W.I.S.E. Bible Study

 Renewal. I can’t believe school's been out for two weeks. Summer is a time of renewal. Yet it can be fast-paced with lots of fun activities. I try to remember this scripture verse: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2. Even amongst summer fun, it is important to remember to do God’s will. What is God’s plan for me? God has given me another day to continue the work He/She has started in me. I need to light another candle in my grotto and pray for those who need prayer. I hope to renew my mind by resting, reading, and spending time with family on the path….

 Today we will receive some much-needed rain. Rainy days are good days for reading. They are also good days to do a quick check-in on our habits. My family is having a rummage sale, and this reminds me of how important it is to get rid of the clutter in our lives. We sift through items that no longer are important or needed and put them out in a rummage sale. Our lives also need sorting to make room for the important things. On this rainy, stormy day, perhaps remember this: 2 Timothy 3: 16 *  ‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” Spend time with Scripture. If you don’t know where to start, start with a gospel or letter. Nowadays you can listen to the bible through an app. Make room for this habit.  Challenge yourself to set aside time to hear God’s word today on the path…

 Yesterday our Taos had to go into the shop for a factory recall. It had something to do with the computer system. As I sat waiting, I wondered what it would be like if we humans had a factory recall.  2 Timothy 15-17a tells us what we should be, and what will happen if we go down the wrong path: “Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation. Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless, and their teaching will spread like gangrene.” Find yourself gossiping…factory recall; find yourself talking profanely…. factory recall. I think for Christians, in a way, we do have a recall when we go to confession; that is, when we take a knee before the Lord and ask for forgiveness, guidance, and help when we stray. Luckily for humans, we have a moral compass that should provide us with a sense that we are becoming more and more godless. I am lucky that when I am less than wh...

 As the Sun’s rays reach my backyard and heats it, I look for refuge. During April’s tornadoes, my basement provided refuge. However, I don’t think we think about a refuge for our faith. Psalm 90:1-2 states: “Lord, you have been our refuge through all generations. Before the mountains were born, the earth and the world brought forth, for eternity to eternity you are God.” God provides a refuge during difficult times, but most importantly, God provides refuge during all times. He provides shelter to keep us full of hope, faith, and love. Being with God is like having our family and friends with, they act like an umbrella protecting us from all the elements of the world that give us stress and anxiety. This morning we ask God to continue to be our refuge as we journey today on the path….

 My five-year-old grandson loves to plant and water the garden. Now comes the hardest part of gardening. Waiting. It requires patience. Life has many moments where we have planted seeds and must wait for them to grow, mature, and have their product ripen to pick and enjoy. A lesson for a five-year-old. Yet we have times of finding ourselves in places with no paths. Where do I go next? I can’t see my way through or out of the mess in my life.   Isaiah 43:19 states: “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Let God sow a new path for you. Discern, and He will make a way through your wilderness, river, or desert. I started creating a path in my Marion garden that leads to a back garden that is now planted with watermelon, cucumbers, melon, and squash. The path is made of old stones and bricks I had lying around. It isn’t that pretty, but it is functional. Hopefully, it...

I am encouraged by all the social media that speaks of faith. As one who taught world religions, I find expressions of true faith pleasing. My students found that one core thread through all religions was kindness. I think that points to a core human need. We need kindness in this world. With so many having this core, it is a wonder that we still have division in the world. Jude speaks of this. “But you, beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, for they told you, “In [the] last time there will be scoffers who will live according to their own godless desires.” These are the ones who cause divisions; they live on the natural plane, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life”.  Jude 1:17-21. Jude expresses the importance of the Holy Spirit. Today, continue to r...