My Bible study this morning led me to 2 Samuel 7 and I found it oddly appropriate with Father’s Day around the corner.

“I will be to him a father , and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him…but my steadfast love will not depart from him.” 2 Samuel 7:14-15

What a beautiful picture of how our heavenly Father loves us and an example for earthly fathers as well.

👉”When he commits iniquity…” God is not shocked when we sin. He doesn’t gasp and clutch his pearls when we mess up. He knows that we are imperfect people who, even when armed with the best of intentions, will make mistakes.

👉”I will discipline him…” God loves us too much to let us linger in our sin. He promises discipline for those he loves. The pain of discipline is temporary, but the consequences of unchecked sin and poor choices last for generations.

👉”My steadfast love will not depart…” God’s love for us is steady and unchanging. He doesn’t only love us when we’re doing all the right things and avoiding all the pits. He loves us just as much when we slip up, stray, or do that thing we swore we were never going to do again. He doesn’t withhold his love or use it as a weapon. We get all of his love and it’s forever.

An understanding that we will make mistakes, a promise to correct harmful or ungodly behavior, and a love that will never be taken away from us. Fatherhood at its finest.

#bible #god #fathersday #heavenlyfather #biblestudy

“Prepare your minds for action…” 1 Peter 1:13

There are things we, as Christ followers, are called to do. We are not to sit and soak and brag about all we know while doing nothing to bring change to the world around us.

Scripture says that the world will know us by our fruit. They will see something in us that causes them to know what we truly believe what we say we believe. There will be a difference in the way we live – in our actions.

We are not commanded to be good – the Bible is clear that there is no one good, not one (Romans 3:10.) Yet, that is what we focus on. What we strive for, look for, and attempt to justify ourselves by – “I’m a good person.” Who cares? And, by the way, no you’re not. None of us are. That’s why the command is to do good.

Peter says that it all begins in the mind.

Prepare your minds for action. Attitude precedes action.

1 Peter has me hooked.

#befruitful #biblejournaling #biblejournalingcommunity #bible #god #biblestudy

Where are my “a Proverb a day” friends? Such a good habit to acquire because you always learn something new!

I saw something new in Proverbs 24 this morning. Specifically in verses 30-34.

Solomon walked by a vineyard that was a complete mess. It had become completely unfruitful. “Overgrown with thorns.” “Covered with nettles.” “Stone wall broken down.” Solomon did 4 things.

First, he literally saw it. He took notice. Then, he thought about it. He then took another look – perhaps studying it more. Finally, he “received instruction.” In other words, he asked, “What can I learn from this?”

And his takeaway was profound.

A lot of loss (verses 30-31) begins with a little laziness (verses 33-34.)

How long does it take for a vineyard to be completely overgrown? For its ground to be covered with nettles? For a stone wall to become broken down?

A long time, y’all. This vineyard had been neglected for quite some time. And it had begun with a “little sleep.” “A little slumber.” “A little folding of the hands.”

Our work, homes, relationships, and spiritual lives can become overgrown, broken down, and unfruitful when we become lazy in doing the daily things necessary to produce growth in those areas.

#bible #god #knowtheword #mysisterskeeper #biblestudy #befruitful #wordbeforeworld #biblejournaling #biblejournalingcommunity

Today is the beginning of another month with 31 days which is a perfect opportunity to read through the book of Proverbs. I promise – you can read this book countless times and still not discover every gem hidden within its pages.

Something that stood out to me today as I read Proverbs 1 for May 1 – the benefits of studying Scripture are for the simple (verse 4) and the wise (verse 5.)

If you feel like you don’t know enough to study Scripture – like it’s beyond your ability to comprehend – you’re wrong.

If you feel like you’ve read it multiple times, been in a church pew your whole life and you already know it all – you’re wrong.

In the chapter, Solomon says, “Let the simple come and gain knowledge. Let the wise come and increase their knowledge.” These pages are for everyone. God has a word for you.

#prayingscripture #biblestudytips #intheword #biblestudymoments #proverbs #proverbaday #bible #god #mysisterskeeper