Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 19

88 Amazon Reviews and Counting… Who Will Help? 🤚🏼

I love to write and teach God’s Word. But I’m not too fond of marketing.

Sadly, If I want to reach people with my writing, I have to do some marketing. And that includes asking for Amazon reviews.

Wait! Don’t stop reading. There’s a potential prize at stake.

If you haven’t read all or part of “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of Mark,” then you can stop reading right here. But, if you have, would you consider doing me a huge favor?

Amazon sells more books than anyone else. So if a book’s gonna get a fair shake, it needs to get some visibility on Amazon. One of the best ways to make Amazon’s algorithm happy is to get reviews. And I’ve heard that 100 is a big milestone. And if you’re a verified purchase it helps even more.

“Deep Rooted” is at 88. We need just 12 mores reviews to hit that milestone.

To sweeten the “ask” I’m doing a Book Bundle giveaway. This bundle includes 5 great reads from some of my favorite people.

“Unruffled” by Edie Melson and Rhonda Rhea“The Ten Best Decisions a Single Mom Can Make” by Pam Farrel and Peggy Sue Wells“Praying through Every Emotion” by Linda Evans Shepherd“Secrets of the Happy Soul” by Katie OrrAnd… a cute little devotional called “Fruit Jars & Fireflies” from one of my publishers, Tyndale House.Two Steps to Enter the GiveawayReview “Deep Rooted” on AmazonCome back to this blog post and leave a comment below telling me you have reviewed it.

That’s all there is to it. I will “draw” the winner from the comments when the 100th review goes live on Amazon. By the way, it may take a day or two for Amazon to approve your review. Don’t worry about that. Just come and comment after you post it for moderation. AND… if for some reason Amazon doesn’t approve your review, that’s okay too. I still want you to enter the giveaway. Because, after all, you tried!

If you’ve never reviewed a book before, don’t be scared! A couple of sentences is all you need to share. Just simply say how you felt about the book. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

Review “Deep Rooted”

If You Haven’t Read “Deep Rooted”

For those of you who haven’t read “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of Mark” but are still reading this post… Would you do me the honor of checking it out?

Here’s a quick description:

Want to experience regular spiritual nourishment from the Bible, but not sure how to start? Deep Rooted, a 40-day devotional journey through the life and ministry of Jesus, will show you how to interact with and apply Scripture, not just read it. These meaty, daily devotions use a simple study framework designed to help you:

Develop a regular habit of spending quality time in God’s WordKnow Jesus more fully and intimatelyLearn how to dig into Scripture on your own.Be transformed by God’s Word, not just informed.Practically live out the truths you discover in Scripture

Let me know in the comments if you left – or tried to leave – an Amazon Review! That will be your entry into the drawing!

88 Amazon Reviews and Counting… Who Will Help? 🤚🏼 by Kathy Howard.

Do You Look for God When You Read the Bible?

It’s a common mistake when we study or read the Bible. We try to make it about us. We turn the pages looking for ourselves. We want to know what to do or how to grow. We need peace or assurance or strength. Don’t get me wrong. God’s Word does all that for us and more. But those things are a beautiful, gracious byproduct. (See “Do You Read the Bible All Wrong?”)

Yes, God’s Word is for us, but it is not primarily about us. Going to the Bible with a me-centered perspective hinders us from understanding God’s true meaning. Sadly, we often miss the main point of Scripture – to know the author.

The Bible is first and foremost a book by God about God. The Bible’s objective is to reveal God. To teach us His character, His purposes, His plans, and His ways, including His provision for salvation through Jesus.

God is the hero of every story. David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-49). Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6:1-24). Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail (Acts 18:16-40). Even in the story of Esther, where God’s name is never mentioned, He is the hero. His providential hand is evident in the salvation of His people.

So, let’s see how we can study and read the Bible with a God-centered perspective. (Check out this great resource to help you do this: “Women of the Word” by Jen Wilkin.)

Look for God as You Study and Read the Bible

(See the “4 R Study Method for Everyday Bible Study” for more information on how to study the Bible. Also see “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of Mark.” This 40-day devotional journey with Jesus is formatted around the 4 R Bible study method.)

Before we can determine what a passage means, we must observe what it says. (See “10 Observation Tips for Better Bible Study” for more on what to look for in a Bible passage.) While, there are a lot of things to observe in a passage, God should be the first thing we look for. Let’s approach Scripture looking for truths that elevate and glorify God. When I read a Bible passage, I use a purple highlighter to mark every truth I see about God. (For more information, see “Bible Highlighting for More Effective Study.”)

Here are a few specific things you can look for about God:His character – What does the passage teach about God’s divine nature?His purposes – What do you learn about God’s plans for the world, His people, the lost, His plan of salvation?His ways – How does God relate to people? How does He communicate His will?Respond to What You Learned about God

When we read the Bible, we encounter the God of the universe. That experience should shape us. Redirect us. Drop us to our knees in worship and surrender. But far too often, we add what we learned about God to our knowledge bank without allowing it to change us, to transform us. Our end goal of Bible study is not simply increased knowledge. God wants us to respond to what we learn. But what does that look like?

Here are a few ways we can respond to what we learn about God in His Word:

Repent – Encounters with a holy God reveals our sin. What do you need to turn away from?Worship – The more you learn about God, the more you realize He deserves your praise.Believe – Did you learn something about God that you didn’t know before? Adjust the way you view Him.Obey – Does new knowledge of His purposes and will prompt a certain action He wants you to take?

What about you? Do you struggle to keep a “God-centered” focus when you read Scripture?

Do You Look for God When You Read the Bible? by Kathy Howard.

Do You Have a Limited View of God?

During the time we lived in Alberta, Canada for my husband’s job, God allowed us to be part of an incredible ministry to spiritual seekers. Dozens were saved through a Bible study we led at our church. It was thrilling to see so many come to faith in Christ. But I still pray for one specific young woman who rejected His free gift of salvation.

I’ll call her Tracy. She came to a women’s study group we held in the home of one of our church members. Tracy felt her spiritual need and was determined to fill it with something. She studied with us on Tuesday nights and with a Jehovah’s Witnesses study group on Wednesday nights. Tracy heard biblical truth on Tuesdays and on Wednesdays she heard distortions and false teaching. I prayed for her and I presented the truth of the Gospel over and over. In the end, Tracy rejected the truth of Christ and joined the Jehovah Witnesses.

Tracy took the wrong path because she underestimated the power of God. Because she couldn’t understand the triune nature of God, she rejected the full divinity of Jesus. If she couldn’t understand it, then she wouldn’t accept it. So instead, she chose to follow a god she could get her mind around. Wrong belief based on incorrect or insufficient knowledge of Scripture can be eternally dangerous.

Jesus Called Out a Limited View of God

Jesus pointed out this truth to a group of Sadducees that tried to trip Him up with a complicated question. (See Mark 12:18-23.) This Jewish religious party possessed greater political power than the Pharisees because of their cooperation with Rome. The Sadducees rejected the resurrection because they didn’t see it in the Pentateuch (the five books of Moses), in which they placed more value than the rest of the Old Testament Scriptures.

After Jesus patiently explained that God doesn’t need marriage in heaven, He showed them how the Pentateuch supports the resurrection. (See Mark 12:24-27.) They had strayed from the path of God’s truth because they lacked sufficient knowledge of both Scripture and God’s power.

Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? Mark 12:24, ESV

They denied the resurrection because of their limited view of God. They didn’t believe Him powerful enough to raise the dead. Ironically, it would only be a matter of days until God gave them a tomb-busting demonstration. After suffering a brutal death on a Roman cross, Jesus would get up and walk out of His grave.

Like Tracy, the Sadducees’ eternal hope was restricted by their limited view of God. Their knowledge of God was restricted by their limited understanding of Scripture. At best, our own limited understanding will impede our spiritual growth and service. And at worst, a limited understanding of God may impact our eternity.

An “understandable god” is no god at all

Why would we want to serve a “god” we can understand? That kind of god is no god at all. But, thankfully, our God is not hindered by our faulty understanding. He is not limited by our lack of knowledge. We serve a God who is all-powerful and transcendent. The One who spoke the heavens and earth into existence will accomplish what He determines to accomplish. He will fulfill every promise. Our hope in Him is sure and eternal.

Let’s talk: In what ways might your view/understanding of God be limited? What will you do to expand your knowledge of God?

This post is adapted from Kathy’s 40-day devotional “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of Mark.”  This meaty devotional will show you how to interact with and apply Scripture, not just read it. You may find the following posts helpful:

6 Reasons to Read and Study the Old Testament4 R Bible Study Method for EverydayAre you Reading the Bible All Wrong?

 

Do You Have a Limited View of God? by Kathy Howard.

5 Tips for Reading and Understanding Biblical Narrative

I love to read. I read fiction and non-fiction. In fiction, I particularly like legal thrillers, biblical fiction, and historical fiction set in WW2. I also read lots of biblical commentary and theologically heavy non-fiction like A.W. Tozer and R.C. Sproul. I don’t handle all these types of books the same way.

For instance, I don’t use biblical fiction to shape my understanding of Scripture. When I read historical fiction, I can separate the historical facts from the fictional characters and story plots.

I also understand that the commentaries I read are educated opinions on what the Scriptures say, but they are not inspired like the Bible.

The type and form of the literature I read dictates how I should understand it. The same is true for the Bible. The Bible is literature containing multiple literary genres. Depending on how it’s broken down, God’s Word includes six to eight different genres. We cannot treat all these the same. The genre shapes how we should understand it. (See “How Biblical Genre Impacts Our Understanding” for an overview of the various biblical genres.)

Historical narrative is the most prominent form of biblical literature comprising about 40% of the Bible. It teaches us God’s truth through story. Biblical narrative includes the history books of the Old Testament, the book of Acts, and parts of the Gospels in the New Testament. (The Gospels are actually a unique blend of several literary forms – historical narratives, prose, parables, etc.)

5 Tips for Understanding Biblical NarrativeLook for what the story teaches us about God’s character, nature, and ways – God is the hero of every Bible story. The human characters are secondary. They are flawed people. But God is the perfect central character of every story in Scripture. As you read, watch for what the story teaches you about God. How He relates to mankind. How He works through people to fulfill His will. How He works through the events of history to carry out His purposes.Narrative is descriptive, not prescriptive – Biblical narrative tells us what happened, not necessarily what should have happened It tells what the characters did, not necessarily what we should do. For instance, In Judges 6, God called Gideon to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites. But Gideon was afraid and doubted God would do what He promised. So, Gideon asked God for a sign to confirm His word – not once, but twice! (See Judges 6:36-40.) He tested God and His word. God patiently confirmed His word through Gideon’s test. But that doesn’t mean we should do the same.Look for implicit meaning – Narrative often teaches indirectly. The plot of every story isn’t God’s direction for us. For instance, God told Noah to build an ark, but that doesn’t mean we should build an ark. But in this story, we do learn that God wants us to obey Him even when His directions don’t necessarily make sense to us.Narrative should not be treated allegorically – Scripture does contain some allegory. Jesus’ parables are one example. And there are instances where another biblical writer gives allegorical meaning to historical events under the inspiration of God. For instance, in Galatians 4:22-26, Paul gives allegorical meaning to Abraham’s two sons Isaac and Ishmael. But those instances are exceptions under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We don’t have the authority to see allegory wherever we choose in Scripture.Don’t make assumptions about things God doesn’t tell us – The stories of biblical narrative don’t always give us all the information we’d like to have. But we cannot “fill in the gaps.” God has given us what He wants us to have. Sometimes we have to accept that we just don’t know.

What’s your favorite story in Scripture? What does it teach you about God?

See also:

 “4 Tips to Help You Understand the Prophets” “Plot in Biblical Narrative”

 

 

5 Tips for Reading and Understanding Biblical Narrative by Kathy Howard.

True or False? All Sins are the Same

We hear it a lot. We say it a lot. “All sins are the same.” But is that statement biblically accurate? Throughout history, mankind has naturally recognized some sins, some acts to be more evil than others. But why?

Some crimes result in greater harm than others. The impact is deeper and life-altering, like the devastation caused by child abuse or human trafficking. Sometimes the crime greatly affects many people, like the genocide of six million Jews by Adolf Hitler or the mass shooting at Columbine High School. Human authorities recognize these “worse” crimes by inflicting greater punishment.

But what about God? Does He distinguish between different types of sin? For instance, is shoplifting a candy bar as bad in God’s eyes as murder? The answer is both yes and no.

All Sins are the Same in that they All Bring Spiritual Death

To determine our legal standing before God, the Bible breaks everyone into two classifications: Lawbreakers and law keepers. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law (James 2:10-11, ESV). Breaking God’s law on any point, no matter how small, makes someone a lawbreaker. So, you can imagine that the “law keeper” group is pretty small. As in zero.

The Bible teaches – and life confirms – that all people have sinned. We are all law breakers. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, ESV). The Greek word translated as “sin” in Romans 3:23 means to miss the mark or deviate from the target. The target we’ve missed is God’s holy transcendence. No one can measure up, no matter how “good” we are. Not a murderer or a shoplifter. Not a prideful person or a worrier. We’ve all fallen short of God’s glorious perfection.

All sinners have also earned the same wage” or cost for our sin. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23, ESV). One sin, no matter how small makes us a sinner, legally guilty before a holy God and deserving of death. All sinners – no matter the sin – are separated from God and the spiritual life He gives. Every single one of us has earned a one-way ticket to eternal punishment – unless we receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation through Jesus. (Find out more about How to Have a Saving Relationship with Jesus.).

Not all Sins in the Bible Received the Same Punishment

Although any and all sin brings spiritual death, God does not feel the same way about all sin. Yes, He hates all sin. But, some sin He hates more than others. The Old Testament law demonstrates this truth by assigning different levels of punishment to different kinds of sin.

First, the Old Testament Law made distinction between sins based on the level of intent of the sinner.

God forgave the “unintentional” or “unwitting” sin of a remorseful sinner who brought a sin offering. (See Leviticus 4:1-26 and Numbers 15:27-31.) But the defiant sinner would not be forgiven. They were to be cut off from God’s community (Numbers 15:30-31). God views some sins as more rebellious than others. Some were committed out of ignorance of God’s expectations. Other sinners well knew God’s requirements and chose to blatantly disregard them, defying God’s authority.

The Old Testament Law also determined varying degrees of punishment for sin based on the severity of the impact it had on others and how much the sin maligned the name of God. For instance, a thief had to pay restitution; someone involved with the occult had to leave the community of Israel; and some sexual sins and dishonoring parents earned the death penalty. (See Exodus 22 and Leviticus 20 for the specifics on these examples.)

What about Sin in the New Testament?

You may be thinking: “Well, that was the Old Testament; things changed with Jesus.” But, distinction between sin also fills the New Testament – including the teachings of Jesus. Again, any and all sin brings spiritual death, but the New Testament emphasizes a priority of God’s commands, levels of severity, degrees of punishment, and intensity of God’s displeasure toward various sins.

Jesus clearly indicated that some of God’s commands are more important than others. For instance, Jesus called the Jewish leaders hypocrites for their detailed attention to tithing while neglecting “the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23, ESV). While God calls us to support His church and ministers, He is more concerned about our character and treatment of others.

We see this same principle in a conversation between Jesus and a Jewish scribe. When the scribe asked Jesus which commandment is the most important, Jesus gave an answer. “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:28b-31). God prioritizes how we respond to Him and how we treat others over His other commands.

Jesus also considered some sins to be more serious than others. For instance, in referring to sin in two individuals’ lives, He described one a “speck” and the other a “plank” (Matthew 7:3-5). Although Jesus didn’t explain the reason for the difference in His classification, He did give clearer insight in other passages. Jesus distinguished between sins in three areas.

Three Areas of Distinction among SinsGreater harm – Some sins cause greater levels of spiritual and physical harm than others. Jesus repeatedly gave strong warnings against harming others. For instance, He condemned the Pharisees for taking advantage of marginalized people like widows (Luke 20:45-47) and He warned of great punishment for anyone who causes someone else to sin (Mark 9:42). The mishandling of God’s Word is also a sin that causes great spiritual harm to others. Peter wrote that false teachers will bring “swift punishment” on themselves (2 Peter 2:1). And James, wrote that those who teach God’s Word will be “judged more strictly” (James 3:1).”Greater knowledge – Jesus taught that greater knowledge incurs greater punishment. Those who know more of God’s expectations yet sins will be judged more severely than those who don’t know God’s expectations and commit the same sin (Luke 12:42-48). The more we know about God, the more we are responsible to Greater dishonor – When Jesus stood trial before Pilate, He declared that the one who had handed Him over had committed a greater sin than Pilate who confirmed His death sentence (John 19:11). Whether Jesus meant the betrayer Judas or the Jewish high priest, this guilty one blatantly rejected Jesus and submitted Him to great ridicule. Like this rejection, some sin causes more harm to the name of Christ. Any blatant, unrepentant sin dishonors God’s name and harms the fellowship of the church (1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 6:9-10). Sexual sin also uniquely dishonors God. Because the Holy Spirit lives within believers, anytime a Christian commits sexual immorality her or she defiles the special intimacy we share with God (1 Corinthians 6:12-20).Conclusion

Yes, the Bible does indicate that God distinguishes between severity of sin. For unbelievers, greater sin will result in a greater level of eternal punishment (Luke 10:13-14). For believers, sinning after salvation will not keep us out of heaven, but our level of obedience will impact our eternal rewards (1 Corinthians 3:8-15). But for those in a saving relationship with Jesus, our God is faithful to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness! (See 1 John 1:9)

Are these new thoughts for you? When you study the Bible, how can you set aside preconceived ideas so God can show you truths from His Word?

 

True or False? All Sins are the Same by Kathy Howard.

Video Teaching on the 4 R Bible Study Method

You can understand the Bible. God wants you to know Him better through His Word. The 4 R Bible study method – read, record, reflect, and respond – is a basic, but solid way to dig a little deeper into any biblical passage. This “inductive” method uses careful observation to discover what the passage says. That’s our first goal – to accurately interpret God’s meaning.

Every Bible passage has just ONE meaning – God’s original and only meaning.

Personal application is our last step and end goal. You don’t need extra resources. All you need is your Bible, a pen, a notebook or journal, and a humble, teachable attitude. The “R” repetition makes it memorable! You can take it anywhere!

Video Teaching on the 4 R Bible Study Method

For a written explanation of the 4 R Bible study method see “The 4 R Bible Study Method for Everyday Use.“ But, if you have 30 minutes, here’s a more thorough video teaching! (Look below for links to helpful handouts you may want to refer to during the video.) One more thing – I recorded this teaching for a specific Facebook study group, so ignore the references to the group! Unless you’d like to join! (Deep Rooted Bible Study Group)

Here are some helpful handouts & additional links:What you need to know about Bible translationsWhere does each translation fall on the spectrum. Check out this translation chart!How the literary genre of the Bible book impacts our understanding.Things to look for when you “observe” a Bible passage.How context impacts our understanding of the passage.Ongoing “Reading the Bible Together” Facebook study group

What insights or questions do you have?

Video Teaching on the 4 R Bible Study Method by Kathy Howard.

Why I’m Staying on Facebook

I’ve received a lot of messages over the last couple of weeks asking me if I plan to leave Facebook and set up camp on another social media platform.

Yes, a lot has happened in the last few weeks. Big tech and leading social media platforms have flexed their powerful muscles. And no, my biblical values don’t agree with many of their policies, stands, and actions.

But, that shouldn’t surprise us. The world and its ways have always been in conflict with God and His unchanging standards. Lost people will act like lost people. It reflects their desperate need for Jesus.

Which is exactly why God sends us, His people, out into the world. It is filled with lost people in need of a Savior. They need to hear the life-giving message of Jesus.

People who need to hear the life-changing message of the Gospel gather on Facebook – and other social media platforms. Jesus commissioned us to take the Good News to the world and the world is on Facebook. In some ways Facebook is a dark place. But without voices to share the Light of the world, it would be even darker.

What Did Jesus Say?Jesus did not tell us to separate ourselves from the world. He did not tell us to judge the world. And yet that’s what Christians so often do. Perhaps it’s because removing ourselves from the culture is easier than what Jesus does command us to do. Here’s a sampling:He told us to go out into the world, but not to be like it (John 17:15-19).He told us to take the Good News of His salvation to every corner of the earth (Matthew 28:19-20).He told us to be the salt of preservation in a corrupt world and a light that dispels the darkness of a dying humanity (Matthew 5:13-16).

For more information on the Scriptural foundation see “Should Christians Judge the World?”

God wants us to change the world, but not be changed by the world. His call requires discipline, diligence, and constant dependence on the Holy Spirit. And I certainly don’t always get it right, but I’m trying to follow God in this. (You may also want to see “Should Christians Boycott?”)

Social Media Ministry

The concept of social media is neither good or bad. It is neutral. It all depends on how it’s used. Yes, it can be misused in many ways. But God can also use it for His purposes.

I have an ongoing ministry on Facebook. There are more than 1,500 women from all over the world in the private group “Reading the Bible Together.” I post daily Bible readings with commentary and questions for discussion. The group is very active and the members encourage and support one another. This ministry helps women stay in God’s Word, teaches them how to study, and challenges them to apply God’s truth to their lives. This vital ministry grows every day. God led me to start this ministry and has not called me away from it.

Since I feel God leading me to stay on Facebook for now, I’m trying to be especially careful about what I say there. Of course, I will NOT compromise the Gospel/God’s truth. But I am avoiding politics and other non-Gospel-centered topics that might get me censored or banned. I can’t share the Gospel with the lost if my voice is silenced. (I’d love for you to connect with me on Facebook .)I am also aware that a time may come when Facebook and I have irreconcilable differences. So, if you aren’t already on my email list, I’d be honored if you’d sign up. That was we can stay in touch! (You can do that right from my website! Look for the “Sign Up for My Newsletter” box!) I am researching other social media options. For instance, I did open a MeWe account! If you are there, I’d love for you to connect with me! Here’s my profile!

What spiritual principles do you see in Scripture that may apply to this topic? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Why I’m Staying on Facebook by Kathy Howard.

What My Quiet Time Looks Like

We talk a lot about having a quiet time with God, but not as much about what it is or what it looks like. Although the term isn’t in the Bible, Jesus modeled it for us. The phrase “quiet time” describes that regular, intentional time we spend alone with God to foster our relationship with Him. But how do we do that? What does it look like?

Basic Elements of a Regular Quiet Time

So, what’s included? There aren’t any hard and fast rules, but there are some basic elements that are necessary for a quality time with God. Keep in mind, these may look different for different people. One person may write her prayers and another pray out loud. One person may worship God through song with hands raised. Another may fall on her knees with her fact to the ground.

The Bible – God reveals Himself to us in the Bible. He speaks to us through His Word. He shares His purposes, His character, the way He works, and His will for us. We cannot know God, if we don’t know His Word. And we can’t know His Word if we approach it in a haphazard manner. A systematic plan will help us build a habit and keep what we read in the right context. (See “4 Things to Consider for Biblical Context.“)  Meditating or deeply thinking on a Bible passage helps us get everything God has for us in it. (See “5 Probing Questions to Help You Meditate on Scripture.“)Prayer – Yes, God already knows what’s on our heart. But He also commands us to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and to pray in every situation (Philippians 4:6-7). When we pray, we block out the world and focus on our Creator. Prayer helps us process our life from God’s perspective. Talking with God helps us align our thoughts and feelings with His. Prayer opens our hearts and our minds to the work of God’s Holy Spirit.Worship – God deserves our worship, our praise, our professed allegiance to Him and Him alone. When we worship the one, true God, life and eternity come into the proper perspective and we too find our proper place.Response – When God speaks, we need to respond. Perhaps we need to adjust our thinking to truths He’s shown us. Maybe we need to respond with praise or thanksgiving. Often we need to confess a sin and turn away from it. Or maybe there is a specific way we need to obey God.My Daily Quiet Time

An example is always helpful, so I’m happy to share with you what my time with God looks like. Although I try to stay sensitive to the Spirit’s leading each day, this is the basic format I follow. (And my quiet time always includes coffee.)

Journal – I begin by writing the things that are foremost on my mind. I do this for a couple of reasons. I want to leave this record for my children. And, I want to clear my mind of worries or pressing responsibilities so I can focus on God. (I “borrowed” this from Amy Hale. She refers to it as her daily “brain dump.” Follow Amy on Instagram or Facebook!)Pray – I usually bullet the prayer topics as I pray to stay focused. I start with worship, thanksgiving, and repentance. Then I move to petitions. There is always more to pray about than time, so I have a different focus for each weekday. (I “borrowed” this practice from a former pastor of mine!) On Mondays I spend intense time for my family members. Tuesdays are mission needs. Wednesdays are world needs. I specifically pray for my friends on Thursday. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are open to what’s needed most. And of course, if there are urgent needs it doesn’t matter what day it is! This type of schedule just helps me to remember to pray for everything.Bible – I always have a Bible reading plan to follow. For the last decade or so, I’ve had a full year-long plan. It keeps me in the Word regularly and helps me keep what I read in the right context. I also typically use the 4R Bible study method as I read and I use highlighters and study notes to get the most out of what I’m reading. I use a single-column, wide-margin journaling Bible with heavier paper. That way I make my study notes right in my Bible.Pray & Respond – I need to do better here. The point of my time with God is not just to listen, but to respond to what He says. Some days I do better than others.

Of course, I’m still learning. I still miss days, but rather than being legalistic about it, I give myself grace and then go right back to it.

How Can I Encourage You?

If you’re struggling to have a quiet time, I’d love to encourage you. (See “11 Tips for a Quality Quiet Time.”) There are lots of resources on this website. And I lead a Bible reading group on Facebook that is a wonderful place for encouragement, learning, and community.

What ‘s your biggest struggle in having a regular time with God?

What My Quiet Time Looks Like by Kathy Howard.

Bible Highlighting for More Effective Study

Do you long to get more out of your Bible study time? If you’re a visual learner then highlighting a Bible passage may enhance your study time. I certainly didn’t create the method. But after seeing others do it, I came up with a color coding system that made sense to me.

What is Bible Highlighting?

Bible highlighting is a system of marking or color-coding a Bible passage in order to dissect it for more effective study. Highlighting helps me “record” my observations of the text. (See “4 R Bible Study Method.” & “10 Observation Tips.”)I’ve found it beneficial in at least 3 ways:

Focus – Because I’m thinking about what parts of the passage I should highlight in the different colors, I pay more attention to what I’m reading.
Understanding – Because I’m focusing and reading the passage more than once, I get better clarity on the passage.
Application – The process itself helps me see how God would have me apply these truths to my life.

A Few Bible Highlighting “How To” Tips:

This is not a scientific method. When we are prayerfully in God’s Word, we are communicating with Him. So, be sensitive to His leading. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your teacher. However, here are a few tips, thoughts, and suggestions to help the study process:

Start with prayer – If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit lives within you. He is your teacher. Ask Him to give you understanding.
Keep the context in mind – Every Bible passage is part of a larger passage, a chapter, a book. It’s easy to misunderstand a passage when we don’t know the context. For more about context see “4 Things to Consider for Biblical Context.”
Read without highlighting – Read the passage at least once before you begin marking it. Get the feel for the whole thing before you begin to break it down.
Start with the obvious – On the second reading, I begin highlighting portions of the text that are the clearest. For instance, sometimes it may be a direct command. Others it may be a glorious truth about God. I start with what the Holy Spirit makes obvious first.
Make connections – With the obvious pieces marked, another reading will often help bring the other portions into focus. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand the relationship between the pieces.
Respond – Don’t leave the passage without asking God to show you how He wants you to apply what He’s taught you. Then do it!

My Bible Highlighting Color Code

I’ve seen different color codes. Really, this is so personal. The one I use is very basic and works for any passage. It also makes sense to me so I would remember it! For instance, “purple” reminds me of royalty, thus I use it to highlight everything I learn about our King! Use mine, use someone else’s or develop your own!

PURPLE – Truths about God, His character, His ways
ORANGE – Key words and phrases (watch for things repeated over and over!)
YELLOW – Important facts, spiritual truths
BLUE – Commands to obey
GREEN – Spiritual insight for application
PINK – Truths about salvation and our eternal inheritance

A few More Suggestions for Success

Get a journaling Bible – mine is large print, heavier paper, and wide margin! The wide margins are perfect for making study notes and doing a little “Bible art.” The heavier paper cuts down on the bleed through. Here’s the Bible I’ve been using.
Be prepared – Keep all your supplies together in one. Ideally, it should be where you spend your daily time with God.
Have a plan – Haphazard Bible reading and study will always be haphazard. Find and use a Bible reading plan. I have several on my resources page. 
Find a group for support and encouragement – I lead two online Bible study groups. I would love to have you in one or both! “Reading the Bible Together” is an ongoing private Facebook group that reads through one Bible book at a time. “Deep Rooted” is a short-term group on Facebook that will be starting my new devotional study book “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of Mark” on January 11th.

What Bible study methods do you use? Which ones do you find most helpful?

Some links you may find helpful:

Color Coding Bible Study Method
Using Highlighting and Color Coding to Enhance Your Bible Study
Women Living Well – Soak Bible study method and Coloring Chart
5 Probing Questions to Help You Meditate on Scripture

 

Bible Highlighting for More Effective Study by Kathy Howard.

Are You Deep Rooted?

I’ve learned – or re-learned – a few important things in 2020. When grocery shopping, hit the toilet paper aisle first. Breathing while wearing a mask fogs my glasses. And being spiritually deep rooted is vital for thriving during “unprecedented” times.

For a brief moment back in March, when we first learned the serious nature of COVID, I thought I might topple. Fear and uncertainty rushed in like one of the many hurricanes we experienced this season and I felt the gale force winds.

But then God reminded me of some His truths that I have learned from His Word. Truths like He is sovereign. He is all-powerful. He is working through history and the circumstances of my life to carry out His purposes. And that even if my circumstances become severe, He will give me strength and peace and comfort.

Oh, and a couple more. This world is not my true home. This life is not my true life.

God could remind me of these stabilizing truths because I have worked for years to purposefully ground myself in the solid truth of His Word. What about you? Are you deep rooted?

What does it mean to be deep rooted?

The first chapter of Psalms depicts this spiritual principle with a beautiful word picture.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not whither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3, NIV

When we pursue a committed, ongoing relationship with God’s Word, we will be like sturdy, healthy trees with roots deep in a life-giving water source. When storms hit and the winds blow around us, we will stand strong. When drought threatens we will continue to draw our sustenance from the Living Water.

So, are you like that tree? Are you deep rooted? A new year is a great time to make a new – or a fresh commitment to get in and stay in the Bible. Perhaps you long to do just that but aren’t sure how to start or need some encouragement for the long-term.

Two opportunities to foster deep roots in 2021

“Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of Mark” – This short-term, closed Facebook group begins Wednesday, January 6th with video teaching on the “4 R Bible study method.” From Monday, January 11th through Friday March 5th, the group will study my new devotional book “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of Mark” together. This study will include daily posts, weekly live Q&A with me, and periodic additional teaching videos. You do need a copy of “Deep Rooted” to participate. Want to be a part? Follow this link, request to join, and answer the three questions. (Get the book – either print or kindle version – on Amazon!)
“Reading the Bible Together” – This closed Facebook group is a place of encouragement and accountability for women who want to be in the Bible daily and would benefit from structure. We go through one Bible book at a time. Five days a week (Monday – Friday) I post the passage to read, a bit of commentary, and questions for discussion. Group members can read and comment at whatever time works for them. Some just read, but don’t comment and that’s great too. The goal is to help you develop a habit of being in Scripture. The group is also a wonderful community of faith and encourages and prays for one another. We will start Genesis on Monday, January 4th. I will post an introduction to the book on Saturday, January 2nd. So now is a great time to join! Follow this link and request to join. Be sure to answer the three questions.

I would love to see you in either – or both – groups! May God bless your commitment to be in His Word in 2021. (For a few more helpful resources see “5 Discipleship Resources to Start 2021.”)

What are your spiritual goals for 2021?

 

Are You Deep Rooted? by Kathy Howard.