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  • How to Study the Bible 101

    Studying the Bible can be a powerful way to get closer to God and find guidance for everyday life, but it can also feel overwhelming when you’re not sure where to begin. Here’s a simple approach to help you get started:

    “Book Bible” by Aaron Burden/ CC0 1.0
    1. Start with Prayer
      Before diving in, take a moment to pray. Ask God for wisdom, clarity, and understanding. The Bible is His Word, and prayer opens your heart to receive what He wants to show you.
    2. Choose a Translation
      Pick a Bible translation that’s easy for you to understand. Some great options are the New International Version (NIV) or New Living Translation (NLT) if you want something straightforward. If you’re looking for a more literal translation, you might like the English Standard Version (ESV).
    3. Pick a Study Plan
      Decide where to start. You could focus on a specific book, a topic like love or forgiveness, or even follow a Bible reading plan that takes you through the entire Bible over time. A plan helps keep you on track and makes sure you’re regularly engaging with Scripture. We also recommend trying out our BIBLE READING PLAN!
    4. Read with Intention
      Don’t rush through it. Take your time to really absorb what you’re reading. Pay attention to the context and any themes or key words that stand out. It can help to jot down notes, highlight verses that resonate with you, or write questions that come to mind.
    5. Reflect and Apply
      After reading, think about how the message applies to your life. What’s one way you can put the principles you’ve learned into practice today?
    6. Use Study Tools
      There are a lot of resources out there—commentaries, concordances, study Bibles—that can give you deeper insights into the text. These tools can help explain historical context, define tricky words, or give you a scholar’s take on the passage. You can often find these resources online for free.

    By making Bible study a regular part of your life, you’ll find yourself growing in faith, wisdom, and a deeper understanding of God’s Word.

    With Joy,

  • FAITH: Forsaking-All-I-Trust-Him

    “Faith words“

    When I was little, my mother would use this anagram to remind us that faith is simply letting go of all our expectations and desires and placing them in God’s hands. Today, more than every I know that we make a choice (every day) to trust that God is who He says He is and that we can trust Him.

    It sounds so simple. But it can be the hardest thing to do. It’s not a one-time decision but a daily practice of surrender, choosing to lean not on our own understanding but on His promises. When doubts creep in, as they often do, we can remind ourselves that God is faithful. He is working all things together for our good, even when life feels uncertain.

    Faith is a journey, and each step brings us closer to His heart. The more we trust, the more we see His hand guiding us, shaping our path, and leading us toward the fullness of life He desires for us.

    So today, I choose again to forsake all my fears, anxieties, and plans. I place them in His capable hands, knowing that He holds my future, and I trust Him completely. Will you do the same?

    With Joy,

  • Heart Transformation: the Power of Choosing Joy

    Woman Jumping for Joy – Sunset

    Let’s be honest—life can be hard. Difficult situations often make us question not only the goodness of God but even His presence. Yet, the truth remains: God is good, and He is with us, no matter what challenges this world may bring. Over the years, I’ve discovered that one simple shift in our mindset can make all the difference. Choosing to trust the Lord and embrace joy in every circumstance has transformed my life.

    Joy is more than a fleeting sense of happiness. It’s a conscious decision to focus on the positive, regardless of what we face. When we choose joy, we deliberately embrace peace and contentment in each situation. This shift doesn’t just lift our spirits—it builds resilience, enabling us to navigate hardships with grace and strength.

    Choosing joy also transforms our perspective. Instead of being consumed by stress or negativity, joy helps us focus on who is truly in control (spoiler: it’s not us). This mental shift opens the door to trusting God fully. When we trust Him in both the good and the bad, our faith grows stronger.

    Joy opens the door to many good things. When we approach others with a joyful heart, we radiate positivity—and that positivity is contagious. A joyful spirit can uplift those around us, creating a ripple effect that spreads through our families, churches, workplaces, and communities, transforming lives.

    I know this isn’t always easy. Can we really choose joy when life throws us curveballs? Absolutely! We have the power to control our reactions. When we prioritize joy, we fill our lives with meaning, purpose, and connection, building a foundation for a truly abundant life in Jesus Christ.

    With Joy,

  • Heart Transformation: The Joy of Jesus First

    Let’s be honest—life can be hard. Difficult situations often make us question not only the goodness of God but even His presence. Yet, the truth remains: God is good, and He is with us, no matter what challenges this world may bring. Over the years, I’ve discovered that one simple shift in our mindset can make all the difference. Choosing to trust the Lord and embrace joy in every circumstance has transformed my life.

    Joy is more than a fleeting sense of happiness. It’s a conscious decision to focus on the positive, regardless of what we face. When we choose joy, we deliberately embrace peace and contentment in each situation. This shift doesn’t just lift our spirits—it builds resilience, enabling us to navigate hardships with grace and strength.

    Choosing joy also transforms our perspective. Instead of being consumed by stress or negativity, joy helps us focus on who is truly in control (spoiler: it’s not us). This mental shift opens the door to trusting God fully. When we trust Him in both the good and the bad, our faith grows stronger.

    Joy opens the door to many good things. When we approach others with a joyful heart, we radiate positivity—and that positivity is contagious. A joyful spirit can uplift those around us, creating a ripple effect that spreads through our families, churches, workplaces, and communities, transforming lives.

    I know this isn’t always easy. Can we really choose joy when life throws us curveballs? Absolutely! We have the power to control our reactions. When we put Jesus first and prioritize living with joy, we fill our lives with meaning, purpose, and connection, building a foundation for a truly abundant life in Jesus Christ.

    With Joy,

  • Joy-Filled Faith: Where is Your Focus?

    If you are reading this, I am going to assume that you are a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ and that you are either intrigued by the thought of a joy-filled faith, or that you in a place where you are in desperate need of joy.

    Let me assure you – wherever you are. I believe that there is a place for you here and a lesson to learn that will enrich your faith.

    Lets go back a few years…

    I accepted Jesus Christ when I was a child and was lucky to grow up in a home that focused on living with faith. But it was also legalistic and sometimes centered primarily on my behavior. The way I am wired has made it hard for me to find joy in my walk with Jesus because I was always very aware of my shortcomings and flat out failures.

    I spent many years checking boxes. Studying the Bible. Following the “rules”. Serving in church and the community. Raising a family. Living a full and happy life.

    My life was (is) full of wonderful memories and experiences. Packed with joy. BUT, my faith was not.

    Let me say that again. Life was good. Full of joy. BUT my faith was not.

    My faith was obedient and deep. But not filled with joy.

    The journey to a joy-filled faith is what I want to share with you.

    It all began with a simple song about joy from childhood. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment, but it began popping into my head over and over again. I would find myself humming the tune, singing the words and then one day… I realized it was what I was missing. Joy in my faith!

    Here are the words:

    J. O. Y. what a wonderful way to spell joy.

    J is for Jesus and He takes first place

    O is for others you meet face to face

    Y is for you, so whatever you do, put yourself last and spell joy.

    It dawned on me that I was living my faith focused on myself. My behavoir. My mistakes. My works. My faith.

    Not Jesus.

    I was living my faith backwards.

    Stop and think about your faith. Are you focused on yourself? Your behavior? Your works? Your mistakes?

    Are you checking your “faith-living boxes” but missing putting Jesus first?

    I’m going to wrap this up for now, because there will be a lot of opportunity to talk about this more. For today, spend some time meditating on how you live your faith. Is it focused on your actions or on Jesus? Who He is, what He has done, and what He wants to do in our lives.

    Take a look at these verses. Pray for God to reveal himself.

    John 3:16; John 14:6; John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:8-11

    With joy,