KEEP GOING! Colossians 3:15-25

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV

Hello friends. Have you ever had those days when the enemy tries to fill your head with lies? You know the feeling—especially right after you’ve done something big for the Lord or intentionally pressed deeper into your relationship with Him. Let’s just be honest: IT IS FRUSTRATING!

The good news is that this pushback is only temporary. We already know the end of the story, and the enemy loses. In the name of Jesus, we can absolutely remind him of his future! But if I’m being completely transparent, those attacks can still take the wind out of my sails at times. What about you?

Recently, Refining Ministry hosted a prayer retreat for a group of women. God has been planting the seeds for this event for a couple of years now. We have been pressing into the content He provided and faithfully following His lead. It was a beautiful experience, perfectly orchestrated by Him on so many levels. For me personally, it was a true spiritual high.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

But slowly, the enemy began to creep in with his usual attacks. I knew I had to fight back by firmly defending what Refining Ministry stands for and the purpose behind everything we do. This time, my battle strategy looked a little different—I sat down and wrote an affirmation.

So… here it is:

Our Affirmation of Authority

Satan, you have absolutely zero authority over Refining Ministry because it is built by and for the Lord. We walk the pathway God paved for us all the way back in 2019. In the name of Jesus, we cast you out of the impact this ministry has—and will continue to have—on lives in the past, present, and future.

Our hearts are completely dedicated to guiding people past surface-level faith and equipping them to live a deeply rooted, Word-fed life. Whether we are leading notebooking retreats, teaching scripture engagement, hosting online classes, or helping believers “crown the sword,” we will continue to do the essential work of spiritual maturity.

We know the legacy of a ministry like Refining isn’t built on flash—it’s built on the deep, lasting transformation of the people we walk alongside. It is our mission to encourage others in their daily walk, provide resources and skills to assist them, and spark a genuine, sold-out love for Him and His Word.

On this day, we affirm that we will keep refining, keep equipping, and keep pointing people to the Father. May the Kingdom of heaven shine upon our efforts by leading, guiding, and directing us to impact every single life we touch. Satan, intimacy with God will be accomplished through this ministry because we stand solely under His authority!

Where in your life do you need that exact kind of encouragement today? Do you need to hear the words “KEEP GOING!” whispered loudly in your ear?

My friend, lean hard into God. Write out your own affirmation for what it looks like to live your life for the Lord, and speak directly to the enemy. In the name of Jesus, tell him exactly where he stands.

And then? KEEP GOING-with God’s peace and a grateful heart!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:15-16 NIV

July 15, 2026 0

Set Your Sight-FOCUS: Colossians 3:1-14

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)

By definition, to focus means concentrating your attention or energy on a specific task, or to center your interest on a singular point.

When the Apostle Paul penned the third chapter of Colossians, he had this exact definition in mind. He didn’t just suggest a casual glance toward heaven; he commanded an intentional alignment of our internal compass when he wrote: “Set your hearts… set your minds…”

It’s been said that the way we think molds the way we live. Paul challenges all believers to arrest our human thoughts and bring them under God’s absolute authority. He urges us to place our emphasis on “things above” rather than the fleeting, exhausting ways of this world. In fact, by verse five, Paul gets incredibly practical, essentially telling us that everything earthly and sinful within us needs to be kicked to the curb.

My 11-Month Journey with a God Word: FOCUS

For the past eleven months, God has given me a single word: FOCUS.

While I thought I had a pretty good grasp on why He assigned this word to me, it wasn’t until I deeply studied this passage in Colossians that its full meaning finally clicked for my heart and mind. God didn’t just give me a word; He gave me a framework.

Two supporting scriptures completely solidified this for me:

1. The Mind Shift (Romans 12:2) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

This verse helped me realize that focus isn’t a temporary New Year’s resolution or a 365-day challenge to be completed and forgotten. It is an intentional, ongoing lifestyle. God is inviting me—and all of us—into a lifetime journey of nurturing His plan through daily prayer, deep study, and the active application of His Word until eternity calls us home. It is a daily, moment-by-moment choice to focus on Him alone.

2. The Thought Filter (Philippians 4:8) “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Talk about a divine checklist for our focus! God lays it out perfectly: we are called to fixate on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable according to His standards.

Practically, this means actively choosing to ignore the office gossip, silencing the worst-case scenario thinking, and rejecting the falsehoods of our culture. It means clinging tightly to biblical reality. I have to intentionally spend my mental energy on things that carry dignity, respect, and integrity. Anything else is just wasted energy—and if I’m honest, I have wasted tons of it over the years.

Philippians continues to convict my heart, reminding me to act in accordance with high moral principles and to value people by treating them with genuine fairness.

To take this a step further, I’ve had to learn to let go of malicious or unwholesome thinking. The minute a toxic, fearful, or bitter thought enters my mind, I have to recognize it, speak directly to it, and reject it in the authority of Christ.

My Prayer: I pray that over time, God will create in me a clean heart as I intentionally strive to direct my mind toward wholesome motives, stepping entirely outside of my fleshy desires.

Finally, focusing on what is lovely and admirable goes hand in hand with what 1 Corinthians teaches us: Let love lead! When we focus on things that draw out the fruit of the Spirit, we naturally begin to dwell on things that are praiseworthy, reputable, and inspiring.

Wow. Thank You, Lord, for sanctification—this beautiful, lifelong journey of refining. I truly need God’s help to fix my mind on the Holy Spirit and to stop relying on my own fragile human nature. As I continue to surrender my mind to Him and allow Him to renew it, my prayer is that I can better understand, accept, and boldly walk out His perfect will for my life.

Over to You…

What about you? When you read Colossians 3:1-2, what is the Holy Spirit stirring in your own heart and mind today? Let’s talk about it in the comments below!

July 6, 2026 0

Colossians: Why We Are Slowing Down Our Bible Study This Summer

…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:11-14 NIV

Welcome to our summer series! This June and July, we are doing something a little unconventional: we are hosting an online class on Monday nights covering the book of Colossians.

Yes, you read that right. We are spending several weeks on a book that is only four chapters long.

Why take so much time for such a short book? Because this summer, we are completely rejecting the rush-through mentality. Instead, we are approaching God’s Word through a Sit, Soak, and Saturate mindset.

The Danger of the Check-the-Box Quiet Time

Oftentimes, we find ourselves reading through Scripture just to check it off a list. We follow a daily reading plan, skim a quick devotional, or review notes from a Sunday sermon. While God’s Word is always inspiring in the moment, if we don’t stop to marinate in the goodness of His truth, we easily toss the Bible aside, move on to the next task on our to-do list, and walk away completely unchanged.

Ask me how I know… because this was my exact lifestyle for years.

But the Lord wants so much more for us. He wants us to embrace sanctification—the lifelong journey of becoming more and more like Jesus. He desires for us to sit with His message, soak it in, and let it prompt us into action. That is what it truly means to live under His authority.

The catch? Change takes time. We are creatures of habit, and retraining our minds to override our naturally rushed, fleshly desires doesn’t happen overnight.

Studying for Action, Verse by Verse

This summer, a group of incredible women is walking together to study Scripture differently. As we read and digest Colossians, we aren’t just looking for information—we are looking for action. We are intentionally slowing down to hear the small promptings of the Holy Spirit, taking an in-depth look at each verse, one by one.

This past week, our challenge was to find and carry out at least one action step from verses 1–14.

For some, that meant holding ourselves accountable to relying on God’s strength instead of our own self-sufficiency.
For others, it was praying daily for the fundamental spiritual needs of our families.

On Monday night, we gathered online to share how the Holy Spirit prompted us to meditate on these truths until they began to reshape our very nature.

Trading Exhaustion for Divine Fuel

Let me give you a beautiful example of how this looks in practice. Colossians 1:11 opens the door to reflect on the exact areas of your life where you feel the weakest right now:

In your parenting (When patience is wearing thin)
In your career (When burnout feels inevitable)
In your relationships (When friction causes distance)
In your health (When physical exhaustion takes over)

This verse is a direct invitation to let God’s glorious might step into those exact spaces. It’s an opportunity to pray for the unique spiritual fuel that only He can provide.

The SSS Process in Action:

SIT: Write out the verse and post it prominently where you can see it throughout the day.

SOAK: Let the goodness of the Word rest deep within your soul without rushing to the next task.

SATURATE: Allow the Lord to flood the specific area of your life that has been gnawing at your heart and robbing you of joy.

Without intentionally handing these heavy areas over to the Father, we experience a slow depletion of hope that eventually drains us completely dry. Imagine the immense strength and relief you could gain after an entire week of simply sitting, soaking, and saturating just one verse!

Moving Into the Week Ahead

Our homework for this coming week is to reread the second half of Colossians chapter one with a fresh vision. We are taking these verses and looking for potential areas where God wants to work in us and through us.

It makes me wonder: Did the Apostle Paul have this exact concept of deep meditation in mind when he penned these words centuries ago?

What About You?

Have you ever stopped to analyze your reflection time with Scripture? Do you find yourself rushing through chapters, or are you resting in them? Could the Sit, Soak, and Saturate method be exactly what your soul needs this season?

Jump right in and give it a try this week! If you do, leave us a comment below—we would absolutely love to hear how the Holy Spirit is prompting you.

Check back with us throughout the summer for updates on our journey. The Lord has amazing blessings in store for us as we intentionally marinate in His Word, verse by verse.

June 14, 2026 1

Book Study: Beyond Scriptural Typography, Chapter Seven

If you need wisdom, ask your generous God, and he will give it to you. He will note rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 (NLT)

Where would you claim is “your hang out” spot? In front of the TV, behind the wheel, on the beach, with a fishing pole, next to those you love, painting a canvas, cooking and baking, crafting a new creation, cutting and sewing, shopping till you drop, exploring the world, hiking the mountains, alone with God, learning new things, dancing, helping others, gardening, etc. We all have them and they are often what keeps us sane in life. It is a comfortable area affirming the joy within us and a place where inner peace may be found. Many allow it to deliver meaning to life and even permit it to define a portion of who they are.

The Lord longs for us to truly love to hang out in the Bible. He would love nothing more than us cherishing His voice by praying, studying, examining, rereading, asking, researching, wrestling, and taking Scripture bite by bite. “God is Jehovah, a relational Father, who longs for us to know Him intensely” much like we know our favorite hang out in life.

Discovering the full meaning of a portion of the Bible is time consuming to say the least. It is not always appealing to hang out in a chapter for an extended period when there are thousands of verses still out there to explore. For most of my life, I skimmed through God’s Word and was just hoping for some miraculous life-changing wisdom to transform my life. It was much like driving by the gym or track but never engaging fully yet thinking I was going to achieve that ripped bikini body. (Go ahead-laugh-I sure am!)

We must search for techniques and methods to dive into the Bible on a deeper level. It requires us to throw out the checklist approach and spend our time in a chapter longer than usual. I call this residing-where deep meaning and understanding blossom. You might see this as a way to study intensely.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Much like a scientific method, gaining wisdom takes certain steps and approaches. Where does one begin? Well, that is a great question. Maybe the best way to answer is to provide you a list of choices and encourage you to try a few each time you intentionally hang out in God’s Word.

Here are a few from this chapter:

Background check-dig into the original meaning of the text. Determine the author, timeline, and location. Discover the original audience and the culture of the day. Read several reliable summaries and outlines to affirm the main message. Apply the 5Ws and an H: who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Identify-Highlight any assurances and promises God has made in the passage. Reflect on the instructions and commands that are present. Cling to the attributes and characteristics of the Lord as they are revealed in Scripture.
Investigate-Find the Hebrew meaning of the main focused terminology. Consult the Greek meaning for New Testament reading since it was the primarily language of the time but rely on Hebrew as well. Read different translations to bring clarity and exact meaning.
See the big picture-When a verse tugs at your heart strings, read the entire context. Find the original meaning and audience rather than “making it fit” for your life. Consult commentaries and investigate the full counsel of God through cross-references.

The primarily take away is to find God in the story and discover His wisdom by hanging out in a chapter. “It is a chance to uncover the biblical sustenance you might need to infuse in your life on a grander scale. Remember, God’s Word can nourish every aspect of your life. What a nutritional diet!” Who knows it might even bring greater peace to your favorite hangout spot in the future.

Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scripture. Luke 24:45

March 13, 2024 1

Book Study: Beyond Scriptural Typography, Chapter Six

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

Do you ever prep for something? I seem to spend a lot of time doing this…prepping everything before cooking a meal, gathering supplies before a retreat, organizing personal items prior to packing, planning the approach for a task, warming up before a long hike, arranging everything prior to hosting a party, priming my mind before a hard meeting, etc. The list of things I do to prepare whether it is simply going to work or spending the afternoon in the yard working with my husband.

So why do we deem this an important task? Lots of words come rushing like mighty waves: provision, organization, projection, preparing, setting up, developing, provision, road to success, forecasting, etc. All these words attached at the hip to planning and even the mindset if you fail to plan you plan to fail. We all do it in some form or fashion and for some rhyme or reason no matter how slight or significant.

For me, the work on the front end seems to set the stage for success. Much like any sport, theatrical production, concert, etc…practice and rehearsal allows for skills to be enhanced, training to be precise, and run throughs to address effectiveness. Preparing is part of it. It is a procedural system that eventually becomes a routine habit.

But what about reading God’s Word? Chapter six addresses how to prepare for Bible engagement through practical approaches. It affirms the importance of prepping by defining this as a method to “slow down and let the Lord lead” and to “allow the Holy Spirit to pilot your attention and guide your hearing.”

“Allotting moments to read and engage with God’s Word involves planning— The way you move toward your time can make a large impact on everything that follows.”

We often jump right into abiding in Scripture without giving any thought into abiding in God. Our thoughts are still in this world and distracted by daily life. Our focus can be hindered by the issues, problems, concerns, and all the other things we face in a fallen world. These are things the enemy uses to cloud our thinking and keep us from hearing and understanding during Bible engagement. Would you agree?

Below are some tried and true tips from this chapter:

Pause prior to reading: This is a brief mental exercise to separate yourself from the world. The length of time is dependent, but it is a way of letting go of your surroundings and opening your mind to greater things.
Pray first: “Ask the Lord to direct your focus and provide you with His discernment.” Wow, just a short prayer can display intentionality to prepare for what God has to say.
Prepare your heart: Pausing and praying opens the door to sharing your heart and giving your concerns over to the Lord. It is a way to safeguard your time in Scripture and letting the enemy know that he is not welcome. “He would love nothing more than to distract you form having a softened heart.”
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead: He is abiding within you to deliver knowledge and understanding. He is our GPS when we allow Him to be. He can channel our attention to hear and see what God speaks as we read. He often highlights portion of our reading to guide us through our pathway. He is often just waiting for us to ask.

But whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:2 (NIV)

Give these four tips a whirl the next time you engage with God’s Word. It is not easy to carve out uninterrupted time to read the Bible, but our approach to Scripture can deliver a more productive experience. Let these practical methods allow the Lord to bless your time, reveal a personal message, and assist you to hear His voice through the words. “Remember, He is Jehovah, a relational Father so, pause, praise Him, and reciprocate your interest in Him and His Holy Word.”

May you find your prepping well worth it in the end.

March 12, 2024 1

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

Book Study: Beyond Scriptural Typography, Chapter Two

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

Have you ever feared something in your life? I know I have and compiling a list might be overwhelming. So, what is fear? It can be an emotion, or an action based on believing something or someone may be dangerous and/or cause pain. From my past experiences, I might add – it can raise your anxiety level because of what you feel is to come. Fear can also be a chance to respond by decelerating or igniting even more fear.

What do you think of when the word fear is spoken? What if I said fear could be a healthy thing?

The Bible often references fear word regarding the Lord.

Job 28:28b “. . .The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “. . .Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the duty of all mankind.”

I have struggled with “Fear of the Lord” throughout my lifetime especially when I reflect on Proverbs 1:7 which clearly states, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”. But as I have pressed into His Word and gained a greater appreciation for Scripture, I have come to realize fear of the Lord begins with accepting the fact that God is the only one who knows everything.

Fearing the Lord displays a healthy relationship with God. It is an action where we surrender to His authority not because we are forced to do so, but because we know He knows best. He expects us to keep an open mind to His advice and embrace His reproof. The Father is very clear about the outcome of those who follow Him and those who do not.

Romans 11:19-22 ESV Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off.

This verse gives us the knowledge of God’s position on following Him. He wants us to seek His wisdom and love His ways by being a lifetime learner. As a helpmate, He provided His very words, the Bible, to give us Godly counsel and instructions yet much like our salvation, the choice is ours.

We must believe Scripture is:

A living document assisting in engaging with God
A source of inspiration to change our perspective and actions
A guide to molding and shaping our lives to do His will
A window to knowing God’s character
Transformational, miraculous, powerful, set apart from all other text
A love story with us

Elevating biblical text necessitates work and a commitment to go BEYOND!

Fear-do you value God enough to understand the fear of the Lord? How deep is your awe and submission to the Father? Does His Word play a significant role in your life? To what lengths are you willing to go to make Scripture engagement a life-changing event in your life?

Chapter two of Beyond Scriptural Typography is entitled Exceeding Reasons. We each must find the exceeding reasons to embrace the fear of the Lord and why we would seek Biblical knowledge. The personal choice does come with the wisdom that “obtaining life-changing engagement skills with God’s Word is a refining process with a time factor attached.”

How will you spend your days ahead?

February 5, 2024 0

Scripture: Nourishment for the Soul

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; … Psalm 1:1-6 ESV

Reading God’s Word has often been referred to as nourishment for the soul. So why isn’t everyone feasting on it daily?

This is a question I have asked myself over and over for years because I lived daily without Scripture being my manual for life. You may be wondering my reasons for this.

Well, I felt inapt to study the Bible on my own. I also had a fear of inadvertently misunderstanding text and possibly taking it out of context. I knew how easy it would be to possibly twist God’s Word to fit my liking. Also, I had not truly developed a routine nor sought ways to study Scripture on my own. And of course, I had all the traditional excuses too.

It wasn’t until life hit rock-bottom and I mean flat of my back-overwhelmed and determined to no longer live, that I realized my lack of personal seeking God through Scripture had caused a self-induced deficiency in knowing and relying on God for who He truly is, especially in the pit of darkness!

Therefore, the Lord allowed many rocky years as a method to gain my attention (aka…getting through to my thick skull) to ignite a mission within me. A journey to infuse my life with Scripture and discover the LORD on a deeper level.

So, where does one start to become a discerning student of the Bible? My first response would be-Go to God and pour out your heart to Him. Ask Him to give you full discernment of what the first step is for you. Here are a few basic suggestions as well:

Invest in a study Bible. It is a great tool to understand Scripture.
Attend a true Bible study class over a book of the Bible. This is a great way to gain study skills and resources from other Christians. Take it verse-by-verse.
Pause each time before you begin to study/read Scripture and ask for the LORD to reveal Himself to you. Be open to hearing the perspective of God through the Holy Spirit’s guidance and prompting.
Don’t rush your reading. Learn how to meditate on God’s Word and let it infuse your soul. Here is an article on the topic by a fellow blogger: https://joyfullifemagazine.com/meditate-word-of-god/

Are you digesting God’s Word as your daily nourishment? What steps might you need to take to know the LORD on a deeper level? I am praying for you…May the Father reveal the next level of study to you as you are reading this article. Know this…you are greatly loved, and God wants to grow your faith daily-hand and hand with Him.

I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, so that my hand shall be established with him; my arm also shall strengthen him. The enemy shall not outwit him; the wicked shall not humble him. I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him. My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him, and in my name shall his horn be exalted. Psalm 89:20-38 ESV

May 16, 2023 0

Bible Literacy: Understanding the Old Testament in the Context of the New Testament

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Old Testament is often unread but referenced continuously in the New Testament. Refining ministry has devoted 2023 to walk alongside others in reading the Bible chronologically. We want to dig deeper into the understanding of the Old Testament to see God’s story from the beginning of its inception.

We are using the one-year Chronological Study Bible (NLT). It has provided a daily guide to understanding, reading, and meditating on Scripture through the fourteen eras. I love the verse stated on the first page: “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” Romans 15:4 (NLT).

I have enjoyed the website entitled CBT-Chronological Bible Teaching established as an extension of the Chronological Study Bible. Here is a direct quote from their website: “One of the grand themes of the Bible is the need for God’s people to read His Word and know it well. Bible literacy makes or breaks God’s people spiritually. They prosper when they treasure His Word, and they fall into sin and judgment when they neglect it.” WOW! What a profound statement.

If you would like to read more about their philosophy on understanding the Old Testament in the context of the New Testament, here is a direct link to the article: Why Bible Literacy Matters (chronologicalbibleteaching.com)

CBT offers many resources for readers from daily devotional to podcast. If you would like to use your own Bible, the website has a one year reading plan just for you. My favorite resource they offer is articles on their blog. Here is an example: https://chronologicalbibleteaching.com/blog/posts/god-at-work-through-common-means

What a wonderful time to be living on earth-it is truly a gift to have resources at our fingertips. Think about how far we have come in the past three decades. God wants each of us to treasure Bible literacy and know Him like never before. In Deuteronomy 30:6 it states, The LORD your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love Him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!

Come join us on Monday nights from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. (CST) via Zoom as we continue the journey through the fourteen eras. We are just a group of ordinary Christians wanting to know Almighty God better, keep His commandments, cling to His promises, define key terms, and allow the Holy Spirit to provide understanding and discernment. Day-by-day we are discovering the contents of the New Testament through the understanding of the Old Testament.

March 26, 2023 0

How do you engage with God’s Word?

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)

Scripture tells us the Bible is the very expression of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16, we read all Scripture is God-breathed. His Holy Word is not just a furnished resource. His intonation and declaration of assurances and support assist our spiritual walk. We see this to be true in Romans 15:4. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (ESV).

However, the basic knowledge of His Word only scratches the surface of properly handling this precious treasure (2 Timothy 2:15). Take the Pharisees, for instance. They were top scholars of the Word and had a precise academic understanding. Would you agree? Who knew the Torah better? They devoted their lives to memorizing and interpreting Mosaic law with its conformity and ceremonial acts. The Pharisees allowed their scholarly status to take a legalistic stance, leading them to believe works trumped God’s mercy and grace.

Quite frankly, this contradicts the accurate message of Christ Jesus, our Savior. In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Bible states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (NIV). Our obedience in following God’s law is from a heart of love and respect for Him, who saved and called us to live according to His purpose. Pursuing God’s prohibitions has nothing to do with redeeming ourselves from eternal damnation. We are not capable of this miraculous task.

How you read, engage, and understand the Bible can affect your conduct as a Christian.

Scripture is a gift from God, so you can know Him as He reveals His love, goodness, truth, and redemption. God wants to extend very precise knowledge unique to you and so much more.

What is your vision of Scripture engagement?

Have you ever wondered what the Lord visualizes for you? What does He picture you doing? How does He want the story of your life to unfold?

God’s Windowpane of Transparency

He envisions you:

embracing Scripture independently with Him
reading and studying His Word as a beginning to move forward
believing the Bible is living—not just text
seeking ways to go BEYOND an educational knowledge of verses
committed to growing in relationship with Him and His voice
inviting His ways and perspective
treasuring His voice as life-authority
welcoming His refinement for a lifetime
going BEYOND head knowledge to full life-saturation
allowing the Bible to change your life completely (heart, mind, body, and soul)
slaying all obstacles and barriers keeping you from going BEYOND
feasting on Scripture as your sole substance with an eternal mindset

I pray as you ponder over this list, a couple of envisions will spark a revival in your spirit to engage with Scripture on a deeper level this week. May the Lord increase a hunger within your soul to infuse God’s Word into your life more than ever and through the journey you are transformed to be more like our beautiful Savior.

Go BEYOND surface level and live out God’s Word! The Lord envisions your life saturated with His love. Embrace the journey.

February 27, 2023 0