W.I.S.E. Bible Study

Signs and Wonder. It is easy to believe something if you see it. One of my mom’s favorite sayings was, “I am from Missouri; I need to see it to believe it. Missouri is known as the Show-Me State. Yet, our faith requires us to believe without seeing something. John 4:48 “Jesus said to him, 'Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” God is good, though, because there are signs and wonders. I think God knew that humans would need signs and wonders at times. Maybe we all have a little Missouri in us. Spring is a time of signs and wonders. My plants are starting to push through the earth. Trees are budding. My pussywillow is in full bloom. Winter can seem stark, so spring is welcome with its signs and wonder of hope of new life. I am thankful for this. Even when they are predicting snow, I know it won’t last, and there is hope beneath any snow that may come now. Where do you see signs and wonder? As you go throughout your day, thank God when you do see hope on the ...

  A New Creation. Lent is a reminder to me that if we believe in Christ, then as we work on our fasting from to our feasting on, we become a new creation on Easter. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” New things are nice. Yet, with newness, we need to care for that newness so that it doesn’t become worn and old. We must cherish our newness and take care to keep it new. Sometimes, it is hard to believe that the forgiveness of God keeps us new. It wipes the slate. It doesn’t mean the old has gone away. Our memory keeps them as the old, a reminder of what was and where we do not wish to go again. As I sit in the silence of my house, I sit with all that was, all that is, and all that will be. I know that today, I remain in Christ, and I hope to always remain in Christ. There will be other Lents, time for me to get rid of the “old” so that I can be new again in Christ. This Lent, I focus on m...

  Fourth Sunday of Lent     Reading I Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.” While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they celebrated the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth of the month. On the day after the Passover, they ate of the produce of the land in the form of unleavened cakes and parched grain. On that same day after the Passover, on which they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased. No longer was there manna for the Israelites, who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan. 1.      What do you know about Passover? Is there something you should research to understand Passover during the Lenten season? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________...

  Joy and Peace. I pray today finds you well. My week off is ending, and I am feeling blessed for rest. I want to send you a blessing today: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may grow rich in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 New Catholic Bible). I believe hope is essential. April is Autism Awareness Month. It is a good time to reflect on our differences that bring about such a flavorful society. I dislike the word disabled. I find people are able, just in different ways. I learn so much from others, with or without special needs. But as April is coming, I am focused on learning more about how I can help others with Autism. My autistic granddaughter inspires me. It is with the help of the Holy Spirit that I can continue to mentor her, love her, and see the gift she is and the gifts she brings to this world. As you progress today, know that God wants you to be filled with joy and peace. God wants you to grow rich in hope...

  Wise enough. How do you know if you are wise enough or intelligent enough for God? I know children with special needs that are wise and intelligent enough for God. It’s their heart. They give so much joy! They are kind and giving. They live as reminders of what God asks of us. Sometimes, we get caught up in who is smarter. GPA measures our intelligence. But God has a different measure. Our actions tend to reveal our hearts. Are we condescending? Are we prone to temper? Actions do speak, but so do our words.  Hosea reminds us that true wisdom and intelligence will lead to a straight path with the Lord.  Hosea 14:10 “Who is wise enough to understand these things? Who is intelligent enough to know them? Straight are the paths of the LORD, the just walk in them, but sinners stumble in them.” Today, during this Lent, think about how your words, actions, and thoughts might be leading you straight with the Lord, or not on the path….

B elonging. Before the break, a senior class discussed the difference between Christianity and Catholicism. I had to remind them that we, too, are Christ's followers or Christians. We live out our love for God within the Catholic denomination. The Psalm today reminds us that we belong for God is are shepherd. Psalm 95:7 “For he is our God, we are the people he shepherds, the sheep in his hands.” I am a Christ follower; I walk in the way of scripture, God’s love letter to his people. I choose to listen to the voice of the shepherd, God. It is important to belong and know you belong. Today, as you go about your day, listen for the shepherd, and know you belong on the path…  

  Wednesday’s. When I am working Wednesday marks the point I know I am halfway done with my week. I am on break so today marks a resting point. “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”–  Psalm 62:5-6 I’m not sure what I will do today, but it will be with rest in mind. I slept in, which is a start! It’s nice not to have anything on the agenda. Rest. Sunday is a day of rest, which we try to adhere to, yet when one is on vacation, taking advantage of rest is important. God is my rock and my salvation, and has a fortress that he has given me so that I can rest here on earth. Today, find a bench and time to rest on the path…