If I'm Not in a Bible Study . . .

Ever heard (or said) this one: “If I’m not in a Bible study, I fall apart.”

I hear this over and over from women in churches across the U.S. I understand where you’re coming from. I really do. Truly, there’s nothing like being in a group of women studying the Word of God together. And, yes, that can so help you stay on track in your personal walk with the Lord.

However, every opportunity I’m given to open God’s Word and encourage His bride, I try to weave in the truth that just because you’re not presently in the middle of an organized group study, you can still sit with Him, learn from Him and be transformed by Him. It is my passion to help women get this – really get it.

You see, when you seek God with all your heart, He will be found by you (Jeremiah 29:13). As you go to His Word day by day, as you talk with Him asking Him questions, listening for His answers, searching for practical direction in your own life, you begin to experience an enjoyable, indescribably fulfilling and intimate relationship with Him. His Spirit lives inside of you to translate His written Word to your waiting heart. He gives understanding.

Not to mention the fact that there are so many incredible resources available today to help you along in this journey of seeking Him wholeheartedly. Devotionals (I list several of my favorites below), journals, blogs, on-line studies and easy-t0-use Bible web sites that offer insights into the text (a sampling also listed below) . . . The truth is, we simply don’t have any excuse, much less the one that blames not being in an organized study, for allowing our worship of Him and our friendship with Him to “fall apart.”

So, what’s your plan? Because so many churches take a Bible-study break over the summer months, you may soon be on your own again. Will you just check out until fall registration cranks up? Is that warmed-up Bible of yours going to grow cold as you bask in the summer sunshine?

My prayer for you is that you’ll dig in, dive deep and refuse to put matters of your soul on hold. Here are some tools that may help:

• Streams in the Desert and Springs in the Valley – both by Mrs. L.B. Cowman. Hands down, my favorite devotionals.
• My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers – a genuine classic and another favorite.
• Jesus Calling – relatively new, by Sarah Young, is such a treasure. Sure to help you interact personally with your Savior.

For help understanding what you’re reading in the Word:

•  use the concordance at the back of your Bible.
• Cross reference with the Scriptures listed in the margins of your Bible, and/or
• use an on-line resource like www.blueletterbible.org or www.biblegateway.com.

For personal study:

• Grab a short study that can be packed for by-the-pool encouragement. Further Still offers a study of Psalm 23 called Trading Panic for Peace that many have used in their own devotional time over summer months.
• Priscilla Shirer and others have on-line studies you can enroll in and complete at a time of day convenient to your summer schedule and even away from home if you have vacation plans.

Maybe you have a suggestion or two for us. Let us know what helps you stay connected to His life-giving presence. God will use your story to encourage someone else.

Bottom line: don’t buy the enemy’s lies. Even without your organized study group, you can still connect with the Almighty. Remember, Christ lives in you and He’s your hope of glory. Seek the Lord and find Him this summer and always!

Next week – Just in time for spring and summer reading,  a Top Ten book list! Vote for your favorite and add one of your own!