Daily Bible study excerpts from my book: Looking for Contentment in All the Wrong Places
STRIVE FOR GODLINESS AND BEING LIKE CHRIST
In our quest for Joy, who better to be like than Christ? When we are godly (Christ like), we will have the joy that comes from being His child, being forgiven and being close to Him. Striving for godliness brings out the good in us, which in turn will bring joy to our lives and others.
Philippians 2:3-5
Hi-lite the “Let” statements. When you see the word(s) Let or Let us, take notice. Paul is requesting something of you and me.
- :3 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit”
- :4 “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests”
- :5 “Let this mind be in you”
Also underline the phrase
- :5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”
Having the mind of Christ should cause us to pause in any situation and think, what would Jesus do or say. Having the mind of Christ will give us peace and joy. Times may not always be happy (they were not for Jesus), but He was always at peace with Himself and His heavenly father.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
Hi-lite the phrases about godliness
- :7 “exercise yourself toward godliness”
- :8 “godliness is profitable”
Circle the contrast word “but”
- :7 “but” – it is contrasting profane and old wives’ fables with the “good doctrine” in the previous verse. Underline “profane and old wives’ fables” and draw a line connecting it to “good doctrine”.
- :8 “but” – is contrasting bodily exercise with godliness. Put brackets around “bodily exercise” and “godliness” and draw a line connecting them.
- :8 put a heart next to the word “promise”
Godliness is conforming our selves to the will and law of God. We must “exercise” (practice) doing that. We can be successful if we do as Paul tells Timothy: Reject profane and old wives’ fables, basing all that we do, not on what others are saying but on what God’s Word says.
1 Timothy 6:11
Hi-lite the command “flee these things and pursue”
What things was Timothy to flee? The desire to be rich, loving money more than Godliness
What was he (and we) to pursue? Paul gives us a divine list.
- Underline each thing listed that we are to pursue.
2 Peter 1:5-8
What is the “this very reason”?
- Underline “for this very reason” and draw a line to verse 4 “given to us exceedingly great and precious promises”
Circle the verb phrase
- :5 “giving all diligence, add”
Hi-lite the things (list) we are to add to our faith.
- :5 virtue, knowledge
- :6 self-control, perseverance, godliness
- :7 brotherly kindness, love.
Verse 8 is an “if-then” phrase.
- Put brackets around “if” and “you will be”
Underline
- :8 “these things are yours and abound”, “neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge”
Our joy will increase when we are in pursuit of these things, especially godliness. When your focus is on Him and doing His will, the problems of this life will be brought into perspective.
REST AND WAIT IN THE LORD
Running the Christian race can be very tiring (Hebrews 12:1-2). Our Creator knew this and has provided comfort and encouragement in His Word to give us strength to finish our course.
Psalm 37:4-7
Hi-lite the action words.
- :4 “delight”
- :5 “commit”, “trust
- :7 “rest”, “wait patiently”, “do not fret”
Underline what God will do.
- :4 “He shall give you the desires of your heart”
- :5 “He shall bring it to pass”
- :6 “He shall bring forth your righteousness”, “justice”
Delight is a synonym for joy. Good things happen when we delight ourselves in the Lord. He says to “rest in the Lord”, is there any anxiety in rest? I think of a baby in the arms of his mother, there is peace and trust there. Picture yourself in the arms of Jesus.
Lamentations 3:25-26
Hi-lite the verbs in the passage:
- :25 “those who wait” “soul who seeks”
- :26 “hope”, “wait quietly”
Underline
- :25 “The Lord is good”
- :26 “salvation”
Isaiah 30:15
- Circle “Lord God”, “Holy One of Israel”
How can we be saved and strengthened? Hi-lite
- “Returning”, “Rest”, “quietness”, “confidence”
The last words of this passage show Israel’s stubbornness. They created their own suffering and anxieties because they did not trust in God. Let us not be like them.
Isaiah 30:18
HI-lite:
- “the Lord will wait”, “He may be gracious to you”, “He may have mercy on you”
- Circle the reason word “For”
Underline
- “the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him”
This verse says that the Lord will wait on us. He wants to bless us and show mercy, but can’t until we give up frantically trying to take care of everything ourselves. What blessings we pass up when we can’t wait for God.
Psalm 62:5-8
Hi-lite all the things God is to David.
- :6 “rock”, “salvation”, “defense”
- :7 “salvation”, “glory”, “strength”, “refuge
- :8 “refuge”
Underline what we should do
- :5 “wait silently for God”
- :6 “I shall not be moved”
- :8 “trust in Him”, “pour out your heart before Him”
Isaiah 40:28-31
Circle
- :28 “The everlasting God”, “the Lord”, “the creator of the ends of the earth”
Circle the contrast word “but” – what things is he contrasting?
Underline and Draw a line connecting these thoughts. Write on the line, “be like God”
- :28 “neither faints nor is weary”
- :31 “they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint”
Waiting on the Lord we can be like God. He promises strength.
Hi-lite
- :29 “power to the weak”, “increases strength”
- :31 “renew their strength”
Our world is a noisy one. We move at a fast pace and seem to need noise in every place. Noise, even “quiet noise” can be a distraction. As women, it is against our nature to “be still”. We were born to be busy. But God calls us away from the busy-ness and noise and asks us to be still and meditate on Him, with HIm and His Word.
Psalm 46:10
- Hi-lite “Be still, and know”
- Underline “I will be exalted”, “I will be exalted”
- Double underline “will” and “will”
- Circle “I am God”
We have all told our children to “BE STILL!” for one reason or another. It may be protecting them from something about to happen to them (ie bee sting) or it may be that we want them to pay attention to something important (ie. a sermon). But are we ever still? In this verse, God rebukes us and tells us “to cease from personal efforts and submit to Him” (Open Bible Study Notes). Quit “agitating” to do something and be still. Know Him. Believe and trust in His promises.
Psalm 4:4
- Hi-lite “Meditate”, “be still”
- Circle “do not sin”
Do you ever spend time dwelling on God’s word, thinking about one idea over and over? God wants us to strive for godliness and rest in Him. We create our own stress when we are trying to do it all ourselves.