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10.17.14 Three Easy Ideas to Study the Bible on Your Own

When I became a Christian, I learned the Bible from experts. I listened to ministers, bible study teachers, and reputable pastors on Christian radio stations. But when I sat down to read the Bible on my own, I didn’t trust myself to interpret it correctly. No one in the church taught me how to get beyond reading the Bible to studying the Bible.

Photo Courtesy IStockPhoto.com/VladisChern

Photo Courtesy IStockPhoto.com/VladisChern

I learned how to study the Bible in seminary. Sadly, there are many in the church today who lack of confidence to interpret the Bible on their own. If this is you, I want to encourage you with some tools so you can start gaining confidence in your study skills.

Some believers may be satisfied listening to the experts and not want to study on their own. Others may simply feel stuck. Here’s my analogy. I don’t cook, but my Mother was a fantastic cook! Our family looked forward to her meals and we were never disappointed. My Mother tried many times to help me learn how to cook, but I had no interest in learning. I didn’t see the fun in cooking. Most importantly, I had no incentive to learn how to cook because Mother was still going to feed me. When I became responsible for my own meals as an adult, I had two choices. I could buy a cookbook and fumble through recipes to eat at home, or I could eat out. To this day I prefer to eat out because I don’t feel confident to prepare my own meals.

I think a similar scenario occurs in the church. Many of us depend on strong teachers and preachers to feed us God’s word. Going to church is like coming to Sunday dinner at Mother’s house and enjoying a tasty feast with our family. No one is going to miss that opportunity! Similarly, why not come to church and hear a great sermon? We all want to listen to a pastor who feeds us well. But what happens for the next six days? Those who lack confidence in studying the Bible avoid reading it and wait for next Sunday to roll around to hear another good sermon.

I believe this reality presents a challenge to the church. If I could make one change in the church, I would ask God to burden all pastors to offer a training course teaching us how to study the Bible. I realize that some don’t want to learn how to study the Bible in-depth. There will always be people who don’t want to “cook.” That’s okay. But until pastors equip their congregations with bible study skills, let me offer some starter ideas to help you progress:

1. Here are some robust websites that give you access to many free resources:

a. http://www.biblestudytools.com/ You will find a library of commentaries, bible dictionaries, bible encyclopedias, and reading plans. If you need a daily devotional, click the “Bible Study” tab and then click “Devotionals.” They offer a plethora of devotionals to choose from. It’s worth your time to explore this page.

b. http://www.blueletterbible.org/ If you want to delve into word studies, this site is for you. You can see Scripture in its original languages and review the definitions to interpret the meaning effectively.

c. http://www.biblemap.org/ This is a fun site. You can type the book and chapter of the passage you’re studying, and every location referenced in that chapter is not only pinned for you on the map, but you can click the pin and get a quick history lesson about the city.

2. If you are an auditory learner, then tune into Hank Hanegraaff at http://www.equip.org. People nickname him, “The Bible Answer Man.” Listeners around the world call into his radio show to ask questions about the Bible. Hank has tremendous Scriptural knowledge, and I love his humility as he addresses each question. I download his daily podcast onto my iPod. You can also listen to his archived broadcasts through your computer.

3. If you already feel confident interpreting the Bible on your own, let me offer four process questions to help you listen for a clear message or theme from the Spirit as you read a particular passage:

a. Why is this message important to me?

b. What’s at stake if I don’t internalize this message?

c. How am I in this story?

d. Why do I need to hear this?

I hope the above sites will help you grow your desire to study the Bible. I thank God for my seminary education, because it changed my life. I fell in love with studying God’s word and gained confidence in handling Scripture. Now I have the honor of planting God’s Word into the hearts of my Sunday school class members. It’s okay if they want me to feed them. In this arena I’m happy to cook!

Are there other websites or courses that you can share with those who want stronger bible study skills? I’d love to hear how they helped you grow in your Bible study skills.

Blessings,

Lee Ann

9.26.14 Are You Willing to Move the Needle?

As I read the barrage of headlines of beheadings, persecution of Christians, and evil against children and women, I wonder how actively and consistently we are gathering together to pray. Of all the spiritual disciplines, prayer has the greatest potential to move the needle in God’s kingdom. If that’s true, why don’t more Christians form weekly prayer groups? Think boldly with me. What would our world look like if all believers around the globe made it a top priority to gather weekly and pray? Wouldn’t our world be a better place to live?

Photo Courtesy @ Istockphoto.com/pagadesign

Photo Courtesy @ Istockphoto.com/pagadesign

When I committed to teach a Sunday school class in May 2011, I asked God to raise up a prayer team for me. I needed a group of women who would commit themselves to pray with me on a weekly basis for this teaching ministry. He responded by bringing me two women who felt God calling them to join with me. Thursday evenings have been the highlight of my week for over three years. We have seen God answer our prayers in miraculous ways, which fuels our commitment to protect our prayer time.

Listen to Jesus’s invitation to us. He says, “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt 18:18-20)

Jesus is describing a physical gathering. The Greek word for “gather” is “sunagō,” which means to “assemble, or convene, or come together.” He is suggesting that we should have a prayer partner or two and dedicate our time to meet together and “agree about anything we ask for, and it will be done for us.” Jesus made prayer attractive by not restricting what we can pray for, purposely leaving it wide open so we can pray as boldly as we dare. Additionally, He makes it clear that He desires to join us! I often picture Him sitting in an empty chair with our prayer group.

I don’t think He’s a casual observer. I believe He’s there as our Chief Priest. He takes a vested interest in what we pray for. He makes sure that He intercedes for us before our Father to answer our prayers in accordance to His will. It is Christ’s active participation in our gathering and the power of the Holy Spirit that allows us to move the needle in God’s kingdom to make great things happen that glorify Him.

If the above is true, why don’t all believers jump at the opportunity to be in His presence and make things happen?!

• Perhaps we are shortsighted in our vision. Do we really understand that we have the ability to “bind and loose things on earth?” We can exercise our authority over things that are not legitimate and “loose” the things that are.

• Perhaps we have let the world of media distract us. We are tempted to say, “We don’t have time to meet once a week for prayer.” However, look at the amount of time we spend in front of a television or a mobile device mainly for entertainment. It’s staggering. Surely we can sacrifice one hour a week and redirect it to a prayer gathering!

• Perhaps we rationalize why gathering together for prayer isn’t necessary. After all, doesn’t He hear us pray “in agreement” even though we may not be sitting in the same room at the time we prayed? Sure. In fact, many of you pray regularly. Some of you are considered prayer warriors by your family and friends. That’s all good, but Jesus is still inviting us to “gather” in His name so He can join us, intercede for us, and answer our prayers.

What if every believer chose not to let any excuse stand in the way? Can you imagine how much we could move the needle to bring God’s grace and peace into a world filled with darkness?!

What would inspire you to take Jesus up on His offer? Could you find at least one or two people who will pray with you on a weekly basis? The most powerful thing we will ever do in our lives is get on our knees before our Father to pray. My prayer team “agreed” with a spirit of boldness that God would call all believers to form a prayer team, which includes you. Now is the time! Are you willing to move the needle in God’s kingdom through prayer?

Blessings,

Lee Ann

9.12.14 The Secret of Strength and Success

Do you ever have days where you feel sucker punched by life? Perhaps you received a medical report that contained bad news. Perhaps you lost your job or received unfair criticism from people you work hard to serve. We all have days when we feel nothing goes right and wonder why. Sometimes it’s not only a day, but feels like we’re in a difficult season of life. What truths does God offer in the Bible to help us internalize our trials in a healthy way?

Photo Courtesy @ IStockPhoto.com/PeskyMonkey

Photo Courtesy @ IStockPhoto.com/PeskyMonkey

When life hits me hard, I lean on my favorite Christian mantra: the Lord is never taken by surprise by our circumstances. He knows our every thought, our every step, and the number of hairs on our head at all times. We are never out of His sight! When my day feels like it’s unraveling or a relationship feels challenged, I find comfort that God is not surprised. Like you, I want to understand why God allows adversity to happen. What good can come from it? The Bible offers multiple possibilities. Here are a few that give me peace in the midst of life’s storms.

God allows difficult circumstances in our lives for a benevolent reason. We read in Romans, “all things work for good of those who love the Lord and who are called according to His purposes.” (Rom 8:28) I believe that whatever He allows into our lives comes with a sacred intention. If we accept that trials come with a divine purpose, then we can embrace that “God is for us, not against us.” (Rom 8:31) We can rest in His double-barreled promise found in Jeremiah 29:11-12, “For I know the plans that I have for you. They are plans to prosper you, not harm you, but to give you a hope and a future.”

Every Sunday evening I listen to Andy Stanley’s sermon online. Recently, he taught another paradigm that can help us process difficult situations in a healthy way. He shared that adversity comes with a purpose and a promise. The text Andy used was from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Paul experienced a “thorn in his flesh,” which many theologians believe was a recurring physical affliction. Paul pleaded with God three times to remove it, but God did not. How did Paul internalize the torment he was feeling?

First, he recognized God’s purpose in his adversity: God wanted to keep Paul from becoming conceited (2 Cor 12:7). Isn’t it true that pride can stunt our spiritual growth? It’s the one sin that can take root in our hearts without us realizing it. God doesn’t receive glory when we’re caught up in ourselves. As long as we are something, God cannot be all.

Second, he recognized that adversity comes with a promise: God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Once Paul understood this, he couldn’t wait to “boast all the more gladly about his weaknesses.” Paul said, “For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10)

As much as Paul’s writing inspires me, it’s hard to delight in hardship! As soon as we feel the “thorn,” we ask God to remove it. If God were to publish the number of times I’ve prayed for Him to remove pain in my life, you would read a thick catalog! We prefer to conquer our weakness and be freed from it, but God wants us to rest and rejoice in it. We think our weaknesses will hinder us in our life and service to God, but God tells us that weakness is the secret of strength and success. God promises that His power will rest on us and “be made perfect in us.” (2 Cor 12:9)

When adversity strikes, let’s remember a few truths to help us internalize it:

• The Lord is never taken by surprise by our circumstances.

• All adversity has a sacred intention.

• God allows adversity to keep us from becoming conceited.

• God’s power in our weaknesses is the secret of our strength and success.

Do you have a favorite Bible passage or two that helps you internalize the adversities you experience?

Blessings,

Lee Ann

8.29.14 When You Release Loved Ones to Me

How long do you watch your parent suffer progressive memory loss before intervening and scheduling an exam? We all know that forgetfulness is part of aging, but where’s the line between normal memory loss due to aging and something more serious?

Mother.LA

My Mother’s memory has been deteriorating for the last several years. At first, Mother laughed off memory lapses as “senior moments.” Fair enough. She deserved the benefit of the doubt! If I had suggested she see a physician to have her memory tested, she probably would have resisted. But she’s at a different stage this year causing our family concern. She forgets often and is easily confused and continues to lose weight due to loss of appetite. This last symptom concerns me because she will get weaker, preventing her from being active. I know I need to get her to a doctor, but I was in unchartered territory with a lot of questions:

1) How do I honor my mother’s right to make her own healthcare decisions while setting up an appointment she may not think she needs?

2) Will she welcome my help, or consider it overstepping?

3) Will Mother misinterpret my intentions as I help her get the care she needs?

As I struggled with these questions, I came upon a devotional in Jesus Calling that melted them away: “Entrust your loved ones to me; release them into my protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands…When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them. My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I will do.”

I needed to hear this. It’s too easy for me to be an acting administrator and manage pill organizers, doctor appointments, and check up on her. When I’m in this role, I tend to detach from my feelings so I can be an effective helper. But I want to change that. If I entrust her to Jesus knowing she is much safer in His hands, then I feel permission to remain in my role as her daughter. I can give her more emotional support, allowing the administrator role to become secondary. So how did the Lord help me figure out when to take action on Mother’s memory lapses and weight loss?

My Mother contracted pneumonia this summer, requiring a trip to her doctor. She’s rarely sick! The Lord opened a window of opportunity to express my concerns to her medical professional. I trusted him to assess whether her memory loss was significant enough to require further evaluation. He agreed that her memory deficits and her related weight loss needed attention. He sent her to a neurologist, and she is undergoing key diagnostic tests. Mother has been gracious in this process. Her sweet, charming personality continues to shine along with her sense of humor. I am relaxing and placing my trust in Jesus. I am watching to see what He does.

How long should we wait before we intervene to care for our parents? The Lord will show us when it’s time!

Have you faced this situation? How did the Lord reveal when it was time to have your parent evaluated, even if they perceived it wasn’t necessary?

Blessings,

Lee Ann

8.8.14 Where to Look for Strength When You Feel Weak

Saturday evening, 8:30 p.m. I was exhausted from an unusually hard week. My body ached for sleep, but going to bed wasn’t an option. I was without a lesson plan for my Sunday school class the following morning. I love to teach and believe that anyone who shows up to learn God’s Word deserves a well-prepared instructor. Where would I find the strength to put a lesson together?

Photo Courtesy @IstockPhoto.com/andipantz

Photo Courtesy @IstockPhoto.com/andipantz

Frustrated, I prayed. “Lord, you know my predicament, and you know I lack energy to finish the lesson. You know I have given my family top priority during a difficult stretch this week. I have not wasted time. You tell me that ‘your grace is sufficient for me, for your power is made perfect in my weakness.’ (2 Cor 12:9) Everyone who comes to class deserves to hear a good lesson. Please give me your thoughts, and I’ll take dictation. Lord, I hope you will help me get this done by no later than 10pm. I am so fried.”

I was preparing a lesson on Exodus 13 when I felt Him redirecting my attention to key verbs describing the ways God wanted to be loved by the Israelites: honor, consecrate, commemorate, observe, give, and redeem, verbs associated with dedicating the firstborn of every womb. God was defining how He wanted to be celebrated and remembered in honorable ways. Then “out of nowhere,” Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s treasured poem, How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways, popped into my head. God was showing up! He gave me a fun opening to engage the class, and the lesson came together now that I had my compass. The Lord not only gave me the lesson plan, but He supplied me with the physical and emotional energy to finish the lesson. I knew the lesson contained the message He wanted me to communicate. I felt His strength in my weakness.

It wasn’t a surprise that He answered my prayer. I am blessed to have a Prayer Ministry team who meets with me weekly to pray over my teaching ministries. We pray in faith that the Lord will lead me to His topic of choice and that I will stay out of His way as I become a messenger for the Holy Spirit. We ask Him weekly that I won’t build lessons in my own strength or knowledge. Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine and you are the branches. Apart from me, you can do nothing.” Why would I want to build a lesson apart from Him?! He already has the lesson plan, and I need to be quiet enough to hear Him speak.

I went to bed at 10 p.m. feeling satisfied that the Lord had spoken and made His power perfect in my weakness. I had no problem falling asleep! The class was absorbed by the lesson, still talking about it the following week. They loved connecting God’s love language with Browning’s poem. All I could say to them was, “It wasn’t me who thought of it. I can only give glory to God. If you only knew how my week had gone, you would be in awe of Him too.”

As I reflect on this experience, I am reminded that when we are at the end of ourselves, we are exactly where God wants us to be. When we recognize that we are completely dependent on Him for our needs, He has room to perfect His power in our weakness. When we think we can do things ourselves because of our training and abilities, we become vulnerable to pride. I am thankful for His reminder that He wants us to seek Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength in all matters – whether we think we need God or not!

Our best results are God’s results shining through our weaknesses. I want to encourage you to own your weaknesses and invite Him to display His power in them more often.

Blessings,

Lee Ann