is the heart of my daily time with God.

Usually there is additional prayer time to talk with God about things that have not already come up. And often there is also some “follow up.” Something I need to do, someone I need to talk to, something I need to make right. In other words, I need to be obedient to something God has told me during our time together.

Donald Whitney, author of “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life,” writes that “meditation is the missing link between Bible intake and prayer.” He explains that meditation helps us digest what God says to us in His Word and then speak to Him about it in a meaningful way. He also quotes from several Puritan writers who passionately wrote about the same thing.

Although this type of interaction with God is my goal, I still sometimes struggle to let Him speak first and guide our time together. Some days my own schedule or own agenda gets in the way. Maybe you can relate. I forget that it’s not all about me! What about you? How do you focus on what God has to say to you?

Blessings,     Kathy

Call Me Crazy

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My friend Emily loves the Lord and loves to share His love through teaching and counseling others. Today, she shares thoughts about her quiet time with you. Dr. Emily Edwards is the author of Ready and Waiting: A Biblical Approach to Singleness, Dating, and Preparation for Marriage. The book and its companion workbook are powerful resources for helping singles put on their “biblical glasses” to find the one God has prepared for just for them. More information on Dr. Edwards and her books can be found at Living Hope Publishing. Dr. Edwards is currently working on a book on helping believers through the difficult problems and trials of life.

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” – Psalm 5:3

When people ask me about my quiet time with God, I almost don’t want to say because they often don’t believe me. Or they get mad at me. Yes, I’m one of those crazy people who gets up and spends 40 minutes in the morning with God.

When I told her I was writing this article, I have a friend who said, “Nobody wants to hear that because it makes them feel bad. It makes them feel guilty that they aren’t doing that (or don’t want to do that), too. It sounds like you’re bragging.”

That made me think about why I spend so much time in the morning. The honest answer is, it’s because it doesn’t do me any good if I don’t.

I’ve tried spending less time. Even now, there are some mornings I wake up late and I only have 15 minutes. I spend as much time as I can in prayer. I might read a verse or two, but I feel rushed. It almost feels like a chore instead of a desire. I don’t get anything out of it. (I don’t think God gets anything out of it, either.)

That’s why I try to take at least 40 minutes. This gives me time to reflect and really meditate on God’s Word. When I’m reading Scripture, I try to think about the application. I reflect on what I read for the day and ask, “How does this apply to my life”? or, “How can I apply this to my life”? This way, it becomes real to me instead of just more words on a page.

I am also very conscious of my sins. I spend time working through areas of unforgiveness and repenting where necessary.

This is critical time for me. What I do with my time at the beginning of my day affects the rest of my day. I need that time or I struggle.

Not everyone needs their quiet time this way. Some of my friends find their quiet time with God in other ways, like while driving to work or taking a jog. That time is as productive for them as my quiet time is for me. I can’t do that because I don’t multi-task very well. I am easily distracted by things I see and hear around me.

Everyone’s quiet time is different. Everyone is wired differently and God works in their lives in different ways.

That’s why I encourage everyone to figure out what type of quiet time is most productive for them. When can you focus on God most easily? What time is He able to reach through to you? When are you most likely to let Him break through the clutter so you can hear Him? It’s worth thinking about.

Kathy’s Quiet Time

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I spend my daily time with God at a roll top desk in my home office. Each of the items on my desk is an important part of my time with God.

  1. Bible – In addition to my main NIV Study Bible, I keep other translations close at hand. I use the NIV for study and memorization, as well as much of my Bible reading. I also read familiar passages in other translations. And I like to use the New Living Translation for devotional reading.
  2. Bible Reading Plan – I usually use a year-long reading plan. It keeps me purposeful and on track. Late in the fall I will research and pray about a reading plan for 2011. (If you need a plan I have several on my site that are free to download.)
  3. Journal – I record specific things God teaches or shows me from His Word. Then I can go back and review them. I also write down things He tells me to do. Writing them down makes me feel more accountable! And writing prayers or the main points of what I’m praying about helps keep my mind from wandering.
  4. Scripture Memory Cards – I keep the new verses and the verses from the last few months on top of my desk. My goal is to recite the new verse every day and to review the last few verses weekly.
  5. Prayer Photos – The photos taped inside my desk remind me to pray for specific friends, family members, and missionaries. It’s hard to pass over them when you can see their faces!
  6. Coffee Mug – I meet with God first thing in the morning before the demands of the day have a chance to intrude. For me, morning means coffee!
  7. Tissues – Allergies and emotions make Kleenex a must!
  8. Pen and highlighter

Having all my quiet time essentials in one place and always ready helps me stay consistent. (You may not have an extra room or even a desk, but you can keep your quiet time materials together in a box or tote bag so you don’t have to hunt and gather!)

My “quiet time” is the time I spend in purposeful fellowship with God. I talk to Him and I seek to hear Him speak to me through His Word and prayer. Although I do learn many things about God as I read His Word, my quiet time is separate from my Bible study time.

Usually I begin by praising God and asking Him to speak to me. As I read His Word I interact with God in prayer. I really want to have a two-way conversation. I ask Him questions and “listen” for His answers. I write down what God teaches me about Himself as well as anything I need to follow up on later.

My prayers include confession and repentance, praise, thanksgiving, and petition (asking God for things for myself and others). Some days my prayers include all of these. But from day to day, my quiet time will reflect what’s going on in my relationship with God at the time. If I’ve wronged God by sinning, then my time with Him needs to concentrate on repentance and getting things right with Him. If I’m struggling with a decision then I will spend more time seeking God’s wisdom and guidance.

Although there is no set formula for my time with God, it always includes both hearing from God through His Word and speaking to God through prayer. I try to let the specifics of how much time in each and in what order flow naturally out of my interaction with Him.

May God bless your time with Him!      Kathy

What? Me memorize Scripture?

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I know what many of you are thinking. “There’s no way I can memorize Scripture.”  Or, “I don’t need to memorize Scripture because I have six Bible translations at home as well as Bibles on my laptop, phone, and Kindle.” But wait! Before you stop reading, let me give you a few things to consider.

Memorizing God’s Word solidly entrenches His truth in your heart and mind in a way that simply reading it cannot. When God’s truth becomes a part of you, He can use it to minister to you in powerful and very personal ways. Yesterday, Teri Lynne gave us several powerful reasons to memorize Scripture. I’d like to remind us of a few ways God can work in our life through His implanted Word:

  • Provide comfort, encouragement, peace, and strength (Colossians 3:15-16; Psalm 1:1-3; 119:28)
  • Give guidance and wisdom (Psalm 37:31; Psalm 119:24, 98, 105)
  • Foster spiritual growth (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 2:2)
  • Equip for evangelism (1 Peter 3:15; Acts 18:28)
  • Source of joy and blessing (Psalm 119:24, 47, 103; James 1:21-25)
  • Strength to resist temptation (Psalm 119:11)

Now you may agree that memorizing Scripture is beneficial, but you are still overwhelmed at the idea. “Where do I start? How do I do it?” I have had the same feelings. For years, I knew God wanted me to purposefully work to memorize His Word. I tried it half-heartedly several times, with limited success. However with a renewed commitment and some helpful, practical tips for memorizing I have begun to successfully “hide God’s Word in my heart.” I’d like to share what I’ve learned with you.

How do I decide what to memorize? Choose a passage God is using in your life. He may emphasize it during your quiet time, a sermon, or Bible study. Start small with just a verse or two. You can work up to lengthier passages later. This verse or passage may:

  • Speak to an area of weakness in your life
  • Have special significance in your spiritual journey
  • Remind you of something important about God
  • Be useful for instruction or to help guard against sin

How do I keep track of the verses I’m working on? You will want to have a system to record and store the verses. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Index cards and a recipe box
  • Blank cards the size of business cards and a business card file
  • Card stock paper cut to fit a photo album with plastic sleeves (4 x 6 or 5 x 7)

What are a few tips to help me succeed? Before you begin the actual memorization, consider the following:

  • Read and reflect on the whole passage surrounding the verse for context and meaning.
  • Find a friend who will hold you accountable.
  • Learn each verse word perfect. And memorize the reference.
  • Learn all verses from the same translation. The one you are most familiar with is best.
  • Choose a memorization rate that is manageable and sets you up for success. It may be one verse a month or one per week.
  • Establish a review schedule. If we don’t review the verses regularly we will forget!

How do I actually go about committing the verse to memory? There is no one way that works best for everyone. Different people have different learning styles. Some of the following suggestions will work for you while others may not. Try a variety of the ideas to find out what works best and to keep things interesting. You may do one activity one day and something different the next:

  • Write the verse on a card – the type you have chosen for storage.
  • Read the verse out loud several times.
  • Rewrite the verse in your own words in a journal or scratch paper.
  • Rewrite the verse word perfect one or more times on scratch paper or on extra cards to put up in prominent places around your house.
  • Use key words – Identify several key words or “anchor” words in the verse. Circle these words on the front of the card and then write them on the back. Read the verse several times noting the key words. Then turn the card over and attempt to recite the verse using only the key words.
  • For visual learners – Draw a symbol or picture on the back of the card that will remind you of the verse in some way.
  • For auditory learners – Record the verse and play it back. Or put the verse to music and sing it!
  • For tactile learners – Pick an object in your home that reminds you of the verse. For instance a stone may help you remember that God is a “strong fortress.”
  • Pray the verse out loud to God.

Don’t give up on Scripture memory before you’ve even tried. You can do it and the effort is more than worth it. I’d love to know what verses you choose and how it goes!

Time to mull, ponder, meditate

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According to Psalm 1:1-3, God will bless the woman who does not embrace the world and its ways, but instead finds her delight in God’s Word and “meditates” on it “day and night.” Sounds like we should all practice a little biblical meditation.

Unfortunately, while we are often encouraged to foster many of the spiritual disciplines, we don’t hear much about meditation. Why is that? I think many of us have misunderstood what it means to meditate on God’s Word because other forms of meditation carry a negative connotation. We don’t know what it is, why we should do it, or how we should do it. Well, let’s dig in and try to gain a little understanding of this overlooked spiritual discipline.

What is meditation?

Because of many New Age religions and practices like transcendental meditation, many of us picture “meditation” as emptying our minds of all thoughts. This is not biblical meditation. In fact, God’s Word makes it clear we are to meditate by filling our thoughts. A few things God tells us to meditate on include His law, love, mighty deeds, statutes, and promises. He also encourages us to “think on” whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy (Phil 4:8).

In his book “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life,” Donald Whitney helps us understand biblical mediation. He uses the analogy of a tea bag. While reading and hearing Scripture may represent a dunk or two, meditation is like letting the bag steep. It’s the idea of “mulling” something over or “pondering” a subject.

Whitney defines biblical meditation as “deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer.”

Why should we meditate?

Charles Spurgeon said that anyone who wanted to possess the treasure of God’s Word “must dig into Scripture as one who seeketh for choice pearls.” Meditation takes dedication, time, and hard work. So why would we want to practice this spiritual discipline?

First, as we’ve already seen, the Bible establishes meditation on God’s Word as the example for His people. Second, our meditation on God and His truth pleases God (Ps 104:33-34). And third, meditation benefits us spiritually. Meditation helps us better understand and apply the truths of God’s Word. Someone who regularly meditates on God’s Word will not simply survive in this life, she will flourish.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:3

Simply reading through or hearing a biblical passage will not affect our hearts, minds, and lives like steeping in its richness. We must immerse ourselves in God’s Word, holding onto it in our thoughts until its truth becomes a part of who we are. Then we will be like a tree whose roots reach down to an endless supply of living water. We will be sustained in drought and difficulty. And in God’s timing our lives will produce an abundance of fruit for His glory.

How do we meditate?

Let’s get hands on and practical so we can get a feel for how to meditate on God’s Word.

  1. Choose a passage. It may be one that God impressed on your heart during Bible reading or one that jumped out at you during a sermon. It should be small enough to work through thoroughly.
  2. Reread with different emphasis on different words and phrases.
  3. Rewrite the passage in your own words.
  4. Ask questions about what it teaches. For instance, does this passage reveal something I should:
  • Believe about God?
  • Praise or thank or trust God for?
  • Have a new attitude about?
  • Do for the sake of Christ, others, or myself?

5. Look for personal application then obey.

6. Pray through the Scripture.

7. Think on it throughout the day.

I want to be like that tree planted by streams of water. I long to please God and flourish through the truth of His Word. I think I’ll go ponder for a while.

Recommended Reading:

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, by Donald S. Whitney

Meditating on the Scriptures, by Charles Spurgeon

Why should we read the Bible anyway?

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Would you agree or disagree with the following statement? “The Bible answers all or most of the basic questions of life.” Well, according to a Gallup Poll, 65% of Americans agree with the statement. However, according to that same poll, only 37% of those polled read the Bible at least once a week. (Twenty-one percent read it once a week and 16% read it daily.)

What we do more accurately reveals what we believe than what we say. I can tell you I believe the Bible is vitally important, but what I do will reveal what I really believe about the Bible.

The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself and His ways to mankind – the very words of God “breathed” through divinely inspired humans (2 Timothy 3:16). Think about that truth for just a second. The one true God, the Creator of everything that exists, makes Himself known to us lowly humans. Wow!

Here are just a few of the characteristics the Bible gives us about itself:

  • Sustaining (Deut 8:3; Matt 4:4)
  • Flawless (Ps 18:30)
  • Unfailing (1 Kings 8:56)
  • Right and true (Ps 33:4; John 17:17)
  • Eternal (Ps 119:89; Is 40:8)
  • Message of life (John 5:24; Rom 10:17)
  • It also preserves, strengthens, and guides. (Ps 119:25, 28, 105).

God intercepts our lives through the Bible. We encounter His presence in His Word. Through it we are encouraged, comforted, strengthened, and refreshed. But more importantly, the Bible reveals how we can have a saving relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ and then helps us live lives that please Him.

God’s ultimate purpose for each of us who have entered into a saving relationship with Jesus is for us to be transformed into the likeness of Christ (Rom 8:29). God uses the Bible to shape, refine, and mold our character, thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. God uses the Bible to carry out His purpose in our lives.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

The Bible is not static or time-bound. God’s Word is applicable to our lives now and tomorrow. It breaks through our pretenses, prejudices, and pride and exposes what’s underneath. Painful? Sometimes. Beneficial? Always.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God applies His Word to our lives personally and specifically. He rebukes us when we sin. He teaches us what we lack. He trains and equips us to do the work He has planned for us to do. All for His glory.

But we must immerse ourselves in His Word, submitting to and cooperating with God’s transforming power. Read it. Study it. Meditate on its truths.
What do you believe about the Bible? How often do you read it?

More resources & reading:

Why should we read/study the Bible? Got Questions.org

How to Read the Bible for all It’s Worth by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart

Free Bible reading plans for download at kathyhoward.org

How did we get 66? Part Two

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Yesterday, we began our two-part discussion on how we got the 66 books that comprise the biblical canon. If you missed it, feel free to take a look back before moving on to the New Testament discussion.

New Testament

First century Christians did not have the New Testament Canon. They relied on the Old Testament Canon and the teachings of the Apostles to guide their faith. However, they began recognizing additional writings as divinely inspired very early, even while the human authors were still alive.

In fact, NT Scripture acknowledges other NT Scripture. For example, in 1 Timothy 5:18 Paul quotes Luke 10:7 and refers to it as “Scripture.” And another example, in 2 Peter 3:16, Peter calls the writings of the Apostle Paul “Scripture.” Church leaders from the late first and early second centuries AD often quote the words of Jesus and the writings of the Apostles and refer to them as “Scripture.”

To protect from heresy and false teaching, it became necessary by the middle of the second century to compile an official list of books that the Church recognized as Christian Scriptures. Although a few discussions arose over a handful of books, it appears that there was general consensus by early in the third century AD.

As with the Old Testament Canon, the twenty-seven books of the New Testament were not chosen by men. They were merely recognized to be those God had already inspired as Scripture. Three primary criteria guided the early Church as they recognized the New Testament Canon.

  1. Apostolic connection – the author had to be one of the original apostles or closely associated with Jesus or one of them.
  2. No contradiction – the early Church leaders recognized that God would not contradict Himself in theology or ethics, so any divinely-inspired writings would not do so either.
  3. Widely applicable – from the time they were written it was clearly obvious which writings had widespread application for the Church. These were the letters and books that were greatly circulated and read again and again.

The Third Council of Carthage in 397 AD, which was attended by Augustine, officially recognized the list of 27 New Testament books we accept as canonical today. There had already been widespread, general consensus from east to west. The Council merely confirmed the writings that God had made clearly known to His church.

The following quote from “An Introduction to the New Testament,” by Carson, Moo, and Morris, emphasizes God’s selection of the canon.

Indeed, it is important to observe that although there was no ecclesiastical machinery like the medieval papacy to enforce decisions, nevertheless the worldwide church almost universally came to accept the same twenty-seven books. It was not so much that the church selected the canon as that the canon selected itself. (page 494)

God’s creation and protection of the Canon is miraculous! He has revealed Himself to His children through His written, Spirit-filled Word.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV

Kathy Howard

For further reading:

“How and When was the Canon of the Bible put together.”

“How did we get our Bible?” (Focus on the Family)

“Is the Bible Reliable?” (Article adapted from Kathy’s book “God’s Truth Revealed.”)

Sources for this article:

An Introduction to the New Testament, D.A. Carson, Douglas J. Moo, and Leon Morris (Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 1992)

Encountering the Old Testament, Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer (Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 1999)

Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. (Word Publishing: Dallas, 1993)

How did we get 66? Part One

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What is the Canon?

Who decided that the 66 books we know as the Bible were the books that should be included and no others? Just who chose the canon?

The term “canon” is used to refer to the “closed collection of documents that constitute authoritative Scripture.” The ancient word “canon” means a “reed or measuring stick.” The biblical canon or Bible includes the writings that are recognized and accepted as the revealed Word of God and is the standard of measure for the Christian’s life and faith.

But how did the biblical canon come to be recognized as that? We learn from the Bible itself that it is the very words of God, given to us through the hands of human authors through the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We’ve also come to know and trust this truth through our experience with it. The Word of God is living and active. It touches our hearts and lives in a way that no other book and no words of mere man ever could. Because of this, it’s important to realize that humans did not decide which books to accept. They merely sought to recognize the ones God set forth. (For info on the reliability of the Bible read “Is the Bible Reliable?)

Old Testament

The Jews considered three factors when recognizing which books God wanted included in the Old Testament canon.

  1. Written by a prophet of God – it had to be clear that the human author of the book was chosen by God to be His mouthpiece. Did his prophecy come true? Did his words come with power?
  2. Written for all generations – the book had to impact all people for all time. Its message had to be relevant far beyond its original audience.
  3. Written in agreement with previous revelation – God’s Word will not contradict itself. His truth remains the same so new revelation will be in accordance with what He has already revealed.

The Hebrew people used these guidelines to determine which books belonged in the canon and which did not. There is strong historical and biblical evidence that the Old Testament canon was firmly established by the time of Christ and maybe even by the mid-second century B.C.

Although the books were grouped and divided differently over the centuries causing the exact number of books to change, the books accepted as canonical by the Jews did not change. During a Jewish council in Jamnia around 90 AD this previously accepted canon was officially confirmed. And this is the same Old Testament canon that Protestants use today. (See the end of this article for a note on the Apocryphal.)

End of Part One. Tune in tomorrow for Part Two about the New Testament Canon.

Kathy Howard

Note: The Apocryphal (“hidden”) books recognized by Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians were all written during the intertestamental period. Jews never accepted them as inspired at the same level as the earlier books. In fact, Jewish testimony in Rabbinic literature of the second through fifth centuries AD clearly show that the Jews believed that prophecy ceased after the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi were prophets during this time frame. That means no book dated later than 450 to 400 BC would be considered as part of the Hebrew Scriptures. Most Hebrew scholars consider the Apocryphal books to be good historical documents but not to be equated with divinely inspired writing. This and other historical evidence support the Protestant argument that the collection of 39 books they accept today (although divided and arranged differently) is what was accepted by the Jews of Jesus’ time.

For further reading:

“How and When was the Canon of the Bible put together.”

“How did we get our Bible?” (Focus on the Family)

“Is the Bible Reliable?” (Article adapted from Kathy’s book “God’s Truth Revealed.”)

Sources for this article:

An Introduction to the New Testament, D.A. Carson, Douglas J. Moo, and Leon Morris (Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 1992)

Encountering the Old Testament, Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer (Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 1999)

Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. (Word Publishing: Dallas, 1993)

Along for the ride

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I love God’s Word. And I love helping others fall in love with it too.  Teri Lynne’s vision for Scripture Dig resonated with my soul. “A site dedicated to furthering the Bible in people’s lives? Yes! Where do I sign up?”

So, here I am. Ready to contribute in whatever way I can. I pray God will use my education and experience as a Bible study author and teacher to help others dig into God’s Word and apply its truth to their lives.

No matter where you are in your journey with Christ, I believe you will find something of value here as we develop this site. We would love to have you come along for the ride!

Kathy Howard

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