Deeper Than Devotions

By Laurie Ness

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17

"I had my devotions this morning" typically means I spent some time reading and meditating on a Bible passage and praying.  Sometimes called a "quiet time," this is a beneficial way to begin the day.  Really, any time of day will work.  Some people aren't morning people or have to be at work super early.  I'm pretty sure the main point with God is that we spend focused time with Him each day, not at a particular hour of the day.

Devotions sometimes also include a devotional book that has been written by a human, explaining how a Scripture verse or passage can be applied in our lives.  Often illustrated with stories or life experiences, the author seeks to encourage the reader to keep growing spiritually.

Devotions or quiet times are important.

But they don't replace regular Bible study.

What's the difference?  Bible study is a more intense look at a passage or book of the Bible.  We learn whatever we can about the historical background of the book and the author and first audience.  We examine the text closely and pick it apart, so to speak, looking up words in the original languages to find out their true meanings.  We look at cross-references and use the context and the remainder of Scripture to help interpret the passage we're studying.  Consulting commentaries written by Bible scholars can be beneficial as well.  And when studying with a group, there is the advantage of discussion.  Iron sharpening iron.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15

Taking frequent periods of time to study the Bible gives us a better understanding of the true meaning of the words than simply reading and thinking about what we've read.  There's nothing wrong with devotional reading at all, but it's not sufficient for the spiritual growth that God wants to work in our lives.  The real "meat" of Scripture is in the deeper studying of it, and then obeying what we've learned.

There are so many lies being thrown around these days, some even well-spoken to appear as truth.  Studying God's Word helps us to recognize those lies and counter them with truth.  This is vital.  To believe a lie is to walk down a dangerous path.

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.  Acts 17:11

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  Psalm 119:11

SGC provides a number of Bible study groups for women.  Check out the website to find out what is available.  Bible Study Fellowship has chapters in our area as well.  If you're like me and are in a period of your life where you need more time flexibility, there are online Bible study options for you.  You can use Google to find something, or ask around.  If you e-mail the address on the left, I'd be happy to give you some options I'm aware of.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

Devotions and Bible study are both important aspects of a healthy Christian walk!

The Lifeline

 By Laurie Ness


"O, Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief."  Psalm 143:1

The year 2013 has sought to hold my struggling head beneath the water's surface since day one.  The cruel, icy fingers of hidden secrets revealed began their work on Jan 1, when I found out the past sufferings of a loved one.  It was evil and vile and irreconcilable in my mind.  My heart and mind were tormented.  I felt a cold hand push me under even as I struggled against it.

A few days later, another hand--a strong, hopeless-feeling one--joined the first and, together, they sought to push my head further into the dark, airless depths as my own personal medical drama began to unfold.  Even as I write this my soul wants to cower in panic and my eyes flood because fear has almost always accompanied the unknown in my life.

God, where are you?  Grab my hand here, please!

Terror.  Guilt.  Confusion.  Hopelessness.  These have been my companions these first weeks of the new year. Some of the time, anyway.  They are "creepy" companions.  They creep into my life when I lose focus on the One who has defeated them.

Jesus Christ, the Word, is that One.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  John 1:1

But then, as I opened my Bible and, choking back my fears and doubts and dreads, forced myself to read the words of life there, the creeps began to flee!  The Light of the World shone and scared them away.  For awhile.  Those creeps are persistent, but my Jesus and His Word bring victory every time!

"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I've been once again reminded through these trials just how vital it is for a Christ-follower to be reading His Word.  It is a major lifeline!  To read it, to study it, to meditate upon it--to do these things for our spirits is like breathing fresh air in the sunshine is for our bodies.  Even better, because the Word of God is not tainted by anything!

The comfort of rediscovering verses I have highlighted and cross-references I have marked in my Bible is like none other.  Remembering the situations that led me to cling to some of those verses brings hope and reaffirms in my mind that my God is more reliable, loving and strong than anyone else ever could be.  He's working everything for good whether or not I feel like it!

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."  Psalm 119:105

Everyone has times of deep sorrow or scary circumstances.  If we stay in His Word during the good times, we will be helped so much in the bad times, our diligence paying off big time!  God's Word is living and powerful to accomplish much.  Let's encourage each other to read, study and meditate on God's Word!

"For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  Hebrews 4:12

Maybe you haven't been a student of the Word, and don't know where to start?  Or would you just like some fresh ideas?  I love this video by Courtney at Women Living Well.  She gives some very practical and non-complicated tips.

Would you like some accountability with other ladies?  Check out the ladies' Bible studies available at SGC!  Click here or on the "Bible Studies" tab above this post.

Study on, ladies! :)

The Very Words of God

"For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you.  They are ungodly people who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord."  Jude 4

One of the several things I have learned the hard way over the past few years is that heresy is rampant, including in places you wouldn't expect to find it.  A typical American can probably not go through a day without witnessing it in one form or another.  It isn't new to us.  Maybe we even become a bit "immune" to its effects after awhile.

What has shocked me to the core is some of the sources of false teaching.  People I know personally, people I don't know but have trusted in the past (I mean "famous" Christians, I guess) . . . formerly solid-in-their-faith individuals, or seemingly so, who have wandered into dangerous territory.

Now, before I go on, I want to assure you I'm not talking about anyone at SGC.  It's very important to me that you know I'm not talking about anyone you probably know personally.

But maybe you have your own acquaintances or famous people whose opinions you respected in the past but seem to have gone off the deep end theologically.  If not, you and the people in your life are extra blessed!  But let us remain vigilant . . .

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. Psalm 12:6

The heresy flying here, there, and everywhere is one of the main reasons we need to keep learning.  It is not safe to take our eyes off the Word of God.  Satan often begins his deceptions subtly, and we can slowly become swayed from the path if we allow false teaching to go unchecked.  Pretty soon we could be so deceived that we become heretics ourselves, not even seeing our errors.  My heart aches to even think of being in that state.  May it never be--for any of us!

First Corinthians 5:6 reminds us that a little leaven affects the whole lump of dough.  In other words, if we tolerate sin and/or false teaching in small amounts, it will affect the whole local church where it isn't nipped in the bud.  Or, as many of us have probably witnessed, it can take over one person's life, spilling over onto his or her family, friends and acquaintances, poisoning those who don't know or aren't paying attention.

The only way to recognize the counterfeit is to know the real thing.  The Truth.  The Bible.  And the only way to know it is to read and study it faithfully!

There are so many excuses not to.  Believe me, I've used quite a few of them over the years.  "I don't have time."  "I can't decide what part to read or where to start."  "It's hard to understand, so why bother?"

An awesome opportunity to throw away the excuses and dig in to the Word is through a group Bible study.  Sugar Grove Church has several times and studies available for women in the fall and again after the holidays.  There's something for everyone!  Participating in a group study provides us with accountability, inspiration and help in understanding what we're studying.  I have been attending the Precepts study for years and love everything about it.  One great thing about meeting together with other believing ladies after we have done our homework is that the discussion helps me understand things I may have had trouble with on my own.  There's no shame in asking for help or learning from others!

If for some reason you just can't make a Bible study group, maybe there's one person you can pair up with.  But, in any case, we need to be studying our Bibles, even if it's alone.  There are tools online (one of my favorites is e-Sword) or available for purchase that can help us understand and get the most out of what we are studying--the very words of God!

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17