W.I.S.E. Bible Study

 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall one will lift up his fellow,” showing the practical support friends provide.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 Some marry their best friend. Some have friends at work, or other family members. Regardless, friendship is important. Tomorrow is my last day at work. I started teaching religious education at 16 and have worked for the church in a variety of roles since then. About 48 years, and I don’t feel I’m done, just changing venues. Today, I reflect on all the friends I have made along the way. Friends that I know I will keep in touch with no matter where I go or what I do. Friends are an important part of life. This morning, reflect and pray for those friends who walk with you, support you, and have your six, on the path….

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2 To my readers, may these words of scripture fill you with hope and promise as light fills the day. I find it help to start my day with prayer and list the things I am grateful for. Yes there will be messiness in the day but hope, faith, gratefulness will sustain as they surround me with love…positive energy. Start your morning with that favorite drink list all the good, even if it’s that you have another day, clean slate…ok go start drawing on your slate make it colorful and don’t forget to add HIS presence on the path…

  John 16:33 “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” Yesterday was the first time at the beer garden this summer. Opening weekend. Even though I had water, it was about gathering with friends. As I head to work this morning, I pray for my students. There are more lessons to be learned than a grade on a paper. Courage to do the right thing, for instance. Finding peace when your grade isn’t where you wanted it. Holding yourself accountable by being honest that late assignments and rushed work were on you, not the teacher. Take courage, Jesus conquered the world, and you will find peace in knowing Jesus, his ways, and applying them to your life. Trouble is something to reflect on. What is my part, what is the outcome I want, and is there a way that this trouble can point to His glory? Today know Him and know peace. As you do your walk-about find ways to take courage, hold yourself acc...

    Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.    As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16) What does it mean to be Holy? For me, it means to be surrounded by the glory of God. I find this in nature. Look at God’s creation. The variety of plants, animals, birds, and landscapes. I think these all reveal God’s holiness. I think being holy is being blessed. Being blessed for me is seeing God in all, whether good times or bad. If you flip the word evil you get the word live. To live is to be blessed, holy, and see the hand of God in the world. Evil is the absence of God… it is only what a person thinks, feels, can obtain… it is not about a truly bonded, ...

 Each day starts with this: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13. Forgiveness goes a long way; it is one of the essentials to relationships. My school year is coming to a close as next week is half days of finals and graduation. New beginnings for a lot of students and some staff. No matter what a person does or where a person goes, learning to bear with each other and forgive is the soil of growth. Being honest enough to communicate a grievance is fertilizer to a relationship and helps it to maintain its pH balance. I don’t think a person can truly heal without forgiveness. Sometimes the biggest culprit is ourselves. Learning to forgive ourselves, love ourselves, and be kind to ourselves is a habit that helps us to be compassionate to others. Today, bear with each other and if forgiveness is needed, mend the fences on the path…

Driving in to work, I was graced with seeing turkeys and having an eagle fly with me. I was thinking about how to act and live as a daughter of God. The school year is almost over. Friday is last day of classes, and next week four half days for testing. For me, it is important to not have the “checked out” attitude. Each day I must remember Ephesians 4:2-3 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Peace is an intentional action each day. It requires commitment and knowing that being humble and gentle, patient and bearing each others day requires some self sacrifice. Peace is not easy, but can be obtained, yet each of us needs to do our part. Today, recommit yourself to peace, live for peace through humbleness, being gentle and patient. Know that there is no I in peace, no, it requires that we walk in each other’s shoes bearing bearing each others worries, anxieties, strug...