What is So Great About the Bible? #1

In reading Matthew Henry's commentary on 2 Timothy 3:16 and surrounding, I came across a beautifully moving and majestic discourse on the wonders of God's word.

I provide some excerpts below:

-Scripture is excellent, given by inspiration of God, God's word, divine revelation.
-The same Spirit that breathed reason into us breathes revelation among us.
-The same God that created us capable of knowing also created the way by which we could know him, the Scriptures.

Oh what a mighty God we serve! He has truly thought of everything and will continue to draw us to himself.

Why Bible Study for Moms #3

Do you wish you knew your Bible better? Have you been asked a tough question by a friend or family member and have a vague idea that the Bible has something to say on the subject but you are not sure how to find what you are looking for when you need it?

The only way to know the Bible is to study the Bible. When I first became a gave my life to Jesus Christ, I wanted to know more about this God who firmly grasped me and set me before himself. I wanted to seek out the ancient wisdom of the Bible to find out how I was to live as a new creation in Christ.

So what did I do? I went to the library and the Christian bookstore and I got stacks of books about how to be a Christian! Although those books were a helpful start, they could not take the place of reading God's word directly through Bible study.

I am grateful that God led me closer to him by his Holy Spirit continually nudging me to move beyond books about the Bible to the Bible itself.

Once I gave myself to his commands, it was amazing how the Lord provided for me! My stepmother gave me here entire Matthew Henry commentary set along with a Bible. I found a Bible dictionary, concordance and handbook at deep discount during a sale at our local Christian bookstore. I found journals to write notes in for $1. The Lord then led me to websites such as Crosswalk.com with many free Bible study tools.

I wish I could say that I never veered from my course but I did. I would become distracted and busy with other less profitable reading. Me and my family always suffered during those times.

How grateful I am for a long-suffering and patient Lord who is always willing to draw me back to himself though I surely do not deserve it. Oh wonderful, amazing grace!

Matthew Henry in his commentary on 2 Timothy 3:16 and surrounding states:

If we would know the holy Scriptures, we must read and search them daily, as the noble Bereans did, Acts 17:11. They must not lie by us neglected, and seldom or never looked into.

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11

Why Bible Study for Moms #2

Bible study for moms is important because we are often the primary caregivers of our young children and we should be steeping them in the word of God. We cannot do this if we ourselves are not drinking daily and deeply from the well of the Bible, God's word.

Most moms would agree that it is important that our children learn to read, add and communicate clearly with others. But what will all that matter if our children do not come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ? If we keep our perspective eternal, we will not forget the importance of biblical teaching for our children.

In ancient Hebrew culture (in contrast to Greco-Roman culture where young boys were often sent away for training), the primary responsibility for training young children in knowledge of the Scriptures was with the mother. As a young boy neared coming of age, that responsibility was usually handed off to the father. Mothers have always had the very important ministry of teaching their children to love the Lord and providing a solid foundation for the faith of their children!

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5

God's word makes it clear that the primary responsibility for educating children rests with parents.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6,7

Matthew Henry is his commentary of 2 Timothy 3:16 and surrounding, states:

It is a great happiness to know the holy Scriptures from our childhood; and children should betimes get the knowledge of the Scriptures. The age of children is the learning age; and those who would get true learning must get it out of the Scriptures.

Not just for ourselves but for future generations, let us resolve to study our Bibles each day!

Why Bible Study for Moms #1

Bible study for moms is important so that we will know with certainty what we believe and why we believe it. This unwavering knowledge is especially important today as women are being targeted with so many "spiritual" solutions to the problems we face everyday.

From Oprah's new "church" to the constant barrage of how not-to-feel-guilty articles and "finding more time for me" suggestions, authors and marketers know that moms are hurting and suffering and often do not know where to turn.

Matthew Henry in his commentary on 2 Timothy 3:16 and surrounding states

It is a great happiness to know the certainty of the things wherein we have been instructed. Be no longer children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine...(Ephesians 4:14)

Moms are a large and powerful segment of American society and as targets of various forms of spirituality masquerading as truth, we must know where we stand and we must stand unmoved.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6: 13-15

Let us commit to study our Bibles daily!

Menu for a Busy Day

With hot-water heater problems and my continued attempts at spring cleaning, our life is pretty busy but a family still has to eat, no?

Here's what we had today:

Breakfast:
Asiago cheese omeletes with red peppers, Asiago cheese bread (Panera from yesterday), Jones Farms All Natural pre-cooked sausage links (Costco)

Lunch:
Chicken salad varieties- My husband likes the traditional Miracle Whip-based version. Very simple, using chicken I grilled yesterday outside between thunderstorms. The chicken was breasts that come individually frozen from Costco well-seasoned with lemon pepper, garlic and kosher salt. I put his salad on a croissant and topped it with Amish-made Swiss cheese. My husband said it was the best chicken salad sandwich he had ever had!

I made another version for myself using poppyseed salad dressing- I like Brianna's Rich Poppyseed Dressing.

It is simple and all-natural and absolutely delicious. Even my picky eater loves this dressing!

I added finely chopped onion, red pepper (you can tell I bought some at the farmer's market) and black raisins. I plated mine as a scoop with a roll and a side of Santa Cruz Organic Cinnamon Applesauce. Very satisfying with a glass of ice-cold lemonade on a hot day.

Finally, our dinner menu was an encore due to my son's request. He wanted "pasta like yesterday". Well, I changed it up a little and cooked up some farfalle (bow-tie pasta) instead of yesterday's unusual shape of pasta. I then fried up some ground beef and added jar tomato sauce (We especially like Organic Ragu) and 3 tablespoons of cooked from frozen petite, sweet organic peas from Whole Foods.

Chase had 3 helpings!

Well, tomorrow is another day. I still have some tilapia that I grilled yesterday....

Pasta Salad, Corn and Tomatoes

Today we had a fantastic pasta salad made with Barila's Protein Plus Rotini (from Costco), lemon pepper chicken breast that I marinated and sauteed, freshly steamed green beans and pine nuts finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing (I prefer organic varieties).



The dish was accompanied by Pepper and Corn Medley made with fresh corn just cut off the cob, green peppers and onions sauteed in butter with a sprinkle of Kosher salt.

Finally, we had fresh sliced Roma tomatoes topped with salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

What a refreshing after-church lunch for a lovely Sunday afternoon.

"This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it."

Mother's Day Prayer

Lord, today, may I seek not to be honored but to honor other mothers in my life. Help me to be a better mother undertaking my god-given responsibilities with your joy, faith and hope.

Thank you for choosing me to serve your kingdom. Make me a willing and cheerful servant. Search my heart and remove all wrong motivations. Make my heart pure.

Help me to everything that I do only for your glory and out of love for you, not for my own selfish reasons.

In Jesus' name I pray.