Sunday Scripture

 I've been posting  Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you, although you will probably want to save it for next year.  At this point I think I've blogged about every part of that study, so next December I'll be doing something different.  And, in January 2026 I plan to get back to the Fix Your Focus lessons.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

This last week's verses are focused on Peace.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 24.

S= "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

"The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, He hath cast out thy enemy; the King of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not see evil any more."  (Zephaniah 3:14-15)

O= This is obviously prophetic.  As C.I. Scofield says, "That this, and all like passages in the prophets, cannot refer to anything which occurred at the first coming of Christ is clear from the context.  The precise reverse is true."

Scofield has titled this section "Israel's restoration and blessing; the King in the Kingdom."

So when verse 15 states "the King of Israel even the LORD, is in the midst of thee", it is not really referring directly to the Baby in the manger, but pointing forward to a time when He will reign during the millennial kingdom.  In that future time, it could be said that God's people will not "see evil any more."

Still, His presence on earth as a Baby was a cause of great rejoicing -- "behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people."  (Luke 2:10). And He was in the midst of His people, even if not all of them recognized it.

A= I can be glad and rejoice with all my heart as I recall and celebrate the coming of the Savior.  I can rejoice that He is my Savior.  He has taken away my judgments in that there is no condemnation to those  who are in Christ Jesus, who walk after the Spirit and not the flesh (Romans 8:1).  He is in the midst of me in the sense that He dwells within me in the Person of the Holy Spirit.  I have much to be joyful about!

P= "Lord, as much as I have tried this season to focus on You, in many ways I feel I have failed miserably.  I have so often allowed busyness and stress in preparing to celebrate to crowd out my joy to a much greater degree than it should.  

"I thank You though for the snatches of celebratory joy that I have found.  I pray that You will help me in this week to show my joy in Christ's coming to a needy, needy world.  I thank You for the opportunities that You will give!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

There is the Sunday Scripture for this week and the last of our Advent study.  We will get back to Fix Your Focus in January!

Sunday Scripture

 I've been posting  Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

This week's verses are focused on Joy.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 20.

S= "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a crowd of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."  (Hebrews12:1-2)

O= The writer of Hebrews is not known, though to me the epistle has the definite flavor of Paul's writing.  C.I. Scofield notes, "The occasion of the Epistle was the need of special exhortation for Hebrew readers who had professed faith in Jesus as the Messiah, some of whom were wavering in their attitude.'

Scofield has titled Chapter 12 "The worship and walk of the believer-priest" and has titled verses 1-2 "Jesus is the perfect example."  So, since they were encompassed by a great cloud of witnesses, the believers were encouraged to run their Christian race (laying aside every weight, laying aside sin, running with patience) looking to Jesus.

Jesus, the believer's perfect Example, endured the cross, despising the shame, because of the joy that was set before Him.  He is the Author of our faith and is also the Finisher of it, now set down at the right hand of God's throne.

A= I am to follow Jesus' example.  I'm to run the race of the Christian life with patience, unencumbered by weights and sin.  I can do this as I consider the example of the Author and Finisher of my faith.  He ran a race that included dying a shameful death, but He did it for the joy that was set before Him.  He ran His race triumphantly and is now seated at God's right hand.

P= "Lord, I thank You for these precious verses that make it so clear how believers are to run the race of life.  Help me to lay aside the weights and sin that could cause me to stumble and falter in my race.  I thank You that You are helping me to understand what some of these weights are, and that You want me to lay them aside.

"I praise You for the example of Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith.  He ran His race well, and endured the cross, despising the shame, because of His joy in what He was accomplishing on our behalf.  I have joy awaiting me as well.  Help me to run my race as You would have me to, each and every day.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

And there is this week's simple (but meaningful) Sunday Scripture!

Sunday Scripture

  

As previously mentioned, I'll be posting  Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

This week's verses are focused on Love.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this  is the one from December 13.

S= "Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you.  Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not where he goeth.

"While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.  These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide Himself from them. "  (John 12:35-36)

O= Jesus is speaking here.  This incident took place after Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.  There were all sorts of people present -- people who had come to the Passover feast in Jerusalem hoping to see Him; His disciples; people who had been present when He raised Lazarus from the dead; the Pharisees; and "certain Greeks" who requested to meet with Him but did not do so.

Just prior to His speaking these words, Jesus foretold His crucifixion, and a voice from heaven spoke, verifying His words.  When the people questioned, saying, "We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth forever; and how sayest Thou, the Son of Man must be lifted up?  Who is this Son of Man?", Jesus' words in verses 35-36 are His answer to them.  He instructed them to believe in and walk in the light while they had the opportunity, for the Light would be with them only a short time.

As John Blase says in Our Daily Bread, "It was going to get dark and be almost impossible to see. Almost. So what did Jesus tell them to do? Believe, or trust, the Light (v. 36). That was the only way they could keep going forward and stay faithful.'

A= I struggled a bit to find an application for these verses other than the obvious one that sinners should trust Christ as Savior while they still had the opportunity.  But I think it also has to do with believers trusting God through their trials.

 "Believers have His Spirit as our constant guide to light the way. We too will face dark times when it’s almost impossible to see the way ahead. Almost. But by believing, or trusting in the Light, we can press on." -- John Blase, Our Daily Bread

Jesus is the Light in our darkness.  He will give us all  we need to keep going in difficult times.

P= "Lord, I thank and praise You that because of Your free gift of salvation, I  no longer walk in darkness.  I am a child of light.  I praise You that I have Your Word to shed light upon my path and to help me walk as You would have me to.  

"Help me to walk in the light of Your Word every day.  May the people who cross my path who are still walking in darkness be drawn to Your marvelous light!  I pray in the name of Jesus, the Light of the world, Amen."

And there's the very simple Sunday Scripture for today, December 14!

Sunday Scripture

 

I'm planning to post Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download; it's not too late to get it, though it might not be of a lot more use to you this year.  You could save it for next year!  Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

This first week's verses are focused on Hope.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 6.

S= "And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and He shall rise to reign over the nations; in Him shall the nations trust.

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit."  (Romans 15:12-13)

O= The book of Romans was a letter written by Paul to the Roman Christians.  His intent was to share with them the doctrines of grace which had been communicated to him.  In this section, Paul is showing both Jewish and Gentile believers the necessity of glorifying God.

In verse 12, Paul quotes Isaiah 11:1 and 10 -- "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots ... To Him shall the nations seek, and His rest shall be glorious."

This is referring to the glory of the future kingdom to be set up when Christ -- the Son of David (and thus, "of the stem of Jesse", David's father) -- returns in glory.

Because of this, as seen in Romans 15:13, we have hope!  The God of hope is able to fill us with all joy and peace in believing.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can abound in hope!

A= I am encouraged and excited as I see another instance of how God's Word fits together.  It's exciting to see how the first part of Isaiah's prophecy--"there shall be a root of Jesse" has been fulfilled -- and to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that the second part will also be fulfilled in God's timing.

I love how God is referred to in verse 13 as "the God of hope", and I love the fact that He is able to fill believers with all joy and peace in believing.  Am I exhibiting that?

J B Phillips paraphrases this prayer:  "May the God of Hope fill you with joy and peace in your faith, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, your whole life and outlook may be radiant and alive."

Someone has said, "Of all people, the Christian should be the one who manifests the inner strength (and Spirit) to look ahead with a contagious enthusiasm. God has given us hope, the absolute certainty of that God will do good to us in the future."

P= "Lord, I thank You for the promises in Your Word.  I praise You that You keep your promises!

"I thank and praise You too for sending Your Son to be our Savior, and for the power of Your Holy Spirit who is able to fill us with all joy and peace in believing.  

"Help me, Lord, to abound in hope -- and to glorify You as others observe Your joy and peace in me.  May my testimony point them to You -- the God of hope.  I thank You for all You'll do, in the hope-filling name of Jesus, Amen."

And there's our simple Sunday Scripture for this first Sunday of December!

Sunday Scripture

 

I've been posting Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download; it's not too late to get it, though it might not be of a lot more use to you this year.  You could save it for next year!  Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

This fourth week's verses are focused on Peace.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 26.

Today's Scripture is Matthew 1:20-21.

S= "But while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
"And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."  (Matthew 1:20-21)

O=  Joseph was a just man who obviously loved Mary, his espoused wife.  Upon learning of her pregnancy, he had it in mind to break off their espousal privately and not make her a public example.  But while he thought on these things, an angel appeared to him in a dream and explained the situation to him.

There could be no mistake as to whom the message was for; the angel addressed him directly as "Joseph, thou son of David."  The angel instructed him, "Fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife."  He then gave him some very important information:

🌟 That which is conceived in Mary is of the Holy Spirit;

🌟 She shall bring forth a Son;

🌟 Thou shalt call His name Jesus;

🌟 He shall save His people from their sins.

A= It occurred to me that, like Joseph, I often might try to figure out how to handle a situation.  It seems to me that Joseph was probably doing this prayerfully, and I should be as well.  But God gave Joseph clear, unmistakable leading as to what course of action to take, and He will do the same for me as I look to Him.  He promises to give wisdom when we ask.  

He also tells me (as the angel told Joseph) to "fear not".  This reminds me once again that God has a purpose and a plan for all that He allows to enter our lives.  It may look very confusing and upsetting to us (as Mary's condition surely did to Joseph) but it is not out of God's control and He has a sovereign purpose and plan in it all.  God gives peace as we "fear not", and look to Him, not our circumstances.

P= "Lord, I praise You that even when events and situations in our lives look difficult and nearly impossible, we need not fear.  I praise You that You have a plan and that your purposes are always good.  Just as Your angel told Joseph to "fear not", Your Word tells me repeatedly that I'm not to be afraid.

"I praise and thank You also that You are faithful to give us the wisdom we need.  Thank You for all that You will do in our current perplexing situations, which You are in full control of.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

And there is the very simple Sunday Scripture -- the final one in this Christmas series.  I hope it was a blessing to someone!

Sunday Scripture

 

I've been posting Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download; it's not too late to head on over there and get it.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

This third week's verses are focused on Joy.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 18.

Today's Scripture is Psalm 16:11.

S= "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy: at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."  (Psalm 16:11)

O= This psalm is titled by C.I. Scofield in the Scofield Study Bible "The path of life and joy."  Psalm 16 is considered to be a Messianic psalm, a prediction of the resurrection of the King.  It is one of the few passages in the Old Testament dealing with resurrection.

Believer's Bible Commentary explains concerning verse 11: "In the final verse, our blessed Lord has complete confidence that God will show Him the path of life -- the path from death back to life again.  This path would eventually lead Him back to heaven, to God's presence.  There He would experience fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore."

But in my view, I think we can see a message in this verse for believers as well: 

🌲 God will show us the path of life;

🌲 In God's presence there is fullness of joy;

🌲 At God's right hand there are pleasures forevermore. 

I was happy to read that Charles Spurgeon also found a message for believers in this indisputably Messianic psalm.  He wrote, in a sermon titled "Life and the Path to It":

"Yet we feel no hesitation, as believers, in taking [these words] to ourselves, at least to a very large extent, remembering that our Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “Because I live, ye shall live also,” and that He prayed, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory.” This proves that we also shall tread the path of life which He has trodden, that the presence of His Father, in which He is glorified, is that same presence which will make our heaven, that the right hand of God, at which He sits, is the place to which He will also exalt us, and that the pleasures for evermore, in which He Himself rejoices, are the very pleasures with which He will indulge our souls, for it is His purpose that His joy shall abide in us that our joy may be full."

A= God promises to show me the path of life.  He will give me guidance and direction day by day, even moment by moment as I consistently look to Him.  Am I doing this?

In God's presence there is fullness of joy.  Even in very difficult times, His presence is always with me, and joy can also be my constant companion as I look to God and not my circumstances.  Am I doing this?

And I know that "pleasures evermore" await me in heaven.  I am so blessed, not only to have God's presence and guidance here in this life, but to have heaven to look forward to.  Am I living as befits a citizen of heaven?

If I'm honest, I will have to admit that I cannot answer a wholehearted "Yes!" to any of these questions.  My answer to each would be more like, "Yes, but not consistently."  Obviously, I need to pray about these things and make them part of the fabric of my everyday life.  I have work to do.

P= "Lord, I thank You so much for the clarity of Your Word!  I praise You that it so clearly teaches Your people how you would have them to live!  I find so much instruction for my life here in this verse today.

"How I thank You for the guidance and direction You promise to give for my life as I am faithful to look to You consistently.  I pray that You will help me to seek your wisdom daily -- even moment by moment as necessary.

"And I praise You for Your constant presence with me.  You will never leave me or forsake me.  Help me every day to look to You and not to my circumstances.  Many times, life doesn't look or feel very joyful, but I can have joy in my heart as I look beyond the circumstances to the fact that You have a good purpose in them.   And You are in full control.

"I thank You that my citizenship is in heaven.  I am just passing through -- just a pilgrim in this life.  Help me to conduct myself every day as a citizen of that better country.  I thank and praise You for all that You will do, in Jesus' name, Amen."

And there is my simple Scripture study for today!  I hope that some will find it a blessing.

Sunday Scripture

 

 In 2013, I did an Advent study with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download; it's not too late to head on over there and get it.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image picturing candy canes, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

Each week of this Advent study focuses on a theme: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.  This second week's verses are focused on Love. 

Today's Scripture is Psalm 119:105-106.  In the actual study, this one was from December 11 -- just in case you downloaded the study and are following along with it.

S= "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
"I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep Thy righteous judgments."  (Psalm 119:105-106)

O= This psalm was born out of the Psalmist's love for the written Word of God.  Here he says that God's Word is a lamp to his feet, and also that it's a light to his path.  

Believer's Bible Commentary says, "The Word guides negatively by forbidding certain behavior patterns.  And it guides positively by showing the right way.  How much we owe to the friendly beams of this lamp1"

Proverbs 6:23, a cross-reference, says, "For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life."  To get the most from this verse, we must look at the one just before it in Proverbs 6:22: "When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."

Of these verses, so closely related to Psalm 119:105, William MacDonald gives us the following insights: 

"Obedience to God's Word affords:
guidance -- when you roam, they will lead you
protection -- when you sleep, they will keep (guard) you
instruction -- when you awake, they will awake, they will speak with you."

Verse 23 "amplifies the previous one:
The commandment is a lamp -- for guidance
The law is a light -- for protection
reproofs on instruction are the way of life -- for teaching."

See how they line up?  Fascinating!

The psalmist goes on to add in verse 106 that he has sworn to keep God's righteous judgments, and he intends to perform what he has vowed to do.  

Believer's Bible Commentary continues, "Here is a holy determination to obey the Holy Scriptures.   This is for the glory of God, for the blessing of others, and for our own good as well."

A= I need to shine the light of God's Word on my path.  Read it, study it, and allow God to speak to me and guide me through His Word.  

I need to commit myself to obeying God's Word, and to follow through on my commitments for my own good, for the good of others, and for the glory of God.

P= "Lord, I thank You for Your Word!  I praise You that it can be a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.  Yet I know it cannot guide me if I don't spend time reading it.  I praise You that You have given me the desire to commit to reading and studying Your Word every day.  Thank You for helping me to keep that commitment and to spend time in the Bible daily.  Help me not only to read it and study it, but to apply what I read and to follow its instruction in obedience to You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

And that is our very simple study for today!  Sometimes we need to get back to basics.  I hope it's been a blessing to someone.

Sunday Scripture

 

 In 2013, I did an Advent study with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download, so if you're interested you can head on over there and get it.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image with an illustration of candy canes, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

Each week of this Advent study focuses on a theme: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.  I plan to do a very simple Sunday Scripture post here using this study, and then also on my regular blog, throughout the first four weeks of December.  The first week's verses are focused on Hope. 

Today's Scripture is Isaiah 60:19-20.  In the actual study, this one was from December 5 -- just in case you downloaded the study and are following along with it.

S= "The sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God, thy glory.
"The sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."  (Isaiah 60:19-20)

O=  In the Scofield Study Bible,  C.I. Scofield titled this chapter "Glorious Zion in the Kingdom Age" and, indeed, these verses sound as if they could be right out of Revelation. 

 It seems God was telling Israel here that in that day -- the day when all nations acknowledge Him as King -- that the days of their mourning will be ended.  They would not need to rely on the sun or moon for light, but He Himself would be their light.

A= In keeping with this week's theme of "Hope", these words from God spoken to His people by Isaiah surely would have given them hope for the future.  I find them hopeful myself, especially as I look down to verse 21 -- "Thy people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified."

God is my light, as well, thinking back to verses 19 and 20 again.  He is the true Light and He also wants His people to be light in a dark world.

P= "Lord, I praise You that You are the light of the world.  I praise You for the blessed hope of Your return, and for the fact that in that day Your everlasting light will outshine the sun and the moon.  

"But in the here and now, You have called me out of darkness and into Your marvelous light.  I know that You want me to glorify You and to be light in the darkness of our culture.  I pray that You would help me to consistently be that undimmed light that You desire for me to be.  I thank You for all that You will do, in Jesus' name, Amen."

And there's our simple Sunday Scripture for this week.  I hope it has been a blessing to someone.

Sunday Scripture

 

As mentioned last Sunday, I'm doing special Christmas related Sunday Scripture posts throughout December again this year.  Back in 2020 I had worked through Peace, Be Still: A 31-Day Christmas prayer journal, from Women Living Well.  Last year, I used some of my simple study from this book as Scripture posts for December.  I have decided to do so again this year, using different posts on each of my blogs to keep it interesting for all of my readers.  I will take two from each week's study to use one each on my blogs, and maybe next December use more of them.

Also -- note that this simple study does not use the SOAP method as my studies usually do.  This one includes a verse for the day, a thought for the day,  a reflection question for the day and space to write a prayer for each day.  I tended to look at the verse a little bit in depth, and I tended to answer the reflection question in the prayer, but of course you can use these any way you want to. I hope perhaps some of you will want to study out these verses in more depth for yourselves.

Here goes with the study for Week 3, Day 17! 

Verses for the day:

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."  (Revelation 1:8)

I chose to look at several other verses in Revelation as well.

 "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, and what thou seest, write." (Revelation 1:10-11)

"And He said unto me, It is done.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."  (Revelation 21:6)

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and the first and the last."  (Revelation 22:13)

My study: 

God is the beginning and the ending. 
He is.
He has always been.
He is to come.
He is the Almighty, the Mighty God.
He is in sovereign control.  He has a plan, and His purposes are always for our good and for His glory.

Believer's Bible Commentary tells us:

"The Lord Jesus introduces Himself as the Alpha and the Omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet), the Beginning and the End.  He spans time and eternity, and exhausts the vocabulary of excellence.  He is the source and goal of creation, and it is He who began and will end the divine program in the world.  He is and was and is to come, eternal in His being and the Almighty in power."

Reflection question:

Are you facing something difficult today?  How can you trust Him more, knowing that He is in control and He loves you?

My prayer:

"Dear God, I am so thankful that You are the mighty God who has always been and who always will be.  You are in sovereign control over the past, present, and future.  You have a plan and a purpose in all that You allow, and Your purposes are always, only good.  

"It;s very hard to grasp how the situations we are in as a country can possibly turn out for the best, but Your purpose is good and You are working all things after the counsel of Your own will.  We can trust You complete;ly -- and we do!  I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

That's the Sunday Scripture for the day.  Hope it was a blessing to you!

 

Sunday Scripture

 

As mentioned, I'm doing special Christmas related Sunday Scripture posts throughout December again this year.  Back in 2020 I had worked through Peace, Be Still: A 31-Day Christmas prayer journal, from Women Living Well.  Last year, I used some of my simple study from this book as Scripture posts for December.  I have decided to do so again this year, using different posts on each of my blogs to keep it interesting for all of my readers.  I will take two from each week's study to use one each on my blogs, and maybe next December use more of them.

Also -- note that this simple study does not use the SOAP method as my studies usually do.  This one includes a verse for the day, a thought for the day,  a reflection question for the day and space to write a prayer for each day.  I tended to look at the verse a little bit in depth, and I tended to answer the reflection question in the prayer, but of course you can use these any way you want to. I hope perhaps some of you will want to study out these verses in more depth for yourselves.

Here goes with the study for Week 2, Day 11! 

Verses for the day:

"Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall with difficulty enter into the kingdom of God.

"When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who, then, can be saved?

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible."  (Matthew 19:23-26)

My study:  

Here are some cross-references: 

"I prayed unto the LORD, saying, Ah, Lord GOD!   Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and outstretched arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee."  (Jeremiah 32:17)

"Is anything too hard for the LORD?"  (Genesis 18:14)

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD's hand become short?  Thou shalt see now whether My word shall come to pass unto thee, or not."  Numbers 11:23)

"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear."  (Isaiah 59:1)

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is there any thing too hard for Me?"  (Jeremiah 32:27)

Reflection question:

In what area do you need to trust God more?

I wrote:

We're at a difficult point in history.  It's an exciting (yet occasionally terrifying) time to be alive. We are asking God for divine intervention in our country's difficult situation and to save us from totalitarianism.  We're also asking Him to intervene in the drastic measures that are threatening our way of life.  He is the only One who can turn this situation around.  I trust God completely to do what's best.  That said, I'm far from perfect and I'm sure there are a number of areas in which I could trust Him more.

My prayer:

"Dear God, I am so incredibly thankful that with You, all things are possible.  I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that there is nothing -- NOTHING -- too hard for You.  There is no doubt in my mind that You could change our situation in a moment with just a word.  The poor handling of many issues is destroying the fabric of our society, of all that is good about our land.  Lord, You know we are facing even harder times if You don't intervene.  I pray that You will.  Nevertheless, not our will but Yours be done, I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

And that's the Sunday Scripture for the day.  Hope it was a blessing to you!

Sunday Scripture

 

As mentioned last Sunday, I'm doing special Christmas related Sunday Scripture posts throughout December again this year.  Back in 2020 I had worked through Peace, Be Still: A 31-Day Christmas prayer journal, from Women Living Well.  Last year, I used some of my simple study from this book as Scripture posts for December.  I have decided to do so again this year, using different posts on each of my blogs to keep it interesting for all of my readers.  I will take two from each week's study to use one each on my blogs, and maybe next December use more of them.

Also -- note that this simple study does not use the SOAP method as my studies usually do.  This one includes a verse for the day, a thought for the day,  a reflection question for the day and space to write a prayer for each day.  I tended to look at the verse a little bit in depth, and I tended to answer the reflection question in the prayer, but of course you can use these any way you want to. I hope perhaps some of you will want to study out these verses in more depth for yourselves.

Here goes with the study for Week 1, Day 6!  I chose to look at two verses from Isaiah 30 rather than just the one.

Verses for the day:

"And therefore will the LORD wait, that He may be gracious unto thee, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you; for the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all they that wait for Him!
"... And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."  (Isaiah 30:18, 21)

My study: 

It's so encouraging to know that God will give us specific guidance as we yield to His leading in our lives.  He is gracious and merciful; He desires for us to exalt Him with our lives.  To do that, we must be yielding to Him and following His lead.

At this point in history, Judah and Jerusalem were described by God as "a rebellious people, lying children ... who will not hear the law of the LORD (verse 9)."

Warren Wiersbe explains:

"Their only hope was to repent, return to the Lord, and by faith rest only in Him, but they would not listen and obey."

Isaiah told the people, "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you ... He rises to show you compassion" (v. 19, quoted by Wiersbe from the NIV).  Isaiah described then a future day when Israel would be restored to her land to enjoy the blessings of the kingdom.  They would listen to God's Word then and be guided by it.

Reflection question:

In what ways are you yielding to God's hand on your life today?

My prayer:

"Dear God, I thank and praise You so much for the truths of Your Word.  I'm thankful this morning for the writings of Isaiah, who himself yielded to Your lead as he prophesied to Judah and Jerusalem.   I thank You for these meaningful accounts from Your Word that have such profound application in our own time.  I pray that You will help me be sensitive to Your leading in my life every day, and that I will yield to that leading.   I thank You for all You'll do, in Jesus' name, Amen."

That's the Sunday Scripture for the day.  Hope it was a blessing to you!

Sunday Scripture

 

Again this year I want to share Scripture Sunday posts as part of December Daily.  Back in 2020 I used Peace, Be Still: A 31-Day Christmas prayer journal, from Women Living Well.  In 2022 I decided to use some of my simple study from this book as Scripture Sunday posts for December, using different posts on each of my blogs to keep it interesting for all of my readers.  So once again I will take two from each week's study to use one each on my blogs, and maybe next December do the same.  I have 31 entire days to choose from and so these should last us quite awhile.

Just a note that this simple study does not use the SOAP method as my studies usually do.  This one includes a verse for the day, a thought for the day,  a reflection question for the day and space to write a prayer for each day.  I tended to look at the verse a little bit in depth, and I tended to answer the reflection question in the prayer, but of course you can use these components any way you choose.  Here goes with the study for Week 1, Day 4!

Verse for the day:

"For the prophecy came not at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."  (2 Peter 1:21) 

My study:

If we look back to verse 19, we see that will do well to take heed to this "sure word of prophecy" -- in other words, to pay attention to God's word.  

We can only pay attention to God's Word, the Bible, if we are listening to it.  So we must make sure we are spending time in the Bible every day.  If we are listening to God's Word only on Sundays, we are missing out.  Time in the Bible is essential for us each and every day.

I love what C.I. Scofield wrote about these verses:

"Scripture predictions of future events were uttered so long before the events took place that no mere human sagacity or foresight could have anticipated them, and these predictions are so detailed, minute, and specific as to exclude the possibility that they were fortunate guesses ... it is certain, therefore, that the Scriptures which contain them are inspired."

Reflection question:

Do you need more guidance from the Lord?  Seek Him today ... get into His Word, talk to a godly friend, listen to an online sermon or spend time in worship.  Reflect on your daily life.  In what ways do you need to work on listening to God more?

My prayer:

"Dear God, I am so very thankful for Your Word.  Just thinking about the accuracy of prophecies  fulfilled, even the ones that quickly come to mind in a few minutes, is such a great confirmation that all of Scripture is inspired by You and is completely accurate.  Truly, we will do well to take heed to that "sure word".  I pray that You will help me to pay close attention to Your Word each day and to have an obedient heart to what it teaches me.  I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

That's the Sunday Scripture for today!  Hope it was a blessing to someone!

 

 

Sunday Scripture

 

As I've mentioned previously, in December 2020 I used Peace, Be Still: A 31-Day Christmas prayer journal, from Women Living Well.   I've been using some of my simple study from this book as Scripture Sunday posts for this December, using different posts on each of my blogs to keep it interesting for all of my readers.  I will take two from each week's study to use one each on my blogs, and plan to use more of them next December.

Also -- note that this simple study does not use the SOAP method as my studies usually do.  This one includes a verse for the day, a thought for the day,  a reflection question for the day and space to write a prayer for each day.  I tended to look at the verse a little bit in depth, and I tended to answer the reflection question in the prayer, but I didn't always do it that way.  And of course you can use these any way you want to.   Here goes with the study for Week 4, Day 23!

Verse for the day:

"Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means.  The Lord be with you all."  (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

My study:

Cross-references for 2 Thessalonians 3:16 include: 

"Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you." (Philippians 4:9)

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  (John 14:27)

* God is the Lord of peace!
* He is able to give us peace always.
* He is able to give us peace by all means.
* He is ever-present with us.

What marvelous truths!  Almighty God, the Lord of peace, is always with me and is able to give me peace at all times, by all means!

William MacDonald writes, "The Christian is not dependent on anything in this world for his serenity.  It is based entirely on the Person and work of the Lord Jesus.  The world cannot give it or take it away.  But we must appropriate it in all the circumstances of life."

Reflection question:

How has God comforted you with His peace in difficult times?

Oh, so many instances.  I have faced some incredibly difficult moments in life.  But God was there and so was His peace.  Many times it was simply His reassuring presence and a sense that all would be well.  But at least twice I am certain that I felt His hand on my shoulder, calming me.

My prayer:

Dear God, I'm so very thankful that You are the Lord of peace.  You are able to give us peace always -- the peace that surpasses all human understanding -- as we stay our minds on You and commit our situations to You with prayer and thanksgiving.  Your peace is "not as the world giveth."  You are with us always, and able to give us peace always, by all means.  We need not let our hearts be troubled or afraid, because You are with us.   I praise You  for this in Jesus' name, Amen.

That's the Sunday Scripture for today.  I pray that this look at God's peace was a blessing to someone!

Sunday Scripture

 

As I mentioned last week, in December 2020 I used Peace, Be Still: A 31-Day Christmas prayer journal, from Women Living Well.  I had thought I might use some of my simple study from this book as Scripture Sunday posts for this December.  I've been doing so, using different posts on each of my blogs to keep it interesting for all of my readers.  I will take two from each week's study to use one each on my blogs, and maybe next December use more of them.

Also -- note that this simple study does not use the SOAP method as my studies usually do.  This one includes a verse for the day, a thought for the day,  a reflection question for the day and space to write a prayer for each day.  I tended to look at the verse a little bit in depth, and I tended to answer the reflection question in the prayer, but I didn't always do it that way.  And of course you can use these any way you want to.   Here goes with the study for Week 3, Day 16!

Verse for the day:

"LORD, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God."  (Psalm 90:1-2)

My study:

Cross-references for Psalm 90:1 include: 

"The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27)

"Thus saith the LORD God, Although ... I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come."  (Ezekiel 11:16)

Cross-references for Psalm 90:2 include:

"Before the mountains were settled, before the hills were brought forth,
"While as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
"When He prepared the heavens, I was there ..." (Proverbs 8:25-27a)

The cross-references from Proverbs 8 are amazing.  From Proverbs 8:22 all the way through verse 36, "Wisdom" is personified as having been present before creation.  

As C.I. Scofield points out, "Proverbs 8:22-36 ... can refer to no one less than the eternal Son of God."

Reflection question:

Is it hard for your mind to comprehend how God can have no beginning and no end? How does knowing that you are a child of God -- forever -- comfort you?

I don't really find it hard to comprehend that God can have no beginning and no end.  It's something I just take by faith.  I do find it so comforting that the eternal God is my refuge.

My prayer:

Dear God, I love the truths of Psalm 90 and Proverbs 8!  What a blessed comfort to be reminded that You, the Maker of mountains and the One who sets the limits for the sea, are my refuge.  Your everlasting arms are beneath me.  When I look at mountains -- the White Mountains, the Rockies and the Rubies, Grand Canyon, Zion, and more -- I am so blessed and encouraged by the strength and steadfastness they represent.  What an incredible blessing it is to be Your child!  I thank and praise You in Jesus' name, Amen.

That's the Sunday Scripture for today.  I pray it was a blessing to someone!

Sunday Scripture

 

As I mentioned last week, in December 2020 I used Peace, Be Still: A 31-Day Christmas prayer journal, from Women Living Well.  I had thought I might use some of my simple study from this book as Scripture Sunday posts for this December.  I have decided to do so, using different posts on each of my blogs to keep it interesting for all of my readers.  I will take two from each week's study to use one each on my blogs, and maybe next December use more of them.

Also -- note that this simple study does not use the SOAP method as my studies usually do.  This one includes a verse for the day, a thought for the day,  a reflection question for the day and space to write a prayer for each day.  I tended to look at the verse a little bit in depth, and I tended to answer the reflection question in the prayer, but of course you can use these any way you want to.   Here goes with the study for Week 2, Day 9!

Verse for the day:

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth."  (John 1:14)

My study:

If we look back at John 1:1 we see that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  Jesus is the Word.  He left heaven and came to this earth as a Baby, to dwell among men and ultimately to die for the sins of mankind.  We have not personally beheld His glory, as John did at the Transfiguration, but one day we will.  Jesus is full of grace, and He is the truth.

Reflection question:

Do you spend more time on your outer self than your inner?  In what ways do you seek to glorify God in your daily life? 

Oddly, I think I spend more time on my inner self than my outer.  I spend a good deal more time in Bible reading, study, and prayer than I do on maintenance of my appearance.  My desire, though I often fail miserably, is to glorify God in everything I do.  I believe that it's possible to bring glory to God in every area of life, no matter how mundane.

My prayer:

Dear God, As I write, I am beholding some of your glory and power in a snow-covered landscape and a glowing pink sunrise.  Oh Lord, "when I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained, What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?  And the son of man, that Thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:3-4) I know that indeed, many times my worship is nowhere near what You are due.  I desire for worship to be my way of life, and I praise You for helping me to begin to do that.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

That's the Sunday Scripture for today.  I pray it was a blessing to someone!

 

Sunday Scripture

 

 As I mentioned last week in my post about Advent and Christmas Bible studies,  in 2020 I used Peace, Be Still: A 31-Day Christmas prayer journal, from Women Living Well.  I had thought I might use some of my simple study from this book as Scripture Sunday posts for December.  I have decided to do so, using different posts on each of my blogs to keep it interesting for all of my readers.  I will take two from each week's study to use one each on my blogs, and maybe next December use more of them.

A note that this simple study does not use the SOAP method as my studies usually do.  This one includes a verse for the day, a thought for the day,  a reflection question for the day and space to write a prayer for each day.  I tended to look at the verse a little bit in depth, and I tended to answer the reflection question in the prayer, but of course you can use these components any way you choose.  Here goes with the study for Week 1, Day 2!

Verse for the day:

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."  (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

My study:

All Scripture is God-breathed!  And it is profitable for:

*doctrine
* reproof
* correction
* instruction in righteousness

to this end:

that God's people will be spiritually mature and confident, equipped with all we need to do the good works He has planned for us to do.

I love what C.I. Scofield wrote about these verses:

"Every word of Scripture is God-breathed.  Without impairing the intelligence, individuality, literary style, or personal feeling of the human authors, God supernaturally directed the writing of Scripture so that they recorded in perfect accuracy His comprehensive and infallible revelation to man."

Reflection question:

How does this comfort you to know that you are never alone and that He is always with you?

My prayer:

"Dear God, I am so very thankful that You are my Wonderful Counselor!  Your Word gives me all that I need to be equipped for handling both the everyday and the extreme difficulties of this life.  "I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel." (Psalm 16:17) I praise You that You understand me when no one else does, and that You are there for me in every situation of life.  There is never a time when I am all alone.  This is incredibly comforting as I consider the difficulties that may lie ahead.  I thank and praise You so much for all that You are to me!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

That's the Sunday Scripture for today!  Hope it was a blessing to someone!