June 12. Proverbs 15. Oh how glad I am you are still doing this study. It's easy to start a study with enthusiasm, but sometimes it's hard to sustain that energy. We also don't study in a vacuum, do we? We have families that demand attention. Crises happen. Illness happens. Busyness gets its grip on us and it's very hard to shake it loose. However, no matter what threatens to interfere with our quiet times with God, let's remember that starting with Him is the very best way to handle threatening things. So, here's a round of applause for you, twelve days into this study and still persisting, still seeking, still learning. I thank God for your faithfulness. My verse: Proverbs 15:18 "A hot-tempered man […] Read more »

June 11. Proverbs 12. Happy Tuesday, dear one. Oh, this chapter was RICH, wasn't it? I found my little proverb, though, quite easily. I have an amazing testimony of God's rescue of me from crippling anxiety. The short version of the rescue can be summarized in five words: Turn Your Worries Into Prayer. When I actually started to do that, every single time I worried (which was pretty much all the time!), God started the process of re-shaping how I thought. He taught me to go quickly to Him, hundreds of times a day, until one day, I quite literally felt anxiety "leave." That's the best way I know to describe it. It was a long, hard battle and it required persistent prayer. But Philippians […] Read more »

June 10. Proverbs 11 We are back in the very heart of Proverbs this week, friend. Oh, seek with me for the treasures God has for us there. Let's be wise, and glean knowledge and understanding from what God's Word says about living well. If you are like me, it's hard to choose just one. However, the focus on "just one" helps cement the words and thoughts in our brains. So ... here is my choice for today: My verse: Proverbs 11:7  "When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing." My response: Oh Father, in light of eternity, it's so foolish to only live as if we had this one life here on earth. No matter […] Read more »

June 9. 2 Chronicles 5:1-14; 6:1-11 Happy Sunday, friend. Oh, what a perfect passage to read today! I love the triumph and the joy as they all assemble together to celebrate the amazing feat of a completed, really glorious, temple. It was to stand for 410 years before its destruction when Babylon invaded Jerusalem. I am so glad it stood for so long! We will actually study more of this temple dedication next weekend on Saturday. The moving words, the praise and adoration, were all too beautiful to skip. So, enjoy part one of this two part glimpse into the fulfillment of David's dream made reality by his son - to build a temple to honor the God he loved so much! My verse: 2 […] Read more »

June 8. I Kings 3:1-28 Hey! It's the weekend again. This means you and I have studied together for one entire week. May I stop a moment and applaud? It's not easy to do this every day. It's not easy to come back if you've missed a day (or three) and try again. And yet, here you are. Ready to seek the Lord through the pages of His Word. And if you are here, reading this, you have already read the passage for today. Well done. You've read this fascinating account showing some of Solomon's first decisions. You know what? They really were wise! My verse: I Kings 3:27 "Then the king gave his ruling: Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not […] Read more »

June 7. Proverbs 10 Well, we are now launched into the official collected sayings and wisdom of Solomon. Reading proverbs a chapter at a time can be a LOT to digest. Each thought, each proverb, is a separate entity. So, our minds have to be prepared to think about many different subjects. Hopefully, though, you are discovering that the Holy Spirit is speaking. I hope that each day there is a verse that stands out to you as one of importance for your life that very day. Oh, let's seek Him daily and ask Him how to live well and fully that day for Him! My verse: Proverbs 10:17 "He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray." […] Read more »

Are you ready for next week's reading assignments? Here you go: Read more »

June 6. Proverbs 9 Good morning, friends! Today we move ahead to chapter 9. I felt very convicted by one verse in particular as I read, so I chose that verse today. What verse did you choose? Would love to know. My verse: Proverbs 9:8 "Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you." My response: Dear Lord, this verse is convicting! I do not like being rebuked. But if my earnest desire is to live for You ... if what I want most is a close relationship with You, without sin marring my ability to hear You ... then I should actually welcome rebuke. I should love the wise person who shows me my folly, […] Read more »

June 5. Proverbs 6 We've skipped ahead a couple of chapters, today. How are you doing? Has it become a happy habit to reach for your Bible and journal and turn to the next assignment? I hope so? How are you doing with the 4R's? Which is the hardest for you: REQUEST ... READ ... RECORD ... or ... RESPOND? I confess that the step I sometimes miss is the REQUEST step. And I always suffer when I do! It really matters. God wants us to come to Him and ask. When we do, He answers in amazing ways. My verse: Proverbs 6:17 "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood" My response: Father, this list of things You hate begins with "haughty eyes." […] Read more »