Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 12

5 Things to Pray for Persecuted Christians

It happens almost 4,800 times a year. That’s 400 times a month or thirteen times a day. Perhaps even now, as you read this sentence, a follower of Jesus will be killed somewhere in the world. And today, many more will endure other forms of suffering because of Christ. (Statistics found at OpenDoorUsa.org)

Open Doors, a Christian non-profit that supports persecuted Christians around the globe, publishes an annual “World Watch List.” According to the 2021 report, “more than 340 million of our Christian brothers and sisters live in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination.” For the last 20 years, North Korea has been ranked the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. “Being discovered as a Christian is a death sentence in North Korea. If you aren’t killed instantly, you will be taken to a labor camp as a political criminal. These inhumane prisons have horrific conditions, and few believers make it out alive.”

It shouldn’t surprise us. Jesus warned us to expect it. The world hated Him, so it will hate those who belong to Him. His followers will be persecuted, delivered up to authorities, and turned on by friends and family. Some will lose their lives (Luke 21:12, 16-17)

But, this persecution is also an opportunity for Jesus’ followers to tell others about Him. Jesus promised He would give them wisdom and the right words. He declared that their accusers would not be able to oppose their testimony (Luke 21:14-15). (See also “Why Does God Allow Suffering in the Lives of Christians?“)

Since the birth of the church, as many as 70 million Christians have lost their lives for Jesus. (See “Christian Martyrdom: Who? Why? How?”) When we trace this long line of martyrs back through the centuries we find Stephen. The first to die for his faith in Jesus. 

How Can We Pray for Persecuted Christians?

Right now, we in the western world don’t face difficult persecution. But, we can stand in prayer for our brothers and sisters around the world who do suffer. (Note: The following prayer prompts came from the International Mission Board.)

Pray that whatever their circumstances, God will give persecuted Christians the right words (Ephesians 6:19-20).Pray that persecuted Christians will understand and find peace in the sufficiency of God’s grace, even in their weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).Pray that Christians facing hardship will draw from a source of power larger than themselves (2 Corinthians 1:7-9).Pray that God would be present with them in their hardship, protecting them according to His will  (Matthew 26:39).Pray their witness would inspire those who seek to harm them (Luke 6:27-31).

What other Scriptures or specific requests do you pray for persecuted Christians around the world?

Note: Part of this post was adapted from “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Acts.”

5 Things to Pray for Persecuted Christians by Kathy Howard.

What’s the “Good” of Romans 8:28?

A lot of people have been quoting Romans 8:28 lately. With big problems looming in our country and around the world, we’ve all been looking for some “good.” We want to believe that no matter how things look right now, everything is going to work out in the end.

Disappointments, grief, difficulty, trials, and strife fill this life. These things have touched each of us. It is the human experience. But in the midst of suffering, we cling to a promise found in Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome:

“For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28, NIV

Christians find comfort, encouragement, and hope in these words. And rightly so. Unfortunately, many of us have misapplied this well-known verse. Our understanding is shortsighted. We slap God’s promise on the current and temporal, expecting our physical circumstances to soon look “good” – better even than when things went awry.

Do all things really work together for good?

Isn’t that what Romans 8:28 means? Isn’t our commonly condensed version of this passage – “all things work together for good” – accurate? Doesn’t God divinely control all the events and circumstances of our lives to make things turn out great for us?

Does God control our circumstances so we experience #good? #Romans8:28
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In order to understand “all things work together for good” accurately, we must not only consider the entire verse, but also the context of the larger passage.

In Romans 8:18-39, Paul is comparing present, earthly suffering of believers with the eternal glory to come. (See Romans 8:18.) On this earth, we “groan” or experience difficulties because of the effects of sin. But God has conquered sin. In His sovereignty, He is working out His plan to save, sanctify, and glorify those He has “called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28-30).

The who, what, and how of #Romans8:28. What’s the #Good?
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So, what is the “good” of Romans 8:28?

One of our biggest problems in misunderstanding Scripture is failing to consider the surrounding literary context. (See “How Literary Context Helps You Understand the Bible.“) With the larger context in mind, let’s discover the “who,” “what,” and “how” of this passage:

Who is the promise for? – This promise is only for Christians, those who have entered into a saving relationship with Jesus. Not only did Paul write this letter to believers, but the verse itself defines the “who” – “those who love [God], who have been called according to His purpose.” We cannot apply this verse to all people.What is our “good?” – This is probably the most often misunderstood and misapplied part of this verse. “Good” does not mean our happiness, physical comfort, or material abundance. The larger context of the passage refers to our spiritual condition and sure hope of one day sharing in Christ’s glory. Verse 29 specifically says God’s purpose for us is to be “conformed to the likeness of His Son.” This is our calling, God’s goal – and “good” – for us. In His power and sovereignty, God is working through the circumstances of our lives to make us like Jesus and to bring us to our eternal glory.How does God accomplish it? – God works in and through our trials, difficulties, and pain and suffering to move us toward His will (Romans 8:27) which is conformity to Jesus and future glory with Him (Romans 8:29-30). (See Romans 5:3-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, and James 1:2-4.) In order to be like Jesus and share His glory, we must also share His sufferings (Philippians 3:10-11). God uses and works through our physical circumstances to bring about the spiritual condition He desires in us.God’s “good” for us is eternal

God’s “good” for us is far greater than our temporary, physical circumstances. His plan is spiritual in nature and eternal in scope. God intimately knows our physical needs and cares greatly about each one (Matthew 6:25-33). But He cares even more about our spiritual condition. He wants us to be like His Son. (See also “6 Ways God Uses Trials in a Christian’s Life” and “3 Important Truths in Romans 8:28.”)

#GodCares more about our #spiritual condition than He does our physical
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Is this understanding of God’s “good” for us different than you’ve understood it in the past? In what way?

By the way, I’m working on a third devotional in the “Deep Rooted” series. “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Romans” will be released Fall 2022!! I can’t wait to share all the beautiful truths about God and our great salvation with you! In the meantime, check out “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Acts” and “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of Mark.“

What’s the “Good” of Romans 8:28? by Kathy Howard.

10 Characteristics of a Blameless Life

Scripture says that those with a blameless life can enter God’s presence (Psalm 15:2) Imagine entering heaven and approaching God’s throne. Picture yourself as you kneel at His feet and bask in the joy of His presence. All the struggles of life fade away as you praise Him who sits on the throne.

Do you long to enter God’s holy presence and joyfully worship at His feet? According to Psalm 15:2, those whose “walk is blameless” may dwell in God’s sanctuary and live on His holy hill. I long to enter God’s presence, but I’m not sure I would describe myself as “blameless.” Would you?

What does it mean to be blameless?

According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, the Hebrew word translated as “blameless” in Psalm 15:2 describes a person with “nothing in his outward activities or internal disposition that is odious to God.”

Good definition, but that’s too general for me to get my mind around. I need some specifics about what a “blameless” life looks like. Thankfully, the Bible tells us. Psalm 15 and 101 describe a blameless life (Read them now if you have time. They are not long.) The following list of characteristics is derived from these two psalms of David. (Also see “5 Benefits of Living a Holy Life.”)

10 Characteristics of a Blameless PersonShe practices praise – Regularly contemplate the holy nature of God. Recognizing His worthiness will not only foster praise, we will also be moved to obedience.She lives with integrity at home – Sometimes we fail to purposefully watch our words and actions at home like we do other places. We tend to let our guard down; to allow our first, sinful instincts to rule. We need to be as careful at home as we are away from home.She turns away from everything vile or vulgar – “Blameless” woman do not compromise with the sinful ways of the world. We don’t allow ourselves to become desensitized to immorality, crudeness, or risqué humor by watching it, reading it, or listening to it. For a sad example, read this post “Holiness is not a Shade of Grey.”She ruthlessly guards against evil thoughts and behavior – We must proactively rid our lives of every thought and action contrary to the nature and character of God.She does not use her words to tear down others – Our speech should be edifying and encouraging. That doesn’t mean everything we need to say will be easy. But it does mean it will be helpful to the hearer.She does not collaborate with ungodly, wicked people – The only way to never encounter ungodly people is to leave this life and transfer to heaven. However, we can choose not to enter into agreements, projects, or business dealings with people whose worldview is not Christ-centered.She embraces honesty – Satan is the father of lies. Anytime we are less than honest we have yielded to the tempter! Let’s commit to total honesty in our own lives and conduct. We should also expect honesty from the people around us and distance ourselves from those who refuse to be honest.She does not seek gain that brings harm to others – God wants us to use our God-given skills, talents, and gifts to support the Kingdom, serve others, and provide for ourselves and our families. However, any effort for gain or advancement that takes advantage of others is sinful.She squashes pride and conceit – Pride fosters an abundance of sin. Those who want to live blameless before God will seek humility by keeping both God and ourselves in proper perspective.She helps, encourages, and protects the godly – God calls us to serve others and meet the needs of those who cannot help themselves. Do we respond when they cross our paths?

This may not be a complete list of “blameless” characteristics, but it’s a start. Let’s keep searching God’s Word, applying what He shows us, and enjoying His holy presence!

Which of these 10 characteristics do you struggle with the most? Why is that, do you think?

You may also be interested in my 8-week Bible study “Embraced by Holiness: The Path to God’s Daily Presence.”

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10 Characteristics of a Blameless Life by Kathy Howard.

Quick Tips for Handling 8 Different Biblical Genres

I love to read. I read fiction and non-fiction. In fiction, I particularly like legal thrillers, biblical fiction, and WW2 historical fiction. I read lots of biblical commentary and theologically heavy non-fiction like A.W. Tozer and R.C. Sproul. But I don’t handle all these books the same. The type and form of literature dictates how I should read and understand it.

For instance, the biblical fiction does not shape my understanding of Scripture. When I read historical fiction, I can add the historical facts to my knowledge base without thinking the characters and plots really existed or really happened. When I read commentaries, I keep in mind that they share highly educated opinions on what the Scriptures say, but is not inspired like the Bible.

The Bible is literature

The Bible, which is comprised of 66 books, contains different biblical genres or literary styles. The specific literary genre of a Bible book impacts how we should understand it. We cannot treat every type of genre the same. The Bible includes roughly six to eight different literary genres, depending on how its broken down. There is no one, definitive list. 

To complicate matters even further, some Bible books include multiple genres. Although each book has a primary literary style, most also utilize smaller portions of other types within them. For instance, the book of Exodus begins as historical narrative but also includes large sections of law. 

Practical Tips for Biblical Genres

The following is a brief overview of 8 biblical genres with tips for understanding them.

1. Narrative – This includes the history books of the Old Testament and the book of Acts. This genre tells us what happened, not necessarily what should have happened or what we should do. Narrative often teaches indirectly, with implicit meaning.  Tips: Narrative is descriptive, not prescriptive. Look for what the story teaches us about God’s character, nature, and ways. (See also “Help for Understanding Old Testament Narrative.”)

2. Law – This includes parts of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Law gives details of God’s covenant with the nation of Israel and is not binding under the New Covenant unless specifically renewed. Tip: Look for principles for living in community with God and others. (See also “How Should We Understand the Law?“)

3. Poetry – The psalms are musical poetry, intended to appeal to our emotions. They are words to be spoken to God or about God, and not specifically as doctrine, though they reflect doctrine. They include literary devices like hyperbole and metaphors that aren’t to be taken literally. Tips: Consider each psalm as a whole, it is a unit. Watch for ways to worship, pray, meditate, and express yourself honestly to God. (See also “5 Tips to Help You Understand the Psalms” and “How to Understand the Psalms through Parallelism.”)

4. Wisdom – This includes Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Job, and Song of Songs. This genre provides wise practical principles for living. It does NOT make promises. Tips: Watch for figurative language. Look for the practical principle that fosters wise, godly living. (See also “3 Tips to Help You Understand Proverbs.”)

DOWNLOAD THE BIBLICAL GENRE TIP SHEET

5. Prophecy – The OT includes 4 major and 12 minor prophets. The prophets were God’s covenant enforcers. They gave God’s Word to a specific people in specific historical situations and included a lot of poetry. Scholars estimate that up to 99% of biblical prophecy has been fulfilled. Tips: Keep the context in mind. Watch for multiple levels of fulfillment. (See also “4 Tips to Help You Understand the Prophets.”)

6. Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John uniquely combine teachings of Jesus with stories about Jesus. Each author had a primary audience and a primary purpose. Tips: Keep the historical and cultural context in mind. Consider the literary devices Jesus used in His teaching like parables, hyperbole, similes, and metaphors.

7. Epistles – These letters were written to a particular person or a group in a particular point in time and place for a specific purpose. Tips: Know the context and keep it in mind. Determine what is relative to only the 1st century audience and what is also relative to us today. When the exact situation isn’t relative, look for the underlying spiritual principle that is! (See also “8 Tips to Help You Understand the Epistles.”)

8. Apocalyptic – This is primarily the book of Revelation but can also be found in sections of some of the OT prophets like Daniel. This genre is highly symbolic and stylized. It’s meant to teach in whole picture, not necessarily through details. Tips: Keep the big picture in mind and don’t get bogged down in the details or chronology. Keep the historical context in mind. For instance, Revelation was originally written for the 1st century church who suffered at the hands of Rome.

What is your favorite biblical genre? Why?

Quick Tips for Handling 8 Different Biblical Genres by Kathy Howard.

5 Tips to Help You Understand the Psalms

Most of us love the book of Psalms. We connect to them in a unique way because they engage our emotions and ignite our imagination. But do we understand the psalms as well as we could?

Thirty-three percent of the Old Testament is poetry and Psalms is the biggest book of poetry in the Bible. Although all of Psalms is poetry, it includes many different types of poetry such as prayers, songs, liturgies, and even wisdom. 

God speaks to mankind throughout the whole of the Bible, but the psalms add a dimension. In this collection of poems, mankind also speaks to God, expressing our heart and emotions. With the psalms, we use God’s words to speak to or about God. The psalms have been used by God’s people to foster worship and prayer for about 3,000 years! They are still a model for us today, helping us understand appropriate ways to talk to God.

Who wrote the psalms?

The psalms were written by a number of different people over the course of several centuries. They were written by royalty, priests, Levites, prophets, and more. The entire collection of psalms is divided into 5 smaller “books.” Some commentators think the final arrangement of the psalms into books happened after the exile and return of the remnant. Each of the five books of the psalms may center on a particular theme, potentially corresponding with the periods of Israel’s history like the monarchy, the failure of the nation, exile, and restoration. Here is the breakdown of the five books of Psalms:

Book I: Psalm 1 – 41

Book II: Psalm 42-72

Book III: Psalm 73-89

Book IV: Psalm 90-106

Book V: Psalm 107-150

Tips to Better Understand the Psalms

Every passage in the Bible has just one meaning – the one God originally intended. But each original meaning can have endless application for our lives. But before we can apply, we need to discover God’s meaning. (For more on this see “4 Tips to Help You Understand the Bible” and “4 R Method for Everyday Bible Study.”)

Identify the purpose – The overall purpose behind the collection of psalms was to facilitate corporate worship. But individual psalms fulfill different aspects of that purpose. Recognizing the purpose of the psalm we read will help us understand its meaning. Here’s a sampling of the reasons behind the writing of the psalms: PraiseCoronation ceremonyPrayerLamentExpress intense emotion or griefRepentanceTemple entry liturgy

2. Watch for parallelism – Parallelism is frequently used in Hebrew poetry. This is two or more brief phrases (couplet) that basically say the same thing in multiple ways. The 2nd line adds to the first by restating it in a different way, expanding on it, clarifying it, or contrasting. Although there is a lot more to learn about variations of parallelism, there are two primary types:

Synonymous parallelism (see Psalm 1) – Says the same thing in different waysAntithetical parallelism (see Psalm 1:6) – Shows a contrast between two things to show a distinction

3. Look for metaphors, similes, and hyperbole – Since the psalms are poetry they are naturally full of poetic language. This includes a variety of word pictures. These devices are not to be taken literally, but the visuals help us better understand the spiritual truth. For instance, God is like a shepherd (Psalm 23) in that He guides, protects, and cares for us. God is not literally a shepherd.

4. Consider the whole psalm – Each psalm is a unit. You will best understood each verse within the context of the entire psalm.

5. Use the psalms to express yourself to God – Watch for ways to worship, pray, meditate, and express yourself honestly to God.

Join a study of Psalms 1-41

Want to dig into the Psalms with me? This beautiful Hebrew poetry helps us learn how to pray and worship God. Beginning Monday, May 23rd I will be leading reading and discussion of Psalms 1-41 on Facebook. This daily Bible reading and discussion happens in the private group “Reading the Bible Together.” Readings and questions post Monday – Friday at 5am. But it’s “come and go.” You can pop in on whatever time schedule works for you. If you’re interested, follow this link, request to join and answer the 3 easy questions!

What is your favorite psalm? Why is it your favorite?

5 Tips to Help You Understand the Psalms by Kathy Howard.

Think You Understand the Proverbs 31 Woman?

Many of us have had a love/hate relationship with the Proverbs 31 woman. Yes, we admire her energy and success. But frankly, the woman set the bar far too high for the rest of us. We read the 31st chapter of the book of Proverbs and think, “That’s just impossible.” We feel defeated before we ever begin. But, perhaps we’ve misunderstood this woman all along.

The woman described in the last chapter of the book of Proverbs, also known as the “wife of noble character” is more than just a description of a godly woman. Throughout Proverbs, the wisdom writer often personifies wisdom. Since the Hebrew word for wisdom is feminine, wisdom is naturally portrayed as a woman. Sometimes the teacher depicts wisdom as an immoral, foolish woman and sometimes as a wise, godly woman. 

The wife of noble character then is the personification of wisdom, a collection of all the characteristics of wisdom we see in the collection of proverbs. This wise woman of virtue stands in contrast to all the adulterous and foolish women set forth throughout the book. She is an idealized wife, in an idealized home. And of course, she is set in the time and culture of an ancient Jewish household.

On commentator said it reads more like an ancient hymn, a musical poem to lady wisdom. Husbands and children even recited it in ancient Jewish homes at Sabbath dinner by. Structurally, it’s an acrostic. The first word of each line begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in sequence.

The Key to Understanding the Proverbs 31 Woman

This woman is not smarter or more energetic than today’s average Christian woman. She does not possess some secret super power or run for days with no sleep. The “secret” is the source of her wisdom:

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 ESV

“The fear of the LORD” is a running theme in the book of Proverbs. God is the Source of true wisdom (Proverbs 8:22). If we want to live wisely and not work against the One who designed the universe we must submit to Him and His ways. We must acknowledge His authority and yield to His Lordship in our lives. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10).

I think the reason the Proverbs 31 woman often intimidates us is because we are looking at what all she does rather than Who she serves. She isn’t following a long to-do list, but instead is following her Lord one step at a time. And as she does she walks in His wisdom with His power. (You may also find this post helpful: “3 Tips to Help You Understand Proverbs.“)

The Fruit of Wisdom in the Proverbs 31 Woman

First of all – the Proverbs 31 woman is a composite, an overview of a lifetime of a wise woman. God doesn’t expect us to do it all every day! 

If you have time, I encourage you to stop and read Proverbs 31:10-31. Don’t get bogged down in the specific tasks. Many of them – like planting a vineyard and spinning her own cloth (Proverbs 31:16, 19) – are closely tied to her time and culture. I just recently read and studied this passage in my own personal quiet time and with the Facebook group I lead “Reading the Bible Together.” (By the way, today we begin a week-long study in Revelation 1-4. All women are welcome!) As I read, I made lists of the following:

Characteristics of her characterHow she relates to her husband, children, employees, and othersThe quality of her work in all areas of her life like home life, business, finances, and personal appearance

I discovered things like a wise woman is hardworking, generous, a good steward of her resources, watches her words, and plans for the future. I learned that her character impacts how others see her husband and that because she helps him and is trustworthy, her husband praises her to others. I noticed that since this woman yields to the God of wisdom in every area of her life the benefit of His wisdom shows up in every area. 

So, here’s the key to being like the Proverbs 31 woman. We don’t have to be and do all the things. We just really need one thing. To fear the Lord. When we do that, His wisdom touches everything we say and do.

In what way have you previously misunderstood the Proverbs 31 woman?

Think You Understand the Proverbs 31 Woman? by Kathy Howard.

When You Don’t Know What to Pray

Rebecca Barlow Jordan is my guest blogger today! It’s adapted from her new book “Day-votions with Your Faithful Father: 90 Days with the One Who Wants to Meet All Your Needs.“

Some things you never forget.

The phone call in the middle of the night. The sound of heavy steps in the hallway and a door closing. The noise of a car door opening and shutting, and the hum of our Chevrolet sedan whispering the truth through my open window as our car backed out of the driveway into the street.

Then silence. But sleep wouldn’t come again for a while. My eyes might try to close, but imagination would pry them open with invisible toothpicks: Who is it this time, Lord? A baby? A mother, father, teenager, child?

An accident? A death? A domestic issue? A desperate plea for prayer?

The familiar scenario repeated itself as the years flew by in my childhood and teenage years. Like a doctor on twenty-four-hour duty, my father answered the calls that interrupted his loud snores. Another need. One more crisis. Another cry for help.

But the memories don’t stop there. I added, “minister’s wife” to “pastor’s daughter,” when I married. Because my husband’s call to ministry was to a “Person” (Jesus), not to a particular position, his church roles led him at different times to “Youth Minister,” “Pastor” and “Associate Pastor” responsibilities.

So the calls still came, whether in daylight or dark. Occasionally, I joined my husband as his silent partner, with only love, tears, a hug, and an unspoken prayer to offer. God had to do the rest.

And He did. He does. And He will.

What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Pray

I wish I had known years ago what I know now. I didn’t always know what to pray, but God, as my faithful Father, saw the longing of my silent tears during those times of neediness and crises.

Sometimes, even now, audible words hide in the crevices of my heart, whether I’m praying for my own needs or the needs of others. But as the truths in God’s Word reveal, when we don’t know what to pray, He is the One who will help us and who intercedes for us. In every situation, every crisis, and every need, He holds our hands in His.

As I read His words in the Bible, I sense His Spirit assuring us that He is always ready to help:

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.  Romans 8:26-27 NIV

Note: You may also enjoy “The 5 Ps of the Lord’s Prayer,” The Armor of God is More Thank a Prayer,” and “5 Situations When Prayer is Vital.”

From Our Faithful Father’s Heart

Based on the above promise from His Word, I can image what God might whisper to us when we struggle with what to pray:

My child, You’ll experience so many times when you come into My presence without the faintest idea how to express yourself. How could I, the Holy One, hear your prayers in the first place? At times, you even feel like a child whose vocabulary hasn’t progressed beyond kindergarten. Don’t worry about knowing the right words to say when you talk to Me. I hear Your heart. When you need an intercessor, My Spirit searches your heart and sees the deepest desires hidden there. You will also have moments when your pain is so deep you cannot even speak. Tears cloud your heart, and words refuse to come.

Whether you feel helpless, lonely, broken, or sad, I know your need. And when you don’t know how or what to pray for others? You’re not alone. Because My ways are different from yours, you won’t always understand what to pray. Don’t let that stop you from pouring out your heart to Me, either in tearful cries or spoken words. My Spirit will take those groanings and form them into a prayer that is My will for you. In time, I will give you peace about those issues. When you don’t know what to say, I am still the One who intercedes for you—perfectly.

From Our Grateful Heart to His

And my heart overflows with gratitude at His words:

Lord, sometimes I feel tongue-tied when I step onto holy ground. What can I say to the One who left heaven for me? How can I communicate with the God who created all things, the One who holds the world in His hands? Other times, the hurts in my heart are like boulders so great that I can’t possibly move them. Words hide in the broken places of my soul.

Thank You for reminding me that You hear the deepest needs of my heart, even when I can’t verbalize them. Thank You that You are the One who intercedes for me as I pray for others, and You also offer intercession against the power of sin in my own life. You know me so well. Purify the desires of my heart, Lord, so that the motives behind my requests are not solely to relieve my pain or discomfort, but to glorify You in the situation, no matter what happens.

Thank you Rebecca for sharing today about what to pray! Find out more about Rebecca Barlow Jordan and her new book “Day-votions with Your Faithful Father” below:

Day-votions with Your Faithful Father: 90 Days with the One Who Wants to Meet All Your Needs, is a 90-day spiritual and devotional encounter that will help you renew your hope, joy, peace, and trust in the One who is faithful and unchangeable. Through intimate prayer conversations with your heavenly Father, focused Bible verses, powerful truths, reflective Bible study questions, and even journal pages, this book will help you deepen your relationship with the One who longs to meet all your needs. 

Rebecca Barlow Jordan is a day-voted follower of Jesus whose passion is helping others find joy and purposeful living through deeper intimacy with God. She has written 13 books, and over 2000 greeting cards, devotions, articles, and contributed to over 20 other books. From years of Bible study and teaching, she continues to paint encouragement on the hearts of others through her blog and website at www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com. Rebecca is a minister’s wife, has two children and four grandchildren, and makes her home in Texas.

When You Don’t Know What to Pray by Kathy Howard.

10 Observation Tips for Better Bible Study

Want to get more out of your personal time in God’s Word? You can do better Bible Study through being an active observer.

Every Scripture passage in the Bible has just ONE meaning – what God meant when the Scripture was first written. Our task as students of the Bible, is to discover the original meaning of Scripture through proper study techniques (See “4 Guidelines to Help You Understand the Bible” and “The 4 R Bible Study Method”) and observation.

A Few Tips for Observing a Bible PassageRead the passage multiple times – Focus on one area of observation at a time so you don’t miss anything important.Choose a way to record what you observe – Depending on your preference, you can mark these in your Bible, takes notes in a journal, or record them in some other way. I use a journaling Bible with an extra-wide, lined journaling column. I make study notes there and I use a highlighting system to help me observe the passage.Develop your own system – If you have your own way of doing things, the system will work better for you in the long run. For instance, always look for the same area of observation first (maybe truths about God). Or use pen or highlighter colors that are significant to you. (I use purple to highlight truths about God because the color reminds me of royalty). Decide how you will take notes.

The observation tips below are not exhaustive, but they are a solid place to start. You won’t spot everything in every passage. But in every passage your observation will help you do better Bible study.

10 Things to Record for Better Bible StudyTruths about God– The Bible is first and foremost a book about God. He is everywhere – in every passage, on every page. It may be blatant or subtle, but He will be there. Looks for truths about His nature, His character, His ways, and His purposes.Key Words & Phrases– Repetition in God’s Word is not accidental. If you see words and phrases repeated, take note. God is trying to point to something important.Important facts – Mark any facts you see in the passage that will help you understand what’s happening. Things like people, places, numbers can be key to comprehension.Connecting or Transition Words – You may have heard the saying, “when you see a ‘therefore,’ ask what it’s there for.” Words like “now, because, therefore, so, since, but” show a relationship, an explanation, or a cause and effect. When you see a connecting word, determine its purpose for being there.Questions and answers – We find this powerful teaching tool throughout the Bible. Jesus often asked questions and then fleshed out His answer (see Matthew 6:25-34. The apostle Paul also used questions and answers in His letters (see Romans 6:1-14). When you see a question in Scripture, be sure to look for the answer.Commands – The Bible is full of commands. Some are one-time commands for specific individuals at a specific time. Others are for all God’s people for all time. For instance, “love one another” is applicable to us today!Lists – When I read/study God’s Word, I watch for lists and groups that will help me understand a spiritual truth or topic. I mark things like characteristics, qualities, and reasons in the text and then list them in the margin of my Bible. For instance, in John chapter 5, Jesus told the Jewish leaders that the testimony/witness about Him was strong and came from multiple sources. Then He began to name those witnesses – John the Baptist, the signs Jesus performed, God the Father, and the Scriptures.Spiritual principles– There will be a lot of overlap here with “truths about God.” However, eternal spiritual principles impact our daily lives. For instance, Psalm 1 teaches that those who meditate constantly on God’s Word will thrive spiritually and live fruitful lives for God’s Kingdom.Contrasts and comparisons – The Bible often compares and contrasts to show how people or things are alike or different. These literary tools can more clearly show the reader the way that pleases God. For an example, see the contrast between godly Mordecai and prideful, evil Haman in Esther 6:10-12.Word pictures – Similes and metaphors paints pictures that help us better understand spiritual truths. For instance, Jesus’ description of Himself as “the true vine” in John 15 helps us understand what it means to constantly abide in Him.

What other things can we “observe” in Scripture? What helps you better understand a passage?

10 Observation Tips for Better Bible Study by Kathy Howard.

The 4 Best Gifts My Mother Gave Me

This will be the second Mother’s Day without my mom. She passed away in October 2022 after a long, brutal battle with Alzheimer’s. When I think about Mom and who she was to me, the good gifts she gave, I go back, before the disease ravaged her brain. 

With her quick wit and outgoing personality, Mom was always the life of every party. And if there wasn’t a party, she started one. She loved to dance and it was not uncommon to see Mom and Dad “cutting a rug” in the kitchen to a favorite tune. Mom also loved to sing – at church, in the car, in the bathroom. She enjoyed cards and games. In fact, Mom and Dad taught me and my brother how to play dominoes and card games as soon as we were old enough so we could all play together. Mom and I also often played Scrabble together.

Mom taught me how to do ceramics and cross-stitch. Mom and a friend even owned a cross-stitch shop for many years. Mom was a great judge of character and taught me how to be discerning when choosing friends. She also set a good example for keeping a clean and orderly home. (Sadly, Alzheimer’s stole that ability from her early on.) Unfortunately, Mom also taught me the fine art of sarcasm and saying whatever comes to mind. I’ve been working on “unlearning” those things for years. 

A Few Things Mom Did NOT Teach MeCooking – Although Mom cooked for our family, she did not enjoy it. She had a handful of simple dishes she repeated. And she used a LOT of cream of mushroom soup.Healthy eating – When I was growing up, we ate a lot of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, frozen pepperoni pizza, and one-pot dishes made with canned soup. Though there is one unhealthy casserole that my brother and I both feel very nostalgic about. I have made it a few times over the years. Mom called it “Mexican Casserole.” It involves hamburger meat mixed with cream of mushroom soup and Rotel, layered with big Fritos and grated cheese. For after school snacks, Mom kept plenty of Ding Dongs and Twinkies in the pantry.Fitness – Do you see a pattern emerging here? I don’t think I ever saw Mom do exercise of any kind. Dad kept in good shape, but not Mom. The stationary bike in the garage revealed she may have had good intentions at one time. But I don’t remember ever seeing her on it.Good Gifts from a Good Mother

My mother was not perfect. But she did some of the most important things well. She left gave good gifts that provided me and my brother with a good foundation for lives and our own families.

Mom loved us unconditionally – I never doubted she loved and valued me. Mom was my biggest fan. She encouraged my hopes and dreams. She opened our home to my friends and made them feel welcome. (I don’t know if this memory should be here, but Mom was also the one who bought the toilet paper and took us rolling during slumber parties before we were old enough to drive.)She loved my father – Mom was not the perfect wife, but she obviously loved Dad. (And so was his love for her!) Public displays of affection were common at our house. I never doubted their commitment to each other. Their relationship provided us with a safe, stable place to grow up. She loved and supported my children – When our three kids were young, Mom was a real friend to them. They talked to her about everything – especially our two girls. Many times, Mom and Dad came to stay with them when Wayne and I needed them. Once, they came all the way to Canada from Louisiana to stay with the kids almost three weeks while Wayne and I went on a mission trip to Africa. Sadly, Alzheimer’s robbed Mom of experiencing her grandchildren grow, marry, and have their own babies. Even though Mom had four great-grandchildren by the time she died, she was not aware of them.She loved Jesus – Mom had a saving relationship with Jesus. She and Dad encouraged me towards Christ and set the example. (If you want to know more about eternal salvation, see “How to Know Jesus.”) In one of her last months, even when Alzheimer’s had a strong grip on her brain, Mom reflected on the goodness of Jesus. (See “Alzheimer’s is No Match for the Spirit of God.”)

Let’s talk! What good gifts did your mother leave you?

Good Gifts Suggestion for this Mother’s Day

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Includes 52 inspiring stories of faith from the Bible, family research, and historyGives 52 genealogy research tips to help you explore your own familyShares 52 biblical and practical tips to inspire you to live out your faith in ways that will impact your family tomorrowEncourages you to trace your heritage and document the stories of your ancestorsSee Heirloom now on Amazon!

The 4 Best Gifts My Mother Gave Me by Kathy Howard.

The 5 Ps of the Lord’s Prayer

Do you struggle with prayer? Many of us do. Even Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1). Jesus’ response, found in both Luke and Matthew, is commonly referred to as the Lord’s Prayer. But some biblical scholars suggest it would be more accurately titled “The Disciples’ Prayer.” This prayer was Jesus’ example for us, His disciples.

A Few General Guidelines

Jesus began His prayer lesson with a few comments that help us know how to use and apply His teaching:

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.  Matthew 6:5-8, ESV

Pray with humility and sincerity(Matthew 6:5) – Sometimes when we pray, our sinful flesh gets in the way. Sometimes, we hope others will hear and think how spiritually mature we are. But, the purpose of prayer is to communicate with our all-powerful, holy Creator. Dwell on that a moment… This fact alone should humble us before His throne.Pray alone with God(Matthew 6:6) – Prayer is a very personal, intimate exchange between a believer and God. That doesn’t mean we should not pray with others. The New Testament also sets the example for prayer together with other believers. However, each of us should have a healthy habit of being alone with God in prayer. Without any distractions. So, we can go anywhere and everywhere in prayer that the Spirit leads us.Pray purposefully and specifically(Matthew 6:7) – Reciting memorized prayers or even repeated phrases is not necessarily sinful, it’s just inadequate. Even though there are instances where reciting a prayer like the Lord’s Prayer is appropriate, biblical scholars don’t believe that was Jesus’ intention when He gave us this example. This example was merely a framework for the way we should pray, for the kinds of things we should pray about.Pray to connect with God(Matthew 6:8) – Jesus said the “Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Why then should we pray? Prayer certainly isn’t to inform God about our needs. Or even what’s on our minds. He knows all that. Prayer is the holy privilege of connecting with the God of the universe. To hear from Him. To open our heart so He can shape it to match His.The 5 P’s of the Disciples’ Prayer (aka, the Lord’s Prayer)

You won’t find these five words that all start with “P” in the Lord’s prayer. But each “P” word does represent a particular type or kind of prayer found in Jesus’ example. The “Ps” is simply an easy to remember the scope our prayers should cover overall.

9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:9-13, ESV

Praise (vs 9) – Jesus starts His prayer example by giving the Father honor and glory. Although God deserves all our worship, we sometimes forget and jump right into asking Him to do things for us.Purposes (vs 10) – Jesus prayed that the Father’s perfect will – already accomplished in heaven – would be fully realized on earth. Let’s follow Jesus’ example and ask God to carry out His will in our heart and lives, in our families, churches, and communities, and in the world.Provision (vs 11) – The “bread” Jesus asked for in His prayer example represents our daily needs. God invites us to bring our needs to Him, so let’s ask boldly! (For more about asking God to meet your needs, see “Prayer: More Than a Way to Get Stuff from God” by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.)Penitence (vs 12) – Yes, I had to search a thesaurus for a “P” word that means “repent!” Jesus did not need to ask the Father for forgiveness, but He included repentance in His example for us. We are the ones that continuously need to bring our sin, disobedience, and bad attitudes to God and ask for a heart change.Protection (vs 13) – Jesus specifically modeled the need for us to ask the Father for spiritual protection. He knew we would be surrounded by temptation. So, let’s ask God for help!

DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF OF THE 5 P’S

We may not cover these 5 areas every time we pray. For instance, there will be days when a situation overwhelms us and we concentrate on our needs. But keeping these 5 “Ps” in mind can help foster an overall, well-rounded prayer life.

There are other tools to help us in prayer. What do you use?

Other posts you might like:

5 “Probing” Questions to Help You Meditate on ScriptureQuiet Time TipsCOVID-19 Prayer Guide

 

The 5 Ps of the Lord’s Prayer by Kathy Howard.