W.I.S.E. Bible Study

 “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5 Sometimes the day is sunny, yet you don’t feel sunny inside. Today’s scripture is a reminder that hope in God can start to move aside clouds to reveal the sun. So what is hope? Something you tell yourself so you don’t face things? A false world to escape reality? No. One of hope’s synonyms is courage. It is the ability to face head on and know that you have everything you need to work through any difficulties: any clouds in your path. Today, if your day is sunny, share it with someone else. Lend an ear and listen to what is making them downcast or disturbed. Help them to move the clouds away and truly believe putting your hope in God will move clouds and allow you to praise God on the path…

 “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...