Direction Archives | More To Life Bible Studies for Women

In Devotions

Seasons

August 31, 2019 No Comments

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1

I love this time of year. After the very hot and humid days we are now experiencing cooler nights and pleasant temperatures during the day. As summer transitions into fall, it is nice to go for long walks and enjoy the beautiful things our Lord has created. Soon the leaves will begin to change colour, and we will enjoy the Autumn splendor once again.

I am glad when God created this earth, that He made the different seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each one has its special features and although we may not appreciate the extreme cold or heat when it comes, the changes are welcome. I am glad that I live in a part of the country where the seasons do change.

Just as the weather system experiences changes of seasons, so in our spiritual life we go through different seasons. As we look back on our life, we can see how the Lord has brought us through many different experiences, each one with a purpose to shape us into the person he wants us to be. As the writer expresses it in Ecclesiastes, we have had times of love, times of trouble, times of weeping, and so many other seasons. But through each season, the Lord has been there for us, guiding us and directing each step of the way.

Verse 11: “He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”

Whatever season of life we may find ourselves in today, one thing is for certain that the Lord is always there with us.

Prayer: Jesus we thank you for your hand upon us in every season of our lives. Continue to lead us direct us in the path you would have us go.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

In Devotions

Direct My Thoughts

August 26, 2019 No Comments

“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.” Psalm 139:1-2

In Luke 6, Jesus is in the synagogue on the sabbath day and there is a man there with a withered hand. The Scribes and Pharisees were watching closely to see what Jesus would do. They were looking for a chance to accuse Him if He healed the man, contrary to the laws of the Sabbath. What they did not realize was that He knew their thoughts and was ready for them with a question of whether it was right to do good or evil on the Sabbath. Then He proceeded to heal the man and his enemies had to keep quiet.

David in this Psalm is acknowledging the fact that the Lord knows everything about us, even what we are thinking. Just as Jesus knew the thoughts of the people He met every day during His ministry here on earth, He knows our thoughts and understands everything that we are going through.

Sometimes our thoughts run away with us, and if we are not careful, we find ourselves imagining all sorts of things. Often, we cause ourselves a lot of worry and frustration simply because we let our thoughts run wild. Thoughts lead to actions, and we find ourselves doing things that we know are not pleasing to the Lord. This can affect all areas of our life. In order to change our life, we need to change our thought patterns.

Think about this scenario: your teenage son has taken your car for the first time and gone to visit a friend. You hear a siren, and immediately you begin to think of all the things that could happen to your son. Before you know it, you are really stressed and expecting to hear some bad news. Thankfully, you feel that little nudge from the Lord and you call your son’s name in prayer, asking the Lord to protect him. Peace settles down in your heart, and you can go about your day, trusting. When you hear the door open and your child walks in, laughing and happy you thank God for being there for you.

We all have times when our thoughts are not what they should be, but we must learn to guard our thoughts, and when they are not headed in the right direction, we need to call on the Lord and ask Him to guide our thoughts in the way they should go.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank you that you know us better than we know ourselves, and that you are aware of our thoughts. We ask that you direct our thoughts today, may they be pleasing to you.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

In Devotions

Falling In Love With The Word

July 15, 2019 2 Comments

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

I remember the exact moment when I finished reading though the Bible for the first time. I was in my second year at Bible College and I was snuggled in bed. Up to this point I had tried to finish reading my Bible through in a year, but without success. However, something shifted in me when I became resolute to know God more, I became addicted to reading the Bible every chance I had.

The moment I checked off the last box in my Bread Calendar, I felt as if I had just finished running an Olympic Marathon. I was elated beyond words! Do you know that feeling of butterflies you get when you fall in love? Well, that is exactly how I felt. I fell madly deeply in love with God and the love letters He wrote for me. I remember taking my Bible, hugging it and telling God, “Thank you for Your Words of life.”

Falling In Love

Ever since that moment, I have fallen more in love with God and His word. The Bible is unsearchable—it will always have something fresh for you to learn—it will always minister to you—and it will be a shining light in the darkest moments.

Whenever I teach Bible studies, I always say:

“The Bible is the only book you will read that the author will speak directly to you.”

God is always looking for an opportunity to speak to His people. Sometimes He will speak to you in prayer, other times though the guidance of a spiritual leader, but many times He will strengthen you through His Word of Life.

If you have been praying for an answer, seeking confirmation, needing reassurance, or desiring a closer walk from the Lord, then I encourage you to make time to read the Bible today. I promise that it can change your life.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for Your word. I pray that I would fall more in love with the Bible everyday because I want to grow in my relationship with You. I desire to know the sound of Your voice; the voice of my shepherd. I believe that You know exactly what I need, so I pray that You will lead me to scriptures that will help me grow. In Jesus name, amen!