ESV Journal Bible & NLT Study Bible

I tried to complete the Chronological Bible Study a couple years ago but I got extremely overwhelmed, and behind in the study, so I gave up. I didn't realize at the time why I was not enjoying it, but after completing the amazing Seamless bible study with some wonderful women this summer, it was pretty clear. I didn't "get" the story of the bible. I knew a lot of stories, characters and the BIG Jesus love story, but I didn't understand how it was all connected. I didn't grasp how God knitted everything together. 

While I was doing the Seamless study, Nicole posted about her study through the bible with #ourstoryofredemption, and the wheels started turning in my head. I could dig deeper and enjoy the chronological bible study now, right?? Well, I'm going to try! I really believe that I can enjoy and learn even more now, if I work through the bible with my Seamless book close by. 

I want to try my best to do a couple of things, and as always, I will use this space to keep me accountable. It doesn't always work (hello, 101 in 1001, I kind of forgot about you!) but I truly believe that this time is different. I want this space to be centered around Christ. Pouring out His truth and His love story for all to see. So, here are the things I want to do...... 

1 // complete the chronological study and share what I'm learning here

2 // make time for quiet time, everyday, even if it is just a few moments of prayer

3 // keep up with my prayer journal 

4 // don't get bogged down by the date, I want to dig deep and enjoy this, not just push through quickly with a timeline

I'm excited! (so excited that I actually wrote out the whole reading plan, typical Cassie move) I feel excitement about reading the bible. That is such a wonderful feeling, that I honestly haven't had in a very long time. His love is so sweet, the way He pursues our heart in the most tender and loving way. He is jealous for us. Us, even in our dirty and selfish ways, He wants us. Let's want Him back, fully and deeply in His word! Follow along with #ourstoryofredemption as we dig deeper! If digging deeper scares you, like it scared me once, go buy Seamless right this second!!! You will learn the sweetest love story of all time, the story of God's love for His people. 

hymns.

I've always been drawn to music (even though I can't sing very well!!!) and when it comes to worship, I can't get enough. I've talked a lot about my love of worship and how closely that ties to my faith, so when I started working on my playlist for labor and delivery, I realized that all the songs I wanted to select were songs of praise to the Lord. I think during that time I will need to draw strength from my faith and rely in His goodness for the power to push through. I wanted to start a new study for the month of August since this will be my last month before Solomon joins our family. I wanted to find something that would help me during the task ahead of birthing him, so I decided to start with my favorite, She Reads Truth. I wasn't sure what I would choose but after seeing the Hymns Series I knew that was the right choice.

I'm really enjoying this study, and I'm only on day 3! Digging deeper in the songs that we sing to Him is so refreshing. The layout of the days are great and easy to complete. The normal bible verses to start, then the written study but then the study ends with the hymn that the day is focused around. You can listen to the song, meditate over it and just be one with the Lord. I love it. I listen to the songs several times and soak it all in, writing my prayers and reading the study. It is also wonderful to find some new songs that I wouldn't normally pick for my labor and delivery playlist, now having a strong connection to the song. 

My prayer is to find God in a deeper level in all of these songs & use that when I need it most. To truly search for Him and sing the praises to Him. My head is constantly being pulled in 50 directions right now, so finding the time to sit and worship Him, and put everything else aside has been amazing!

Have any of you completed these studies?? 
I'd love to hear what you have learned!

when you lose your bible.

A couple weeks ago I was frantically trying to find my bible before church. It had been a few weeks since we were in town to actually GO to church so I couldn't remember the last time I had it. Then it hit me, I can't remember the last time I opened my bible. What a terrible feeling for someone that used to open that bible every single day. Someone who craved it, not just doing it to check something off the list of things to do. 

The last few months have been busy. It is a busy season of change... with the summer coming up and this little man growing in my belly. My mind has been boggled with plans for the weeks ahead and slightly obsessed with the new life that will be joining us in September. Of course I have been thanking God every day for all that we have. I've been talking to Him. relying on Him, singing to Him in the car, but have I been reading His word? Nope. 

I went to the "lost and found" area at church and was so thankful to find my journal and my bible waiting on me. I was so upset the whole time I didn't know where it was because I love journaling through my bible and making notes. The thought of losing that was breaking my heart. Then I felt convicted because this really did mean I didn't have my bible for three whole weeks. How could something so precious to my heart be missing from my life for that long. It only pointed out the fact that it really wasn't so precious at all. I would like to say that conviction moved me and I read my bible every day that week, but I didn't. I still made excuses and filled my days and nights with so many things to do and my bible stayed on the kitchen island most of the week.

At church we are going through the book of James. It is a short but tough book in the bible and we are truly digging into it. I've enjoyed it a lot. A few Sundays ago we talked about judgement and how we are not called to judge other believers because that is not our place. That is God's place. We all judge, we all compare, but it is a lot easier to stop pointing fingers when He turns that finger back on yourself. He was pointing at me. He was poking that hurt spot that I haven't fixed yet. The part of me that makes excuses and doesn't take the time to read His word. I'm thankful for that.

I'm thankful for His love. I'm thankful for His grace. And I'm so thankful that it will never run out, even when I lose my bible, I can never lose Him.

day one.

Today is the day!! The first day of our Chronological Study and I am so excited! I took some time last night to prepare for this study and I thought I share a little bit of that preparation with you. The little things I do before I begin a study and what goes through my head while I prepare. 

1// prepare your heart & your schedule - I always try my best to prepare for the study ahead in my heart first. Since I have had a strong grasp on this study and planned it with Cassie I feel like I have been preparing my heart for weeks now. No matter how much you prepare you heart for a bible study, you must prepare your schedule so you don't "squeeze it in" your day. Not every day will be perfect, and there will be days when you miss the study all together - no one is perfect! BUT, when you make a point to schedule your study you can take it in fully and not feel rushed. With that being said, I am not a morning person. I honestly hate mornings, but I know in my heart that my days would be so much better if I start them at His feet. So, I am going to work really hard to create a habit of morning quiet time. My sweet husband brewing fresh coffee every morning will also help. I think I'll keep him! 

2// don't study alone - we have tried really hard to create a community here with this study so we can grow together. Accountability. It is everything! It is so important to DO LIFE together and my hope is for this life to be full of Jesus. I can't wait to sit down at the kitchen table for dinner every night and discuss my reading with Peter. He started a chronological study in January and he made it to mid March so he will pick up the study again once we are at the same point. I can't wait to grow with all of you and with my husband. 

3// use a special pen - because this is a study through the entire bible I thought it would be helpful to use a specific pen for all of my notes in my bible, so I have decided to use the red pen pictured above to underline and make little notes. I love the fact that I will instantly know that my notes are from this Chronological study  anytime I see that bright red ink in my bible. 

4// plan ahead - it will be so much easier to wake up and dive in His word when you are ready for it. I always like to plan my notes ahead of time, listing the days and scripture reading, so when I turn to the next page I am ready to go. I don't have to think about the days date or go look to see what scriptures to read that day because it is already there. I just begin. 

5// prayer - for the next year while I am reading through the bible I am also going to make a point to write my prayers out every day in my notebook. I love that I will be learning from His word and then stop to meditate on it, talk to Him and listen to Him in return. I can't wait to see the prayers that will fill those blank pages. 

Also, please share anything from this study on social media by using the hashtag below! 

I can't wait to create a community of sisters {and brothers, seriously... you should join us!!} that are growing together in this study.

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I can't wait for this journey ahead! I can't wait to see the growth in my life and all of those that join us.This is such an exciting time and I feel His love in this space so strongly. I am so thankful for that! 

For all of you that are joining in this study today - I'm praying for you, I'm praying for your heart, and I'm praying for God to speak to you and teach you through His beautiful word. 

May your kingdom come. May your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10

In The Word // August Study Plan

Last week I spoke about plans and after a lot more planning, talking, organizing, & praying with Cassie we came up with this exciting study!!!

Design by Cassie...but not me, the other Cassie ;) 

I sent Cassie a text a couple weeks ago that said, "How do you feel about doing a read the bible in a year study together? Just to keep each other accountable???".... her response, "I would love that!!". And that is how this little study was born. 

We are so excited to do this together and share it with all of you! We will post the plan for the month ahead on the last Tuesday of every month. We will also highlight the study from the past month and share what we learned, study notes that helped us and anything else that the Lord has shared with us through this study. Each month will have each day's reading listed and also have a memory verse for the month.

I'm so excited to learn about His word and make it a priority every day. We hope that you will join us and also keep us accountable! We are all in this together, right? So let's learn together and grow closer through Him. Don't have a blog of your own...? That's fine too, still do this study with us and you can always share what you have learned by leaving comments below each month. This is definitely not a "Bloggers Unite" kind of thing, it is a "Sisters (and brothers too, you can join us!) Unite" kind of thing. Our goal is to stay In The Word so that we can have a light for our path ahead. {Psalm 119:105} Grab your bible and open it up, dive in and turn that light on with us. 

Let's do this!! Join us for a Chronological Study and soak in His word with us! 
For those of you who are bloggers, you can link your recap from this study here at the end of every month, or you can link anything that you have learned like all of our previous weeks with the In The Word Link-up. Just link up and share your heart, that's our motto! 

 

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In The Word // Titus 2:3-5

This study through Titus is wrecking my heart in the best way possible. It is pointing out answers to prayers I've been praying for weeks. It is bringing up questions that I have been ignoring. It is touching all areas of my life right now. I know all of these things are from the Lord, and that makes me feel so much happiness in my heart.

One of the goals on my 101 in 1001 project that I have been putting off has been brought to the surface thanks to this study through Titus. Finding a mentor. Just saying that makes me nervous. When I typed out #14 on that list for the first time many months ago, I had a picture of that woman in my head. A woman that is strong, kind, patient, loving, honest and challenging. My heart has been pulling toward one particular woman for a long time now. From the moment I met her I knew she could be a wonderful person to DO LIFE with. I honestly think that is the best part of having a mentor. Doing life together, learning from their past and going to them with your future. Making a bond that is founded on the Lord and wanting to become closer through Him. That is what I’m yearning for.

Now the hard part happens…. Ask her. Taking the effort to make that first step. I’m not going to lie, I’m very nervous about it. I wonder what her response will be. If she feels like she will have the time to do this or even the drive to do it, but I keep going back to that intuition I have in my heart about it. I truly feel that the Lord is pointing her out for a reason and I don’t want to ignore that anymore. No more excuses. It’s time & I pray for His strength to complete the task and take the first step. This step could potentially be one of the best decisions I've ever made and that is so thrilling.

Do you have a mentor? How did you go about asking them??
Or are you a mentor for someone?

Share with us what you have in your heart right now.
Link up today, or tomorrow, or the day after.
Cassie & I will have the link up open for a week so join us!!

 

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My Corner.

Ever since we bought our house I knew I wanted to have a quiet corner for my bible studies. A place where I could drink my coffee or tea and sit at His feet. Reading through a study, taking notes, highlighting through my bible or simply praying. Just recently I finally made this space mine and I have grown to love it more and more!

The table used to belong to my mom when she was a little girl. She said she would sit there every day to do her homework. When we were buying furniture for the house she said I could have it and I gladly took it! I found the chair at an estate sale before we moved in and I love the combination of natural wood and the white table.

This little corner is such a blessing to me. I don't have to pile all my books in my bed now and move them around daily. I can leave everything open and ready for the next day which always makes me feel open and ready to learn more. I definitely have a lot more plans for this little corner but for right now I think it is perfect! 

In The Word // Jeremiah 29:13

One of my faith based goals on my 101 in 1001 list is to memorize 10 bible verses. I've never been good with remembering scripture which drives me crazy! I just don't understand how I can remember all of the songs on the radio or an article I read in a magazine, but when it comes to His Word I struggle? 

I've recently started the latest She Reads Truth study, The Risen Christ, and I'm really enjoying it. The first day had a verse that has truly stuck with me. 

So I'm going to work everyday to remember this verse. It is short and sweet, straight to the point. 

I want to seek for Christ in everything I do! I want it to be something I don't even have to put effort toward, like breathing day and night. I want my first breath every morning to be His. Not waking with a heavy head but waking with a passion to do His will. 

We will find Christ when we search for Him with all of our heart. In everything; life, family, marriage, work. All of it. He is here. Keep His word fresh in your mind and in your heart. Remembering the words and where you first read them. Using His Word as a sword for protection against the enemy and light to guide you every day. Use it to bring others closer to Him. His Word is power and when you fill your heart with that kind of power, you change everything. So let's search for Him wholeheartedly & find Him.

All of your heart for His Kingdom. Starting with one verse at a time. 

What is your favorite bible verse you have memorized?

How do you keep His Word fresh in your mind and heart?

Link up with us and share what you are learning in His Word right now.

Use the button below and link up below!!

 

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In The Word // 1 Peter 1:3

Today is the first link up with Cassie for our In The Word Tuesday and I hope you join us!

The Easter service at my Church was about Peter and the decisions he made during the days leading up to Jesus’ death and the days following the resurrection. I thought it was so interesting that even though he denied Jesus three times, He didn’t love him less. He forgave him and added more responsibility to Peter’s life.

After thinking about that for a little while I wanted to read 1 Peter to prepare for today. As I was reading through the first chapter in 1 Peter, I felt so much power from verse 3.

We should live with GREAT EXPECTATION every single day. From the moment we wake up till our eyes shut to sleep at night. All day should be spent praising Him for what he has done. Anticipating and hoping for His presence in everything we do. Calling for it and asking for Him to make himself known.

Now, this is a lot easier said than done. That is the sad truth. We get caught up in our busy lives so easily and forget to anticipate His goodness. Stressful moments are filled with the enemy instead of finding our Savior. When I realize what I am feeling – anxiety, worry, tension, or even steadily moving through the moments that fill my day – I instantly want to sit at His feet and ask for forgiveness. Those moments when I need Him the most are the ones that I rely on my sinful nature, trying to complete everything on my own.

But just like Peter, I am forgivin. He knows my weakness and He knows my heart. He loves me despite all of the wrong decisions. He is Love.

Over the next few weeks I am going to make a point to dig deeper in His word. Normally, if I enjoyed a sermon at church I would soak it in and then move on. I would start soaking in the world around instead of more of His word. I'm so glad that I searched for more of Christ and spent some time reading 1 Peter. He uses that time to teach us and prepare us for the moments ahead. I know that and I am so thankful for a God that will never turn His back on me. He will always be there. He is alive & I will live with great expectation because of it.

Alright, its your turn! Grab the button below and add your link below to share your In The Word with us! 

Also, use the hashtag #InTheWordTuesday to share on Instagram and Twitter! 

 

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a gift.

This is most definitely my favorite Christmas gift from Peter! I found this bible HERE and when I saw it I knew I had to have it. I'm a big note taker. My bibles always have so many highlights, marks, dates and certain books look crazy because of all the notes. Yes, that is beautiful and I love that about my old bible but I knew this one would be a lot easier to keep organized and neat. With the new year I wanted to start fresh with a new bible and a clean slate. 

Plus, it's gorgeous and the leather smells so good!! That is nice too.