GOODBYE TO RECHARGE WEDNESDAY
As you may already know, we are going through a rebranding process and the new Soaring with Him website (which will be launched by the end of June) will be focused on the ministry’s outreach programs and conference and blogs related to this ministry.
For that reason, after praying and discussing with the leadership, we have decided to end the Recharge Wednesday linkups at the end of June.
I am so grateful to Karen, Debbie and Bethany for the many years of contribution to this linkup, for their wisdom and insights that have blessed us in so many ways. I am also so grateful for each of you who linked up your beautiful blogs here through the years.
I would love for us to stay connected! My blogs, podcast and columns will continue to be posted at my new website: https://patriciaholbrook.com/blog/ – I would love for you to sign up there and help me start my distribution list (which I’ve had to start from scratch!). When you sign up, you will receive a FREE gift – The mini-course: 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SPIRITUAL ATTACKS.
Thank you all, again, for your faithful readership and contribution! May God bless you in your ministry!
Patricia
PS: Enjoy Debbie’s beautiful last blog below and link up with us!
3 Shifts to Enhance Your Bible Reading
A Good News Bible and tiny notepad graced my nightstand through my teen years and college. After climbing into bed at night, I’d read a passage and jot the questions my reading inevitably raised. Questions I thought could only be answered in heaven. I was wrong.
During my senior year in college, a Christian retreat peaked my hunger for God. I joined a Bible study led by a friend. The Bible came alive and began to make sense. Instead of coming away with only questions, I began to receive answers and hope.
Three changes transformed my Bible reading.
A Shift in Trust
The years I’d read the Bible and not understood it I’d approached the Bible as if I were the authority. The Bible had to pass through the filter of my understanding. What I agreed with, I kept. What didn’t make sense, I dismissed as antiquated and irrelevant.
I basically treated the Bible as if I knew better than it. No wonder it didn’t make sense! Since God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, this is never a good way to approach the Bible or anything else.
The gals in this study approached the Bible as if it was what it claimed to be—God’s timeless word. They filtered their opinions through the filter of God’s revealed wisdom. When I approached the Bible with childlike wonder, the Bible made sense. It became exciting and relevant.
A Shift in Power
Another important change to my Bible reading: I learned to trust the Holy Spirit instead of my intellect to understand scripture.
“And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. … But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means” (1 Cor. 2:12, 14 NLT).
Just as Jesus had to open the minds of His disciples on the road to Emmaus for them to understand the scriptures, I need Him to open my mind. I ask Him for understanding and then read the Bible trusting Him to enlighten me.
“At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, ‘O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way’” (Luke 10:21 NLT).
A Shift in Structure
Out of college I joined the staff of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ). My director taught our team a simple way to study the scripture. He said to dedicate a notebook for Bible study. He then explained the method he used to process the Bible.
3 Questions to Transform Your Bible Reading
- “What does it say?” (Factual)
Notice the context of a passage. Who’s the author, the audience, the circumstances? If we aren’t clear on this, we can draw wrong interpretations and applications.
For example, are believers or unbelievers being addressed? Israel or the church? When Paul addressed slaves and masters, some applications can apply to the employer/employee relationship. But those relationships are not equal.
- “What does it mean?” (Spiritual)
Look for timeless lessons that apply to any culture and era. For example, in 2 Timothy 4:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments” (NIV).
The imprisoned apostle literally needs his cloak and parchments. A spiritual lesson might be spiritual leaders have practical needs. Another lesson might be it’s appropriate to ask for help from those who can aid us with our practical needs. A third lesson might be, we should be available to assist a saint in need.
- “How does this apply to me, my situation, or culture?” (Practical)
Get practical. What changes does this passage prompt you to make in your outlook, attitude, or actions?
From the above example you might write, what Christian leader or fellow believer has a practical need I can meet? Or who can I ask to help me with my need? Or I want to bring Aunt Judy a meal.
An optional step is to illustrate what you received from you study. Doing so helps me remember my study better.
After I made these shifts in my Bible reading, I stumbled across my little notepad of questions, the ones too deep to be answered. I chuckled. They weren’t deep at all. And I rejoiced. No longer was the Bible a confusing book of riddles. It was my lifeline. I hope this is true for you. If not, review the changes I made to see which ones might help you.
LINKUP PARTY opens on June 14 at 6 am!
Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:
1. Add your Link.
2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.
3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page
LINKUP is open. Join my friend @debbieWwilson and refresh your Bible reading. Share your blog! #RechargeWednesday Click To Tweet
Aw, I will miss this linkup community! It was such a privilege to serve alongside you Patricia, Debbie, and Karen. The Lord has used these posts and the posts linked up so much in my life over these last few years. But I’m so excited about what’s happening moving forward for you, Patricia!!
Debbie, thanks for this post. I learned a lot about reading the Bible relying on the Holy Spirit and some practical questions just after college, too. Coincidentally, the women’s Bible study at my church walks through these 3 questions in sections. It’s so helpful and illuminating!
Ditto, Bethany. I’m met many blogging friends here. So glad to hear you church women’s study is using this method. I really opened the Bible for me.
It’s so important to ask the right questions as we read our Bibles. Thanks for these wonderful reminders.
Donna, I know you are an avid Bible reader. Thanks for joining us today.
Patricia, Karen, Debbie, and Bethany, I forgot to say last week that I will miss seeing you in this space but I know God will only widen your ministries as you follow His leading.
Thank you, Donna. I’m sure we’ll keep seeing each other on the web. God bless!