Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 3

How Often Should I Read the Bible?

Scripture doesn’t say how often I should read the Bible. God hasn’t prescribed a set number of days per week or a specific amount of time. There’s no eleventh commandment that reads “Thou shalt read the Bible five days a week for twenty minutes.” (Also see “Why are there So Many Bible Translations?”) 

So, what does God say about this? How much time should we spend in Scripture. Consider this:

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.  Psalm 1:1-2 NIV

And this one like it:

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 NIV

Obviously, it’s not possible to constantly read the Bible and do nothing else. Instead, these Scriptures – and others – describe the type of relationship we should have with God’s Word. We should spend enough time in the Bible to know God’s Word intimately. To be able to bring it to mind at any time and think about God’s truths. To understand the world through the lens of Scripture. (Also see “5 Probing Questions to Meditate on God’s Word.”)

Why We Should Read the Bible 

Ponder this… The primary way we learn about and hear from God is through His Word. We spend time with God by reading, reflecting on, sitting in, talking with Him about, and applying His Word. The amount of time we spend doing these things reveals our desire to know and relate to God. Little time, little desire. More time, more desire. (Also see “4 Ways to Apply God’s Word.”)

Jesus equated abiding in Him with abiding in and obeying His Word (John 15:7, 10). If I want to stay intimately connected to Jesus, I will devote myself to knowing and obeying His Word. 

Perhaps it will help to look at a small sample of how God uses His Word in our lives:

To guide (Psalm 119:5)To give wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6)To build a solid foundation for life (Matthew 7:24-25)To teach, rebuke, correct, and train us (2 Timothy 3:16-17)To refine us spiritually and make us more like Jesus (Romans 12:2)To give discernment of God’s will (Romans 12:2)To judge our thoughts and intentions (Hebrews 4:12)

If I neglect God’s Word, I forfeit guidance, wisdom, a firm foundation, spiritual growth, knowledge of God’s will, and most importantly intimacy with God.

Balance Grace and Discipline 

So, back to my first question… How often should we read the Bible? I can’t give you a number. But I will say we must prioritize it. Because if we don’t, we will rarely – if ever – open the cover. However, I also want to caution against legalism. I’ve been there, when daily Bible reading was a box to check. Literally. 

Don’t misunderstand me. We must be disciplined. If you don’t currently spend regular time in the Bible, you must start with discipline and commitment (1 Timothy 4:7-8). In my experience, as you spend time in God’s Word your desire will grow. But we must start. And if you spend a little time reading the Bible, commit to growing that time.

But also give yourself grace. Different seasons of life present different demands. Even illness, kids, and a rough night’s sleep overwhelm during lighter seasons. If you miss a few days – or even more – simply come back. Make a plan, work the plan, but keep a balance between grace and discipline.

A Few Practical Tips

It’s hard to give blanket advice because it really depends on your current level of Bible reading. But here’s some general suggestions:

If you’re just getting started, start small. Try for fifteen minutes, three times a week. Check out this post “Only Have 15 Minutes for a Quiet Time” for some more direction.If you are reading some but it’s sporadic, commit to 3 times a week and work to make it a solid habit.If you currently have a solid habit of a specific number of days per week, add a day.Develop a routine that’s workable for you. No matter where you are in building your reading habit, a routine is vital to keep it up. Find a time of day, a place, and length of time that will consistently work for you.Remember that it’s about growing in your knowledge of and love for God.

Want to get started reading for the first time? Or maybe you’re ready to up your reading game? Here are a few posts to help:

7 Tips to Start or Restart a Quiet Time with God8 Tips for Fostering Consistency in Your Quiet Time12 Ways to Stay Motivated to Read the BibleIf you’d like a little guidance to read & study the Bible, try one of my “meaty” Deep Rooted devotionals. The newest volume is through John’s Gospel, but there are also volumes through Mark, Acts, Romans, and Hebrews.What’s the End Goal? How Often Should I Read the Bible?

We will never be able to plumb the depths of God’s Word in this life. However, we should try. I want God’s truth to be thoroughly woven into every part of my life so that I can quickly recognize lies. I long for my thoughts, motivations, and desires to be an outflow of God’s heart and character, not my own. That means I must keep my mind saturated with His Word. I must be so filled with God’s truth that there’s no room left for the ways and values of the world to creep in. 

I am not there yet, but I am trying. What about you? Where are you in your relationship with God’s Word? Where do you want to be? What next step will you take?

How Often Should I Read the Bible? by Kathy Howard.

How to Understand the Bible: Literally or Figuratively?

One of the most fundamental guidelines for properly understanding the Bible is known as the “literal principle.” We should read and understand the Bible literally.

The Literal Principle is just one of a set of established rules for solid and faithful interpretation of Scripture. These recognized interpretation rules are also known as “principles of biblical hermeneutics.”  (The post “What is Inductive Bible Study?“ and this post “The 4 R Bible Study Method for Everyday Use” will point you toward a simple Bible study method that follows the proper interpretation guidelines.)

Why is the Literal Principle important? The biblical authors wrote in the language of their day using common grammatical rules so that others could easily read and understand. Their purpose was to correctly communicate God’s Word. Therefore, they wrote to be clear, not cryptic. That means we can – and must – take the Bible at face value. When we read we should look for the plain, literal, and most obvious meaning.

In his book Inductive Bible Study: A Trusted Guide to Understanding and Applying the Word of God, author Kenneth Acha wrote: “When the plain sense of a text makes common sense, we should seek no other sense.” (I’m reading this book right now!)

Looking for hidden meanings, allegories, or figurative understanding will almost always get us off track. Yet, many people fall into this trap. Failure to read the Bible literally results in “meanings” that shift, change, and sound good to the individual. But this approach misses God’s one, eternal, original meaning. I’ve often heard it said, “The Bible can never mean what it never meant.”

Are there times when we shouldn’t read the Bible literally?

What about intentional figurative language? Yes, there is plenty of figurative language in the Bible. But even when the authors use figurative or “non-literal” language, they intend to communicate literal meaning. In their book Inductive Bible Study, authors Richard Alan Fuhr Jr. and Adreas J. Kostenberger explains: “So the literal principle acknowledges rhetorical imagery and figurative language but understands that these are based in literal intent.” 

Some literary genres like poetry and prophecy are filled with figurative language, but it is obvious. Most importantly, the meaning behind the figurative language is still literal. We expect figurative language in these genres and account for it.

Let’s take a quick look at Psalm 91:4. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge.

The psalmist used a bird metaphor to help us understand a truth about God. We clearly recognize the psalmist did NOT mean God has wings. Instead, like a mother bird protects her young, God also protects and cares for His children.

3 Things to Consider:

The Literal Principle is just one of other principles to consider when we seek to interpret the meaning of a Bible passage. When we reflect on our observations to determine God’s one original meaning, we must keep the Literal Principle in balance with the other rules of interpretation. Here are a few to keep in mind:

Literary Context – This component of the larger “Contextual Principle” reminds us to keep any verse or passage we study within the context of what precedes and follows it. Taking a passage out of its surrounding context is one of the most common ways of misunderstanding a Bible passage or verse. The surrounding context can more clearly show if there is any figurative language/meaning in the smaller passage we’re considering. (Also see “ How Literary Context Helps You Understand the Bible .”)Literary Genre – The Bible is literature and each of its 66 books is a particular style of literature. There is roughly eight types of literature in the Bible. Each type has its own rules for understanding. Some genres – like wisdom and poetry – do use figurative language. But as stated above, this is obvious and still conveys literal meaning. (Also see “ Quick Tips for Handling 8 Different Literary Genres .”)Obvious Figurative Language – Sometimes the biblical authors intentionally use figures of speech and rhetorical devices. But generally, these are quite obvious. We don’t have to look for them. For instance, Jesus often used figures of speech like metaphors and hyperboles.

If you’d like to learn more about Inductive Bible Study, consider my “Complete Guide to Inductive Bible Study.” This PDF is packed with all the tools and guidance you need to get started in simple, but solid Bible study. It’s a great value for just $15. Another great resource from the Bible Project is the video: How to Understand Poetic Metaphor in the Bible.

What about you? Have you fallen into the “figurative” trap when it comes to interpreting Scripture?

How to Understand the Bible: Literally or Figuratively? by Kathy Howard.

Top Two Reasons We don’t Read the Bible More

According to the 2024 State of the Bible report by the American Bible Society, 53% of Americans want to read the Bible more often. So why don’t they?

The top two reasons Christians consistently cite for not reading their Bibles more often are 1) lack of time and 2) lack of confidence that they will be able to understand what they read.

A Quick Look at Lack of Time (Pun Intended)

Yes, we live in a busy culture. Most of our calendars are bursting at the seams. But we do it to ourselves. Recently I heard a wise pastor say, “God has given us all the time we need to do all the things He has given us to do.” In other words, if we don’t have time to read the Bible it’s because we are doing some things – even good things – that we chose ourselves.

Our problem isn’t really a lack of TIME. Our problem is we simply don’t value God’s Word enough. We will make time for the things we care about. (Also see “The Real Reason We Don’t Read Our Bibles” and “4 Spiritual Benefits from God’s Word.”)

Think about this a moment: The one true God, the one who created everything that exists, wants us to know Him. Therefore, He has revealed Himself to us through His written Word, the Bible. He invites us draw close, to learn about His ways, His character, and His eternal plan for us. Yet too often we say, “Maybe tomorrow. I’m just too busy today.”

If you aren’t already in a regular habit of reading the Bible, starting can feel overwhelming. That’s why I encourage people to start small. Begin with a commitment that feels doable. For instance, try two or three days a week for just 10-15 minutes. Make the time, keep at it. Before you know it, you will begin anticipating opening the Scriptures. Here are a few posts that will help you get started:

“Only 15 Minutes for a Quiet Time?”“8 Tips for Fostering Consistency in Your Quiet Time?”“12 Ways to Stay Motivated to Read the Bible““11 Tips for a Quality Quiet Time with God“Building Your Bible Reading Confidence

The Bible intimidates far too many Americans. A 2020 survey by LifeWay Research shows that 57% of Protestant churchgoers struggle to understand the Bible on their own. In other words, Christians want to read their Bibles more, but feel ill-equipped to try.

I can’t do much about our busy culture or your calendar. However I can help you gain confidence that you can understand God’s Word. Bible study doesn’t have to be hard. You just need to be equipped with the right tools.

Here are a few ways I teach people the right way to read and study the Bible:In-person and online workshops – I love, love to do this. I’ve taught workshops from 30-minutes long to 4-hours long and several lengths in-between. I teach a simple INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY METHOD I call the 4-R Method. If you are interested in exploring this possibility for your church or women’s group, email me at kathy@kathyhoward.orgBlogging – Once a week I share Bible study tips, practical helps, instruction, resources, and more. Check it out at KathyHoward.org/blog. In order to not miss a single post, join my mailing list. If you sign up HERE, you’ll also get access to a FREE MINI-STUDY through the book of TITUS.“Deep Rooted Devotionals” – This series provides structure and guidance to help you get in, delight in, and apply God’s Word. Each volume, built around the 4-R Bible Study Method, takes the reader on a journey of discovery through a Bible book. FIND OUT MORE about these devotionals through Mark, John, Acts, Romans, and Hebrews.Inductive Study Guide – I have compiled all the basics of solid Inductive Bible Study in this PDF Guide. It’s available HERE for a small cost.Reading the Bible Together – This closed Facebook group for women provides structure, accountability, and encouragement. We read through one Bible book at a time in daily doable-sized chunks. Bible passages and discussion questions post at 5 am ET on Monday through Friday.

What about you? The Bible is the primary way we hear from God. We can’t hear if we aren’t reading His Word. Are you in Scripture regularly or do you struggle with one or both of these reasons above? Maybe something else? I’d love to help if I can.

Top Two Reasons We don’t Read the Bible More by Kathy Howard.

Bible Study for Children: 6 Guidelines to Help

The Bible isn’t just for adults. You can help your children study the Bible too. God’s Word is also for every person no matter our culture, time in history, or age. The truths are just as meaningful for children as they are for adults. But it’s our responsibility to help our children and grandchildren learn how to properly read and study the Bible. (If you aren’t confident in studying the Bible see “4 R Bible Study Method for Everyday Use.”)

The following guidelines will help lay a solid foundation for any new student of the Bible, whether child or adult. Read through them for yourself and then talk through them with your child. These principles apply to any passage in Scripture.

Bible Study for Children: 6 GuidelinesGod is the Hero of every story 

The people in the Bible were sinners just like us. The stories in the Bible tell us what they did, not necessarily what they should have done. Rather than considering the people to be heroes, use their stories to help your child learn more about God’s character, nature, and ways. Even in stories that don’t specifically mention God, He is the main character. For instance, God is never explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther. But His handiwork is clearly evident.

Every little story is part of God’s big story 

It’s easy to see the Bible as a collection of unrelated stories. But, all the individual stories and books of the Bible join together to tell one big story. The big, fancy word for this is the “meta-narrative” of Scripture. The “big story” of the Bible is all about God’s kingdom rule and His redemptive purposes for people. As you and your children read and work to understand individual stories or passages in the Bible, ask them questions like: “How does God’s big story help us understand this one?” or “Where does this story fit in God’s Big story?” (Also see “What is the Metanarrative of the Bible?“)

Every verse needs the rest

If your child has ever started watching a show or movie in the middle they probably had trouble understanding what was going on. The same thing happens when we read a Bible verse without reading what came before or after. It’s very easy to misunderstand or be confused. We need the whole context. Every verse needs the larger passage and every passage needs the whole book. Always pull back to make sure you get the whole story. (For a good example, see “Do You Misuse Philippians 4:13?” and “How Literary Context Aids Our Understanding.”)

Good Bible students act like investigators 

Every Bible passage has just one meaning – the one God originally gave it. But, we have to know what a passage “says” before we can understand what it “means.” We discover what it “says” by investigating or “observing” the passage. Look for things like truths about God, important facts, word pictures, commands, repeated (key) words, and lists. (See “10 Observation Tips for Better Bible Study.”)

The Bible teaches truths for all people of all time

Since the stories in the Bible happened thousands of years ago, there’s a lot about the way they lived that is different from the way we live today. And things happened to people in the Bible that wouldn’t happened exactly the same way today. But everything in God’s Word teaches eternal spiritual truths and principles that we need just as much today. When you read a Bible story or passage, look for truth or principle that always applies. Think about Noah and the ark. When we read his story, we don’t run out and build a big boat. But, there are powerful lessons in Noah’s story. For instance, Noah obeyed God even when God’s commands didn’t make sense to him. That’s a good principle to follow!

The Bible has the power to change our lives 

God wants us to do more than just read and study His Word. He wants to use it to make us more like Jesus. For instance, God wants us to think like He does. We can do this by believing the things the Bible teaches. The Bible also teaches us what actions and attitudes please God and which ones displease Him. And God uses His Word to get us ready to serve Him. (Also see “4 Ways to Apply Scripture to Your Life.”) 

The Bible is different from every other book ever written. It’s the only book written by the Creator and given to people so we can know Him. The Bible is the only book that impacts us for eternity. And it’s the only book we will never finish reading. We can spend our lives exploring God’s Word, but we will never reach its full depths.

What’s your favorite tip for helping the children in your life understand and love God’s Word?

Bible Study for Children: 6 Guidelines to Help by Kathy Howard.

Year-End Special: Deep Rooted Book Bundle

Regular time in God’s Word is necessary for our spiritual growth. But consistent Bible reading and study won’t happen without a plan. I’d like to help. Keep reading for several opportunities to keep you growing in 2025.

Deep Rooted Devotionals

Feel like you need a little help to read and study God’s Word? The Deep Rooted devotionals provide structure and guidance to help you get in, delight in, and apply God’s Word. Built around a simple, inductive Bible study method, the devotions will show you how to interact with and respond to Scripture, not simply read it. Each volume walks you through an entire book of the Bible in daily, doable-sized chunks. (Also see “What is Inductive Bible Study?“)

You will get the big picture of the Bible book in daily, doable chunks. Depending on how much you engage with the daily passage, each devotion will take you 15-20 minutes. In addition to a key verse and brief commentary or illustration, each devotion guides you to read, record, reflect, and respond. (See this post for more on the 4 R Inductive Bible Study Method.)

By the time we get to the end of the devotional, you’ll have a working knowledge of the book’s content and understand its key spiritual truths. You will also be equipped with solid Bible study tools and principles for a lifetime of enjoying and understanding God’s Word. There are five volumes in the Deep Rooted series to choose from – Mark, John, Acts, Romans, and Hebrews.

New Year Special: 5-Book Deep Rooted Book Bundle

I’d love to help you prepare in advance for your discipleship in 2025. That’s why I’m offering a special deal. If you get all five of the Deep Rooted devotionals, you’ll have the resources you need for 220 guided days in God’s Word. Assuming five days a week of Bible reading, that’s 44 weeks in God’s Word! (Note: Three of the volumes are 40 days long and the other two are 50 days long.)

On Amazon, these 5 books would cost a total of $80. But, for a limited time, you can get all 5 from me for just $60! That’s a $20 savings. PLUS, the media mail shipping is free if mailed within the 48 contiguous states.

BUT, you can only get this bundle deal from me. And the offer is only available until DECEMBER 31st.

Take advantage of this offer now by emailing me at kathy@kathyhoward.org and saying “I want the book bundle deal!” Be sure to include your physical mailing address in your email. I will send you a PayPal invoice. I will ship your books as soon as I receive your payment.

A Special Book Bundle Add-On

If you order the 5-Book Bundle for $60, you are eligible to get the Deep Rooted Journal for just $10 more. I usually sell this spiral-bound journal for $15 from my book table. So, for just $70 total, you can get the 5 Deep Rooted devotionals AND the Deep Rooted Journal. That’s a $95 value all for just $70. If you want to include the journal in your purchase please let me know when you email at kathy@kathyhoward.org

Another opportunity to get into God’s Word in 2025

Need a little encouragement and accountability to stay in the Bible regularly? “Reading the Bible Together” might be just what you need. This closed Facebook group is an encouraging, active community that includes women of all ages and walks of life who want to be in God’s Word. The members pray for one another and welcome all.

We read through one Bible book at a time, maintaining a pace that allows us to go a little deeper each day. The group fits any schedule, you can stop in anytime. We have women from all over the world so everyone reads and comments when it works best for them.

We will be introduce the Gospel of Matthew on Saturday, December 28th and begin the study on Monday, December 30th.

How the group works:

Readings & discussion questions for Monday through FridayDaily posts scheduled for 5am Central timeAverages 20-30 verses a dayFormatted to help you get into the Word for yourselfThis group is FREENew Bible books begin immediately after one endsYou can start and stop at any time

TO JOIN, follow this link to “Reading the Bible Together,” request to join, and answer the 3 questions. 

Merry Christmas

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior this week, may God fill you with the joy and peace Jesus has provided for us through the cross. We truly have so much to celebrate!

Year-End Special: Deep Rooted Book Bundle by Kathy Howard.

Is Jesus the promised Messiah?

Was Jesus really the promised Messiah of the Old Testament? Christians observe Christmas to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. But why? Why is the birth of one baby so significant?

Christians recognize that the babe born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago was the Annointed One of God. The long-awaited Savior God had promised to provide redemption for the sins of all people.

The Messiah of the New Covenant permeates the Old Testament. (See also “Look for Jesus in the Old Testament.” and “4 Tips to Help you Understand the Prophets.”) It includes hundreds – if not thousands – of shadows, allusions, hints, and specific prophecies. I could never cover it all here, but below are thirty-nine specific Old Testament prophecies about the Savior and how they were fulfilled in Jesus.For a little more see “How many prophecies did Jesus Fulfill?” at Got Questions.

39 Prophecies fulfilled by the Promised Messiah

If each of these prophecies is given a 50/50 probability of occurring in the life of one individual, the odds of fulfilling all 39 prophecies below would be 1 in 549,755,813,900. Jesus is the only person whose life fulfills each and every one of the messianic prophecies. Thank God that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah!

1. The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem.  Micah 5:2   Matthew 2:1

2. The Messiah will be a descendant of Judah. Genesis 49:10  Luke 3:23-38; Matt 1:1-17

3. Great kings will pay homage and tribute to the Messiah. Ps 72:10-11    Matt 2:1-2, 11

4. The Messiah will be a descendant of David. Ps 132:11; Jer 23:5-6; 33:15   Luke 1:32-33

5. The Messiah will be born of a virgin. Is 7:14    Matt 1:18-21

6. Children will be killed in effort to kill the Messiah. Jer 31:15     Matt 2:16-17

7. The Messiah will be taken to Egypt. Hosea 11:1    Matt 2:14-15

8. The Messiah will be the Son of God. Ps 2:7-8       Matt 3:17

9. The Messiah will be heralded by the messenger of the Lord. Is 40:3-4   Matt 3:1-3

10. The Messiah will be anointed by the Holy Spirit. Is 11:2    Matt 3:16-17

11. The Messiah will bring light to Galilee. Is 9:1-2   Matt 4:12-16

12. The Messiah will preach good news to the poor, comfort the broken hearted, and announce the year of the Lord’s favor. Is 61:1-2 Luke 4:16-21

13. The Messiah will be hated without cause. Ps 35:19   John 15:23-25

14. The Messiah will make the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the mute speak. Is 35:5-6    Matt 11:2-6

15. The Messiah will enter Jerusalem riding a donkey. Zech 9:9     Matt 21:1-4, 6-11

16. The Messiah will arrive in Jerusalem at a specified time. Dan 9:25     Gal 4:4

17. The Messiah will enter the Temple with authority. Mal 3:1    Matt 21:12-13

18. The Messiah will be rejected. Is 53:3    John 19:14-15

19. The Messiah will be silent in front of his accusers. Is 53:7   Matt 26:62-63

20. The Messiah will be rejected by the Jews. Ps 118:22   Peter 2:7

21. The Messiah will be betrayed by a friend. Ps 41:9   John 13:18-19, 26-27

2. The Messiah will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Zec 11:12    Matt 26:14-15

23. The 30 pieces of silver will be thrown in the potter’s field. Zech 11:13   Matt 27:3-8

24. The Messiah will be accused by false witnesses. Ps 35:11    Mark 14:56

25. The Messiah will be beaten, mocked, and spit upon.   Is 50:6    Matt 26:67

26. The Messiah will be beaten, bloodied, and disfigured. Is 52:13-14    John 19:1-3

27. The Messiah will be mocked and told to save himself. Ps 22:7-8  Matt 27:41-44

28. The Messiah’s enemies will pierce his hands and feet. Ps 22:16   John 19:17-18

29. The Messiah will be given vinegar and gall to drink. Ps 69:21  Mark 15:23

30. The Messiah’s enemies will divide his clothes among themselves and cast dice for his garments.  Ps 22:17-18   John 19:23-24

31. The Messiah’s bones will not be broken. Ps 34:19-20      John 19:31-33

32. The Messiah’s life will be poured out like water. Ps 22:14     John 19:34

33. The Messiah will be struck down & disciples will be scattered. Zech 13:7  Matt 26:31, 56

34. The Messiah will be buried in a rich man’s grave. Is 53:9  Matt 27:59-60

35. The Messiah will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing. Dan 9:26  Acts 2:22-24. Historical fulfillment: destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD

36. The Messiah will be raised from the dead (resurrected). Ps 16:10, 49:15   Matt 28:5-7

37. The Messiah will bear the sins of many and intercede for sinners. Is 53:4-12    Rom 3:23-26

38. The Messiah will ascend to heaven. Ps 68:18   Luke 24:51

39. The Messiah will be served by future generations. Ps 22:30   Evidenced still today!

How do these fulfilled prophecies build your faith in Jesus as your Savior?

Is Jesus the promised Messiah? by Kathy Howard.

Free Christmas Devotional Resources for You

What comes to mind when you first hear “Christmas?” You may feel overwhelmed by the busyness of shopping, cooking, and cleaning that often fills this time of year. Or, you may happily anticipate the decorating, parties, cookie exchanges, and plethora of Hallmark Christmas movies. Whether we welcome or limit the extra activities of the season, let’s take time to reflect on the reason we celebrate.

In case you need a little bit of encouragement or direction, I’ve collected a few of the Christmas devotional resources I’ve put together over the years and listed them below:

The Light of Christmas – This FREE 8-day devotional guide focuses on the theme of light. I love that light is such an integral part of Christmas. The lights on our trees, our homes, and more all remind us of the “True light” (John 1:9). Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) who offers life to all people. This dark world certainly needs the light and life of Jesus right now. Check out the printable download! – This is perfect for the family. It focuses on three things from the Christmas story that we also often see as ornaments on our trees – angel, star, and crown. Depending on the age of your children, you can use it as one devotional or break it up into three shorter ones. Use Christmas ornaments or decorations as visuals. Pass the ornament around during the times of reflection, thanksgiving, and worship and ask each family member to share. Six Ways to Help Your Kids Focus on the Real Meaning of Christmas – Although you can probably come up with a longer list, here are six practical things you can do with your family to impact them with the truth of Christmas. We used them all with our own children! Christmas Trivia Quiz – How well do you know the biblical Christmas story? Can you separate tradition from Scriptural fact? Take it yourself or download it and use it with a group!

I’d love to know if you make use of any of these Christmas devotional resources! May your Christmas season be joyful and filled with the joy of Christ and His salvation.

Free Christmas Devotional Resources for You by Kathy Howard.

25-Day Thanksgiving Guide

Thanksgiving is almost here. It’s that time of year when we put greater emphasis on being grateful, when we contemplate all God has done and provided. But often we struggle with expressing our gratitude to God. Sometimes we allow the busyness of the season to derail us from slowing down long enough to recognize God’s gifts. And sadly other times we fail to thank God for His many gifts because we take too many things for granted.

Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to thank Him for all He has done and all He has given. He deserves our constant praise and gratitude. Even in times of trial and difficulty. Although you may agree, you may also have trouble thinking of more than just a few things for which to thank God. I’ve been there too!

So, I designed this post to be practical and helpful. I spent some time searching God’s Word for specific ways we can express gratitude to God. After I lay a little bit of a biblical foundation for gratitude I share a 25-Day Thanksgiving guide. It’s FREE to download, print, and use. So keep reading!

Thanking God in Hard Times

Perhaps this year has been hard for you and gratitude is the last thing on your mind. The apostle Paul knew about thanking God in hard times. Trials, difficulty, and persecution filled his life. Yet he not only purposefully practiced thanksgiving he also called the church to a constant attitude of gratitude even in times of difficulty. For instance, when the church in Thessalonica suffered persecution, Paul wrote:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV

And from prison in Rome, Paul encouraged the Philippians:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV

Paul knew that even when our physical circumstances are dire, God is present and God is working for our good and His glory. Purposefully focusing on giving Him thanks opens the door to joy and peace even in the midst of heartache and struggle. (See “Thankful Even Now.”)

Why Should We be Thankful?

Several Hebrew and Greek words are translated as “thank,” “thanks,” and “thanksgiving” in the Bible. However, they all reflect the truth that our good God deserves the gratitude and praise of His people. Thankfulness is the right response to God and His grace in our lives. (If you’d like to create a reminder for yourself to thank God often see “The Gratitude Whistle Stop.“)

God wants our thanksgiving and commands us to be thankful. He doesn’t need anything from us but He does expect us to respond to who He is and what He does with gratitude.

I don’t need the bulls you sacrifice; I don’t need the blood of goats. What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory. Psalm 50:13-15, NLT

We don’t deserve anything, yet God provides. We don’t deserve forgiveness or salvation, yet God extends it. Every good thing in our lives is an act of grace from our loving and merciful heavenly Father. Even strength and endurance in times of difficulty are grace gifts from God.

Giving thanks to God for His mercy and kindness is a blessing and a privilege. It shifts our attitude and makes us more aware of God’s activity in our lives. It humbles us and allows us to see just how truly great our God is! (See also “Gratitude is Essential to Peace” and “God is Good Even in Loss.”)

A Thanksgiving Guide

We may all feel a little rusty when it comes to thanking and praising God. So, I’ve put together a 25-day Thanksgiving Guide. It will take you from today through Thanksgiving Day. (Of course you can start and end it anytime you want!) Use the Scriptures and prompts to thank God for what He provides and how He works in your life and the world. The day’s Scripture passage can be read before you pray or as part of your prayer. Pray quietly by yourself, with your family, or both!

DOWNLOAD THE 25-DAY THANKSGIVING GUIDE

Let’s give each other some prompts for thanksgiving now! Share something to praise or thank God for in the comments!

25-Day Thanksgiving Guide by Kathy Howard.

3 Steps to Foster a Hunger for God’s Word

Do you hunger for God’s Word? If you didn’t own a Bible, would you stand in line for hours to possess one? Many years ago, I witnessed a desperation for God’s Word from some spiritually hungry people.

The people on the street crowded in tight around us. They stretched out their arms desperately wanting to snag a copy for themselves. They displayed a hunger for God’s Word I’d never seen before. In just a few hectic days, our short-term mission team gave away 10,000 Bibles to the citizens of Moscow.

That was September 1991, roughly two weeks after an attempted coup in the USSR. Bible distribution in the Soviet Union had been limited and closely monitored for nearly a century. Only a relative few enjoyed the privilege of owning a Bible. But countless others longed for one.

Whether or not we acknowledge the source of our hunger, we humans long to connect with our Creator, to intimately know the God of the universe. God satisfies this spiritual hunger of our souls through His inspired Word. He reveals Himself, His character, and His ways in the Bible. Sadly, only a small percentage of Christians today spend regular time in God’s Word.

We Crave What We Eat

When we limit our intake of Scripture, our desire diminishes. But the more we feed on God’s Word, the more our appetite will increase. God Himself will grow our hunger if we step out in obedience to foster it. At first, this may mean more discipline than desire. But if we faithfully pursue a regular time in God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will bless our obedience with a passion for Scripture. Soon desire will blossom and we will anticipate time with God through His Word.

My love affair with chocolate helps me understand this phenomenon. The more I indulge in its dark, creamy sweetness, the more of it I want. But the opposite is also true. The more I deprive myself of enjoying this special treat, the less I think about it.

What about you? Maybe your hunger for God keeps you in His Word. Or perhaps like many Christians, you realize you’ve been trying to feed your spiritual hunger with the empty things of this world. The good news is, it’s never too late to change your “diet!” You can start today.

3 Steps to Foster Our Hunger for God’s Word

These three steps will get you started in the right direction on an ongoing journey to deepen your desire for feasting on God’s Word and experiencing the glorious benefits.

Make a Commitment – Yes, making a commitment to be in the Bible regularly and sticking to it will be hard, especially at first. It requires discipline and sacrifice. You may have to adjust your schedule or give up something, but the benefits are eternally great. (Quiet Time Tips) Also, give yourself some grace. If you miss a day or two – or more – start again.Develop a Plan – A haphazard approach to Bible intake will yield haphazard results. Time in the Bible should be planned and purposeful. Choose a reading plan that will not be too overwhelming. If you don’t already read your Bible several times a week, don’t try to tackle the “Read the Whole Bible in a Year” plan. Evaluate where you are now and select a plan that is a step beyond that. Many plans schedule five days of reading a week, which gives you two days to “catch up.” I occasionally have days when I let life take over and miss my time with God. You will too.Savor & Soak – Like a slow, steady rain on parched ground, taking our time as we read God’s Word can give its truths time to penetrate the hard crust of our hearts. “Slow” does not mean “less frequently.” Slow refers to our approach. Instead of continuing our often fast-paced, surface reading of God’s Word, let’s take the time to seriously contemplate what God is saying to us through His Word. Pick a reading plan that will work for the amount of time you have each day. In addition to reading God’s Word, we can also meditate on it, allow it to prompt prayer, pray it back to God, and memorize it.A Few Suggestions for the Rest of 2024

You may have started the year in God’s Word, but as time passed life got in the way. It’s not too late to finish the year strong. With about two months left in 2024, you even have time to make regular Bible reading a habit you take into 2025!

Use one of the “meaty” Deep Rooted devotionals – Each volume of this series takes the reader through one book of the Bible at a doable pace. Each reading includes background commentary and guidance to study the day’s passage. The Mark, Romans, and Hebrews volumes are 40 days. The  Acts  and  John  volumes are each 50 days.Pick a book of the Bible – Choose a book you want to read so it’s easier to both start and finish. But pick one that is not too long to complete before the end of the year. Here’s a list of all the books with the number of chapters and verses in each to help you choose. Divide the number of verses by the number of days left in the year to set your pace. You could also choose to read several shorter books. In fact, finishing more than one may yield a greater feeling of success. Tip: Before you begin to read a book, watch the book introduction video on the Bible Project ! Also, if you want a simple, but solid way to study what you read, check out the “ 4 R Inductive Bible Study Method for Everyday Use .” The Deep Rooted Journal is a great resource that will help you dig deep into any Bible book and you can record what you learn right in the journal.Paul’s Life & Writings – This 10-week Bible reading plan chronologically melds Paul’s life and ministry with his letters. The plan includes 5 days of reading per week, each roughly about 30-40 verses. I developed this free plan and it’s available HERE.

Do you long to long for God’s Word? Give God the opportunity to create that hunger in you. Make a commitment. Develop a plan. Savor and Soak!

Where are you in your journey with a love affair with God’s Word? Does it still feel like discipline? Can you just not get enough? Or are you somewhere in between?

3 Steps to Foster a Hunger for God’s Word by Kathy Howard.

The Trinity in the Gospel of John

I thought a lot about the Trinity during my recent study of the Gospel of John. In his account, John emphasized that there is only One true God. But John also showed that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all God. One God, three divine Persons. 

The word “Trinity,” which means “tri-unity” or “three-in-oneness,” is not found in the Bible. Scholars coined it to describe the nature of God as they saw taught in both the Old and New Testaments.

Scripture does not give us analogies to help us understand God’s trinitarian nature because none are adequate. God does not try to explain it us. We could not understand it anyway. His Word simply tells us that the Father is God, the Son is God, the Spirit is God, and that there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). 

In his book Systematic Theology, theologian Wayne Grudem offers this brief definition:

“The doctrine that God eternally exists as three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and each Person is fully God, and there is one God.”   

What the Trinity is NOT

Many people – including Christians – struggle with the doctrine of the Trinity. We want to understand. We think we need to understand. So, we try to explain the unexplainable. We attempt to stuff our infinite God in neat little doctrinal boxes then wrap it up in cute analogies. But all we manage to do is fashion a God of our own making. We’ve seen the results of this throughout the history of the church.

For instance, in the third century AD, a teacher named Sabellius fell into the heresy of “modalism” when he tried to understand and explain the Trinity. He taught that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three distinct persons or realities, but merely “modes” through which God expresses Himself.

Like citing the different forms of water – liquid, ice, steam – many analogies we commonly use fall into the heresy of modalism. Another often used analogy that reflects modalism is the example of one person who is a wife, daughter, and mother. Yet, like all analogies that reflect different modes of the same essence it denies three distinct persons and a relationship between those persons.

The Trinity is not three different ways God expresses Himself or three different ways of looking at God. Scripture teaches that God is three distinct Persons.

The egg analogy also fails to reflect the true nature of God. While the yolk, white, and shell combine to make one egg, the individual pieces by themselves are not a whole egg. God is not divided into three parts. That would mean each person – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – is each less than fully God, that they are each only a piece of God. But Scripture teaches that each Person of the Trinity is fully God. 

Jesus is Fully God

A “Christian cult” is a religion that claims to be Christian yet denies one or more essential truths of Christianity. Two of the most common distortions by Christian cults involve the nature of Jesus and the nature of salvation. For instance, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons both deny the full divinity of Jesus and teach that faith alone is insufficient for salvation. (Also see “How to Know Jesus.”)

Denial of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished on our behalf is nothing new. It began when Jesus physically walked the earth. Jesus repeatedly claimed full equality with the Father but the Jewish leaders refused to accept the truth. They accepted the Father, but rejected the Son. 

In his Gospel, he apostle John strongly emphasized the full divinity of Jesus. One example is the seven “I am” statements of Jesus. The boldest is found in John 8:58. “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (Also see “7 Ways John is Different from the Synoptic Gospels.”)

Without a predicate, grammatically this statement echoes the Greek translation of the divine name God revealed to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). The Greek word, which implies “continuous existence,” describes the eternality of God and His complete independence from anything or anyone for His existence. Jesus declared Himself to be pre-existent and self-existent. He claimed to be God. 

The Jews surrounding Jesus that day fully understood His claim. But they declared it to be false and blasphemous. They said Jesus deserved the death penalty (Leviticus 24:16). So, they picked up stones to carry out the sentence, but Jesus slipped away (John 8:59).

Note: If you want help studying the Gospel of John check out my newly released “meaty” 50-day devotional “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of John.” If you’d like to learn a simple, but solid inductive Bible study method, check out my video teaching on the 4 R Inductive Bible Study Method.”

Other Examples from the Gospel of John

While many passages throughout both Testaments support the divinity of the Son and His equality with the Father, let’s consider a few more from the Gospel of John. The “disciple Jesus loved” intentionally and repeatedly demonstrated that Jesus the Son is God. Part of his stated purpose for his Gospel was that his readers would believe in who Jesus is (John 20:31). 

Here are a few examples of John’s emphasis on Jesus’ divinity:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 ESV)

No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. (John 1:18 NLT)

Jesus: “I and the Father are one…”  Jewish leaders: “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” (John 10:30, 33.)

Thomas to Jesus after His resurrection: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

If Jesus the Son is not God we are still lost in our sins, for only God can save. If you have not accepted this vital truth, will you do that today?

The Holy Spirit is Fully God

The Holy Spirit is probably the most misunderstood person of the Godhead. In a 2021 survey conducted by George Barna for the Cultural Research Center, 62% of Americans who self-identify as “born again Christians” do not believe the Holy Spirit is a real being. Instead, they believe He is merely a symbol of God’s power. Yet that belief directly contradicts what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit. (Also see “How the Holy Spirit Helps Us in Bible Study.”)

Scripture consistently uses masculine pronouns to refer to the Holy Spirit. For instance, in just one short passage in John, the Gospel writer used “he” for the Holy Spirit twelve times. (See John 16:5-15.) The Bible also ascribes personal activities to the Holy Spirit and grammatically describes Him in the same way it does the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is a person, not an “it” or some ambiguous force. (Also see “7 Common Bible Study Mistakes that are Easy to Fix.”)

But the Holy Spirit is not just any person. He is God. Scripture both ascribes Him with divine characteristics (Psalm 139:7-8, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11) and calls Him God (Acts 5:1-4). The Holy Spirit is a full member of the triune God-head. 

On the night He was arrested, Jesus provided a clear example of the relationship between all three members of the Trinity.  He told His disciples that He (the Son) would ask the Father to send the Spirit to be their Helper and remain with them forever (John 14:16-17). This is just one example from the New Testament that gives clear Trinitarian expressions of God. (See also Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 12:4-5, 2 Corinthians 13:11-14, 1 Peter 1:2, and Jude 20-21.)

Handle the Trinity with Caution

In her book “The Joy of the Trinity,” author Tara-Leigh Cobble lays out three foundational truths of the Trinity:

1. There is only one true God.

2. There are three divine Persons of the one true God.

3. The three Persons are co-equal, co-eternal, and co-relational.

The full nature of God is beyond our human understanding because God is incomprehensible. Yes, He has chosen to reveal Himself to us, but that revelation is still limited because we have limited capacity to understand. Perhaps limited in ways we can’t even comprehend. 

So, what do we do with that? First, let’s always approach this topic with humility. We will work to understand the Trinity as much as possible but also accept that we will not be able to fully grasp it. We can accept what God teaches about Himself in Scripture without needing to reconcile those truths in our minds.

Second, let’s shy away from analogies. None are adequate to explain the Trinitarian nature of God. And third, let’s embrace this truth as a mystery and not reject it as a contradiction. 

I don’t want to worship a God that’s small enough for me to understand. Instead, I want to serve a God that is far beyond my ability to grasp. For He is indeed worthy of worship.

Have you unknowingly minimized God by trying to explain the Trinity? What if any changes will you make to the way you talk about or relate to our Triune God?

The Trinity in the Gospel of John by Kathy Howard.