For many years now I have had a desire to study the Bible – not just at church or at Sunday school, or with our small group – but for myself, decisively, daily, completely.  I had actually begun such a study when the girls were young, but dropped out when I went back to work.  My lame excuse was that we were too busy and it was hard to find the time.  I shudder when I think about it now!  No time for God’s Word?!  As the girls were finishing up high school and heading off to college, I planned to begin again, and this time finish, what had been put on the back burner for so many years.  I was largely inspired by my daughter, Janel, who from the time she was very young, read her Bible daily.  Her depth of knowledge, understanding, and application always amazed me and left me feeling a bit ill equipped to be the spiritual mentor I should have been. 

       This week I completed a seven year study through Bible Study Fellowship.  BSF is a comprehensive inter-denominational Bible study program that uses a four-fold approach: daily questions and personal Bible study, discussion groups, challenging lectures, and study notes.  The studies included John, the history of Israel and the Minor Prophets, the Acts of the Apostles, Genesis, Romans, Matthew, and the life of Moses.  Without a doubt, this has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding journeys I have ever embarked upon.  Praise God for helping me persevere and for growing me in the areas of humility, obedience, and trust.

The study solidified my core beliefs in a reasonable faith and deepened my understanding of God’s character and my purpose.  Spending time in God’s word has been food for my soul.  I don’t know everything or claim to have all the answers.  I am in process and looking expectantly to the future nuggets that I will discover and apply to my life as I continue to spend time reading, studying, praying. 

So what are your priorities?  Where are you looking for truth?  When are you looking?  Are you making God and the Bible fit your ideas, or are you allowing God to mold your heart to be aligned with His?  Your choices have eternal consequences.  I encourage you to dive into God’s Word, examine the evidence, believe the truth, and be transformed!  There is a BSF class near you!

Sary-Jo, who is working on her own post on this subject, completed the seven-year study of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) this week.  I was blessed to be able to observe her steadfast study and willingness to be taught by her leaders and, more importantly, by the Holy Spirit.  Every week for 34 weeks a year, she diligently read the text, reflected on the questions, and wrote a thoughtful answer to each question. 

Once a year, she would miss a class session to attend the annual meeting at Lighthouse Christian Center.  This year, she also missed a week due to illness and one when Jackie passed away.  Otherwise, she had perfect attendance.

Her attendance and diligence are not what impress me the most (although they impress me).  Rather, I’m impressed with the changes that God has worked in her.  She is more patient, more gentle, and has a godly perspective on virtually every issue that comes up in life.  She also shows confidence and an inner peace – especially in our recent times of job turmoil – than ever would have been possible.  I am so blessed and I just wanted to share with the rest of you how much I love her and appreciate what she has done, and what she has allowed God to do in her life.

– Randy