Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 28

What does the Bible Say about Life in the Womb?

A very real battle is raging in our country right now between “pro-life” and “pro-rights.” We are debating the question, “Does life in the womb have any rights, and if so, what and when?” This war is being fought in our courts, in our legislatures, in the news, on social media, and even in our families.

Many heart-breaking circumstances surround this issue. I have friends who’ve had abortions. And I have a dear friend whose birth mother became pregnant due to rape but chose life for her baby. There are millions of stories on both sides and no easy answers. (See “5 Reasons a Christian Woman Might Consider Abortion.”)

I have hesitated to publicly address the topic of abortion. It’s an emotionally charged, very personal issue. Both sides have very strong opinions. The politicians, philosophers, and pundits all have opinions. Everyone sounds right and no one does. So how do weknow what’s right?

My Opinion Doesn’t Matter

As a Christian, the way I feel about something must take a backseat to what God’s Word teaches. I must let God’s truth as He has revealed it in the Bible inform and shape my opinions, beliefs, and actions.

You may already know that the term “abortion” does not appear in the Bible. But many timeless truths found in Scripture do specifically apply to this topic. In fact, Christians need to use this same process to deal with every issue in our lives and in the world around us today. Even when something is not specifically mentioned in Scripture we will find eternal spiritual truths there applicable to every life situation.

I speak out today to call Christians to go to God’s Word. This issue is simply too important to make an “uninformed” or even biased decision. As followers of Jesus, let us take the responsibility to do this in every area of our lives. Let us search the Bible for spiritual truth and apply it to our daily decisions, relationships, and society issues.

5 Spiritual Truths to Shape Our Stand on Abortion

 So, what does Scripture say that we can apply to the issue of abortion? While there are many other passages and truths I could cite here, these five spiritual principles speak most directly to the topic.

God values all human life– Each and every human being has intrinsic value because we God created us in His image. In fact, each person is so valuable to God that He has decreed the death penalty for anyone who takes the life of another human. (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 9:5-6)
God purposefully and personally forms the unborn life in the womb – God is intimately involved in the formation and development of unborn life. He sees each life in the womb and knows the number of his or her days. (Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 44:24)
God knows individuals and establishes purposes for individuals before they are born– God has a purpose and a plan for every individual. God determines these even before we are formed in the womb. He calls us to our purpose before we are born. (Galatians 1:15, Jeremiah 1:5)
God considers the unborn child to be a life worth protecting– In the Old Testament Law, if someone’s actions caused an unborn child to be born prematurely and the child died, that person’s life was required as punishment. It was considered murder. “Life for life.” (Exodus 21:22-25)
God declares children a gift, a “reward” from Him– Children are not only created and formed by God, they are also given to us by God. From beginning of the Bible to the end, children are considered blessings, not problems. (Psalm 127:3-5)

What Should We Do?

As believers, let us show the world what we are for, not what we are against. Let us proclaim love, not hate or condemnation. We are not against women who are strangled by their circumstances; we are FOR life. Let us help the unwed mother. Volunteer at a pregnancy help center. Take a pregnant teen into our home. Adopt. Foster. Give. Let us back our talk with our resources. Let us not only stand for life, let us lovingly ACT for life.

 

What does the Bible Say about Life in the Womb? by Kathy Howard.

Are You Missing the Small Things While Looking for the Big?

Yes, I want to follow God where He leads. I long for Him to use me in big ways that impact His Kingdom. But I also admit to you I’ve missed many of His small things – today opportunities – because I was looking for some great thing, some long-term calling.

I missed the “right now small thing” while looking for “tomorrow’s big deal.”

God hit me with this truth about myself the other day as I read the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. You can read the story in Acts 8:26-40.

Philip didn’t miss the small things
Philip had just come off a “big thing.” When persecution first began in Jerusalem after the martyrdom of Stephen, Philip left Jerusalem and took the Gospel to Samaria. The people of Samaria heard and believed. “So there was much joy in that city” (Acts 8:8). God used Philip to transform a city. That’s big work indeed.

In my human thinking, I would expect God to then use Philip to transform a whole region or transform an entire country. But that’s not what God did. Nope. Instead, God told Philip to go out in the middle of nowhere, to a desert place, and talk to one guy.


Philip obeyed immediately. When he got there, an important official from Ethiopia was on that very road in his chariot. The Spirit prompted Philip to join him and Philip obeyed.

It just so happened that this man had been to Jerusalem to worship God and right then, in his chariot he was reading from Isaiah about the Messiah. Philip needed no other prompting. He knew just what to do. Using that very passage from Isaiah 53, Philip told the Ethiopian the Good News about Jesus. The man believed and was baptized.


The God-given task was complete. The Ethiopian went back to Ethiopia. God took Philip somewhere else. One small, right now thing. Philip was sensitive to the Spirit and obeyed immediately. A life was eternally changed.

 


God orchestrated a perfect opportunity. He had already prepared the Ethiopian’s heart to believe. The man simply needed a guide, someone to show him that Jesus was what he had been searching for. So God chose to use Philip. He led Philip to the right place at the right time. If Philip hadn’t obeyed right away he would have missed this opportunity to be used by God.

Every work matters. Every soul matters. Every act of obedience matters.

My pride often gets in the way of seeing God’s small thing
Philip didn’t miss the right now small thing. But I do. All. The. Time.

Especially after God has allowed me to be a part of something “big.” I’m sure it’s a pride thing. Look at this way God used me! Surely He has something even greater for me next! Oh, but wait… this isn’t about me at all. And I don’t have the power to do anything…

Philip’s example really challenges me. I want to be like him – sensitive to the Spirit’s leading and quick to obey. Even if it seems small, insignificant. Because I never know what God has orchestrated.

What about you? Are you sensitive to the Spirit’s leading? Even in the small things? When was the last time you followed God in a small thing? What did He do?!

 



You may also be interested in these posts:

The Number One Way to Know God’s Will
Does Jesus Speak to You?

Are You Missing the Small Things While Looking for the Big? by Kathy Howard.

Why I Tackle Scripture Memory and How I Do It

In January, I renewed an old commitment to hide God’s Word in my heart. Scripture memory does not come easy for me. I’ve started, stopped, and restarted this discipline multiple times over the years. I stop because it’s hard and it takes time. I restart because the effort and time is more than worth it.

Do you memorize Scripture? I can think of several really logical reasons to NOT to do it. For instance, I have dozens of full translations at my fingertips all the time with the handy Bible app for my phone. And it never forgets. Plus, life is busy and Scripture memory takes time and effort. I can quickly search for and find any passage or verse I need. You’ve probably thought along the same lines.

But don’t stop reading! Hear me out!

Before you stop reading, give me a chance to convince you that Scripture memory is not only worth it, but that also, it can be done. In this post, I’ll give you 6 benefits of Scripture memory and some practical help.

If I can memorize Scripture, anyone can. My memory is not what it used to be and even when it was its strongest, it wasn’t great. But with a few helps and some discipline, I am doing it!

A Few Benefits of Memorize Scripture

My favorite psalm – which I have committed to memory – paints a beautiful picture of the benefits to a person who internalizes God’s Word.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sits in the seat of mockers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he mediates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Everything he does prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3, NIV

There’s a drastic difference between having easy access to Scripture and making it a permanent part of us. Memorizing God’s Word solidly entrenches His truth in our hearts and minds in a way that simply reading it or searching for a specific verse cannot. When His truth is firmly planted in us, its roots can stretch out everywhere. Then God can use its presence to minister to us in very powerful and personal ways.

Here are six ways – and these are just the beginning – God can work in our lives through His implanted Word:

Provide comfort, encouragement, peace, and strength (Col 3:15-16; Ps 1:1-3; 119:28)
Give guidance and wisdom (Psalm 37:31; Psalm 119:24, 98, 105)
Transform us spiritually (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 2:2)
Equip for evangelism (1 Peter 3:15; Acts 18:28)
Fill us with joy (Psalm 119:24, 47, 103; James 1:21-25)
Strengthen us against temptation (Psalm 119:11)

A Few Practical Tips & Resources for Scripture Memory

What do you think? Willing to give it a try?

My Scripture memory method is fairly old school. I write the verses out on 5×8 index cards to memorize and review. A new thing for me too is that I’m working on larger chunks of Scripture rather than just 1 or 2 verses at a time. That helps me keep God’s truths in context. I work on about a verse a day until I have it solid and then add the next verse.

Sometimes I carry the cards with me. But I’ve also taken photos of each card and sorted them in my phone photos into a Scripture memory folder. That way, if I’m out and have a few minutes to review and I get stuck, I simply look on my phone.

Bible Memory App – there are quite a few apps available to help you memorize Scripture, but this one has the most and highest ratings. If apps are your thing, check it out!
His Word in My Heart by Janet Pope – I read this book in January and it fueled my desire to recommit to Scripture memory. This best advice I got from this book was to take advantage of my “free brain time.” For instance, while I’m vacuuming, driving, washing dishes, or exercising, my body is busy but my thoughts are free to review my Bible passages. A good time for me is during wakeful periods in the night!
7 Activities to Help You Memorize Scripture – Since learning styles vary, what works for me, may not work for you. But, chances are, one of these activities will work for you.
7 Scripture Memory Tips – Again, not all of these will help you, but at least some of them will!
Scripture Memory Plans – Not sure what verse or passage to memorize? Visit my Free Resources page and browse the plans there!

Which of these six ways encourages you most to want to memorize Scripture? Why?

One more great resource for women who love the Bible!

The ENJOY GOD’S WORD ONLINE BIBLE STUDY CONFERENCE begins tomorrow!

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Why I Tackle Scripture Memory and How I Do It by Kathy Howard.

I Choose to Trust God Over My Emotions

Life is filled with hard things. Situations that simply don’t feel fair. My mother suffers from the latter stages of Alzheimer’s. It’s a cruel disease, for the patient and the family. And some days, when my emotions get the best of me, I question God. I doubt His goodness.

I struggled with these feelings just last week after I flew to visit Mom in Tennessee. I wanted to know why God isn’t doing something. Why He doesn’t fix things. My emotions ran amuck. Maybe God doesn’t care. Maybe He doesn’t see. Maybe He can’t – or simply won’t – intervene.

Why God don’t you do something?

But, then He whispered. I see her. I see you. I care. I am working.

I had to make a choice. Would I trust my feelings or God’s truth? Would I believe the feelings fostered by these temporary physical circumstances or believe the One who even raises up nations to carry out His purposes?

Once again – because I’ve been here before –  I chose to trust and believe God and His truth. But not before I spent some time wallowing in the lies of my emotions.

Do #trust your #emotions or #GodsTruth?
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Have Your Emotions Ever Gotten the Best of You?

What about you? Have your emotions ever lied to you? Difficulties, trials, struggles, and grief can foster emotions that deceive us and lead us away from God’s truth. They tell us things like:

God can’t do anything with this.
God doesn’t see your struggle.
God doesn’t care that you’re hurting.
God is too busy to do anything for you.

Any of those things sound familiar? We cannot trust our emotions. Our feelings will mislead us, but God never will. I learned I can choose to stand on God’s truth even when my emotions are trying to drag me under. When the world is shaking around me, I can run to our unshakeable God and stand firm on His truth.

Is your life shaking right now? Choose to stand on God’s truth no matter what your circumstances or your emotions may say. The following truths rebut some of the major lies our feelings tell.

Don’t #trust your #emotions. 5 #truths for #UnshakeableFatih
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5 Truths to Stand on for an Unshakeable Faith

God Can – Our all-powerful, sovereign God is always in control and always working in every situation. Even when we can’t see Him. (Jeremiah 32:17)
God Sees – God sees and knows about every aspect of our lives and the world condition. (Psalm 139:1-4)
God Cares – God doesn’t simply see your struggles, He cares about every aspect of your life. He knows your needs and He wants to meet them. (Matthew 6:25-34)
God is Present – God is always with His children. He never leaves us. Even when we don’t sense His presence He is there. (Isaiah 43:2)
God is Working – Even when we can’t see Him, God is constantly working out His eternal purposes through events, nations, and powers to accomplish His purposes in the world. And He is constantly working through the circumstances of our lives to bring about His perfect good. (Romans 8:28)

Keep Reminding Yourself of God’s Truth

One weekend at a conference, I shared these truths with about 250 women. Even though these truths are clear and simple, they are hard to remember when life starts to shake. So, we connected these five truths to something that’s with us all the time. Then we created a visual to keep and put somewhere we will see it often.

We stood and claimed the five truths, counting them off on each finger of our right hand. Then they traced their hands on a large index card and wrote one truth on each finger. One of the young women turned hers into a work of art! So I asked if I could snap a photo.

Perhaps your life is shaking right now. The world will never provide us with firm footing, but we can stand unshakeable when we choose to stand on God and His truth. Think about how you could create a visual reminder for yourself!

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:4

Which of these 5 truths most speaks to your situation today? Will you choose to trust the LORD, the Rock eternal?

 

I Choose to Trust God Over My Emotions by Kathy Howard.

11 Tips for a Quality Quiet Time with God

Every relationship needs time together to grow and deepen. A Christian’s relationship with God is no different. We need to spend time with God to know Him better, to hear His heart, and to foster intimacy with our Savior.

The term “quiet time” is commonly used of the time that Christians spend one-on-one with God in prayer and reading the Bible. Jesus set the example for us. He regularly got away alone to spend time with His Heavenly Father.

Today’s busy lifestyle makes regular time with God challenging, but it can be done with planning and commitment. See  “8 Tips for Moving Quiet Time from ‘Want To’ to ‘Get To'” for help in making quiet time a reality.

So, once you’ve decided to spend time with God regularly, what’s next? What does a quiet time look like? How can we get the most out of the time we do have to spend with God? The following tips can be utilized no matter how much time you have. Or simply use just those tips you find helpful.

11 Tips for Spending Regular Quality Time with God

11 #tips for spending quality #TimeWithGod
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Establish a regular place and time – We are creatures of habit. If we know when and where we will meet with God daily we are much more likely to do it. Build it into your daily schedule. If this is new for you, start small, commit to it and God will grow it.
Organize your “tool” box – Gather your tools (Bible, reading plan, journal, pen, etc.) and keep them together in your designated spot so you’ll always be prepared. I’ve found having a reading plan greatly increases the chance of me staying in the Word regularly. Without a plan, reading stays haphazard at best. Here are 8 different plans that would take you through the year.
Minimize Distractions –  Though it’s not possible to eliminate them all, we can take steps to help maintain our focus. Email and social media are my biggest distractions. I had to determine not to open my laptop until after my quiet time. What competes for your attention the most?
Start with prayer – Ask God to speak to you and help you understand His Word today. Thank Him for meeting with you.
Begin to read the Bible – Remember your purpose is to communicate with God. The Bible is the primary way God speaks to us. Don’t read hastily just to get through the passage. Let God stop you.
Meditate on the passage – Meditation is not emptying your mind. It is deep thinking on spiritual truths. As you read, linger over verses that impact you. Ask God questions and “listen” for His answers. These 5 PROBE questions are a great guide to meditate on a passage.
Pray as you read – Time with God should be interactive. Respond to God as He speaks to you through His Word. Reading and praying creates a conversation with God.
Sit still in God’s presence – We are products of our rushed, busy culture. Unfortunately, this tendency affects our time with God. We often rush through so we can get on with the next thing. I am certainly guilty of this. Commit to purposefully slow down! Sense God’s presence? Then simply sit still and be with Him.
Journal – Read with pen in hand. Record what God says to you and how you will respond. Writing can help you stay focused on God and His voice. You can also read your thoughts later to be reminded of something God taught you, an answered prayer, a time you felt His presence, etc. Here are some extra tips on journaling by Rachel Wojo.
Memorize – Commit to memorize verses God calls special attention to. Knowing Scripture by heart helps us guard against sin, reminds us of God’s promises, provides guidance, and allows us to meditate on God’s Word anywhere and anytime. These two posts will help: Scripture Memory Tips and 7 Activities to Help You Memorize Scripture.
Application – Apply to your life whatever God says to you through prayer and His Word. It may be repentance. It may be a change in behavior. It may be a specific action.

I would love to hear any tips you have!

Other posts you may find helpful:

Bible Highlighting for More Effective Study
3 Simple Steps for Everyday Bible Study
The 4 R Bible Study Method

Here’s another great resource for everyone who loves God’s Word!
“ENJOY GOD’S WORD ONLINE BIBLE STUDY CONFERENCE”
April 23-25, 2019   Just $52 early bird price!

Fully online – Watch anytime, enjoy lifetime access
Large group teaching through Philippians by Katie Orr
20 Breakouts by experienced Bible teachers
Real time interaction with teachers and attendees

FIND OUT MORE OR GET YOUR TICKET NOW!

11 Tips for a Quality Quiet Time with God by Kathy Howard.

8 Tips for Moving Quiet Time from “Want To” to “Get To”

Most of us want to spend quality quiet time with God. We know that regular time with Him will foster our relationship and develop intimacy. So we plan to do it. We commit to it. But then the reality of life and its demands get in the way. We oversleep from exhaustion. Or the kids wake early. Or the phone rings.

Yes, as Christian women we long to sit at our Savior’s feet, to linger there, to hear His heart. Yet often, something breaks down between the “want to” and the “get to.” Desire for a daily quiet time is not enough. Whether you’re a young mom, empty nester, or work full time, we all need to put some purposeful strategies in place to increase the likelihood of it actually happening.

A while back, I asked my Facebook pals what strategies they use to keep regular time with God a priority. I wanted to know how they go from “want to” to “get to.” The women who shared represent all shapes and stages of life. I want to share their great insight with you!

I developed the following tips based on their comments and my own experience. “Discipline” and “priorities” are not included in this list of tips because unfortunately, they are required constantly! I know, they are “hard” words, but God is more than worth it!

8 tips to help make a regular #TimeWithGod a reality
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8 Tips for Moving Quiet Time from “Want to” To “Get To:”

Start the Night Before – Success begins with planning. That means doing things like going to bed on time, setting an alarm, setting the timer on the coffee pot, and gathering your quiet time materials in one spot. (Check out this post for more planning tips.)
Put a “God Reminder” on the Bathroom Mirror – After you wake up, when does God first enter your thoughts? One FB pal wrote that she trained herself to think of God in her first waking moments. If God is the first thing on our minds in the morning, we are more likely to make time for Him.
Establish a “Quiet Time Signal” – This was a brilliant suggestion from a FB pal. She keeps a small battery operated candle at her quiet time spot. When it’s turned on, her kids know that Mom is spending time with God. They’ve learned to only interrupt her in emergencies. This would take patience and time to establish with your kids, but it would sure be worthwhile! And for us empty-nesters, it could work for the hubby too!
Pack a Quiet Time Play Box – Fill a plastic tote, box, or large basket with special toys your kids especially enjoy. But to keep the toys “desirable,” only bring it out to keep your little ones occupied during your quiet time. Use this for early-risers or for an afternoon quiet time for the whole family!
Leave a Healthy Snack for Early-risers – Your kids may be old enough to occupy themselves for a bit in the morning. Unless they get hungry! If this is your scenario, prep a healthy snack the night before. They can munch away while you feed on God’s Word!
Implement Offensive Measures – Determine your biggest distractions and time-suckers then take disciplined measures to eliminate the threat. For me, the biggest distraction in the morning is email. I’ve learned to leave the laptop closed and open my Bible first. Some days, I also have to close our dogs up in another room. Between barking at the wind, whining for food, or wanting me to throw the ball, they can be major distractions!
Utilize Periods of “Busy Hands, Free Minds” – Establish ways to immerse yourself in God’s Word when your hands are busy but your mind is not. Washing dishes, vacuuming, and weeding the garden are all good examples. You can sing along to praise music, listen to an audio Bible, work on your Scripture memory, and more! (For instance, listen to audio Bible at BibleGateway.com)
Fill Your “Time Pockets” – These are those small chunks of time that usually go to waste, such as waiting at the doctor’s office or in the carpool line. Determine in advance what you would do with 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there and be prepared to take advantage of it. I have the Scripture memory passages I’m working on in my phone. That way, I can review whenever I have a minute!

I hope these tips help and encourage you in your relationship with God. And I’d love to hear your suggestions! Share them in the comments!

8 practical tips to help #BusyMoms make time for #QuietTime w/ God
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Here’s another great resource for everyone who loves God’s Word!

“ENJOY GOD’S WORD ONLINE BIBLE STUDY CONFERENCE”

April 23-25, 2019   Just $52 early bird price!

Fully online – Watch anytime, enjoy lifetime access
Large group teaching through Philippians by Katie Orr
20 Breakouts by experienced Bible teachers
Real time interaction with teachers and attendees

FIND OUT MORE OR GET YOUR TICKET NOW!

8 Tips for Moving Quiet Time from “Want To” to “Get To” by Kathy Howard.

A Heavy Burden on My Heart

I’ve carried this for a while now. I have a heavy burden on my heart for the American Church that keeps getting heavier all the time. I’m deeply concerned about our relationship with the Bible. It’s on shaky ground and deteriorating.

We don’t know God’s Word like we used to. And what we do know, we don’t necessarily buy into. Some of us don’t really believe the Bible is God’s revealed Word. Some have been influenced by the culture when it tells us that the Bible is an old, intolerant, irrelevant book. And some of us simply want to do our own thing our own way so we don’t accept the authority of the Bible.

A Few Symptoms of the Problem

Here are a few symptoms of our breakup with the Bible:

Biblical Illiteracy – Of course, the most obvious symptom of Christians deteriorating relationship with God’s Word is that we don’t know what it teaches – even the most important, basic spiritual principles. For example, according to a 2017 survey by the Pew Research Center, 52% of American Protestants believe salvation requires faith and good works. (If you’re looking for a great – and convenient – opportunity to learn more about the Bible and how to study it for yourself, check out the “Enjoy God’s Word Online Bible Study Conference.” Early bird pricing ends today, so don’t delay!)
Cultural Compromise– Over the last few decades, our culture has not only accepted but now also applauds certain behavior that the Bible clearly calls ungodly. Rather than side with Scripture and take the inevitable persecution from the world, some in the church have sided with the culture, essentially calling God’s Word outdated and irrelevant. We hear it from churches. We hear it from popular Bible teachers. We hear it from the pew. (For more about cultural compromise see: “4 Reasons Christians Compromise with the Culture.”)
Human-Centered Teaching– “Christian” books top the New York Times bestseller list telling women that “they are enough.” That they “don’t have to apologize to anyone, they are okay just like they are.” That they “can do anything they set their minds to.” And Christian women are eating it up. There is just one problem with it. It’s not biblical. This kind of teaching starts with a human, self-centered focus rather than a God-centered focus. The Bible tells us that no one is enough. That’s why Jesus came. We cannot carry out God’s purposes for us without His power. And we are not okay like we are, that’s why God works constantly to transform us into the image of Christ.

The Danger of Our Breakup with the Bible

The Bible is timeless and relevant to all people throughout history. The eternal, unchanging God has revealed Himself, His purposes, and His ways to us in the Bible. We come to know Him, we come to Jesus Christ, and we find eternal life through the truths in His Word. And yet we allow it to gather dust on the shelf. Or we read it selectively or with a touch of skepticism preferring our own way over God’s.

About ten years ago, God highlighted a specific Scripture passage that He keeps bringing me back to. It describes this problem:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5, NIV

What we believe about the Bible can mean life or death for us. What we share about the Bible can mean life or death for someone else.

I believe God wants me to take a stand. To take a stand for His truth. To know His Word, to believe what His Word says, and teach its Truth without compromise. And without apology.

What about you? Do you stand with God’s Word?

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT “ENJOY GOD’S WORD ONLINE BIBLE STUDY CONFERENCE”

Early Bird tickets just $42! Price increases to $52 on March 19th!

You may also like:

4 Spiritual Benefits from God’s Word
3 Attitudes I Need to Approach God’s Word
Why Do You Read the Bible?
Competing Worldviews Influence Today’s Christians

 

 

A Heavy Burden on My Heart by Kathy Howard.

2 Big Things! Tickets & Prize Bundle Giveaway

I’m thrilled to offer you two special opportunities today!

First, you can purchase your ticket to the “Enjoy God’s Word” online Bible study conference a full day before anyone else at the earliest, early bird price. Find out more about “Enjoy God’s Word.”

Second, if you get your ticket today, you are eligible to enter my prize bundle giveaway! The prize bundle includes this ESV Journaling Bible and your choice of 3 of my books.

Reasons to Attend “Enjoy God’s Word” April 22-25

Make an investment in your spiritual life and receive the encouragement and training you need to ENJOY the Word of God for a lifetime. The “Enjoy God’s Word” Online Bible Conference will give you everything you love about a women’s conference experience straight to your couch. This three-day, fully online experience will:

Encourage your heart with truth-filled teaching from top Bible teachers.
Help you gain practical tips to enjoy your time in the Bible.
Show you how to develop confidence to study the Bible on your own.
Connect you with a thriving community of Bible-loving women.

Additional Benefits of “Enjoy God’s Word”

Opportunity to learn from 25 experienced Bible teachers (I’m honored to be one of them!)
6 large-group sessions through Philippians by Katie Orr
Great breakouts that will equip, encourage, & inspire
Full benefits of a conference from the comfort of your couch
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Just $42 earliest, early bird price
Invitation to the private Facebook group where you can interact with attendees and ask questions.
Realtime interaction with each breakout speaker.

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Ticket price increases on March 19 & again on April 1st. Get your ticket today!

Enter to Win the Prize Bundle

Want to win an ESV Journaling Bible and your choice of 3 of Kathy’s Bible studies?

Here’s how to enter:

Purchase your conference ticket today!
Comment on this blog post to let Kathy know.

Winner will be drawn at 5am, Tuesday, March 5th.

Did you get your ticket??? Let me know in the comments below. I will randomly draw the winner at 5am, Tuesday, March 5th. If your name is drawn, you will get an email from me asking for your mailing address and your 3 choices of my books to add to the journaling  Bible!

2 Big Things! Tickets & Prize Bundle Giveaway by Kathy Howard.

3 Simple Steps for Everyday Bible Study

I love Bible study. God’s Word is miraculous and amazing. Stop and think about this just a moment. In the Bible, the God of the universe has revealed Himself, His character, His ways, and His purposes. To us! You and I can come to know the one true God through the Bible.

There are many different ways we can study. What I share below is essentially what I do every day when I open the Bible. Some days I spend more time than other days. You can use this basic framework in even just a few minutes. This “study” method will help you not just read your Bible, but also glean the truth God has for you and your life today.

3 Steps to Effective Daily Bible Study


Read



Have a plan– Haphazard Bible reading can easily lead to inconsistency and frustration with your daily time with God. It’s always easier to begin reading if you know where you’ll be reading when you open your Bible. (I have several free Bible reading plans right here on my site. Check out the Free Resources page!)
Read prayerfully– Before you begin, ask God to teach you. Ask Him to open your mind and heart to not only understand what you’re reading, but also to be willing to apply His truth to your life. Keep praying while you read! Ask God questions about what you’re reading. He wants you to understand.
Read multiple times– God’s Word is packed with wonderful things. It’s easy to miss details and even deep spiritual truth with just one reading. Choose a Bible reading plan that has daily readings manageable enough to give you time to read the passage two or three times. Reading in different translations will also increase understanding. (For more about Bible translations or for help choosing a new Bible see “3 Steps to Help You Choose a New Bible.”)



Understand

Please don’t ask what the Scripture “means to you.” (Major pet peeve by the way…) Every Scripture passage in the Bible has ONE meaning – what God meant when the Scripture was first written. Although there is just one meaning, God’s Word has endless application. Our task in this step is to discover through observation of the text the original meaning of the passage. (Side note: Before you begin observing, make sure you understand the context of the passage. If you aren’t sure what this mean, check out this post: “4 Things to Consider for Biblical Context.”)

Although you may not find every one of the following in every passage, here are some things you should look for in each passage:

Truths 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.
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!
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.

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. (For more on my highlighting method see “Bible Highlighting for More Effective Study.”)

Apply

Knowledge of God’s Word is never the end game. Application that leads to spiritual transformation is always our goal. So, once we’ve read and understood, let’s ask God to show us how to apply these truths to our lives. Here are a few examples of what application might look like:

Repentance – God may reveal a sin or area of disobedience that needs to be confessed and turned away from.
Obedience –God may show me an action I need to take or a decision I need to make.
Believe –New information about God may require me to realign my beliefs with His truth.
Express –The reading may prompt a praise or thanksgiving I need to voice to God.

Enjoy God’s Word Online Bible Study Conference coming in April!

Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn more about the Bible and hone your own Bible study skills! The “Enjoy God’s Word” is packed with teaching, equipping, and encouragement and is fully online!  Tickets go on sale through this link Monday, March 4th. Find our more about the topics, speakers, dates, and more. By the way, attendees will get life-time access to all the teaching videos, so even if you are available on the official dates, you can still benefit!  FIND OUT MORE

What’s your favorite way to study the Bible?

3 Simple Steps for Everyday Bible Study by Kathy Howard.

The #1 Way to Know God’s Will

There have been moments I wished God would send me an email to tell me exactly what He wanted me to do in a particular situation. I desperately wanted to know God’s will, so I could do the right thing, but I wasn’t sure what the right thing was.

Most Christians sincerely want to know and follow God’s will. We want to know what God wants us to do, what He wants us to say, what decisions He wants us to make, where He wants us to go. And yet so often we hesitate to step out because we lack confidence that this way – or is it that way – is God’s way.

Yet, we really don’t have to wonder what God’s will is. We don’t have to struggle with every decision, question every crossroad. We CAN know God’s will for us. God wants us to know His will.

We will break it down below, but here’s the answer in a nutshell:

When we know God’s Word, we will know His will.

God has revealed Himself to us in the Bible. In His divinely inspired Word, He has made known to us everything He wants us to know about Him. Indeed, everything we need to know about Him to live the life He wants us to live. In the Bible, God has revealed His character, His plans and purposes, His thoughts, and His ways.

The more we know and apply the “living, active” (Hebrews 4:12) Word of God, the more God uses its Truth to purify our hearts and renew our minds. The more we fill our minds with God’s Word and meditate on His eternal truths, the more our thinking will align with God’s thinking. The lies and half-truths of the world will be replaced with truth. And, over time, the way we think will look more and more like God’s way of thinking.

Paul expressed it this way in his letter to the Christians in Rome:

“Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

What we put into our minds WILL shape the way we think. Our thinking then shapes our beliefs and what we believe will dictate our behavior. When we think like the world, we will act like the world. When we think like God, we will do what God would do. (See “What are You Feeding Your Mind?” for more about transformed thinking.)

When we know God’s Word, we will know His will.

A Few Guidelines for Transformed Thinking:

Transformed thinking takes time– The Bible is nota quick-reference guide. We can’t wait until a need arises then use the concordance to try to find God’s will. Knowing God’s Word in order to think like God requires a life-long commitment. It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to undo old patterns of thinking and establish new ones.
Transformed thinking requires a personal commitment– Bible studies written by other people, sermon podcasts, and Christian conferences can all be great supplemental tools for the life of faith, nothing can replace our own study. Thorough knowledge of God’s Word requires personal, ongoing immersion in the Scriptures. Our study of the Bible cannot be erratic, casual, or second-hand.
Transformed thinking needs follow-through– The goal of knowing God’s will is doing God’s will. If we undertake to study God’s Word to know His will, we must be prepared to do His will.

Supplemental help in knowing God’s will

Even with a thorough knowledge of God’s Word and thinking that generally aligns with His, sometimes we still struggle to know God’s will. Seeking direction through prayer and godly counsel can often help us wisely discern God’s will. Keep in mind two things:

The Holy Spirit will never direct us in ways that contradict God’s Word.
Always check human advice against the truths in God’s Word before proceeding.

Do you struggle to know God’s will? How have you sought to discover it in the past?

A few other related posts you may find helpful:

3 Attitudes I Need to Approach God’s Word
5 Probing Questions to Help You Meditate on Scripture
Free Resources for Your Discipleship

 

The #1 Way to Know God’s Will by Kathy Howard.