When the “Devotional Checklist” Stops Working…

I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. Proverbs 8:17

Have you ever followed a 365-day devotional? I love them!

They are wonderful “icebreakers” for the day. They give me that immediate pickup and a quick moment of encouragement that I might share with a friend later that day, on rare occasions.

My intention is always pure: I plan to grab my Bible later, full of sincere desire. I plan to read the entire chapter surrounding that daily verse. But if I’m being honest? My follow-through is often as limp as a soggy noodle.

The Hidden Guilt of the “Shallow Walk”: For a long time, I carried a hidden guilt. I was checking the box on my daily devotional, but I was just going through the motions. I was “doing” my quiet time, but it wasn’t “doing” anything to me.

Have you ever felt like that?

The root of my frustration was simple: I didn’t know how to study on my own. I would read a chapter of Scripture and—yikes!—immediately forget what I just read. How can that be? This is the living, breathing Word of God! Why wasn’t it sticking?

I had a deep, dark valley that changed everything!

I wanted to go BEYOND the short daily devotional. I wanted to move past empty reading and into what I can finally call “spiritual maturity.”

But that shift didn’t happen in a mountaintop moment. It took a rocky season in a deep valley—one that lasted over half a decade—for God to break my “checklist” habit and teach me how to truly feast on His Word.

So why am I writing this? What is my point? I’m sharing this because I want you to know that God sees your heart. He knows the frustration of the “shallow walk,” and He knows you crave more.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to keep reading the upcoming posts. I want to share more of my story and walk you through the transition from “mere daily moments” to full intimacy with the Lord. It’s about studying His Word with a different perspective and a new intentionality.

Come walk with me.

Dig Deeper: If you want to read more about moving past the “ink on the page,” check out this early post: Exceeding Text Elevation: More than Typography

Let’s Connect: I want to hear from you today. What is one word that describes your current spiritual season? (e.g., “Busy,” “Fulfilling,” “Dry,” “Lonely”) Drop your word in the comments. I’m reading every single one. 👇

February 4, 2026 0

From Ink to Connection: Bible Reading Tips

Did you know that nearly 90% of American households own a Bible, yet less than 15% of people actually read it daily? (Source: American Bible Society, 2021).

That is a staggering gap. It leads to a question we don’t always want to answer out loud: How many Bibles are in your home right now… and how many are actually being opened?

Let’s be honest—for a long time, my Bible reading felt like “just looking at ink on paper.” Those letters (the typography) were there, but the intimate connection with God that I craved was missing. I was reading words, but I wasn’t hearing a Voice.

If we aren’t careful, Bible reading becomes just another box to check on a “to-do” list. We see the history, but we miss the Heart, His Heart.

It took me years to distinguish the difference between reading words and experiencing the Word. I wrote my latest study, Beyond Scripture Typography, so it doesn’t have to take you years. I want to help you move past the “ink on the page” and into a framework where you feel confident, capable, and connected every time you open your Bible.

CLICK HERE

Tell me in the comments:

What is the biggest thing that keeps you from opening your Bible daily? (No judgment here—we’re in this together!) 👇

February 3, 2026 0

JAMES-Chapter 3, Part B

Lower Seymour Campground on Wisdom by U.S. Department of Agriculture is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

Wisdom shows us how-to do-good works. How do you receive wisdom? Does it come easily? Why or why not? Dig deep into these last verses found in James 3. Spend some time listening to the videos provided. You have a couple new faces today to shake things up a bit. Don’t forget to write out at least one verse from James Chapter 3 and display it. Pray it into existence for your living faith action. Ask God for His heavenly wisdom to apply it.

Cross-References:

1 Peter 2:12

Ecclesiastes 1:2

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Luke 22:25-26

VIDEOS:

REFLECTIONS & THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

Are you praying for wisdom?

Do you need wisdom in your marriage, job, relationship with others, reading Scripture, handling life, making decisions,etc.?

Think about this piece by piece: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Pure – Similar to without hypocrisy. Full of integrity, sincere. Proper motivation.
Peaceable and gentle – The opposite of aggressive and assertive. Jesus is the prime example.
Reasonable – Bible teacher John MacArthur says, “The original term described someone who was teachable, compliant, easily persuaded, and who willingly submitted to military discipline or moral and legal standards. For believers, it defines obedience to God’s standards.”
Full of mercy – James already discussed that those with true religion will look after orphans and widows in their distress.
Good fruits – The faithful person will bear fruit.
Unwavering – We won’t give in when we face trials.
Without hypocrisy – Being a hearer but not a doer, or blessing God and cursing man with the same mouth.

Application: In what area do you need more wisdom from above?

May 3, 2024 0

JAMES-Chapter 3, Part A

Can you do anything fun with your tongue? What about touching your nose with it? Can you roll it? Could you swallow without it? Try talking without moving it. Yep-I hear you laughing at yourself about now.

Scripture reminds us to tame the tongue due to the power it holds. It can destroy lives and relationships. However, James tells us that man alone cannot tame the tongue. So, how can we keep our words under God’s authority?

What about your witness? We are all teachers in some form or fashion and Scripture warns us to be careful about the words we say. As we witness and encourage others, we should rely on God’s Word. Remember, it is truth and reliable. Aligning our words with God’s very speech will always produce a tamed tongue.

VIDEOS:

REFLECTIONS & THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

How can you change your speech?

What steps can you take to stop the tongue from acting before the Holy Spirit can guide the delivery?

How can you apply “If you don’t have anything good to say, say nothing at all.”? When might this NOT be appropriate? Silence can be deadly too!

What is the root of our sharp tongue, quick speech, and downgrading tone?

Who is the primary target of your ill “word” behavior?

Stop and pray about it. Ask God to give you direction and alternatives that will exhibit His love, grace, and mercy regardless of the message you may need to convey.

Do you have a “go to word” when trouble happens-you stump your toe-someone make you mad? How can you better prepare for these moments?

April 30, 2024 0

JAMES-Chapter 2, Part B

You gotta have faith, faith, faith, baby. Name that artist and the year the song was written. Wonder what the musician meant? You might google the lyrics.

How do you define your faith? Do your works display the fruit of the Spirit? Can your works standalone without God and truly display your faith? Why would someone believe their works will save them?

Why do you do good deeds? What keeps you from doing bad ones?

Cross-References

Ephesians 2:8-10

Luke 3:11

Proverbs 3:27

Luke 6:44-46

VIDEOS:

REFLECTIONS & THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

Read Matthew 7:17 and reflect.

What is the warning here?

Read Matthew 7:21. What is your initial reaction? What does this do to your head and heart?

What is an example of dead faith in your life?

Why cannot a living faith be separated from works?

Name your personal takeaway from Chapter 2. What is the primary verse tugging at your heart strings? What is one way over the next week you can demonstrate living faith differently in your life?

April 26, 2024 0

JAMES-Chapter 1, Part B

Yikes! Temptation-how do you define this in your life? Exactly where does it come from? Why is it often hard to resist? What does Scripture say?

CROSS REFERENCES:

1 Peter 5:10

1 Peter 1:7

1 Corinthians 10:13

Proverbs 4:23

Mark 7:21-22

VIDEOS:

James 1:9-20 https://youtu.be/Jdm_mrmFJy4?si=X0308VcZOm2pE9vD

James 1:12-27 https://youtu.be/P-7CubqtvcM?si=0cupNGloUiXnfduC

THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

What steps can we take to protect ourselves against ourselves?

Surround yourselves with other believers who can keep you accountable.
Get an accountability partner that will check up on you from time to time and ask the tough questions.
Avoid places or things we know will tempt us.
Pray immediately and make it a habit to ask for help in the moment of temptation.
Fill our minds with Scripture.

REFLECTIONS:

What tempts you the most in life?

List the gifts in your life directly from God?

Stop and thank Him for three.

Does the world see you as “set apart”? Why or why not?

What is one way you can be more of a “doer” of God’s Word this week?

Reflect on one verse that stood out the most in Chapter 1.

Read it/Write it/Post it/Dissect it/Pray it out/Live it

April 19, 2024 0

JAMES-Chapter 1, Part A

Welcome to the first week of study on the book of James. Over the years we have focused on empowering believers in their personal interaction with God’s Word. For the next five weeks, we are supporting our online Monday night class through a variety of resources bi-weekly. Below you will find information, questions, videos, etc. to guide your steps in reading, understanding, and applying the Scriptures.

Refining Ministry is committed to help strengthen individualized study skills in practical ways that can become lifetime habits. With each study, we want to empower you to feel confident in spending personal time in God’s Word. As we dive into the book of James, we will share a variety of techniques and tips based on the recent released Beyond Scripture Typography when coming together during the Monday night meetings. If you would like to join our James study, leave us a comment or email us at refiningjourney@gmail.com. We will be happy to send you the Zoom link.

JAMES Study: April 22-May 27, Monday nights from 6:00-7:00 pm (CST)

BACKGROUND:

Audience: Mainly the scattered Jewish believers.

Topic: Practical day-to-day Christian living and how to live a Godly life.

Author:

Compelled to Write: The author might have felt compelled to write this message to . . .

Timeframe:

Why Jewish believers might listen to James: The Jewish believers might listen to James because he is one of them and has authority and understanding of their culture and faith.

VIDEOS:

Overview of James https://youtu.be/qn-hLHWwRYY?si=nLDDirT3XsHxgZyN

James 1:1-8 https://youtu.be/Ta1FEkgxlmQ?si=VCW15Q2zbOVef41O

James 1:1-11 https://youtu.be/cEO8XjVABmQ?si=H-U9pTTjuJy4g8aY

REFLECTIONS:

April 16, 2024 0

Book Study: Beyond Scriptural Typography, Chapter Eight

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Proverbs 8:33 (NIV)

Is perception everything? Psychologists would probably say it plays a large part in how we process information, yet it does not mean personal interpretation is always accurate. Remember, it is based on how we perceive. As we process information whether sensory and/or mentally, there are lots of factors that can sway our thinking.

For me, this word tends to be the root of many of my rubs in life. When the vision of any situation is one-sided and then forced upon another individual (who of course has a different point of view) it can ignite a problem. It is not always easy to see a different viewpoint because you do not have the same experiences, surroundings, background, processing mechanisms, etc. as the other person. However, we do have the option of humbling our self-centered thinking and opening our hearts to try and understand a different perception.

Now, let us turn our thoughts to Bible intake. El Shaddai, one attaining greater wisdom, wrote Scripture. He has an all-knowing angle with sincere-unflawed character and love. When we are reading, studying, and digging for meaning, it is normal to interpret based on personal perception. We naturally surrender to our insight or the thoughts of those we surround ourselves with daily. It takes intentionality and time to posture ourselves under the foreign mindset of the Lord.

Thoughts on gaining God’s Perspective:

Humble yourself under His authority every time you encounter His Word.
Rely on the Holy Spirit’s wisdom over your own understanding.
Place your thinking at the feet of the Father and seek His perception.
Take time to truly listen to His voice above all others.
Be open to see, hear, feel, and comprehend on a level beyond earthly life.
Pray, submit, ask, and expect wisdom.
Present yourself to the Lord with reverence, obedience, and gratitude.
Allow the Holy Spirit to revitalize your philosophies, customs, opinions, and beliefs.

Change is not easy and comprehending the Lord’s perception is a challenge because His character is far removed from our own innate being. Present your questions and thoughts to Him. Consider His ways and purposefully seek the perception of our great Father.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

March 25, 2024 0

Book Study: Beyond Scriptural Typography, Chapter Five

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17 (NIV)

Framework…And does that mesh with Scripture study? As with anything the mind comprehends, the brain needs structure to organize the incoming information. Once we process context, we mentally filter and decide what is valuable enough to place in our memory bank as we build our schema around the topic.

So, you may be still asking, what does that have to do with God’s Word? Our understanding of the Bible requires a deciphering and configuring system for the vast array of wisdom found in Scripture. It furnishes a structure to consume the words of the Lord and establishes how we can approach, process, and absorb passages. Framework is an important tool to assist in comprehending the individualized message through God’s love story.

There are lots of options available: SOAP, TEXT, SOAK, POWER Inductive method, PRAISE, and the list goes on. If you would like to read more, here is a website highlighting a few: 27 Bible study methods for beginners and groups – The ultimate guide – The Faith Space The purpose behind each is to assist readers in pinpointing the essential knowledge and recognizing the significance for their life. It is not meant to complicate or hinder the process.

Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? Job 11:7 (ESV)

It is a system to enhance your time with God’s Word and permit you to grasp and comprehend Scripture easier. If you choose something too complex, the purpose become a moot point. Although it does take time to develop a muscle memory framework, the deciding factor should be based on the significant difference it can make on your life over time.

Everyone must find a framework to furnish them a way to deepen their understanding of Scripture and open a pathway to better communication with the Lord. The structure should not only simplify how to approach God’s Word, but challenge you in your spiritual growth. God wants us to explore the Bible to gain a greater understanding of His message and to know Him on a deeper level.

If you do not currently have a framework, I encourage you to read over some methods and start with one you feel you would benefit from using. If you do have a system in place, research other approaches and see if there is one new idea you could include periodically to avoid a stagnate engagement with the Bible.

I have been asked many times of what I would recommend. My suggestion is much like what Bible to buy—one that you will truly use. I rely on the AMPS approach presented in chapter five. This is a combination of various proven methods from humbling yourself before the Lord to inductively participating with Scripture. I found this extremely effective when I am working through the Bible chapter by chapter, but it is also relevant to any time when His Word is studied.

This has become my choice of framework for the following reasons:

It reminds me to posture my heart, mind, and soul under the authority of the trinity.
I tend to read Scripture with more intentionality and Holy Spirit vision.
This method reminds me to read the text in context and search for the meaning in Biblical times as well as the here and now.
AMPS prompts me to remember the text is living and God’s perspective should be my priority regardless.
The framework has given me a way to stay accountable for my actions.

I would encourage you to find your “skeleton diagram…to build your Bible intake actions and approaches while strengthening your relationship with the Father”. Pray about it and begin searching for your personal plan for Scripture study. It is the next step after determining why you want to engage with God’s Word. Let your desire generate your scaffolding. Once you find your platform, be ready for a new level of understanding with the Father and His Word. It will come with a great reward.

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. Proverbs 16:20 (ESV)

February 25, 2024 0

Book Study: Beyond Scriptural Typography, Chapter Four

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I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)

Chapter four is entitled “Embracing Beyond” but exactly what does that mean? It could simply be an emotion of longing for more with little effort or it might be defined as an action filled with sweat and tears to fight like crazy to get to new heights. Like most things in life, the definition lies within the beholder.

In Ephesians, Paul expresses his thoughts regarding “embracing beyond.” He clearly illustrates the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God. Paul emphasizes this “beyond” is an action which takes a lot of time building rapport and intimacy with the Lord. He defines it as a lifestyle of gaining the full knowledge of the Lord by embracing a personal relationship.

Pastor Darren Dye of Freedom Fellowship Church in Canyon, Tx recently reiterated Paul’s primary point in Ephesians 1:17 when he made this statement from the pulpit, “When you agree with God’s Word, you invite the living power into your life.” Scripture opens the door to knowing about God, but when you go beyond and align your life with God’s ways, the relationship of knowing Him personally begins to blossom into a transformation of life like no other.

“The Lord wants you to know Him intensely, as He knows you.”

Our one-on-one experience with God is enhanced when we acknowledge and invite His presence. Each personal union with the Lord comes with its own uniqueness, beauty, and thorns. It is a commitment filled with daily habits and ways of the Lord so foreign to our own. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Often it requires us to:

Engage in conversation with God
Ask for spiritual wisdom
Be open to His insight
Invite Him into circumstances
Walk with Him minute by minute
Trust His understanding and timing
Posture ourselves under His influence
And the list goes on…

Under His authority, we must be calculated with our time and ignite our passion for God and His ways through our actions. God reminds us in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” It is up to us to determine our “beyond” and make the most of every opportunity to delight in the Lord with all that we are.

Chapter four is an extension of the Father’s invitation to come and partake in a relationship apart from what the world offers. For me, it was an opportunity to self-reflect on the main barrier holding me back-a gap in my daily conversation with God.

What might it be for you?

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees… Deut. 10:12-13 (NIV)

February 17, 2024 0