Absorbing the Word
Its homecoming weekend here in my small Mid-Michigan town.
Football.
Hot cider.
Bonfires.
Crisp air.
Crazy kids donned in red & black. (My own 13 year-old son and two of his friends were plotting just last night about face-painting and—gasp chest-painting!)
They may change their minds on the chest-painting when they see the forecast for game time. Rainy and in the 40’s.
Now that is crisp air.
After running carpool this morning, I swung by town to grab a cup of my favorite coffee. Then, I’ll be ready to tackle my day which includes some school for our 16 year-old (who is homeschooled) and office work as well as running a relative to a doctor’s appointment.
When a busy day ensues, it always helps if first I’ve carved out a bit of time to center myself on God and His word, the Bible.
Thankfully, my Good Morning Girls group helps me to do this. Three friends and I, all from different states, check in with each other via email once we’ve had are alone time with God. It can be in the morning, afternoon or even at night once the house is finally quiet.
I want to help you to spend some time reading and absorbing God’s word too!. So, I’m giving away a copy of our Proverbs 31 devotional book God’s Purpose for Every Woman along with a bag of Starbucks cinnamon coffee.
Simply leave a comment telling us your favorite story, verse or concept from the Bible. If you’ve never read the Bible before, that is completely fine. Tell us instead why you never have or why you’d like to give it a try.
Winner announced Monday.
Have a wonderful weekend!
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Just gives me “gospel bumps” knowing that I am HIS just by accepting the gift HE offers to all – not by things I do or do not do, no one can ever be good enough. HE is always there and “HE will never leave me or forsake me” (Hebrews 13:5). HE is my LORD!!!
A favorite verse of mine is Lamentations 22…It is comforting to know his mercies are new every morning ;)
My favorite story is of Joshua and Caleb on when they spied out the land and they were the ones who gave a Good Report. In Numbers 13. GOD blessed Caleb and Joshua for their Good report. I like the verses in Joshua 1:5-9. Joshu became the leader after Moses died. He was told by God to be Strong and Courageous and to Keep the Book of the Law always on his lips and to meditate on them day and night, so that you are careful to do everything written in it, then you will be prosperous and successful (v.8 & 9).
My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11. God used it to speak such hope into my life after I literally “hit bottom”, and it still ministerst to me today!
Blessings to you, Karen
Cindy :)
I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. – Matthew 6:33 If we would only trust HIM to take care of us….. life would be so simple…. so may times we worry about something that He has already taken care of for us..
I recently read Ezekiel 22:30 (NLT), “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.”
I am a wife and mother to two teenage boys, a full-time Administrator for our church, a part-time hairdresser, a devoted youth volunteer and wear many other hats as well. As you can imagine, and perhaps you don’t have to because you lead a similar life, I am busy! This verse got me thinking about how my Christian walk has taken be on a journey from being less “bad” but more busy.
I wonder if I (and others like me) have become too busy to “stand in the gaps” that God has needed me in. I am running on autopilot; working the mental “to-do” list of my own doing and not pausing long enough to check God’s “to-do” list for me. Though, I am often doing His work, am I checking His entire list before prioritizing those “to-do’s?” Am I too distracted to see the person whose day could have been improved if I had looked them in the eye with a friendly smile and a “Hello?” Am I overcoming my fears of being considered judgemental to tell my friend, in LOVE, that there is life abundant outside of her current sinful choices? How many times a day…a week…a month, do I consider calling so-and-so to join me for coffee; time with them that I need, that they might need…and still I haven’t called?
I am reminded by God’s words in this verse to check His list for the gaps He would like me to stand in and that it is not I alone who reaches out to those around me, but rather, if I seek His guidance, it is God working through me.
My theme verse for my thirties is Psalm 112:6-8
6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
No matter what happens around you, you don’t have to be shaken. It is a promise that you have as a daughter of God!!
My favorite verses is from Job 37:10…Stop and Consider God’s wonders. It causes me to take time to really stop and look at all that God has made…made for me, my family, friends, children all of us! My mother would often take time to just stop and look at all the birds. However, trying to choose just one story is a difficult one…so I will just stay that I am still continuing to be amazed by His love, grace and mercy! Be blessed because you are a blessing!
Smiles and Grace,
Robin :)
I keep returning to the Psalms. Probably because I’m a musician and the psalms are a perfect way to worship- with or without the musical notes to go with them.
Beth
These two are my favorites:
…with God all things are possible.-Matthew 19.26
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.-Proverbs 3:5
These are the two verses I say over and over when dealing with something that seems impossible, change, or dealing with hurt.
I have always appreciated Jeremiah 33:3 – Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great & unsearchable things you do not know, and Joshua 1:9 “Be strong & courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
This past Wednesday I attended a funeral for a dear sister in Christ whose very sudden passing shocked and deeply saddened all who knew her. The text was from Ps. 34: I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips…Taste & see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Bless you Karen!
At the most difficult time of my life, when my reality had been shaking to the core by my then husband of 17-years I found refuge in Him. In my desperation to make sense of it all, I was reminded that He has always had the answers…..
In His Word He tells us to “Meditate on These Things”:
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
Clarity!!!! For all of us humans, if only we follow…….. For me this reminder is refreshing, reviving, renewing and demands my intention. Thank You God!!!
I have a few favorites….but Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” has been the one for me lately.
I have always doubted myself and wondered if I am doing what I should be. I find myself constantly worrying about the “what ifs” in life and this verse comforts me to know that God has a plan for me and will take care of me no matter what. God Bless you all at P31~
Reply
I love the version of Psalm 56:8 that refers to God holding our tears in a bottle. That picture got me through hard times.
This is extremely difficult to pick just “one”. The thing I love most about the Bible is that no matter what I am feeling, or what I am going through, there is always something in there for THAT day. For every day. I can read the same passage three days in a row, and three days in a row the Lord can reveal something to me I’ve never seen before.
On a sentimental note, I will say that Matthew Chapter 5 holds a special place in my heart. I have memories of my grandmother reading her Bible every day, her mouth moving as she read and yet she was silent. She would let me sit on her lap sometimes or behind her, and I would be comforted by the ever so audible sound of her breathing as she read.
Chapter 5 is one of the first books I ever remember her reading to me. She always had the “Beatitudes” hung up on the living room wall. She felt they were extremely important to remember, and more importantly she providing a living example of what they looked like. I miss her greatly because she was more than a grandmother to me, she was also my “mother”. Those verses remind me to humble myself before the Lord, to serve others, and to be “Christ focused” instead of “Worldly focused”. The bonus for me, they remind of the wonderful gift the Lord gave me as a child when I most needed it, the love of a strong Christian woman in my life who would be an example to me long after she was gone.
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
I am not a morning person, and when I say this verse, it really helps me in the mornings focus my mind for the day.
:)
My favorite bible story — Luke 7:47 “So I’m telling you that her sins, as many as they are, have been forgiven, and that’s why she has shown such great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven loves little.” And my favorite verse — “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” ~ Matthew 6:33 If we’d only serve Jesus and let Him take care of us….. we worry so many times about things that He has already taken care of!!
One of my favorite verses is: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12
Have a blessed weekend!
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
LOVE!
I have favorites for different times in my life but I have held onto Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? Since often I feel like I am in this place alone and am reminded that I am never alone.
BTW I really like the print/font in your reply format. :)
John 3:8 “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
I love this verse because it is so true! When God’s spirit has touched me, it has come upon me from where I don’t know (not from my thoughts or emotions), but I can feel it and know that he is there. This verse gives me such strength and comfort in knowing that the God of the universe takes the time to let me feel him and be comforted by him. Amazing!!!
Was just thinking this morning about Ezekiel 18. No matter who your parents are, you will not be judged by their behavior. When you turn to God, you will not even be judged by your own past! How awesome is that?!? Amazing and awesome and more than I can understand, but am SO grateful for it!
Isaiah 38:17 Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.
I love the promise that our suffering will not return back empty.
My favorite verse and one that I use as a test for everything in life….Phil. 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
EXACTLY!!! Beautiful.