Jesus is everything. I have been so encouraged by the Redefined Bible study at Well-Watered Women. We just started last week and the FB community is already bearing fruit as we share together. What defines you? Is there a label that lurks in the back of your mind?
One precious sister shared recently that she feels like giving up on Bible study because she struggles to understand the Bible and feels like she’ll never be a good Christian. It really made me think and ponder in my heart about how to respond to her with a word of encouragement.
The words “good Christian” are just another
deceptive tool the enemy uses to discourage us.
Do you love Jesus? Have you asked Him to be your Savior? Then you are a child of God. Your identity is IN Christ. Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Nothing and no one can separate you from the Love of Christ! (Romans 8:38-39)
None of us are good or bad Christians. We are all sinners, bought by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We don’t need to do anything else. He did it all. It is finished.
So what can we do when we feel discouraged and can’t seem to get started (or finish) with a Bible study or reading plan?
Start simple. Listen to Jon Courson or Chuck Smith or another pastor who teaches clearly and simply from the Bible.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand. Even if you take one scripture a day to look at and learn about, you’ll start building a strong foundation in God’s Word.
Grab a girlfriend or two and help each other. Ask a woman who is further along in the Lord to help answer questions. Read commentaries. Join a women’s Bible study at your church.
Don’t be discouraged. Jesus loves you and He’s for you! We all learn differently and are at different places. Jesus is our common ground. And we all need help learning how to understand the Bible.
I’m so thankful for the team at Well-Watered Women because the Redefined study challenges me to think about scripture and about myself in a whole new way. (I invite you to check out the study if you want to dig into the labels and definitions we live under and the “fig leaves” we hide behind.)
We are all prone to believe subtle lies. Some sneak in the back away, around hidden corners, but others sit front and center, disguised as something else. What lie have you believed? Share in the comments and let’s encourage one another!
Photo cred: @wellwateredco
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