Category Archives: Bible Study

Truth for Today #88

Thursday February 15th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Ephesians 5:1:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

From Vera:

“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.“
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Leonard:

Ecclesiastes 5:7

“Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead.”

From Willow:

Psalm 29:1-2

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

From Karen:

Psalm 18:2

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

From Cheryl:

“So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.” Luke 5:11

Perfect Love Hodgepodge

It’s a Valentine’s Day Hodgepodge! Thank you Joyce From This Side of the Pond for the love filled questions this week.

1. What does love mean to you? 

I’m fighting between being trite or deep with this question. Have you read The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman?

I think Words of Affirmation speak love to me and Acts of Service.

Understanding God’s love for us is important in knowing how to express our love for others. God’s love is complex and perfect. It never compromises from the Truth of God’s Word.

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

~~~~~

2. Is love blind? 

Simple answer, no. Complex answer, love sees, knows, confronts, forgives and lasts.
~
—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
~~~~~
3. How do you remember Valentine’s Day as a kid? Do you have any special plans for the day this year? 
Valentine’s day in the 50’s was one of my favorite days at school. I so enjoyed the bag or box of Valentines to open and enjoy.
We don’t have anything special planned for today except for giving Addy and JJ their Valentine gifts.
~~~~
4 Are you a fan of the movie genre known as ‘rom-com’? What’s your favorite (or one of your favorites)?
Not my favorite genre. In my not so humble opinion, bedroom scenes should not be broadcast on the screen. I can appreciate the romance in period pieces like Pride and Prejudice.
~~~~
5. What’s something you recently put your heart into? 
Looking for a little something special for Addy and JJ for Valentine’s Day.
~~~~
6. Insert your own random thought here.  
This is a ‘Valentine’s Day past’ table setting.
I put my heart into setting a themed table. I’m doing it less now but it still is enjoyable for me.
~~~~
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
May you “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

One Anothers…

This was in my drafts from a few years ago and since Valentine’s Day is on Wednesday this is a good encouragement on how to love ‘One Another’.

I recommend this easy study to any of you to do at home or in a study group. Grab your concordances and search and find all the ways we are suppose to behave with one another. I’m including one great passage from Colossians that covers a few and suggestions for what to look for. Enjoy!

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances  you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Here are some helpful descriptions of some of these virtues; (taken from The Reformation Bible, ESV, R.C. Sproul – general Editor)

Kindness: Readiness to do good, even when it may be undeserved (Rom 2:4; Titus 3:4).

Compassion: An emotional, caring relationship with those whose lives are hurt and broken (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; Rom. 12:1).

Humility: A posture of lowliness and servanthood (Mark 10;45; Phil. 2:1-11).

Meekness: Or, “gentleness” in offering help, a non-coercive approach to encouraging change in others’ lives (Matt. 11:29; 2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:25).

Patience: Willingness to take the long view in face of human frailty (Rom. 2:4; 1 Tim. 1:16).

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of the “one anothers” to look for; love one another, serve one another, accept one another, forgive one another, comfort one another, encourage one another, care for one another.

Our Christian life is meant to be lived in community. What a good challenge it is to be encouraging to one another as we grow in community.

Truth for Today #87

Thursday February 8th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Since Valentine’s day is just around the corner here are the verses I’m sharing for this week:

From Lauren:

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

From Dianna:

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9

From Leonard:

Proverbs 30:2-3

“Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.”

“human wisdom is limited, the wisest people recognize their ignorance.”

From Vera:

”For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Truth for Today #86

Thursday February 1st

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24:

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

From Vera:

”Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭28‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Karen:

Proverbs 1:10

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Truth for Today #85

Thursday January 25th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Isaiah 61:10:

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

From Vera:

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Maristella:

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19.

From Karen:

Matthew 16:28
Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Truth for Today #84

Thursday January 18th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Philippians 2:12-13:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

From Vera:

”But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.“
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬-‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Nikkipolani:

“Of old You founded the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
“Even they will perish, but You endure;
And all of them will wear out like a garment;
Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed.
“But You are the same,
And Your years will not come to an end.
Psalm 102:25-27 NASB95

From Leonard:

Proverbs 15:1-4
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

From Karen:

Romans 14:19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Truth for Today #83

Thursday January 11th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Acts 4:11-12:

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

From Vera:

”He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.“
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭22‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV

From Karen:

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

From Marilyn:

Proverbs 16, especially verse 2 – Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts will be established.

 

Truth for Today #82

Thursday January 4th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Colossians 2:1-5

 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

From Vera:

”To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.“
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Nikkipolani:

John 6:18-21
18 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 19 Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. 20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

From Dianna:

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4

From Karen:

John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Thoughts for 2024

 

It is Thursday, December 28th and my thoughts are moving forward to 2024. Our last carload of family left this morning for their trek across the state and over the mountains to their home. Things are quiet and ideas are swirling. Here are some of those ideas I’m thinking about for the new year.

  1. A different reading through the Bible Plan I’m settling on is from www.FiveDayBibleReading.com

 

2. I want to pick some verses from the Bible to memorize. I’ll be strategic in my choices to make it easy on my brain. Since our current sermon series at our church is in the book of Colossians, I’ll choose verses from that book to memorize. I got a head start with this one on December 21st. This is actually Colossians 1:13 and 14.

 

Picking some key words helped me to remember the sequence, delivered, transferred, redemption, forgiveness.

3. Starting a new daily devotional. In researching Liverpool for our travels last September I read about J.C. Ryle, the first Bishop of Liverpool appointed by Queen Victoria in 1880. I’ve been reading his writings on Holiness and I asked for this devotional for Christmas.

 

4. Reading some new to me good books that we have ordered and received as gifts.

5. Getting acquainted with a new coffee machine/system I ordered for our church kitchen.

6. Putting plans in motion on how we would like to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Our wedding was in December and the weather can be unpredictable so we are thinking about autumn or late Spring for whatever we land on to enjoy with our little family of 10. (Lord willing)

7. Always and it seems forever implementing something in the eating world to drop some pounds.

8. Adding a daily 30 minute physical activity to my schedule.

9. Intentional time with our Grands.

10. Birthday gifts for three of ours who have January birthdays!

I was just thinking how I don’t have to make sure I write 2024 on checks instead of 2023. So few personal checks are written these days. I was also thinking that I’m not a fan of election years with all the nonsense that goes on and is already going on. With that in mind maybe less TV and more reading will be the best of plans. Have you been thinking about 2024 and what you might want to do that is new?

A paragraph from daily readings by Spurgeon on the 28th of December;

“…Faith lays hold upon the Lord Jesus with a firm and determined grasp. It knows His excellence and worth, and no temptation can induce faith to place its trust elsewhere. And Christ Jesus is so delighted with this heavenly grace that He never ceases to strengthen and sustain that faith by the loving embrace and all-sufficient support of His everlasting arms…”