Category Archives: Bible

Bible Reading Fun Fact Day 5:

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Bible Reading can Be Attempted at Home! (In fact it is imperative that it is!)
To be honest with you I had not really seen just how important reading the Bible was until I started writing this series. I knew God wanted me to read the Bible. I knew He mentioned it in His Word. I read my Bible daily, but I did not really see what a priority God wants it to be in our lives. So much so that He inspired the Words of these verses that Jesus, Himself, quoted as the greatest command:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

He followed those words with the importance of us knowing, memorizing, and talking about the Word in our homes and to our children:

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Why is reading, knowing, and memorizing the scripture so important to God? God is His Word and His Word is God!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

That Word is Jesus! If we want to love Jesus with all of our hearts, soul, and strength we have to know Him. I cannot fully love someone I do not fully KNOW!
If we want our families to know Jesus we have to be the ones to introduce Him to them. That is why we need to talk about His Word as we go about our daily lives. We need speak of His Word in our homes. We need to set His Word before us at all times.
But here is the kicker. We cannot impart what we do not have. If we want our families to follow God and experience the benefits of knowing Him. We have to KNOW Him. It starts with US!

Bible Reading Fun Fact Day 4:

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Reading the Bible Is NOT Just For the Professionals.
Many people see the importance of the Bible as God’s Word, but feel like they are not qualified or “spiritual” enough to understand it. It seems important that the professionals (pastors) study the Word because it is necessary that it is preached in a church service. But studying it on our own may be more optional for a regular Christian.
This mindset will stunt your spiritual growth!
The Apostle Peter presents an analogy on spiritual growth that occurs when we read and study the Word as new Christians or simply as the ones who are not “the professionals.”

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Word of God is like the pure milk of a mother to her nursing child. It is exactly what we need to grow. Out of a Mother’s life she yields food for her baby. The Word of God is living. It is life to us! And there is nothing more tender than a baby, held close to its mother receiving exactly what that baby needs. Our God is tender towards us! He wants to hold us close to Him and will feed us tenderly with the pure milk of His Word!
Here’s the most beautiful thing about this illustration, Peter, says we are to CRAVE the Word of God! When Aaron was born, He wanted to nurse every 2 hours. He was wearing me out! Lol. He CRAVED the milk that would make him grow strong!

All of us come to God as Babies. We need to grow in our love for Him. We need to experience His love and tenderness! We need to CRAVE His Word! And like a nursing baby, once we figure out how to latch on, or receive the Word from God, by reading the Bible for ourselves, we will get a taste of just how Good it is! We will see how satisfying a daily, moment by moment relationship with Him is! We will CRAVE it! We were created to experience that kind of desire for God and His Word and we will not be fulfilled in our lives— living in joy, peace and love— until we truly taste and see how good our God is!

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Based on “The New Life”- Andrew Murray

Bible Reading Fun Fact Day 3:

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According to the Guinness Book of World Records the Bible is the best selling book of all time.
Statistically speaking, most Americans own Bibles 85% of American homes have Bibles. The average number of Bibles that are in US homes is 4.3 per household. And the popular Bible App YouVersion celebrated 500 million installs on electronic devices
in 2021.
But this does not mean that our nation as a whole is reading the Bible. Research showed that on 2021 only 11 percent of Americans read their Bible daily.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We have been having a drought in Missouri. My grass in my yard was dying and dry. But the past week we have had rain. This morning I noticed as I went out on my deck to pray how GREEN the yard is. What a difference a few days of rain has made!
Most of us live in a SELF IMPOSED spiritual drought! Our lives are DEAD to God in many ways. He seems distant and so we struggle with fear, anxiety, anger, jealousy, etc. We go from one bad day to the next. Notice I said “SELF IMPOSED”. We have access to the living water of the Word of God! (John 4:10) Yet we refuse to engage with it in our lives!
Psalms 1 states that a person whose life is connected to the Word of God/ the Bible is like a tree that has ample supply of water. That tree is vibrant!
Are you in a spiritual drought and dead inside? Or are you fully alive in God? Check your connection to the living Water of the Word of God!

https://www.statista.com/statistics/299433/bible-readership-in-the-usa/#:~:text=A%20survey%20from%202021%20found,to%2029%20percent%20of%20respondents.

Bible Reading Fun Facts Day 2:

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“Reading the Bible four or more days a week decreases your “odds” of giving in to temptations such as lashing out in anger, gossiping, lying, addictions to drugs, pornography, gambling, etc., significantly decrease.”

Sin destroys! God provided a way for us to live free from sin. The power of His Word in our lives can break any chain the enemy wants to keep us bound with. Jesus Himself said, 

“”Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””John‬ ‭8‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What is truth you may ask? The Word of God.

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

If you need freedom from the chains of sin, the Word of God is the chain breaker! But we will not be free if we do not engage the Word in our lives regularly. Reading the Word of God, the Bible,and allowing it to work in our lives is imperative not optional if we want to live free and victorious!

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭

Quote from the article “Capturing the Power of Four.” Based on the findings from this study by the Center for Bible Engagement.

https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Scientific_Evidence_for_the_Power_of_4.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0XA7ovQEk8C_XY3sONIt9HWEH8-w0cZO7DwQ_Paw6PL1-ZiDxm4hq40Cc_aem_AY-ePaHaJT1QAze66c_7ObpKLT3-DoNNeUn63n95hfCSyARqscq_wPPF-rghD8ipl6Y&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Bible Reading Fun Facts Day 1:

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Reading the Bible four or more days a week will decrease the impact and power of emotional struggles in your life!

For more than eight years the Center for Bible Engagement has researched the spiritual lives of more than 100,000 people from around the world. Engaging in the Bible most days of the week is critical to grow in the Christian faith.
Their findings include:
Receiving reflecting on and responding to God’s Word four or more times a week decreases a persons “odds” of struggling with issues such as bitterness, critical thinking towards self and others, depression , discouragement, loneliness, and unforgiveness.

“The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Based on the findings from the study “Understanding the Bible Engagement Challenge: Scientific Evidence for the Power of 4” by the Center for Bible Engagement

https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Scientific_Evidence_for_the_Power_of_4.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2ybX_LGpMZ5fyOadIwUa2u1VqKgxD1Pi3u4CcH9qxjIvFSX8HYfvmVVXs_aem_ATVyHcBRxif3TviDv0WuJF-rIwRulbz-M_z-2qbG_65xxntWD-2LKtYv2iKqXQEtjQM&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Christmas in Luke (Day 20)

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Today’s reading is Luke 20.

I love taking the month of December and focusing on the most blessed event of human history, Jesus’s Birth, and reading Luke. All the warmth and tenderness of the moment in the Bethlehem stable has been remembered over and over as we have focused on all the details surrounding His arrival and shortly after. Then there has been each account of all the miracles Jesus performed while here walking the earth, and the truth He spoke that we have been reading each day.

With each miracle and each word, we have read how He was being closely watched by a group who wanted to kill Him. Today’s reading includes a parable Jesus told to expose the hearts of those people — The parable of the evil farmers, tenants who wanted nothing to do with the landowner. The landowner tried desperately to receive some fruit from the vineyard He had planted. His tenants beat the servants the landowner had sent to communicate with them. Finally the landowner appealed to them by sending his son, whom he loved. These tenants threw the son out of the vineyard and killed him. Jesus finished this parable with the words,”The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (Verse 17)

With all that Jesus did that was good, kind, and miraculous, He was still rejected. But the very person they rejected, Jesus, was the person that God had sent to save. We also have a choice when faced with the person Jesus. We can accept Him and His lordship over our lives, or we can reject Him.


May we examine our hearts this Christmas season. As we celebrate the tenderness of our God who has come to us as a baby to be with us, Jesus- Emmanuel, may we not reject His desire to become God within us. He longs to do good and to fill our lives with Himself. May our hearts be opened to receive Him!

Christmas in Luke (Day 19)

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Today’s reading is Luke 19.

Tax collectors were hated by the Jewish people. They had a reputation for building their own wealth by cheating the people they were to collect taxes from, and the taxes were given to the oppressive Roman government. To be a tax collector was the equivalent of being a terrible sinner in Jesus’s time.

Zacchaeus was the “chief tax collector” and he was wealthy. He was also short in stature. One day Jesus was passing by his way. Zacchaeus had heard all the buzz of excitement, and he wanted “to see who Jesus was.” The crowds around him were making it impossible for him to fulfill his heart’s desire. So he climbed a sycamore fig tree.

Jesus saw him in that tree and told him to come down. He was going to go to Zacchaeus’s house.

Zacchaeus had a repentant heart. He showed the fruit of his repentance by making good to those he had cheated and giving generously to the poor. Salvation had come to him.

In this account, Jesus speaks of His visitation with Zacchaeus with these words of truth for that time and all the generations to come. “…For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Verse 10)

Jesus came to find those burdened down by their sins and guilt. He came to find those far from God, lost and unable to see the way. Jesus came to bring salvation from our sins. Jesus is the same today as He was then. He brings salvation to our lives today.

I have been like Zacchaeus, curiously observing Jesus from a distance… hungry to know if all I had heard about Him was true. I have had Jesus stop and call out to me that He was coming to my house, my life, today.

From the time Jesus stepped into our world as a little baby on Christmas to Him calling out to us now, Jesus has come to seek and save the lost.

May we hear His call to us and respond with genuine repentance from our sins as Zacchaeus did all those years ago.

Christmas in Luke (Day 18)

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Today’s reading is Luke 18.

There are no neutral encounters with Jesus. Everyone who comes in contact with Him will be faced with a decision.

Today’s chapter records the account of a rich ruler who came to Jesus asking the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Verse 18) Jesus’s reply was a mirror reflecting what was really in this man’s heart: “When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”” (Verse 22)

This man had done all the rituals required by the law. He had obeyed all the commandments since he was a child. But one thing was more important to him than following God with all he heart, His wealth.

In our hearts there is room for only one King, Jesus. When we come to Him, we are faced with a choice— our way or His. This choice is not so we have more rules and regulations to follow. His way is the only way we can experience His heavenly treasures. (Verse 22) His way is the only way we can experience Him. His way is only and always perfect.

As we have reflected each day this month on the Christmas story, we see this truth as well. Each and every detail of Jesus’ birth fulfilled prophecies of times long before. The obedience of each person who God used in the story brought about the most important event of history, Jesus our Heavenly King coming to us.

The obedience displayed in Mary’s words in Luke 1:38 at the announcement that she would be the mother of Jesus reflected a heart obedient to God. “I am the Lord’s servant…may your word to me be fulfilled.”
This word the Angel proclaimed had a price. It would cost her her reputation, her plans, her way. Yet she obeyed. She participated in God’s awesome plan!

The rich ruler had an opportunity as well, but he left Jesus’ presence with sadness. Because in His encounter with Jesus, the man chose to not “love the Lord His God (Jesus) with all His heart, with all his soul and all his strength.” The young ruler loved his ways more than Jesus’.

We also face our own personal encounter with Jesus. We have a choice that has no neutrality. Will we follow His way or ours? May our response be as Mary responded to the Angel months before the first Christmas. “I am the Lord’s servant… may your word to me be fulfilled.”

Christmas in Luke (Day 17)

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Today’s reading is Luke 17.
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem when He encountered ten men with leprosy. These men stood at a distance crying out for Jesus to have mercy on them. So Jesus told them to “Go and show” themselves to the priest. This was the law regarding someone who had been cured of the disease. As they went they were cleansed.

One however came back to Jesus praising God, throwing himself at Jesus feet thanking Him.
So many people have an encounter with Jesus. They see His life changing miracles in their lives. Yet the neglect to do one thing, turn to Him and thank Him.

I have been there. I have sat in blessings beyond my ability to number, yet I have neglected at times to thank God or worship Him.

Once again I would venture to say this is nothing new. At the time of Jesus birth there were crowds all around. The town where Jesus was born was so full of people. It was impossible for Joseph and Mary to find room at an inn the night Jesus was born. How many people missed the most important event of human history, Jesus birth? How many failed to worship Him along with the Angel choirs that night?

At Christmas, we see decorations all around that point to Jesus once again: nativity scenes, stars, angels, wisemen, and shepherds. Yet how often do we pass by and fail to thank Jesus for coming? How often do we fail to worship Him?

May our hearts be as the one man who had received a life changing healing from Leprosy all those years ago. May we turn to Jesus, falling at His feet in thanksgiving for the salvation Jesus has brought to us, the freedom, the healing! May we never forget to give thanks for all He has done! May we never miss our opportunity to worship our King!

Christmas in Luke (Day 16)

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Today’s reading is Luke 16.

From the moment Jesus stepped onto the scene over 2000 years ago, the division between light and darkness was very apparent. Truth became known. Lies were exposed.

In today’s reading, Jesus tells two parables. Both magnifying the consequences of our earthly choices.

One tells of the dangers of giving our lives only in pursuit of worldly wealth and power. Our allegiance must be to our Heavenly Father and giving our all to Him as we go through our daily lives, not in pursuit of worldly wealth alone or man’s approval.

The second tells of two men who stepped into eternity, who had died. One was a poor man who was a beggar in this life, but he was rich towards God. He died and was “carried to Abraham’s side.” The second was a rich man who had not been rich towards God. He died and went to hell. Where he begged to have a drop of water to be brought to his tongue to alleviate a tiny portion of his torment. Once again the division of light and darkness was defined.

Years before Jesus spoke the words of these parables, the old prophet Simeon held the baby Jesus at the time of His dedication and spoke these words to Mary: “…This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬


In the past few days we have looked for Christmas in each chapter of Luke. This day is no exception. The first Christmas, the arrival of Christ was beautiful. But it also marks a moment of choice for all who encountered it then and who gaze upon it intently now. Jesus came to break the power of darkness in our world and in our lives, BUT WE MUST CHOOSE!

We cannot serve two masters. We cannot appreciate the tenderness of Christmas night over 2000 years ago fully until we have decided we no longer want to follow after other masters- the love of money, the desire for power, our own way, our own sins. The Baby born was born a King. The King who came to deliver us from not only our own personal hell we have created for ourselves through our bad choices and sinful desires here on earth, but from an eternal and literal hell far away from all the goodness and joy of the heavenly home Jesus has went to prepare for us. He came to reveal to us our hearts, so a choice could be made.

May we choose King Jesus, our Salvation, as King and Lord over our lives!