July comes to an end

It has been a while since my last blog; July is always a busy month for me, with VBS as well as my job obligations. THANK YOU to everyone who helped with VBS. I have a great group of volunteers who are ready to help, no matter what task needs to be done. Fun was had by all, one little boy cried because it ended.

During the busyness of the month I made myself sit down and have my “quiet time with God”. Last week in the midst of the busyness I did not sit to read and pray and spend the quality time I need to spend to survive. All of a sudden the thought came to me “why are you having VBS?” My answer was "to teach children, most who are unchurched, about the Savior.” Oh, I get it Lord; I need to spend time with You even when I’m busy, especially when I’m busy.

I can’t let my guard down; I need to be in the Word. I need to spend one on one time with my Lord. The only way to be close to Someone is to spend time with Him.

How about you? Have you been so busy this summer that your quiet time has gone by the wayside? Every once in a while we need to reevaluate our priorities. Make sure you are not being drawn away from your time with the Lord, even to do ministry/church work.

Set time aside:
To seek Him
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; Psalm 63:1

To pray
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Rom 12:12

Read the Bible
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Study
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

As I was writing I thought about this old hymn. We certainly do need the Lord, not just when things are going wrong but also when everything is alright.

I Need Thee Every Hour – Annie Hawks


I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Study

There is much to be said about studying the Word of God. Study in the Greek means to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.

Wow! Do we do all those things? Are we diligent about studying God’s word as we are in other things in our lives? Do we read books about God’s word and take it at face value? We need to make it our aim to know God and His Word more intimately.

The five W’s of studying are: who, what, when, where and why.

Who should study?
Everyone who wants to learn more about God and His word.
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Proverbs 15:28

When we are in the Bible studying we learn what God says about things.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15

Comparing scripture to scripture will prepare us to answer intelligently.

What to study?
God’s word
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5

For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. Psalm 33:4

When to study?
Daily
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Act 17:11

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

Where to study?
In a quiet place

The Bible does not list any particular place, but a quiet peaceful spot where the Lord can speak to you is a good place to start.

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Psalm 4:4

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that He is God and listen for His teaching.

Why study?
To be ready to share the Word
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1Peter 3:15

To get wisdom
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13

To lighten your path
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

To know God’s way
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

To know God
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Psalm 53:2

Knowledge is a wonderful thing to have but wisdom is applying the knowledge. I have my work cut out for me, how about you?

Have a blessed day,
Donna