Dig In

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding."

 

Colossians 1:9

 

Do you feel intimidated to open the Bible and start reading? Do you feel like you don't have enough knowledge or credentials to make sense of what you're reading?

 

I have good news for you! You don't need any special training or education to read your Bible. All you need is an open, willing heart that asks Jesus to help you understand and apply what you're reading.

 

I love this verse in Colossians. That is exactly my prayer for this page and all who come here. I am by no means a Bible scholar, but I do believe when you spend time with Jesus, He gives you wisdom and knowledge that you don't get any other way.

 

 

"Now when they say the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

 Acts 4:13

 

I want to encourage you to open you Bible today and spend some time with Jesus. Even if you only have 5 minutes or read only one verse, He will bless that time!

 

"so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Isaiah 55:11

 

Any time you spend with Jesus and any time you spend reading His word is not in vain! God will use every bit of it, even if you don't understand what you're reading right away, to bless your life!

 

Don't delay, dig in today!!

 

And if you need some direction, I'd love to study Colossians with you! I've been spending some time in the morning studying that book and have been so encouraged by what God has been showing me. Come back next week and we'll dig into chapter 1.

 



Abide{in Prayer}

John 15:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says "pray without ceasing"

 

Do you find this verse intimidating? Something that seems out of reach? How is it possible to 'pray without ceasing?!' We have huge demands upon us each and every day and the "noise" level is often off the charts. How can we find time to slip away someplace quiet and pray, without stopping?!

 

 

As I've spent more time with Jesus and our relationship has grown, I've come to understand that "pray without ceasing" is indeed possible. That doesn't mean I slip away to a closet or dark corner and talk to Him in peace and quiet.

 

What it does mean is that I'm constantly talking with Him about my day, about the circumstances and situations I'm facing. Just as you would text, email or call a friend throughout the day, you can talk to Jesus throughout the day.

 

 

He wants to be involved in every minute detail of your day. Do you realize that? I mean really understand that it delights Him when you invite Him into your day and share everything with Him. It's mind blowing, really.

 

The demands of our days are real and the pressure can be intense. And it can be easy to think we can handle it on our own OR feel helpless to handle it at all. But, we always have Somebody ready and willing to help us face and walk through whatever the day lays before us.

 

Philippians 4:6 says "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God."

 

Share your day with Him. Share your thoughts and feelings about whatever is consuming your mind throughout the day. Abide in Him today.

 

 



Abide{In Praise & Thanksgiving}

John 15:4; Psalm 51:15; Psalm 146:1,2; 1 Corinthians 14:15 

Last Friday we talked about Abiding in Him. That each morning we have a fresh start, a new chance to align our mind and day with Him; that we can begin our day abiding in Him.

But, as the day wears on, life can get crazy. Something can happen at work, or school or home that takes your mind completely off of Jesus and on to the task, crisis, or circumstance at hand. And then a downward spiral can begin in our minds.

So, how do we get back to abiding in Him when we lose focus?

For me, it's praise and thanksgiving. I've walked through some deep pain, life crisis' I would never wish on anybody. And I've allowed my mind to be taken off of Him and onto the chaos around me.

But, inevitably, when I literally stop what I'm doing or thinking, turn my focus to Jesus and praise Him for being Him, my problems lose their weight in my mind. No, they don't magically go away or solve themselves, but my focus shifts onto the One who can do something about them.

Psalm 51:15 says "O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise."

Psalm 146:1-2 says "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."

1 Corinthians 14:15 says " What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also."

So, if you find yourself overwhelmed or stressed out with your day or circumstances in your life, stop what you're doing and praise Jesus for being Jesus.

Turn on your favorite worship music and belt it out to Him. Allow yourself to realign your focus and abide in Him once again.