W.I.S.E. Bible Study

Today, as focus is shifting to fall, back to school and perhaps harvesting, I want to think about focusing on being steadfast. 2 Chronicles 15:7 “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” Perseverance in our chosen or give path is a focus to remember. Life is hills and valleys. And when we find ourselves struggling as we climb hills we need to remember to be strong and not give up. Our strength can be drawn from those good around us, mental reminders and of course our faith. As Dori says, “keep on swimming.” You will get there. Me, well I try to remember this as I reconstruct my days without formal work. The sun is shining, family members are traveling to the homestead, and life is good. Why? God is good, all the time on the path…

Wisdom is the ability to see the world as God sees the world. Sometimes, I think, we all get a glimpse of this. We see something that is profound and we know God. Yet there are times when life is messy that we need wisdom to guide us through. Today remember James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” The lens we choose to wear bring our lives into focus and perspective. Choose the lens of God to see the world, God’s creation through God’s eyes. When we do this our goals, our challenges, our everything changes and we find we live a life of love. A life that cherishes and is full of compassion on the path…

My sewing room has moved several times over the years. I have been a tote seamstress. The last couple of days I have been able to sort through and organize the chaos. It’s a good feeling when you accomplish a daunting task. I am reminded of Phillipians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengths me. Today, if you have a difficult task or one that you know needs the of the Lord, be reminded of this passage. Stick to it because you can do it! Lord, I am thankful for tasks being accomplished. Help me to persevere and push through when tasks are not pleasant or difficult. I continue to ask for your wisdom, knowledge and understanding. May the gift of counsel be at my side as I walk in fortitude and reverence. In Jesus name on the path….

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”Ephesians 4:32 Today’s scripture passage reminds us of how we are to act as a Christian. It is easy to be defensive and put up walls, yet the Lord wishes for us to be open with kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness. Those verbs can be hard to incorporate in your day. Lord we ask for strength and courage to live our day as one who is kind and tenderhearted. Grant us wisdom and knowledge to truly be a forgiving soul. Thank you for the day, a clean page with possibilities to draw a day fill with the ways of a Christian on the path….

Our focus can tell us where we are at in life. If we our poor and our focus is consumed with making money, we could say our passion or hearts desire is money. If we are rich and our focus is on gaining more wealth we could say our hearts desire is money. Our focus can b help us to accomplish and move our lives in certain directions. Today Matthew reminds us that our focus and hearts desire should be Christ. Matthew 19:23-24 “Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” As a retired person, each day I do have a focus or direction. I can get caught up in my day, yet I weave prayer, reading/studying and service into the day so that I don’t become consumed by passions other than faith. Today we ask God to guide us, show us where we have excluded Him from our lives. We list our gra...

“Now someone approached him and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:16-17 Commandments. Do you know your commandments? Rules can be difficult, but are important. They direct our path and help us become our best possible self. Faith provides me with the importance of discipline. Discipline has transferred into all parts of my life. When I accomplish something it is for Christ. I would like to shout out to past students as you continue to journey remember to do so with the commandments as your road markers and discipline as your guide . Lord may we all allow your commandments to be written in our heart. Guide us to be disciplined in Christ. Know our gratitude as we continue on the path…