W.I.S.E. Bible Study

 “As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.” Matthew 9:9-10 Jesus walks by a tax collector, most walking by are avoiding him, or cursing him. However, not Jesus, he sees something in this man, not limiting him to his profession. Jesus sees him as a disciple. “Follow me” are the words that Jesus uses to the man. No matter where you are at in, Jesus is calling you. NO matter what other people think or are saying, Jesus is calling. Jesus sees the disciple in you. He will not judge you but nurture you and comfort you. Come follow him today! Lord, we thank you for the morning and the possibilities. We ask for strength and guidance. Grant us courage to take your hand and continue to walk with you on the path…

 “Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16 Sometimes when bad things happen or you look at others and you think, why am I always last? Why do bad things happen to me? Why can’t I get ahead? The list goes on. When it does, for me, I think of these words found in Matthew 20:16 “Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” When I become “last” God pushes me to first. God is there walking with me and parting red seas when needed. God is always there for the “last” and the “first”, but he helps those in need and reminds them that being last means God is there for you. On this rainy day, pray for those who struggle and are in need of God. Ask God to show you how you can work with God to give comfort and strength to those in need. Lord we pray that you use us to be your hands and feet on the path…

 Have you ever tried to tell someone something and they miss the point. In the verse I am sharing Jesus forgives a woman because of the great love she shows him. The people with him only focus on wondering how he can forgive sins instead of the fact that our actions, that is our love for someone, are when forgiveness happens. Luke 7:47-50 “So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Love, forgives. Love gives strength. When you are faced with difficult situations to hear the words “we got this,” or “we can do this” even when it’s your situation the “we” comes out, and you feel that love. Realizing you don’t have to shoulder burdens together brings hope, faith and love to the forefront. Jesus knew the wome...

 “So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1Corinthians 13:13 If you want to learn what true love is, sit with the Bible. Read the Bible and bring it into your heart so that you may know and live faith, hope and love. Gardens are at that point where some of the beds can be pulled, and earth worked to be put to rest for the season. I like seasons as they mark life’s journey through a connection with earth. They also remind me of faith, hope and love. Each season brings their good points and each season bring difficulties. I plant in the spring and hope that there will be a harvest. I have faith that if I work my gardens they will produce. This isn’t always the case, but I love being able to do this. I love that I can be part of nature. Faith in a person, hope for them and love for them can help us to be part of community. Lord, today I look at where I find faith, hope and love. I pray I can trace that thread back to you and it links me to you alw...

  John 19:25-27 “Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” Take Mary home today. There was a saying “what would Jesus do” but for me, I always wondered what would Mary do. As a wife and mother my life has become about: students were my kids, peers deserved the respect given to a spouse… bringing Mary home means having the lens as a wife and mother…in all that we do. Lord, help us to reflect on the qualities of a good and loving parent today. Guide us in areas that we need to be more like Mary. Provide courage to say yes like Mary and do your will as spouse and parent on the path….amen.

  Forgiveness isn’t meant to be easy. No, it dwells in the recess of the heart. Forgiveness implies that the dept is paid and there is no need for the sin to continue to show “on the books.” Our memories and our minds have locked in the sin and to have that erased is difficult. Yet true forgiveness allows for a harden heart to see the sin in new light. The lessons learn, the strength drawn from…and the debt paid. Matthew gives an example: “His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?” Matthew 18:32-33 God has forgiven our entire debts and expects us to forgive as God has modeled. True love allows for the recess of the heart to overshadow the unforgiving memory of the mind. What in your life needs for forgiveness? Unfold your heart, exposing the recess to allow for total forgiveness in areas of need. This allows for freedom from what h...