W.I.S.E. Bible Study

 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 Today we are going camping for a couple of days with family. Packing isn’t my favorite thing, but a necessity when going away. “All things work together for the good.” For something good to happen, we go through things we don’t like a lot of the time. God has a plan for each of us, yet many times it isn’t fun to get through some things. Being a Christian can be hard at times. Struggles happen, or we are climbing difficult paths. I know, like packing, there is an end result. The “how” in handling the situations can point to God, and reveal our true faith. Lord today help us to “pack” and find joy in the difficult situation. We thank you for another day, another chance to reveal your glory to others. We thank you for walking with us, loving us and forgiving us on the path…

“Two things I ask of you, deny them not to me before I die: Put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need; Lest, being full, I deny you, saying, "Who is the LORD?" Or, being in want, I steal and profane the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:7-9 The scripture verses struck me today, because how often do we ask to just have enough? Being satisfied is a Christian trait. I’m not talking about struggling or being poor but knowing that you have enough. Why? Because you won’t question the Lord nor will you want more and more and more and become covetous. I’ve been thinking about the “hand you have been dealt,” syndrome. I think a good card player can do a lot with any hand. When news comes that is unwelcome, search for the silver lining. Sometimes it’s like digging for silver, but it is there. Contentment. Contentment is a blessing. Many people talk about peace. Peace is finding contentment. Lord, today help us to find con...

 “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...

 “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:43-45 I picked these verses because as you know, I have my “urban” orchard. A cross my backyard line I have 5 apple trees, 5 pear trees, 2 peach trees and a plum tree. My apple trees are producing, but I am waiting for the others which can take up to five years. Each year I prune these trees to get rid of any “suckers,” dead growth or unwanted branches so that I can maximize the growth and fruit. The heart of my trees is the fruit for which they will bear. I look forward to when the orchard is in full swing. These trees remind me to look at the fruit I have bear and will bear. What ha...

 In life, we can either have a victim mentality or a survivor mentality. Bad things happen. It seems to be a part of everyone’s life. Here is an article that defines the difference between victim and survivor. https://ahmdshin.substack.com/p/survivor-mindset-the-opposite-of?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web My goal is to help in processing through and have tools to move forward. Today we remember a national tragedy, but I pray we remember as survivors. Never forget the lives lost, but never forget the lessons we learn, the strength that pulled a nation through. Scripture tells us in several places to love our enemies. Matthew 5:44-48 states: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing tha...

 “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you. ” Matthew 6: 37-38 Last night NFL football started. Ahh the “Monday morning quarterback” syndrome begins. This syndrome is indicative to how we judge others. You should of…You could of…boy that wasn’t your best decision…the quotes go on. Yet we don’t know what’s going on for the person or why they decided what they did. Perhaps the person is “kicking” themselves for the decision and being judged only adds salt to their wound. Instead of judging, perhaps we can just walk with someone. If needed using love and gentle guiding help a person to get on the right path. I try to have the last line in my head so that when I begin to judge I am reminded we are...

 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 What is a burden to you? The term burden has a negative connotation to it, doesn’t it? Yet a burden can be an obligation that you need a break from. A burden can be just figuring out lunches every day for work or school. Burdens. Maybe today you just need a break from…Galatians reminds us that we need to help each other out. Shoulder a burden today. Lord grand us clear vision to help someone out. If we are in need of relief grant us courage to ask for help. May our burdens be shouldered today, and may they become moments of your grace on the path…

  As I look at my garden, tomatoes that need to be picked, I am reminded of this passage from Genesis “As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8:22 I think about now, the time of harvest and time of preparing for next years planting. Yet, my discernment is what is it that I need to plant in my life? What weeds or unwanted things have grown in my life that need to weed out? I do not want to lose focus and know that there are seasons of life. Today in prayer think about what seeds you need to plant, what you have harvest and what your garden needs. Lord, thank you for the day. Help us to weed our garden of life. Show us the seeds that need to be planted, what needs harvesting and what needs to be pulled. Grant us your presence as we continue on the path…

 In the stillness of my house, I study chapter one of the gospel of Matthew. Matthew starts with a geology of Jesus. He tells the birth of Jesus through the lens of Joseph. What struck me is this: “ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21God speaks to Joseph in a dream. Joseph listens and believes the dream. History is written. I close my eyes and try to listen to God… “Beth, daughter of mine….” Is there a decision of mine that God needs to speak to me about? The biggest decision I made was to retire early. I do have two goals in retiring early. First, my health. I joined a gym and have been conscientious of what I eat and drink. Second, writing. I wanted...

 If there was ever a reason for community or “us” (a “u” and a “s”ombody) it is this: Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Fellowship is important. Having somebody that we can count on is important. Yet sometimes I think we forget that whenever there are two or more together so is Christ amongst us. When something unexpected happens and we gather, he is there waiting to join in. When we celebrate something, we gather, he is waiting to join in. The point is to acknowledge Christ being there, so the gathering becomes “in his name.”  I was always struck when on a fire or rescue call how Christ was present. Sometimes it was just giving me the right words to say, or sometimes someone else’s actions made the difference. Many brought Christ with, not just a chaplain. I can’t say I was a stellar chaplain. I learned many lessons that have shaped me, because Christ was present. Christ was present even in moments that t...

Today’s reading comes from the Gospel of Luke. “And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined.” Luke 5:36-37 Old wine skins are no longer pliable, that is, they have no give. They are not flexible. Fermentation of new wine cannot happen. If I am to allow for Christ to work in me, I need to possess a new wine skin. I need to be flexible. I need to be pliable. Being a Christian is not easy, and for someone who is ridged, having no room to rethink their paradigm or even room for change it is impossible. Your “skin” will tear and the new wine will spill out. I am reminded to discern where I may still be closed to hearing God’s words and implementing them in my life. Sometimes we follow others with confining inter...

  There are many things that are difficult in life. Sometimes I tell myself”and this too shall pass.” I’m not sure it gives me comfort but it is my go to mantra. I, personally am not facing any real difficulties at this moment but I know those who are. A scripture verse that brings me comfort is, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 I am committed to research and studying so I can write, sharing Gods presence. I will not give up. What is something you will not give up on today? Lord grant courage so that giving up is not the answer on the path…

 During a conversation this weekend there was discussion on people in churches. The conversation was held amongst different denominations yet the same observation: there are people who become very territorial about their roles or what they do at the church. Different denominations have the same problem. Today’s scripture reminded me of the conversation. “Brothers, I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ . I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed, you are still not able, even now, for you are still of the flesh. While there is jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving in an ordinary human way?”  1 Corinthians 1:3 Today, I am thinking about ways I need to let people in, share in the work. A mark of a good leader, modeled by Christ was to train the next group of people. Jesus was able to see what strengths of a person and mentor them in that chosen direction. Are you a...

 The littles start school today. The house will seem empty without them. I hope they make friends for I have found that Ecclesiastes words are true: “ Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:   If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Today think about those who may need help, or a give a hand up. Two are better than one. Life can be messy so having those who can share burdens, sadness or even joys are important. Partners in life are those who will, without a blink of the eye, share our lives and even push us to do more, better ourselves and reach our potential. Learn lessons with others. Study hard but remember life is a playground. Like a playground, pick the equipment you want to play on, who you want to play with, but mostly enjoy recess in life on the path…

 Do you know your mission? The reason you are here? Jesus gave us his by quoting scripture: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19 Mission is our passion, our duties, our focus and our dreams. Jesus started by telling us his mission and then he proceeded to live it and eventually die for the mission. A mission can be simple. Make it through the day. Or it can be complex: create a podcast and write books. Mission becomes part of the roles we find ourselves in, and what life has handed us. Knowing your mission and being open to shifting missions when life is messy or neat. I am writing later than normal. Went to the gym and have a cousin in Kansas. I don’t believe we have all the answers, but we do need to weave our faith in our missions. Faith must be a ...