Comforting Others with the Comfort of God’s Word
“God’s Word is living and active, and it does not come back void (Heb. 4:12; Isa. 55:11). And its pages are filled with incredible truths. Revelation 21:4 tells us that one day God will “wipe away every tear” from the eyes of his children and “death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more.” What a promise to hold onto in our darkest times—and the Bible is a book all about why and how this promise will come to pass. Where else can we find the words of a Creator God who experienced the same human pain and loss as we do? himself.” Comforting Others with the Comfort of God’s Word by Kelly Ottaway
What Has God Actually Promised? 20 Truths from the Psalms
“Over and over again, the psalmists reveal that their hope and faith in God rests not in prophetic promises of how God will remove the current struggle, but in the promise of who he is. Even in moments where the writer uses words like ‘deliverance’ and ‘salvation’, we have no idea of the timeframe, severity, or nature of the promised divine action. Like the writers of old, we too rarely receive specific promises stating that the cancer will go into remission, the work conflict will subside, or the support money will come in on time. In these trying moments of waiting and wanting, it is our knowledge of the character of our Heavenly Father that shapes our hope in the promises of who God is for his people.” What Has God Actually Promised? 20 Truths from the Psalms by William R. Osborne
Why Should We Memorize God’s Word?
“How often do we scroll through Instagram, Facebook, or Google for help on a situation we’re walking through? How quick are we to shoot a text to a friend for advice or help? It’s so easy for us to look to tangible helps to soothe our souls (and there is good to be found in these things!). But how often do we neglect first going to the Word as our primary help? While our lives are ever-changing, God’s Word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven (Psalm 119:89). The Word of the Lord is perfect, flawless, (Psalm 18:30), and will stand forever (Isa. 40:8). The Bible is living and active, it has the power to speak to our hearts (Heb. 4:12), and it will not return empty (Isa. 55:11). In all things, the Bible speaks a more relevant word and offers timeless truths that will never pass away (Luke 21:33).” Why Should We Memorize God’s Word? by Hunter Beless
Discover the Beauty of Slow Scripture Meditation
“As we begin to study and make discoveries in Scripture, we often want to know everything—immediately. The idea of pondering just one verse at a time seems frustratingly slow. But spiritual maturity and scriptural understanding most often come not through giant leaps and marathon study sessions but by steady faithfulness, day after day. Scriptural meditation helps us to slow down, to zoom in, and to hear the Lord’s gentle voice whispering through his Word.” - Discover the Beauty of Slow Scripture Meditation, by Katherine Pittman
The High Priestly Prayer: How Jesus’ Words Help Us Pray
“We can only imagine how heavy our Savior’s heart must have been as he washed his beloved disciples’ feet, knowing within a few hours he would be dying on a cross for them . . . and for us. He knew they would desert him at his darkest hour, and yet, he chose to pray for them . . . and for us. That powerful prayer—called the High Priestly prayer of Jesus—is found in John 17. As believers, we can apply that same prayer to our own lives today.” - The High Priestly Prayer: How Jesus’ Words Help Us Pray by Judy Dunagan
A Foolish Love by Katy Morgan
“It is one of the most moving—and terrifying—moments in the story of David. In 2 Samuel 6, the ark of God is brought to Jerusalem. As this symbol of God’s presence is brought through the city, David strips down to what is apparently very little and dances before it “with all his might” (v. 14). Later, David finds his wife Michal waiting at home. “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today,” she spits sarcastically (v. 20). The narrator tells us she despises him for what he has done (v. 16). The story is moving because it reveals the depths of David’s unashamed devotion to God. But it’s terrifying because it forces us to realize that we’re a lot less like David than we think. Too often, we’re rather like Michal instead.” - A Foolish Love, by Katy Morgan
Praying the Psalms: An Invitation to Intimacy
“The Psalms show us that it is right and good to bring all our authentic emotions to God in prayer. They invite us to come to him, raw and unfiltered, in every circumstance we face. The Psalms demonstrate how an honest, angry prayer can also be humble and God-oriented, or how the act of prayer itself can reshape our fear and worry into praise. Moreover, we remember that the Psalms were intended for corporate use, bidding us to bring our unmasked selves to church and to our Christian community. Our only mistake would be to refuse the Psalms’ invitation, bottling up our emotions or attempting to handle what we are facing in our own strength.” - Praying the Psalms: An Invitation to Intimacy, by Caroline Cobb
Yearly Bible Reading: Reading God’s Word for Our Joy
“One of God’s sweetest gifts, besides Himself, is his Word. Scripture is God-breathed. Both the Old and New Testaments are his words that reveal him to us (2 Peter 1:21). The Scriptures are useful, binding, relevant, and true (2 Tim. 3:16–17). The law is perfect and revives the soul (Ps. 19:7). The Lord uses His Word to bring people to Himself (Rom. 10:17). God has been gracious to give you and me access to know many things about Him: His creation, His desires for us, and, most important, His Son. Are we reading and treasuring this precious gift?” - Yearly Bible Reading: Reading God’s Word for Our Joy by Trillia Newbell
Predicting Jesus: Finding Hope in the Old Testament Prophecies
“It wasn’t until I studied Isaiah and all the prophecies that came true that I finally let go of my doubts. When I studied the virgin birth, the root of Jesse, the costly cornerstone, and the one who would cry out in the wilderness, I began to see Jesus all through the words of Isaiah. Isaiah spoke of a Messiah who would heal the deaf, the lame, and the blind. Isaiah 53 has so many details about the suffering and atonement of Christ on the cross, only God himself could have “written” it. Studying Isaiah created in me a steadfast assurance that the Bible is from God and about God.” - Predicting Jesus: Finding Hope in the Old Testament Prophecies by Kim Erickson
Knowing God Through His Word
“There was an un-transformative belief that saturated the halls of my college; a lostness that hummed at the bottom of empty bottles. I lived in that hollow reality for 23 years, and it was only by God’s grace that I finally saw the light. When I think about the year God called me to himself, my heart is burdened for the women who believe a gospel contrary to the life-changing one I know. My heart is burdened because in realizing just how desperately fallen I was, I saw the beauty of God’s grace.” - Knowing God Through His Word by Amy Hornbuckle