{My} Simplified Bible Study

For years, personal Bible study has been one area I severely lacked.  I would start a phenomenal study, only to fizzle out before I completed it due to one thing or another.  It's been extremely frustrating for me because I am not normally a start and stop person.  

Sitting in Sunday School (Pre-Covid19) one day while studying Psalms 119, I had a word I needed clarification on.  So I got my phone out (gasp!) and looked it up on the Webster's 1828 website.  I then wrote it in line with my text I was copying.... and a lightbulb went off for me.  

Why on earth have I not been doing this this way all along? 

All the scripture studies, and scripture copywork plans.... and Bible studies and reading plans.  Why on earth had this not dawned on me before? 

For weeks now, I have been more consistent than ever in Scripture study and reading... because I simplified the method for myself.  My goal is always 20-30 minutes- but if something happens and I need to care for Dylan- I can feel satisfied with 15 minutes- and pick right back where I left off the next day. 

Here's a video where I explain the ins and outs of what I do in the mornings! 

I hope that is helps someone out there not feel so much pressure to study a certain way... or with a certain book.  Sometimes, all you need is just The Book.  I have found this so much more rewarding that any study I have done in a long time. 

Until Next Time! 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

I felt so blessed to be in God's house praying in the New Year at midnight.  As a family we have done this for several years, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Last year, I chose to participate in a One Word 365 challenge, where you pray about what God would have you focus on this year for your family.  I chose the actual word Focus.  It was a goal to focus more on home and family, but most of all God.

I can't say that I excelled in that area, quite honestly.  There were times when my walk strayed, and while I focused on things, I didn't have my main focus in view- The Lord.  Lucky for me, I serve a great God who forgives, and as my husband preached last night- God is still concerned with my fragments.  And I am so glad.

So, I decided to give the One Word 365 challenge another go- drum roll please........

This year, we are striving for all things peaceful.  I have really taken stock of how chaotic and dramatic life has become, and I know that God is not the author of chaos (1 Corinthians 14:33)  I know that striving with man is also not what the Lord desires for me (Galatians 1:10) because we are to be in the world but not of the world (Romans 12:2).  I am standing on God's promises of love- and joy (thank you Br. Brian for that message last night, too!), and the knowledge that my happiness is circumstantial, but my JOY is eternal.  Thank You Jesus!  

I am so grateful today.  I woke up with Jesus in my heart (and a five year old cuddled up against my back, lol) and an understanding of what I believe he has called for me this year.  

This is the year I choose peace, joy, love, obedience, inspiration, and to do my very best to choose God's will in my life, even when it doesn't seem to make sense to any one else, because it's not about everyone else, it's about what God says in my life.  

It's your decision.  You can choose to put the past behind you, and move forward in the Lord.  It will be brutal at times, because God will confront you with the truth, and then you will have to choose.  God will love you always-either way- but His ways are so much better than ours, I promise (II Samuel 22:31).